Is it me? Or was Series 5 really not that good? [Archive]

Lyri

12-21-2005, 06:51 PM

S5 is my least fave season, but it has got nothing to do with *whiny* Dawn or people crying a lot...in fact, i can't even tell you why it's my least fave...personally, i love a lot about it. Spike's love for Buffy started in this season, so that made me happy!! i loved Dawn's intro, and i was glad when Riley left (didn't really like him much) Joyce's death was sad, and 'Family' and 'Fool for Love' are two of my fave episodes...but there's just something about the season as a whole that just doesn't click with me...but it's still ten times better than anything else on TV!!

FahrbotDrusilla

12-21-2005, 08:07 PM

I really like season 5, actually it's my second favorite only to season two... I don't know it had the best arc i guess, and I actually like Dawn.

Soozy-18

12-22-2005, 06:17 AM

I think they just started to dull down in this series, there wasnt really as much going on. I thought the whole Spike loves Buffy scenario was only to compete with the Angel/ Riley love she had/ still has. Why couldnt Buffy not have a love interest for while?

Season 5, not the best! Id prob say Season 3 is one of the better seasons!

PrincessZombie

12-22-2005, 06:51 AM

Yeah, season five isn't my favorite, but I don't know why, exactly. I think it might be because this is the season where I really noticed Buffy starting to get all "woe is me" and depressed constantly. But I LOVE Dawn! She's one of my very favorite characters! :)

THE BLUE

12-22-2005, 07:43 AM

Was an alright season.

Soozy-18

12-22-2005, 07:44 AM

I can see where Buffy was all depressed, seeing as Joyce died and all. But every episode seemed to have Dawn or Buffy crying and being all "im moody". It was quite a depressing season i must say!

THE BLUE

12-22-2005, 08:01 AM

Well, that's a "plus" of Dawn. She was a weepy character at that moment and had slight self-confidence issues, which tragicaly increased season by season. I always expected slayer's sister to be strong and all so that was a major disappointment for me.

Soozy-18

12-22-2005, 08:04 AM

I agree with that. Season 5 was very much a "Dawn weeping" season, and this let the show down, although Glory was ok, with her attitude. But Dawn really did let it down for me!

Destructo Girl

12-22-2005, 08:24 AM

I never really liked Season Five, either. There were certain episodes that I loved (The Gift and Fool for Love, for example) but, that was about it. The basic storyline I didn’t love. It seemed, again, too whiny and Spike just made me mad all season. They went really out of character, so to say, with him.

Edmund Blackadder

12-22-2005, 08:42 AM

Buffy starting to get all "woe is me" and depressed constantly.

I know how selfish of her to feel like that....i mean it was only a Brain Tumour Joyce and you only died from it...get a grip.
Ohh, and yeah, the guy she loved was getting off with vampires, then subsquiently left her.
Her sister isnt actually her sister, but infact the possible destruction of this universe.
And she has to fight a GOD.

What the hell did she have to go all woe is me about!!!!

+ Matt +

12-22-2005, 10:15 AM

I loved Glory so I liked the season...I didn't like the next season though with The Trio.

galathea

12-22-2005, 02:43 PM

Actually to me season 5 is one of the better Buffy seasons. I found the way Dawn was introduced rather intriguing and very original. I liked her character a great deal and think her struggling was understandable.

Taras full integration into the group and her relationship with Willow are adorable and made that season another highlight to watch. Riley left, which isn't a bad thing alltogether (although the character grew on me I have to admit). Buffy traumatized through her mothers death and seeing Dawn in danger from Glory gave her fight a new and deeper motivation, which I found made her more likeable in this season.

The Body, Fool For Love and The Gift are my fav episodes in that season. I wished they finished the series after that.

PrincessZombie

12-22-2005, 08:16 PM

I know how selfish of her to feel like that....i mean it was only a Brain Tumour Joyce and you only died from it...get a grip.
Ohh, and yeah, the guy she loved was getting off with vampires, then subsquiently left her.
Her sister isnt actually her sister, but infact the possible destruction of this universe.
And she has to fight a GOD.

What the hell did she have to go all woe is me about!!!!

I'm not saying she didn't have any reason to be depressed about her life, I'm just saying that I didn't enjoy watching it. Seasons 5, 6, and 7 of Buffy had a more serious, depressing feel to them than the previous ones, so I didn't like them as much. It's just my opinion of her, she was annoying. Some people think Dawn was annoying, but for me it was Buffy.

THE BLUE

12-23-2005, 04:43 AM

Buffy was not annoying. As some people tend to believe or see it. I think Spike, Anya, Dawn and Giles were annoying.

eunsoma

12-23-2005, 06:23 AM

I agree with THE BLUE all except for Giles and Anya, Spike was a tradgedy as always and Dawn just sooked too much throughout the season. Giles got a bit annoying in season 6 and especially 7 but he wasn't as bad in season 6. Anya never annoyed me i loved her character. The season was overall really good I thought, the group came together again after s4 (which was a disgrace) and the scoobies had a family feel. AND GLORY! she rocked, she was the best baddy ever except for Faith and evil Cordelia but overall I give it 4 and a half stars.

eponinethen

12-23-2005, 10:54 AM

I'm not saying she didn't have any reason to be depressed about her life, I'm just saying that I didn't enjoy watching it. Seasons 5, 6, and 7 of Buffy had a more serious, depressing feel to them than the previous ones, so I didn't like them as much. It's just my opinion of her, she was annoying. Some people think Dawn was annoying, but for me it was Buffy.
I agree. I think Buffy could be very annoying (although, she was sometimes in the earlier seasons as well).. And the three last seasons were more depressing.. actually the show got a bit more depressing each year in my opinion.. But being a fan of depressing stuff (well, BtVS-depressing, not Lilja 4-ever or Dancer in the Dark depressing), I love these seasons. They are very good in my opinion. I even love the fact that Buffy can be so annoying.. it fits in the show in my opinion, heh..

PrincessZombie

12-23-2005, 11:40 AM

Buffy was not annoying. As some people tend to believe or see it. I think Spike, Anya, Dawn and Giles were annoying.

It's my opinion that Buffy was very annoying. I'm not trying to make anyone agree with me.

Soozy-18

12-23-2005, 12:05 PM

Making the key someone that they all particulary loved ie Xander, Willow, Tara, even Giles.. would/ might have made the season more interesting, rather than bringing in this new character and acting as if nothing had happened. Dawn was far too whiney for my liking, and the episode where she cut her arm with a knife annoyed me! Cos she is realyl annoying, instead of getting all hormonal about being a key, she should have at least asked about what the key was about and why she was the key, before starting to get all "im the key, boo hoo, no one loves me"

Season 3 is the best!!

