15 Best Buffy The Vampire Slayer Episodes

"It's not like I haven't helped before. I've done some quality violence for these people."

Season three's The Zeppo is a seriously clever piece of storytelling that puts funny man and sidekick Xander in the spotlight as he tries to find his place in the gang.

The episode is great for a number of reasons, the most obvious of which is just how much entertaining trouble Xander gets himself into. Buying a smart new car and finding himself embroiled in a demon plot to blow up the high school, Xander realises he has to save the day after the gang shuns him from their own, end of the world adventure.

As he runs around Sunnydale taking on demons and putting his detective skills to work, the rest of the Scoobies can be seen in the background, fighting the Hellmouth in an apocalyptic battle.

The Zeppo is a great showcase for Xander as a character, showing off just how funny, brave and genuinely heroic he can, but is also the crowning achievement of actor Nicholas Brendon, who balances the sarcasm of his character with his need to be taken seriously and prove himself.

And that final moment, where he chooses to keep his adventure to himself? Just brilliant.