Hellmouth Podcast

As Buffy’s anniversary month draws to a close, I talked to my friend Ian about his great love and long association with the show…

How did you first get into Buffy?

I actually watched it once Seth Green started on the show. I liked the vampire thing and had a huge crush on him. But then my mom became obsessed with it. I’d make fun of her for watching it but eventually started watching it with her. I think the third season was the first season I started watching and didn’t become obsessed until the fourth season.

Is there any particular episode that has special meaning for you?

I could go on and on about the episodes that I love. So many have special meaning for me. I think maybe Graduation Day parts 1 & 2 because it was the first time they had such an epic battle and Buffy “killed” Faith. I had those episodes on tape and would watch them like crazy over and over again. It was dorky fun. When Buffy yells “Now!” and everyone throws off their robes to reveal battle gear, it still gives me chills. I love it when everyone fights together.

But then again, there’s The Body, which makes me cry more than anything else ever. Anya’s speech in that episode makes me cry just thinking about it.

I think Anya’s character deserves a lot more credit than she seems to get. If you catch me on the right day, she might be my favorite Scooby.

I completely agree. I don’t enjoy The Body, but it’s such a perfect episode. Jayson and I have been going through Buffy and just finished season 5. I told him before we watched that episode, “You won’t enjoy watching this, it makes me cry more than anything.” He cried too. Emma Caulfield is so underrated. I just love her. I also really love Faith, she’s such a complicated character.

What do you think you’ve learned or taken away from the show?

I think the show helped me learn how to write dialog. It also taught me that you can have sci-fi action without being campy and lame.

Who is your favorite Scooby and why?

I love them all. Everyone of them. But my favorites would have to be Buffy, Anya, Willow and Giles. Anya is the funniest and the sweetest. I think she really embodies naivete and I really appreciate that. Buffy is the fearless leader who has a ton of flaws, and Giles is the surrogate father to the Scoobies. Willow is the brains and the heart, and I just love her!

Thanks Ian for sharing your time and love of all things Buffy.

Till next time fellow Scoobies! Cheers! Peg

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