9. Season 3: Mayor Go Boom
If there is one scene from Buffy that never fails to get my heart racing or put a great big smile across my face it is in the final episode of Season 3, "Graduation Day Part 2". Buffy was always good at offering its audience last minute surprises... in fact it was actually one of Buffy's trademark moves. We never really knew all that much about Buffy's plans to kill the Big Bads until right at the last minute. When Buffy and her friends walk up to their graduation in their gowns and sit down in their seats, waiting for the Mayor to ascend into a higher being; a giant snake, the tension and anticipation is unbearable. We all know something is about to go down, and we all know that the Mayor is going to transform during his speech to the class and intends to eat them all, but we really don't know all that much about what Buffy has planned for him. The fact that Buffy looks so calm as she waits for a massacre is disconcerting. When the Mayor begins to transform, and stands over the school students waiting to attack we think Buffy and the class of 99 are all doomed... that is until Buffy and everyone else stands up, removes their gowns and take out their weapons. Buffy has recruited an army to help fight for her, and this single moment takes your breath away. Still, even then it seems somewhat unlikely that the class will actually be able to win. But Buffy being Buffy has another trick up it's sleeve. Buffy manages to make the Mayor, now a giant snake chase her through the school, trapping him inside, and then having Giles blow the school, and with it the Mayor to pieces. This is one of two times when Giles arguably defeats the Big Bad (the second being Glory in season 5).