RockManic

12-23-2005, 12:26 PM

I've got no real problem with season five. It falls somewhere in the middle of the order of favourite to least favourite season for me.

There was nothing incredibly bad about season five but it did fall short in some areas, such as some of the basic details of the Key and Glory's relationship with it (well discussed elsewhere on the Boards) but it also held some of my favourite episodes, such as Spiral, Triangle, Checkpoint and The Replacement, so it can't all have been bad.

Not to mention, Spike started to get centre stage, which is always a good thing in my opinion. :)

Cordelia Chase*

12-23-2005, 05:16 PM

Ok!!! Everyone cant jump on Dawns case!!! She was only in middle school. If in season 7 she was in the 9th grade then in 5 she was in the seven. Dawn deserved alot of crying.....learning that she was a key, that she had fake memories of everything, and that she was only alive for a few months.....then her mother dies, she feels left out by her sister, and is wanted by a crazy hellb*tch.............so crying alot is ok in my book. I love Dawn! I was made she wasn't a potentail..I would of wanted her to take after Buffy........

buffetofsporks

12-23-2005, 08:55 PM

Maybe no one likes season 5 because Buffy's hair looked like it did? Hmm, maybe not.

I don't know, it's not my least favorite (that would have to go to season 1, unfortunately), but it's not the best either. I liked Dawn okay, and Glory was cool. I just think some of the episodes weren't my cup of tea. Besides the obvious The Body and The Gift, I just wasn't awed by the episodes themselves. Good arc, mediocre filling.

FahrbotDrusilla

12-23-2005, 09:09 PM

Buffy was not annoying. As some people tend to believe or see it. I think Spike, Anya, Dawn and Giles were annoying.
like you said its all how people see it, those are actually my favorite Buffy characters. (I get the rest, But how could you hate GILES)

THE BLUE

12-24-2005, 10:17 AM

like you said its all how people see it, those are actually my favorite Buffy characters. (I get the rest, But how could you hate GILES)

I have my reasons.....

Tucker's Cousin

12-24-2005, 11:42 AM

I actually liked season 5 heaps. Probably my second favourite season after s3. Yeah, Dawn was annoying at times. Every time she screams "Get out! Get out! Get out!" I just wanna smack her in the head. But I love the way she comes into the series and you go, "Buffy has a sister, wtf?" Then all is revealed a few eps later. I think it's clever and well done.

S5 has the most complete seasonal arc, a great villian, a plethora of sensational episodes (Fool for Love, The Body, Triangle, Intervention, The Gift), Riley messing up and leaving. It all hangs together so well. The only weakness I find when watching it is the ep The Weight of the World. But even this has the comic values of Spike having to explain the Ben/Glory thing time after time.

Cordelia

12-24-2005, 11:46 AM

Seasno 5 is one of my favorites...I like the continuity they have in that Season and Glory was a fun baddie. Some of my favorite episodes are in that season too...minus Buffy vs. Dracula. I mean Intervention, Checkpoint and The Gift are three of the best Buffy eppies ever.

Summers Blood

12-24-2005, 01:10 PM

Actually I really loved Season 5. It is one of my favourite Seasons, Season 6 was my ultimate favourite. I liked the storyline with Dawn even if I did hate her and thought she was too whiny, and I liked how Buffy dealt with her mothers death.

I also loved the last episode, and I thought Glory was just great!

Randy Giles

12-24-2005, 09:49 PM

It was better than season four. I hated Adam, or whatever that frankenstein guy's name was.

eponinethen

12-25-2005, 02:43 AM

It was better than season four. I hated Adam, or whatever that frankenstein guy's name was.
Lol yea that was the name, and I hated him too ;)

master kenobi

12-25-2005, 04:25 AM

what season 5 ruled !!!!!!!! go willow and tara

merry x mas to all

i liked the ending with adam....buffy turning the missiles into birds

THE BLUE

12-25-2005, 07:15 AM

what season 5 ruled !!!!!!!! go willow and tara

merry x mas to all

i liked the ending with adam....buffy turning the missiles into birds

Wasn't Adam in Season 4?

Araminta Tyler

12-25-2005, 01:41 PM

Yeah, he was. I think she was replying to eponinethen's comment about Adam, not confusing the seasons. :)

THE BLUE

12-27-2005, 05:09 AM

I loved Drusilla's return, so disappointed that she didn't stay.

jasmyne

12-27-2005, 09:32 AM

I dont think that seris 5 was all that either because the only thing buffy did was barely beat up glory!!!!!!

SlayerG07

12-27-2005, 10:24 AM

I didnt care much for Season Five at all. I couldnt stand Dawn, and I disliked her character almost as much as I disliked Riley... The storyline wasnt too bad, seeing as how I have never personally heard anything quite like it before. The only good part about it: Glory. ^^

Soozy-18

12-29-2005, 01:31 AM

eponinethen

12-29-2005, 05:08 AM

I must agree, there are some characters that really annoyed me; Anya, Faith, Cordelia to name a few, but Dawn is my ultimate pet hate... is it me, or are people always goin to see her as "Harriet the Spy"?!
Whaaat? Ok haven't seen Harriet the Spy, but understand why Dawn annoys people (although personally, I have really started liking her).. But Anya? And Faith? That I do not understand at all, gah! Especially Anya in season 5 (since well, Faith isn't there), she's just wonderful, could not love her more :D

sk8rj04

12-30-2005, 12:38 AM

I really do feel that Series 5 was quite a let down. I wasnt and never have been keen on "whiny" Dawn, and all folks seemed to do was cry, cry, cry, then die!

Series 5 not the best :cry:
I completely do NOT agree with you. Season 5 was a good season. The key issue, the fighting a God issue, and I'll tell you right now, little siblings ARE whiny and annoying, so dont give me that hooplah. It was a well done season. And "The Gift" was a SPLENDID season finale.

Spuffiness

12-30-2005, 04:29 AM

Season 5 was the best. along with season 2. and season 3. and 4. and 6 and 7 and 1... wait... season 1 wasn't that good. I love all the season, I love this series so much! and season 5 rules!

BillieHunter

12-30-2005, 10:45 PM

This season as a whole was not my favorite season, but it had some of my all tiem favorite episodes like The Body and Fool For Love.

Soozy-18

12-31-2005, 04:17 AM

I must admit that "The Body" was a decent episode, but that was about it. The whole season wasnt the best effort from the producers!

BOO to Season 5!!

