Buffy the Vampire Slayer S1 EP1

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Season 1 Episode 1 

“Welcome to the Hellmouth”

Original Airdate: March 3, 1997

            Buffy is a pretty girl, with a bright future, but little do people know she is a vampire slayer. She’s just moved to Sunnydale, CA and is trying to get a fresh start and live a normal life. Little does she know that the librarian has also just moved to Sunnydale, and it’s not just a coincidence. Giles, the librarian is not just a librarian, but also a watcher. And as it turns out he’s her watcher.

            There are several other characters of the episode. Xander who’s you’re average, boy next-door type of character. He is the type of character that jokes about everything and essentially creates awkward moments. Willow, who is your nerdy, geeky, know it all kinda gal. Then we have Cordelia who is the popular, “fashion guru” of the show, so to speak. She’s the girl that every school has that every girl wants to be just like. She’s the pretty popular cheerleader type. She makes fun of Xander and Willow for being really nerdy and scrubby. Buffy is slightly torn because she wants to be popular and have friends and be friends with Cordelia, but she also likes Xander and Willow and would love to become friends with them.

            The down fall to being a vampire slayer is that no one can know what you are and what you do. But when Buffy discusses how she feels about the whole slaying “profession” Xander overhears. She’s afraid of getting Xander hurt, but also having a friend that knows your secrets is very relieving.

            As Buffy is on her way to the club, She meets a mysterious man in black. He’s tall, dark, and handsome. He calls himself a friend, but why is he being so mysterious? Interestingly enough Buffy just can’t seem to get him out of her mind. He even gave her a Stainless steel cross.

            As the episode continues we learn that Buffy will probably have a stronger bond with Willow than anyone. She needs the most help, and with Buffy watching out for her she’ll listen to her every word. Buffy tells Willow to Seize the Day tomorrow you might be dead. Willow does seize the moment, but with the wrong guy!

            Buffy goes on a frantic search for her, and eventually asks Xander, who brings up the fact that he knows that Buffy is the slayer, however he at first thinks she’s delusional. Until he sees how frantic she is.

            When Xander and Buffy enter the Mausoleum, he’s shocked to learn the truth. Vampires are real, they’re in Sunnydale, and they’re attacking his two best friends. It’s at this moment that we see the potential that the two have to become great friends.

            The episode ends with a fight between Buffy and one of the older Vampires Luke. We see what a slayer is all about and how strong they actually are compared to vampires. Luke throws Buffy into and open casket and we are left lingering for a few seconds, then Luke jumps into the casket and goes in for the kill.  We’re left with the words “To Be Continued.” That’s when we know that it's going to be a great show!

            As a pilot it’s one of the better ones that I have seen, and let me tell you I’ve seen many. As an episode of Buffy, it’s just ok. Not one of the stronger episodes, but that’s to be expected because it’s the first season. Obviously the first episode is more about the characters than anything, but again that’s to be expected, you can’t just jump right into an episode without developing anything.

            Buffy has been a breakthrough for the vampire world, I remember the first time I watched this pilot, and I was instantly hooked. I still thank my brother to this very day! The show starts with a smash and ends with a well I’ll get to that! For a pilot episode of a show I give it an 8 out of 10; for an episode of Buffy I give it a 4 out of 10, which just means the show only gets better from here.