Fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer know well what the show has to offer: quippy dialogue, lovable characters, and the perfect mix of spookiness and camp. Although romantic subplots aren't always the main focus of the series - friendship takes that cake - Buffy does embark on some transformative relationships throughout the show's seven seasons.
Her coupling with Riley Finn, which spans seasons 5 and 6, is a controversial one. Is Riley a devoted partner who represents the kind of normal life Buffy has been craving or is he an overly needy square who isn't right for the spunky Slayer? No matter what stance fans adopt, they can probably recall certain iconic episodes that tell the story of Buffy and her second-ever boyfriend.
10 "The Freshman" (Season 4, Episode 1)
A bright spot in the otherwise foible-filled season 4 premiere, which sees Buffy begin her first semester at UC Sunnydale, is her meet-cute with Riley, her very cute Psychology TA. In classic Buffy fashion, she meets him by accidentally hitting him on the head with her Psych textbook.
Although their interaction is brief in this episode, it's chemistry-filled and foreshadows the relatively successful relationship they'll enjoy for the next season. It's also notable for establishing viewer expectations that Riley is just another student when he is, in fact, collaborating with Dr. Walsh on shady Initiative operations.
9 "A New Man" (Season 4, Episode 12)
Buffy and Riley's relationship is blossoming in this episode and, with their secrets all out on the table, the pair is rapidly learning everything there is to know about each other. Buffy is head-over-heels for the Initiative and Maggie Walsh's genius-level intellect, and seems to be taking to the idea of institutional support for her Slaying activities.
For his part, Riley is discovering the extent of Buffy's powers and her extensive Slaying history - a process that culminates in a chemistry-filled all-out sparring match (which Buffy clearly wins). This episode is Buffy's unique and action-filled take on getting to know a new lover, and besides hinting at Walsh's suspicious intentions, it suggests a great future for the couple.
8 "The Initiative" (Season 4, Episode 7)
Although Buffy first makes contact with operatives from the Initiative several episodes earlier, the shady government organization, of which Riley is a central part, is truly fleshed out in this episode.
Riley's feelings for Buffy are made obvious for the first time, and he even punches Parker after the latter brags about sleeping with her. His repeated attempts to charm Buffy are thwarted by his need to hunt down the escaped Initiative prisoner, Spike. In a hilarious twist, their separate attempts to track down the vampire lead Riley and Buffy to trade blows (as their undercover personas) without realizing who they're fighting. It's a thoroughly funny episode that leaves viewers wondering how Buffy and Riley will reconcile their closely guarded secrets.
7 "Goodbye Iowa" (Season 4, Episode 14)
After Initiative leader Maggie Walsh suddenly dies at Adam's hand during the previous episode, Buffy tries to find out more about Riley's employer. While Riley's coworkers want him to believe that Buffy is responsible for their boss's death, Buffy is confused as to whether Riley had anything to do with the lethal trap Walsh set for her.
Besides setting up an important conflict for the couple, this episode reveals Riley's dependency on the Initiative's performance-enhancing drugs. Even though he's unwilling at this point to accept Buffy's beliefs about Walsh, the episode ends on a hopeful note as he tightly clutches Buffy's scarf while suffering withdrawal in the hospital.
6 "The Yoko Factor" (Season 4, Episode 20)
This episode marks a series high for the nail-biting romantic drama, as Riley and Buffy's ex Angel come face to face. Before the brooding vampire even appears, Xander recaps Riley on Angel and Buffy's moment of "pure happiness" in season 2, which only stokes the government agent's existing jealousy.
When Angel does drop into town, he and Riley immediately earn a spot in the canon of iconic boyfriend brawls. Once he's able to get his apology to Buffy, the dreamy vampire jets off, leaving Buffy and Riley to process the heated interactions that transpired. Thankfully, they're able to get past it and affirm their love for one another.
5 "Out Of My Mind" (Season 5, Episode 4)
This episode marks one of the couple's most melancholy moments, as Riley's health falters due to years of being drugged by the Initiative. Unfortunately, it finds Buffy desperately attempting to convince a reluctant and flighty Riley to abide by his doctor's and his friends' concerns about his physical state.
It turns out the doctor that can help Riley has already been accosted by Spike to remove his chip, leading to a near-fatal brawl in the operating room. Thankfully, Riley is in good shape by the end of the episode, but his reliance on Buffy for a sense of purpose (never mind for his health) spells dissatisfaction in the couple's future.
4 "Doomed" (Season 4, Episode 11)
In this aptly named episode, Buffy and Riley struggle to fully commit to their growing feelings for each other and imagine a happy future together. The pair bare their deepest secrets, with Buffy correctly guessing Riley's secret identity and her finally revealing her role as the Slayer.
This outing includes a classic scene in which Riley suggests metaphorically that their mutual occupation as "fry cooks" makes the and Buffy an especially compatible couple, but based on her troubled romantic history, Buffy is unconvinced. By the episode's end, though, Riley's identity is revealed to the Scooby Gang, and despite her reservations, Buffy is ready to give love another shot.
3 "Into The Woods" (Season 5, Episode 10)
One of Buffy's longest-running relationships comes to a sad conclusion at the midway point of season 5. She's consistently been unable to give Riley the affection he longs for, as well as unable to provide his sole purpose for living a life in Sunnydale.
To Buffy's shock, Riley has been coping with his unsatisfactory relationship by paying visits to vampires who feed on his blood at night. In the end, Buffy realizes she wants to stay with Riley, but she is sadly too late to stop Riley's pursuit of a new government demon-hunting mission in South America. This episode uses Buffy's classic vampire mythos to deftly explore vulnerability, dependence, and what can go wrong in the realm of romance.
2 "As You Were" (Season 6, Episode 15)
This episode finds the couple forced into an uncomfortable reunion after a long time apart. One of its most memorable scenes depicts Riley confronting Buffy during her shift at the Doublemeat Palace and requesting his ex's help.
Buffy is thrilled at the chance to momentarily leave her disappointing life behind as she gets drawn into Riley's mission in Sunnydale. He wants to prevent the horde of demon eggs from hatching and to find the individual known as "the Doctor" (in fact Spike) incubating them. But things turn awkward for Buffy when Riley's new wife and colleague Samantha arrives. In the end, the meeting is cathartic and allows Buffy to get some important feelings off her chest, and it's a fitting conclusion to Riley's arc on the series.
1 "Where The Wild Things Are" (Season 4, Episode 18)
By far one of the most memorable episodes for fans of Buffy and Riley, "Where The Wild Things Are" has a steamy premise unseen in Buffy up to this point.
Weirdness is afoot in Sunnydale, with Buffy and Riley encountering an unusual vampire-demon duo and strange occurrences plaguing Riley's dorm. The couple hardly notices, though, as they famously spend nearly the entire episode in Riley's bed, even during a dorm party, and uncharacteristically ignore the audible distress of partygoers downstairs. Even though a poltergeist turns out to be behind the pair's neverending lovemaking, they hilariously have no complaints. Although a strange episode, it's by far one of the honeymooning couple's happiest and most iconic moments.
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