Summary

• Buffy The Vampire Slayer challenges chosen one trope, focusing on Buffy's growth and sacrifices.
• Iconic scenes define Buffy's heroism and impact on relationships.
• Season 2 of Buffy is regarded as one of the best, showcasing personal stakes and character growth.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer is a nuanced and complex TV show that pushes its characters to their limits throughout the series. As the protagonist and Slayer, Buffy bears the brunt of the most tragic events on the show and grapples with her position as the chosen one. Throughout the series, Buffy expertly subverts and interrogates the chosen one trope and focuses on how it affects Buffy's development and relationships. In some ways, Buffy's entire journey is characterized by her acceptance of her purpose as the Slayer.

There are many moments that define the show, and almost all of them have to do with the sacrifices Buffy makes to save the world and be the Slayer. While big speeches and intense action scenes are memorable for critics and the audience, some of the more important moments happen so quickly that it's easy to miss them. The writing and character development on Buffy are consistently praised, especially in the pivotal moments that viewers can look back on and realize how much they changed the course of the series.

Buffy's "Me" Scene With Angelus In "Becoming" Defines Buffy's Heroism

During her final fight with Angel in season 2, Buffy makes an important realization.

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When thinking about Buffy's most iconic moments, the season 2 finale, "Becoming - Part 2," is at the top of the list. Angelus and Buffy face off in an epic battle as Angel opens the gates of hell, and the Scooby Gang attempts to reenact the curse and return his soul. About halfway through the fight, Angelus is winning and has isolated Buffy completely from her friends and her weapons, and he asks what's left. Buffy answers, "Me," and comes at him with everything she's got, claiming her birthright and legacy as the Slayer and the resulting loneliness.

Throughout season 2, Buffy has been fighting her fate as the Slayer and trying to shirk the responsibilities that come with it, like having to sacrifice Angel. However, in this brief scene, Buffy puts aside her wants and decides to kill Angel to save the world, even after his soul returns. Buffy never forgets this moment, even bringing it up later in the series to her friends. One of the Buffy The Vampire Slayer is that his impact on Buffy causes her to have a skewed sense of love and romance throughout her life.

"Becoming - Part 2" Also Defines Buffy's Most Important Relationships

Her dynamics with her friends and future romantic partners are shown at this moment.

Though Angel leaves the show after season 3, his presence is everywhere for the remainder of the series, and their relationship forever changes Buffy. Balancing her interpersonal relationships with the responsibilities of being the Slayer is a recurring issue for Buffy and characterizes much of her internal conflict in the show. While the Scooby Gang is vital in aiding Buffy in all of her quests, at the end of the day, the world's fate rests on her shoulders. This is why the series finale is so cathartic, as she is released from the fate of being the chosen one.

Choosing the world over Angel and realizing that she will always have to make these impossible decisions is an immensely defining and tragic moment at any stage of life.

Though Buffy grows into the role of the Slayer as the series progresses, it's important to that she's only a high school student in the first few seasons. Choosing the world over Angel and realizing that she will always have to make these impossible decisions is an immensely defining and tragic moment at any stage of life. Her actions here change the course of her life and relationships. Even later, with Riley or Buffy and Spike's relationship in Buffy The Vampire Slayer, the way Buffy approaches all of her romances is informed by everything that happened with Angel.

Buffy Season 2 Is One Of The Show's Very Best Seasons

The finale of season 2 is only one aspect of an incredibly tight television arc.

Buffy season 2 is arguably the best season of the show, with season 3 in competition for the top spot. Many audiences associate Buffy's best years with the series' time in high school and the growth that Buffy goes through during these seasons. While season 1 introduced the audience to the concept and characters, seasons 2 and 3 got to experiment with the form and structure of the show. While every season of Buffy culminates in a potentially world-ending event, seasons 2 and 3 have some of the most personal and immediate stakes.

"Becoming - Parts 1 and 2" represent what season 2 excels in, and that's establishing the core themes and tone of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. While Buffy is still compelling in season 1, she comes into her full power in the following seasons, and this person is who the audience spends time with for the remainder of the show. In season 2, Buffy is at one of her lowest points in the series after Angel becomes Angelus, resulting in some of the most compelling and emotional episodes. All the actors are at their best navigating the complex and devastating events.