Buffy the Vampire Slayer

[caliente_uk]

My love of the Buffyverse appears to be stronger than ever lately. RL has been difficult, so what do I do? Turn to BtVS again, of course! Buffy the Vampire Slayer helped me through some tough times when it was first aired, and it continues to do so today.

Even though I have the DVDs, I've been rewatching the show on Sky over the last few weeks. Spike and Spuffy have constantly been in my thoughts lately (well, even more than usual) and I've been thinking about which season is my faourite...and which one is my least favourite. Bear in mind that I'm a little bit (just a little *g*) biased towards Spike and Spuffy. Although I must point out that I loved many different characters and pairings while I was watching the show for the first time.



I went along with the story that was told and loved every minute of it - even when things weren't necessarily going the way I'd have liked them to. I liked Riley and Buffy together, and felt Buffy's pain when he left. Buffy and Angel? Yes, I completely believed in them in the early seasons...although I have to admit that my love of Angel blossomed once he was on his own show. I adore the Angel of AtS! Xander, Willow, Oz, Tara? Giles and Anya? I loved them all. I liked how they grew and changed during the course of the show. I can honestly say that my love of Xander was even stronger by the end of season 7.

You won't see any Buffy hate here. :) She will always be my hero. In fact, the Buffy of the later seasons is the one I relate to the most. The Buffy who had the weight of the world on her shoulders, who had been broken by life...but always managed to keep on going. The Buffy who had to keep strong for those around her, even when it was almost too much to bear. She was so battle worn and weary by the end of season 7 that my heart broke for her. And then there's Spike. Once I get started on Spike, I could go on and on forever. So all I'm going to do is repost part of the Spike/Spuffy post that is now on my user info. :)

I loved Spike from the moment I first saw him in S2. He made an impact from his first appearance, and he was so beautiful he made my heart melt. He was pure evil from the start, and it never even crossed my mind that Spike and Buffy could ever be together as a couple. But then he started to grow and change and by S5 he had completely stolen my heart. Then came Fool for Love...and that was it. My obsession with love of Spuffy was born and I've never looked back.

I'm not saying that I wouldn't have liked some things to have been different along the way (of course I would), but on the whole I was happy with the Spike/Buffy story we got. When I think of how far Spike and Buffy came from Spike's first appearance in S2, to the pain and heartache they had caused each other by the end of S6 (and I truly believe they were both equally to blame for the heartache of S6), to the love and trust they had for each other by the end of S7, my Spuffy heart can't help but be happy. From pure evil in S2 to Champion by the end of S7. What a journey it was! And I wouldn't have missed a second of it.

There isn't anything I could write that could even begin to show the depth of feeling I have for Spike. All I will say (as dramatic as it sounds) is that he saved me. When thngs in my RL got so bad that I didn't think I could carry on, Spike was there to lift me up. He gave me something to believe in. He really was (and still is!) the only thing that kept me sane. I honestly don't know where I'd be today if it hadn't been for Spike and Buffy.

Congratulations if you got to the end of all that waffling. :)

Now for my list of seasons! From my favourite to my least favourite. Let's see if there are any surprises. :D

1. Season 5

Fool For Love, Crush, Intervention, The Gift. What's not to love?

2. Season 6

Once More, With Feeling, Tabula Rasa, Smashed. Love it or loathe it, but who could ever forget it. Dark, angsty, but oh so good!

3. Season 7

Beneath You, Conversations With Dead People, Touched. My love of this season grows with every viewing. I tend to think of S6 and S7 as two halves of one long storyline. They work so well together!

4. Season 2

School Hard, Halloween, Innocence, Becoming (parts one and two). It goes without saying really, doesn't it? Spike, Dru, Angelus...how could anyone not love this?

5. Season 4

Something Blue, Pangs, Harsh Light of Day. So much to love about S4! I think I was on a high while watching most of this season. Spike was back! *squee* Um...sorry. But I couldn't help myself. *g*

6. Season 3

Lover's Walk (who didn't guess that one? *g*), The Wish, Amends, Helpless. Some wonderful episodes in S3. I love the season (as I love them all), but this is one of my least watched seasons. What can I say? I'm a Spike girl! :D Lover's Walk is one of my favourite eps ever!

7. Season 1

Welcome To The Hellmouth, The Pack, Prophecy Girl. The season that started it all. A few strong episodes in this, but not a season I watch very often. I do have a soft spot for it, though. I liked it enough to keep watching when S2 started! And they are all so young! Compare how fresh faced and eager they are here, to how worn out and weary they are by the end of S7. Pure nostalgia!



I think I'm going to do a favourite quote post next. And then my favourite episodes. And then my favourite AtS season. And then... ;)

Comments

[hesadevil.livejournal.com]

I was with you every step of the way - including Spike saving me at a very dark time in RL.

