Considerably The Worst Season...

[Fahim]

In my eyes. Except for Living Conditions, Hush, Something Blue, and Restless. This is the worst season. I Hated Riley, very bad rebound for Buffy. I hated the whole Intiative and Maggie Walsh or w/e storyline, it was very tedious and dull.

There were so many bad episodes!!! Like Beer Bad, Where The Wild Things Are, Good bye Iowa, I In Team...

Anyone share my sentiments about the biggest flaw in buffy???

The only good thing about this season, was Anya, Willow, Tara's character Devloppement

And Buffy looked priceless ;)

[SpikedBuffy]

I don't think that I really agree with you on this one. Of course, season four has many flaws, but season four has some phenomal and funny episodes that cannot be overlooked.

There are some great themes in the season (Faith vs Buffy), regrouping of the Original gang, and an interesting development with one of the characters (Spike). All of the things that happened in season four majorly affect the outcomes of the remaining seasons.

[Patran]

Have to admit that I personally put this season above S6. It wasn't a vintage season for Buffy and had arguably it's worst ever episode, but it had more good episodes than S6, and a much better end to the season.

[eponinethen]

There are some great themes in the season (Faith vs Buffy), regrouping of the Original gang, and an interesting development with one of the characters (Spike). All of the things that happened in season four majorly affect the outcomes of the remaining seasons.
This I definitely agree on. I also really love Anya in this season. And the fact that Tara is on the show. The college thing also works okay, and Riley is actually okay in the beginning of the season...
But, all that still doesn't really change the fact that this is probably my least favorite season (after season 2). It's just pointless as a season. There are some cool stuff but (it's been said before but I'm saying it again) the Initiative thing just isn't working, and Adam just isn't an interesting Big Bad. And well, Riley (after his first episodes) doesn't make anything better... at all. Unfortunately.

[Joamna]

I think I can agree that season 4 is my least favourite season, but I defenitely don't dislike it (I really can't dislike anything in the Buffyverse, I think anyway..), and it has a lot of episodes that I don't mind watching over and over again. The thing that doesn't work for me is Adam and the Initiative,

And I kinda like Beer bad in a way or two, especially when Buffy hits Parker :D

[Primal Slayer]

I thought it was a good season, not my absolute favorite but good nonetheless.

You have:
Freshmen
Living Conditions
The Harsh Day of Light
Fear Itself
Pangs
Something Blue
Hush
This Years Girl
Who Are You?
SuperStar
New Moon Rising
The Yoko Factor
Primeval
Restless

So it was a good season, and it brought change to the charecters, like Willow becoming bisexual(gay by the shows standers), Buffy having to rely on herself a lot more, Giles becoming his own person, Xander finding jobs, Anya just in general, Spike getting his chip.

[Xin Rong]

I agree, i hated spike getting chipped it ruined his character completely, riely was annoying and was just so annoying. and the whole storyline annoyed me because it didn't make sense that demon parts can be fused with robotics ad human parts especially without magic, at least from a current day science pov

[eponinethen]

Well the thing is, I can come up with soo many reasons to love this season. And I can think of many episode to love. But, when I do watch those episodes, I always get disappointed, when Riley turns up and sort of ruins parts of the episode for me. I thought I was being a bit silly, and maybe he really wasn't that bad... But, I realize over and over again when I watch this season that he really is. He ruins some things completely for me... just like the whole Initiative thing..

[Beer_Nut]

While season 4 is definitely not my favourite season it was still better than the best season of most shows. I still really enjoyed the season even though I'm not a Riley fan either.

[Anchovy]

Hmm, I actually love Season 4...mostly...because Marc Blucas is smokin' hot..No, kidding. I like Season 4 because, to me, it marks the beginning of a more expansive, bigger show. In Seasons 1-3, BtVS was sort of...small. Everything was focused in this small town and this little high school. Even LA was forever away, even though it was just 2 hours down the road. But Season 4 started to introduce bigger-than-high-school issues to the show: starting college, men who suck, national government conspiracies. 'Hush' sort of epitomized it for me, in that here's a problem that the whole town is involved in, not just the Scoobies. And I guess that really started in Graduation Day pt.2 when the whole school stood up to the mayor. I even love the "magic vs. science" idea.

The only real problems that I have with Season 4 are involved with the Initiative itself. First off, I don't think the writers did ANY research whatsoever about how the military works. I don't think they'd even seen a war movie at this point. I mean, come on, the Marines and the Army are two seperate things, which is Riley? Is he a Marine (as he says in 'Who Are You?') or Army (as is implied in 'Into the Woods')? Why are the boys only greasepainted-up once? Why do they wear BDU trousers with the wrong shirt while operating on a collge campus? Why is that one guy carrying a FAMAS? So many unaswered questions. ;) Secondly: Adam. NOT scary.

The story of the season, outside of the Initiative, I like (Willow and Oz's arc, Tara, the Scoobies drifting apart, GIles having no life). It's just the Initiative that bugs me. And it's not even that there's an anti-military message: I don't see it that way (it's a message about questioning authority of all kinds and learning to think for yourself) it's just that its sooooooooo wrong in all the little details that bug the crap out of me! ;)

[Amber Benson]

I actually agree with Anchovy... Season 4 to me, HAD the potential to be best season... It started out that way, but again, just like everyone else has said... TOO MUCH INITIATIVE (sorry, not about the play on words ;))

Everything besides the "I", I think, was the turning point for BtVS. They all went through some significant changes in their lives, and I think that without the way that season 4 went, they never would have reached the points they did later in the series... Plus, Hush... MY favorite episode (besides OMWF)...

[THE BLUE]

The worst season was the season 6.

[phoenixrising]

While I'll agree that the Intiative was a good idea badly used and Adam was the least scary Big Bad next to the Evil Trio, the season had far too many good points to be called the worst ever.

You had:
-Xander's morale boosting speech to Buffy in "The Freshman"
-Anya
-Willow's heartache at Oz's departure, finding new love with Tara and confusion when Oz comes back
-The body switching between Buffy and Faith
-Angel and Riley kicking each other's butts
-The Scoobies breaking up and coming back together (in the most literal way possible)
-And of course "Hush"

Season four was not the best season of the show, but it was hardle the worst.

[FahrbotDrusilla]

The worst season was the season 6.
I agree but I think I probably dissagree with your reasons LOL

[THE BLUE]

I agree but I think I probably dissagree with your reasons LOL

I have never stated my reasons, how can you disagree?

[Spuffiness]

My favorite season was season 6! And I really love season 4, even if it's season Riley kind of season.

[THE BLUE]

Riley was not so bad.

[FahrbotDrusilla]

I have never stated my reasons, how can you disagree?
I get an anti-anyone-with-Buffy but Angel vibe from you LOL

[THE BLUE]

I get an anti-anyone-with-Buffy but Angel vibe from you LOL

You are a Spuffy, aren't you?

[FahrbotDrusilla]

You are a Spuffy, aren't you?
Not really... LOL sometimes I am, but no.

[Eliza121]

Hmmmmmm....this is a toughie I dont dislike the seasoon of course every season had its ups and downs! But I did like Anya in this, she slowly started to come out of her shell in this season! Giles I found I liked him more, he was more...laidback! Buffy was Buffy,Xander was Xander, and I liked the whole Idea of Willow meeting Tara in this season, it was well done their relationship building up! As I was sad that Oz went though, I disliked Riely but then again, I've always disliked the character! But yeah I hated the idea of Spike having a chip in his head, I was like nooooooooooo! I prefer the guy bad and fighting against Buffy not with! I wasnt fussed on the "Big bad" in this season either. Adam was okbut he wernt my cup of tea for a baddie sorry. But season 4 certainly had it good eppys =D

Hush
Something Blue
restless
Living conditions
Fear itself
beer bad
pangs
superstar
This years girl
Who are you?
Freshman
Primeval

And a couple more. It was not the best season, but not the worst!

