Summary: Updated! What makes this show so GREAT. A meta look at all the best parts of Buffy the Vampire Slayer's 144 episodes.
Buffy Slays by violettathepiratequeen [PG-13]
Categories: Season 1, Season 2, Season 3, Season 4, Season 5, Season 6, Season 7, Essay (BtVS), Essay (Spuffy)
Characters: Buffy, Spike, Ensemble - BtVS
Genres: Action/Adventure, Romance
Warnings: (Click Here To Reveal) Buffy/Other (Temp), Spike/Other (Temp)
Completed: No Chapters: 26
Word count: 62,397 Hit Count: 1,752 ePub Downloads: 38
Published: 05/16/25 Updated: 07/16/25
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Characters: Buffy, Spike, Ensemble - BtVS
Genres: Action/Adventure, Romance
Warnings: (Click Here To Reveal) Buffy/Other (Temp), Spike/Other (Temp)
Completed: No Chapters: 26
Word count: 62,397 Hit Count: 1,752 ePub Downloads: 38
Published: 05/16/25 Updated: 07/16/25
Print or Download Story:
Share Story: Tweet
View All Chapters
Story Notes: Originally posted as a series of blog posts on my tumblr, I'm now putting my meta analysis of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on this site, because SAD welcomes meta takes and because I like having my work backed up in more than one place!
This came about because it's so easy to find criticisms of this show, the characters, the writing, the creators, even the actors at times, and while there's definitely a place for that, I think it's sad how often we forget the things that made us all fans of BtVS in the first place! So this was me meticulously going through all 144 episodes and making a list of all the ways this show slays. What I present to you now is in no way an exhaustive list, but it is a compilation of the most important parts of each episode while still hopefully being interesting to read. Just BtVS; no comics, AtS, movies, audiobooks, or reboots, though discussion of these will sometimes be included.
Every view expressed in these chapters is my own personal opinion; this was truly a solo project and my views have been known to be controversial at times, lol, which is ALSO why I'm slapping on the "personal opinion" disclaimer. You may disagree, and that's okay, these are just my thoughts, feelings, interpretations, and opinions, so no need to assume this is how the fandom at large feels, nor am I suggesting such. And obviously there will be a heavy emphasis on Spuffy, so hopefully that will appeal to the readers here!
The other disclaimer is that I don't anticipate having the bandwidth to actually engage in discussions about these essays; I know that's often the point of this kind of thing, but given that this is a backlog, as well as a major undertaking, and I have multiple other actual fanfic projects still on the stove, I'm likely going to have to stay away from further discourse on this. BUT any civil comments/discussion are quite welcome (and I will delete anything that isn't) so thank you so much for reading and being interested in what I have to say on this show that's impacted all of us here!
Banner by me.
This came about because it's so easy to find criticisms of this show, the characters, the writing, the creators, even the actors at times, and while there's definitely a place for that, I think it's sad how often we forget the things that made us all fans of BtVS in the first place! So this was me meticulously going through all 144 episodes and making a list of all the ways this show slays. What I present to you now is in no way an exhaustive list, but it is a compilation of the most important parts of each episode while still hopefully being interesting to read. Just BtVS; no comics, AtS, movies, audiobooks, or reboots, though discussion of these will sometimes be included.
Every view expressed in these chapters is my own personal opinion; this was truly a solo project and my views have been known to be controversial at times, lol, which is ALSO why I'm slapping on the "personal opinion" disclaimer. You may disagree, and that's okay, these are just my thoughts, feelings, interpretations, and opinions, so no need to assume this is how the fandom at large feels, nor am I suggesting such. And obviously there will be a heavy emphasis on Spuffy, so hopefully that will appeal to the readers here!
The other disclaimer is that I don't anticipate having the bandwidth to actually engage in discussions about these essays; I know that's often the point of this kind of thing, but given that this is a backlog, as well as a major undertaking, and I have multiple other actual fanfic projects still on the stove, I'm likely going to have to stay away from further discourse on this. BUT any civil comments/discussion are quite welcome (and I will delete anything that isn't) so thank you so much for reading and being interested in what I have to say on this show that's impacted all of us here!
Banner by me.
