10 Darkest Buffy The Vampire Slayer Moments
2. All Of ‘The Body’ (Season 5, Episode 16)
According to Joss Whedon, The Body is the best thing he’s ever done. And whilst fans of Buffy will always argue about which episode is the greatest, The Body is regarded by many as one of the show’s best episodes.
The story starts with Buffy discovering her mother’s body on the couch. She then rings the emergency services before trying to resuscitate her. This proves to be futile, however, and the rest of the episode focuses on Buffy trying to come to terms with Joyce’s death.
It’s difficult to put into words why this episode works so well if you haven’t actually seen it. The fantastical element of the show is almost non-existent. Instead, all the usual comedy and adventure is replaced with a numb, morbid atmosphere. There’s also no music in this episode. And this unique feature allows the performances to shine through without any kind of filter.
Due to the tragic premise of the story, it would be weird to describe this episode as ‘enjoyable’. It is, however, one of the most moving pieces of television you’ll ever see.