Late-'90s favorite Buffy The Vampire Slayer broke TV ground in many ways, with a razor-sharp monster allegory for growing pangs and effervescent dialogue to match. But one of the show's most cherished aspects is its depiction of a romance between witches Willow and Tara that spanned Seasons 4, 5, and 6.
The coupling saw Tara change from a timid and insecure freshman dabbling in magic to a self-assured and independent woman freed from her past. For her part, Willow became nearly unrecognizable from the first episode, coming into her new identity and learning valuable but challenging lessons about discipline and sacrifice. Although the cherished pairing came to a sad conclusion at the end of Season 6, fans of Willow and Tara can always return to certain episodes to see the pair's love unfold all over again.
"Tough Love" (Season 5, Episode 19)
This aptly named episode is a tough watch for fans of the couple, but an important one, nonetheless. When Tara falls into Glory's hands and winds up permanently lost in her own head, it isn't the Slayer Buffy who attempts to avenge her, but rather Willow. Though the more-than-capable witch throws everything she has at Glory, she isn't able to avenge Tara in the way that she'd hoped.
It's one of the pair's saddest moments, but seeing Willow care for a confused and shell-shocked Tara as tenderly as she does only reaffirms the couple's unshakeable bond.
"Tabula Rasa" (Season 6, Episode 8)
In this episode, there is trouble in paradise for one of the show's most rock-solid couples. Willow's incessant use of magic begins to wear on Tara, and this feeling is only exacerbated when she discovers Willow has been manipulating her memories. Tara convinces Willow to go a week without spells, but Willow deceives her and casts yet another memory spell that causes the entire Scooby Gang to forget their identities.
Although Willow ends up in hot water with all of her friends, nothing hurts quite like Tara packing her bags and leaving. It's a crucial episode for the couple, but not one of their happiest.
"Family" (Season 5, Episode 6)
One of the most Tara-centric episodes in the entire series, "Family" leaves Tara feeling more at home with Willow - and with the Scooby Gang - than ever before. Just as she encounters some difficulty integrating into Willow's tight-knit circle, Tara is shocked to learn of her own family's arrival in Sunnydale.
Her toxic relatives (who include a young Amy Adams) convince Tara her magic abilities stem from demonic heritage, but after some much-needed fact-checking, Tara finds the strength to stand up to her family for good.
"Older And Far Away" (Season 6, Episode 14)
Brought together by a curse that prevents anyone from leaving Buffy's house, an apprehensive Willow and Tara face each other for the first time since their breakup. When Anya turns on Willow and insists she suspend her break from using magic, Tara fires back in Willow's defense.
Both Willow and Tara are jittery and timidly hopeful at the prospect of repairing their relationship. Unfortunately for fans of the couple, this sentiment is quickly dampened by the revelation that Willow, despite ostensibly ridding her life of magic, has been secretly harboring enchanted items.
"Hush" (Season 4, Episode 10)
This acclaimed and particularly spooky episode contains a heart-melting meet-cute for one of the show's most iconic couples. Willow attends a college Wicca group and leaves underwhelmed, but not before trading glances with a sweet and timid witch.
When her and Tara's paths collide while running away from a monster, the two merge powers and protect each other from a grim fate. Though it's not a typical first date, theirs certainly leaves a lasting impression.
"The Body" (Season 5, Episode 16)
Willow and Tara certainly aren't the obvious focus of this legendary and heartbreaking episode about the death of Buffy and Dawn's mother Joyce. Nonetheless, "The Body" marks a huge leap for the show's only LGBTQ+ couple, but also for fans of the show.
In the midst of supporting each other (and their friends) through a gutting loss, Willow and Tara share their first-ever onscreen kiss. The lingering stigma of physical displays of LGBTQ+ love on TV has shaped even contemporary shows like Modern Family, whose Mitchell and Cam were denied an onscreen kiss for the entire first season. Taking place all the way back in 2000, Willow and Tara's show of affection was undeniably a monumental moment.
"New Moon Rising" (Season 4, Episode 19)
This episode sees fan-favorite Oz return to Sunnydale and inadvertently stir up trouble. Willow and Tara are in the honeymoon phase of their blossoming relationship until the former's ex-boyfriend throws a wrench into things.
Buffy fans know how deep the connection ran between Oz and Willow, but Willow recognizes that the love in her future is more important than that in her past. Although Tara is clearly intimidated by Oz, she's touched by Willow's show of commitment and courage in coming out to her best friend Buffy.
"Seeing Red" (Season 6, Episode 19)
This episode undeniably marks the most tragic episode in the couple's history. It serves as a long-awaited reunion for the feuding pair, but their renewed happiness proves to be short-lived.
After a long and tense separation, Willow and Tara are finally ready to get back together, but the morning after their blissful reconciliation, a fuming Warren pays a visit to Buffy's house. Tara finds herself in the line of a lethal gunshot, which sends Willow on a ruthless and villainous quest for revenge. Sadly, Willow isn't even able to process her deep grief until the final moments of the season when Xander finally breaks through to her. Although "Seeing Red" concludes Willow and Tara's arc, the iconic couple's memory lives on thanks to devoted fans.
"Bargaining, Part 1" (Season 6, Episode 1)
In Buffy's temporary absence, viewers get to see Willow and Tara live in a kind of domestic bliss, taking care of a home and tending to an adopted daughter in the form of Dawn. The couple seems to have matured substantially since the sobering events of the previous season finale when Buffy sacrificed herself to close Glory's portal.
Although they're still mourning the loss of their friend, it's encouraging to see the two tackle real-life challenges together and continue to have each other's backs in the face of difficult circumstances.
"Once More, With Feeling" (Season 6, Episode 7)
In Buffy The Vampire Slayer's iconic and one-of-a-kind musical episode, Tara delivers a memorable and beautiful tribute to Willow. The tender love song "Under Your Spell" is accompanied by background dancers and features cunning, innuendo-filled lyrics.
Having completely come out of her shell since she was first introduced to viewers, Tara credits Willow for her much of her personal growth and conveys just how much her girlfriend truly means to her. Buffy isn't always cheerful, but here, fans are treated to one of the most blissful and optimistic sequences in the show's entire run.