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The timing for Buffy The Vampire Slayer's TV debut was perfect, appearing just months after Scream hit US cinemas in 1997. Its slight delay in reaching the UK actually helped, since by then the inferior post-modern horror wannabes were out of the way and audiences were delighted to find something fresh. With pop-culture references, complicated relationships, spotlights for up-and-coming bands, a distinctly British style of humour from creator-writer Joss Whedon (who grew up in the UK), and constant intrigue from a back story threatening to catch characters unawares, the first season was all too short. Thankfully, ratings success renewed it for twice as many episodes and a bigger budget. This box set kicks-off with "When She Was Bad" by establishing Angel as a series regular, and a noticeable improvement to set design and overall style. By picking up the thread straight after the Master's death it also sets in motion the show's commitment to an ongoing story line. Seeds are sown through the early episodes towards many of the stunning plot developments found later in the season. There's a slow burn for the relationships building between Buffy and Angel (no surprise), Giles and Jenny (nice surprise), and Xander and Cordelia (huge surprise!). Most importantly, we're introduced to important semi-regulars Spike and Drusilla ("School Hard"), Oz ("Inca Mummy Girl") and fellow Slayer Kendra ("What's My Line Part 1"). Their appearances tackle youth issues such as sibling rivalry, sexual maturity and rejection. But the show's all-ages appeal keeps growing with other episodes exploring the consequences of jealousy ("Lie To Me"), redeeming errors of the past ("Halloween"), and the struggles of single parenting ("Ted"). If Season One hooked viewers by promising unpredictable story lines and a willingness to experiment outside genre boundaries, nothing prepared us for the latter half of Season Two, which includes the kooky Thing-like invasion of "Bad Eggs". Then with the extraordinary double act of "Surprise" and "Innocence", every aspect of the show grows up in a big hurry: the result of Buffy sleeping with Angel is a series of tragedies everyone is powerless to predict or prevent, a piece of powerful storytelling conveyed with pared-down dialogue and remarkable performances from the young cast. As Angel's character is inverted and explored, it's an acting slugfest between David Boreanaz and Sarah Michelle Gellar through to their bitter end. As the pair dance between seeking out and avoiding one another, each of the secondary characters undergoes a talent-stretching transformation. For Giles it's the end to his relationship with Jenny ("Passion"). Willow distances herself considerably from the timid teddy bear image, taking on teaching responsibilities, witchcraft, and her lycanthropic boyfriend Oz. All of these threads are tied together then torn apart by the two-part finale "Becoming". So much happens in these two hours of television, but thankfully nothing seems rushed. With a cliffhanger ending to rival The Empire Strikes Back, the second chapter of Buffy The Vampire Slayer closes in tantalising style leaving everything at stake.
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