10 Ways Buffy The Vampire Slayer Still Holds Up Today

There are countless TV series focusing on high school, from tough classes to romantic dances to the pain of a bad breakup. Buffy the Vampire Slayer stands out for blending a teenage story with the supernatural, and once Buffy finishes high school and enters college and the real world, viewers still enjoy watching her kick butt, joke around, and fall in love with Riley Finn and Spike.

While some aspects of the show are problematic, from a famous Buffy/Spike scene that is difficult to watch to fans not loving Dawn’s character, many parts of Buffy The Vampire Slayer can still be celebrated today.

10 Buffy’s Character And Journey

While Buffy fans don’t love some characters, Buffy Summers is always popular thanks to her wit, power, and confidence. Many high schoolers would find it tough to relocate to a new place, but she takes changes in stride and learns to accept her fate as the slayer.

Fans always enjoy watching Buffy’s journey, whether she’s saving Sunnydale, falling for a good and then an evil vampire, or learning more about her family history. She’s a perfect main character as she’s comforting and familiar but also becomes stronger over time.

9 The Friendships

Xander Harris and Willow Rosenberg have no idea how much their lives will change when new girl Buffy shows up at Sunnydale High. It’s sweet watching these characters bond with Buffy and learn more about the vampire world.

The Scooby Gang is one of the best and most beloved parts of the series and it’s an aspect that has aged well over the years. Xander and Willow are always willing to lend a hand, and Rupert Giles brings everyone together as the wise mentor figure. The show wouldn’t feel the same if Buffy didn’t have her friends right there with her on this wild ride.

8 The High School Setting

Season 1 of Buffy The Vampire Slayer is particularly strong and that’s thanks to its depiction of high school. With episodes like “Witch” when Amy’s mom Catherine takes over her body or students becoming hyenas in “The Pack,” the series talks about being a teenager while exploring the supernatural.

Sunnydale High is a picture perfect place to spend each day learning, which is why it works so well when weird and intense things begin happening. It’s also fun watching Buffy and her friends hang out with Giles in the library.

7 The Vampires And Demons

The fighting ability of enemies on Buffy the Vampire Slayer may differ, as it’s terrifying watching Angel become Angelus but some villains might not seem as scary. But the show always does a great job of portraying horrifying vampires, demons, and other creatures who contribute to the overall fun, exciting, and entertaining tone.

Buffy is famous for being more than just a show about young adults and that’s all because of the amazing world building, and that includes the bad elements who Buffy tries to defeat on a regular basis.

6 Willow And Tara’s Love Story

While Buffy and Angel’s love story is a significant and powerful part of the show, and fans will always swoon over them, there is another important Buffy The Vampire Slayer couple who live on forever.

Willow meets Tara in the season 4 episode “Hush” at a college Wicca meeting, and the two share something special right away. It’s heartbreaking when they go through some relationship problems and devastating when Warren shoots and kills Tara in season 6. Tara has a positive influence on Willow and they both teach each other to be stronger and more confident, which is beautiful to watch.

5 Faith, The Other Slayer

Buffy and Faith’s connection is one of the most fascinating parts of the entire series. Fans are shocked when Faith tries to murder Angel and it’s thrilling seeing Faith and Buffy fight in the season 3 finale.

Faith is a divisive character as some viewers appreciate her tough personality and others aren’t big fans, but no matter how someone feels about her, she brings some interest and excitement to the show and it wouldn’t be the same without her. No matter how many times someone watches Faith’s scenes, she’s always powerful.

4 Buffy And Angel’s Relationship

Right away, it becomes clear that Buffy and Angel will have an epic romance that will propel the story forward and looking back, their love story still feels meaningful and emotional.

When Buffy loses her virginity to Angel in the season 2 episode “Surprise,” he becomes the evil Angelus in the next episode called “Innocence,” a haunting and powerful storyline that no fan can ever forget. Angel and Buffy have one of the saddest Buffy break-ups as he leaves for Los Angeles.

3 The Sometimes Campy, Always Funny Tone

With dialogue that consists of funny lines and clever comebacks, Buffy is known for its smart writing, and it’s fair to say that the tone can be hilarious but also fairly campy. This works well, though, and it’s an element that still holds up.

The show doesn’t take itself seriously and that’s helpful as otherwise, it might be too dark, intense, and serious. Buffy and her friends deal with a lot of tragedy and pain over the seasons and the show balances that out with humor.

2 The First Episode

Much of Buffy stays the same after the pilot, and the first episode is truly special. In “Welcome to the Hellmouth,” viewers see the evil Darla biting a teenage boy’s neck, and then Buffy meets her new classmates and soon to be best friends at school.

The pilot has it all: Giles letting Buffy know that he’s aware of her calling, Buffy and Angel’s first meeting, and the cheesy yet fun hang-out The Bronze. Even watching this episode many decades later, it’s still just as exciting.

1 The Exciting Season Finales

If a show is going to delve into the supernatural, it needs memorable season finales that have strong storylines and Buffy The Vampire Slayer definitely delivers.

In the season 1 finale “Prophecy Girl,” Buffy saves herself and the world by beating the Master. In season 2, viewers learn more about Angel’s past and Buffy runs away. This continues with the season 5 finale as everyone goes up against Glory and saves Dawn. The series finale stands out with a major death and Buffy feeling relieved and at peace.

About The Author

Aya Tsintziras
(1742 Articles Published)

Aya Tsintziras is a freelance writer who writes about pop culture and TV. She has a Political Science degree from the University of Toronto and a Masters of Journalism from Ryerson University. She loves coffee, reading, working out, and watching TV. She lives in Toronto with her husband.

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