There's a reason why Buffy The Vampire Slayer isn't just considered one of the best fantasy TV shows of all time but one of the greatest television series, period. Running for seven seasons from 1997 to 2003, Buffy never failed to reinvent itself and stay relevant within the larger TV landscape. Many of the best tropes and inventive elements of modern television were inspired by the iconic episodes of Buffy that have captured the minds of audiences for generations. Starring Sarah Michelle Gellar as the titular vampire slayer, Buffy blends emotional realism and fantastical adventures better than any other show.

It's rare when a fantasy TV show with no bad seasons comes along, especially when it's as long-running as Buffy​​​​​​. It's difficult to sustain the quality of a series for seven seasons, and it's doubly impressive, considering that almost every season was 22 episodes long. While Buffy relied on the monster-of-the-week format and had plenty of standalone episodes, the series never made these throwaway installments. Even when the larger plot wasn't progressed by a storyline, it was still handled with care and attention to detail.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Is One Of The Few Long-Running Fantasy Shows With No Bad Seasons

Even Buffy's weakest seasons feature incredible episodes of television and unforgettable character arcs

When criticisms of Buffy do emerge, they mostly target seasons 1 and 4. Buffy season 1 was shorter, only 12 episodes, and had to do the hard work of exploring the tone and thematic purpose. There are doubtlessly a few lower-quality installments of the season, but the incredible pilot, the introduction of Angel (David Boreanaz), and the season finale that pushes Buffy to her limits are all unforgettable. Additionally, season 4 had to do the hard work of transitioning the series from high school to adulthood, but Buffy still managed to push itself and find meaning in the unknown.

Buffy features some of the best fantasy TV show episodes of all time, and it's impossible to watch any season of the series without being blown away by the way the writing. Known for its iconic snappy dialogue and pop culture references, Buffy might be of its time, but it never feels dated, even when watching today. Buffy was consistently on the cutting edge of modern television, allowing it to grow and evolve alongside its characters. Though many of the show's core tenets remained the same, Buffy never stayed stagnant.

How Buffy The Vampire Slayer Managed To Stay So Consistent Over Seven Seasons

Buffy wasn't afraid to change and grow as the seasons progressed

A lesser show might have stalled out after season 3, as there's a stark difference in the way Buffy functions as a show from the characters' adolescence to their adulthood. However, if anything, Buffy grew more emotionally rich and interrogative, opting to mature with the beloved individuals that made the series worth watching. Buffy and its characters were self-reflective, always in conversation with the larger metaphors and messages that the monsters and magic represented. Additionally, Buffy was far from the only well-developed character on the show. Viewers found someone they could relate to and connect with in every individual.

Buffy never relies on fan service or unnecessary complications to develop the inherent tension and stakes of the stories.

When it comes to fantasy TV shows that are almost perfect, their flaws become obvious after understanding what Buffy does so well. Buffy never relies on fan service or unnecessary complications to develop the inherent tension and stakes of the stories. Even though the writers push the audience to their emotional limits, they also trust the viewers to empathize with and understand the characters, even when they're making self-destructive choices. It's been over twenty years since Buffy The Vampire Slayer ended, but it's lost none of its potency or ability to leave a mark on the audience.