Let's get this re-watching show on the road.
***
1x01 “Welcome to the Hellmouth”Episode Rating = 6
An excellent introduction to the series, “Welcome to the Hellmouth” is fairly unique among pilots in being able to stand as a worthwhile episode in its own right, establishing the show’s universe and characters but doing so in a way that avoids bogging the viewer down with exposition. The pacing is solid, the dialogue excellent and the characters likeable, and lots of information is presented without the story feeling rushed or laboured.
What I Liked about “Welcome to the Hellmouth”:- The teaser is a series classic, not for acting (both Julie Benz and her male co-star are mediocre at best), but for possessing the exact kind of stereotype subversion that became one of the show’s trademarks. It’s awesome to watch the meek blonde girl transform into a vampire and prey on the cocky guy, and grabs your attention immediately.
- I can’t believe I hadn’t noticed this before, but Buffy’s dream sequence is kind of clever in showing not only the Master, but flashes from the events of the rest of the season (I recall seeing Moloch and the demon from “The Puppet Show” bursting though the magic box, and I’m sure there are more).
- It’s strange to go back and see how young and fresh-faced the main cast is. Sarah Michelle Gellar looks particularly amazing, and while the Buffy character’s style (in terms of hair and make-up) wouldn’t be finalised until season two, SMG is at her hottest here - looking healthy instead of withdrawn and emaciated.
- The numerous character introductions (both to the audience and to each other) are memorable, and feel like natural occurrences instead of plot demands. Xander’s is especially good, with his crashing into the stair rail being a funny comedy moment and instantly establishing his attraction to Buffy. The later “can I have you?” comment; “I’ll see you at school, cause we both go there” and “You forgot your…stake” were wonderful too.
- Willow is consistently adorable, and her good nature coupled with her obvious outsider status makes her highly sympathetic. Her dialogue is charming throughout (her first reaction to Buffy being wondering if she wants her to move; dating Xander and the Barbie incident; and not being able to say “anything cool… or witty… or at all” when she’s with a guy she likes), and she fulfils the vulnerable damsel role without being specifically set-up for the part.
- Cordelia is very funny in this episode, improving on her appearance in the pilot by being her rich-bitch self without the over-the-top barbs. All of her lines are great, and I liked how she and Buffy were initially set up to be friends, only for things to quickly change when Buffy witnessed how nasty she was to Willow.
- The initial interaction between Buffy and Giles is well written, with both characters seeming to be testing the water around each other and displaying the mild antagonism that would quickly give way to a deeper bond. Buffy’s resistance to her calling and outburst about its downsides were a good way of giving her some extra depth, as well as introducing the concept that being the Slayer wouldn’t be all fun (not to mention alerting Xander to Buffy’s identity; his presence flowing nicely from the earlier scene where Willow suggested that he get a math book from the library).
- Jesse isn’t that great a character (basically being a less likeable Xander), but he’s fine in his brief appearances.
- The Master is quite a cool bad guy - I like the Nosferatu influence in his physical appearance, and while the gothic tone of the underground vamp sequences could have been corny, they were kept at a good level. In addition, the fact that the Sunnydale vamps were all under the Master’s tutelage (and obeying the Order’s rules to avoid living like humans) makes the townfolk’s ignorance of their existence more plausible.
- The closing scenes are exciting and well paced, alerting Willow and Xander to the truth about Sunnydale and giving Buffy an emotional investment in her first ‘case’ (after all, Willow was endangered by acting on her “seize the day” advice). The confrontation at the mausoleum is fun, and the closing moment relatively gripping.
What I found to be a mixed bag about “Welcome to the Hellmouth”:- I’m happy to forgive the discrepancies in Angel’s characterisation (his more playful, teasing nature; the insinuation that he’d never seen Buffy before) given that this ep was only a pilot, but David Boreanaz’s acting is another thing entirely. While he would get far better, it’s kind of obvious that he was chosen primarily for his looks, and his readings on several lines are terrible (“to kill ‘em ALL!”)
- Giles’ chat with Buffy about the roles of Slayer and Watcher is odd considering it was stuff she’d know, but I appreciate its necessity in communicating this info to the viewer. I also liked Buffy lampshading the strangeness by pointing out that she was already aware of everything he’d said.
- As with Angel, it’s clear that Darla’s character hadn’t been thought out, and there are zero traces of the awesome, dark Baroness persona she’d later adopt in her current presentation. However, as before, I’m willing to ignore this given the circumstances of the show’s airing.
- The special effects on Darla’s transition to vamp face could have done with some work, but they’re not too bad for low-budget mid-Nineties TV.
What I Disliked about “Welcome to the Hellmouth”:- This is more a problem for the entire season, but the score music needs some serious work. Given that this was filmed in 1996, there’s no excuse for those atrocious Eighties drum machines or squalling pop-metal guitars.
- Joyce’s hair. It’s very Laura-Ashley mumsy, and it was a distraction from her otherwise enjoyable scenes with Buffy.
- If the Master rose from a pool of blood, shouldn’t it have been dripping off of his face and body? The rising also doesn’t make much sense considering the backstory we’re given in “The Harvest”.
- How did Buffy and Xander know where to find Willow? They just pop up at the mausoleum, with no evidence of why/how they went there.
- The very last moment could have been handled more effectively. A cut to black and a ‘to be continued’ would have been more powerful than just freezing the image and writing the text.
Do I like this episode more or less than the last time I watched it?I feel very similarly, and am therefore keeping my original grade of 6 (remember that on my Buffy-only scale, a 6 is very good television). “Welcome to the Hellmouth” does its introductory job excellently, and I’d have no hesitation in putting in my top five episodes of season one.
).
