Why a ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Revival Is So Exciting — and So Terrifying

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In a contemporary twist that feels fitting for the times, the revival of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” with Sarah Michelle Gellar is undeniably the epitome of 2020s pop culture. It’s become commonplace in today’s entertainment landscape to revisit classic TV series from the past four decades, often featuring some of the original cast (referred to as legacy sequels, revivals or “requels”). Shows like “And Just Like That” on HBO Max, “That ’90s Show” on Netflix, “Star Trek: Picard,” and even new renditions of “Frasier” and “Dexter” streaming on Paramount+, invite us to revisit our TV pasts in refreshed iterations.

A modern interpretation of “Buffy” carries a stronger symbolic significance. Naturally, there are numerous historical reasons for this, such as its debut on the emerging network The WB in 1997 as a mid-season replacement. Against all odds, “Buffy” swiftly transformed into a trailblazer, not only in television format but also content. By reimagining the horror movie’s final girl as a fearless protagonist who physically vanquishes her demons and structuring its narrative around seasonal arcs that build towards a dramatic climax, “Buffy” paved the way for the subsequent 25 years of boundary-pushing entertainment. Shows like “Supernatural,” “True Blood,” “Alias,” “Once Upon a Time,” “The Vampire Diaries,” “Veronica Mars,” “Teen Wolf,” “The Magicians,” “Jessica Jones,” “Orphan Black,” “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina,” “Wynonna Earp,” “Riverdale,” “Wednesday,” “Game of Thrones” – none of these series, along with numerous others, would have taken the shape they did without “Buffy.

Beyond just being a popular TV series, ‘Buffy’ significantly influenced how viewers perceive themselves and the world. The show’s unique blend of moral justice, distinctive teenage slang, and its ability to combine humor, fear, and sadness in a single scene, often featuring mysterious monsters, gave it depth. What made it truly special was that its characters were so vividly portrayed that they seemed like our dearest friends. We shared their happiness, fear, and pain because they felt like our own.

I’m genuinely excited and apprehensive about the prospect of “Buffy” coming back on our screens. The show and its characters have been deeply missed by me, something that I didn’t fully realize until the news started circulating in our Slack rooms. Based on the number of colleagues who reacted similarly, it seems I’m not the only one feeling this way. The creative team behind it – Nora Zuckerman and Lilla Zuckerman from “Poker Face” and Chloé Zhao, an Oscar-winning director from “Nomadland” – have a proven track record of excellence. The narrative focus on a new Slayer led by Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Buffy Summers is familiar but promising. Given the current state of the world, a story about a woman fighting against evil feels particularly relevant and timely.

However, the apprehension, oh deity, the apprehension. Let’s delve into the scholarly concerns first. When “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” ended its seven-season run in 2003, it dramatically altered its underlying mythology by transforming all potential Slayers into active ones. Will this still be the case when the new series starts? If so, how can we focus on one new Slayer if there are numerous others also staking vampires? If not, how will the revival convincingly rewrite one of the most impressive series finale twists from the last 25 years? To add to this, will the revival incorporate the “Buffy” comic series that prolonged the story for five more ‘seasons’, during which Buffy destroyed the source of all magic on Earth and things became even more chaotic?

The sequel comics, you might notice, were primarily supervised and often penned by Joss Whedon, who initially brought Buffy to life through the 1992 film of the same name starring Kristy Swanson. Whedon’s unique narrative style and storytelling talent have significantly contributed to Buffy’s longevity as a TV series. However, his absence from the reboot is essential. His career took a downward turn following accusations of misconduct on the sets of “Buffy,” “Angel,” and “Justice League” by Charisma Carpenter and Ray Fisher respectively. Whedon later addressed Carpenter’s allegations, stating he was “not polite” with her but “most of my interactions with Charisma were pleasant and enjoyable”; by then, numerous Buffy cast members had publicly supported Carpenter. Sarah Gellar’s statement was particularly damning: “I am proud to be linked with Buffy Summers, but I don’t want to always be associated with the name Joss Whedon.

Could “Buffy” maintain its unique charm even without Joss Whedon? Absolutely! Many other talented writers played significant roles in the show’s success. The character and her universe are so richly developed that capable storytellers should be able to evoke its essence without resorting to a clumsy reboot, instead. (And hopefully, they would manage it far better than my recent attempt here.)

The key question isn’t whether “Buffy” can come back without Joss Whedon; it’s more about whether it can return without all the essential creators who made it unique. Will the upcoming revival feature Buffy’s best friend, the potent witch Willow (Alyson Hannigan), or her mentor, Giles (Anthony Stewart Head)? Will we see Buffy’s sister, Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg), or her other close friend, Xander (Nicholas Brendon)? Could we expect appearances from Buffy’s vampire ex-lovers, Angel (David Boreanaz) and Spike (James Masters), given the complications that arise because vampires are timeless but human actors aren’t? Will any former “Buffy” scriptwriters — like Marti Nixon, Drew Goddard, Jane Espenson or Steven S. DeKnight — contribute episodes? Will Nerf Herder compose the theme song again?

These questions aren’t impossible to overcome, and the involvement of some or even all original cast members isn’t essential for fans to eagerly anticipate a revival. However, it’s important to understand that whatever shape this “Buffy” reboot takes, it won’t be the original show. Instead, this new generation will have its own “Buffy”. I truly hope she lives up to the expectation and excels in her role as a strong protagonist.

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2025-02-04 02:47