Into every generation a Slayer is born.

[rogueslayer452]

Yesterday marked the 20th anniversary of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and I want to add my piece on reflecting what this show meant (and still means) to me.

I started watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer during its third season, when I was in junior high. I didn't know much about the show other than what I was introduced to from a random episode I happened to come across. I saw that it had vampires, demons, witches, and other paranormal elements and a kickass female lead and I was like, this is my jam. Little did I know how much this show would become hugely influential during those formative years of my life and would contribute much to who I am today. In fact, BTVS was perhaps the first fandom I actively participated in with the online community, and was definitely part of the reason why I ended up creating this journal, hence my username.

As for the show itself, it certainly wasn't perfect, but there is a reason why it's considered a cult classic even after all these years. It resonated with so many people because it transcended its own genre; this wasn't just a mere fluffy "supernatural teen show", this was a coming-of-age story which featured so many emotional and powerful moments, particularly empowering moments with women and their stories. As the characters transitioned from teenagers to young adults, we were right there along with them, going through their struggles and personal journeys, possibly identifying along with them. There were honestly so many memorable episodes that just pushed the boundaries of what television could do at that time with its messages and performances, especially for a show like this on the network it was on. Even now when I revisit the show it continues to blow my mind on how outstanding it is still, and how well it holds up with its relevance. It's important to recognize that BTVS wasn't just a show, it was, and still is, a cultural influence which paved the way for many other things that would come after it.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer holds a very special place in my heart for many reasons, and I sincerely consider it to be one of my top five favorite television series of all time. ♥

(And of course, with the 20th anniversary there will be a resurgence of new merchandise released in celebration and honestly I am completely down for this, mostly because my collection of BTVS merch is severely lacking to a pathetic degree and I need more things.)

Comments

[honeymink]

I always figured that at least some of it had to do with the rights to the music that was used in the original broadcast. Then again, it's not like you can't switch that out (although to great detriment like one has seen on the "Felicity" DVDs). In any even, I remember distininctly that both Jill Hennessey and Amy Brenneman hoped that they shows "Crossing Jordan" and "Judging Amy", both which ran for six seasons, would eventually be released on DVD but nothing happened to this day which I find highly disappointing.

I loved both of these shows because they were NOT your run off the mill medical/CSI or law dramas. I loved that on Crossing Jordan the cast was growing together like family without any all too crazy romantic entanglements that would have been bound to annoy me. I loved how Jordan, who was so much of a loner in the beginning, became friends with Nigel, Bug and Lily... especially Lily. And I loved that a lot of the cases were a bit quirky but never disrespectful. And it had freaking Miguel Ferrer from Twin Peaks!!! The same is true for Judging Amy in a way – this was not about proving absurdly intricate murders and kabals by high-tech CSI and high-strung clever lawyering but about the juvenile court system and how to find compassion while still making a stand and finding ways to integrate these children and young adults into society again. I liked that it went hand in hand with the main character's mother's work as a social worker and them struggling to live under the same roof after her divorce. So many layers. So much character development. *sigh*

And yes, I agree … I suppose DVD/BluRay may be dying anyway. I just keep bringing it up because where I live at the moment streaming is impossible because of an incredibly slow internet connection. In any event, it would be really nice if things were available on streaming services. I'm sure a lot of people would make use of it. I'm not entirely sure how many people still watch regular TV and syndication in the US anyway. I'm sure there are surveys...

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I always figured that at least some of it had to do with the rights to the music that was used in the original broadcast. Then again, it's not like you can't switch that out (although to great detriment like one has seen on the "Felicity" DVDs)

That's definitely one of the downsides, unfortunately. A lot of times the music used in the original broadcast hardly makes it to the DVD edition because of those issues, either being replaced entirely by different songs or having no music played at all, which makes rewatching them super weird or not work at all in some cases.

It's been a long, long time since I've seen Crossing Jordan, I don't think I watched it regularly but rather sporadically when it came on, but I remember enjoying it regardless.

I suppose DVD/BluRay may be dying anyway.

I wouldn't say it's dying necessarily, since these sales are still a huge deciding factor, but considering how advanced the digital age has become when we consume things I think the industry needs a better system and actually adapt in these changing times. DVDs/Bluray, digital and streaming can all coexist and can all benefit from each other. This also includes getting rid of the archaic Nielsen rating system.

I'm certain there are countless surveys and studies over the years regarding who watches live television versus those who stream/Netflix/etc. I can only speak for myself, but I don't watch live television as much as I used to. That's not to say that we don't still watch it from time to time, it's just not as frequent as it used to be.

[honeymink]

I haven't had television for a good while because when I lived in the U.S. I always watched things via hulu and when I moved back home it turned out that my father had for some crazy reason capped the connection to the splicer that'd led from the satellite dish to the basement so I only had four state television programmes that were broadcaste via antenna. That was good for the news and political discussion rounds but not much else. Now they've introduced a new television standard last week and suddenly I get heaps of HD channels over antenna again after having bought a new television receiver. Unfortunately I haven't really got the hang of it yet. I guess I'm not really used to watching things at a specific time anymore.