[THE BLUE]

I liked the episodes with Faith. Interesting. Because generally I don't like her.

[StuckinTraffic]

Hmm, I actually love Season 4...mostly...because Marc Blucas is smokin' hot..No, kidding. I like Season 4 because, to me, it marks the beginning of a more expansive, bigger show. In Seasons 1-3, BtVS was sort of...small. Everything was focused in this small town and this little high school. Even LA was forever away, even though it was just 2 hours down the road. But Season 4 started to introduce bigger-than-high-school issues to the show: starting college, men who suck, national government conspiracies. 'Hush' sort of epitomized it for me, in that here's a problem that the whole town is involved in, not just the Scoobies. And I guess that really started in Graduation Day pt.2 when the whole school stood up to the mayor. I even love the "magic vs. science" idea.

The only real problems that I have with Season 4 are involved with the Initiative itself. First off, I don't think the writers did ANY research whatsoever about how the military works. I don't think they'd even seen a war movie at this point. I mean, come on, the Marines and the Army are two seperate things, which is Riley? Is he a Marine (as he says in 'Who Are You?') or Army (as is implied in 'Into the Woods')? Why are the boys only greasepainted-up once? Why do they wear BDU trousers with the wrong shirt while operating on a collge campus? Why is that one guy carrying a FAMAS? So many unaswered questions. ;) Secondly: Adam. NOT scary.

The story of the season, outside of the Initiative, I like (Willow and Oz's arc, Tara, the Scoobies drifting apart, GIles having no life). It's just the Initiative that bugs me. And it's not even that there's an anti-military message: I don't see it that way (it's a message about questioning authority of all kinds and learning to think for yourself) it's just that its sooooooooo wrong in all the little details that bug the crap out of me! ;)You hit it spot on for me, couldn't have said it better myself!

[StuckinTraffic]

You had:
-Angel and Riley kicking each other's butts
-The Scoobies breaking up and coming back together (in the most literal way possible)
-And of course "Hush"
Some of my favorite Buffy moments......

[Bored of the Dead]

Season to me was the worst of a great lot...now that in no way means i dislike it.....i adore this season, stand alones, and arcs. Ok teh Initiative is a touch hokey, but come on.....the government had to be involved at some point...of course they would no....Riley sucked....he sucked huge great donkey kong balls, but i think that was more Blucas then Riley, he is Pretty Boy No Talent....thats all. FrankenAdam was a bit dull but a plausible bad, and the idea of grafting Demonic parts onto a human body, well Limbs and internal organs are transplanted and/or re-attached all the time so its not as preposterous as someone stated earlier.
Now down to the Episodes.


The Freshman - A great season opener showing Buffy out of her depth and trying to adjust, and giving us a look at how the four cope with the new situation.

Lving Conditions - Kathy was awesome, i thought this was a fab episode, showing Buffy as unstable...I knwo what its like...i had a Kathyesque room mate at Uni.

Harsh Light of Day - OMG what a pairing, Harmony and Spike....i love Evil, no chip spike.

Fear itself - a great episode playing on the fears of the group, followed by the best climactic bad guy of the entire show...lol.

Beer Bad - Episode Bad, though Buffy hitting Parker, and Willow and Parker chatting are quite funny.

Wild at Heart - This episode affected me more then The Angel Buffy break ups and the Xander Cordelia ones. I loved Oz and Willow and to see them break up....but i still loved it.

The Initiative - The members of the initiative and there connection with Buffy was a great twist, and i loved impotent spike and upset willow, easily one of my favourite scenes in any series.

Pangs - Possibly my favourite of the Cross-overs....This took a sensitive topic and did handled it well while still being interesting...oh and Giles, "Yes, always behind on terms. I'm still trying not to refer to you lot as 'bloody colonials"

Something Blue - One of my favourite comic episodes......so funny and well executed.

Hush - OMG what a freaky, creepy episode, genuinly freaky and worth a watch, one of my fave serious ones. AND Tara...soon to be my favourite Character EVER...(alone with Lilah)

Doomed - Ok this was utter turd.....

A New Man - This episode i cant help but watch over and over again, its just so funny.

The I in Team - This one is a mediocre episode, but still good, sets up the bad in the initiative and shockingly kills off Maggie at the hands of her creation....

GoodBye Iowa - This one was a bit Dull, but this exchange makes it worth watching.
Riley: "That's hostile seventeen."
Spike (in his bad American accent): "No. I'm just a friend of Xander's... Bugger it. I'm your guy."
Buffy: "This is Spike. He's um... it's a really long story. But he's not bad anymore!"
Spike: "Hey! What am I, a bleeding broken record? I'm bad! It's just... I can't bite anymore, thanks to you wankers."

This Years Girl and Who are You? - Arguably the best two parter of the entire series, Faiths back and she is pissed, but with the help of her mentor she has a chance to 'switch' the play on Buffy...plus liking the Councils play in this.

SuperStar - Johnathan, wow, i love his character in this, and i just find this episode one of the funniest....Johnathan in the Matrix...HA.

Where the Wild things are - Bored the CRAP out of me....only redeeming feature...Xander and Anya.

New Moon Rising - By now im loving Tara, but i loved Oz.....i was in as much a hard place as Willow, and im still not sure which choice i'd have made.

Yoko Factor - Spike is awesome here, played on the weaknesses of the gang perfectly and the Willow coming out to everyone in the argument....genius..and Angel's return was ok.
Willow (fighting with Buffy): "We have to face it, you can't handle Tara being my girlfriend."
Xander (to Buffy and Willow): "No! It was bad before that! Since you two went off to college and forgot about me. Just left me in the basement to — Tara's your girlfriend?"
Giles (from upstairs): "Bloody hell!"
I nearly die at this exchange...everytime.

Primevil - OK bit too Matrixy how she Kills Adam but i love the idea of unity that comes to it...and the episode itself is a great end to the Initiative season.

Restless - This is an episode of the Love it or Hate it variety...im loving it.....i think its perfectly done, each character handled well and the intro of the First Slayer....marvellous.

All in all see how many great episode there are...it seems to me that people fixate on the over all arc and dismiss this season BUT when you thiunk about it....there wasnt that mych wrong with it.

[Mesektet Ra]

Although this season is my least favorite - to me, it doesn't hold a candle to 5 or 6 - it did have its gems. I'm a sucker for anything having to do with Faith, and the comedy is S4 is unsurpassed. While most of it sucked in my eyes, there are those few episodes that made it worthwhile.

[TabulaRasa]

I so second this, even tho with all the posts it is probably like I 1000 this, Season 4 was based way too much on the initiative!!! Some have mixed feelings about Spike and the chip, I am glad he got it because it gave him a chance to attack buffy without hurting her...physically. He was still funny, and mean, just couldnt kill ppl. But anyways season 4, was the worste.

[VisionGuy]

I wouldn't call season four the worst season because all seasons of Buffy are good.I loved the whole college thing and the initiative thing was good too but they just handled it badly.It's like EVERYTHING was about the initiative.They concentrated too much on it.Adam was a corny villian though.They could've made a frankenstein monster that was more intersting than him.

