BtVS becomes emotional and personal, and the Hellmouth-ian take of The Master in season 1 becomes a minor problem in hindsight. Back then all solutions seemed to at least be simple...
It's also the season Big Bad enters Buffy's world, and he's an insurance for great entertainment. It's no coincidence that character ranks extremely high in Sci-Fi polls, despite being antagonist rather than protagonist... It speaks greatly to the achievements of actor James Marsters, creator and showrunner Joss Whedon, and the rest of the writing staff in bringing to life --or un-death, as it may be-- a truly fascinating character with wit.
2.01 ★★★☆☆ When She Was Bad
2.02 ★★☆☆☆ Some Assembly Required
2.03 ★★★★☆ School Hard
2.04 ★★☆☆☆ Inca Mummy Girl
2.05 ★★☆☆☆ Reptile Boy
2.06 ★★★★☆ Halloween
2.07 ★★★☆☆ Lie to Me
2.08 ★★☆☆☆ The Dark Age
2.09 ★★★★☆ What's My Line? (1)
2.10 ★★★☆☆ What's My Line? (2)
2.11 ★★☆☆☆ Ted
2.12 ★★☆☆☆ Bad Eggs
2.13 ★★★★★ Surprise (1)
2.14 ★★★★★ Innocence (2)
2.15 ★★★☆☆ Phases
2.16 ★★★☆☆ Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered
2.17 ★★★★★ Passion
2.18 ★★★☆☆ Killed by Death
2.19 ★★★★☆ I Only Have Eyes For You
2.20 ★★☆☆☆ Go Fish
2.21 ★★★★☆ Becoming, Part 1 (1)
2.22 ★★★★★ Becoming, Part 2 (2)
S.2 ★★★★☆
The main archs of the season are twofold; Spike and Drusilla arrives as main opponents and old pals of Angel, and then the Buffy and Angel saga continues to unfold with some interesting curveballs thrown into the mix. It's also a season where Whedon starts making small changes to the premises we've taken for granted in the Buffyverse, and in most cases with a lot of luck. More importantly; this was the season the cheese and silliness elevated to inside jokes and excellent wit. On my first visit it won me over a few episodes further out than on this revisit, but then again it speaks to a greater achievement that the full knowledge makes it possible to enjoy some episodes, scenes and jokes even more on the revisit.
2.03 School Hard
The arrival of Spike. I love this character, and he's one of the main reasons this show managed to stay fresh within itself. From the beginning he shows great attitude, and it was just a small taste of things to come....
2.06 Halloween
While the problem-of-the-week might lack a little punch, Sarah Michelle Gellar get to do some fine acting taking on a completely different take to Buffy. In no way a stand-out episode in the grand scheme of things, but still really enjoyable.
2.09 & 2.10 What's My Line?
Dying has consequences, and being The Chosen One makes no exemptions to the rule. A premise-tweak that sets up greater joys later on.
2.13 Surprise (1)
Our 16 year old heroine is turning 17, and while I would never say she's a woman now... some might. My first top-rated episode on the five-star rating scale, but there were greater things to come still... even as early as at the end of the season.
2.14 Innocence (2)
When they first hit the note, they even made it back-to-back top ratings in this double feature. It's not only death that comes with consequences, and Buffy will have to deal with the fallouts of her choices. An episode that again reminds us of the delicate nuances of the character Buffy; typical high school girl/coming of age problems brings back the insecure girl as easily as demons and vampires bring The Slayer.
2.17 Passion
With life, death and souls on the line, Whedon again proofs his ability to let go. The third five-star from me.
2.21 & 2.22 Becoming, Part 1 & 2
Whedon makes his first season-ending with a bang, a trade-mark he should later perfect. Without making silly mistakes, he manages to put it all at stake --no pun intended--, and much like in first season-finale Buffy will have to face extremely difficult choices.
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