Buffy the Vampire Slayer proved to be one of the most popular shows of the '90s, and its influence continues to be felt today. Despite being a Slayer, Buffy still needed help from her friends. Even Xander, who had the unique distinction of being the only member of the group to not possess a special or supernatural ability. However, Xander proved time and again to be a valuable member of the team.
With his trademark wit, he was always the first to crack a joke and break the tension. Although he was a supporting character that doesn't mean that Xander wasn't given plenty of opportunities to shine and prove why the gang needed him. With this in mind here are the 10 best Xander episodes.
10 Him (7.1)
Appearing in season 7 "Him" featured more Xander than most episodes, and required him to team up with Spike to figure out why all the girls have suddenly become attached to a high school quarterback.
The odd-couple of Spike and Xander play off each other well and the episode features plenty of laughs. In addition to this Xander proves throughout the episode how much he cares for his friends and the lengths he is willing to go to, in order to help them.
9 Potential (7.6)
Another episode from season 7 "Potential" was by no means a Xander heavy episode but it still remains one of his best. While seeking out potential Slayer the gang come to believe that Dawn could be a future slayer.
Upon realizing that she's not, it is left to Xander to comfort her and make her realize that she's not special, she's extraordinary. It's undoubtedly one Xander's finest moments and while he may not have powers, he displays why he belongs on the team.
8 Hell's Bells (7.9)
Season 6's "Hell Bell's" marked one most significant days in Xander's life, in which he was set to marry Anya. However, the ceremony was thrown into disarray when a man claiming to be Xander from the future appears and calls for the wedding to be stopped.
This then leads Xander to do some deep soul searching and question whether marrying Anya is the right decision. Ultimately it is revealed that the wedding crasher is an imposter, but regardless Xander has a change of heart and calls off the wedding.
7 The Replacement (8.3)
"The Replacement" saw a demon use magic to create a copy of Xander for nefarious reasons. This then led to Xander trying desperately to convince his friends that he was the real deal.
The Xander heavy episode marks one of the more comedic outings of season 5, and with two Xanders there are more than enough jokes to keep Xander fans entertained. The double effect was created by using Nicholas Brendon's twin brother as a stand-in, making the effect appear seamless.
6 Dirty Girls (8.7)
"Dirty Girls" marks one the final episodes of season 7 and sees Buffy lead an all-out assault on Caleb and the first evil. This results in a devastating defeat for the whole team. The gang is left shaken after the encounter, but perhaps none more so than Xander who loses an eye as a result of the battle.
This is by far Xander's lowest moment and he is left permanently disfigured. His horrific near-death experience leads to his faith in Buffy being shaken, and he temporarily turns his back on her.
5 Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered (8.8)
Season 2's Valentines-Day themed episode sees Xander become the object of affection for all the girls at Sunnydale High. The Xander focused episode is one of the seasons best and is both hilarious and uncomfortable.
Things begin well enough and Xander finds he enjoys all his newfound attention, however, things quickly escalate and he finds that the girls are dangerously in love with him. The episode shows Xanders's shortcomings and stupidity, whilst also showing that his moral compass prevents him from abusing his newfound power.
4 The Zeppo (8.8)
Few episodes feature as much Xander-for-your-buck as season 6's "The Zeppo", which sees the goofster off on an adventure of his own. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Xander finds himself mixed up with a gang of the undead and must drive them around town as they attempt to build a bomb.
The comedy focused episode allows Xander to shine in a way only he can, as well as providing plenty of opportunities to show his heroic side.
3 The Prom (8.9)
Season 3's "The Prom" showed the more caring side to Xander's personality, in addition to his capacity for kindness and empathy. His tremulous relationship with Cordellia saw them begin as enemies, become lovers, and then return to their mutual disliking of one another.
But despite the animosity between the two, Xander helped Cordelia out in a big way, by buying her a prom dress when she was going through financial problems. This side of Xander is rarely explored, but behind all the jokes is a good man.
2 Halloween (9.0)
Season 2's "Halloween" saw Xander transformed into his costume, and become a grizzled soldier, due to the influence of a magic spell. The episode flipped the group dynamic, making Buffy a helpless princess, that for once needed Xander to come to her aid.
The fun episode marked one of the best Halloween themed episodes the series produced and allowed Xander to transform into someone completely unexpected. Xander managed to retain some of his army knowledge for the remainder of the series but never before was he more bad-ass the here.
1 The Wish (9.2)
"The Wish" is undoubtedly one of the greatest and most fun episodes in the series. The Cordelia focused episode sees Sunnydale transformed into a Vampire run hellscape due to the absence of Buffy. The world has gone topsy turvy and Xander is now a blood-thirsty vampire.
The fun episode gives the audience a glimpse into a world that could have been. And the worst-case scenario nightmare presents a different look at the darkest side of Xander's personality.
from ScreenRant - Feed https://ift.tt/2YLWFcv
0 Comments