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the-normie · 2 years

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It had been building up to this moment, everything Buffy and her Scooby Gang had done was leading up to now--to season five. At the core of season four “Death Is Your Gift” was a creepy message from the First Slayer. Most people believed the message was about Buffy's gift to the universe, killing demons and monsters. Season Five proved that the Slayer was more than that.

Without spoiling the finale itself, the message from one Vampire Slayer to another was significant. This would be the only thing that ensured that the villain of the entire season, the Big Bad of the whole thing would see defeat.

A lot happened in season five. We were introduced to Buffy’s younger sister who has been living with her Dad until recently. However, Dawn is more than anyone thinks and there are mentions of her during this season that leave you wondering where has she been all this time especially when it seemed like Buffy was an only child especially in the flashback back in Season Two when she learns she’s a Vampire Slayer, no sign of a baby sister.

The season answers all those questions and more! The Scoobies acquire a new base of operations where Giles operates a business that you might not expect from him. We get to see Xander and Anya become closer. Willow really seems to be heading down a dark path which will play out in a later season, and Buffy experiences a tragedy that no one was prepared for.

Yet the question still begs to be asked, is the season worth watching?

Yes! With a mixture of so many stories being told, season five is one of those seasons you can't help but enjoy. Out of six stars, I would give it six stars.

It has great storytelling, good character development, and it really pulls at your heart strings that might make you cry especially during the episode “The Body” and “The Gift”, this season is very much a punch in the gut!

So if you haven’t seen the season, do it! It’s absolutely worth it!

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the-normie · 2 years

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When Angel left Sunnydale, it was understood that for good or bad, this was a permanent change. In Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Buffy was Angel’s world. She was the reason he left the alleyways and eating rats for a better life. However, with the threat of Angelus, Angel wanted to truly atone for his actions and did so in his own show!

The question is, should you watch this season? Is Angel worth the watch?

The answer is yes. The show is a bit more grittier than Buffy the Vampire Slayer but that was part of its appeal to fans of the tv show and Buffy.

Season One establishes the stage and tone for the five-season TV series. We welcome back both David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter, and later Alexis Denisof. However from day one we are introduced to a brand new face, “Doyle” (played by Glenn Quinn) who serves as the team’s guide providing Angel with visions of people in need of his help.

The season tied up loose ends like what happened to Wesley Wyndam-Pryce after Buffy’s graduation, what became of The Vampire Slayer Faith Lehane and more. This season is about Angel finding his place, about found family especially in people you didn’t think would ever be that. By the end of season one, there is an obvious bond between the group. They have suffered a great deal and believe in Angel’s message: here to help the helpless (and hopeless).

So if you like a show with self contained stories, a weekly big bad that may not be who you think it is, and stories of redemption--just becoming the best version of yourself, then definitely tune in!

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the-normie · 2 years

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"Buffy: College Years!" Actually, it was the college year. Her year was full of studying, classes, the government experimenting with monsters, and a bunch more! She can't catch a break!

Season 4 began as was tradition with Buffy learning to adjust to the changes and that in fact she was no longer in high school. Any college student or recent graduate will recognize the feeling of getting used to your new schedule, hanging out with friends, and just going with the flow (lots and lots of studying, exams, and labs)!

On top of that, Buffy found out about the Initiative. This is what happens when the government steps into Buffy's world without understanding that certain forces should not be messed with. Early in the season, the cast welcomes back Spike (James Marsters), who's back to his old tricks! Apparently, Spike intends to destroy the Slayer since any ties to their old alliance have been broken. However, his luck turns in a big way! A new regular joins the cast in the form of Tara Maclay (Amber Benson), who brings a whole new light to Willow (Alyson Hannigan). The Scooby Gang now consists of just four members: Buffy, Xander, Willow, and Giles have to make sense of how things have changed. Since they don't see each other every day in class, their lives have taken different paths. However, by the end of the season, they are back to who they always have been. Best friends and their mentor. This season is about friendship and growing up. Sometimes you grow apart, and sometimes you need something like the end of the world to bring you back together! Overall a great season but you can tell that this is building up towards something big coming, something the Scooby Gang may not be ready for in its current incarnation.

