15 Most Important Buffy The Vampire Slayer Episodes

The most controversial, divisive and dark episode of the entire franchise, there is no episode in Buffy's history that is as important to the plot of the show's later years than Seeing Red.

After getting back together following a long separation, Willow and Tara enjoy a day in bed, reconnecting and picking up where they left off. Meanwhile, Xander and Buffy patch things up after a falling out. Both of these touching moments are thrown under the bus when a humiliated Warren Mears turns up at Buffy's house and shoots up the place, badly wounding Buffy and accidentally killing Tara.

In that one moment, Willow gives into her magic addiction and becomes Dark Willow, sights set on killing Warren, Andrew and Jonathan for their actions.

But that's not all that happens in Seeing Red, as the episode doubles down on his harsh events when Spike attempts to rape Buffy. With this act, Spike ruins his relationship with the Slayer and realises he can't be with her when he doesn't have a soul. At the end of the episode, he leaves town, setting in motion his final redemption in season seven.

Seeing Red is not a fun episode, but it is necessary to the plot and the developments of the show's core characters.