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Buffy We Will Always Love You

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Buffy The Vampire Slayer premiered 20 years ago this weekend, and that is an anniversary worth taking some time to reflect and honor what the chosen one, and the her Scooby gang have meant to us over the past two decades #BuffySlays20 It’s a little surprising that having been based on a crappy movie, the show not only became a cult hit, but Buffy changed history. I’ll fight anyone who disagrees with me.

More: You probably know more about Buffy than Sarah Michelle Gellar does

Buffy fighting
Image: Giphy

(And I’ve picked up a move or two watching Buffy on repeat over the years. So you don’t want to fight me.) 

Let's go girls

Buffy put a strong woman at the heart of a show. A literally strong woman. Which for its time, and even today, is undervalued in its impact. The fact that in the Buffy universe, slayers in general were always female was a very feminist, coded message.

Buffy
Image: Giphy

The show tapped into the tribal, instinctual physical and emotional power of women that is so often overlooked, suppressed or gaslit as insanity. Buffy also grew up in a matriarchy, and her strength despite her fatherlessness, with her father almost being presented as an emotional hangup that held her back, communicated a powerful message about motherhood. (Also RIP Joyce).

More: Will we see a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot? Sarah Michelle Gellar weighs in

Yay Gays

The show was also important for portraying the LGBT community on television, as Willow blossoms into her homosexuality over the seasons, ultimately falling in love with Tara. In an interview with Tom Lenk, who played the lovable nemesis turned ally, Andrew, Lenk said, “Joss Whedon incorporated LGBT storylines when other bigger shows and networks would not. He’s an amazing ally for our community and it’s incredible to have met so many fans over the years who were so personally moved by these storylines.

Willow and Tara
Image: Giphy

Technically speaking...

From an entertainment perspective Buffy could be its own genre almost. The way it played with real world cultural references was fire.

Buffy and Dracula
Image: Giphy

Also just watch the episode “Once More With Feeling" if you need proof that the Buffy was a fundamental building block for the television renaissance we're having today, with TV being just as good or better than movies nowadays #bingewatch.

More: Sarah Michelle Gellar is officially team Hillary Clinton — that's right, Buffy is with Her

Let's Take a Moment to Love Giles

Giles
Image: Giphy

But Fuck Zander

Of course Buffy also had some misses. Faith—although crucial to some plot arcs, and important to contrast Buffy's goodness—was so. annoying. There was nothing “5 by 5” about her, and also who says that!? Zander was the absolute worst. Always. He exclusively spoke in whining exclamations, all butt hurt he wasn’t a super hero. He also pretty much exclusively thought with his dick. And displayed some very toxic masculinity when he felt rejected. He totally played with Willow’s heart and then threw her under the bus. And he left beautiful, quirky Anya, a woman he was terribly lucky to have love and fuck him, at the altar just because a weird demon made him see his future of them being old and cranky together—boo hoo. When you’ve been with someone until you start saying things like, “Where did I leave my teeth?” it’s okay to be a little crotchety.

Buffy, Willow and Cordelia
Image: Giphy

But those aspects were in no way missteps, rather they added to the brilliance of Buffy. Part of its greatness was its realness. Like Buffy falling in love with Spike. He may have been evil, and certainly not her type (Hey Angel!) he understood her. I think we all can relate to wanting to fuck someone you kind of hate.

Spike and Buffy
Image: Giphy

We love you Buffy. Thanks for the thrill ride, and for saving the world--three times.

Buffy Slays 20

Buffy Slays 20

Are you as big of a Buffy fan as we are? Tell us in the comments!

And before you go, check out our slideshow below:

tv lego sets slideshow


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