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the-normie · 2 years

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For the Scooby Gang, the third season marked the end of high school, but with Buffy the Vampire Slayer's season two finale, the future of Buffy the Vampire Slayer was in doubt.

Leaving Sunnydale on a bus, Buffy didn't know what road she would take. Those of us who watch the show every week weren't surprised when Buffy had to discover herself again. Across all seasons, the first episode of each new season shows Buffy dealing with issues caused by the previous season's finale.

In the episode "Anne", however, she returns to Los Angeles and lives on the bad side of town just working as a waitress. Then again, Buffy's desire to get lost after she feels abandoned and ran away from home after Angel disappears into one of the many Hell Dimensions intact is not all that strange.

Season three is largely about healing and dealing with traumas, Buffy's and many others. Depending on which side you are on, season three dealt with the consequences of one's actions. The consequences ripple throughout the fandom and shape the next four years of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and five seasons of the spin-off Angel.

The Columbine Shooting occurred in the same year that Season 3 Episode 18 "Earshot", which deals with a school shooting, was pulled. Ultimately, it was aired in the Summer when it wasn't what you thought, but the violence of the episode seemed too graphic at the time.

We are also introduced to two important characters in Buffy the Vampire Slayer lore: Faith Lehane (Eliza Dushku) and Wesley Wyndam-Pryce (Alexis Denisof). Faith a Vampire Slayer (Kendra’s replacement), and Wesley is a Watcher.

The season is in my opinion the best overall, introduces a lot of important characters even a few return for a cameo or two, but you'll have to watch to just see who returns for the Third Season if you don't already know.

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the-normie · 2 years

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Even if it didn't quite surpass Season Six as the king of drama and angst, it's certainly among the most memorable. This season dealt with a lot of themes that were prevalent in the first few seasons, such as the angst of high school, sex, boyfriends, and saving the world!

As seen in the season premiere, Buffy is dealing with the backlash caused by the season one finale. She experienced this trauma when she died and was revived by Xander. It appears that Buffy continues to suffer a great deal of drama throughout season two, some of which she creates without considering the consequences, while some of which is out of her control. In the season finale, we see her forced to make life-changing decisions.

It isn't just Buffy who goes through a lot of changes during the season. Willow gets a boyfriend and begins to explore magic. Xander begins dating as well, and anyone who has watched a highschool drama could see it coming a mile away. Giles even finds love. As Spike and Drusilla join the cast, the drama intensifies.

If you've seen the season, you know exactly why things are going to Hell in a handbasket, if you haven't--well you just have to see for yourself. Despite being campy in comparison to shows currently on the air, the season still resonates with people today. If you have the time, it's worth watching or rewatching.

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the-normie · 2 years

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“Into every generation a slayer is born: one girl in all the world, a chosen one. She alone will wield the strength and skill to fight the vampires, demons, and the forces of darkness; to stop the spread of their evil and the swell of their number. She is the Slayer.”

After 25 years, we are taking a look back at Buffy the Vampire Slayer, starting with season 1, at the very beginning of the tv series.

Many of those who were familiar with the original movie with Kristie Swanson enjoyed the series premiere. However, those who were unfamiliar with the idea of The Vampire Slayer opened up a whole new world with Sarah Michelle Gellar at the center. We pick up where the movie left off, except Buffy isn't 18, she's 16, and she's been kicked out of school for burning down the gym that was full of vampires.

Several new characters are introduced, including Willow Rosenberg, Xander Harris, Cordelia Chase, Rupert Giles, and Angel. One of the main themes of season one is the struggle to balance the desire to enjoy a normal teenage experience and the need to protect the world.

Throughout season one, we begin to watch the characters grow.

A good start in showing how Buffy Summers is learning who she is and what she wants to become. Also, it helped show realistic dynamics of friendships in high school. In addition, it filled in the void of teenagers everywhere about vampires and the forbidden love based on Buffy and Angel's relationship.

