Tag: Buffy

Random Ramblings

Even vampires have to change it up sometimes

ImageI was at one of my favorite local restaurants (The Wounded Goose) the other day and noticed that they have a new item on the menu called “The Vampire Slayer Burger”. With garlic mayo, onions, and extra garlic, it is touted to bring even the oldest vamp to his knees. After a good laugh, my dinner mates and I started talking about how the rules have changed since the days of Buffy.

When did it become generally accepted that vampires are okay with garlic?

Seems like when I was a kid everyone knew the rules. Vampires are hurt by garlic, holy water, and crosses; killed by wooden stakes, sunlight, or beheading. However, it seems that most books in the vampire genre today are bending those rules or making their own. Don’t get me wrong, it can make a story more interesting. After all, who would have ever dreamed that a sparkly vampire would be drooled over by legions of fans?

But it leads me to wonder…are any rules sacred where vampires are concerned? Will someone write a book where vampires aren’t immortal, but have only a day to live? Is there a story somewhere in the works that has vampires who go public and give blood almost as freely as they take it? Oh wait, that one already exists (Southern Vampire novels a.k.a. Sookie Stackhouse).

Who knows? Maybe a couple of years from now we’ll all be salivating over a vampire that turns blue when he’s sad. Then again, maybe he’ll just be a werewolf. 😉

Random Ramblings

My Buffy Top Twelve for the Holiday

Indie author K.C. Blake recently posted her top twenty picks for her favorite Supernatural episodes. Being the tv-ophile that I am, this has inspired me. I started thinking of my all-time favorite TV show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer (yes, I am a diehard Whedonite).

So, just in time for Halloween, may I present my top dozen favorite Buffy episodes.

12. Once More with Feeling – Yep, this was the musical one. I’m actually one of those people who bought the CD. I know every word and sing along when I watch. Don’t you?

11. Superstar – When it first aired, I couldn’t figure out what was going on. I flipped through my TV Guide, looking for an overlooked episode to explain why I was out of the loop. This one took me totally off-guard when even the opening credits were re-cut to play into the storyline that a spell had changed the world to make the unnoticed geek the hero of the story.

10. Chosen (the final episode) – Angel returns to give Buffy some advice as she confronts the evil of the series finale. One of the best, insightful lines I’ve ever heard. “I’m not done baking.”

9. Fear, Itself – Halloween is always nuts in Sunnydale. The gang goes to a party in a frat house and craziness ensues when the door disappears. Oh yeah, Anya dresses as the scariest thing she can think of…a giant bunny.

8. Passion – What do you get when you mix love and evil? Obsession. Nothing is scarier than a vampire stalker. Character reactions were so well thought out. Often overlooked, but probably one of the best written episodes.

7. The Prom – Hellhounds trained to attack formalware…what more can I say?

6. Band Candy – The adults are acting like teens and the teens are acting like adults. Great performances.

5. School Hard – Spike and Druscilla’s first appearance.

4. Amends – Ghosts from the past haunt Angel and snow in Sunnydale.

3. Restless – The scoobies fall asleep and are held in their dreams. Really cool camera effects and techniques used like over-exposure and long hand-held sequences. It was such a departure from the typical season finale. Want some cheese?

2. Becoming, Part 2 – “Close your eyes.” I still cry when I watch it.

1. Hush – The “quiet” episode was chilling to the core and also had some of the funniest and most touching moments of the series.

Now that I’ve finished my list, I realize how very hard it was to pick just 12. Therefore, if you will indulge me, here are some Honorable Mentions: The Wish, Selfless, Life Serial, The Gift, The Body, Fool for Love, Prophecy Girl.