Ranking The Big Bads From Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Mayor Richard Wilkins was an immortal warlock who founded the town of Sunnydale in the 1800s. He planned to 'ascend' into becoming a pure breed demon at Buffy's graduation, which would turn him into a massive snake-like creature. Wilkins was the Big Bad of Buffy's third and best season.

He presented himself as a light-hearted and jovial family man, which contrasted humorously with his supernatural and evil deeds. Wilkins was one of the most naturally funny villains on the show, but he also managed to keep up a sense of true menace.

After taking Faith under his wing, the two develop a surprisingly endearing relationship that added to Wilkins' character, showing a side of sympathy that is lacking in the other more demonic and nefarious antagonists.

His jolly care-free attitude always gave him a sense of untouchability as he feared nothing except any harm coming to Faith. After she is put in a coma, Wilkins' positive demeanour breaks as he violently tries to smother Buffy to death in a hospital bed. It's a powerful moment that solidifies his affections for Faith as genuine. Seeing his pain and anguish shows that to him he is the hero of his own story, as opposed to most of the other Big Bads who relish being villainous.