Spuffy57

12-31-2005, 11:10 AM

I loved this season. It was much better than season 4. I was sooo glad the Riley left! I hated him! Spike feel in love with Buffy and there began the best couple ever!!! It's not my favorite season but i still love it. There were great episodes like Fool For Love, Intervention, The Gift, Family and The Body

Willowfan4life

01-22-2006, 11:21 AM

i really like this season i thought it was great and i liked dawn yes she did have a lot of problems going on in her life why don't u just think about that her mom dies..she finds out she is the key and she has sister problems... she might have screamed alot but in my opinion that is a normal teenage response to all that stress... and grief plus before all that her mom was sick and she had to live with that everyday when she came back from school.. u really can not blame her for being ticked off about her own life... we notice in s6 when she sings she say does anyone notice her u can see right there that she feels alone.

Kimm

01-22-2006, 12:09 PM

I actually really liked this season. It has to be one of my favorites!!

So many great things happened. Glory was a great baddie, Tara's larger role in the group, Buffy's mother dying, Buffy sacrificing herself to save Dawn.

I thought this was a really emotional season and I loved it!! :smile2:

postmortem

01-25-2006, 03:19 PM

I really do feel that Series 5 was quite a let down. I wasnt and never have been keen on "whiny" Dawn, and all folks seemed to do was cry, cry, cry, then die!

Series 5 not the best :cry:

I pretty much thought that too. Dawn was whiny, everything was falling apart, Giles was going, Joyce gone. It was a let down, okay. But when I saw Season 6, I actually realized that Season 5 was to be an alright season. It was better than three seasons I can name; Season 4, 6 and 7. Of course it can't beat Season 2 or 3, but nothing can. Ehem.

Helpless

01-25-2006, 08:16 PM

This wasn't my favourite season but it most certainly wasn't the worst. I mean, of course...there are let downs in almost every single season but you have to give this season some credit. It was an overall good season but it wasn't my favourite.

Cordelia Chase*

01-25-2006, 10:08 PM

I like the seasons that keeps the scoobies busy and this is one of them. Season five was awesome! Glory kept me layghing. We got to see yet another change in the storyline. Getting itno more depth of the characters.........

Gunnlover26

01-27-2006, 04:11 PM

I think season 5 was really good. This was one of the most intense season of the whole series in my opinion. The bad part was Dawn being so whiny, I must agree with that.

VisionGuy

01-27-2006, 04:45 PM

I think season 5 was great. It had a lot of drama and great episodes. I agree that Dawn was whiny but she was a young teenager who obviously got babied by her mother. I cut her some slack.

Ahm Shere

02-01-2006, 11:08 AM

Season 5 was my favourite season. There was so many good episodes, and so many beautifully done episodes (IE The Body) So, I thought season 5 was good.

HellGods

02-16-2006, 04:09 PM

I really do feel that Series 5 was quite a let down. I wasnt and never have been keen on "whiny" Dawn, and all folks seemed to do was cry, cry, cry, then die!

Series 5 not the best

... are you serious...?

A let down..? season five had more amazing twists then any other season of Buffy. Yes even more than season two. And how could you say there is too much crying? Buffy's mom died.. of course theres going to be crying. Did you think that everyone was going to have a huge party and forget about the apending apocolypse? If so, then I think your watching the wrong television series. and I hear everyone complain about how Dawn was "whiney" well let's see how you feel when you find out that you're just a mystical ball of energy and that every memory you had isn't real. And then, on top of that, her mom, pretty much her only and best friend, died. I think she has all right to be whiney. And then there's Glory. The first chick ever in the whole series that was more powerfull than Buffy (excluding Adam, but he was killed in a matter of seconds anyways.). She beat the crap outta her, on multiple occasions. For the first time on Buffy, there was an almost unbeatable opponent that had a legion of minions on her side that would die for her cause. Buffy beating Glory was amazing all on it's own. And then the finale.. can you honestly sit there and say that you weren't in tears after that performance?

Sorry if that sounded bitter and rude, It wasn't aimed to be.

watcher1006

02-17-2006, 07:40 AM

It's always hard to answer the "favourite Big Bad" question but I think that mine is Glory. Somehow she seemed so appropriate a foe for Buffy. Great scene in "Checkpoint" where Glory suddenly shows up in Buffy's living room. I was taken aback to see Spike openly having a crush on Buffy. Nevertheless, the relationship that he and Buffy had built up by the end of the season-mutually supporting but not lovers-was, I think, as fine as anything they had in Season 7. Definitely much finer than their relationship in Season 6. Anya was really good in this season too-really becoming part of the gang although she remained cluelessly undiplomatic. Tara too, really became part of the gang with the episode "Family".

One thing about Season 4 was that the Scooby gang was kind of homeless after they lost the Sunnydale High School library as a meeting place. Dorm rooms, Xander's basement, Giles apartment, they all didn't quite add up to the same thing. In Season 5 this was remedied when they set up in the Magic Box.

I couldn't believe it when we lost Joyce-such a vital part of the Buffy world. Just when it seemed that she was going to make it. I've never seen a more powerful depiction of losing a parent, I think "The Body" easily merited an Emmy award.

I felt that the flaw of Season 5 was that they couldn't quite establish the bond between Buffy and Dawn which lies at the core of the main story arc. There just wasn't enough time for me to really get used to having Dawn in the picture before the high powered finish at Glory's tower. Nevertheless, I think "The Gift" is the best crafted of all the season finales, and that's saying a lot.

dontbelievezombiesintowel

02-18-2006, 10:59 PM

i really liked season 5 it was a good season with many cool plots

Eternal Slayer

02-19-2006, 03:54 AM

I didn't like season 5, i think it was the worst season of Buffy :(

AnyankaJenkins

06-04-2006, 05:28 PM

I really do feel that Series 5 was quite a let down. I wasnt and never have been keen on "whiny" Dawn, and all folks seemed to do was cry, cry, cry, then die!

Series 5 not the best :cry:
It was my favorite season to be honest. There was a deeper character development with Buffy, Spike, Joyce, Xander, and even Anya. I enjoy it. To me, season six was a bit dry but that's just me.

SlayerShel

06-15-2006, 07:56 PM

I think the season had some good episodes... a lot of them in fact. That being said, it is probably my least favorite to watch due to the DEPRESSING tone it sets for the whole Scooby Gang life. I find it stressful to watch!

nerd4hire

06-15-2006, 09:10 PM

Question: Is it me? Or was Series 5 really not that good?

Answer: Yes. It's you.

Mango

07-12-2006, 04:00 AM

I didn't really like season five until the last few episodes. I can't watch most of it because the whole brain tumor storyline depressed me severely. It was just too real and scary. It definatley wasn't the best season, though I loved the last few eppies, especially 'The Gift'.

Randy Giles

07-12-2006, 06:50 AM

That's what's GOOD about season five, is how they added such terrible real-life issues for Buffy to deal with.

