10 Smartest Moments In Buffy The Vampire Slayer
If you want to survive in Sunnydale, being smart will definitely help you out...
The characters in Buffy the Vampire Slayer are key to the show’s success. The central gang are a distinctive yet relatable group of nuanced individuals, and they all have their own unique abilities and quirks.
Whilst their combat skills are invaluable in times of need, their minds are just as important. Giles and Willow are the brainiacs of the group, but Buffy can also be incredibly clever at times, particularly in dangerous situations. And it’s not just the heroes who are smart. Some of the villains also use their intellect in order to take down their enemies.
Many of the smartest moments in the show involve thinking outside the box, staying calm under pressure, or tricking people into doing certain things. Sometimes, this requires an elaborate, pre-planned scheme. But some characters also demonstrate their intellect by pulling off an ingenious move in a matter of seconds.
Though many of the best moments in Buffy the Vampire Slayer involve an epic battle or an emotional piece of dialogue, these intellectual triumphs are still a joy to witness, especially if you don’t see them coming.
10. Realising The Demon Can Only Be Seen By Sick Children – Buffy (Season 2, Episode 18)
In the eighteenth episode of Season 2, Buffy catches a fever and ends up in hospital. Though her condition isn’t life-threatening, she struggles to relax, as there’s clearly something creepy going on.
During her first night at the hospital, Buffy sees a goblin-like demon with pointed teeth and a top hat. But due to her weakened condition, she can't be sure that the demon was genuine. However, Buffy wasn’t the only one who saw something strange. The younger children also saw the demon. After recovering from her illness, Buffy sees Doctor Backer being murdered, but she can no longer see the demon who’s attacking him.
It’s a baffling state of affairs, but Buffy ultimately realises the truth: the demon can only be seen by sick children. Neither Giles nor Willow – who are typically the smartest members of the group – were able to figure this one out, yet Buffy managed to spot the connection despite her recent illness.
Determined to put a stop to the murders, Buffy (who is still underage at this point) deliberately makes herself ill again and takes down the demon by snapping its neck.