This sixth season of
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is referred to as the 'life sucks' season of the show. Rather than having a main villain, like all the previous seasons, this particular season is about the characters growing up and facing life itself. While I can appreciate the show taking a slightly different direction, I was disappointed by this season. I didn't like the way the characters were treated and despite a couple of great episodes, it just wasn't as good as the previous five seasons. This is the show's second to last season, and it's pretty obvious that Buffy and crew were ready to go off the air.
Back when
Happy Days was on the air, there was an episode where a character was water skiing and jumped over a shark. It was one of the dumbest moments in sitcom history. Ever since then, the term 'jumped the shark' has been used to describe the moment when a television show finally went over the hill and its ending was inevitable. There's even a website called
www.jumptheshark.com that allows people to vote on pretty much every television show ever broadcast. According to the voters who weighed in on
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the most votes went to the idea that the show never jumped. However, the 2nd and 3rd most votes were for events that took place during this season.
Just so you know, this is the sixth season of a long-running television show and already about 100 episodes have aired before it. For that reason, I won't bother with any kind of recap for those of you who haven't seen the previous five seasons. At this point in watching the show, you already know who the characters and a lot of the back story.
This season begins with Buffy dead (she died in last season's finale) and the rest of the group trying to carrying on the demon and vampire slaying. Willow is researching a powerful spell that will bring Buffy back from the dead, but the spell involves dark forces and presents a risk. They do end up performing the spell and bringing Buffy back, but it doesn't go as planned. For one, she comes alive six feet below inside her coffin and has to claw her way out in a fit of terror and panic. She also later reveals that she'd actually gone to heaven after dying, so she wasn't too thrilled about being plucked out of a place of happiness to go back to fighting the forces of darkness again.
After casting the spell to revive Buffy, Willow begins to rely too heavily on magic and it concerns Tara. For this season, the use of dark magic is likened to drug addiction and Willow begins to act like a junkie. When tragedy strikes, Willow goes crazy towards the end of the season and starts tossing spells like the Emperor from
Return of the Jedi. I miss the old Willow!
A trio of relationships takes place in this season, and they all have their ups and downs. Willow and Tara aren't getting along well thanks to Willow's magic addiction, and they actually break up for a while. Xander and Anya are still hot and heavy, but tension arises as their wedding date approaches. I thought their wedding episode was very disappointing. Finally, there's Buffy and Spike. While it seemed almost inevitable that Buffy and Spike would end up together, I didn't want to see it. Buffy's done the vampire love thing once before. The situation is a little different this time, but the theme is the same. I don't like recycled stories.
Perhaps the main highlight of this season is the famous musical episode
Once More With Feeling. There had previously been a great silent episode in an earlier season, so naturally this season tries to raise the bar with a musical episode. I will admit that it is clever and funny, but also comes across as a bit gimmicky. This musical episode has sparked a series of singalongs around the United States, sort of like Rocky Horror. There's even a website you can check out for more info at www.buffysingalong.com.
Ultimately, I still consider myself a big fan of
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but I did not enjoy watching this season as much as I have the previous ones. Too much despair and back luck combined with the lack of a main villain took the fun out of this season.
Here's an episode guide, in order:
Bargaining - A demonic biker gang terrorizes the town after hearing that the slayer is dead. With all this going on, Willow uses some dark magic to resurrect Buffy.
After Life - Buffy is back from the dead, but not all that happy about it. This sort of sets the tone for the rest of the season. Buffy frowns and/or cries in pretty much every episode.
Flooded - Remember the three nerds, including Jonathan, who would pop up in previous seasons? They are what pass as villains for this season. Sometimes they can be funny.
Life Serial - Buffy and Spike get a little closer in this episode, as Buffy's depression continues.
All the Way - The big event in this episode is when Xander finally announces his engagement to Anya.
Once More, With Feeling – This is the famous musical episode of the show, and it turns out to be the highlight of the season. Who knew that Tara (Amber Benson) could sing so well? The soundtrack for this show is available on CD.
Tabula Rasa - Willow goes overboard with a spell and causes everyone to forget everything about their lives, often with hilarious results. Once the spell is undone, they aren't too happy with Willow – especially Tara.
Smashed - Willow continues her downward spiral into magic addiction in this episode. Spike also learns a little something new about that chip he has in his head to keep him from hurting humans – it doesn't work on Buffy any more.
Wrecked - The relationship between Spike and Buffy goes farther in this episode while Willow almost gets someone killed.
Gone - The three nerds accidentally turn Buffy invisible, and she uses it to her advantage. This was a pretty cool episode.
Doublemeat Palace - Buffy gets a job at a burger place.
Dead Things - One of the nerds kills someone in this episode, and things get worse for them when they try to frame Buffy for the murder.
Older and Far Away - This is a weird episode where a spell causes them all to be stuck inside Buffy's house for a couple of days.
As You Were - Buffy's ex-boyfriend Riley shows up to help kill some demons and wrap things up a bit.
Hell's Bells - This was supposed to be the wedding day of Xander and Anya, but of course some demons get in the way.
Normal Again - This is a really strange episode involving a mental ward and the idea that the whole show might be the figment of Buffy's imagination. I don't know why this was even made.
Entropy - Anya goes back to some of her old ways in an attempt to get back at Xander.
Seeing Red - A major event takes place in this episode, and it's what triggers Willow into becoming a super bad magic user. This event snowballs into the season finale.
Villains - Willow goes on a rampage of revenge.
Two to Go - Willow's rampage continues, and she even attacks her friends when they try to stop her.
Grave - Willow is finally stopped using the most powerful magic of them all – love.
See also:
Season One –
http://www.epinions.com/content_161131957892 Season Two –
http://www.epinions.com/content_180122586756 Season Three –
http://www.epinions.com/content_192577375876 Season Four -
http://www.epinions.com/content_219747487364 Season Five -
http://www.epinions.com/content_232571047556 
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