1-800-Willow-Rosenberg

07-12-2006, 05:00 PM

I like season 5 it touched on very good topics. such as the death of joyce and ll the reactions. i think season five is a goo season. dawn does cry alot in this season but with her mom dying and everthing else i cut her some slack. Plus tara and willow aww cute. and the end os season five of my favorites not because buffy died :( but it was just well done with everyone doing their part to try and save dawn.

angeldarla

08-08-2006, 07:31 AM

well season5 isn't my fav season too.. i guess it's because of joyce's death, buffy's death, spike with harmony, angel was only in Forever and dawn apperance. it didn't seem the same buffy from others seasons. it was really confusing...

Az89

09-08-2006, 11:04 AM

i think what made season 5 nt seem that good was that season 4 was so good ( in my opinion)

buffy man

09-09-2006, 09:46 PM

I wouldn't blame you. Season 5 was the second worst season they did. First season 4. Season 5 was just so slow. I mean I like it when Joyce is on it but it took them forever to get to the point. Joyce is sick. Yes we all know that. So why not make her die faster. I mean it's not like I don't like Joyce, it's just she's sick and we all know she is going to die. So why not just kill her off faster.

Also I thought that it took along time to get used to Dawn. I like Dawn in all but to me she just made the series worse. But if she wasn't on it then why would Buffy have an excuse to work at the new high school or for Buffy and Robin Wood meeting.

So yes season 5 was horrible. But it was filled with some great episodes like The Body, Tough Love, and The Gift. So on the plus side there are great episodes to look forward too.

TabulaRasa

09-09-2006, 09:54 PM

I really liked season 5, just not Dawn. I love Dawn in season 7 all grown up and minus the cry baby act. But I think that every season has its off episodes, and then also great and funny ones.

Mesektet Ra

09-14-2006, 04:22 AM

I actually thought S5 was one of the BEST Buffy seasons. I love the story arc and how they tied everything together - "Little Miss Muffet" and all that. I really liked Dawn's prophecized coming a lot. I liked how they ended it and everything.

Now, I actually LIKED Dawn. When she came about, I was around her age, and I had a ton of involuntary empathy for her. I mean, I wasn't that prissy or whiny, but you get the idea. S6 Dawn is much harder to put up with than S5.

nerd4hire

09-14-2006, 10:39 AM

I agree with Mesektat, and here's something I find interesting. When the series was running I used to get the feeling Season 5 was one of the more popular seasons. I remember seeing polls, and my impression was Season 3, and Season 5 generally won the top 2.

I'm wondering...if I was to go through this thread would I be able to make the case for the idea the DVD generation is liking Season 5 less than those who discovered Buffy as a weekly series? Is it possible Season 5 doesn't translate as well via DVD, as it did via telecast for some reason?

watcher1006

09-14-2006, 12:03 PM

I'm wondering...if I was to go through this thread would I be able to make the case for the idea the DVD generation is liking Season 5 less than those who discovered Buffy as a weekly series? Is it possible Season 5 doesn't translate as well via DVD, as it did via telecast for some reason?
Interesting question, I don't know the answer. Offhand I sort of thought that the fans who had followed the series loyally for as many as 3-1/2 seasons before Season 5 might have been most put off by the introduction of Dawn, which in principle would have recast the experiences of the characters in those seasons, at least in their memories.

*Buffybabe*

09-15-2006, 01:07 PM

Yep i agree with the peeps above me, season 5 was really good, one of my best eps, season 4 was one of my worsts!!

Ladybug

09-29-2006, 05:37 PM

Hmm... it really depends... I don't like it that much, but that's probably just because I've watched the episodes way too many times...

I think this would've been my favorite season if I had seen it before seasons 6 and 7 (yes, I watched the seasons out of order >_<). Dawn was awful in this season, she was just... ugh. Always whining and crying and being patheticly stupid and predictable. I mean, seriously. I loved the actor, and her acting, but... I really, really hated Dawn. In the 6th and 7th season, I think she got a lot better, and more, er, "confident" in herself. I think it helped that she finally stopped going on about being the Key, the only time that was mentioned... was... I think in Two to Go, by Dark Willow. And Dawn didn't even say anything then. In season 7, she was even better, and actually pretty useful to the scoobies. She did a majority (or what seems like) of the research, and she could do a lot more for herself besides whine. But, yeah, anyway, Dawn is a complete brat in this season. Just because she's the Key doesn't give her any priviledges to be so... annoying. Heh.

One upside of this season was Willow and Tara. That was very comforting, but kind of distracting... I mean, you hear people say "Oh, I like the 3rd season best because Angel's in it" or "I like the 6th season best because almost every episode has Spuffy sex" (which, ew, to that second example), which isn't bad or anything, don't get me wrong, but it doesn't have to do with the plot. People should like shows/movies/episodes/books/etc. because of their storyline. If you watched a show just for one specific thing, it would probably get very boring after a while of watching it just for that one thing. Example; in season 6, when Tara is shot, I have to admit that was very sad and it still often makes me cry, but I accept that it happened. Denial sucks. Period.

Wow, am I totally off subject.

Okay, anyway, my point is, the fifth season was [probably] pretty good.It's just that it's usually judged by one petty little piece. Dawn was not one little piece, though... she was like, the season itself. So to have that kind of a character stepping in and becoming the big focus of everyone, they have to be a good focus. (-cough- Good = no whining)

white avenger

10-01-2006, 08:10 AM

The death of Joyce was certainly the biggest "down" of season five, but there were several "ups" in it as well. The biggest was the elimination of Riley, who had degenerated into little more than a boy toy to vent Buffy's sexual energy, and the beginning of the growing bond between the Slayer and Spike, but it also, for the first time, introduced a big bad who was too powerful for Buffy to handle without serious help from her friends. The inclusion of Dawn into the cast was, in my opinion, just an effort by the writers to appeal more to the younger audienct, the same as Lt. Chekov was in the origonal STAR TREK.

zombie.apparatus

10-01-2006, 08:31 AM

season 5 was good i thought... not the best season of buffy but defintely not the worst!

Darling Faithy

10-04-2006, 01:57 PM

I thought season 5 was alil boring, and it just got a lil akward at points, and of course this was the start of some definite spuffy things, which i hated.

raniE

10-05-2006, 04:44 PM

Season 5 is definitely my favorite season of Buffy. Although it did have it's weak points (The Knights of Byzantium, the chumping of Riley) it had so much godd stuff that I can just ignore the weaker parts. Glory was a great big bad, and the seasonal story arc was really great. There were some really great episodes, like The Body, The Gift, Family, Real Me, Blood Ties and Fool For Love, and none that were really bad.