[Lyri]

S4 is like my third fave season (6 and 7 being first and second respectivly)
yes, maybe there was too much emphasis put on the initiative and maggie, but this was a great season because it showed us what it was like for buffy and the gang to move from high school to college, things are often mixed up like this.
S4 introduced some great characters, tara, anya, chipped-spike, and riley. even though i wasn't a big riley fan, he did have his moments, i have to admit.
we lost angel, cordy and oz in this season (even though technically cordy and angel left at the end of S3) and i think this is why most people view S4 as the worst buffy season.
while i do not hate any buffy season, because they are all so much better than almost everything else on TV, my least favorite season is S5.

[Kaylee Frye]

Gotta say S4 isn't so bad....I loved "Hush", and always thought ol Riley was eyecandy...Also "The Yoko Factor" is one of my altime fave epis.... I love the fight scene between Angel and Riley....yum....And HELLO- Willow and Tara...nuf said. Sure it had it's moments....for example "Beer Bad", but overall I got much enjoyment out of S4......

[zombie.apparatus]

Well i think season 4 was good but Riley did annoy me... so i think season 4 is my least fav season but it does with hold some memorable moments and episedoes like hush ( that was awesome) and i enjoed something blue and beer bad they were all funy. but i did like all eps they just werent "as good" as some of the other episodes in other seasons

[Kimm]

I'd have to say I didn't mind season 4 all that much....and I actually liked Riley!! He was a nice change...all we ever saw was Buffy with her vampire guys and I thought it was refreshing to see her with a guy who was actually human and could have offered her something more than Angel or Spike ever could.

[THE BLUE]

Hush was a good one. Something Blue made me laugh. Oz's return was a good one. I'd like him to stay though.

[Slayer84]

I think season 4 was the worst season ever! I hated it. I liked some of the episodes, like the halloween episode and hush.

[Randy Giles]

I didn't hate it, but it was indeed lame and Riley was annoying as hell. There WERE some good stand-alone episodes though.

[SlayerG07]

When I first saw Season Four, I was like 'Wtf?!'. I hated Season Four, and I would despise watching the dvds of it. I thought it had a stupid storyline, and I absolutely hated Riley. (I am still one of those people who want Buffy & Angel back together, so enough said there. haha)

However, after watching through it a time or two (the whole season, not just certain eps), I come to realize something: this wasnt as bad as I thought. Now, Season Five was as bad as I always thought, but hey, gotta love it all. Point being, though, this season tookthe viewers out of the surroundings that we were familiar with on the show (high school) into something far more expansive, and we had no idea what was going on. haha.

Season Four was not one of the best seasons by far, but it wasnt the worst. The best, imo, still stick with seasons two and three. XD

[Vail2002]

When I went on my own Buffy hiatus for about 2 years.. missing the whole of Season 4, when I started watching at the end of Season 5 again and I signed up on the boards I couldnt understand why people hated Season 4 so much and I defended it after watching the episodes... but after watching them.. not as many times as some of the season 2/3 eppys... I figured out why... as Fahim said at the start of this thread it was tedious and boring. The whole army/initative thing undermined Buffy's own authority which is one of the things I love about the show- she's the one making the rules... and Riley as this good guy lab-rat army boy just didnt fit.. it was a completely different relationship to that she had with Angel...

Anyways... I think as opposed to all the other seasons on Buffy.. there are stand out moments and lines in Season 4 rather than whole episodes because some episodes were extremely inconsistant... it just seemed like some episodes jumped from being incredibly serious life threatening moments to really stupid ones... but as SlayerGO7 said we were taken from the usual surroundings of the show and with any show with teenagers as characters coming to the end of high school it must be a huge challenge to keep part of the formula of the show but obviously having to change that formula as the audience grows up... season 4.. as the first year of college is supposed to be (Im told from others experiences)... experimental... and season 4 was the season where the writers had to find new ways of entertaining an older audience whilst also making the characters behave in a way we would expect them to.

[alluring dejection]

You had:
-Xander's morale boosting speech to Buffy in "The Freshman"
-Anya
-Willow's heartache at Oz's departure, finding new love with Tara and confusion when Oz comes back
-The body switching between Buffy and Faith
-Angel and Riley kicking each other's butts
-The Scoobies breaking up and coming back together (in the most literal way possible)
-And of course "Hush"
Ahh you're right. But I just think in comparison to all the other ones, it's not the best (still not sure how season six can be the worst >.<). I feel (as many of you already stated) The Inititiative was just...blah. The only thing I have to say about it is the fact that I think it had the potential to be a better story. I mean, the whole idea about what if the government got a hold of our secret world, well, that was great. I just think they mishandled it. I also think that because it was a transition season, it kind of lost what it had before, which is why people tend to not like it. Moreover, Riley was just...blah. I don't know. Maybe it's because I'm a Bangel shipper. Maybe it's because I would rather see her and Spike together over Riley. I just felt like Riley had...no...personality. Even less than Angel in seasons one and two.
we lost angel, cordy and oz in this season (even though technically cordy and angel left at the end of S3) and i think this is why most people view S4 as the worst buffy season.
I think that's kind of true, too, but they were replaced by characters we love as well: Anya, Tara, Riley (well, hrm, perhaps we should scratch out that last one). Blah. And others were saying, the entire season, although very funny and good at times, was kind of...sporadic. =/

[drusillaforever]

yeah Anya is finally in a lot of episodes by season 4 and finally get to see Xander be half-way happy for once. Also Spike was one of the best characters from season 2 and was only in 1 episode of season 3 so seeing him return was fantastic.

This season had a lot of changes, so i can see why some didn't like it. the scooby gang changed dramatically here.

[Willowfan4life]

i loved that season.. i had great episodes and momental movements for characters..like willow turning gay and spike with his chip and xander/anya.

[postmortem]

Season 6 was the worst season ever!!!!

[sizzle-sozzle]

i have to disagree with Postmortem i think season 6 rocked!!!!

anyway i think season 4 wasnt that good i admit there were some really good storylines like Willow and Oz breaking up and Willow and Tara's relationship starting and Willow turning gay,i thought that was really cool.you also have Xander and Anya's relationship progress which was cool.plus with Spike and his chip was really funny,especially when he was trying to bite Willow but couldnt,it just made me laugh.but i didnt like some of it because of the whole Initiative thing,i didnt like them and i didnt really like Reiley that much,at times i thought he was okay but sometimes he really annoyed me.i also think that they dragged out the Initiative and Adam storyline.the whole Riley and Buffy thing started to bug me because Buffy started to shut the rest of the group out and spend all of her time with Riley and the Initiative.

like i said season 4 did have some really good storylines and you get to see them all grow up and build their own seperate lives away from the having to kill vampires/demons all the time.

[Chasing Cordy]

Season IV was the worst?
Sounds right to me!

[LadyLavinia]

Personally, I think that Season 1 was the worst.

[postmortem]

Personally, I think that Season 1 was the worst.


Really? That's original. Why didn't you like it?

[zombie.apparatus]

I think that Season 4 was my least fav... but I did enjoy every episode... it is just that I didn't like it 'as much' as the other seasons... and I can see where you are coming from... I didnt like the whole Riley/Inititave/Maggie Walsh/Adam thing... but without this season... Buffy would not be the same... and I think I got a laugh or two out of each ep... but hey thats just me

[Summers Blood]

I agree, I really don't enjoy Season 4. I dislike the whole concept of the Initiative, I really didn't like Adam, Buffy annoyed the hell out of me, and Riley... come on she can do so much better. The only episode of this season that I really enjoyed and actually remember is Hush. Shows how great it was if I can't even remember any other episodes from it.

[BillieHunter]

Not a fan of season four overall, I think it had some of the absolute worst episodes ever made. Overall I dont care for most of the episodes. However, it also had some of the best episodes too. Hush and Restless. So I still like season four if only for those few good eppys.

