Warning: This article discusses topics of domestic violence, sexual assault, and victim blaming.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s iconic episodes are ed for their thrilling storylines and plenty of enjoyable, yet cheesy, ‘90s dialogue. But not every installment is the same.

It’s worth noting one of the harsh realities of Buffy the Vampire Slayer: it’s a product of its time. Just because these episodes age badly, it doesn’t mean that audiences can’t still appreciate the good parts. However, it’s important to look at why these episodes feel out of touch nowadays, even if they don’t impact audiences’ general viewing experience.

10 "Him"

Season 7, Episode 6

There are several issues with Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s “Him.” The most obvious is that Buffy, who is a high school counselor in this episode, makes out with a student. What’s even more frustrating, though, is that Buffy criticizes Dawn for her provocative behavior before later kissing R.J. Sadly, this is far from one of the best Dawn moments in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Although R.J 's jacket causes the make-out session, it’s still a weird creative choice from the Buffy writers. The jacket in general is problematic, too. The idea that a teenage boy can wear it and make any woman fall in love with him, essentially using mind control, is not an ideal narrative to push on Buffy’s target audience. The jacket also results in Willow working on a spell to turn R.J. into a woman, which is a whole other problem in itself.

9 "Becoming" (Part One)

Season 2, Episodes 21

The two parter “Becoming” is typically considered a fan-favorite installment of the show, and while it has plenty of action and contains an incredibly heroic Buffy the Vampire Slayer scene in the second half, many elements of the first age poorly. The main problem is the flashbacks. Part One reveals Angel has been watching Buffy for longer than anyone realizes, spotting her at 15 and moving to Sunnydale because he’s in love with her.

It’s clear that lusting for a teenager is one of the harsh realities of Angel in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but this new detail makes it even weirder.

The age gap between them is controversial enough as it is, but the discovery that the vampire is so captivated he becomes a stalker is even more unnerving. It’s baffling that Buffy doesn’t find this creepy, really. It’s clear that lusting for a teenager is one of the harsh realities of Angel in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but this new detail makes it even weirder.

8 "Inca Mummy Girl"

Season 2, Episode 4

The welcoming of the foreign exchange students in "Inca Mummy Girl" is painful to watch. While I can see that Buffy the Vampire Slayer is trying to be open-minded here, the execution of getting students to dress up like various cultures across the world isn’t great, and it results in a lot of stereotypical appearances. Willow wears an “Eskimo” outfit, which is wild, considering she is a native of Sunnydale, California.

Alison Hannigan is from Washington, too, and neither of these locations are even close to the likes of Alaska or Canada. The students treat the event like a costume party and don’t take it very seriously, which is a shocking way to introduce themselves to their new international classmates. Although it makes sense, considering the appearance of the episode’s titular character, it still feels more like cultural appropriation than appreciation.

7 "I Only Have Eyes For You"

Season 2, Episode 19

The teacher and student romance in "I Only Have Eyes for You" is uncomfortable and cringey. Even though this only comes to light because of the group of 1950s ghosts, it still feels unnecessary to the supernatural side of the plot. Buffy learns that when the female teacher tried to end her affair with a male student, the boy brutally killed her in retaliation.

Rather than highlighting the obvious issues with this, Buffy the Vampire Slayer treats the pair as a great love story.

The two of them finding one another in the next life is supposedly romantic, ignoring the fact their relationship is deeply inappropriate and its disastrous ending. What’s so messed up, however, is that the episode previous to this, “Teacher’s Pet,” features yet another female teacher with an obsession for her students as a monster.

6 "I, Robot... You, Jane"

Season 1, Episode 8

"I, Robot... You, Jane" features some of the most cringeworthy lines in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. While the concept of this episode, which focuses on a demon being ed to the internet, is interesting, the result is awkward. There are several lines of dialogue that are products of their time, but the very ‘90s attitude towards fearing technology is simply laughable nowadays. For example, in the present day, the idea of someone like Willow talking to someone online wouldn’t be perceived as concerning as it is in this episode.

Fritz is a rather cringey character, too, especially his last monologue. Although he is being manipulated by Moloch, the fact he has access to a webcam streaming Buffy is still strange. Fritz is established as being obsessive anyway, so Moloch’s influence can only justify so much of his actions.

