Over the course of seven (mostly) glorious seasons, Buffy the Vampire Slayer showed its impeccable ability to craft dramatic, hilarious, or even slightly haunting storylines. Packed with lovable and flawed characters, devilish villains, ambitious season-long arcs, and highly entertaining standalone episodes, Joss Whedon's series has stood the test of time as one of the best things to come out of the '90s.
While the show would eventually become quite consistent, Buffy the Vampire Slayer was not immune to the occasional dud. Thankfully, the great episodes far exceed the bad ones. Here are the best and worst episodes from each season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Best Of Season 1: Prophecy Girl (Episode 12)
While "Angel" proved Buffy the Vampire Slayer had the potential to offer more than B-movie schlock, it was not until the season 1 finale that the series really hit its stride. This episode features a towering performance from Sarah Michelle Gellar and a suspenseful third act that succeeds in presenting the rather cheesy Master as a threatening antagonist.
Not only does "Prophecy Girl" serve as an enjoyable precursor to the series' subsequent seasons, but it also ranks among the show's best finales.
Worst Of Season 1: Teacher's Pet (Episode 4)
Season 1 is by far Buffy the Vampire Slayer's weakest year, but Whedon's show actually had a serviceable start to its run. Unfortunately, the season's early momentum is derailed slightly by the terrible fourth episode, "Teacher's Pet."
The plot sees Xander being ensnared by a substitute teacher who is actually a praying mantis-esque creature, launching a running gag of the Scooby Gang's most ordinary member attracting monsters. "Teacher's Pet" is dull to watch and might put off newcomers to the series.
Best Of Season 2: ion (Episode 17)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer's season 2 worked tirelessly to shed the corny tone of its predecessor by incorporating a far darker main storyline. "ion" was Buffy the Vampire Slayer's ultimate declaration of its potential, as the episode allowed Angelus to hurt the heroes in a way that felt very real and could not simply be reversed at a later date.
"ion" is heartbreaking, intense, and terrifying. It also helped establish Angelus as perhaps the show's greatest villain, which is saying something.
Worst Of Season 2: Go Fish (Episode 20)
Although a considerable step up from season 1, Buffy the Vampire Slayer's sophomore effort still has its share of below-average monster-of-the-week adventures. Featuring a silly storyline about Xander ing the swimming team, "Go Fish" is the worst of the bunch, although "Bad Eggs" gives it a run for its money.
"Go Fish" is made worse by the fact that it is the season's last episode before the two-part finale, and it feels like an utter waste of time at that point.
Best Of Season 3: The Wish (Episode 9)
Although perhaps not reaching the same highs as season 2, its successor is more consistent and boasts some brilliant standalone episodes. "The Wish" is a tour-de-force of clever writing and foreshadowing.
When Cordelia wishes Buffy never came to Sunnydale, she is teleported to an alternate world where vampires reign supreme. Along with offering a great mix of horror and action, "The Wish" throws out a couple of unexpected plot twists that turn this trope on its head.
Worst Of Season 3: Gingerbread (Episode 11)
Even season 3's worst episodes have a couple of memorable moments, and the same holds true for "Gingerbread." A play on the Hansel & Gretel fairy tale, two children are found murdered, prompting Sunnydale's parents to lead a rally to burn any witches in town.
While the main storyline contains a couple of strong scenes and a pretty amusing conclusion, "Gingerbread" is hurt by the fact the adults' actions are influenced by a demon rather than genuine hysteria.
Best Of Season 4: Hush (Episode 10)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is known for its snappy banter, so it might come as a shock to learn the show's greatest standalone episode features barely any dialogue. "Hush" feels like a throwback to horror flicks from the silent era, including antagonists who use an absence of sound as a tool to enhance their presence.
"Hush" is masterfully directed, confidently acted, and could for a short film.
Worst Of Season 4: Beer Bad (Episode 5)
Season 4 has an identity crisis. Its season-long saga feels alien to Buffy the Vampire Slayer's mythological roots, and the episodic content is a bit all over the place as well.
"Beer Bad" is a message episode about the dangers of alcohol. It is about as subtle as the name implies, with Buffy reverting back to a cavewoman after drinking a few beers. "Beer Bad" is Buffy the Vampire Slayer at its worst, as "Where the Wild Things Are" at least pauses its awfulness to let Giles sing for a few minutes.
Best Of Season 5: The Body (Episode 16)
In a season featuring a villain who is a hell dimension's god, "The Body" hits like a ton of all-too-real bricks. One day, Buffy comes home to find Joyce, her mother, has ed away. The cause of death has nothing to do with anything supernatural.
"The Body" is slow, heavy, and unapologetic. It captures Buffy at her most helpless, although the protagonist still has to be strong for her younger sister. When it comes to reflecting the pain of loss, "The Body" is a masterpiece.
Worst Of Season 5: Into The Woods (Episode 10)
By season 5, Riley had overstayed his welcome. The character's lingering presence served as little more than a reminder of season 4's misguided military direction.
"Into the Woods" was Riley's last hurrah as a main member of the roster, as Buffy finally learned about her boyfriend's midnight escapades with vampires. The drug addiction metaphor was something the series would revisit time and time again, but this storyline was by far the dullest of the lot.