The characters were almost uniformly great, I really liked dawn from the first time she appeared onscreen, and really don't get all the hate against her. also, Spike finally found a place in the series (as opposed to "just being around" in season 4) and it was fun to contrast how bad he used to be (as seen in Fool For Love) with how pathetic he had become. Willow and Tara were great, and I really liked their relationship. It was great fun to see Xander and Giles pick themselves up from their season 4 slumps and get new senses of purpose, and Joyce was just really really great.

Anya unfortunately seemed to simply exist as comic relief, and Riley was changed from the promising character he had been in s4, to an idiot. Also, Glorys minions were way too incompetent, and The Knights of Byzantium were totally lame. But it's still my favorite season.

Wilkins

10-07-2006, 04:45 PM

I just finnished rewatching season 5 the other day, (is going through the entire show with my girlfriend who's never seen it before) and had just reasonly read this thread, and therefor, had it in mind while watching. But I must loudly protest. First of all, Buffy is NOT whining at all. And second, its one of the BEST seasons ever, its a part of the highest peak the show has, the one that stretches from a few eps in in season 5 - to somwhere in the middle of season 6.

Jules

10-08-2006, 11:41 AM

I like Season 5. Sure, its not my favourite season but its not my worst (I save that for season 6 :))

Yeah, Dawn was a really annoying introduction to the cast, but her character was suppose to be annoying. She was Buffy's little sister, and younger siblings, in general, are nothing if not annoying. I thought it was played out well, and the audience got to understand Buffy's feelings because they were feeling them too.

Plus it had the rather real storyline of Joyce's illness. It was interesting to watch Buffy deal with a situation she couldn't control or fight. This was hinted at in Season 2 Killed by Death, but that actually turned out to be a monster. Buffy is so used to being able to protect people from the supernatural, she was thrown when her mother got sick.

It was a season of interesting plotlines :)

buffy man

10-09-2006, 12:39 PM

Well I didn't really like season 5 that much either. I mean it's not the worst. I would say that season 4 was the worst. But Dawn was so annoying. She wined constantly and whenever she didn't get her way she would storm off and be a brat about it. I liked the concept that Joyce was dying from a natural cause and not from a demon. But the thing I didn't like about Joyce dying was that during those times the episodes were boring. Nothing was happening in the episodes. And I like to watch Buffy kick demon butt. Not sit there and cry about her mom dying. I mean I would do that but it kind of got on my nerves. They could have done more things with Glory during those times. But they chose to make the show more emotional than it already was. So I would have to say season 5 was horrible. But it wasn't the worst. It had a lot of great episodes but some of them were kind of boring. So yes it was boring.

raniE

10-11-2006, 03:58 PM

Spirit_Of_Fred

10-11-2006, 05:36 PM

Am I the only one who didn't find Dawn annoying? When was she bitchy? The times I can remember her storming off and doing something stupid (and I watched s5 just a couple of weeks ago) were in Real Me (running outside when Buffy is telling her friends that Dawn is an idiot), Blood Ties (sneaking off and breaking into the Magic Shop, cutting herself, burning her diaries and running away from home after she finds out she's only been alive for six months) and Forever (Trying to resurecct her mother after she died). Buffy's done a lot more stupid shit on the show, and whined about a lot pettier stuff, yet she doesnt catch nearly as much flak for it as Dawn does.

in my opinion, and as some people have said before me, when dawn was annoying it was because she was supposed to be. she was meant to be this annoying teen sister who bugged buffy out of her mind sometimes, cause that's the way sisters can be. she was also supposed to be realistic. there are people out there, mostly around dawn's age, who can be annoying with the storming off, spoiling things, and whatnot (as in s5) and who feel that no one cares they exist (as in s6). also, by her being annoying, we can understand buffy's perspective and how she felt about her. yet buffy still loved her, despite the things she did. we should be able to like her too.

stephyk87

04-06-2007, 05:49 PM

Ha! and I thought I was the only one who wasnt a huge fan of season 5. lol. Its not that it was bad at all (it had some awesome episodes in it). I just wasnt feeling this season as i did the rest. I cant stand dawn, she definitely ruined it for me. I think thats one of the biggest reasons why i wasnt into it as the others.

alexa

04-07-2007, 01:51 AM

This is actually my favourite season, so far ;). I used to think it wasn't that great, but now it's the season I watch the most of, think I find Buffy easy to relate to in this season more then any other. Plus it has so many great stand alones like season 4, but it also tied the arc together really well. Dawn wasn't too hard to stand, much more so in season 6, but they always give her so much to whine about.

Schizophrade

04-29-2007, 07:22 PM

I personally thought that Season 5 was one of hte best seasons of Buffy, it is actually my favorite season in the whole series. It had a great storyline, and the acting was great not that the acting was bad in the earlier seasons or later ones for that matter. Yes, Dawn was annoying but that was how she was supposed to be an annoying teeanger sister that always was in Buffy's hair, and always caused some type of trouble. Buffy never whined once, she cried yes, because her mom died and because she blamed herself for Dawn getting taken by Glory.

Loved the season :)

Angel's Avenger

06-11-2007, 07:40 AM

I thought season five was one of the better seasons too. Way better than the awful season 4...my two fave seasons are three and five.

Your Creamy Coolness

06-11-2007, 02:21 PM

Wicca-Who-Wont-a

06-14-2007, 10:15 AM

I was really impressed with season 5, i don't thin k it was flawless, but I do think a lot of the things that annoy people about season five are the exact same things that make it such a great season. For example: A lot of people think that dawn was to "whinney" and she should have been stronger as a character, where I think that the fact that she was so immature and wheepy all the time just made the end of seaon five where Buffy died for Dawn for dramtic. Dawn needed her big sister to look after her, and she did by making the ultimate sacrafice to keep her safe. I have a little sister myself, who is as annoying as hell (like dawn) and she relies on me to do everything for her, because I am her big sister, like buffy was to dawn.

BlackScar

07-01-2007, 12:44 AM

Season 5 is one of my favourites.I really like the stroy arc and I think Glory was a great big bad.I agree Dawn was annoying but she was supposed to be. I was happy when Riley left.And Willow and Tara were great in this season.Also this season was more realistic and I liked that.

Panda

07-01-2007, 10:19 PM

i really liked season 5.. especially when glory showed up. she was so cute it almost made me not miss the mayor so much. almost.

i wanted to kill dawn at first but i guess she just played that annoying sister bit a little too well.

Charity

07-20-2007, 04:50 PM

Season Five was my least favorite. But it did have it's redeeming episodes (The Body...)

