Buffy signs off: After seven seasons, the Slayer’s time in Sunnydale comes to a close

How did a sub-par vampire film become such a beloved weekly drama? How did the writer of films like Alien: Resurrection and Titan: A.E. show he could give some of the most instantly-quotable dialogue ever to grace television screens? And how did that Maybelline girl, the flute-chick from American Pie and a whole host of others manage to become one of television’s most charming and likeable cast in years? Honestly, I don’t know, but sometimes the pieces just fall into place and you get a great show like Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
After facing the evils of a giant snake, alternate dimensions, high school and an endless array of vamps and demons, Buffy the Vampire Slayer will finally come to close on May 20. Creator Joss Whedon gave his comments on the show’s ending saying:
“It’s hard to believe it’s over. Well, it’s hard to think at all, or stand, or form vowel sounds, so maybe it’s time to take a break. I’m just glad I can say we did our best on every single episode. We didn’t always succeed, but we never slacked, and I’m immensely proud of my writers, actors and crew for that. And I’m proud of what this show means (except for that whole weird “Feminist” thing people attached to it. What was that all about? Girls are stupid.) I truly believe that in years to come, people will look back and say ‘that was a show that was on TV.’ Yessir. I truly do.”
Buffy developed into a cult and critical favorite with its combination of cheesy horror, pop culture references, quick dialogue and melodramatic relationships. At the lead, there was the determined and spirited Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar), the chosen one who can fight the vampires, demons and any other evil that may come her way. She had her two closest friends, the wise-cracking Xander Harris (Nicholas Brendon) and the adorable lesbian witch, Willow (Alyson Hannigan). Along the way, we met the brooding vampire Angel (David Boreanaz) who eventually got his own show (which may also be ending this year; there will be an announcement in May), a wry Brit vampire named Spike (James Marsters) the blunt yet perky vengeance demon Anya (Emma Caulfield), father figure Rupert Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) and so forth. Yet no character on Buffy went undeveloped. No monster came in as window dressing and no desired turnout was easily forthcoming.
The show managed to tackle some weighty issues and yet writers always found a way to add a sly quip or reference pop culture. But what made Buffy a real standout was the show’s defiance to cave into pat, happy endings. It’s not as if the show refused to have joy, but Whedon and Co. consistently delivered the exact opposite of a desired turnout.
The very premise of the show is taking the girl who would normally be in distress and making her the asskicking superhero instead. And on Buffy, no one is safe from death. Even Buffy has died. Twice.
My love affair with the show started this past winter term. Although I watched the first season a year before, I still couldn’t understand the ardent devotion of the show’s fans. It mostly seemed like monster-of-the-week zaniness with some clever lines thrown in for good measure. No one told me that seasons two and three are when the show really hit its stride.
Thanks to a borrowed copy of season two and the good folk of Matrix Games letting me rent season three, I had a Buffy-on-DVD marathon. The show works so well on DVD because these are story arcs. There’s a reason why people love shows like The Sopranos or Six Feet Under: because it’s like watching one long movie. Buffy’s no exception. Villains with *gasp* personality remain a threat throughout the season. Romantic relationships blossom and fall apart. This was television that was frustrating, yet charming enough to always keep viewers coming back for more.
After season three, fans of the show began to cite a downfall. They didn’t like the introduction of Buffy’s younger sister, Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg). They didn’t like the darker attitudes of the characters. They didn’t like the villains. But apparently the fans have continued to watch in order to note these changes.
Personally, I find it wise for Whedon to put an end to Buffy before the show turns into something really wretched. With only six episodes remaining, Buffy will have to fight the First Evil. If you don’t watch the show already, I would recommend going down to Matrix, renting the DVDs, and checking out this show for yourself, because I suspect that when people look back and talk about Buffy the Vampire Slayer, they’ll have a little more to say than “that was a show that was on TV.”