30 Years Later, Buffy Still Rules the Screen
Why Buffy the Vampire Slayer is and will always be one of my favorite shows.
Every year, when the air gets a mild chill and the leaves begin to turn color. I get a sudden urge. That is, a sudden urge to curl up in front of my TV and watch a good old-fashioned TV show. While there are plenty of great autumn shows out there, my absolute top tier choice will always be Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
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Nearly thirty years ago the WB network aired a show that, on paper, should not have worked. But Buffy — salvaged from the wreckage of the mediocre movie it was based on — had one genius, universal theme: What if high school is literally hell? It turns out that fighting demons and monsters acts as a perfect metaphor for the struggles of adolescence, which is why the show still holds up today.
I was first introduced to the series as a young child. My parents were Buffy enthusiasts, our walls lined with massive DVD box sets of all seven seasons of the show. Every Friday night my family gathered around the TV to be transported to Sunnydale, California — The Hellmouth.
I was instantly obsessed. Buffy’s brazen strength and snark when taking on demons, vampires and monsters were empowering. But the best part was how the show balanced the supernatural with the painfully mundane. One week she’s saving the world from an apocalypse; the next week she’s experiencing a heart-wrenchingly human moment of dealing with a first breakup or losing a family member. Watching this dynamic, multi-layered superhero grow up gave me the best role model. I got to watch Buffy Summers evolve from a reluctant, superficial 15-year-old high school cheerleader into a mature, self-sacrificing vampire slayer. The further I get into adulthood, the more I relate to Buffy.
Simply put, Buffy the Vampire Slayer remains a perfect show. Such an absolutely balanced blend of drama, horror, and comedy has never been seen on television before or since. If you’re looking for the ultimate show to accompany your fall season, it’s time to watch some vampire slaying!
