Tuesday
Nov102009
Buffy, the Slayer of VamPIRES*
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 06:20AM 
The Giraffe and I finished the Buffy The Vampire Slayer series on Saturday. When we started the series several months ago, I wasn't even sure I was going to like it, despite the Giraffe's insistence that it was great television. Turns out he was right.
After the first season I wondered how they could possibly maintain the premise for six more years. How many villainous demons can you create? How many times can Buffy save the world? But they did it, and I never got bored. They probably could have kept going if they wanted to, moved it to the other hellmouth in Cleveland (thanks Giles), but I guess it's good to go out on a high note. I'm a little sad I didn't watch this when I was a teenager. Buffy was the exact same age as me, so I probably would have related well to a lot of the plot lines. Minus the demon-slaying thing, because ya know, I wasn't the chosen one. But it's still enjoyable now, even as an adult.
Also, let's talk about Spike for a minute. He became one of my favorite TV characters ever -- not only was he adorably comedic, but he demonstrated the truest loyalty of anyone on the show. His character evolved so much over the course of the series, it's almost strange to flashback to when he was first introduced. When he first came on the scene, I never would have predicted where he'd end up.I'm intentionally not saying much for those of you who haven't watched this series yet. Maybe it's not for everyone, but I'd highly recommend it.
After considering all of your suggestions, next up for us is Arrested Development. But we've also added several others to our Netflix queue for future viewing:
Big Love, Entourage, Weeds, Freaks & Geeks, Six Feet Under, Dexter, Brothers & Sisters, The Tudors, Pushing Daisies, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Band of Brothers, Oz, Veronica Mars, Dexter, True Blood, Carnivale, Deadwood, The Wire, How I Met Your Mother
Wow that's a lot. Anything we missed that we really shouldn't... miss?
*Thanks to Andrew for this alternate title.
Reader Comments (15)
I think you should add Mad Men...I've heard WONDERFUL things about it, and its next up on my netflix queue.
I love most of those shows, especially Arrested Development and (especially the first season of) Veronica Mars. I never could get into Big Love, though. I don't know why not.
YAY! Veronica Mars made the list!
If you loved Buffy you have to go on to all five seasons of Angel. I was like you and didn't think a whole series revolving around a vampire with a soul would get very far. I only found Angel interesting when he was Angelus, but one must never doubt the genius of Joss Whedon. If you were surprised where Spike ended up (and he does come back in the fifth and final season of Angel), you have to see how Cordelia and Wesley evolve.
I would also recommend Firefly, another Whedon show. There are only a dozen or so episodes of that one, but it's very witty and enjoyable like Buffy. Weeds is pretty awesome, too.
I have officially added Angel to our queue. We had discussed whether or not we wanted to watch it, but you convinced me. Especially if you say Spike comes back!
You won't be sorry. Spike + Angel = Hilarious.
A word of warning-Season 4 is a little weak compared to the rest of the series. Charisma Carpenter became pregnant and they did something wacky with Cordelia. I won't spoil it, but let's just say it was way out there.
Oh how I miss Buffy. Those were the days.... I remember literally crying when it got cancelled. You've got some good ones on your que, I sadly have watched most of those! (all but band of brothers and OZ) Arrested Developmont is one of my favorite shows of all time...Do it!
Battlestar Galactica. Firefly. Farscape. You won't be sorry.
I recently finished (what is releaased of) Curb Your Enthusiasm, and it's one of my favorite all-time shows. That said, not every (in fact, probably not 95% of everyone) will like it. It's very Seinfeldish, and very tongue-in-cheekish, yet so clever and full of so many "I wish I would have/could have done that" sort of moments.
I am currently getting and becoming hooked on The Wire.
Dude, AD will become your favorite show, like me, and we can reference it endlessly and giggle like idiots together. Yesssss.
I loved Buffy too! You might actually enjoy Angel (the spin-off) as well.
Reading through your list, I just wanted to say that Six Feet Under is my all-time favorite show. I love it so much that I still follow every actor from that series to whatever movie or new show they work on. Therefore I am obsessed with watching Dexter. I don't get Showtime so I have to get the DVD series of the show (which I have yet to do).
I also want to watch The Wire. You know - living in Baltimore and all, I should be on top of that show!
AD is a VERY good choice though for your next series. And while I loved Pushing Daisies, I almost hesitate to suggest watching it since it was so short-lived. You will get NO closure and it will drive you crazy.
I am such a dork but I forgot to mention some other great shows that I love that I think are worth getting the DVD series for:
30 Rock (hands down the best comedy on tv right now)
Big Bang Theory
Bones (my new favorite... and its not new)
I LOVE 30 Rock - one of my very favorite shows. And I took your advice and added Big Bang Theory and Bones to our queue. It'll take the rest of our lives to watch all these series, but that's ok, I'm up for it.
I started watching Buffy on Hulu, but only the first four episodes so far. I did like it though.
Also, I second Bones. I am SO addicted to that show right now. I started watching reruns on TNT over the summer and I now watch it during the regular season. It's simple and procedural, but I love the chemistry between the two main characters.
And Band of Brothers? LOVE. So amazingly good. If you like that and are at all interested in space travel, rent From the Earth to the Moon. It's Spielberg and Hanks as well and it's awesome.
I have to put one last vote in for West Wing, too. My absolute favorite drama of all time. I guarantee you'll want Martin Sheen to be our real president (granted, this was on during Bush years; we're doing better now) after just a few episodes.
Oh, I could go on and on...
You will never regret watching "Big Bang Theory." It is, perhaps, my all-time favorite show.