1. S1 E1: Welcome to the Hellmouth by violettathepiratequeen - Likes: 3 
Comments: 6 Word Count: 1,757 Hit Count: 121 Published: 05/16/25
Buffy Summers and her mom move to Sunnydale, California, for a fresh start, unaware of the evil lurking in this quiet suburb. Somewhat reluctant in her role as the slayer, Buffy quickly makes friends and enemies at her new school. While also meeting her new "Watcher," Giles, the staid school librarian, her newly assembled team encounters the ever-abundant unearthly creatures in Sunnydale. (Pulled from the BTVS wiki)
2. S1 E2: The Harvest by violettathepiratequeen - Likes: 1 Comments: 1 Word Count: 2,120 Hit Count: 72 Published: 05/17/25
A mysterious stranger named Angel tells Buffy that if she does not stop The Harvest, the Hellmouth will open and The Master will roam free. (Pulled from Hulu.)
3. S1 E3: Witch by violettathepiratequeen - Likes: 1 Comments: 1 Word Count: 2,259 Hit Count: 44 Published: 05/20/25
In an effort to inject some normalcy into her life, Buffy tries out for the cheerleading squad, only to discover the competition is deadly. (Pulled from Hulu.)
4. S1 E4: Teacher's Pet by violettathepiratequeen - Likes: 0 Comments: 0 Word Count: 1,732 Hit Count: 54 Published: 05/21/25
Xander falls for a beautiful substitute teacher who turns out to be a giant praying mantis. (Pulled from Hulu.)
5. S1 E5: Never Kill a Boy on the First Date by violettathepiratequeen - Likes: 0 Comments: 0 Word Count: 1,409 Hit Count: 66 Published: 05/23/25
While awaiting the arrival of The Anointed One, Buffy's big date at the Bronze takes a detour to a funeral home. (Pulled from Hulu.)
6. S1 E6: The Pack by violettathepiratequeen - Likes: 0 Comments: 0 Word Count: 1,784 Hit Count: 61 Published: 05/24/25
A field trip to the zoo turns deadly after Xander and a gang of mean-spirited kids become possessed by hyenas. (Pulled from Hulu.)
7. S1 E7: Angel by violettathepiratequeen - Likes: 0 Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,038 Hit Count: 71 Published: 05/26/25
Buffy discovers Angel’s true identity and learns about his Gypsy curse. (Pulled from Disney+.)
8. S1 E8: I, Robot... You, Jane by violettathepiratequeen - Likes: 0 Comments: 0 Word Count: 1,525 Hit Count: 87 Published: 05/28/25
Buffy and Giles face a demon spirit who has been trapped since the Dark Ages and is unleashed into cyberspace. Meanwhile, Willow has fallen for a cyber-beau whom she met online and Xander and Buffy are wary of who this anonymous wooer may turn out to be. (Pulled from the BTVS Wiki.)
9. S1 E9: The Puppet Show by violettathepiratequeen - Likes: 0 Comments: 0 Word Count: 1,933 Hit Count: 38 Published: 05/31/25
Sunnydale High School's annual talent show serves as a backdrop for murder when Buffy must catch a knife-wielding stealer of human organs. Meanwhile, the new principal is a discipline-loving brute who forces Giles to run the talent show and orders Buffy, Xander, and Willow to perform. (Pulled from the BTVS Wiki.)
10. S1 E10: Nightmares by violettathepiratequeen - Likes: 0 Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,634 Hit Count: 56 Published: 06/01/25
Buffy and her friends discover that their worst nightmares have become reality. (Pulled from Prime Video.)
11. S1 E11: Out of Mind, Out of Sight by violettathepiratequeen - Likes: 0 Comments: 0 Word Count: 1,931 Hit Count: 31 Published: 06/02/25
Buffy and Cordelia become unlikely allies to combat an invisible spirit that has targeted Cordelia and everyone around her. Meanwhile, Angel goes to Giles to warn him that Buffy could be in grave danger. (Pulled from the BTVS Wiki.)
12. S1 E12: Prophecy Girl by violettathepiratequeen - Likes: 0 Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,779 Hit Count: 45 Published: 06/03/25
Giles discovers an ancient book foretelling Buffy's death at the hands of the Master. (Pulled from Prime Video.)
