I can't figure out why a lot of people don't like I Robot You Jane and Teacher's Pet. Can someone explain the hate to me because I really like both of these episodes?

For Teacher's Pet, I just found the bug lady idea icky. Not a fan of bugs, not a fan of substitute teachers. Add it altogether and it spells "meh" in my book. It's not that it's a sucky episode, I just think its the weakest episode of Season 1.

I Robot, You Jane if found some of the writing hokey. Again, not a terrible episode in the great lexicon of the series, but for Season 1, IMO, a klunker.

While there is much I like about Season 1, I think of it as an incubation period for the show. The characters were still forming, the chemistry among the core four still not fully sparked, and the actors themselves still getting to know the characters they played. It was a great start, but for me with the exception of Prophecy Girl, nothing in Season 1 really stands up against Seasons 2-3. It was much heavier on the comedy, much lighter on arcs, etc.

I don't think there is truly and episode of Buffy that I hate though, in Season 1. Probably not one I hate until much later in the series, period.

Very true, and I've heard that the first season of most TV shows tends to be more episodic (as opposed to sweeping story arcs), partially so that new fans can start watching the show at any point in the season without feeling they have too much background and story to catch up on. In any case, I've always wondered if S1 would have developed a more coherent arc if it had been a full season rather than a half.



I've already gushed in earlier posts about how much I adore S1, so I'll try to keep my fangirly-ness to a minimum. But I think S1 did a really phenomenal job of immediately engaging us in the characters and in this world they inhabit. And, while some of the eps. are far from my favorites, ITA that there isn't one I hate. IMO even some of the less impressive S1 episodes have things that redeem them---extremely witty dialogue, "aw" moments among the Scoobies, etc. I really love seeing how the friendships among the core four were first developed.

One trick for building your love of S1? Re-watch it immediately after seeing S7. I bought the S1 DVDs right after S7 ended, and was by that point so starved for vibrant characters, signs of genuine affection among the Scoobies and actual humor that S1 struck me as some of the best TV I'd ever seen! As much as I loved parts of S4 and S5, S1 ranks right after S3 and S2 for me. It has so many eps. that I can watch time after time and still manage to enjoy. Plus, maybe I'm just a sentimental sap, but given the pervasive doom and gloom of the final two seasons (IMO, of course) it's just a pleasure to be reminded of happier Scooby times :)



I actually like both of these also. A similar mystery is that one of the essays in Seven Seasons of Buffy keeps referring to "Out of Mind, Out of Sight" as one of the worst eps. of the entire series, while this was one of my favorite eps. of S1.

What?! I can sort of see the hatred of I Robot, You Jane, due to its sheer over the topness... but Teacher's Pet was a fun episode, and my main complaint with OoM,OoS is that the invisible government agents never show up again.

Maybe they do and we just don't see them, they're invisible you know. They could have been working with the Initiative.

Its funny because I see Season 1 has having a number of well developed character and plots arcs that develop over the season. The difference between season 1 and 7, is how well in season 1, the arcs are interweaved with the 'A' plot/MOTW of a particular episode and don't require specific 'Arc' episodes to move the story forward. Things are moving, but usually in the background.

In course of the season, we have Master skirmish with Buffy indirectly with mixed success (ie. recruit the Annoying One, losing Darla, etc...), the development of the Love Rectangle (Willow yearns for Xander, who wants Buffy, who falls for Angel), Cordy's integration in the Scooby Gang, and the development of a love interest for Giles.

I've never had any great love for Season One but I after S7, I think I've come to appreciate and like it more than I ever thought I would. marlaas, you may be onto something when you said, "One trick for building your love of S1? Re-watch it immediately after seeing S7". I hadn't watched it immediately after S7 but I did re-watch it not too long after. Also, a friend gave the S1 DVD's to me for Christmas so I'll probably give them a look again after catching up on all my other DVD's.
My favorite S1 episode will always be Nightmares. So many funny visuals like Opera Willow and Cordelia being dragged into the Chess club with her awful,wacky hair will always stick in my mind.I also loved that scene with Buffy and her father telling her one of her fears,that it was her fault her parents split up and she's been a disappointment to them. Loved the look of hurt in her eyes as she crumbled in front of him.

