Creampuff's Gift is Re-gifting

NB: This post is entirely composed of self-indulgent twaddle about Buffy the Vampire Slayer - the memories, the magic, the muff-diving. If you're not a Buffy fan, you probably won't give a wet slap. So...carry on.

NNB: Also, if you haven't finished all seven seasons and don't wanna know what happens, probably don't keep reading. Okay, thank you.

I deeply enjoy the Buffy, as you know, but I wouldn't describe myself as a rabid fan. I don't know the titles of most of the episodes - other than the lesbians, I didn't really care who was dating who - I didn't need to have long talks about it with other people on the internet. And while I was sad when the show ended, I admit that I greeted the "Season 8 in comic book form" news with a distinct lack of interest.

As I read more about Season 8, however, I became curious enough to put it on my wish list and I was thrilled to receive an unprecedented number of Buffy-related gifts this past birthday. FINALLY my parents are starting to understand that this "vampire show" thing is not just a PHASE. Among the Buffy bounty was a copy of Fray, which I didn't really know much about other than that it was set in the future and looked cool and stuff.

Fray was a very fun read (and I'm not really a "graphic novel" girl). Great artwork, compelling characters and those delightful turns of phrase and surprising plot twists that kept us all tuned in to Buffy for so long. I would have been happy to recommend it to any Whedon fan.

And now, thanks to my brother who just sent me a second copy of Fray as part of a delayed birthday reaction (not his fault), I am happy to actually give it away to a Whedon fan! Like you! Because while Buffy's gift may be "Death", MY gift is "re-gifting".

I promise I will have this shiny new copy of Fray in your hands by June 23rd - 'cause that's Joss Whedon's birthday. All you have to do is answer this Buffy meme that I just made up - on your own blog, in a Facebook note or in the comments, whatever works - and tell me you've done it and I'll enter your name in a draw! Or, if you don't feel like playing, you can just go buy it yourself - it's, like, $13. Go crazy!

The Buffy episode that first got you hooked was: Earshot (the one in Season 3, where Buffy can hear everyone's thoughts and the cafeteria lady tries to kill everyone). My roommate Jesk and I watched it because there was nothing else on TV that night. I was stunned by how funny it was. The moment where Xander catches the lunch lady? He stares. She stares. The rat poison keeps pouring. I died. We were INSTANTLY converts.

Favourite season: Season 4 will always hold a special place in my heart because it was the first whole season that I saw as it unfolded. Also, it was a tight season with a great story arc. Also, it contained this line: "She irons her jeans. She's EVIL."

Least favourite season: Hmm. Overall, I'd have to say Season 1. It's the only one I haven't bothered to buy. But there were parts of both 6 and 7 that I deeply hated.

Favourite episode(s): The one where Giles gets turned into a demon; the one where Tara's family comes to get her; the Zeppo; the one where Willow's spell goes wrong and Buffy and Spike get engaged; the one with two Willows; I could go on, but those are the first five that popped into my head.

Moment(s) when you said "Really? Must we?": Obviously, Tara getting killed was awful and while I get that's where they were going the whole season, I thought it blew. Also in Season 6, the whole Spike-on-Buffy relationship and then sexual assault and subsequent soul-getting and Season 7 craziness ... really? Also when Xander crapped out at the wedding. I mean, when Buffy had to kill Angel - or herself - THAT was some awesome, plot-serving, totally soul-crushing business. But Xander leaving Anya at the altar? Whatever. Man up.

When you saw the ending of Season 5 for the first time, you: Did the ugly cry, ate all of my roommate's chocolate-covered pretzels, stayed up on the internets all night trying to find out if it was really the end of all things Buffy and seriously considered taking a personal day off work to cope with my totally unexpected and strangely intense grief.

Best guest villain: I fucking love that Ethan Rayne. So slimey and limey.

Worst guest villain: Glory was such an awesome villain - so well-written, so fun, so much potential - and the actor who played her was so completely ass that she nearly turned me off Buffy for good. I don't know who Clare Kramer blew to get that gig, but she continued to blow through all of Season 5. I threw up in my mouth a little just now, thinking about it. GAH.

Favourite song from the musical episode, Once More, With Feeling: You'd think I'd go for the big lesbo number, but I actually prefer Spike's angsty ballad, Rest in Peace.

If you only had one episode to convince your Buffy-ignorant friend to fall in love with the show, you'd show them: Tough call. It depends on the person, really. I've tried several out on Katr and none of them took (although she did enjoy the musical). So if you have any insights in this area, I'd be pleased to hear them.

The question you wish I'd included in this quiz: Favourite relationship? Favourite line? Worst outfit? It's all up to you!

Comments

[HB]

Now, if this was a meme about Firefly, then I'd have a chance. I'll buy Fray anyway, though!

[Karen K]

Okay. I'll bite. No pun intended. Because I'm a big Buffy geek.

The Buffy episode that first got you hooked was: First one's the boring answer. Don't really have a particular episode that got me hooked -- I just gradually got hooked as I got into the storyline and characters. I will say Anya as she got used to being human was one thing that hooked me. She was so funny.

