20 Years Ago...

[rebcake]

Buffy the Vampire Slayer first aired on television 20 years ago this month. I did not watch it at the time, because I had seen the movie - which sounded right up my dark comedy alley - and it did not live up to expectations. Also: very small child in the house led to very little TV viewing. Back then, we didn't have such high expectations for TV

Comments

[shapinglight]

I have not seen the film or the unaired pilot so can't really comment that much, except to say that after reading what you've written here, I'm really glad they didn't go with the movie version of Buffy's vamp-dar in the show.

[rebcake]

I'm a completist, so I had to see ALL THE THINGS.

There's something to said for every version, I suppose. It might be why I read so much fic, and why so many of my favorite episodes are the ones where everything is different: Halloween, Band Candy, Doppelgangland, Something Blue, etc. Just call me Alternate Reality* Girl.

*The really real reality isn't doing much for me, nowadays.

[shapinglight]

*The really real reality isn't doing much for me, nowadays.

Me neither. :(

Speaking of alternate realities, or AUs, or whatever, I'm currently posting Family Reunion to A03.

[beer_good_foamy]

I loved the movie when it came out. When I heard there was a TV series years later, I somehow managed to get a hold of a tape of the first two episodes and was sorely disappointed. It took me years to get into the series.

Of course, in retrospect, the movie really doesn't hold up all that well... There are some really good things in there (though there's something off about Rutger Hauer - Rutger Hauer of all people! - being a bit too flat as the main villain). And flying vampires, sheesh. I do like Kristy Swanson, and Donald Sutherland, and wee tiny Hilary Swank. And this bit, I really love:
Merrick: (Dying) You do everything wrong...
Buffy: I'm sorry, I take it back!
Merrick: No. Do it wrong. Don't play our game.

The pilot... It's clunky, but it has a few moments. I like the original Principal Flutie. I like the little anthropology moment where Xander identifies the different cliques. Willow... I love Alyson Hannigan so I'm happy with the change, but it's a bit of a bitter pill that they felt they had to make the change.

[rebcake]

Your memories are so much clearer than mine! I don't remember Hillary Swank or original!Flutie at all! The clique anthropology thing has been done in every teen movie ever since - I think they got scooped by 1995's Clueless, so understand why they didn't keep it in. The flying vamps...way too "Lost Boys". Tsk.

That bit with Merrick is sort of the point, isn't it? *nods*

I'm of two minds on the Willow replacement, like you. I can't resent Alyson, but I sort of resent the Way Things Are.

I didn't watch the show (except for 2 episodes) until it was off the air, so you didn't do too badly.

[feliciacraft]

I really should watch the movie and the unaired pilot.

Hehe, Pike. At least Buffy wasn't called Bunny or something in the movie. :P

Has it really been 20 years, though? Wow.

[rebcake]

Both are interesting in their own way. When you're hungry for Buffy content, lots of things will do the trick.

[frelling_tralk]

I feel like Danny Strong would never have been cast as Xander because he wasn't tall enough, he has stated that he never even got a callback, and he guesses that he just wasn't what they were looking for. I believe there was a vague idea early on for Buffy/Xander to be eventual endgame, which is partly why they hired someone who was way too muscly and conventionally good-looking to be playing the nerdy character, Joss admits that in the commentary with, 'this is tv, get over it

[felicia_btvs]

Hi! This is Felicia Craft. While my old LJ account is suspended, I'm hoping to be able to keep up with a few communities with this new journal. Hope to be back soon!