For a spunky series that focused on a group of misfit teenagers preventing the forces of darkness from taking over a small California town, Buffy the Vampire Slayer had a reputation for conveying great emotional depth. For every memorable one-liner and comedic wise-crack, there were just as many heartfelt monologues and teary-eyed moments of quiet resolution.
The series was always commended for the maturity with which it dealt with young people's issues. From losing first loves to fighting with friends and watching parents pass away, there was something for every fan to relate to, even if these moments were accompanied by slaying vampires. The characters' emotional journey over seven seasons is one of the many reasons why Buffy the Vampire Slayer remains one of the most beloved television series of the last several decades.
Season 1 : Buffy telling Giles she doesn't want to die
The entire first season is devoted to Buffy, a normal teenage girl, struggling to come to terms with the fact that she's the Chosen One, who must put her life on the line to protect the world from the forces of darkness. As she so memorably tells her Watcher Giles, "I don't care! I don't care. Giles, I'm 16 years old. I don't wanna die.”
Buffy's conflict is perfectly relatable for any fan who's gone through the hurtles of youth, but compounded by the fact that her abilities mean she'll be tasked with facing adversity that could easily end in her death. Her decision to fight the First in the series finale is given a particularly sobering edge when fans consider that Buffy could be called upon to sacrifice herself, which she does at the end of the first season.
Season 2: Buffy being forced to kill Angelus
When "Becoming: Part 2," the second half of Season 2's two-part finale originally aired, viewers didn't know if the series was being renewed for a third season.
Therefore, when Buffy was forced to kill Angelus, her boyfriend's murderous alter-ego, fans were devastated. He'd already killed Giles' girlfriend and almost killed Giles himself. Angelus might have succeeded in ending the rest of the Scoobies if Buffy hadn't plunged a sword through his heart and cast him into a vortex.
Season 3: Buffy and Angel's breakup
Fans had just gotten used to the idea that Angel had been resurrected and hoped that it meant he could finally be with Buffy in a meaningful way when the narrative rug was pulled out from under them. Angel and Buffy were forced to come to the conclusion that their love was too dangerous and corrosive to be pursued.
The moment they parted ways in Season 3, as sorrowful as it was, marked a sign of maturity in both of the characters. Angel ultimately made the decision that he couldn't control himself around Buffy and that he didn't want her to build a life around him when she would be missing out on so much.
Season 4: Oz cheating on Willow
Willow and Oz were a fan-favorite couple in the series, not just because of their quirky personalities and chemistry but because for Oz being a werewolf, their relationship was surprisingly free of melodrama. It was one of the show's healthiest romances, especially when stacked against the tumult of Buffy and Angel's.
When Oz cheated on Willow in "Wild at Heart" with another werewolf, it was devastating for fans, who wanted nothing more than to see them happy together. Oz told Willow that he have never loved anything more in his whole life than her, but still cheated on her and ultimately left town. Willow was betrayed, and so were fans.
Season 5: Buffy finding her mother's body
Fans felt the depth of Buffy's pain and confusion when she found her mother unresponsive on the couch, the victim of a sudden and unexpected brain aneurysm. Seeing the Slayer frightened and lost was uncharacteristic and all the more distressing.
Joyce had finally gotten to the point where she accepted Buffy's risky life as the Slayer, and made her home a sanctuary for not only her unique daughter but also her misfit friends. Joyce made everyone feel welcome and loved, no matter how much danger it put her in. "The Body" proved to be a transitional episode full of growth for the Slayer, who was witnessing an end of her childhood.
Season 6: Tara's death
Tara was a divisive character when she first appeared on the series, but over time she became an important part of the Scooby Gang and Willow's life. Willow flourished in their relationship and truly came out of her shell — only to have all of her happiness blown to pieces when Warren shot Tara in "Seeing Red."
With her gentle spirit and altruism, Tara represented all that was light and pure in not just Willow's life, but the Scooby Gang's. Viewers watched Willow's heart break through Alyson Hannigan's expressive acting in the scene, and the entire season arc that followed was a testament to how much she'd lost.
Season 7: The Scooby Gang Turning On Buffy
While fans might think that the deaths of two major Scoobies would be crowned the saddest moments of the final season, Anya's demise was too sudden and Spike's sacrifice was too spoiled (many fans knew he was headed to Angel Season 5). That leaves the moment when the entire Scooby Gang turned on the Slayer.
In "Empty Places," the previous vineyard mission having gone horribly wrong, so the Scoobies kick Buffy out of her own house. The moment when Dawn told her own sister, who had done everything to protect her, to leave was like putting a stake through Buffy's heart. Fans expected to see the Slayer go up against backstabbing adversaries, but she never expected them to be her friends.