Favourite season: Hmm... probably three, if I had to pick one. They're still in high school, so they have the whole high-school-as-hell-metaphor thing going. We have the two Willows episode, which was classic. (Doppelgangland?) And I loved the whole Faith story arc.

Least favourite season: Four. Sorry, Creampuff. But the whole Adam/Riley thing was a big yawn.

Favourite episode(s): Hush, the one where Spike and Drusilla first come to town, Doppelgangland, the one where Buffy has to kill Angel, Once More with Feeling

Moment(s) when you said "Really? Must we?": Everything concerning Adam and Riley. Also, every moment when Kendra was on screen. Ugh -- that awful fake accent, the abundance of shiny makeup, the wooden acting (did you notice she only had one facial expression? I'm-tying-to-be-serious-and-focused-but-I'm-only-achieving-pouty? That one.)

When you saw the ending of Season 5 for the first time, you: Didn't believe Buffy was really dead. Looked forward to seeing how they would resolve it.

Best guest villain: Drusilla. The little innocent whimpers when she was pouty went so well with the sadism of "can I play with the puppy?" Ethan Rayne was good, but the episodes with him never seemed to achieve their full potential.

Worst guest villain: The Anointed One. Or as Spike put it, the Annoying One. Enough said.

Favourite song from the musical episode, Once More, With Feeling: Xander and Anya's duet. ("She eats these skeezy cheeses that I can't describe..." how can you beat skeezy cheeses?)

If you only had one episode to convince your Buffy-ignorant friend to fall in love with the show, you'd show them: Hush. Such genius even without words.

The question you wish I'd included in this quiz: Best/worst attempts to make Sunnydale less blindingly white. Worst is Kendra, for the above-stated reasons. Best was Trick. We never really saw enough of him, but the actor was brilliant. I don't remember the exact line, but I loved it when he commented on Sunnydale not being the best place for the "bruthas" as he was going through the burger drive-through to pick up his happy meal: the attendant.

[roro]

HB - Oooh, a Firefly quiz! That's a good idea...

Karen K - Excellent answers!! No need to apologize over Season 4 - I understand. And I loved that line of Mr. Trick's: "It's mostly the Caucasian persuasion here in the 'Dale"... And you're totally right - there's no beating "skeezy cheeses" as a lyric. And I love Hush too and tried it on Katr. It freaked her out so much that she'll never watch it again and warns others about it. Sigh.

[kimananda]

I am a long-time Buffy geek, and this is a great opportunity to break my current blogging block. Look for it later today! :-)

[red mojo]

I can't play your game, but not because I don't enjoy Buffy. I do like the episodes I've seen, I just don't make TV a regular thing. I watch it here and there, it's very spotty, hit or miss, wambly nambly, don't give a f---, kind of viewing. I did enjoy your post though.

[Kimli]

I love Buffy!

The Buffy episode that first got you hooked was: Once More With Feeling - yep, I confess that I didn't start watching Buffy until Season 6 was almost over.

Favourite season: 4 - it had such awesome episodes in it.

Least favourite season: Seven was a little stinky.

Favourite episode(s): Hush, OMWF, Doppelgangland, Restless

Moment(s) when you said "Really? Must we?": Any of the "Very Special Episode" things that happened - beer is bad, sex is bad, magic is bad, relationships are bad

When you saw the ending of Season 5 for the first time, you: Nope, because I read spoilers so I knew it happened before I watched it.

Best guest villain: The fear demon from Fear Itself and the Gentlemen and OH how could I forget about Sweet!

Worst guest villain: The beer. Oh, and Adam was kind of a let-down, too.

Favourite song from the musical episode, Once More, With Feeling: The big show-stopping number - I kinda sorta really love big production stage tunes.

If you only had one episode to convince your Buffy-ignorant friend to fall in love with the show, you'd show them: Probably Hush. So creepy!

The question you wish I'd included in this quiz: How much do you love Seth Green as Oz? Way, way, way too much.

[roro]

kimananda - Woohoo! Bring it on!

red mojo - You are very brave to read a Buffy-geek post without actually being a geek yourself. I hope you're feeling okay.

kimli - Ahahahaa! I forgot about the Fear Demon. SO hilarious. Also, I agree that "beer" as villain was pretty weak. Although I did like the part where Buffy knocked Parker unconscious at the end. Oh, Season 4...

[Karina Wright]

I don't usually post comments, but you totally got me with a Buffy entry - how could I resist? Answered on my blog. :)

[Andygrrrl]

Omigod Creampuff, you just made a shitty day all better. I heart you majorly.

(And yeah, Fray is teh awesome. Love. It.)

#1 I'll have to go with Hush. My first girlfriend introduced me to Buffy with that ep; then she went and broke my heart so that turned me off the show (she looked EXACTLY like Amber Benson, it's freaky), but I never forgot that episode so I finally decided to catch up on the rest, and omigod, I'm such a Buffy nerd now.

