Only eight hours away from the Buffy finale (although I’m about 16 hours from being able to catch the tape delay after work), and time for the Andrew Charles Healan Top 10 Buffy Episodes. [10] Prophecy Girl (1) – Buffy overhears Angel and Giles discussing the Master’s prophecy and quits her job as a slayer. Changes her mind, dies temporarily, brought by by Xander, kills the Master then parties with the gang. “The part that gets me, though, is where Buffy is the Vampire Slayer. She’s so little.” — Jenny Calendar [9] The Gift (5) – Glory plans to open the portal and destroy the world. Buffy vows to protect Dawn (the Key) and gives her life to save her sister and the world. “She saved the world a lot” — Buffy’s headstone [8] Bad Girls (3) – Faith has an entertaining effect of Buffy. She skips school to slay, breaks into a sporting goods store and dances with Faith. Wesley debuts, Faith kills the Mayor’s assistant. “Want. Take. Have.” — Faith [7] Graduation Day part 2 (3) – Faith beat into a coma, Angel feeds off Buffy, the enitre school comes together to stop Mayor Wilkins assention. Buffy lives out every kid’s dream and blows up the school. ” My God. He’s gonna do the entire speech.” — Buffy [6] Becoming part 2 (2) – Buffy gets kicked out of the house and expelled. She forms an alliance with Spike. Willow returns Angel’s soul, but Buffy still kills him in one of the most powerful scenes in BTVS history. “But we know the world didn’t end, ’cause…check it out.” — Oz [5] Fool For Love (5) – Buffy asks Spike to tell her how he bagged two slayers. Great stories and a great history of Spike. “Lesson the first: A Slayer must always reach for her weapon. I’ve already got mine.” — Spike [4] The Wish (3) Anya grants Cordy’s wish that Buffy never came to Sunnydale. We see a town overrun by Vamps. In the end, most everyone dies. Very dark. “Bored Now” — Vampy Willow [3] Hush (4) — The Gentlemen come to town to steal hearts and take everyone’s voice. Over half of the episode is done with no dialouge. Brilliant writing by Wheadon. And as always, uses what most series would have as a gimmick show as a way to drive a major plot line (Buffy and Riley). ” ” [2] Once More With A Feeling (6) – A spell causes everyone to break into song revelaing their true feelings. Horrible singing, but brilliant writing. I can’t think of another show that could’ve pulled this off. [1] Innocence (2) Another case of using a ratings grabber (the heroin loses her virginity) to move plot lines forward. After Buffy and Angel have sex, he reverts to his much cooler Angelus persona. Xander and Cordy are outed. Willow makes her move on Oz. And, Buffy gets to use a rocket launcher. “You know what the worst part was, huh? Pretending that I loved you. If I’d known how easily you’d give it up, I wouldn’t have even bothered.” — Angelus. I hope tonight’s grand finale can at least make this list.
Andrew Healan
New Orleans comedian and host of the podcast That Sounds Reasonable
Monthly Archives: May 2003
Down With The Sickness
Glad West Nile season is upon us, maybe it will make people forget about SARS.
The Long Good-Bye
In the midst of my mourning the upcoming end of “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” (combined with my boredom at work), I have compiled quite a few list I’ll be throwing out in the next eight days. BTW, no wise acres throwing up spoiler stuff you’ve read on the comments please. So today, I’ll rank my favorite seasons (for this, and most list, Season 7 is not judged, have to wait and see Joss bring it full circle first). [1] Season 3 — Faith, Faith and more Faith (actually not enough Faith). Gang deals with realities of finishing school. Plenty of Mayor Wilkins. Explored the dark side of being a Slayer. [2] Season 2 — We get to meet Spike and Dru. Angel becomes Angelus and is no longer “as boring as a table lamp.” Oz enters the Buffyverse. Xander and Willow find love. SMG does probobly here best acting this season. [3] Season 6 — Not a popular choice I know, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Loved the idea of the Big Bad being humans. Got to see the Scoobies operate without Giles. Buffy has to deal with real realities on many fronts. Dawn gets some depth. Anya’s wit gets more attention. Willow becomes a wicked wiccan. Xander saves the world. [4] Season 1 — Sets the stage for everything to come. Introduces all of the characters nicely but does not reveal too much about any of them so that are plenty of stories left to tell. [5] Season 5 — Strong finish, but didn’t really get cranking until near the end. Joyce’s death makes Buffy grow up more and assume a big sister / mother / best friend / savior of the world role. Spike gets to be a good guy. [6] Season 4 — had some of the strongest episodes, but just didn’t add up as a whole. Riley was forced down viewers throats, Adam was just kind of lame, and the ending was flat out weak. Looking at the series as a whole, it was a nice tranision year (kids start college, Willow comes out, Giles takes over the Magic Shop) but couldn’t quite deliver the goods. Season 7 is lurking near the bottom of the pack right now, but a strong finish can bump it up a few slots.
