Top Ten Episodes Ever

[sassyeggs]

Okay, I've been spending way too much time discussing spoilers on the spoiler boards, and need to change the subject. So, what is everyone's Top Ten Episodes of BTVS ever? Mine:

10. The Gift- I didn't read any wildfeed or spoilers for this, so it was pretty mind-blowing. Plus, Willow looked really cool de-sucking Tara's brain.

9. Who Are You?- It was fun to see Eliza Dushku again, and the "Willow isn't driving stick anymore." line cracked me up. Plus, it was the first time Tara had a big hand in helping the Scoobies, aside from Hush.

8. New Moon Rising- a watershed episode for any Kitten. Bye-bye Oz. Even aside from all of the W/T bits, it was well-written and I enjoyed Anya doing a little computer action.

7. The Puppet Show- An oldie but goodie. The end monologue of the Scoobs doing their scene still cracks me up whenever I see it, especially when Willow just runs away.

6. Family- Enjoyable both for the exposition offered up for Tara, but I really liked the scene when Buffy and the Scoobs stood up for Tara when her dad was trying to take her. Quite touching, indeed. Go Scoobs!

5. The Body- Of course, I enjoyed the kissing, but it was also just so sad. I only put it this far down on the list because it was a sad episode and I don't want to encourage ME to make me cry. For some reason, Anya's speech in W/T's room gets me every time more than any other part.

4. Dopplegangland- Some of my favorite quotes come from this one. The "I think I'm kinda gay." one, and "Did you try looking inside the sofa...IN HELL?" I love Vamp Willow.

3. Hush- Ironically enough, very well written, and of course, introduces us to Tara. The Gentelmen were soooo creepy. Joss should've won the Emmy. Oh, well. A shiny nickel bets he'll get it for OMWF, though.

2. Restless- so much metaphor, and it was funny. Plus, it rewarded long-time fans with things like the "softer side of Sears" jumper's return, and ever the speculation whore, I'm still trying to figure out the significance of some of the stuff. Plus, the Cheese Guy reminds me of something that I might dream about.

1. Once More With Feeling- I was so expecting this to be stupid. How can they do a musical Buffy? I was never more pleased to be wrong, though. The show was fantastic in every facet, and I will be so disappointed if Joss isn't greatly rewarded come Emmy time for this one.

[Unregistered(d)]

Tabula Rasa

i thought it was sad and absolutely hysterical

and things like 'a vampire with a soul'
and 'i think i'm kinda gay'
that were wonderful

plus, michelle branch didn't hurt

[Still Waters Run Deep]

Ok, I tend to like the stand alone episodes, conections, set-ups etc notwithstanding, so here's my 10 in decending order

10. [b:0081a7c76e] Beer Bad [/b:0081a7c76e]... I know, I know...but its just good fun, and very reminiscent of early college days, and Sarah was really fun in this...and of course Willow took Parker to the cleaners.
9. [b:0081a7c76e] Welcome to the Hellmouth[/b:0081a7c76e] the first ever, and it blew me away...the dialouge, acting, everything, but especially Giles's 'we're doomed' at the end
8 [b:0081a7c76e] Who are you[/b:0081a7c76e] again for acting.. SMG as Faith as Buffy is wonderfull. Another chance for Sarah to shine
7 [b:0081a7c76e] Family[/b:0081a7c76e] Just a nice episode, where we finally really get to know Tara
6 [b:0081a7c76e] Anne[/b:0081a7c76e] a despondent Buffy, alone, caught by some nasties ... gets her spark back....... 'I'm Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, and you are?'
5 [b:0081a7c76e] Once more....[/b:0081a7c76e] just a a tour-de-force by the whole ensemble, and Ambers singing is truly ethereal
4 [b:0081a7c76e] The Body[/b:0081a7c76e] need I say any more? extraordinary. Why this never got an emmy only God knows.
3 [b:0081a7c76e] Restless [/b:0081a7c76e] enough riddles to keep a Kitten in theories for ever. and Amber looked beautiful in the desert.
2 [b:0081a7c76e] Hush [/b:0081a7c76e] Totally different, with the best Baddies ever. I wanted it to go on and on.
1. [b:0081a7c76e] Doppelgangland[/b:0081a7c76e] Loved Aly playing Willow, VampWillow, Willow pretending to be VampWillow, and VampWillow pretending to be Willow. Loved the 'Skanky and kinda gay line' and Angels response, and all the little nuances which suggest that our Willow is a little kinkier than we are led to believe. Love to see VampWillow back, or Willow to take on her [non-biting] persona...Ooooo...sex on legs!

