Joss Whedon's Top 10 Buffy episodes, do you agree with it?

[Btvs fan]

Ok so on the S7 DVD Joss gives his Top 10 Buffy episodes (notice they're mainly his or heavily rewritten by him)
Do you agree with this list
@Joan the Vampire Slayer @hoponlilmama @NotASlayer @thetopher @NoShip Im curious
Myself no, I don't like the Body so I wouldn't have it in there nor Prophecy Girl which while the best of S1 is not top 10 while Restless is well shot but ultimately flashy and meaningless. The rest yeah I would

“Prophecy Girl” (112)
“Innocence” (214)
“Becoming Part II” (222)
“The Wish” (309)
“Doppelgangland” (316)
“Hush” (410)
“Restless” (422)
“The Body” (516)
“Once More With Feeling” (607)
“Conversations with Dead People” (70

 

[hoponlilmama]

Ok so on the S7 DVD Joss gives his Top 10 Buffy episodes (notice they're mainly his or heavily rewritten by him)
Do you agree with this list
@Joan the Vampire Slayer @hoponlilmama @NotASlayer @thetopher @NoShip Im curious
Myself no, I don't like the Body so I wouldn't have it in there nor Prophecy Girl which while the best of S1 is not top 10 while Restless is well shot but ultimately flashy and meaningless. The rest yeah I would

“Prophecy Girl” (112)
“Innocence” (214)
“Becoming Part II” (222)
“The Wish” (309)
“Doppelgangland” (316)
“Hush” (410)
“Restless” (422)
“The Body” (516)
“Once More With Feeling” (607)
“Conversations with Dead People” (70

Thanks for the tag, Btvs fan!

Am certain I listed a number of those as my favourite episodes. It's a good list. I might disagree with one or two, but it's obviously down to personal preference.

The Body is brilliant television. Granted, since I had a parent pass away I haven't been able to watch the episode (nor am I certain I ever will), but that doesn't minimise the fact it is one of my favourite episodes. I can definitely understand why people might shun it though. It's a difficult watch.

 

[Btvs fan]

Thanks for the tag, Btvs fan!

Am certain I listed a number of those as my favourite episodes. It's a good list. I might disagree with one or two, but it's obviously down to personal preference.

The Body is brilliant television. Granted, since I had a parent pass away I haven't been able to watch the episode (nor am I certain I ever will), but that doesn't minimise the fact it is one of my favourite episodes. I can definitely understand why people might shun it though. It's a difficult watch.

The only scene I liked is the final scene with the Vampire. The rest meh. The Ambulance crew leaving Buffy alone with the body, that wouldn't happen. Anya a character known for telling jokes about killing people having this teary eyed emotional speech she's never had a single scene with felt false.
The only reaction that really worked for me was Tara's. Her girlfriends friend, mother died and its sad but thats it.

To me it was Joss Whedon attempt for the Emmy he missed with Hush the year before

 

[hoponlilmama]

The only scene I liked is the final scene with the Vampire. The rest meh. The Ambulance crew leaving Buffy alone with the body, that wouldn't happen.

It's a television series, it won't be 100% realistic.

Anya a character known for telling jokes about killing people having this teary eyed emotional speech she's never had a single scene with felt false.

I really love that moment. After being a demon for so long and out of touch with humanity and feelings, suddenly it's coming down on her like a tonne of bricks.

Such a speech wouldn't have the same impact delivered by Willow, for example. But it's steeped in reality. The denial of what's happening, the confusion, the despair, the realisation said person will no longer do the most basic things in life anymore because they're gone.

She might not be personally close to Joyce, but Anya recognises the grief around her, it's palpable.

I loved the speech prior to my own experience, but those words hit ten times harder after my loss. I understood Anya's speech completely.

The only reaction that really worked for me was Tara's. Her girlfriends friend, mother died and its sad but thats it.

That line about it always being sudden - very real. I like that exchange between Tara and Buffy. They're not close, but they had a moment.

To me it was Joss Whedon attempt for the Emmy he missed with Hush the year before

I don't know if he was Emmy fishing. I think he (and the rest of the cast were aware) that for categories like acting, directing and writing, a supernatural/fantasy series wouldn't be taken seriously when it came to award shows. It was a different time.

I respect your reasons why you don't enjoy the episode, but I love that JW took a swing and it landed perfectly.

 

[NotASlayer]

Prophecy Girl, The Wish, Doppelgangland and Hush I'd agree with.

The Body is an odd one. It's a good episode, but as @AlphaFoxtrot says, it's not really a good episode of Buffy. It's also an episode that either works for you or doesn't. It's also not a very rewatchable episode, no matter whether it works or not. If it works, it's too difficult to watch often. If it doesn't, it still isn't that rewatchable.

Innocence and Becoming Part II have good points, but not easy rewatches.

Restless is more of a thought experiment.

For my top list, it would have more ones that are fun to watch again. I'd probably add Halloween, Fear Itself, Pangs (yes, maybe not a great episode but great fun) and Band Candy. For the last two, maybe a toss up between School Hard, The Freshman and Anne.

 

[wolfheart]

I Agree for 80%. I like the final episode of season 7

 

[Btvs fan]

Prophecy Girl, The Wish, Doppelgangland and Hush I'd agree with.

The Body is an odd one. It's a good episode, but as @AlphaFoxtrot says, it's not really a good episode of Buffy. It's also an episode that either works for you or doesn't. It's also not a very rewatchable episode, no matter whether it works or not. If it works, it's too difficult to watch often. If it doesn't, it still isn't that rewatchable.

Innocence and Becoming Part II have good points, but not easy rewatches.

Restless is more of a thought experiment.

For my top list, it would have more ones that are fun to watch again. I'd probably add Halloween, Fear Itself, Pangs (yes, maybe not a great episode but great fun) and Band Candy. For the last two, maybe a toss up between School Hard, The Freshman and Anne.

The Zeppo, Fool For Love and Passion should be on a Top 10 list

 

[twoslayers]

I like most of these episodes, but not Restless. Its a matter of taste, but its too esoteric for me. And Prophecy Girl is good by Season 1 standards but not one of my top ten overall. Doppelgangland is good but I wouldn't rate it quite as high either. There would certainly be some Faith episodes in my top ten, probably Bad Girls and Graduation Day Part 1. Passion might be a candidate, that was a very well constructed episode and the change of perspective is intriguing.

 

[thetopher]

I wouldn't call any episode that sacrifices established character for spectacle (or a lame joke) so 'One More With Feeling' is not on my top 10 of Joss' work, nope.

Graduation Day Part 1 & 2 should be on the list; great, strong two-parter to a top tier season; both episodes have so many great moments. They should replace OMWF and 'Conversations'- the Buffy-Holden portion of that is overwritten twaddle. Plus it has Andrew in it. pass on it being one of Joss best.

Nor is Becoming Part 2 spectacularly good, it has a brilliant, heartbreaking ending but not much else of note happens except Giles calling Angelus a berk and telling him to put on a tutu...okay, I guess that stays.

I think Restless is great, actually, a very novel way to explore and illustrate character.