Looking forward to the favourite quotes - you'll definitely need lj cut for that post.

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

I'm glad it made sense to you, Pat. :)

including Spike saving me at a very dark time in RL.

He's very good at doing that, isn't he? I always think it sounds a bit dramatic when I say that, but it really is the truth.

The favourite quote post isn't going to be easy. There are so many wonderful ones! Maybe I ought to do it season by season? It could end up being a very long post!

[jamalov29.livejournal.com]

LOved you post , Cal , and i can say that I felt the love you poured through your words.:)


I liked Riley and Buffy together, and felt Buffy's pain when he left. Buffy and Angel? Yes, I completely believed in them in the early seasons...although I have to admit that my love of Angel blossomed once he was on his own show.
As surprising for me as it may sound , I did enjoy Buffy and Riley together , but only during season 4; Because when sesaon 5 started , I was so waiting for some Spuffy to happen already !! ;)

But yes , Riley loved her so hopelessly , it was touching.

I started watching Btvs in the middle of season 2 and I have to admit that I had been moved by Buffy and Angel doomed love.But like you , I dearly enjoyed Angel in his own show , especially in the last season.

I have very strong love for almost all the characters . Maybe Faith wasn't my favourite , but I learned to appreciate her , and I really enjoyed her presence in season 7.

As for Spuffy , you know I pretty much feel the same way as you do.. The story we got on screen , I fell in love with. Even if I would have liked different treatment of Spike in some episodes.

I was a wary of Spike when I first discovered him with Dru. They looked so wicked .. beautiful and mesmerizing , too , but very , very evil. but in the same time, I immediately thought when watching School Hard : wow.. if vampire Spike could fall in love with Buffy the Slayer , we would get a hell of a passion!
--and I didn't dare believe it..


And Spike.. what can I add? This character is so complex , so rich and fascinating. He's on my mind every day.

He's the fictional character I won't never forget. He 's alive in my heart and soul all the time. He means so much..

I think the posts I have written about him said it all. :)


My favourite seasons :
1- Season 5 !
2- Season 7.
3- Season 4
4- Season 6
5- Season 2
6- Season 3
7-Season 1

For the episodes , I need to think a bit more!

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

LOved you post , Cal , and i can say that I felt the love you poured through your words.:)

Thank you, Caroline! I have to say I enjoyed writing that post. My love for Spike and Buffy is definitely never ending. :)

As surprising for me as it may sound , I did enjoy Buffy and Riley together , but only during season 4; Because when sesaon 5 started , I was so waiting for some Spuffy to happen already !! ;)

Oh yes, I was definitely ready for Riley to leave when he did...although I did feel for Buffy when he left. Yet another man in her life walking out on her. But I'd completely lost my heart to Spuffy by then! :D

Maybe Faith wasn't my favourite , but I learned to appreciate her , and I really enjoyed her presence in season 7.

Faith has never been a favourite character of mine, but not because I didn't like her. Like you, I think I learned to appreciate her more, especially in S7. I liked her well enough in S3, but it's not a season I watch very often. She just didn't have that much of an impact on me.

I immediately thought when watching School Hard : wow.. if vampire Spike could fall in love with Buffy the Slayer , we would get a hell of a passion!
--and I didn't dare believe it..

I think I could always see the potential there, but I never thought for a minute that it could ever happen. But the chemistry was definitely there from the start! I love that scene in School Hard when Spike sees Buffy for the very first time. Wow indeed!

And Spike.. what can I add? This character is so complex , so rich and fascinating. He's on my mind every day.

He's the fictional character I won't never forget. He 's alive in my heart and soul all the time. He means so much..

Well, you know I feel exactly the same way. I will never, ever forget Spike. Like you, he is alive in my heart and soul all the time. I love him...it really is as simple as that. :)

My favourite seasons :
1- Season 5 !
2- Season 7.
3- Season 4
4- Season 6
5- Season 2
6- Season 3
7-Season 1

Season 5 is always going to be my favourite season. There is just so much to love!

Season 6 and 7 work better for me when viewed as a whole. I loved the darkness of S6...and then the way that S7 brought Spike and Buffy back together again. How they came from the pain and heartache of S6, to the love and friendship of S7. It is such a heartbreakingly beautiful love story. I don't think there will ever be another one like it for me.

S4 and S2 are always changing places. There is just so much to love about both of them!

And S3 and S1 are always in exactly the same place. I *do* love them, but Spike isn't in them, so I very rarely watch them.

