6 Divisive 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Episodes That Fans Hated But Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Buffy tried many things during its 7 season run, changing the landscape of television A teenage girl, a high school, vampire love interests, an expanding cast of heroes, and overarching Big Bads and plots. None of these elements are novel, but nearly 30 years ago, Buffy the Vampire Slayer played a key role in establishing this vocabulary, which continues to reappear in supernatural stories today. Developed by Joss Whedon and starring an ensemble cast led by Sarah Michelle Gellar, the series follows Buffy Summers, the Chosen One, as she protects the town of Sunnydale from vampires and monsters while also doing her homework and keeping the peace with her mom. Throughout its seven-season run, the TV show was never afraid to break the mold and try out something new. This led to many memorable episodes but also some polarized reactions from fans. With the gift of hindsight, even some of the show's most divisive episodes have turned out to be ahead of their time. Here are five Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes that, while divisive or controversial upon their release, have aged remarkably well. After leaving Sunnydale at the end of season 2, Buffy returns home to find that her mom and fri