[eunsoma]

Okay, not to be all negative but season four was the absolute worst season I ever had to watch. I was over the college thing after like week 3 and omg Riley! someone shoot me. I hated the initiative- how boring!!! Anya wasn't hot in this season and neither was FAITH! SHE WAS LIKE SO PALE AND YUK! I was so upset coz i love Faith so much, but I can't complain about her looks coz her character was great in her 2 episodes (which pretty much made the season). Everyone goes on about Hush... okay it was good yeah. Now lets look at the crap again: CORDY WASN'T AROUND! Spike was just annoying (kinda like in Angel s5), Buffy was with Riley, Parker, Willows Hair (AHAHAHA), Restless(actually not so bad coz it ended the season), Where The Wild Things Are, The I In Team, PANGS!!! CRAP! CRAP! CRAP! do I need to go on here? Not a fan of s4...

[Bored of the Dead]

I seriously have to disagree with the season 4 hate being shown in this thread.
Yes it lacked the cohesion of the previous three, but 'hello' that was the point.
Marc Blucas was horrible, but the initiative wasn't that bad, it could have been used far more effectively.
Maggie Walsh was a superb character, see 'A New Man' amongst others, i only wish we had been given a chance to see more of her.
Adam was a weak big bad in that i never believed him a real threat, having said that he was a menace, had more lines in the way he killed the child, it would have been slightly better.
Yes there are some hugely poo episodes, such as, Where the Wild things are or Beer Bad, but there are some truly awesome episodes too. Hush is one of those, it has the full fright of a decent horror movie, while keeping the the viewer entertained in the dialogue or lack of.
We also have 'In the Harsh Light of Day', an episode with Spike in his full glory, mixed with the new Harm character, who added a lightness to the episode i would never have expected from her.
Wild at Heart, another great episode mixing it up for a relationship we all thought was awesome, leading way to another, i could(and would) argue better relationship for Willow.
Pangs is one i adore, its got the funny, but also it makes you think about what it is Americans actually celebrate...Plus Angel is back!!
I so could go on, because though the season arc maybe a little weaker then the other years, this season has outstanding solitary episodes, and as the theme seemed to be of going out alone into the big wide world it really fits for me.

Ohhh, and Chipped Spike, how could you NOT love him in this season, he was frikking hilarious.

[Chasing Cordy]

I stated season 4 was not good and for me, it's mostly due to Riley and his collection of government guys and gals.
But unlike many other fans, I did not think "Hush" was all that great, but I did enjoy "Pangs" and my favorite of season four..."Fear, itself" which had a classic buffy twist ending (pocket-size demons are always good).

[Wanabee-slayer]

Call me crazy cause I am. But I don't actually think season 4 was that bad I loved season 4 I loved Riley. And I think it was just a great seson for the show. Storylines progressed and the gang had to deal with the fact that they weren't kids anymore. And I think Joss and all the writers did it really well. They had the problems that do happen when you're not in high school with your best friends everyday. Friends do grow apart. People do have to move on from whatever or whoever they left behind from high school. So yeah I think it was a really good season.

[1-800-Willow-Rosenberg]

Season 4 was a good seaon i have to disagree it has many classical episodes like "HUSH" for example. I liked it. I dont think there is one episode in that season that not worth viewing. Where the wild things are is a good episode is u ignore buffy's moaning for riley. Superstar was okay i can still watch it it does have funny parts like the whole Spike forgeting Buffys name. And Pangs was good we got to see angel again WHICH IS NEVER A BAD THING:)

[master kenobi]

i love season 4 willow and tara, there in collage ok if i were to pick the worst season for me would b season 1. but season 4- onwards rules
well actulay season 2-onwards rules man,..... cant beet rocket launcher lol

[Winifred]

I thought Season 4 was pretty boring. It was definitly my least favourite season, and I only enjoyed a couple of the episodes. I hated Riley and the initiative, and the story arc was lame. I didn't enjoy 'Hush' but I did like 'New Moon Rising'. There were really only a handful of episodes I enjoyed in this season, which speaks volumes.

[Dancing man]

I agree terrible series. It must have been hard though with Angel, Wesley and Cordellia leaving, the show would have to experitment with character like replacing the characters that dont exsit anymore. I would also imagine that college life is harder to script than high school.

[Carousel Girl8]

I do like Season 4 but I think that things like the initiative really let it down. I'm not really a Riley fan and I didn't like Maggie Walsh. My fave eppys have to be Something Blue, Hush, Fear, Itself, Pangs and A New Man, I love this eppy cos Giles cracks me up in it. I think there are worse seasons than this one though.

[valerii]

Marc Blucas was horribleI'd say he was a bit wooden sometimes, and didn't have as much chemistry with SMG as DB or JM, but... horrible? Really? 'Cause I've watched some of those Sci-Fi Channel original movies, and I'd like to think I know horrible acting when I see it, and I didn't see it with MB.

And, out of curiosity, why do so many people hate Riley so profusely? I see a lot of "he was very annoying," but not a lot of explanation as to how he was annoying. What was so wrong with him?

[sk8rj04]

Last week i would agree. After buying the Season 4 dvds, and rewatching the season, i kinda like the season. And -the horror!- Riley...or rather pre- Goodbye Iowa Riley. He went downhill from then on.

Why do so many people not like Beer Bad? I found it quite humorous

[Black Eye Guy]

I liked Beer Bad I thought it was fun :) Well I didn't hate Riley but I found his need to be Buffy's protector think really Annoying, but I wouldn't describe his acting as horrible, i was the character I didn't like.

Ok I think I may have been under the influence of Bad beer when I wrote that! It doesn't even make sense! I meant to say I found his need to protect Buffy annoying, and that it was the character of Riley I didn't like, not the acting!


...sorry

[raniE]

I don't think season 4 was that bad, but I do think it suffers from one big problem, the lack of a good big bad and overall seasonal plot cohesion. Adam appeared too late in the season, and he simply never seemed like much of a threat (why does it feel like all the Scoobies would have had to do to beat him was to get another rocket launcher?), also his plan wasn't particularly apocalyptic.

The individual epsiodes on the other hand are very often really good, like Hush, This Years Girl, Who Are You, New Moon Rising and Restless. The character development is great, and I am apparently in a minority position in thinking that Riley was all right (at least in season 4). Perhaps not the best season, but not the worst either, at least according to me.

[Jules]

For me, season 4 wasn't that bad. At the time it aired I hated it...lol..I was still stinging at the fact that Angel had left ;) But watching it now, I like it. I love the re-introduction of Faith, I liked the episode Pangs and the Willow/Oz storyline. Sure there were flaws *cough* Beer Bad *cough* :p but it wasn't terrible :)

[angeldarla]

season 4 was a season to adjust their lives... angel left buffy, cordy left with angel, willow/oz/tara relationship... it was a season to start from zero.. with new characters and everything. i liked it.. it was nice..

[Ladybug]

I don't think there's anything screwed up about this season, besides Riley, of course. Really, Beer Bad wasn't all that terrible, but it wasn't exactly the best episode ever either. I really like season 4, probably my second favorite.

[mogwaid]

I'm glad im not the only one who didnt like this season. I agree with everyone that Season 4 definetly had its stand out episodes that were just awesome. The humor was funny, the characters were great.

i think that the story arc of the initiative really really bought it down. I mean, its a good idea, but it just feels like it wasnt done right. Also Riley bought it down by being kinda annoying. The reason I found him annoying was because he seemed so...threatened to be in a relationship with Buffy, but whiny because he wanted it, and even more whiny because he wasnt getting what he wanted in return.