13. S2 E1: When She Was Bad by violettathepiratequeen - Likes: 1 Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,585 Hit Count: 65 Published: 06/04/25
Buffy returns from summer vacation with a major attitude and recurring nightmares involving the Master - even as the Anointed One and his followers plot their revenge. (Pulled from Hulu.)
14. S2 E2: Some Assembly Required by violettathepiratequeen - Likes: 0 Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,598 Hit Count: 70 Published: 06/04/25
A series of grave robbings leads to a science club with a sinister agenda. (Pulled from Hulu.)
15. S2 E3: School Hard by violettathepiratequeen - Likes: 1 Comments: 0 Word Count: 3,104 Hit Count: 68 Published: 06/05/25
Buffy's mother gets trapped inside Sunnydale High School when a vampire named Spike arrives in town and launches an attack against the Slayer. (Pulled from Hulu.)
16. S2 E4: Inca Mummy Girl by violettathepiratequeen - Likes: 0 Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,244 Hit Count: 100 Published: 06/06/25
An Inca princess is brought back to life in the Natural History Museum. (Pulled from Disney+.)
17. S2 E5: Reptile Boy by violettathepiratequeen - Likes: 0 Comments: 0 Word Count: 1,668 Hit Count: 51 Published: 06/08/25
When Buffy and Cordelia attend a frat party, they find themselves being offered up to a snake-like creature as human sacrifices. (Pulled from Hulu.)
18. S2 E6: Halloween by violettathepiratequeen - Likes: 1 Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,654 Hit Count: 54 Published: 06/09/25
After renting Halloween costumes from an unusual shop, Buffy and her friends literally begin transforming into whatever costume they are wearing. (Pulled from Hulu.)
19. S2 E7: Lie to Me by violettathepiratequeen - Likes: 0 Comments: 0 Word Count: 4,274 Hit Count: 101 Published: 06/11/25
Buffy's fifth grade flame, Billy "Ford" Fordham, unexpectedly arrives in Sunnydale with one motive: to deliver Buffy to Spike in exchange for the immortal life of a vampire. Meanwhile, Buffy and Angel confront their feelings for each other and Angel owns up to his past relationship with Drusilla. (Pulled from the BTVS Wiki.)
20. S2 E8: The Dark Age by violettathepiratequeen - Likes: 0 Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,406 Hit Count: 63 Published: 06/12/25
Giles' past comes back to haunt him when a demon he and Ethan Rayne summoned in their wild days comes looking for them in Sunnydale. (Pulled from Hulu.)
21. S2 E9: What's My Line? Part 1 by violettathepiratequeen - Likes: 1 Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,040 Hit Count: 100 Published: 06/13/25
As career week at school has Buffy wondering what her future may have been like, Spike hires three professional assassins to ensure she has no future at all. (Pulled from Hulu.)
22. S2 E10: What's My Line? Part 2 by violettathepiratequeen - Likes: 0 Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,881 Hit Count: 71 Published: 06/14/25
Buffy joins forces with a Slayer named Kendra to save Angel from Spike. (Pulled from Disney+.)
23. S2 E11: Ted by violettathepiratequeen - Likes: 0 Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,968 Hit Count: 59 Published: 06/15/25
When Buffy's mother is romanced by a computer software salesman named Ted, Buffy's uneasy feelings prompt her to look into his past. (Pulled from Hulu.)
24. S2 E12: Bad Eggs by violettathepiratequeen - Likes: 0 Comments: 0 Word Count: 2,511 Hit Count: 69 Published: 06/16/25
Willow, Cordelia, Giles and Joyce become drones for an ancient beast after its eggs are mistakenly given out as part of a health class assignment. (Pulled from Hulu.)
25. S2 E13: Surprise by violettathepiratequeen - Likes: 0 Comments: 0 Word Count: 3,242 Hit Count: 72 Published: 06/17/25
On Buffy's seventeenth birthday she and Angel must prevent Spike and Drusilla from resurrecting The Judge, a demon who has the power to destroy humanity. (Pulled from Hulu)
26. S2 E14: Innocence by violettathepiratequeen - Likes: 0 Comments: 0 Word Count: 3,321 Hit Count: 63 Published: 07/16/25
Buffy must battle not only The Judge but also Angel, who has lost his soul. (Pulled from Hulu.)