I have nothing in particular against IR,YJ; I don't rate it very high, but it doesn't repulse me. Teacher's Pet, though, is my WEE. I find Xander's fantasies embarrassing; there are several dull stretches, which seem padded to me (e.g., Buffy's chivvying Claw along as they search for the fake Miss French); and much of the dialog - especially Blayne's, in the cage - is overwrought and unbelievable. Willow and Buffy's teasing of Xander in the cafeteria is mildly amusing, but that's about it in the plus column.

I do, however, think that S1 is underrated. Apart from some clumsy special effects, Witch and Prophecy Girl are excellent, and I also rate The Pack and Nightmares pretty high. I'm not as sold on Angel as many are; on the other hand, I think more highly of OOM,OOS than most seem to.

Season One seemed to be focused on endearing the characters to us instead of the fight between good and evil, which I think actually makes it more enjoyable. I watched the show for the relationships within the Scooby Gang. The Scoobies related to each other wonderfully, and the writers gave each character a distinct and round personality.All the special effects in the world can't make up for vapid and unlikeable characters. If the writers had taken some cues from Season One into the later seasons and focused on the characters and not crappy Big Bads, the show would never have jumped the shark.

A page or two back,someone mentioned how their first episode permanently affected their feelings toward the characters. My first episode was Angel, and it blew my mind. I think that since my first episode was a B/A angstfest, it made me a huge fan of Angel and the whole B/A 'ship. I wonder how I would view the series if I had just tuned in during the Riley or Spuffy years.

I find that when I'm ranking my seasons from favorite to least (yeah, shut up), I tend to put s1 lower than seasons 2-5, but then I feel like I'm being unfair to it, because it's the one season that doesn't have a single episode I really dislike. I just wish it were longer.

In particular, I think Never Kill a Boy on the First Date is underrated. I know it's typical, I know that anyone who hears the premise of the series would expect an episode like this to happen sooner or later, but it's still among my favorite of the season (second only to Prophecy Girl and maybe Angel).

Swift Shy Guy, I'm always finding myself in agreement with you :) I love Never Kill a Boy on the First Date. I agree that the theme/plot was nothing too unexpected, but, then again, IMO it's not about the plot itself but, rather, how well it's executed. I especially loved the scene where Willow and Xander make a lame attempt at pretending that Owen mentioned Buffy on their walk home. Which brings me to how much I agree with Catharsis---the Scooby interactions are, for me, what makes the show so special. When I think back on my favorite isolated moments of the series, almost none involve special effects or fighting, a few involve the various 'ships, but nearly every single one involves witty and/or "awww"-worthy interaction among the Scoobies. So, yeah, that's why I love the show, and that's why I love S1---it gives us so many great little moments among the Core Four.
I will admit, though, that the Master was a pretty lame Big Bad. Though I find Glory more eye-rollingly annoying, and Adam more sleep-inducing.

I rank S1 as fourth on my favorite season list. I like each and every episode as well as all the characters and the BB. I just wish that S2 Cordelia had been there because she's such a bitch in S1 and it's the only season that I have DVDs for at the moment.

Ditto that. I was a relatively new Buffy watcher- started in Season 5- and I didn't buy the S1 DVD until post-S7. It seemed like an entirely different show.

*sigh* Things I miss about S1? Willow with a personality, Monster of the Week setup, the snarkiness of Bitch!Cordy, the very believable character interaction, the cuteness of Xander, the lack of angst-overdose. And the Master. "_"

Now I have to go out and buy me some Season 2.

Wow, I thought that the Master was a really good big bad, I actually found him menacing and scary with a nice bit of humor thrown in.

I guess The Master just seemed more like the "typical" villain to me---I didn't find anything very unique or interesting about him. But I definitely agree that he did add a little humor...which is a lot more than I can say for DarkWillow or Adam. All just my opinion, of course.



So you haven't seen S2? Then run, don't walk to buy those DVDs! S2 is IMO really phenomenal, as is S3.

