I’ll admit that I was skeptical at first, myself. I liked the “Buffy” movie because it was a funny premise executed with great campy fun, but I questioned how they could sustain that one joke and the feel for a whole series. The answer is that they didn’t. The only connection between the movie and the series is the central character. The series is a much richer, human-based drama that was able to sustain its central theme throughout its entire run. Though I hadn’t planned to watch the show, I was flipping through the channels one night and happened on the pilot, not knowing what it was. Within five minutes I was hooked and I stayed hooked for seven years (though season 4 was a challenge).

So why do I think Buffy is so great?

The Acting — Though she seems to be relegated to cheesy horror movie hell now (The Grudge, The Grudge II, Scooby Doo, Scooby Doo II, The Return), Sarah Michelle Gellar was an emmy winner on “All My Children.” The kid can act. She can pull off the demon butt-kicking with conviction and flair. She can handle the witty banter comfortably and often hilariously. And she can gut-punch you with the intensity of her emotional scenes (and believe me, there were plenty).

The rest of the core cast is equally great. Most of them were unknowns when they started, but all of them ably pulled off the delicate balance between humor and pathos that was the series’ hallmark. Nearly all of them have gone on to find success in new series since (Alyson Hannigan on “How I Met Your Mother”; Charisma Carpenter on “Angel” and “Veronica Mars”; David Boreanaz on “Angel” and “Bones”; “Anthony Stewart Head on several British series). Supporting players like James Marsters (Spike), Juliette Landau (Drusilla), Julie Benz (Darla), Eliza Dushku (Faith), Kristine Sutherland (Joyce, Buffy’s mom), and Michelle Trachtenbrrg (Dawn) were also flawless.

In addition, there were dozens of one-off appearances by future stars like Wentworth Miller (“Prison Break”) and Clea Duvall (“Carnivale”). The show’s casting directors just had a knack for finding great talent.

Memorable Characters — What made the characters so great was that they weren’t one-dimensional. Even the most cowardly character displayed courage in a crunch. Even the bravest had doubts. The villains were nuanced and textured, as well. You were constantly surprised to find new facets to each character, yet the new facets never felt false. There was an evolution for each.

The Writing — While shows like “The Gilmore Girls” and “The O.C.” are rightfully lauded for their witty, pop-culture-referencing dialogue, “Buffy” did it first and did it more naturally. While the dialogue between the teen characters on “The O.C.” often sounds forced and unnatural, on “Buffy” it was always spot on. The often witty banter felt like true expressions of the characters. The writers also had a gift for moving from humor to sorrow in an instant. They never lost sight of the fact that at any moment evil could strike with dire consequences.

The Plots — The series can basically be broken down into two kinds of episodes: monster-of-the-week or ongoing “big bad” for the season. Each season had a central villain, and over the course of the season there were many episodes devoted to that ongoing story line. Scattered throughout, there were some episodes that dealt with a particular demon or phenomenon that had to be vanquished.

Some of the monster-of-the-week episodes were admittedly not so great, though the monsters were usually metaphors for issues that people face in real life. The “big bad” episodes, on the other hand, were almost always great. The writers were able to sustain and build on these plotlines, culminating in some truly epic final episodes.

There was also an overarching storyline for the whole series, which was Buffy’s journey from a callow school girl who suddenly gets saddled with the responsibility to protect the world from demons (not just vampires), to a young woman grappling with what those responsibilities mean in terms of her own ability to find happiness. This wasn’t kids’ stuff. They’re the issues that all of us have to face as we move into adulthood: Who are we? What’s our place in the world? Are the sacrifices we’re asked to make worth it?

Inclusiveness — One of the things I loved about “Buffy” (and its spin-off, “Angel”) was the diversity of the characters and the matter-of-fact way it was handled. Though all of the main characters on “Buffy” were white, many of the important secondary characters were not. The first slayer was a black woman, as were several others we met along the way. In the final season when we’re introduced to the Potential Slayers (the rule is that there can only be one slayer at a time and when one dies another is called from the Potentials), they encompass every imagineable ethnicity. Unlike other shows that might make an issue out it, however, “Buffy” never did. Characters were just characters. Black characters slept with white characters. Humans slept with demons. It was all good.

There was also sexual diversity on the show. Willow, one of the four main characters, eventually discovered she was a lesbian. Again unlike on most mainstream shows, she was allowed to have relationships with other women and have a sex life that we actually saw. There was also ambiguously gay Andrew, one of the “big bads” from season 6 whose feelings for one of his male cohorts seemed to be a bit more than friendly. Again, no fuss was made of any of it. The show was just effortlessly inclusive.

