Unless you’ve been living under (or on) the Hellmouth, you’re probably aware that this week marks the 20th anniversary of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This little TV show that could, born from an ill-received flop of a movie, reemerged as an expected to fail mid-season replacement. What followed, though, was seven seasons of some of the best storytelling that ever graced the small screen. And although not every season was equally beloved, each one still had more than a handful of standout episodes that, like Buffy herself, were destined to become legend.
Read on to find out what I think were the single best episodes from every season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
5. Season Five, Episode Sixteen – “The Body”
“The Body” may be one the finest hours of television that I have ever seen. It’s simply a masterclass of writing, acting, and directing. Subtle touches like camera angles and the brilliant stroke of having no music play in that hour elevate this episode to high artistic levels. And as a show filled with many deaths, the quiet, real and brutal passing of Buffy’s mom is handled with an honesty rarely seen in any entertainment medium. It’s as devastating to watch the first time as it is the tenth. I have shown this episode to people that have never even seen Buffy before, and they are sobbing by the end. Simply put this is THE best episode of the entire run, and has to be seen.