Totally, and he was a great introduction to the Buffyverse's most interesting family: The Master, Darla, Angelus & Angel, Drusilla and Spike.

Not to mention all the theories he has provoked on the nature of vampires over time. I also really enjoyed his reappearance in Ats season 2. I wouldn't have minded a little more backstory on him, just a few more words from Giles perhaps. I mean he had references going way back, he could have mentioned a little about the Master over time and a little of his origins - a priest during the Dark Ages seems fitting to me.

I agree. He's actually my favorite Big Bad of them all. In some ways I see him as kind of a prototype for the Mayor, which I think is evident in some of his lines ("See? This is how a family is supposed to work!"), but the fact that I like him so much as a visual makes me like him more than the Mayor. Plus, I like the fact that he's kind of like a prototypical Big Bad, the first thing you'd think of when you think of an uber-foe for Buffy. I also enjoy the ressonance he has, as Buffy's first Big Bad, and as the one that actually killed her. The fact that such a menacing image tortures Buffy for the whole summer following s1 is pretty powerful, and I wish it hadn't been 100% dropped after WSWB.

He's a big reason why I wish s1 had been a full seaon, if only so we'd have gotten to see him flex his vamp muscles a little more. I'd like to have seen him maybe confront Angel or someone in combat and toss him around a little - show us just how strong vampires can get when they're that old, show why it's important that Buffy kills them before that can happen.

And really, as far as Big Bads go, I'd say he's one of the more compotent. After The Harvest, he does pretty well toward reaching his ultimate goal (especially considering he couldn't do anything first-hand). In fact, he attains it. If he'd just thought to really kill Buffy after drinking her, Sunnydale'd pretty much be the Wishverse.

I also think they do a really good job peppering him throughout the season, especially given how episodic the whole thing is. They do a better job of including a little bit of the Master here and there when appropriate than I feel they do in later seasons where it's like "Meanwhile! At Glory's house..."

Yeah, the Master was definitely felt as a big bad. IMO he also had a kind of omnipresence throughout BtVS, maybe because he was the first big bad, or the fact he was our introduction to a non common garden variety vampire, or perhaps his vamp family ties grounded him more solidly into the overriding mythology.

I was unexpectedly struck at how powerful a note he struck when he reappeared in early season 7. I immediately recognized how his presence had pervaded all of BtVS, even though I hadn't realised it and he wasn't actually there. Now that's what I call a superior big bad.

I alluded to this earlier but, the Master's very connections to the other major vampire characters, both historical and familial, tie him in and make him seem almost organic to the series. And of course, as many of his kin have tried to do (Darla, Angelus, Dru, Spike) he killed Buffy.

I think the Master may have been used more after his death than he ever was before it. He's shown up what, four or five times since then? Huh.

I agree that the Master seems like something of a dry run for the mayor's character at times, but since Joss seems to really hate father figures I guess it's appropriate he would give two of his most prominent villains some fatherly qualities.

For some reason I am stuck with an image of all the BB sitting around a table comparing how they did against Buffy and the Master saying," I actually killed her, which is more than I can say for you incompetent fools."

Now I'm thinking of the episode of Batman:TAS where all the Bat vilains did just that.

Adam: I threw a rock at her. A big rock.

You should check out the Rewriting BTVS thread (Making Our Own Fun). I think somebody proposed having all the Big Bads in Hell plotting an attack on Buffy & Sunnydale instead of the First. The Master getting impatient while Glory is deciding on a outfit. The Mayor constantly have to cleanup the Lair. Warren hitting on Glory. Adam just standing around taking it all in. I always that would have been a kick ass idea.

On topic: The Master kicks all kind of ass. And he always kills Buffy... which makes him the baddest big bad of them all.

Good point. I think he's the only villain to ever attack Buffy at every given opportunity. He buries her alive, he kills her in her dreams at least twice, and he bites then drowns her. The Master really does kick all kinds of ass.


Was anyone else dissapointed that we never got to see the Annointed One's power which the Master and Drusilla reffered to.

