VHS : Buffy The Vampire Slayer - Season 2 - Episodes 1 to 11 [1998]

Rating: - If you don't own this, you can't say you even like Buffy.
Let's say you bought the first series of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (and good for you). You enjoyed it certainly, but thought it was perhaps a bit too short; or that Giles wasn't used enough; or that Buffy seemed just a little too invulnerable; or Xander was a little too wooden; or that Willow was little too pathetic...

Stop right there. Series 2 of Buffy improves on the 1st (admittedly still brilliant) season in just about every conceivable respect. For starters, from here onwards every season lasts 22 episodes (instead of 12), so you get nearly twice as much slayage for your hard-earned dosh. The fact that there are twice as many scripts mean new writers, shedloads of new ideas, and truckloads of outstanding monsters (Der Kindestod, Ethan Rayne and the awesome Angelus, to name just three). There are so many amazing episodes in this season (which could well be the most balanced Buffy season of them all) that it is hard to pick favourites; but it is safe to say that the best one is probably "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered". Anyone who has ever wished they were a chick-magnet at school will agree with me on this!! Other outstanding episodes? "Halloween" (just wait till you see Damsel Buffy - it's side-splitting"!), "Passion" (just to see the end of that annoying Miss Calander) and "School Hard" (which effortlessly ries up all of series 1's loose ends, along with introducing the new Big Bads).

Amazing performances all around, with Tony Head and Alyson Hannigan actually getting exciting things to do; Nicholas Brendon finally learns how to act part way through this series (see if you can tell where..!) and Ms. Gellar still rocks. David Boreanaz effortlessly plays both a sympathetic, tortured soul and a deliciously remorseless killer as Angel/Angelus (even though his Irish accentt is appalling); and James Marsters is hammy and wonderful as Spike (though I may never quite forgive for trying to kill Damsel Buffy).

Weak links? Well, the chick who palys Drusills is awful (worst Cockney accent since Mary Poppins), "Go Fish"'s monsters are blatant clones of "Doctor Who"'s Silurians, and Seth Green looks terrified (& sometimes bored) as Oz. Charisma Carpeneter doesn't know how to play Cordelia: slapper, Scoobie or geek? Make yer mind up, luv! (Although that's probably not her fault, it's odd how her common sense keeps bungie-jumping between episodes.)

Extras? Three behind-the-scenes, biographies, trailers, photo galleries and four commentaries (warning: David Greenwlat and Marti Noxon both have the most annoying, nasal American accents EVER). Joss Whedon is as energetic as ever (hooray!)

So all in all, I'd advise you to get this. Please?

---

Rating: - Buffy Seaon 2
This is clearly one of the best Buffy Seasons ever! Possibley one of the greatest TV shows in history.

The season picks up brilliantly where the first pilot season left off. After her death at the hands (or teeth) of the master there was sure to be some reprocutions. 'When She Was Bad' is a perfect opener, seeing Buffy falling into 'Cordelia like' behaviour before finally working out her issues by beating the stuffing out of them. After this we get off to a slow start with episodes such as 'Inca Mummy Girl' and 'Some Assembly Required' however the introduction of Spike spices the season up. The arrival of this daring, sarcastic, cockney vampire proves to be one of the seasons highlights. His killing of 'The Annoying One' gives him the 'Big Bad' of the season. Along with his insane girlfriend Drusilla they provide some much needed drama and continuity.

The first 2 parter 'Whats my line' is good, giving us the best surprise since we found out the truth about Angel. Kendra, however, is a very dull slayer, but offers some good insights into how unique buffy as a slayer, actually is.

The relationships are key in this season. With the romantic Giles and Jenny, the twisted Spike and Drusilla, very unexpected Xander and Cordelia, sweet Willow and OZ and the groundbreaking Buffy and Angel. Buffy has to grow up a lot after the monumental 2 parter 'Innocence' and 'Surprise'. 'Surprise' is acted beautifully by Sarah Michelle Geller and I challenge anyone not to get a lump in their throat during this. The final scene between Buffy and her mother is perfect in everyway and the line 'I got older' sums up what this season is all about. The turning of Angel starts a downward spiral by Buffy. However the strength of this character is shown as she claws her way back to confront her ultimate enemy.

The writing for Spike is genius. He steals every scene he's in and completely destroys Angels hero act in 'Innocence'

Ange:Leave her alone!
Spike:Yeah that'll work

However towards the end of the season we see a totally new Spike as he clashes with Angelus. Every scene with these two in is a gem. He finally betrays his 'family' and makes a dangerous alliance with Buffy.

The 2 part finale is really some of the best and emotional TV i have ever seen. Willow's emerging talent for withcraft plays a big part in this conclusion and the fall apart of Buffys life bit by bit peaks at an emotional climax of violence and desperation. The final scenes accompanied by the beautiful soundtrack brings tears to anyones eyes and leave swith the biggest cliffhanger yet.