He seemed so..."everything is black and white, good and evil" kinda guy. And he wasnt sexist, but he always felt he had to be "the man". That just annoyed me. I didnt feel that with Angel. Or Spike. They accepted her strength, and her personality.

I dunno if i make sense to anyone, I do like all seasons of Buffy tho. I love watching them all on dvd. I think great episodes/great character development/great humour are kinda cancelled out with bad episodes/riley/initiative, which is why most people find this season a bit of a let down.

It could have been a fantastic season...but pfft Adam?!

[Gilesau]

Season 4 has its good and bad points but the worst season for me is season 7.

[BlackScar]

Season 4 is my least favorurite season.I didnt like Riley,the initiative or the story arc. But I agree it has some great episodes like Restless.

[MLLamble]

I think that you bring up some valid points. I also don't think that Riley was very good. The Initiative did leave some things to be desired, but I liked how it showed government corruption/innefectiveness. It could have stood a deeper plotline and villain, like Season 3 or Season 5. I don't think that Season 4 was the worst, but it could have definitely been done better.

[wehappyfew]

As a whole...season 4 is not the strongest of seasons for me (Seasons 2 and 3 are my favorites). But there were many individual episodes that I really enjoyed/enjoy.
Firstly, I thought UC Sunnydale was a way to give the show a fresh new look. Willow and Buffy really rocked the "Big Girls on Campus" look. And Xander really rocked the "townie" look. I loved the way that the Scoobies all drifted apart and then BAM came back together as Super-Buffy. I thought that was probably the highlights of the seasons (i really love the buffy friendships). The body-switch is legendary...and Eliza pulled off Buffy very well. I wish Kathy (Buffy's demon roommate) would have stayed around longer...having just one episode devoted to her kind of took the fun out of the college roommate thing.
Oz leaving and Willow falling for Tara....really made the show awesome. To me, season 4 is a standalone season. I think it was Buffy's transitional season.
Seasons 1, 2, 3 were all based around high school and had high school themes. And seasons 5, 6, and 7 were all about being a grown up. So Season 4 was nice because it provided kind of a nice transitional "gap year" for Buffy.
While, the initiative was annoying, I will say that the magic vs. science thing was always pretty interesting and a commentary on many conflicting ideas in society.
Season 4 was good...it has a special place in my Buffy heart. I'd say that Buffy was the most happy during this season...along with season 3, this season just seems very bright and colorful.

[bucky01403]

One of the best seasons.

It's just lacking an entertaining arc. I like how they took a different angle to Buffy's slaying. It's cool how she faced something man made and not a demon planning the apocalypse, like every other season. I was glad to see Angel split, the whole Angel Buffy thing really got old by the end of season three. Season four seems to be all about friendship and in the end isn't that what Buffy is all about? Plus Sarah looks the best in season four.

Even if the experimental arc failed in the end, season four is a winner in my book.

[codyw1]

Actually, on first viewing, I would have agreed with you, but on subsequent viewings, season 4 has become one of my very favourites. It's just so much FUN. It's easily the most barking, funniest season, and I rather love it.

[Jaded Wolf]

I don't think season 4 was the worst season. I think that honor goes to season 6 even though I can appreciate what season 6 did for the progression of the characters.

In my opinion, I think alot of people are put off by season 4 because of the drastic changes made to the characters. They're no longer in high school and are now making adult decisions. The dynamics changed between each character and their interactions with each other. Angel is off of the show and here is Riley taking the spot for Buffy's affections. Oz leaves and Willow switches sexual orientation. There was just alot going on and at times it was hard to keep up with after knowing these characters a certain way for so long.

I know one of the things I found annoying when I first watched season 4 was Giles being left out of the loop so much. Giles played an integral part for so long in the leading of the gang but then in season 4, not so much.

The thing is though that each change brought more progression into each character. As much as I disagreed with Willow's orientation change it did push her progression away from the shy nerd we were introduced to in Season 1. Giles saw he did not have to baby Buffy anymore and allowed her to start stepping out on her own. Buffy realized she could have a normal relationship though that relationship also became a partnership in slaying duties with Riley. Then there was Spike. As much as I don't like the neutering of him it did lead to more funnier scenes and seeing Spike having to scheme against the Scoobies without harming them himself was just a great acting job by the man Marsters himself. Season 4 pushed the characters out their kiddy selfs and began the inevitable march to adulthood we see in Season 7. I think Season 4 was a breath of fresh air and much needed.

[Hello Cutie]

Yes yes yes!!! I HATE Season 4 with an absolute passion.

My problem is that some of my favourite episodes do happen to be in this season, but this is where I can reasonble argue this point. There are some amazing episodes (Pangs, Something Blue, A New Man and Hush...) but the problem I have is that the underlying story of season 4- the Initiative and Adam are the poorest storylines I think Buffy has ever had. Adam was rubbish- the acting was appaulling and okay, he was supposed to be scary- he just seemed kinda lame.. there was no real fire or passion in the storyline- I didnt find myself getting into it and going "yeah kill the bad guy, come on Buffy you can do it" (or in the case of season 2, "yeah go Spike, wipe out Angel!"), instead I was goin "nyeh, boring, hurry up and kill him so the season is over".

There was a potential for it being a good season. Unfortunately it failed miserably in almost every way. So while some of the individual storylines were very well written and very funny, the overall season storyline was definitely left lacking.

EDIT: Sorry, I mean worst storyline bar Willow destroys the world... which was just stupid to me... other than that season 6 gets the honor of the second worst season, because at least it developed the characters and kept me interested for longer than 5minutes, something Season 4 as a whole failed to do.

[Starlet]

I have to say that I love season 4! Maybe the whole storyline wasn't the best but there was many, many great episodes, and that really make it up for me.
(I loved Living Conditions, The Harsh Light Of Day, Fear Itself, Beer Bad,Pangs, Something blue,Hush , A New Man, Where the wild things are, Restless- I had to short up the list) I know many people dislike Beer Bad but I just adore it( so funny and Parker finally got what he deserved- hit on the head)
This season was full of great quotes, Spike just kicks ass and also Tara appeares:)

[Clem Rocks]

Worst season? I think it's one of the best. I see Buffy like this

Seasons 1, 2 and 3: building up
Seasons 4 and 5: Buffy at it's best
Seasons 6 and 7: Winding down

[bradlee]

I feel the need to defend Riley a bit. I really liked him. I thought he was kind of a fish out of water for a while because he was so new and was kinda the replacement to Angel, but he really wasn't. I can see that Joss and co wanted to take a completely new direction for Buffy's love interest after Angel and I really enjoyed it. He was SO NOT Angel, and rightfully so. Who wants to see another guy trying to be what we already had.

Riley was the College Guy who was a bit older and more mature and just plain smitten. No brooding, no anger issues. At least in the beginning. Now after Iowa I kinda lost some love for him, but not all of it. He's just so Riley.

[Hello Cutie]

I thought Riley was wooden to be honest. But considering the whole transition from school to college, and growing up etc, Season 4 did well. It's still my least favourite season, but I can't see how it would have improved much, unless you removed Adam completely.. and the Initiative to have a lesser part too. And it did have some brilliant episodes :)

[TheHeartist]

I liked Season Four, I don't know why everyone liked Season Six so much (someone earlier mentioned S6 being much better) Season Six was a massive mopefest, talk about depressing television (besides THAT episode of course) whereas Season Four had a whole bundle of landmark episodes (Something Blue, Hush, Restless)

[bradlee]

I loved 4. I liked the initiative to a degree, but I think it was a bit too played. I mean, the mayer was a HIGE deal and it was a lot less of a presence all season. I just wish we could have gotten more Faith. She was so amazing in her two parter, I just wish it was a bit longer.

