Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season One, Episodes 9 – 12

1.9. The Puppet Show
Original airdate: 5 May 1997

Overall 4.0 / 5.0
No gay content

People are dying and losing organs. Turns out there’s a hideous demon which requires certain organs every seven years in order to regenerate a human form. And what perfect opportunity to procure some organs than a high school talent show! And the prime suspect: a ventriloquist named Morgan (Richard Werner) who has a very strange relationship his puppet.

The new Principal, played by Armin Shimerman, is quite funny. The last scene in particular made me laugh out loud with his deadpan delivery. I also enjoyed the nice little twist with the puppet. I admire how the writers on this show consistently innovate on formula.

1.10. Nightmares
Original airdate: 12 May 1997

Overall 3.0 / 5.0
No gay content

An interesting, Very Special Episode (in the sense of an After School Special), Buffy-style. Nightmares are becoming real, thanks to the psychic power of a young boy who has been physically abused.

I was disappointed; I thought this might end up being an exploration into child abuse seen through the lens of a supernatural dramedy, but ultimately the child abuse aspect turned out to be more plot device than anything.

Most disappointing moment: When the real antagonist was revealed and dealt with (unsatisfactorily) in the space of like 30 seconds, after all that buildup.

1.11. Out of Mind, Out of Sight
Original airdate: 19 May 1997

Overall 3.5 / 5.0
No gay content

An invisible presence has taken residence at Sunnydale and seems to take an unhealthy interest in Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter).

Thematically, an interesting episode. The story centers on an outsider and outcast, Marcie (played by the lovely Clea Duvall), who just wants to be noticed. But somehow, she always gets overlooked – even by teachers! And in Buffy-land, where magic and demonic powers are real, metaphoric invisibility can turn real.

Random gay connection: Clea Duvall starred in “But I’m a Cheerleader” (1999).

1.12. Prophecy Girl
Original airdate: 2 June 1997

Overall 3.5 / 5.0
No gay content

An ancient prophecy reveals that the Slayer will die, and the Master will be unleashed on the Earth. And it seems to be coming true… Of course, this being Buffy, nothing is quite what it seems.

This episode introduces the series’ first serious attempt at gravitas, but the writers and actors still need a little practice. Both Willow and Buffy have significant emotional scenes that I don’t quite buy into. The rest of the season was too fast-paced and tongue-in-cheek for the sudden burst of Real Deep Feeling to resonate. But these scenes also hinted at some of the emotional depths that the show may be able to successfully plumb in future seasons.

At its heart, this is a fairly dark show. The villains tend to be evil incarnate, the body count rises with each episode, and the personal loss and sacrifice experienced by the main characters play out on the screen with each show. The writers seem to deal with the heaviness through clever, quirky banter; by rendering the violence mostly (but not always) bloodless; and by their light-handed approach to the topics of the week. But the darkness and heaviness is still there. Demographics-wise, I imagine the perfect balance for the show is to be entertaining and emotionally rich and enthralling without being depressing. If the show’s creative team is able to develop a balance between the light-hearted and the dark elements of the series, they’ll have a winner.

Season One Summary

I really enjoy the clever banter, and I appreciate that the shows writers consistently try to turn audience expectation on its head. The storylines are creative and engaging. And while not all of the plot twists succeed, enough do that in a single season I’ve come to expect the unexpected and not take anything for granted. I love a show that can keep me thinking! I also like the attempts at exploring deeper themes; this show goes farther than most in that regard, but the efforts remain inconsistent.

Meanwhile, the villains were fairly hit or miss. The Master in particular was a big disappointment.

The first keyword is inconsistent, and the second is fun. I am told the quality on all levels improves in future seasons, but I can’t say the show is brilliant from the get-go. It was, however, a fun little diversion. Each of the episodes successfully entertained, and I would definitely recommend “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” for fans of fantasy and the supernatural.

Series Creator Joss Whedon has said that the idea for Buffy came from all the horror movies he had seen featuring a helpless young blonde. He wanted to change that image; and he has succeeded. When Sarah Michelle Gellar later played that helpless blonde in “Scream 2″ (1997), I kept thinking, “But wait! That’s Buffy! Why isn’t she kicking ass?”

Thanks to Whedon for giving us a smart, ass-kickin’ blonde!