i took a tumblr break over the summer so i didn’t catch your seasons ranking when it was originally posted, and it was funny to see your personal ranking bc it mirrors mine. but have you done a seasons finale ranking or first ep. ranking? i assume you've probably done a general ep. ranking, both worst and best but i've not seen it. i don't gif much anymore, otherwise i might've done it myself.
my personal ranking of finales:
7. primeval (restless is not the finale, just the last ep.)
6. grave
5. graduation day
4. prophecy girl
3. chosen
2. the gift
1. becoming
and of first eps:
7. buffy vs dracula
6. lessons
5. when she was bad
4. anne
3. the freshman
2. welcome to the hellmouth/the harvest
1. bargaining
at least rn, tweaks may occur upon rewatches :)
anyways, hope you're having a nice day!
I don't think I've ever ranked the last and first episodes, so here's mine:
Becoming
The Gift
Graduation Day
Restless (I would still consider this a finale over Primeval)
Chosen
Prophecy Girl
Grave
And the premieres:
Buffy vs. Dracula
When She Was Bad
Anne
Lessons
The Freshman
Welcome to the Hellmouth
Bargaining
I have listed my season ranking, as you pointed out. I have never listed the seasons in terms of what I think is objectively (or to the best of my ability) the best, most consistent and strongest season overall, in terms of concept, writing and execution. I'm going to do that here (so this is not my personal ranking) and I'm going to give a brief explanation for each ranking. I know you didn’t ask but why not! It’s fun.
Season Three: This is just the most consistent season of the show, without a doubt. While it doesn't have any of the most iconic or influential episodes of the show (a little shoutout to Amends, The Wish and Doppelgangland), the season succeeds in every imaginable way. There really aren't any skips, all the episodes are enjoyable in one way or another and the individual character arcs are rich and layered. You can sense a change is coming, you feel the maturation of the characters, the season wraps up chapters and phases of Buffy’s life (as well as adolescence) beautifully and powerfully. The explorations of Buffy as a character as well as what it means to be a Slayer are complex and compelling. Buffy at its peak, truly.
Season Two: This is my personal favorite season and the most iconic season. The vibes, the story, the villains, the epic twist in the second half. The only reason it isn't ranked first is because it does have a few filler episodes that weaken it, like Bad Eggs and Go Fish (although I personally enjoy both of these episodes). The entire season feels like a Shakespearean tragedy, and it evokes such a strong reaction from you. You feel for Buffy and Angel, you feel for Giles and Jenny Calendar, you watch Buffy challenge herself in ways she hasn't been challenged before, and the burden of being the Slayer is explored in the most profound ways. It's gutting, it's tragic, it's beautiful, it's inspiring, it's the heart of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Season Five: This is a very daring season, almost as daring as season two. Introducing a character like Dawn this late into the show was a huge risk, but the writing is thoughtful and deliberate, and SMG and Michelle work well together. The explanation of Dawn is well executed, they make you wait a little, give you time to ponder and question it before providing you with a very intriguing explanation. It has two of the best (if not THE best) episodes of the show, (The Body and The Gift) with an extremely compelling villain. It's ranked third because there are some weak episodes here, mostly in the beginning, (Shadow, Listening to Fear, I Was Made to Love You) and it struggles in ways season three and two don't. Riley is unlikable, Dawn is at times unlikable, Joyce is sick, it can get a bit overwhelming but also underwhelming at times.
Season Seven: I really struggled with where to place this season. Its biggest flaw is Buffy's characterization, and that's a really important thing to fail at, considering it's her show. But it still succeeds in many ways. It introduces you to The First in the first episode. As a result, there's a very deep sense of urgency unlike anything we’ve felt in any of the other seasons. The stakes have never been higher, a war is brewing, the end is near. You are constantly reminded of this, constantly worried that one of your favorite characters may die. The main story arc is done well, and the ending is uplifting and inspiring. The flaws are, well, Buffy's characterization, the introduction of one too many characters (that, of course, makes sense to the main plot) that eat up screen time, forced romances and unexplored trauma from the previous season.
Season Six: God. This season was so ambitious, the concept was so intriguing and so unlike anything the show has ever done, but it spends most of its time floundering. The middle part of season six has the weakest run of episodes out of the entire show. Buffy goes through something so traumatizing and heartbreaking, and I like that they let her be messy. But the season, more often than not, feels like torture porn. Just HOW many more ways does Buffy need to suffer? They're just kicking her when she's down for like 85% of the season. I like that depression is highlighted, that it's explored, that Buffy engages in self-destructive acts that feel very real and like an accurate depiction of depression and trauma. But it needed a little more nuance. It's too bleak, because not only is Buffy suffering, so is Willow, so is Dawn, so is Xander and so is Anya. No one is happy and it just... gets overwhelming. They ALMOST made something so incredible... almost. Tara is the only light in this very dark season but her light goes out.
Season Four: The most fun season. It's a shame because my main issues aren't even at the fault of the writers: Oz's rushed exit, Professor Walsh's underwhelming and unexpected murder. They never intended on doing either of these arcs this way, but had to because of the actors. Season four could've really been so much better but they did what they could, given the circumstances. The best part of it is seeing Buffy enjoy school and have a little fun. I love seeing her and Willow in college. I’m excited for Buffy to experience a normal relationship. I have no issue with The Initiative, I like the message behind it. There’s no way they wouldn’t eventually introduce or explore a Frankenstein-type character. This season is about knowledge and I like that it explores how dangerous a lack of knowledge can be. All those soldiers, like Riley, thought they were fighting on the right side and they didn’t ask questions. Turns out, The Initiative was working toward a dark purpose all along. A good theme, and I like all the little journeys each of the characters go on as they learn about themselves and evolve into something different and better.
Season One: I really do love this season, but its biggest flaw is its length. It feels almost wrong comparing it to the other six seasons because they all had much more time to explore and execute their themes. This season feels the most dated (naturally, seeing as it’s the first) and it may be a little too camp at times for my liking and for its own good. It does succeed in a lot of ways, too. It made me care about these characters and it invested me in the story enough to continue watching the show.