I agree with a lot of reasoning that it changed a lot in the fourth season because it was gearing up for season five. Each character had to grow and change because of what was happening the next year with Dawn.

[Crazy Flakes]

I loved season 4. I admit, the main Initiative/Adam plot was pretty weak, but, as Joss has said, it was also the season with the most outstanding episodes. Almost all of the standalones were great (Pangs, Something Blue, Hush, A New Man, Who Are You?, and Restless were all fantastic, and all in season 4.) Also, I didn't mind the Buffy/Riley romance. In fact, I kind of liked it for most of season 4. People just need to cut poor Riley a little slack...I mean, the only reason every hates him is because he's competing against Spike and Angel!

[day walker]

i thought season 4 was good

i have been rewaching them resontly and am only on ep 6 :lmao:

but i liked beer bad i thought it was funny
liked living conditions
and liked feer it's self when xander taunted the feer demon, Oz in his God costume, and giles with a chain saw

rest where ok hated the ep when Oz left i am still confused why they did it the way they did could of been done better ::huh1::

watching more tonight :: vampire

[LeadGentleman]

I actually really loved season 4. Not as good as season 2, but better than most others.
I love the concept of the Initiative (Technology vs the Supernatural) and I prefer the Buffy x Riley relationship over the Buffy x Spike relationship.
A lot of people complain about Adam, but I actually quite like him. He may not have been as scary or personal with his objectives as some of the other big bads, but I think he's definately better than Glory (my least favourite big bad).
I hated Oz leaving and I'm not much of a fan of Tara, but I loved Spike becoming their prisoner and watching him slowly becoming less evil.
It may have had some of the worst episodes (Living Conditions and Beer Bad), but it also had a lot of great ones (Hush, Superstar, Fear Itself, Primeval).

[girlunstrung]

There's a good reason why I call Riley a plank. He's very wooden and rigid and I dislike him. However, season four? One of my favourite seasons. Hush, Restless? Jeez. Love. New Moon Rising? Again, love.

[skcbuffyfan87]

In my opinion, I thought season 4 was one of the best seasons. It had sooo many great episodes like Hush, Restless, Something Blue, etc. and I loved how Buffy was finally becoming an adult in this season.

[Aethra]

Some of the individual episodes in season four were excellent--most notably Hush and Restless, as far as visual literature is concerned. However, in my opinion, season four was the worst. Hated Riley, too, so he didn't help it for me.

[babyo0ogirl]

The first time I watched Buffy all the way through I HATED Season 4. I thought it was just awful. It was hard for me to sit through. Now going through it the second time, I didn't find it so bad. Maybe it was because I knew what to expect (and could skip Beer Bad & the one with the Riley/Buffy sex). I still don't like Riley though, and didn't feel any of the "love" between them.

[LittleMissLikesToFight]

everyone calls Riley wooden and rigid. He's an ARMY guy. Think some of the training may have something to do with it? Poor Riley, i wish everyone would get off his back.

[willow23]

I really like season 4. As people are saying, it does have a lot of amazing episodes. There are only a hand full that I dislike. I like the idea of Riley, conceptually: a man who thinks he is fighting for the right cause, trusting his government who gets shaken up when he realizes that the people he's been fighting for have lied to him, forcing him into a world that is grey as opposed to black and white.
I also like that the Initiative was all about the issue of science vs. magic. However, I didn't like the way in which the Initiative plot played out because of Riley we spent too much time in the world of the Initiative, a world I don't care for aesthetically. Also, we spent too much time with the characters of the Initiative, people I don't care for and who the audience didn't have a lot invested in.

That being said, I still feel like season four is really good and it is one of the better seasons of Buffy.

[LittleMissLikesToFight]

see, even beyond Riley, i liked Forrest and Grant. I mean yes we didn't feel for them the way we did the main characters. But i did feel something when Forrest "died".... i liked the three of them together a lot when they were on screen.

[The Ferg]

In my eyes. Except for Living Conditions, Hush, Something Blue, and Restless. This is the worst season. I Hated Riley, very bad rebound for Buffy. I hated the whole Intiative and Maggie Walsh or w/e storyline, it was very tedious and dull.

There were so many bad episodes!!! Like Beer Bad, Where The Wild Things Are, Good bye Iowa, I In Team...

Anyone share my sentiments about the biggest flaw in buffy???

The only good thing about this season, was Anya, Willow, Tara's character Devloppement

And Buffy looked priceless ;)

I completely disagree dude. I'm on Episode 8 and I've seen Hush, and seriously, I'm in love. I just bought S2 and S3 within the last couple of months and I don't remember ever being as excited about watching a new episode on one of those seasons. Oh, and btw, Beer Bad was friggin HILARIOUS! One of the best eps I've ever seen. (and I'm lovin Riley)

[NightBird]

I'm in the middle of season 4 for the 400th time , I'm really enjoying it and it's the same as it always is but this time, this time I don't hate Riley.

I like him, and I don't know why, maybe it just takes Riley 400 times to grow on you.

[willow23]

I don't know, I mean...it isn't that didn't feel anything when Forest died and it isn't that I didn't like him. I just wasn't as emotionally invested in them, they were, well, flat, characters.

[Vampmogs]

I personally feel that season four is an underrated season. It's standalone episodes, IMO, are some of the best the series ever had to offer, the only thing that harms it is its overall seasonal arc.

I think at the end of s4 we definitely see a departure of the tone I enjoyed most about the series. When season 5 begins even the look of the show is considerably different. The characters all look different, the lightning is much brighter, and with the introduction of Dawn the characters act slightly different as well. Don't get me wrong, I adore season five of Btvs but season four is the last season that had the same tone as season two and season three, which I regard as the series best seasons. Season four was a great mix and blend of comedic episodes, horror episodes, butt kicking episodes and drama. It had some amazing character- centric episodes such as 'New Moon Rising' for Willow, 'Restless' for all the cast and 'Who Are You' for Faith. And I feel 'Freshman' was a very strong season opener with a great villain and a really nice episode for Buffy's character, I felt for her a lot.

It also had amazing standalones such as 'Hush' and 'Something Blue.' And moments such as Xander, Willow and Anya rushing to Buffy and Giles aid on bicycles in 'Pangs' still to this day send me into a fit of laughter. This season was superb IMO.

The big weakness of this season is the seasonal arc, Joss Whedon even states that the whole year was a bit over the place and it was hard to get a sense of what their message was for the season. But that disjointed feeling does work as a representation for how people feel during their first year of University when everything is very messy and confusing and nothing really melds together.

The season also suffers from a very impersonal and dull villain. The concept behind Adam was quite brilliant, his "bridging the gap" between vampires and demons was a very interesting concept. I think his character was portrayed best in Whedon's 'Who Are You' when Adam manages to turn three pathetic vampires into something so much more. They begin as "scavengers, they crawl about in our filth." And they end up facing their fears, capturing the attention of the media, and the slayer. And through his words Adam creates a vampire lethal enough to take on Faith and almost begin to win. Faith was physically stronger than the vampire but as he beats her he states; "I have strength you couldn't dream of! Adam has shown me the way and there is-" The vampire was so confident and had such a clear purpose that he was able to overpower Faith, who was a complete and utter mess with no sense of purpose and identity issues. Adam could be quite dangerous in that regard. Unfortunately they never really kept that consistent and he became less interesting as the season progressed.

