The Big Re-Watch Buffy The Vampire Slayer (season 2)

(Aka- the first one with Spike and Drusilla)

I remember watching the second series of Buffy The Vampire Slayer when it was first aired in 1998, watching it with my two friends week in, week out. It was this season that got me hooked on the show. Would I still love it as much? Or am I remembering it with rose tinted lenses? loads more Angel action, loads more of Giles cleaning his glasses, Oz makes his way into the Scoobie gang (who just happens to be a werewolf!) and a vampire called Spike rolls into town...

                                   

Season two kicks off with Buffy returning to the Hellmouth that is Sunnydale and gets back into the swing of things with the familiar quick wit and vamp slayin' action that we saw so much of in season one. This season roughly follows the same episode pattern as season one with a myth-arc episode followed by a monster of the week style episode, the difference being, the main arc of this particular season is probably one of, if not thee best one. With Buffy deeply in love with Angel, she unleashes the dark side of him - Angelus (making Angel the badass that he was before his souls was retained) who teams up with Spike, aka William the Bloody who is pretty determined to make his slayer kill count to 3. Along with the help of Spikes girlfriend Drusilla (who is somewhere between Gary Busey and Nicholas Cage level crazy)  mastermind a plan to kill Buffy and control the Hellmouth. Let the emotionally charged ass-kicking commence!

Away from the main story, the monster of the week episode provide the usual tongue in cheek side of the show with some lessons to be learnt along the way for Buffy, Xander Willow, Oz and Cordelia, bringing some character development foe Sunnydale's Scoobie gang. Highlights include 'Ted' in which Buffy's mother's love interest turns out to be a killer android (played by the late great John Ritter) and 'Halloween' in which the costumes end up possessing the minds of those dressed up. All fun stuff which makes the series a cut above the rest.

All in all, I can say that this was still an entertaining and well crafted series, and the seasons closing episode showcase Whedon's talents of crafting a fine show. With Spike, he made a fan favourite (me being one of them) and the Buffy/Angel relationship does nothing but make the show a richer and more enjoyable watch.
It would take a lot to make a better series of the show, but with Buffy being better than ever and the audience wanting more, could season 3 surpass expectations?...