Welcome to the Hellmouth

Buffy spends her pilot episode following the arc of the reluctant prophesied hero. The choice of starting point for this series is interesting. Buffy clearly has clearly already done much fighting and vampire-slaying before the first time we see her, so why *is* this the first time we see her? What's so special about a new school?

This is the beginning--not just of a transfer to a new school-- but of Buffy facing and answering the question of whether to embrace her destiny as Slayer full-time (as accelerated by her meeting Giles). This sets up a conflict between two aspects of Buffy, engagingly developing both of them. Buffy's initial opposition to her responsibility strongly establishes her desire to live some semblance of a normal life while simultaneously showcasing her fantastical abilities. It's this that convinced me not only to continue to episode 2, but that I had to watch the rest of the series. Two things are abundantly clear from this episode. 1. Buffy is a force to be reckoned with; killing vampires already comes easily to her and she can clearly handle herself in a fight. 2. Buffy is not contained by (1); she has concerns about things like school, friendships, romances, fashion, beauty, and her mother. She wants what most girls want; to be seen simultaneously as strong, beautiful, and kind in a world that all too often tells us we have to pick one out of three. And she fights for it.

Put briefly: this pilot is brilliant because the protagonist is established as both real-world-person and epic hero, strongly, in the course of forty-five minutes. That we can both sympathize with Buffy and sit in awe of her should not be undervalued; too many fantasy and action heroes lack the former which weakens the effects of the latter.

Buffy Summers has just moved to Sunnydale, California from LA with her mother, recently divorced from her father. From what is said, the past given to Buffy is similar to what was shown in the 1992 film "Buffy The Vampire Slayer".

So Buffy knows she is the one Vampire Slayer in all the world, but is hoping she can escape her destiny in what seems like sleepy small town Sunnydale. But then a student is killed with bite marks to the neck, stuffed in a locker. Also, the school librarian, Giles, seems to know exactly who she is. Complications ensue.

It's fun to look back on how it started and how the characters evolve. Xander is the one who changes the least. He was always the friend, but he starts out being the friend who wants more than friendship from Buffy. Willow is the nerd, and over time she changes into a powerful and confident witch. Cordelia Chase doesn't change that much on this show, but she turns out to be quite the heroic figure on "Angel", a spin-off of this show. Here, especially in the first season, she's an obnoxious spoiled snob.

And then there is the mysterious Angel who claims he is a "friend" and also seems to know all about Buffy. He is more brooding as the show goes on, but he starts off pretty cocky - a real smart mouth.

We also meet the "big bad" or villain of the season - the Master. He's more campy than scary, perhaps by design. Whedon was trying to make a case for a full season in this first trial half-season, and if you watch all twelve episodes from the season, I think you'll say that he made that case.

The intro episode to the hit show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a good one. It's full of action and it has some good comedy. I like these kind of shows about the undead and for one, I'm glad it's not campy of gooey. I want to see people killing vampires, not falling in love. (looking at you, Twilight). Anyway, this is a great first episode and I'm looking forward to more.

The first episode, "Welcome to the Hellmouth" introduces us to Buffy and her new school at Sunnydale. We meet her potential friends to be and her wacky librarian who says vampire hunting is her destiny. When she heads to a party, she realizes vampires are about to take over and it's off to kick some butt.

Overall, this is a fine, entertaining episode. I loved Sarah Michelle Gellar's witty one-liners. It helps that she blends her comedy with her vampire-kicking action. I rate this episode 9/10.

Buffy Summers wants to move on from her destiny as the Slayer, but moving to Sunnydale, of all places . . . well, that's going to be a little difficult (and that's an understatement).

One of my all-time favourite television programmes, Welcome to the Hellmouth is one of my all-time favourite pilot episodes. It introduces the characters I love (Buffy, Xander, Willow, Giles, Cordelia) and the setting: Sunny California; it contrasts with the darker tones.

My only issue with the episode - at least when I watch it on DVD - is that the lighting can be quite dark. Apart from that, I loved everything about it.

Great pilot for a great show. I just started watching Buffy and I love the pilot, and I've been hooked on the series. I can't wait to discover this series!