Episode Report Card Couch Baron: B+ | 7 USERS: B- YOU GRADE IT Buffy the Slayer Vampire
By Couch Baron | Season 1 | Episode 10 | Aired on 05.11.1997
Buffy, Xander, and Willow do the wrap-up exposition show. Buffy can't believe a Kiddie League coach would beat up a kid, but Xander is sadly all too right when he says he's surprised it wasn't one of the parents. The coach is in jail, whoop whoop. Almanzo, who I totally recognize now that I know it's him, honks and waves. Buffy, with a huge smile: "Have a killer weekend, guys." Almanzo greets her warmly, and that's probably the nicest portrayal of a father we'll ever see in the Jossverse. The episode ends on one of my favorite Xander/Willow scenes:
Willow: Personal question?
Xander: Yeah, shoot.
Willow: When Buffy was a vampire, you weren't still, like, attracted to her, were you?
Xander: Willow, how can you...I mean, that's really bent! She was...grotesque.
Willow: Still dug her, huh?
Xander: I'm sick. I need help.
Willow: Don't I know it.
Despite a somewhat slow start, the character insights, the music, and the seamless shifts between humor and horror made me really like this episode. I think I'll slum in Season One a bit longer.