Yes, but... there was mass cheering when Spike offed him. I don't think I would have been able to stand His Annoyingness for another episode.

As to the Master- he rocks my socks. Definitely one of the creepiest of the big bads. "Oh, by the way, you have something in your eye." *STAB* Agggh. That scene gives me the heebie jeebies.

And of course the classic "I never get tired of doing that" neck snap.

Seriously. The Annoying One was just weird. Were they ever planning on actually doing something with him? Because as it is he seems like a totally pointless addition to both seasons 1 and 2.

*Edit: Also, I don't mean to suggest that I actually wanted him to hang around any longer than he actually did, because I hate kids on shows in general, and he is, after all, Annoying. Spike killing him was one of the only times I've ever actually thought "thank you, Spike."

SSG, I'm gonna answer you in the S2 thread, since it's mostly, well, about S2 stuff.

I sometimes wonder if the Master had a course. "Black Leather & Neck Snapping: Tricks of the Trade for the Up & Coming Minion of Darkness". I'd sign up.

That's reffering to The Wish right?

It's what Angelus says when killing Jenny Calendar, but stylistically, it does seem inspired a bit by the Master - because he snaps Buffy's neck the same way in The Wish.

Next to Glory I would say that the Master was the only BB that Buffy was actualy afraid of. His presence was enough to make her nervous and is also the only one who seemed competent at running operations.

and Angelus, and Spike w School Hard "the too old to eat" guy, and Trick's object lesson in Band Candy

"There's a reason it's a classic"

I wonder if Mr. Trick and Kakistos ever ran into the Master?

That's a good point, and I think that's something I miss about later Big Bads. When Buffy goes after the Master in Prophecy Girl, you can really sense how scared she is, and it's one of the few times in the series that I'm not thinking of Buffy as this invincible superhero, but as a young girl fighting horrible monsters.

Even her later fear of Glory doesn't affect me in nearly the same way.


I always wondered how old Kakistos was compared to the Master, since the Master is apperantly the oldest vamp on record, but Kakistos is pretty mutated as well.

So what was everyones favorite S1 character?


Mine was Willow, with Xander and Angel as a close second.

I think I related most to Willow, as I too am kind of shy and bookish, albeit with a slightly different wardrobe than S1 Willow's Rainbow Brite attire ;) She also had a genuine sweetness and sensitivity about her that I really responded to. In an effort to keep my blood pressure at a nice low level, I'll refrain from discussing how her character was "developed" (i.e. destroyed, IMO!) in later seasons.

Whenever I re-watch S1, or, for that matter, S2 and S3, I'm always shocked by how much I truly like Buffy. She just seemed so much warmer and more vibrant than later seasons, (and let's not even delve into her inexplicable transformation into a callous, wholly unlikable bitch---IMO, of course---in S7!) It's as if the writers thought that her path towards adulthood and increased awareness meant becoming humorless, self-righteous, and unwilling to trust other people. In contrast to later seasons, S1 Buffy seemed like an open, relatable person who cared for and relied on other people.

And of course I also loved S1 Xander and Giles...about the only S1 character I didn't love was Cordelia, who didn't really grow on me until S2, where we started to see signs of her decency :)

ITA if the show had been cancelled after season one then I think that Cordy would have been the one character who's development I would miss. She's still cool in S1 but she really rules in S2. I love that after Buffy saves her from the invisible girl she actually comes and thanks the Scoobies, it's our first real sign that Cordy isn't a total bitch. Speaking of that episode am I the only one that wishes that Harmoney had been the one who was wailed on with the bat?

At the time? Xander. If I hadn't identified with Xander so much at that point I would have changed the channel seven years ago.

Strangely enough, Buffy herself, as far as me goes (yes, I know that's bad grammar). Just watched the first two episodes of S1 the other day for the first time in a while, and it still amazes me how cute Smidge was in those years (even in those awful minidresses!), compared to the pallid ghost of S7. I think Giles and Xander both grew on me, although I always loved the sweet, shy Willow of the first few seasons. The one thing I remember from the first time I ever watched the show all those years ago, as the kids walk away babbling in typical fashion, Buffy sucking on what looks like a Tootsie-pop, and Giles turns away, muttering to himself, "The world is definitely doomed," that my feeling was, That's it! I am hooked on this show! (Fortunately, I never totally lost it).

