20 Best Buffy The Vampire Slayer Episodes

16. The Zeppo

The title of this episode comes from the Marx Brothers. Groucho, Harpo, and Chico were the three main comedians in the group, and their brother Zeppo was frequently relied upon to play the straight man (despite the fact that the other three considered him to be the funniest one in the family). The Zeppo has come to be an expression that refers to someone who is overlooked and unappreciated. And really, that's a perfect way to describe Xander within the context of the Scooby Gang. Because this is his episode, from start to finish. It takes a bit of a Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead approach, focusing on what the ordinary character of the bunch is doing while the heroes are off fighting an oncoming apocalypse. His adventure is alternately hilarious and emotionally affecting, as we see exactly what he accomplishes when no one is paying attention.