The memorable episodes include 'When she was bad' School Hard' 'Halloween' 'Surprise' 'Passion' and 'Becoming 1 and 2'

---

Rating: - A good show becomes great
The first season of BtVS did what first seasons have to do: it introduced characters, established the fantasy world and set the tone of the show. The second season took these foundations and produced one of the best story arcs of the series. Characters were given room to develop and it became less necessary to give each episode a "happy ending". This season has a sense of tragedy that was absent from most of season 1.

There are, of course, some episodes that still follow the standard format of the first season. 'Some Assembly Required', 'Inca Mummy Girl' and 'Reptile Boy' are all good, entertaining romps, but are essentially disposable and contribute little to the story arc. There is also some terrific comedy, especially in 'Halloween' and 'Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered'. It is, however, the willingness to tackle tougher questions that elevates this season from the good to the great. In 'Lie to Me', we see the once-clear certainties of right and wrong broken down. The Buffy-Angel relationship walks a tightrope between happiness and tragedy that creates much of the season's drama and sets up a classic finale.

The cast are generally terrific, though I personally find David Boreanaz as Angel a little limited. This season introduced two of the series' best actors: James Marsters as Spike (originally intended as a disposable villain until Joss Whedon decided to give him a permanent role in season 4) and Seth Green as Oz. The other regulars show that they can combine comedy and pathos, often within the same scene.

BtVS season 2 really is fantastic television. It is, at times, funny ('Halloween'), disturbing ('Lie to Me'), tragic ('Passion') and genuinely frightening ('I Only Have Eyes For You'). The show is intelligent, literate and, crucially for a series like this, able to laugh at itself without ever descending into farce. It is well-served by the transfer to DVD: Joss Whedon's commetaries are always worth a listen. This season is a great addition to any collection.

---

Rating: - but is it the best?
Although i do agree with others wen they state that season 2 is phenomenal and completely amazing when it is looked at overall in the capacity of all the episodes is it really the best?
Undeniable is the fact that its amazing and a great season to come second but when compared to season three is it better?
Season three has more episodes that are really great and can be watched agen and agen whereas season two has less of this great type of episode...sure they are all great but would you want to sit and watch bad eggs or inca mummy girl etc over and over. So yeah this season is brilliant if you dnt mind skipping half the episodes to get to the really interesting ones with the Angels gone evil and tortouring Buffy storyline...but for almost an entire season of brilliant episoes its got to be season three with the wicked bad character of Faith and the new big bad the mayor...nearly every episode is one your dying to see agen and agen!

---

Rating: - An absolute classic
The second season of Buffy is considered by many to be the best. I personally think it is a toss up between this and season 3. This season begins with the fallout from the previous season as Buffy confronts the trauma of having been temporarily killed by the Master. There are a good few stand alone episodes in this series which I prefer to the soap opera style of later seasons and means that you can watch isolated episodes without having to watch them in the context of the whole season. Having said this, step forth the genius of Whedon who successfully manages to intertwine the main story arc amongst many seemingly stand alone episodes.

The length of this season allowed for a lot of character development and also the introduction of three popular characters, those being Spike, Dru and Oz. Buffy, while still retaining her wise cracking pep, becomes a little more grown up and appreciative of her friends while she deals with having died, the jealousy of finding out she is not the only slayer anymore and her growing yet doomed relationship with Angel. This is the last season in which Buffy is allowed to be a teenager, by the end of this season we see her as a broken young woman as everything is taken from her. We get to be more acquainted with Angel, only for him to turn evil and break Buffy's heart. Willow also gets her heart broken by long term crush Xander, but unlike Buffy is able to move on to a loving relationship with guitarist Oz. She also begins to dabble in Wicca paving the way for future story lines and beginning the journey to a more confident self. Xander meanwhile hooks up with Cordelia who continues to take sarcasm to it's natural conclusion but with a slightly more mellower side showing through. Giles sheds some light on his sexy ripper days and continues to build up a strong paternal relationship with his slayer.

There are so many classic episodes in this season that it's difficult to single out a few standout ones, but here goes: 'When she was bad' (Buffy spanks her inner moppet), Halloween (Willow gets sexy, everything goes crazy), 'The dark age' (Giles reveals his past), 'Ted' (beg to differ little lady), 'Innocence' (Angel turns evil), 'Bewitched, bothered and bewildered' (got the love), 'Passion' (heartbreaking), and my personal favourite all time episode 'I only have eyes for you' (ghostly, atmospheric and genuinely creepy).

If you have the first season then this is the one to get next, it is absolutely brilliant and a modern day classic of it's genre. The special features are plentiful and of top quality, as are the index graphics. If you're going to buy anything Buffy related, buy this.