We Tease Him A Lot Cause We Got Him On The Spot
Just wanted to welcome #2 back to the line-up. The Bombers have done quite well in his absence, but it’s nice to see the Captain return.
The Gates Opened
Been a day full of severe thunderstorm, flash flood and tornado watches and warnings. Got to hear the tornado warning siren blare, which was kinda cool (I always had a twisted curiosity about its sound). I was basically trapped at my house for a few hours when Baxter Street flooded. Centuries later and Athens still has streets only wide enough for horses and buggies and a drainage system fit for Flagstaff. Bless the planning forsight of our myopic county commission.
Time To Wear Funny Hats
If I get a bet in later, this is what I am leaning toward for the 129th Kentucky Derby — I like Empire Maker (6-5) to show, Indian Express (12-1) to place and Peace Rules (8-1) to win. Happy gaming to all those heading to the OTB.
I Don’t Give A FUUUUUCK
The time is upon us. My future will be set soon (where I don’t know). There is an odd comfort about walking into work and not caring if you still work there tomorrow. So, stop by and see me tonight, a good time will be had. Petron anyone?
A Weird Sad End
As a pre-teen proffesional wrestling fan seeing Miss Elizabeth on my television screen gave my a funny, tingly feeling that I didn’t quite understand. This evening. seeing her on my television gave me a funny, empty feeling that, unfortunately, I do understand. Elizabeth Heulette, better known to wrestling fans as The Lovely Miss Elizabeth was rushed to Kennestone Hospital early this morning where she died.
In an interesting study of how modern media works, the story evolved and develpoed throughout the day. Atlanta area medai outlets — newspapers, television and radio — had what seemed like half hourly updates throughout the day. And all made good use of their web sites. Which was appropriate, because the Internet is where the wrestling community gathers to celebrate and mourn wrestling superstars and tradgedies.
The Cobb County police have ruled out foul play, so all signs now point to an overdose. Yet another sad case of drugs ending the life of a wrestling star. So it looks like Larry didn’t OJ her, or Spector her or Blake her.
Miss Elizabeth came on the wrestling seen well over a decade before the term diva was bandied about. She wan’t wrestling in pudding matches or rolling around with other women in her bra and panties. There had been a few before her — Baby Doll, Precious, Sunshine, Missy Hyatt — but Elizabeth brought a grace and class that had never before been seen. She accompanied one of the biggest heels in the business to the ring, always recieved loud ovations from male and female fans alike. She rarely spoke, and when she did, it was in a meek tender voice that made you want to shelter her from all that could bring harm to her. Back in the day, there was no better way to garner heat from a crowd than to threaten Miss Elizabeth. She stood by her man (Savage) despite the way her bossed her around and kept her in his shadows (a situation that all fans could identify and sympathize with). Elizabeth and Savage were eventually married, then divorced. She stayed in the business and despite the T&A aspect that came to encompass divadom in pro wrestling never resorted to skimpy clothing or slutty behavior to win the fans over.
So, toll the bell for Elizabeth Heulette, the true First Lady of Pro Wrestling.
Bad Alarms
This week I have concluded that I prefer being woken up by earthquakes rather than being woken up be telemartketers.