I need to give my favourite episodes a lot of thought! And my favourite quotes! :)

Thank you for your lovely comments. *hugs*

[petzipellepingo.livejournal.com]

Nods along every single lines of this, including the best seasons list. And yes, the thought of Spike's struggle has gotten me through some bad times as well.
::massive hugs:: for this post.

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm so glad you liked it. I think we sometimes need to remind ourselves that our love of Spike and the Buffyverse are what brought us all together in the first place. :)

*massive hugs back*

[frelling-tralk.livejournal.com]

Great post! My favourites are seasons 3, 5, and 6 :D

And I definitely agree about relating to Buffy, and loving her even more, in later seasons. My heart broke for her so many times in seasons 5-7 especially. Whilst I did feel for her in season 2, the bad boyfriend arc isn't something that I can relate to as much (perhaps fortunately *g*) But I think we'll all emphasize somewhat with Buffy's struggle with life in seasons 5 and 6

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your comments! :)

I definitely relate to the later seasons more because they deal with Buffy's struggle to make it in an adult world. Empathy is without a doubt a big part of that. But I really do love all seven seasons of the show!

[bluekaty.livejournal.com]

Great post. I must say I was a bit tearful at the end. I have the same feelings for the show and especially for Spike, he is truly one of the best characters that was ever created. Sometimes I'm almost scared by the intensity of love that I have for it and its charactes, so it's nice to see that I'm not alone.
Season 5 is also my favourite season but I think Intervention is my favourite episode: "evil" Spike telling of his willingness to be tortured to save Buffy's some pain and that final, tender, grateful kiss with Buffy lingering until Spike realizes who is kissing him, and then his incredulous, reverent expression... it really kills me everytime.

[hesadevil.livejournal.com]

And that's where I started watching - I was hooked by that Intervention kiss.

[just-sue.livejournal.com]

Excellent post, Cal! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and nodded enthusiastically along the way. Is strange, possibly weird, to think that my second longest relationship with a guy is with a fictional one - Spike. Thinking about him, and Buffy, takes up a huge chunk of my day and I have no desire for that to change.

Looking forward to seeing your quote post! *hugs*

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Sue! :)

Is strange, possibly weird, to think that my second longest relationship with a guy is with a fictional one - Spike. Thinking about him, and Buffy, takes up a huge chunk of my day and I have no desire for that to change.

I know exactly what you mean. If there was ever going to be another man in my life other than my husband, Spike is it. It surprises me at times just how passionate I feel about him. I have no desire for things to ever change, either.

The quote post might take some time, but it will definitely happen!

*hugs back*

[elisi]

Excellent post! :) I agree with pretty much everything, except in my list S5 would come after 6 and 7. Not that they're not tied very, very closely all three! *g*

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :) There isn't much between S5, 6 and 7 for me, either. I love them all! S1 and S3 are always at the bottom of the list for me. Can't think why that is! *g*

[spikeylover.livejournal.com]

I'm with you on this, too. Although I don't love season seven as much as you do, I'm getting ready to watch it again, and my mind might be changed.

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

I love S7 more every time I watch it. S6, followed directly by S7 makes such a heartbreakingly beautiful story.

Thank you for reading!

[jonesiexxx.livejournal.com]

I have all the DVDs as well, yet I too will sometimes watch on TV rather than pull out a DVD.

There's something about it airing in real time that lends it an almost freshness and immediacy ... like "ooh, it's Buffy time now!"

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean. I've been finding myself looking forward to a different episode every day. It does almost feel like watching it for the first time. :)

[adriana-is.livejournal.com]

Yep. I completely agree. Riley and Buffy were sweet at first but by season five, I was ready for him to go. :)

Buffy and Spike? I was hooked from School Hard on. From the moment he set eyes on her at The Bronze I just knew that this would be a bumpy ride. Poor Spike. :)

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, I was definitely ready for him to go when he did. I was completely sold on Spuffy by then! :)

I was hooked on Spike from the second I saw him. I could always see the potential for more with Buffy and Spike, but never thought it would ever happen. The chemistry was there right from the start, though! Poor Spike indeed. :)

[confusedkayt.livejournal.com]

Yay! I agree with your assessment of Buffy perfectly... She is much easier for me to relate to later on than before. Buffy was for me what Spike seems to have been for you... I struggled with a really, really deep depression for a while and watching Buffy struggle with hers and eventually triumph... Let's just say it gave me a leg up. (I feel almost embarassed saying this, because I worry that my fic will then seem like just a big fat ball of over-relating. :D)

I LOVE that someone else ranks Season Five first. I LOVE season five. It starts and holds tension beginning to end in this amazing, unmatched way.

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :)

I think I related to both Spike *and* Buffy. Spike was always the one I related to most, but the Buffy of S6 and 7 was someone I related to on a personal level. I struggle with depression too, and I know what it's like to have everyone look to you for support, when you can hardly support yourself; to feel like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. So yes, I definitely related to Buffy. My heart broke for her.