Mind you I might change my mind next week, but most of these will be there!

[Incarnadine]

10- Restless, an odd episode that was loaded with foreshadowing. The cheese guy still makes me smile.
9- Earshot. Controversial due to its timing and was delayed forever but was worth the wait.
8- Primeval. I like a good action packed ending and the Ritual of Enjoining was a great touch with the consequences coming later in Restless.
7- New Moon Rising. Was there anyone really hoping Willow wouldn't choose Tara? I liked Oz well enough but until Tara was introduced I was still hoping she'd end up with Xander.
6- The Wish. Great use of alternate reality, and Vamp Willow in leather (enough said).
5- The Gift. The last episode I stayed unspoiled for, completely blew me away. Everything came together so perfectly, every single thread tied up tight and in a reasonable (in hindsight) and perfectly believable way.
4- Hush. Amazingly original. So little dialogue that the casts acting skills shone so much brighter through the subtle expressions and body language (i still crack up at buffy's embarrasment at miming staking the gentlemen after everyone looks at her weird)
3- The Body. Unbelievable writing and acting. Left me stunned with tears in my eyes. Just from a writing and acting standpoint it is probably #1 but it is SO BELIEVABLE and heartwrenching I can't watch it anywhere near as often as "my favorites".
2- OMWF. Brilliant. who would have though a musical would work as well as it did, especially with the cast doing their own singing. The plotlines used fit perfectly, nothing seemed forced. Definitely the high point of season 6.
1- Dopplegangland, Everything Aly. Leather, Vamp Willow, Leather, Fuzzy Willow, mixing and matching the 2 characters but Aly's superb acting with the most subtle changes of expression, attitude, and bearing makes it so you always know which is which regardless of the outfit did I mention leather? 8=)

Nmbers 1-6 are locks, but 7-10 can change depending on my mood

[sKeet]

11. What's My Line Part I and II

10. Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered

9. Becoming, Part Two

8. The Wish

7. Doppelgngland

6.Hush

5. Family

4. Triangle!!

3. The Gift

2. Once More with Feeling

1. Tabula Rasa

Actually these all rank in as my favorite episodes of Buffy. I almost got it down to 10, but couldn't take one off.

God there are so many that didn't get mentioned.

[Kamil]

Lordy, y'all don't pick easy questions, do you?

And before I get into my personal favorites, could I ask for someone to put together a list of all of the eps Tara's been in? Pretty please? You can email me, or post it to the kitten, whichever is easiest for you. Lum and I want to commit W/T vidding, and it'd be more than helpful if we had a short list to refer to when we're tearing our hair out and overloading the script site looking for the ep where "that" clip came from. Thanks ever so, in advance.

Okay, my ten favorites.. in seasonal order:

Prophecy Girl

Passion

Becoming

Lovers Walk

Dopplegangland

Hush

Something Blue

New Moon Rising

Fool For Love

The Body -- which interestingly enough aired fifteen years to the very day that I'd lost my own mother -- from complications due to a brain tumor. Youch.

Forever *sniffle*

Intervention

The Gift

Once More, With Feeling

Argh! That's fourteen *weep* And I'm not even into season six yet -- except for OM,WF and six has the wonderous Tabula Rasa, the wrenching Afterlife, the umm, heat of Smashed, the snickerfest of Gone -- how can you not love Willow and her can of pink spray paint and the singing, dancing coffee mug , the pain, literal and metaphorical of Dead Things --sympathetic!Tara is so cool and sweet and comforting... the meta commentary on the show, from within the structure of the show itself of Normal Again -- and how cool is that...and I'm stopping now.

