Every Halloween, my niece, my sisters and I have a tradition: we get together, we carve pumpkins and we watch this trilogy of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Halloween episodes. (We’re a family of pure feminists.) If it’s been a while since you’ve seen the episodes, here’s a quick recap. Make them part of your own Halloween traditions!
Season 2, Episode 6 - “Halloween”
It’s amazing how costumes can change one’s persona on Halloween. It’s the only time of year that the shy guy can be seen as confident and sexy, and the straight guy can wear a dress. What a person wears as a Halloween costume can sometimes reveal a lot. This episode of Buffy illustrates this concept perfectly. It’s Halloween in Sunnydale, and everyone’s turning into their costumes. Buffy is an 18th century damsel in distress; Willow is a ghost (a sexy ghost at that); and Xander is a hyper-masculine army guy. With Buffy out of commission, and Xander out of his friggin’ mind, Willow gets to take over the leader’s mantle, and really allows herself to be confident. Buffy tells Willow that Halloween is about how you should “come as you aren’t.” In doing so, Willow finds her hidden potential. Sometimes a costume can be very revealing.
Season 4, Episode 4 - “Fear, Itself”
Now, here’s a fun episode! And it has a haunted house (Whoop! Whoop!)! The costumes have little to do with what makes this episode worthy of repeat viewings. Aside from Giles in a sombrero, poncho and a chainsaw, and ex-demon girl Anya in a bunny suit (the most terrifying thing she could think of), this ep’s all about fear. Buffy can’t bring herself to face the guy who jilted her. Willow’s continuing usage of magic is of concern to everyone but herself. Oz is afraid he’ll lose control of his wolf side. And Xander is afraid he’s becoming invisible, since he’s the only one of his friends not in college.
The house our Scooby Gang is trapped in amplifies their fears, and the only thing that can save them is facing fear itself. Literally. In the form of fear demon Gachnar. This episode is a greeat combination of scares, fun and laughs, especially with the twist ending. And you’ve gotta love a good haunted house story.
Season 6, Episode 6 - “All the Way”
Have you ever met a guy, had sex, then he turned evil and tried to kill all your friends? I sure have. My guy wasn’t a vampire, though. He was a closeted high school jock. So my story is a little closer to Dawn‘s story in this episode. Just like big sister, Dawn finds herself falling for the wrong guy. She has her first kiss AND has to stake the guy. Yup, surprise, surprise, he’s a vampire. Check out this classic exchange:.
BUFFY: Were you parking?! With a vamp?
DAWN: I didn’t know he was dead!
BUFFY: How could you not know?
DAWN: I just met him!
BUFFY: So, you were parking in the woods with a boy you just met? I don’t believe you!
DAWN: Like you’ve never fallen for a vampire?
BUFFY: That was different.
DAWN: It always is when it’s you.
I love when the show stays grounded.
Buffy‘s Halloween-themed episodes have something everyone can relate to, whether it’s the confusion of adolescence, the need to face your own fears or the inevitable stomach ache from bad decisions and too much candy. These three episodes make for a fun Halloween sugar rush for Buffy fans. So, gather the family and/or friends and do a marathon! Happy Halloween!
I have the same ritual - I watch these three episodes every Halloween too!
“I was just thinking about the life of a pumpkin. Grow up in the sun, happily entwined with others, and then someone comes along, cuts you open, and rips your guts out.”
I was never a big fan of “All The Way.” Then again, I’m not a fan of anything in season 6 that doesn’t involve musicals. But the other two are classic.
WILLOW: I’m a ghost.
GILES: Yes, of course. Ghost of what?
Halloween Week: Eduard’s Very “Buffy” Halloween
By Eduard
October 26, 2010 at 3:03AM EDT
Every Halloween, my niece, my sisters and I have a tradition: we get together, we carve pumpkins and we watch this trilogy of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Halloween episodes. (We’re a family of pure feminists.) If it’s been a while since you’ve seen the episodes, here’s a quick recap. Make them part of your own Halloween traditions!
Season 2, Episode 6 - “Halloween”
It’s amazing how costumes can change one’s persona on Halloween. It’s the only time of year that the shy guy can be seen as confident and sexy, and the straight guy can wear a dress. What a person wears as a Halloween costume can sometimes reveal a lot. This episode of Buffy illustrates this concept perfectly. It’s Halloween in Sunnydale, and everyone’s turning into their costumes. Buffy is an 18th century damsel in distress; Willow is a ghost (a sexy ghost at that); and Xander is a hyper-masculine army guy. With Buffy out of commission, and Xander out of his friggin’ mind, Willow gets to take over the leader’s mantle, and really allows herself to be confident. Buffy tells Willow that Halloween is about how you should “come as you aren’t.” In doing so, Willow finds her hidden potential. Sometimes a costume can be very revealing.
Season 4, Episode 4 - “Fear, Itself”
Now, here’s a fun episode! And it has a haunted house (Whoop! Whoop!)! The costumes have little to do with what makes this episode worthy of repeat viewings. Aside from Giles in a sombrero, poncho and a chainsaw, and ex-demon girl Anya in a bunny suit (the most terrifying thing she could think of), this ep’s all about fear. Buffy can’t bring herself to face the guy who jilted her. Willow’s continuing usage of magic is of concern to everyone but herself. Oz is afraid he’ll lose control of his wolf side. And Xander is afraid he’s becoming invisible, since he’s the only one of his friends not in college.
The house our Scooby Gang is trapped in amplifies their fears, and the only thing that can save them is facing fear itself. Literally. In the form of fear demon Gachnar. This episode is a greeat combination of scares, fun and laughs, especially with the twist ending. And you’ve gotta love a good haunted house story.
Season 6, Episode 6 - “All the Way”
Have you ever met a guy, had sex, then he turned evil and tried to kill all your friends? I sure have. My guy wasn’t a vampire, though. He was a closeted high school jock. So my story is a little closer to Dawn‘s story in this episode. Just like big sister, Dawn finds herself falling for the wrong guy. She has her first kiss AND has to stake the guy. Yup, surprise, surprise, he’s a vampire. Check out this classic exchange:.
BUFFY: Were you parking?! With a vamp?
DAWN: I didn’t know he was dead!
BUFFY: How could you not know?
DAWN: I just met him!
BUFFY: So, you were parking in the woods with a boy you just met? I don’t believe you!
DAWN: Like you’ve never fallen for a vampire?
BUFFY: That was different.
DAWN: It always is when it’s you.
I love when the show stays grounded.
Buffy‘s Halloween-themed episodes have something everyone can relate to, whether it’s the confusion of adolescence, the need to face your own fears or the inevitable stomach ache from bad decisions and too much candy. These three episodes make for a fun Halloween sugar rush for Buffy fans. So, gather the family and/or friends and do a marathon! Happy Halloween!
From the evil mind of Eduard
Previous Comments
I have the same ritual - I watch these three episodes every Halloween too!
“I was just thinking about the life of a pumpkin. Grow up in the sun, happily entwined with others, and then someone comes along, cuts you open, and rips your guts out.”
I was never a big fan of “All The Way.” Then again, I’m not a fan of anything in season 6 that doesn’t involve musicals. But the other two are classic.
WILLOW: I’m a ghost.
GILES: Yes, of course. Ghost of what?
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