TabulaRasa

07-20-2007, 08:30 PM

Season 5 was one of my favorites. So in my opinion, it's just you :)

bucky01403

07-31-2007, 09:03 PM

Season Five was my least favorite. But it did have it's redeeming episodes (The Body...)

I agree, it and season three are my least favs.

Glory got extremely annoying. :cyclop:

Jone

08-01-2007, 11:44 PM

This isn't my favorite season but I still loved it! They had a lot of good episodes that I would watch over and over again. Yes Dawn was annoying at times as well as Glory, but I think some of the episodes made up for that. I also liked the season finale episode. One of their best's.

The season I didn't think was all that good was season 7.

codyw1

08-30-2007, 10:20 PM

I just started s5 again last week, raced through it and watching the final 3 eps tonight! I think it's brilliant, personally.

Bangelxx

12-27-2007, 05:35 PM

I really liked this season! Probably my second fave season after season 6!!! Although i agree, Whiny dawn- accchhh annoy-ing! sometimes i just wanted to smack her but over all, it was VERY well done!:D

LittleMissLikesToFight

12-27-2007, 07:57 PM

i couldn't stand Glory more than I couldn't stand Dawn. And that's saying something.

GATEGOD

12-27-2007, 08:41 PM

i couldn't stand Glory more than I couldn't stand Dawn. And that's saying something.

lol :blah: Totally agree ^_^ But i still liked the season :D

TrueVengeance

12-27-2007, 10:31 PM

Season 5 twas my favorite season from the moment I saw it, mainly because of the storyline and Glory!! :thumbs_up The bestest villian ever!!! She was bitchy and more powerful than Buffy! Tis rare!

I loved pretty much everything about the season...except for them god awful knights. I mean, c'mon! They just show up out of nowhere, often knowing exactly where Buffy and the gang are. like in Spiral, how would they know that the gang was in THAT camper, in the middle of the desert! please, so lame!

Kemy

12-28-2007, 08:29 AM

I don't mind season 5 personally.

There are some great Willow/Tara moments and possibly their best moments together in "Family".

Joyce's arc, "Shadow" and "The Body" in particular.

Spike's slow descent into the murky world of Spuffy.

Riley is kept to the background and eventually leaves (yay).

Olaf and Anya, one of the funniest episodes of the season and possibly the series.

Drusilla returns and wreaks havoc on Sunnydale again, a brief glimpse of the good old evil Spike.

Space monster! I mean come on, the one and only outer space Demon. Ok not such a bog deal when all the others come from other universes altogether but still.

The little Leper guys (and gal) are funny, some of the better minions on the show.

"Fool for Love" is a brilliant episode, other than Spikes past we learn more of the lore of the Slayer and the execution of the story is good.

Dracula himself turns up to claim Buffy for the undead. One of Xanders most memorable performances.

Buffybot!

And the most emotional finale of the show, I dare you not to at least get a little teared up when "Sacrifice" starts playing.

And probably quite a few other things I'm forgetting but those stand out as Season 5's best moments to me.

LittleMissLikesToFight

12-28-2007, 10:35 AM

oh i think the finale was superb and one of my favorites, actually. i have it on my ipod and sometimes i start tearing up in public, not good lol. and yeah Fool for Love was wonderful. AND i was a fan of the knights (but since i was a kid i had a fascination with knights and all that).

But Glory just... annoyed me. Not at first but she was sooo whiny and spoiled that after so many episodes it kind of drove me crazy.

sosa lola

12-28-2007, 11:36 AM

Season 5 is a little hit and miss for me. The Scoobies were too happy for my liking, all the drama was for Buffy, Spike and Dawn. I liked S4 and S6 more because all the core four got their fair share of drama, and the core four is why I'm watching this show. :)

DeadButStillPretty

01-06-2008, 04:07 AM

Hey, it was an alright season. in fact I loved it mainly because of Glory. The best baddie ever!!!!!!!

I agree Glory is my fave villain!

skcbuffyfan87

05-04-2008, 04:52 PM

cultcross

05-04-2008, 05:10 PM

I used to think season 5 was very overrated when I first watched it. I still from this day can not get into Dawn's character. She is just too damn whiney and ruined it for me in a lot of ways lol (sorry for all those dawn fans out there). However, I have grown to like this season a lot more as I have gotten older.

Had almost the exact opposite experience!
Used to really enjoy this season, and dislike season 6, but I just did a full watch through after a nearly two year gap, and the seasons had swapped places - this time through I found season 5 irritating in parts and season 6 a lot more tolerable than I remembered it. That's not to say s5 didn't have some great episodes, 'Checkpoint', 'The Body' and 'Fool for Love' spring to mind straight away, but the whole season arc is the weakest of the lot, I feel, as in order for Glory to not just destroy them all in about episode 6, the pretence of not knowing what the Key is has to be dragged out for almost the whole season.
Then when it all finally hits the fan, the final resolution doesn't make logical sense.
Not my favourite season. Season 6 lacked direction and an over-riding arc in many ways, but that was deliberate, done that way to emphasise Buffy's aimless wanderings and difficulty grasping reality or moving forward. Season 5's somewhat clunky arc was down largely to introducing a too-powerful villain, too early.

frejya

05-04-2008, 06:26 PM

I think s5 is a good season. Sure, the storyline is not as good as in s4 or the others. But still, I find many of the episodes rather amusing. The season is a good mixture of humor and seriousness.

Crazy Flakes

05-04-2008, 06:54 PM

I loved season 5. It was one of my all-time favorites, in fact. The darker side of the show didn't bother me at all (hence the fact that season 6 was my favorite), and, even though I wasn't a huge Glory fan, I thought the storyline was great. Dawn was a solid addition to the show, the whole storyline with Buffy and her mother was brilliant, and it was great seeing the softer side of Spike for the first time. Plus, it was the peak of the Willow/Tara and Anya/Xander relationships, and they were two of my favorite Buffy couples.

TrueVengeance

05-04-2008, 09:26 PM

Season five was my favorite. Loved the storyline, plus Glory=the best baddie on the show! Floved the whole arc (cept the knights...ugh don't get me started on that one). Plus, no Bangel or Spuffy (okay Spike's love for Buffy, but nothing like season 6) and the peak of Tillow and Xanya, my two favorite couples! What's not to love? ;)

The Ferg

05-04-2008, 10:00 PM

Well, I haven't watched all of season 5 (why the hell do people keep caling them "Series" instead of Season), but I have to say I'm not too impressed... Of course it could just be because I've been watching Buffy pretty much non-stop since like February, but Idk, it just seem like something's... idk missing...