Flog me if necessary -- I'll even pretend not to like it, as long as you promise not to use one of those nasty, evil velvet floggers; then I'll hate it. Honest.

And hell, Gingerbread is on right now, and it's just as good as anything I've already mentioned. This is just hopeless, not Helpless which is about to air, and also is muchly with the goodness.

*sigh* I'm a very bad man...err, woman.

[Rally]

I will be more than happy to smack you around with my bunny flogger Kamil. I know it will leave Anya in tears.

[tommo]

Kamil, why don't you just hop on over to The Buffy Episode Guide and look for yourself? It's very easy to navigate and requires only a modicom of time to ensure success.

[Wiccagrrl313]

Humm, tough one, but my top ten:

1) The Body.

2) Becoming Pt 2

3) Hush

4) Restless

5) Once More with Feeling

6) Prophecy Girl

7)The Wish

New Moon Rising

9) Welcome to the Hellmouth

10) The Gift.

[Arat Sevol Wolliw]

10 - Phases: It's a cute episode with Basic Buffy Qualities, and plus I just love the way Willow say "He said he was going through all these changes, and then he went through all these . . . CHANGES!" and don't forget Larry!

9 - Bad Girls: Lots o' Faith, and how can we forget the Bronze dance!!!

8 - The Puppet Show: I'm with sassyeggs, the little scene that plays during the credits is WAY WAY too funny!

7 - Tough Love: oh, I just love it sooo much.

6 - New Moon Rising: See the above reason for Tough Love

5 - Dopplegangland: Vamp Willow!

4 - Once More With Feeling: I seriously couldn't shut up about the greatness about this episoe for weeks after it aired and now I can't pinpoint anything specific, well except for the wonderful Tara song!!!!

3 - Tabula Rasa: Yay Michelle Branch!

2 - The Body: Oh, so sad, and Willow/Tara kisses

1 - Hush: This is just SO good it has ta be number one!!!

[AutumnT]

I can't put them in order. The order always changes.

Tabula Rasa
Hush
Restless
New Moon Rising
The Body
Once More With Feeling
Family
Who Are You
Dopplegangland
Tough Love

[Kamil]

[quote:415868817a][b:415868817a][i:415868817a]Quote:[/i:415868817a][/b:415868817a]

---

I will be more than happy to smack you around with my bunny flogger Kamil. I know it will leave Anya in tears.

---

[/quote:415868817a]

Promises, promises.

[quote:415868817a][b:415868817a][i:415868817a]Quote:[/i:415868817a][/b:415868817a]

---

Kamil, why don't you just hop on over to The Buffy Episode Guide and look for yourself? It's very easy to navigate and requires only a modicom of time to ensure success.

---

[/quote:415868817a]

Wow. I had *no* idea that site was out there. We've been using the shooting script site to look for clips, and it's not searchable, but this is ... and I'm all speechless and everything. This will make clip searchage so much easier, because it's way too easy to become distracted when looking at the shooting scripts, but this will be great.

Thanks muchly, Ruth.

[tommo]

It's so hard to choose just ten, because I like scenes from different episodes for different reasons. Hmm, but I shall attempt to whittle it down a bit...and the list below is for my favorite [b:afb47d1557] BtVS[/b:afb47d1557] episodes, not just Willow/Tara ones.

Like Autumn, I can't really assign order because I'll come back and think "nah, that's wrong".

Choices
Gingerbread
Band Candy
Dopplegangland
Hush
Who Are You
Tough Love
Tabula Rasa
Wrecked
Once More With Feeling

Eh, I think I'll still come back and say "nah, that's wrong" anyway. Boo.

[AutumnT]

Wrecked? Now that's one I did not expect. I'm curious now what makes it a top 10 for you because I get all the other ones. I like Wrecked but it's not up there for me. Care to share?

