6 Reasons Buffy the Vampire Slayer Was (and Still Is) the Best Show Ever

Despite the fact that it's been 20 years since Buffy premiered (WHAT!), the show has the staying power of a vampire that never dies. Those of us who grew up watching the series still cherish it, and today's teens who binge-watch it on Netflix understand why.

Nowhere was this more evident than at a Buffy the Vampire Slayer 2015 Comic-Con panel called "The Buffy Effect," which drew more than 200 people. Various young adult authors discussed the incredible writing and storytelling of the show and why it has a long-lasting cult following. Perhaps one member of the audience said it best: "Nothing lodges in you so powerfully and deeply as things you loved as a teen." Get ready to break down why it's one of the greatest shows ever and then check out the best Buffy GIFs.

01
Buffy was a badass inspiration.
Warner Bros.

Buffy was a badass inspiration.

She was one of the first strong female leads who was also a teenager. She didn't need a guy to take care of her — she showed us girls that we were strong too. As young women dealing with teenage drama, we needed to see that empowerment in someone else. Plus, she set the precedent for series like Alias and Veronica Mars and made us ask, “Where’s the kickass female?” whenever we watched other shows and movies.

02
But it wasn't all about her.
Warner Bros.

But it wasn't all about her.

Thanks to the show, we learned how valuable friendships were in our teenage years. Buffy, Willow, and Xander were always there for each other and complemented one other. Willow gradually came into her own with the help of her friends and Buffy felt safe enough to share her secret with them.

03
The show was relatable.
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The show was relatable.

Buffy accurately captured the teen experience without being condescending. Like us, the characters got embarrassed by their moms, experienced heartbreak, dealt with friendship drama, and felt like their worlds were ending. (Remember that time Willow had a meltdown when she couldn't find a certain shirt to wear to the hospital in "The Body" episode?). Sure, every episode had supernatural elements, but the fantastic storytelling kept it real and always revolved around the human experience.

04
The characters had depth.
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The characters had depth.

Take Buffy . . . sure, she kicked ass but she was vulnerable and girlie at the same time, which was OK. Case in point: after Angel turned evil in the "Innocence" episode, Buffy showed her fierce side by trying to attack him in order to save Xander. Not too long after, though, she was sobbing at home after seeing Angel's ring on her finger and the cross that he had given her. She was complicated — in the best way possible.

05
It gave us the best one-liners to quote.
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It gave us the best one-liners to quote.

"I'm cookie dough." — Buffy
"I’ve seen honest faces before. They’re usually attached to liars." — Willow
"Out.for.a.walk.bitch." — Spike
"I'm not exactly quaking in my stylish yet affordable boots." — Buffy
"The hardest thing in this world is to live in it. Be brave. Live. For me." — Buffy

Shall we continue?

06
Ultimately, Buffy was more than just a show.
Warner Bros.

Ultimately, Buffy was more than just a show.

For many of us, Buffy changed how we looked at the world — it made us think about our purpose in life and how we were going to impact the world in a positive way, like she did. Her time on earth was important, and we realized that ours was too.