02-18-2004, 01:47 AM
Just like with Babylon 5, in order to "get" Buffy, one has to watch it from Episode 1/Season 1 (cheesy as hell) with the knowledge that the show won't realise it's potential until half way through Season 2.
But the viewer will be rewarded for watching those cheesy beginnings. Buffy is an "arc" show, just like B5 (it just has season long arcs instead of a series long arc as B5). It's quality is really hurt when waching an episode here and there.
From your descriptions it seems you've stumbled on it in the last half of season 6 (!), and that's like opening a book and starting to read near the end. The impact and shock of Tara's death couldn't possibly be felt unless somebody watched their relationship grow for 2 and a half seasons before. And that's just one example.
Also i'm of the opinion that much of season 6 was surreal and had weak writing. It's probably the worst season to start watching the show. The show is at it's best starting with half way through season 2 up to the first third of season 6.
I was like you, a huge B5 fan (my fave show, actually), that ignored Buffy until the show was in it's 5th season, because of seing that dreadful movie and a few episodes of the series, having formed an incorrect opinion. It was fun catching up though :) .
Also, Buffy movie, nothing like the show (starting with the 2nd half of season 2).
But the viewer will be rewarded for watching those cheesy beginnings. Buffy is an "arc" show, just like B5 (it just has season long arcs instead of a series long arc as B5). It's quality is really hurt when waching an episode here and there.
From your descriptions it seems you've stumbled on it in the last half of season 6 (!), and that's like opening a book and starting to read near the end. The impact and shock of Tara's death couldn't possibly be felt unless somebody watched their relationship grow for 2 and a half seasons before. And that's just one example.
Also i'm of the opinion that much of season 6 was surreal and had weak writing. It's probably the worst season to start watching the show. The show is at it's best starting with half way through season 2 up to the first third of season 6.
I was like you, a huge B5 fan (my fave show, actually), that ignored Buffy until the show was in it's 5th season, because of seing that dreadful movie and a few episodes of the series, having formed an incorrect opinion. It was fun catching up though :) .
Also, Buffy movie, nothing like the show (starting with the 2nd half of season 2).