[Moridin]

it's probably willowtummy or somesuch, who needs high art when you got a common denominator *g*

6-10 ) I've only watched the show once, from ep1 to the newest (6x11 at the time I think) and cant make up my mind, so it's really a top5, in order to avoid making it a top50 or something.

5 ) New Moon Rising - Well written rollercoster (at least for the unspoiled among us)

4 ) Restless - I love stuff like this

3 ) Once More With Feeling - it blew me away

2 ) Hush - nuff said

1 ) The Body - It has a big effect on me every time I see it (wich isnt that often because even though I dont mind sad in my entertainment, there are limits, I'm not a machoist) and as mentioned before, it's Anya's speech that hits the hardest because it's so simple but true and to the heart of things.

[aa chan]

I know I didn't post a top ten list, but Wrecked would definitely be on my list too. It was a major turning point for Willow, having restored Amy to mask her pain over Tara. This is exactly what got her in trouble to begin with. I've always preferred Computer-Genius Willow over Witchy-Wicca Willow, and her giving up magic brings her back to her roots. How about Detective Willow with the pink paint in Gone? Also, I thought the end was very well acted on all characters' parts - Willow crying always gets me. it was an emothional rollercoaster for Willow and that's part of what makes me like it so much.

Then again, Willow is awesome anyway...

[Tiggrscorpio]

It is difficult to put them in order because I have different favorites depending on how I'm feeling. Tonight, here's the order:

1) Once More With Feeling - it could have been hokey, instead it was brilliant, moving all the storylines forward.

2) Tabula Rasa - hilarious and heart-breaking at the same time.

3) Hush - Giles' slide show is still one of the funniest things I've ever seen, plus Tara (duh!).

4) The Body - remarkable performance by all, particularly SMG, AH, AB and EC.

5) Family - the bed snuggle in the beginning and the dance in the end gives me a happy!

6) Tough Love - so many great lines from Willow: "She's my everything," "Hear that baby, you're my always." The depth of their love is expressed. Plus Willow going all paybacky.

7) New Moon Rising - when Tara tells Willow to do what makes her happy, the emotion in her voice gets me everytime.

Dogglegangland - two words - Alyson Hannigan. Her performance of four characters, each remarkably distinct, is flawless.

9) Gingerbread - I just love Willow in this episode.

10) Fear, Itself - Gachnar just cracks me up - "I bring the terror." LOL

[Puff]

Only ten? Well here they are in no particular order.

Hush - who can resist it?
Once more with feeling - They sing
Tabula Rasa - Rebecca rocks.
Tough love - The dress mmm
The body - Just rocked
Dopplegangland - vamp Willow
Bad girls - Come on its Faith
Killed by death - I thought the bad guy was scary
Nightmares - My favourite episode of season 1
Passion - Had some great moments.

I tried really hard not to choose Willow and Tara epsiodes here.

[girlwiththebraids]

only ten? well then, in no particular order, and subject to change five minutes from now...

lovers walk
homecoming
becoming part 1 and 2 (i'm counting this as one ep)
graduation part 1
hush
once more with feeling
bewitched bothered and bewildered
gingerbread
enemies
passion

and my bonus ep...the prom...because the monsters sucked but i'm a sucker for a happy ending

braids

[Willow wtch]

-----------------------------------
Gingerbread
New moon rising
Restless
Hush
The body
Dopplegangland
Family
Tabula Rasa
Tough Love
Once more with feeling
-----------------------------------
[img:a233a5de6b]http://www.colute.net/cwm/contrib/aahmed/biggrin.gif[/img:a233a5de6b]

[sundae]

I am an [b:a63fc35ddb] obsessive[/b:a63fc35ddb] list maker. It's sad

*drumroll please*

10. Tabula Rasa- funny one for good measure
9. Who Are You- Body-switching!!!
8. Family- mmm... Tara-centric ep
7. Becoming Part 2- another powerful ending
6. Passion- poor Giles but brilliant
5. The Gift- the tower scene is my favorite scene ever.
4. Hush- I swear this ep is perfect
3. The Body- *sob* brilliant *sob*
2. Restless- love to analyze this one to death
1. OMWF- I watched this episode something like 25 times.
The tape is starting to go all wonky.

edited because my brain thinks in HTML

[tommo]

Well Autumn, [b:5db313a56d] Wrecked[/b:5db313a56d] has many associations for me. I think the first thing is I love Aly so much and her scene where she breaks down is just perfect in lots of ways.