Oftentimes, Willow's computer skills come in handy during research. At the same time, Xander is discovering who he is, while Giles adds levity to the situation that only a Watcher can. Cordelia develops into a more rounded person and isn't a slouch even after losing her boyfriend in the season finale. After the revelation of Angel's vampirism, we must wonder if we can trust him, but he goes on to play a crucial role in what has become known as The Scooby Gang even if he is an outlier.

A series wouldn't be complete without these characters. The fact that they are establishing this outlet for teens everywhere is not difficult to believe.

I strongly recommend you watch the show if you haven't yet! Amazon Prime members can watch season one of Buffy the Vampire Slayer for free right now!

#btvs #buffy the vampire slayer #buffy summers #xander harris #willow rosenberg #rupert giles #cordelia chase #angel #angelus #buffy season 1 #btvs season 1

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the-normie · 2 years

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No one was certain where season two was going when season one ended with "Hello, Dr. Lecter." It is assumed that with the way the season was written that the series was supposed to conclude, and the season finale further exacerbates the apparent conclusion.

In the season premiere, we're right in the middle of the season finale with no explanation as to how we got here, or why Jack and Hannibal are fighting-only a vague sense that Jack finally figured it out. During the first half of the season, Will is being accused of multiple murders. As for the second half, Will has to face his dark side and if he is strong enough to resist Hannibal's conditioning, which is so slow you would think it was all your idea to begin with.

If you haven't seen it yet, you might think I just ruined the entire season for you. The truth is that I don't want to divulge too much about what happens during the season. In fact, this is the goriest season yet, and like in season one, you question your own reality.

When watching Hannibal, you need to understand that nothing is as it seems. It is very difficult to distinguish between right and wrong. Throughout the whole series it plays a key role. There is a famous quote that everyone likes to use and is no less valid to the show. Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster, and if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you. Is there a chance that everyone will survive the abyss of Hannibal Lecter or will he infect everyone?

You'll have to watch to find out.

You must be wondering, though. Is this a good show? Could this be like Clarice, which many claim is so boring. Will Hannibal season two be as good as season one?

While I haven't watched CBS's Clarice, NBC’s Hannibal Season Two will keep you glued to your screen. Without giving too many details, you won't want to miss anything.

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the-normie · 2 years

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By Molly Grace Patton

It has been nearly eight years since the premiere of the television series Hannibal starring Mads Mikkelsen and Hugh Dancy. For those who do not follow the show, is it worthwhile to check out the series on Hulu?

In short, yes.

Season one introduces a lot of characters, but the most important ones are: Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) and Will Graham (Hugh Dancy). When you watch the series, you know that Mikkelsen's Hannibal is a cannibalistic serial killer before episode one begins. What you don't know is how he was caught. The first season reveals how the stage is being set.

At the same time, you meet Will Graham, a professor at the FBI Academy enlisted by Fishburne's Jack Crawford to help him catch serial killers. Dancy’s Graham performs a highly empathic act that allows him to enter into the mind of a serial killer and capture them. Will Graham is not an original character created for the TV Series, he originally was written in the “Red Dragon” book from the Hannibal series. He’s even referenced to in the novel The Silence of the Lambs. "Will Graham, the keenest hound ever to run in Crawford's pack, was a legend at the Academy".

Yet in the tv series, season one sets the stage of a complicated relationship between Hannibal Lecter and Will Graham. It is easy to forget that Hannibal is a serial killer and would not hesitate to make Kidney pie out of anyone's kidneys.

The first season gives us a glimpse into Will Graham's world. He thinks Dr. Lecter is nothing more than a therapist. Even so, Hannibal Lecter eventually reveals himself to be the monster within the box. One that can’t abide rudeness, no matter what form it takes. “Whenever feasible, one should always try to eat the rude.”

So not to spoil the show itself, is season one worth watching? Yes, one hundred percent yes if you can get past the occasional gore.

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