Season 1, Episode 1: “Welcome to the Hellmouth”

Original Air Date: 3/10/97

"I'm Buffy. I'm new."

As far as pilots go, I feel this is a pretty good one. In fact, paired with the second episode, it’d make a semi-decent sequel to the original movie. Joss establishes the setup and characters well without being heavy-handed. We meet Buffy Summers and she’s likable- a perky and snarky vampire slayer in a mini-skirt. While she may be superficial, she is not shallow, and we see just enough of the “trying to live in two worlds” conflict to feel for her. Willow is adorable and Xander is only a little annoying. It ends on pretty lame “to be continued”, but I can forgive Joss for that- you gotta get return viewers. 

Overall, 3/4 Mr. Pointy’s. 

Most Dated Line/Reference: 

Cordelia: “Of course, we do have to test your coolness factor. You’re from LA so you can skip the written, but let’s see...

... James Spader?”

Buffy: “He NEEDS to call me.”

I feel like that one was dated when it aired. James Spader’s most recent hit at the time was “Stargate” in 1994. You guys remember all your friends swooning over “that fine guy from Stargate,” right? I like picturing “Blacklist” James Spader in a Teen Bop fold out poster. 

Favorite Retro Fashion Moments:

Chunky rings and white nail polish 

Baby Doll dresses with Grandpa Cardigans

Workout Summary: 2 miles on the treadmill; 317 calories slayed.

"Now, this is not gonna be pretty. We're talking violence, strong language, adult content..."