InsaneMystic

05-05-2008, 07:34 AM

I'm rewatching S5 at the moment, and to me, it's the exact middle in my fave ranking... worse than 2-3-6 (in that order), better than the other 3 (not sure whether I like 1 or 7 more, but I really loathe 4 even though that season had great standalones). I'm not ranking 8 since I don't know the comics at all.

I think it has a lot to do with me, on rewatching, really liking Dawn from the beginning (much as some of you will find that hard to believe ^^ ).

littlewilly

05-05-2008, 05:54 PM

wots every one talkin about? season 5 was amazing. dawns best season. possibly spikes best as well. buffy v drac, fool for, and the last 5 episode run in. all 2good

WhiteHat

08-27-2008, 02:03 PM

S5 was okay. Since Angel was the Arch-Villain the baddies didn't seem as keenly threatening, IMHO. Adam was a piecemeal minor threat. The First in "Restless" should have been explored more than it was. The introduction of Dawn's character was disconcerting...sometimes downright awkward, and Glory was a minor annoyance and not god-like whatsoever. Just some random thoughts. :D

SpoonsAreCool

08-27-2008, 02:56 PM

Season 5 is one of my favourites, serious episodes such as 'The Body' and then more humorous episodes like 'The Replacement', are unforgetable. Also, I love Season 5 because it's the season in which Spike starts to fall for Buffy :)

DarkAvenger

08-27-2008, 04:08 PM

Season 5 is great! It's my 2nd fav season! Glory, the BuffyBot, .. it's awesome!

Violette

08-27-2008, 04:22 PM

Season 5 is not one of my favourite seasons, but Glory is one of my favourite villains (after Angelus/Spike/Dru and The Mayor/Faith). There are some episodes that I really like from season 5 though, like: Fool for Love, Crush, Forever, and The Gift.

hazzard

08-27-2008, 10:10 PM

season five isn't my favourite either, but i still think it has some amazing episodes and was necessary for the arc of buffy as a whole (buffy's mom dying, dawn, spike, willow/tara, xander/anya, etc). i thought i would hate dawn, but once she got past her whiny key phase, i actually thought she was a great edition in a really interesting way. also, being a huge buffy/spike shipper, i love their issues in season 5.

The Ferg

08-28-2008, 07:47 AM

Meh, I wasn't a big fan of S5 either. Don't get me wrong, it had an amazing story arc, but some of it kinda bored me...

pernilleborup

08-28-2008, 08:12 AM

I liked season 5 :)

Spike had some great moments, and he discovered his love for Buffy... And we had Glorificus :D

Airam

08-28-2008, 03:10 PM

Despite Dawn (I didn't really like Dawn at all till S7) and despite Riley (don't even get me started) S5 is actually maybe my favorite, its neck and neck with S2. Other seasons might have better standalones, but when judging the seasons I go by the arc and in my opinion S5's arc with Dawn and Glory and the Key was just top notch. Glory also does an excellent job of rivaling Angelus for best big bad, its probably a tie for me. Definitely on the side of season 5 here.

lollups

08-30-2008, 11:15 AM

i really love season 5, maybe not as much as 3, but it was still awesome. I think it just had a consistently good run of episodes unlike series 1 and 4 which had a few stinkers. I liked Glory as a villain as i could kind of sympathise with her, but at the same time completley despise her, and i loved the whole Ben side of things, just made it that bit more mysterious to begin with. A lot of people hate dawn but i think shes ok, she acted like an annoying little brat sister really well, which is what she was meant to be doing, i think with dawn a lot of people dont dislike the character, they just dislike how realistic she actually is. This series of course had some of the biggest shocks as well, such as the aforementioned glory/ben situation and Joyce's shocking death. Two things that make me love this series a little bit more than most of the others though are, 1. The Body, it's like my favourite episode. and 2. Riley finally leaves town, THANK ****!
anyways....series 5 is quality.:D

pernilleborup

08-30-2008, 11:20 AM

Season 5 had some really great episodes.

I liked our big bad. Glory was a different and lovely villain.

I liked Dawn. She wasn't whiny, she was just being a little sister. I think it was kinda good they brought someone new to Buffy's life.

We had a HUGE revealing episode with William/ Spike. Couldn't live without that one! I could easily find a season worse than the 5th. Take season 4. Really not one I like.

Your Creamy Coolness

08-30-2008, 10:59 PM

Season 5 is my favorite season peroid!! It is just amazing from beginning to the end. IMHO

NCFan

09-04-2008, 04:31 AM

Season 5 is my favorite season peroid!! It is just amazing from beginning to the end. IMHO

I have to agree. This is my favourite season out of all 7. This was meant to be the final season of Buffy ever anyway, which is why it went out with Buffy sacrificing herself.

The only thing I found annoying was when they kept recapping the same things over and over again at the beginning. Lucky for dvd's and fastforwarding that part.

Urgent Power

09-04-2008, 04:41 AM

Mine too. But if you put this aside, this is one if not the best season of Buffy.

ItMustBeBunnies

09-04-2008, 05:44 AM

Season 5 is in the middle for me (I go 2,6,3,5,7,4,1), so I liked it ok. Glory was a good villan and the season had some real sparkly moments like Fool For Love, The Body, Forever, Intervention and The Gift. I am not a Dawn lover, I pretty much just tolerated her until season 7 when she got a bit better, although wingy teenager? Ive been there! we pretty much all have. And it did give us the only kinda Tara central episode ever, Family. Which while not the best ep, it was nice to get into her character for a bit.

AvatarofTruth

09-17-2008, 01:41 AM

To OP: In the words of Xander Harris "No it's, uh, not you."

pernilleborup

09-17-2008, 03:28 AM

You are completely of your bird! season 5 was THE season. It was brilliant.

AvatarofTruth

09-17-2008, 03:40 AM

By my estimation S5 had one great episode. One. S5 ate the cheese big time. It felt more like Xena than Buffy, for precisely that reason. "The Body" was the only redeeming episode.