The other bit I think is the drugs thing. Despite the whole attraction of the tummy touching, I was just experiencing some major identifying throughout that episode.

So that's uh, my sharing. Ahem. Move along now, there's nothing to see here...

[AutumnT]

Well thanks for the explanation. I do agree that Aly is at the top of her game in this episode. Her breakdown just kills me. She can really tear your heart out when she's in pain.

[Xanadu20]

hmmm....ten? that's a tough one, and most of mine are already on somone else's list, but in random order:


The Gift
Becoming, Part Two
Hush
The Body
Once More, With Feeling
Doppelgangland
Restless
Who Are You
Fool For Love
Tabula Rasa

[juri sempai]

Favorite episodes, in no particular order (actually, I guess they are in order by season)...

**Bad Eggs - Yes I know, the stupidest episode ever, but it creeped the heck out of me because I have a thing about spidery ugly Alien face-hugger type monsters.
**Dopplegangland - One of the funniest episodes with great acting by Alyson. Full of great one liners "Gosh, look at those" "Bored now" etc.
**Hush - One word... Tara! Okay, another couple of words... Willow's "No! I've gone deaf!"
**Who Are You - Love the Buffy/Faith switch, Willow and Tara goodnes, Flaming O
**New Moon Rising - Put a big finality stamp on the Willow/Oz thing, Buffy finally bought a clue (even if Willow had to use big flashing neon signs to do it), the extra flamey candle, and Tara's selflessness.
**Restless - Just a fun episode with lots of foreshadowy goodness.
**Family - A nice Tara-centric episode, played around with the clueless W/T-bashers a bit: "oh yeah, Tara's a monster" Whoops, no she's not! And look at that! She's loved! By all the Scoobies (erm, except for Spike) and especially loved by Willow.
**Triangle - Anya and Willow interaction, "Well, hello! Gay now!"
**The Body - What can I say that hasn't already been said? Just an overall all-around wonderful episode.
**OMWF - Ummm... it was a damn good musical! Tara's song and voice were magnificent! And let's not forget the Floating O.
**Tabula Rasa - Just cuz it was funny, sad, funny, sad, touching, hot, and sad all in one.

Yeah, I went over by one episode. Couldn't be helped.

[girlwiththebraids]

damn..and i forgot restless...top tens are hopeless for me...

braids

[MadeinNZ]

Here are my top ten for today (it changes all the time). In no paticular order -

Phases
Becoming
Dopplegangland
Passion
OMWF
Tabula Rasa
New Moon Rising
Triangle
The Body
Hush

Wow - that was hard to narrow down. Now if you'd said top 40 ...

[mollyig]

Molly's top ten:

Tough Love
Family
Once more with feeling
The Wish
New moon rising
Hush
The Body
Tabula Rasa
Pangs
Bargaining

[heather galaxy]

10. becoming pt. 1 & 2
9. the gift
8. graduation day pt. 1 & 2
7. welcome to the hellmouth/ the harvest
6. doppelgangland
5. the wish
4. hush
3. the body
2. once more with feeling
1. restless

[WebWarlock]

Wow Top ten....

Hmm. Well here they are.

[b:1180f75030] 10. Buffy vs. Dracula [/b:1180f75030] mostly cheese, but how can you go wrong with the Slayer and the most famous vampire of all time. I was expecting this one to be bad, but it was handled quite well really. And it was written by Marti, weird.
Favorite line: Buffy: This isn't just a fanboy thing, is it? 'Cause I've fought more than a couple of pimply, overweight vamps who called themselves Lestat.

[b:1180f75030] 9. Dopplegngland [/b:1180f75030] A Willow tour de force! Magicy Willow. Vamp Willow. All sorts of great things. Of course the kinda gay foreshadowing.
Favorite line: Willow: Say, you didn't all happen to do a bunch of drugs, did you?