5 "Beauty And The Beasts"

Season 3, Episode 4

“Beauty and the Beasts” infuriates me more than most episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This episode introduces Sunnydale couple Debbie and Pete, whose tumultuous relationship hits its peak. The show establishes that Debbie believes Pete’s physical and psychological abuse is something she must accept for the sake of their relationship’s success. Victim blaming is not okay, and Buffy’s reaction to it is disappointing.

Even though it seems like there is no hope for Debbie after Pete kills her, and it makes sense that Buffy chases after the villain to ensure everyone else’s safety, it’s still baffling that she does this.

The titular character’s comment about not getting hit is incredibly tone-deaf, and the fact she leaves Debbie to die is shocking. Even though it seems like there is no hope for Debbie after Pete kills her, and it makes sense that Buffy chases after the villain to ensure everyone else’s safety, it’s still baffling that she does this. Buffy the Vampire Slayer tackles deep issues often, but it drops the ball with “Beauty and the Beasts.”

4 "Crush"

Season 5, Episode 14

In “Crush,” Buffy learns about Spike’s affections for her. Spike and Buffy’s relationship in Buffy the Vampire Slayer is controversial enough, but if anything, this episode foreshadows just how much of a train wreck it becomes. Buffy senses Spike’s attitude towards her is suspicious, but unfortunately, not for the right reasons. Dawn and Joyce question Buffy about whether she has done anything to lead Spike on, which is ridiculous, and it’s unfair she is blamed for the vampire’s unwanted actions.

Spike later ties Buffy up and tells her Drusilla will kill her if she doesn’t reciprocate his love. Even though he eventually saves her, it’s astounding that Spike thinks it’s a good way to get Buffy to have feelings for him. Considering Spike is decades old at this point, you’d think he would know this is the complete opposite way to woo someone.

3 "Seeing Red"

Season 6, Episode 19

“Seeing Red” features Spike’s controversial Buffy the Vampire Slayer bathroom scene, which is truly difficult to watch, even when I know it’s coming. Spike once again can’t take no for an answer and pressures Buffy into itting her feelings for him. In a baffling attempt to achieve this, Spike forces himself on Buffy. Thankfully, she stops him, but it’s wild that Buffy’s anti-hero goes this far.

This episode not only ages badly, but the fact the show barely touches on the topic again is even worse. I loved Spike before this moment, but I am still confused why he gets a redemption arc, too, as there’s really no coming back after this. I it that his apology is a better result than other Buffy episodes that tackle this, but it sadly ruins the whole episode and tarnishes Spike’s character in general.

2 "The Pack"

Season 1, Episode 6

“The Pack” is another episode that depicts sexual assault and brushes it off immediately after. Although Xander is possessed by the Primal zookeeper, his behavior is still disturbing, especially as it isn’t treated seriously by the end of the episode. After visiting the hyena exhibit, Xander becomes a total jerk, gets violent, and tries to sexually assault Buffy.

The most irritating part of all of this is that Xander lies about ing everything he does after the Scooby Gang saves him. He can be excused for his actions, within reason, because of the zookeeper’s influence, but the fact he denies knowing what he did is unbelievable. Xander isn’t the most developed personality, but this episode paints him in a terrible light, and hopefully the Buffy reboot can fix one of its worst characters.

1 "Beer Bad"

Season 4, Episode 5

“Beer Bad” is an odd episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and considering the target audience, I always find it unusual that it pushes a narrative that depicts drinking and casual sex as a bad thing. At the same time, Xander takes a job as a bartender while underage, so the message “Beer Bad” is providing is quite contradictory. There are several things about this episode that make it stand out.

Buffy’s new drinking buddies are annoying and cringey, and the depiction of spiking drinks is painful, for example. Cavegirl Buffy is undoubtedly comical, but considering the context in which this form comes about, it dampens the hilarity of it. Parker’s treatment of Buffy is an unfortunate real-life truth, but it breaks my heart that she is shamed for sleeping with him, and I am still disappointed Buffy the Vampire Slayer does this.