[Edit] to pernilleborup: Yeah, Xena kicks some ass.

pernilleborup

09-17-2008, 03:44 AM

I don't know...The body was kinda..OK I didn't like it. I think it had some great moments, no doubts about it, but to me it was just kinda...meh

Airam

09-17-2008, 03:46 AM

But...but...the buffybot.... :(

I'll grant you that S5 maybe wasn't a wonderful stand-alone ep season, but it had possibly the greatest arc. I for one judge the season as a whole by its arc, so IMO its neck in neck with S2. Its like S4 for example... it has some great stand-alone eps, but the overall arc was a suckfest. So its kinda like, take the good wth the bad.

pernilleborup

09-17-2008, 03:47 AM

I hated season 4... worst villain ever! Adam was lame... and his hair stood straight up

luckystar

09-21-2008, 10:08 PM

i thought season 5 was a very strong season actually, yes it was a big risk to throw dawn in there and of course riley yikes, the strongest episodes to me would be real me which had some great scooby moments, family it was good to see tara get out in front, the body which was just fabulous the acting the drama and finally a willow tara kiss, forever i enjoyed the slight return of angel, the final 3 episodes i loved also the scoobys been trapped was great as was willow inside buffys mind and finally the gift terrific season finale so overall it was a fine season i would say its probably the strongest season after 2: popcorn:

Darling

09-22-2008, 09:10 AM

Just watched The Gift yesterday.... And... It a SAD SAD SAD Season... Almost all the episodes was all crying and giving up. Not complaining.. I like the Season, but its kinda heavy to watch. Joyce dies, the episode The Body is disturbing and well done, Tara become a mad woman, Willow is lost, Giles is lost, Buffy is lost (and dead!)

The highlights are: Spike relationship with Dawn (somebody said to me here in BB´s I´d like them.. they were right!)... so funny and cute *_*

And the BuffyBot! I love the Buffybot! It´s so damn funny to see SMG with that odd face xD

About Dawn, in the first episodes I was like "what a hell?? a sister?? Joss smoked something!"

Kaylee Frye

09-22-2008, 09:37 AM

I wouldn't say S5 was bad. I enjoyed it. Yeah Dawn was a slight emotional during that season, but so is every average teenage girl. Hell, I STILL appologize to my mother for the way I acted as a teen. LOL. I enjoyed the interaction between herself and Spike, I bawled like a baby when Joyce died, and at the end when she died. Not to mention Glory cracked me up. I'd say it was pretty stellar.

BASBritt

09-22-2008, 10:21 PM

I absolutely LOVED Season 5! It was so confusing at first, and then the pieces fell together and it was awesome. All the characters grew and changed so much, and I LOVED Glory... She was the best villian ever. Her and the Mayor!

DarkAvenger

09-24-2008, 10:34 AM

Season 6 was and will always be my favourite. BUT season 5 is absolutly my second favourite. i love the "big bad" (glory), dawn, the buffy bot, etc etc. I was really surprised when i watched season 5 for the 1st time. ;)

pernilleborup

09-24-2008, 10:44 AM

Season 5 had a revelation! Spuffy got real!!!!!!! It began 4 real

Ellyce

10-07-2008, 11:46 PM

In my opinion, season five is actually the best season of Buffy. While season seven is my favorite, I thought that it was the best written, and there were so many good episodes in here.
While Dawn was annoying at first, I grew to really like her after a couple of episodes.
"Family" was such an amazing piece of work, and the relation that I can make to Tara really made me like it so much more. "Fool For Love" was such a great episode, there was such a great interaction between Spike and Buffy, especially when they sighted together at the end of the episode. "The Body" was just so amazingly beautiful and sad, and that's another plus of the season. And "The Gift!" Probably one of the best episodes of BTVS, second or third only to "Once More, With Feeling". I think that a lot of people didn't like season six (in my opinion) mainly because season five was so good that it was hard to live up to it.

AgentX7k

11-02-2008, 11:27 PM

Season 5 is my favorite season, almost every episode is either good or great, it had the best overall arc, big bad, episode and finale.

atticus

11-03-2008, 08:35 AM

I think season 5 was great, there was just certain elements that didn't work for me. Mainly, the whole brain sucking thing, just a little bit silly for me, and tara very much suffered from it. Would have loved to have had tara and willow fight the big fight together. Especially since tara only had one season left, bit of a waste. The whole idea of dawn actually worked brilliantly, shouldn't have but it did.

Librarian Giles

11-06-2008, 07:46 PM

Yeah i agree Season 5 is great, just so many changes and watching everyone grow up as a person, or a vampire(spike). In this Season Buffy is forced to grow up and take on a motherly role as well a role as general later in the season. There was so much emotion that year, and it all fitted in well and made the story really shine in my opinion. Not to mention everything Buffy went through that season, from Riley leaving her, her mom passing away, Tara getting brain sucked, her sister being captured and yeah the whole usual thing of having the weight of the world on her shoulders. Then at the end of it all, when you think the world is doomed, Buffy is caught knowing the only way to stop armegeddon is Dawn to die, or to jump into the portal herself.

Such a great season!

IdiotJed

11-09-2008, 11:13 PM

I liked it, but it's not my favorite. Used to be but something kept on bothering me about it and I could never put my finger on it. Still can't for some reason. Some great episodes undoubtedly but I don't know, it seemed to lack a little something for me.

PurplePoof

11-13-2008, 11:50 PM

Season 5 got off to a bit of a weak start...but once things got rolling I thought it was definitely one of the better seasons. Glory is by far my favorite big bad, and while I didn't really care for Dawn as a character, I enjoyed that her presence allowed the writers to explore Buffy's more maternal side. Plus, very few weak eps.

cryptwarmer

11-19-2008, 05:07 PM

I wasn't wild about season five at first, but now that I've seen the whole thing I realize how well crafted it was as a whole, and it had some amazing episodes.

It wasn't as much fun to watch, because the tone is heavier, but it is the season that drew me in as more than a casual fan. I actually began to care at a deeper level about the characters, they became real to me.

Dawn whines too much, even for a kid that age. I used to be one, I had friends that were girls that age and a daughter of my own, and in comparison to all those, Dawn was off the board annoying at times.

I LOVED Glories minions, I think they were hysterical.

I totally fell for Spike, cheered when Riley went Bye bye and began to finally have some sympathy for Buffy as a human for the first time.

So, yeah, at the time, I had some issues with Season five, but I realized how it made my relationship with the characters grow up, the way it made them grow up as well. I am liking it more and more, the more time I spend with it.

PurplePoof

11-19-2008, 09:49 PM

I agree with you about the increased caring and sympathy for Buffy. And as much as I hate to admit it, I think it was largely the inclusion of Dawn that allowed for that to happen...

cryptwarmer

11-20-2008, 05:07 AM

I agree with you about the increased caring and sympathy for Buffy. And as much as I hate to admit it, I think it was largely the inclusion of Dawn that allowed for that to happen...

I think you're right. I don't hate Dawn, and I think the addition of her has brought out interesting aspects in all the characters, but sometimes they use her as more of a vehicle for plot advancement than as a full fledged character, and that's too bad.

I feel that sometimes the writers are struggling with the fact that originally they wanted her as a younger character, and sometimes they fall back on that.

I mean, I know Sunnydale is the Hell mouth, but a 15 year old shouldn't need constant babysitting...it's useful to the writer's, but considering what the rest were all up to at that age or close to it...come on!