No need to feel embarrassed! Your fic is wonderful, so you don't have a thing to worry about. :D

I adore S5! I love it from beginning to end. Such an amazing season!

[deborahw37.livejournal.com]

What a lovely post! And the promise of more to come!! *woot*

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It might take a while, but there's definitely more to come. :D

[shapinglight]

Thanks for reminding me of so many of the reasons I love Spike and BtVS. It can't be said too often.

Also, this program seems to have been an emotional rescue for so many people. There really is nothing like it.

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

I think we all need to remind ourselves of the reasons why we're here at times. Our love of Spike and the Buffyverse are what brought us all together in the first place, after all. It really can't be said often enough. :)

There does seem to be quite a few of us out there.

Thank you so much for reading! :)

[kazzy-cee.livejournal.com]

Ah - quotes! I've been sitting here making quotes icons over the last few days. Look forward to pinching looking at yours! LOL!

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Hee! It might take me a while, but the quote post will definitely be coming. :D

[molly_may]

Thanks for such a lovely post to read this morning! I agree, while I'm biased towards Buffy and Spike, I love the whole show, nearly every character and certainly every season!

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thank you for reading, Molly! :)

Yes, I love everything about the show. I can't think of many characters I don't like...except maybe for Warren. But even while I dislike him for what he did, I still liked his role in the show. S5 (the Buffybot!) or S6 wouldn't have been the same without him!

[gillo]

You say so much of what I feel too. I love them all, even Beer Bad! I love Buffy even more as she grows up and has to fight the real world which is so much tougher than any demon. And Spike - there are not enough words. And my favourite seasons ar ethe last three - but the order keeps on changing.

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :)

Yes, I love Buffy more and more with every season. The last two seasons especially were when I related to her the most. Poor Buffy! She didn't have it easy, did she? As you say, with Spike there just are not enough words. I love him...it's as simple as that really.

There isn't much between the last three seasons for me. I love them all!

[fishsanwitt]

Thank you for this beautiful post.

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thank you for reading it! :)

*hugs*

[fotada.livejournal.com]

Love this post, and the heartfelt emotion behind it. Spike really is a hero--he saved your life, and probably many others beside. That's really special.

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Fotada. Do you know what's even more special? He's still doing it today. I would never have met so many wonderful people if it hadn't been for Spike. :)

[jerusha]

I have to say that Spike (and the Buffy fandom) has given me so, so much, not least good friends like you. *hugs*

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, Jerusha. *hugs you tight*

[bogwitch.livejournal.com]

I'm not keen on Season Two.

I can never decide whether I like season 5 or season 6 best. I think I like Season 5 better as a story, it's tighter and rushes towards a great cresendo, but the first half sags a bit with a lot of very average eps. Season 6 is more daring, more exquistly painful, but doesn't make as much sense and I lose interest in eveyone who isn't Buffy and Spike. Yet it is really the creativity it sparked in the fandom which really captivated me. I miss all that dark, angsty Spuffy, I really do. Hardly anyone writes it like that anyomore. :(

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Season Two introduces Spike, so I *do* have a soft spot for it. :)

I love S5 and S6 almost equally. I love the dark and angsty Spuffy of S6, but S5 has FFL, Crush and Intervention. It's very difficult to choose between them!

Thanks for your comments! :)

[amybnnyc.livejournal.com]

You are an absolute doll, even if you did make me break my neck from all the nodding in agreement. :)

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Amy! I'm glad you liked it. :)

*hugs*

[lillianmorgan.livejournal.com]

What a lovely post! I enjoyed reading your reactions to Spike and Buffy and how you still feel a connection with the characters - that's so heartening. I particularly liked what you had to say about Buffy - I think finding the good in what she did is much more rewarding and positive.
I tend to think of S6 and S7 as two halves of one long storyline. They work so well together!
That's a lovely way of putting it - I've seen before theories that the two seasons are linked - Season 6 is the comedown, and Season 7 the rebirth. But it's nice to think of them as two halves of one story :)

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad you liked it. Thank you for reading! :)

[lmbossy.livejournal.com]

What a journey it was! And I wouldn't have missed a second of it.
That's it exactly! Even the episodes I don't like are still part of the arc for the characters and so I wouldn't get rid of any of them

It's so hard putting them in order, because I love 6 and 2, and 7 and 4 fairly equally, but 5 just blew me away ... and I can't leave 1 and 3 out of the mix, because I wouldn't have missed Faith for the world ... and without the first season, the Scoobies just wouldn't be who they became ... and you're going to rate the episodes as well ... *eep* too many to choose from!