Recently, the 90s through early 2000s supernatural drama series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has returned to the public eye under unfortunate circumstances. As cast members of various media directed by Joss Whedon came forward about sexual misconduct, it spurred an outpouring of allegations against the notoriously “woke” Whedon, including from those who worked on the set of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Charisma Carpenter, who played Cordelia Chase on the show and its spin off series, Angel, made a twitter thread on February 10th speaking out about the toxic and hostile work environment, even alleging that she was verbally harassed for being “fat” while she was pregnant on set. In response, numerous co-stars, including leading star Sarah Michelle Gellar, have voiced their support for Carpenter.
So what does this mean for Buffy fans?
Personally, I think that despite the sad reality and culture of misogyny that created this situation, the responses of the actors involved have done nothing but convince me that Buffy the Vampire Slayer was truly ahead of its time in its feminist and liberal messages. Although obviously director Joss Whedon’s intentions may have been skewed, it still is home to many iconic girl-girl friendships and strength, and provided some early and mainstream representation for LGBTQ+ relationships. Some fans have even requested a reboot, without the directing and abuse of Joss Whedon affiliated with it.
To celebrate the positive impact Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its cast created, here are 5 of my favorite Buffy moments:
- Buffy stands up to her Mom’s abusive boyfriend (Season 2, Episode 11)
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As soon as Buffy’s mother re-enters the dating scene with a deceivingly nice man named Ted, Buffy is convinced something is off about him. Soon enough, her fears are proved to be warranted, as Ted begins verbally, psychologically and physically abusing her. When Buffy tries to warn her mother and friends about Ted, they insist he is too nice of a guy to do something of that nature. Fed up with the abuse and refusing to be silenced, Buffy eventually realizes Ted is a robot, and overcomes him in a final battle.
- Tara kisses Willow (Season 5, Episode 6)
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The progression of Tara and Willow’s relationship and Willow’s character development are two of my favorite aspects of Buffy. While previously only having dated men, Willow slowly eases into a relationship with Tara, another witch, originating as a platonic friendship that gradually intertwines with romance and magics. In this episode, as Willow frets about what to wear, blatantly anxious, Tara holds Willow and kisses her, momentarily calming her.
- Buffy disaffiliates from the council (Season 3, Episode 21)
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Buffy’s discourse with the council began when they fired her original watcher, Giles. When the Watcher’s council, which operates under the pretense that they will aid and guide the current slayer, refuses to provide Buffy with information about an antidote to cure her poisoned vampiric love interest, Angel, she decides she is through with the council, cutting ties.
In the final season, we discover that the original slayer was forced to assume the powers of a Slayer against her will, and that the Watcher’s Council (predominantly consisting of white men) was founded not to aid, but to control the slayer of each generation and her feminine power. Some have even looked at this concept as a metaphor for men attempting to assert control over female sexuality across history, but obviously it is up for debate.
- Riley and Buffy’s breakup (Season 5, Episode 10)
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In my eyes, Riley will forever be characterized as Buffy’s douchiest boyfriend. Vain and insecure, he is bothered by Buffy’s superior skill and strength in fighting demons from the very beginning. This leads him to begin seeking out the high of allowing female vampires to drain his blood, a little at a time, in hidden vampire “brothels.” Naturally, when Buffy finds out, she is appalled, but Riley tries to place the blame on her, saying that she wasn’t present or reliant enough on their relationship, failing to prioritize devoting her attention to Riley. Riley’s insecurity that Buffy was only into “bad guys” like Angel, or that she simply was too strong to stay with him, is blatant here, and Buffy obviously does not allow him to make her feel guilty or ashamed of her power and calling.
- Buffy and “The Scooby Gang” stand up to Tara’s family (Season 5, Episode 6)
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When Tara was originally introduced, there was a certain air of mystery to her background. It isn’t until season five that viewers (and the other characters of the show) discover Tara is from a controlling and manipulative household, as her family arrives on the cusp of her birthday to usher her back home for good. In order to justify their misogynistic expectations of the women of the family—to stay home and cook, clean and do as they’re told—the father has invented the story that his wife, who is now deceased, slowly became a demon, which Tara believes to be true. As Tara’s family not only chastises her for being involved with magics again, but also attempts to manipulate her into returning home, “The Gang” stands up for her, and offers Tara a new home and family with them.
Despite the sad reality and culture of misogyny that persisted throughout Joss Whedon’s directment of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the show still stands as one of the most influential series of my teenage years. Not only did I learn that women can be strong– but they can also wear lipgloss while they do it. Femininity does not equate to weakness.