[b:1180f75030] 8. Tabula Rasa [/b:1180f75030] very happy and very sad at the same time. We get some really funny bits that remind of the series of old. Willow and Tara uncontrollably drawn to each other. Return of the kinda gay line. Buffy as Joan, Spike as Randy. But it all ends very badly. Tara gone. Giles gone. Buffywell gone.
Favorite line (well favorite is an odd word for it. The line that got me.): Tara: I don't think this is working.
The strength in this one line. This was harder for her to do than to stand up to Glory.

[b:1180f75030] 7. The Gift - [/b:1180f75030] A good season finale should involve everyone, but of course focus on Buffy. The Gift does this. Everyone has something to contribute. I thought Willow was underused in Graduation Day, but here she is the Big Gun. Affirmation that Willow and Tara will always find each other. Buffy making the ultimate sacrifice. Anya saving Xander by pushing away from the falling debris. And a we bit of the old ultraviolence we expect from Ripper.
Favorite Quote: Willow: Shes with me. Willow getting all large with the butch.

[b:1180f75030] 6. Tough Love [/b:1180f75030] Tara and Willows relationship is in jeopardy. Must be Episode 19. Of course Willow and Tara are the A plot here. Was there a B plot? Oh yeah, Buffy and Dawn. I generally ignore that. I was very glad that they had the guts to show Willow and Tara fight. That is what real lovers do. Great moments. Taras steel resolve in the face of Glory. Willows fear and then horror and sadness when she finds Tara. And then, the first instance of Black Magic Willow. I am not into revengy Willow, but to quote Spike, Id do it. For someone I loved.
Favorite Quote: Willow: Shes my everything. Not the pain one (though that is good.) but the simple statement of what Tara is.

[b:1180f75030] 5. Becoming Part1 and Part 2 [/b:1180f75030] This was the season finale to end all. Sure Buffy died in The Gift but in Becoming she lost everything. Her friends were taken from her. Angel an evil bastard. Kicked out of school. Blamed for Kendras murder. Everything hits the fan and she alone. And then the only way to save the world is to kill the only person she has ever loved. You might not be a B/A shipper, but you gotta admit that was powerful stuff. Plus the beginning of magicky Willow.
Favorite line: Angel: That's everything, huh? No weapons, no friends. No hope. Take all that away and what's left?
Buffy : Me.

[b:1180f75030] 4. New Moon Rising [/b:1180f75030] no self respecting shipper could not have this in their top ten. Willow and Tara. Together. See ya later wolfboy! Dont let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. The exchange between Willow and Tara at the end is beyond any other declaration of love we have ever seen in the show. Any show.
Favorite line: Willow: Its complicatedbecause of Tara.
So much was said in that one line.

[b:1180f75030] 3. The Body [/b:1180f75030] a phenomenal episode that punches you in the gut. It was best as a Joss episode, not just a Buffy episode. Everyone gets to shine. Buffy trying to be strong. Supportive Tara. Barely contained anger in Xander. Sadness in Willow. But nothing compares to the confusion in Anya. She is both mature and like a child in her innocence the whole time. The Willow and Tara kiss.
Favorite line: Anyas whole I dont understand! scene and her breakdown.

[b:1180f75030] 2. Once More, With Feeling [/b:1180f75030] crimony. What is not to love. Like many others I thought this was going to suck so bad. Now, I think I have it watched more than any other episode of Buffy. Great songs, dancing, floating oral sex. It is all very silly.
Favorite line: Gods how to pick just one? Willow and Taras big scene.

[b:1180f75030] 1. Hush [/b:1180f75030] Now this was just plain freaky. The gentlemen were easily one of the best horror creations ever. The silence. The handhold and the soda machine. This was a freaking brilliant episode.
Favorite line: Hmm. Well over half of the episode had no lines. Ok.
Riley: So, tell me about your dream. As a psych major I'm qualified to go Hmmmm.
So sue me, I was a psych major in college, I liked it.

Warlock