So that’s my spiel for the greatness of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and why it’s the perfect gift (and something you should own, as well). If you don’t want to shell out for the full box set, I’ve put together a list of the seasons with my ratings, comments, and some of the key episodes you might want to check out.

Season I (Rating: B) — There were only 12 episodes in the first season and the creators were clearly still trying to get their bearings. There are a few too many monster-of-the-week episodes, but the season finishes strong.

Key episodes:
Episode 1: Welcome to the Hellmouth
Episode 2: The Harvest
Episode 7: Angel
Episode 12: Prophesy Girl

Season 2 (Rating: A+) — This is when the show hit its stride and the writers really began developing the idea of a central theme for each season. Buffy falls in love with Angel, Angel turns bad, Buffy has to decide what she’s willing to sacrifice for her “job.” As the season progressed it was truly lyrical, and the finale still chokes me up every time I see it.

Key episodes:
Episode 1: When She Was Bad
Episode 3: School Hard (the introduction of Spike)
Episode 6: Halloween (it’s a monster-of-the-week, but very funny)
Episode 11: Ted (with a great performance by John Ritter)
Episode: 13: Surprise (the season really kicks into gear)
Episode 14: Innocence (things get very dark)
Episode 17: Passion
Epsiode 19: I Only Have Eyes for You
Episodes 21 & 22: Becoming (maybe the best 2 hours on television EVER!!!!)

Season 3 (Rating: B+) — A bit of a let down after the previous season, and definitely a slow starter, but by mid-season things got good. Eliza Dushku’s Faith was a great addition to the show.

Key episodes:
Episode 1: Anne (not a great episode, but you have to see it to find out what happend after season 2)
Episode 3: Faith, Hope & Trick (the introduction of Faith and the great villain Mr. Trick)
Episode 6: Band Candy (very funny)
Epsiode 9: The Wish (we meet Anya and see a world without Buffy)
Episode 14: Bad Girls
Episode 15: Consequences (Faith starts to turn bad)
Episode 20: The Prom (just a so-so episode until the end; a great example of how the show could move from fun adventure to deep emotional resonance)
Episodes 21 & 22: Graduation Day (the demon is kind of hokey, but the rest kicks ass)

Season 4 (Rating: C) — The gang leaves high school and things get kind of dreary. A not-great “big bad” and a very dull boyfriend for Buffy drag this season down. Still a few good moments. I have to admit that I don’t own this season so I’m not sure of the episode numbers.

Key episodes:
Hush (criminally, the only Buffy episode ever nominated for an Emmy, but what a killer episode)
Restless (a strong finale that brings the gang back together)

Season 5 (Rating: A) — A great “big bad,” a shocking loss, and an amazing climax make this a great season. The sudden appearance of Buffy’s younger sister, Dawn, is kind of a “huh?”, but it’ll all get satisfyingly explained and Michelle Trachtenberg is great as Dawn.

Key episodes:
Episode 5: No Place Like Home
Episode 7: Fool for Love
Episode 8: Shadow
Episode 10: Into the Woods
Episode 11: Triangle (a fun episode with a key element crucial to the finale)
Episode 13: Blood Ties
Episode 14: Crush
Episode 16: The Body (very moving)
Episodes 18–22: (if you miss any of them the great finale might not make complete sense)

Season 6 (Rating: B+): The darkest season as it progresses.

Key Episodes:
Episodes 1&2: Bargaining
Episode 3: After Life
Episode 6: All the Way
Episode 7: Once More With Feeling (a musical episode that uncovers the hidden emotional truths that have been festering)
Episode 8: Tabula Rasa (some priceless funny moments)
Episode 10: Wrecked (the darkness begins)
Episode 16: Hell’s Bells
Episode 17: Normal Again (very thought-provoking)
Episode 19: Seeing Red (Willow’s dark powers are unleashed)
Episode 21: Two to Go
Episode 22: Grave (a great finale that gives Nicholas Brendon (Xander) an opportunity to shine)

Season 7 (Rating: A) — The ultimate “big bad,” the return of many favorite characters, and an awesome finale.

Key episodes:
Episode 1: Lessons
Episode 3: Same Time, Same Place (the creepiest demon in the history of the show)
Episode 7: Conversations With Dead People
Episode 8: Sleeper
Episode 10: Bring On the Night (the seasonal plot begins to take shape)
Episode 13–20 (unlike previous seasons, there are no monster-of-the-week episodes in the last part of the season, so if you miss an episode you might not follow what’s happening completely
Episode 21: End of Days (the lead up to the final conflict and the return of Angel)
Episode 22: Chosen (a satisfying, and at times moving, end to the series)