It would definitely have to be Buffy for me too. But I don't think they really but anything into the emotional development/exposition of any of the other characters that season. She was probably my favorite all the way through, though at some point (Season 3ish) I'd say she was joined by Giles.

For some reason just re-reading that last sentence, it gave me a case of the wigguns, because it sounds sort of B/G ship fanfictastic, which I find a little bit on the ick side.

I love them all- they're such vibrant, distinctive personalities. My favorite is Buffy: she was so vibrant and so full of life. She was such a funny, capable young woman. I love girls who can kick ass and then throw out a good one-liner; I wanted to be just like her. And SMG was just beautiful before she lost all that weight and dyed her hair to the breaking point.
Xander was the kind of goofy guy next-door I always wanted. He is so loyal to the people he cares about, how could you not love him?
Willow was so sweet and timid, she was the perfect one to balance out Xander and Buffy's personalities. And she was so smart- I much prefer Computer hacker Willow to Witch Willow.
Giles was the perfect father figure, and he balanced snippiness with affection perfectly.
Angel was so gorgeous, I didn't care if he couldn't act, and I love how much the character. And Xander + Angel= Comedy Gold.

Am I the only one who ever wonders why ScienceGeek!Willow of Season One never gets the urge to take blood and other tissue samples from Buffy to try and determine *scientifically* how a Slayer is different from a normal girl? Or why the Council in all it's years of existance seemingly never has done anything like that?

Oh, and my favorite Season One Character? Same as in Seasons Two through Five, it's Willow.

Welllllllll.... I never wondered before now. It's funny but that question just reminded me of Riley asking of the Xander's in The Replacement "doesn't anyone else want to seperate them and perform psychological experiments...?"

:)

Buffy is my favorite from S1, love the one-liners. And she’s pretty.
Does anyone else see a resemblance between Nick Lachey and David Boreanaz?

I fully expected Fred to do that in AtS-5. It's probably just all those Midichlorians.

I was watching Welcome to the Hellmouth last night (Mr. E has the flu and our Saturday night consisted of watching old Buffy tapes).

Anyway, I have a question: Has there ever been anything in the commentary on DVDs, interviews, etc. about what was going on when Luke summoned the Master up through that lovely poop of what looked like blood? Was the Master inaccessible to his minions since he got trapped inside the hellmouth? Was the undergroup lair part of the hellmouth? Or was he just taking a nice refreshing blood bath? I don't know why after a zillion viewings I never wondered this before, but it's been so long since I paid attention to that scene.

The "blood bath" comes closest to my take on that scene, EONdc. I think the Master had put himself into a vampiric version of suspended animation and left his minions orders not to disturb him until very close to the Harvest.

DaBigDave, since I haven't been watching Angel this season (that would be too much like admitting that Buffy Season Seven actually happened) I have to ask, what's a Midichlorian?

Reference to "Star Wars Episode 1: the Phantom Menace" and the stupid explanation for how some folks are destined to be sooper Jedi.

Funny, EONdc, I wondered exactly the same thing when I rewatched Welcome to the Hellmouth, re the Master's first appearance. I mean, were we supposed to assume that up to that time, the Master had not only been trapped underground (at least since the last botched Harvest) but had also been hibernating in a tank of something (V-8? Cranapple cocktail?) that looked like blood? It also made me think of BtVS the Movie (yes, I know it's comparing apples and oranges, but Joss was the mind behind them both), where we see Lothos come down from above, apparently in some kind of flying mode, towards the doomed Cassandra (as far as I know, the only time it was even implied anywhere in the Jossverse that vamps can fly). Watching the first two eps of the series again reminded me that Joss did initially seem to try to make a tenuous connection to the movie (e.g. via Buffy's and Principal Flutie's references to Hemry High), even though he seems to have later given it up as pointless.