All up though, I think season 4 was a fantastic season. I think it's easily better than season seven and dare I say, even season six as well. It was the last season we saw a truly happy Buffy who had her ups and downs but was still confident and not at the mercy of life. It was the last season we really see cute Willow and the last season Xander got any real seasonal arc. It was also the last season we really had a great deal of focus on Buffy/Xander/Willow and Giles had his own arc, and it was the last season I believe they put their best efforts in. From the cinematography, the stunt choreography, the scores, the acting, everything was more consistent this season than it was in the ones to follow. Season five ultimately wins out for me because the episodes it does shine, it shines so brightly, but season four is better than season six or season seven IMO.

[SoBlind]

i thought it was the worst season as well. angel was gone, cordy was gone, oz left (although wild hearts was just a heart breaking episode) and riley became buffys new love interest. really didnt like much of the season (except for a couple of episodes obviously). to be fair tho, i think its easy to criticise it since it was the first season that was so completely different to how we knew and loved the show. it was always about high school, the library, vampires...the big evil of season 4 was some rather lame annoying professor and her creature. it was just too much change to handle for my liking. bad, yes. but there are reasons...

[InsaneMystic]

Now, after having rewatched the first 12 eps of it (don't have the second half taped) for the first time since ages (actually, I think it's the first time since after I've seen S7), I really like it much better than I originally did and even, for the first time really, regret I haven't seen a number of eps yet.

Yes, the Initiative arc is lacking and Riley bores the hell out of me, and I'll always like the highschool years more... so there's no way in the world S4 will ever beat 2, 3 or 6 on my list. But I correct my former assessment that S4 was the tail-light of the series, atm I like it better than either S1 or S7.

[littlewilly]

s4 is definetly one of my favorites. i thought the initiative/adam arc wasnt that bad and there was a-lot of good stuff in this season.
Anya, Spike and Harmony all come back, Faiths in it, they finally leave high school, and all the great episodes: freshman, harsh light of day, fear itself, wild at heart, initiative, hush, something blue, a new man, who are you, superstar, yoko factor, primeval and restless, to name a few.

[Ysma]

The Riley thing is the only thing I hate in this season. :@

[vampireczarina]

I think it is one of the worst seasons myself, except for Hush, Something Blue, etc. ... of course. Riley was a horrible character and Adam was one of the most boring villians. He is basically just some big Frankenstein. The whole beer drinking, frat boy, dorm life angle was kind of lame too.

[The Kinslayer]

Ok, so the first time around I thought it was the worst season to that point. But as with the whole Buffyexperience it grows on me everytime. So now I don´t have a problem with it. And lets face it, Willow never looked as good. ;)

And even if "Beer bad" is a bad episode it´s also hilarious. Buffy caveman style is the best version of Buffy there is. The only competition is from Buffybot.

[Buffanator]

Am I one of the few who enjoyed S-4?? I mean -A secret gov't agency, trying to create some sort of military weapon out of demons? Come on! That's good stuff! :teeth:

There isn't a season that I didn't like as a whole. Sure there were certain eppys in every season that I thought wasn't *true* Buffy material, but even the filler eppys had their purpose, some to further the story along, & if nothing else, some just to fill the eppy quota.

S-4, as many have pointed out, had Riley, which way too many people hated. I liked Riley. Good ol'corn-fed Iowa boy who just happens to be a secret gov't military boy. That's a good angle. Buffy finally finds a "nice, normal" guy but of course nothing is as it seems. Coincidentally, even more people find out she's The Slayer. Adam was "frankensteinish" - but that's the point - don't you see? What is more frightening than a MONSTER with the ABILITY to reason? What's more... a MONSTER that was made by a secret gov't agency! - Oh yeah, that's stealthy.

Other points about S-4: I hated to see Oz leave. But we gained Anya (and Tara, but I was never a Tara fan, however I realize there are many Tara fans). Angel fans can rejoice because now there's a whole series dedicated to him. And Cordy doesn't "leave"... she merely "transfers". Add to all this, we got a chipped Spike, a mad slayer on the loose, & seriously! - what's not to love? Yup, I loved S-4! :thumbs:

[perrycareyrocks]

I'd have to completely disagree. Season 4 was a great story, I loved The Initiative and Adam. Riley sucks.

[Gilesau]

I don't hate season 4 and I don't love it either. It has its moments. However I hated Riley and the whole Initiative thing.

[LifeIsJustThis]

I believe Riley honestly loved Buffy. Hell, he was dull and insecure, but I felt bad for the guy. He was willing to give up everything for her.
I'm so on the pro-riley fan club lol. I understand why thier relationship didn't work, though. And I know it wouldn't have worked out in the long run, I think he realy helped her move on from Angel.
Anyone agree?

[Blondie Bear]

I agree! I felt bad for Riley. I think the writers were trying so hard to make him a normal-guy-trying-to-be-super that Marc Blucas just had trouble pulling off the dynamic. And then there was that the whole relationship was Buffy-centric (duh), which pushed Riley to the background and added to his two-dimensional-ness. There was a lot of potential with Riley--even sans Buffy--but something got lost somewhere.

[hyperballadbrad]

The main factor I think was the complete change from the last three seasons which were confined to the school and the Scoobs worlds were familiar and overlapping

But in Season4, the world suddenly gets bigger, deeper and the characters are still together but still have their own thing going on. THis is perfectly reflected in the Initiative who show this big, wide and complicated world on the 'outide' of the simple and straightforward world of high school (well in the grand scheme of life).

To this effect, the episodes didn't mesh together so solidly as they had done in season 1 to 3. This also reflected in how the Bg Bad finale was relegated the 2nd to last episode of the season.

It is definately the worse season for watching for these reasons, but it is what makes it different and I feel reflects just what the characters are going through.

ANd within the mix there are so many amazing stand alone episodes.... Hush, Fear Itself, Dooomed, the Faith doible bill, Superstar! All such a thrill and exciting! :D

[Fake Shemp]

Love season 4 but i can see why people got annoyed with it since we all love the highschool years but imagine what it would have been like if it was like one of those shows where the kids are in highschool forever

[Bluebird]

I understand people getting all nostalgic for the high school years, I know I did, but I did like season 4.

It's certainly not the best season but the stand alone episodes make up some of my favourite episodes - Restless, Hush, Who Are You?, Pangs. Classic episodes.

Also, I think this season is underappreciated in regard to the character developement of Willow and even Xander in his small way. I love Xander's story in season 4 - feeling left out of his group of friends and trying to find his way in the world, his dream sequence in Restless is my favourite.

[Fake Shemp]

season 4 was my fav for a long time... loved the change of pace, best stand out eps imo, loved the science vs magic, the growing apart of the scoobies and getting to explore their own things, xander and giles having parallel story's in theme-wise.... strangest finale... gotta love restless

[KhaoticLove]

I loved season four, the season I disliked was probably five because of Glory, it was kinda boring but other than that it was great introducing dawn and everything, plus buffy dies again:(.
Or 6 because willow turns into an evil bitch! Like I said I dont dislike the seasons I just dislike when happens sometimes or the theme i guess but both season 6 and 5 were great:P

[Buffanator]

I understand people getting all nostalgic for the high school years, I know I did, but I did like season 4.

I guess I'm one of the few who isn't "nostalgic" for the hi-school years. Maybe because I'm older & hi-school is far behind me. I mean, I started watching Buffy after the show was off the air, & in the middle of S-5, in repeats on TV. Then I got hooked, & watched 5, 6, & 7... then of course bought them all, & watched 1, 2, 3, & 4.

...maybe because I'm older? Yeah, I think that's it. Not that I DIDN'T LIKE S1, 2, 3. They all served their purpose & shaped the "story of Buffy" & there was many eppys that I loved out of the first 3 seasons. I enjoyed S-3 the most out of those 3 because of Oz & Faith. But S-4 is when it really started picking up for me.

