8. Buffy The Vampire Slayer, "Prophecy Girl" (Season 1, Episode 12)
In some ways, Buffy was always a show about growing up. Through high school, college, and beyond, the show made the monsters and demons of adolescence real. The first-season finale, "Prophecy Girl", embodies this philosophy to its core, while presenting a dramatic, action-packed story as well. The setup is simple: a prophecy is discovered that foretells the death of the Slayer at the hands of the Master (an ancient vampire rising in Sunnydale), and its contents challenge the roles and relationships of all the characters especially Buffy. It strikes to the heart of the heroine's dilemma: to fight for a world that doesn't even know she exists, or live her own life (or just live, period). And if her plaintive "I'm sixteen years old. I don't wanna die..." doesn't sell you on the heart and soul of Buffy (the show and the character alike), nothing will. Many fans of the show, myself included, will point to Season 2 (especially the 'Becoming' story arc) as some of the best storytelling in the entire series. Not only is Prophecy Girl a great introduction to the dynamics, characters, and structures of the show, it is also a lead-in to the time when Buffy really found its footing as a series a great episode with which to hook (and keep) new viewers.