#2 This one's tough but I think I'm gonna go with 6. I *love* the Trio, it's got the musical episode, and yeah, I love the Spike/Buffy relationship in all its fucked-up-ness (I'm a bad, bad feminist. No tofu for me).

#3 Probably season 1 is my least favorite; it's fun, but not as interesting as the rest.

#4 jeez, where to start---OMWF, obviously; "Something Blue" (where Spike and Buffy get engaged); definitely "Restless" (Giles singing the exposition kills me every. single. time), and "Lover's Walk", when Drusilla dumps Spike ("I said, 'I don't have to take this! I've got an unlife, you know!'")

#5 Prof. Maggie Walsh--seriously, Joss, did you have to go the coded ball-breaking dyke route with her? And Spike's assault makes no sense and breaks with his character. Also, Angel's massively awful Tai Chi in season 3 (my god, it's not even Tai Chi, it's just a shirtless guy waving his arms around!)

#6 I was already spoiled for the end, so I did get verklempt, but I mostly thought "Why is Dawn dressed for a Ren Faire? Wow, Spike cries like a girl. Dude, Giles killed a human!!"

#7 I love Drusilla. There should have been more Drusilla. I love Andrew too, but he's not really much of a villain.

#8 Adam/The Initiative. It's like during Season 4 they're thinking, "Okay, let's give Buffy a normal boyfriend, and we need to get rid of Oz, and hey, Willow's gay---oh shit, we need some villains! Quick, throw Frankenstein in there!"

#9 The Big Lesbo Number makes me laugh, with the over-the-top metaphors (seriously, he just needed to add a reference to oysters and it would have been perfect). But I think my favorite is "Standing in the Way." Anthony Stewart Head's got a great voice, and I like Angsty Giles.

#10 I'd go with either OMWF or Hush, maybe Tabula Rasa.

#11 This so should have been a favorite line question! Almost impossible to choose, but I always crack up when the Buffybot says "That'll put marzipan in your pie plate, bingo!" every time she stakes a vampire.

[KAJey]

Creampuff, you Rock! I registered today; I am Lehu of not-so CKG. I am a big Sci-Fi /Fantasy geek. DVD collection includes all of Charmed, BtVS, Angel, TruCalling, X-Files, obviously Star Wars I-VI, Terminator1/2, Spiderman 1-3, Back to Future Trilogy...well you get the idea.

#1 Hush got me hooked too. I was so happy when Oz left that's when I became a faithful watcher. For my own tastes, I hated the high school years. I was relieved when Angel got his own show, but I really loved Cordelia and was sad to see her go.

#2 Season 5 was my fave, but I do wish a better actress had played Glory because it was awesome material to work with and could have been better!

#3 I agree that Season 1 is my least favorite too.

#4 It is hard to pick one fave. I like all the ones that everyone has mentioned so far. But I have to pick FAMILY from S5; I got misty when Tara said: "I trusted you more than anyone in my life. Was all of that a lie?" and a close second is when Faith awakes from her coma and she & Buffy switch bodies (Eliza Dushku FABULOUSO!). Tabula Rasa also very good.

#5 Lots of "What the Fuh?" moments; I think shirtless Angel Tai Chi was Marti obNoxon. WORST decision was killing Tara (2nd to Glory brain-sucking Tara in "Tough Love")! When Anya became a demon again she could have reversed everything like in "The Wish" episode (from Season 3) to bring back Tara and erase Willow becoming evil and also since Xander was totally LAME for ditching Anya at the altar. Even Dawn could have gone to Halfrek! And, why was Tara never brought back ever again? Joyce, Jenny Calendar and even Warren all got to come back in some form or another after dying! I hated yellow crayon story. Doublemeat Palace and Buffy working fast food counter when Riley reappears.

#6 I was not sad during "The Gift" S5 finale I already knew that SMG was coming back for 2 seasons on UPN so I knew they would bring Buffy back. I did enjoy the Buffybot!

#7 Lots of GREAT villains - Veruca sexy singing Werewolf; The Mayor. Spike and Drusilla Season 2 were a great pair! I enjoyed Harmony too (and she should have stayed with Spike).

#8 Worst villain the Queller demon from "Listening to Fear" Season 5.

#9 Tara's "Under Your Spell" 2nd: its reprise when she sings along with ASH "Standing" and finally the whole ensemble "Walk Through the Fire".

#10 To convince someone to watch? For mourning loss "The Body" when Joyce dies (which featured 1st W/T kiss albeit edited). For Action lovers, Season 3's "Bad Girls" when Faith & Buffy go out slaying together. 3rd choice: The two hour season 6 opener, "Bargaining" with the gang slaying with the Buffybot trying to not let the vampires know that Buffy was gone; how Willow & Tara had moved into the house to take care of Dawn. Although it is when Willow began lying and becoming addicted to power...it set the stage for how S6 played out.

#11 Favorite character quote. Anya always had great lines like: "He's a viking in the sack."