[hyperballadbrad]

I guess I'm one of the few who isn't "nostalgic" for the hi-school years. Maybe because I'm older & hi-school is far behind me. I mean, I started watching Buffy after the show was off the air, & in the middle of S-5, in repeats on TV. Then I got hooked, & watched 5, 6, & 7... then of course bought them all, & watched 1, 2, 3, & 4.

...maybe because I'm older? Yeah, I think that's it. Not that I DIDN'T LIKE S1, 2, 3. They all served their purpose & shaped the "story of Buffy" & there was many eppys that I loved out of the first 3 seasons. I enjoyed S-3 the most out of those 3 because of Oz & Faith. But S-4 is when it really started picking up for me.



I totally get that! I mean, the Scoobs were always a couple of years older than me, so whatever they went through I always felt like I was on the cusp of what they were going through at the time! :D So I love the changes but also could totally identify with every changing season!

[LadyLavinia]

Am I one of the few who enjoyed S-4?? I mean -A secret gov't agency, trying to create some sort of military weapon out of demons? Come on! That's good stuff!


No, I enjoyed Season 4 as well. It wasn't the best, but it certainly wasn't the travesty that many fans make it out to be . . . at least in my eyes.

As far as I'm concerned, Season 1 is my least favorite.

[LifeIsJustThis]

No, I enjoyed Season 4 as well. It wasn't the best, but it certainly wasn't the travesty that many fans make it out to be . . . at least in my eyes.

As far as I'm concerned, Season 1 is my least favorite.

I've said this before, but I think 4 had the best episodes and the best storyline. Although, I love the Spuffy thing in 6.

[Fake Shemp]

yay me too, spike was fantastic in season 4... it was great to see him in unfamiliar situations and at a point in his erm life(?) where he hadnt ever been before.... his arc thru s4,s5 and throughout s6 is fantastic and so interesting to watch... plus he's spike and hot so that dont hurt

[Spuffy57]

I did not dislike any of the seasons. I got into Buffy during season 4, but that season is my least favorite. I wasn't a huge fan of the Initiative or of Riley.
There were some awesome episodes like Fear Itself, Something Blue, Hush, Pangs, New Moon Rising and Restless. Plus Wild at Heart always makes me cry.
I liked a lot about the season, just not so much the "big bad" of the year.

[fly on the wall]

I really dislike season four, absolutely my least favorite.

I hate Riley, I hate the Initiative, I hate those stupid guns they use, I hate Professor Walsh, I hate Forest. I didn't like Adam, he was boring. The plotline bored me. Yes, there were a few good episodes but as a whole the season was sub par, to the point that the good episodes actually seemed out of place.

[Darling]

If it wasnt for the Iniciative, it would be a great season... All the Adam stuff was boring ¬¬

[Stephen Crowe]

Actualy seasn 4 was one of my favourites. i was starting college myself while watching this season of buffy so i have a personal connection with it i think

[EvanCooper93]

I'm not sure if this would be my least favorite season, but it was definitely one of the weaker ones.

[The Kinslayer]

I know I´ve already posted in this thread. But I need to say this. The season that brought us Tillow can NEVER be considered the worst one. That thought doesn´t exist to me. I can understand a lot of complaints (even if my earlier post shows that I now like this season), but worst? Never, do you hear me? NEVER!!

[fly on the wall]

^ Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge Tillow fan, but I think their relationship truly blossomed and grew in Seasons 5 and 6. In Season 4, my reaction was kind of "Wait....what?....why is Willow...and a girl? When's Oz coming back?" Before Tara was able to stand on her own two feet as an important member of the Scoobies, she wasn't all that special to me.

I mean, yeah, it was a high point in hindsight...but for this season, that's not saying much...

[The Ferg]

No, I think it rises above all others actually. (except for S6) Adam, wasn't you're average Buffy villian. Normally Buffy villians have many layers, etc, etc. Adam, was just your everyday, average, "I'm gonna kick your ass" bad guy. Believe it or not, that is actually what I really like about him. There wasn't anything special about him, he was just... Awesome!

I did like Riley. Yes, I'm probably the only person on this board that actually likes him. And yes, I cried on Into the Woods. He's my favorite Buffy BF.

I really don't get why the Initiative is so unpopular... I actually enjoyed it a lot. Primeval final battle was awesome, btw.

[austenwings86]

I never really liked S4. The only thing I liked was Tara coming to the show. I hated Riley!

[ItMustBeBunnies]

Its my second least favourite after season 1. There were some really good episodes: Harsh Light Of Day, Wild At Heart, Something Blue, Hush, This Years Girl/Who Are You, A New Man, New Moon Rising, The Yoko Factor and Restless. Whow thats actually alot! I think its got some of the best stand alone episodes, but one of the crappiest overall arcs. I really dont care for Riley, he is, like Spike said "Captin Cardboard" I get why he was there though. I would have much prefered it if he was just a character on the show and not buffy's boyfriend. Their relationship always felt forced to me, she went with him coz it was the sensible thing to do. The way she run's up to Giles and introduces him so happy, to me always said "Look daddy, I brought home a good one now, are ya happy?". But It wouldn't have made much sense to skip the middle man and go straight to Spike, I remember reading an interview with SMG and she said after season 3, she went to Joss and asked if Spike could be her new boyfreind and he yelled "No more vampires!" ha ha. Also Adam I think is the worst big bad ever!.

[fly on the wall]

I really dont care for Riley, he is, like Spike said "Captin Cardboard" I get why he was there though. I would have much prefered it if he was just a character on the show and not buffy's boyfriend. Their relationship always felt forced to me, she went with him coz it was the sensible thing to do. The way she run's up to Giles and introduces him so happy, to me always said "Look daddy, I brought home a good one now, are ya happy?". But It wouldn't have made much sense to skip the middle man and go straight to Spike
True, I just wish the middle man hadn't been Riley. He really bothers me.
He totally ruined a would-have-been bad-ass scene with Angel...

Angel: I'm going to see an old girlfriend.
Riley: You really think I'm gonna let that happen?
Angel: You think you're gonna stop me?
Riley: I surely do.

I SURELY DO?!?!?! ??? Who says that?? God.

Anyways, I agree...when looking over which episodes of S4 I liked, I was surprised at how many there were (I think like 10ish or so). But the arc itself is bad. The Initiative bores me. Adam bores me. Riley bores me to tears, when he's not infuriating me. The college aspect was interesting, but sort of fell flat. Yeah. You get the idea.

[Slayeress]

I must say, I'm in the middle of rewatching this season, and I think its one of the best!!! Its the most funniest season I think. I laughed so hard when Giles turned into a demon, and then chases after Professor Walsh. LOL....and when Spike crashes the car. Hilarious. I find it quite funny in The Freshman when Riley first comes in, and Buffy was reaching for a book and it falls on his head. That also cracks me up. Gah, I can go on all day long on all the funny parts of the season, but that may take too long. Yes, season 4 is now right behind 3 on my list. :D

Oh! The entire episode of Something Blue. LOOOOVe it.

[Airam]

ItMustBeBunnies pretty much has me covered in her post, but i will say season 4 is hands down my least favorite but it is soley due to the arc, the Initiative, Riley, Adam. I mean I think at the end of the day to judge a season as a favorite or least favorite the most important part is that which holds it together, the arc, and in S4 I think the arc was the weakest of any season. Thats not to say that I could ever do without the season, it has some of my favorite episodes The Harsh Day of Light, Fear Itself, Pangs, Something Blue, Hush, This Years Girl/Who Are You?, SuperStar, The Yoko Factor, Restelss. But even in these episodes, anything having to do with Riley/The Initiative/Adam i could wholly do without.