Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV Series) Welcome to the Hellmouth (1997) User Reviews

"Into every generation, a Slayer is born..."

[MaxBorg89 · 9/10 · 13 July 2009]

It comes as a surprise of sorts to find out the entire first season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer was completed before the pilot had even aired, partly because series creator Joss Whedon wasn't that big a name at the time to secure that kind of deal (he was best known for being one of the Oscar-nominated writers of Toy Story), partly because the disappointing film version from 1992 - an embarrassing horror/action/comedy hybrid - didn't exactly make people crave more Buffy stories. Then again, it's very possible that the WB execs realized the show had the potential to live up to Whedon's original, untouched vision, which it did almost from the very beginning.

Picking up where the original film script ended, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) moves to a small town called Sunnydale with her mother Joyce (Kristine Sutherland) after being expelled from school in Los Angeles (she torched the gym). As soon as she begins her new life, she finds herself torn between the popular girls, led by the self-centered Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter), who is a lot like Buffy used to be, and the normal guys (in other words, the "losers"), ideally represented by Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan) and her best friend Xander Harris (Nicholas Brendon).

What really bugs her, though, is the school librarian Rupert Giles (Anthony Stewart Head), a member of the Watchers' Council, reminding her of her true nature: she is the Slayer, the latest in a long lineage of women - generally one per generation - chosen to fight and kill all kinds of demons that infest our world, especially vampires. And since Sunnydale is located on a Hellmouth (a place that attracts demons), and an age-old vamp called the Master (Mark Metcalf) and his minions, Darla (Julie Benz) and Luke (Brian Thompson, aka the Alien Bounty Hunter from The X-Files) are preparing a bona fide massacre, it looks like a Slayer could be needed. Of course, some additional help, say in the form of a brooding stranger (David Boreanaz), is always welcome as well.

The thing that grabs attention about the pilot episode is how it plays with genres, something that went on to become the show's trademark: on the one hand, we have the classic epic storyline involving a fight between good and evil, with the twist of the chosen one being a girl (Whedon has explicitly said he created Buffy as a counterbalance to the typical horror movie girl who just runs and screams all the time); the there's the sharp, occasionally cruel coming-of-age story mixed with clever high school comedy. Besides, the two archetypes are beautifully combined via the narrative gimmick, already present in genre gems like Carrie and The Exorcist, of the protagonist's new abilities simply being a metaphor for growing up (another tradition of the series).

And what about said protagonist? Well, Gellar nails the sweet/bad-ass balance at once, while everyone else plays their respective roles to perfection: Hannigan and Brendon the lovable sidekicks, Head the occasionally pompous British mentor, Carpenter the annoying girl who gets in the way and Metcalf, Benz and Thompson the charismatic villains who are every bit as fun to watch as the heroes. Few shows like this have an ensemble that good.

So, vampires, teenagers, epic, horror, high school, growing pains, action, great dialogue, terrific cast: the ingredients that make Buffy the Vampire Slayer one of the most intelligent and rewarding shows of the '90s, despite the potentially dorky title. The legend begins now.

Great Intro Episode!

[g-bodyl · 9/10 · 29 September 2013]

The intro episode to the hit show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a good one. It's full of action and it has some good comedy. I like these kind of shows about the undead and for one, I'm glad it's not campy of gooey. I want to see people killing vampires, not falling in love. (looking at you, Twilight). Anyway, this is a great first episode and I'm looking forward to more.

The first episode, "Welcome to the Hellmouth" introduces us to Buffy and her new school at Sunnydale. We meet her potential friends to be and her wacky librarian who says vampire hunting is her destiny. When she heads to a party, she realizes vampires are about to take over and it's off to kick some butt.

Overall, this is a fine, entertaining episode. I loved Sarah Michelle Gellar's witty one-liners. It helps that she blends her comedy with her vampire-kicking action. I rate this episode 9/10.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Welcome to the Hellmouth is very good beginning for cult series

[tavm · 9/10 · 20 September 2006]

Sunday, September 17, 2006 marked the last broadcast of the WB. It was marked by airing the pilots of the following classics: Felicity, Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Dawson's Creek. Buffy the Vampire Slayer was originally a movie from 1992 starring Kristy Swanson and Luke Perry. That movie's writer, Joss Whedon, wasn't satisfied with the final result so he tried again with a TV series with himself as executive producer. Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) moves to Sunnydale from L.A. with her mother (Kristine Sutherland), having been kicked out of her last high school. There she's befriended by Cordelia Chase (Chrisma Carpenter) who tries to introduce Buffy to her clique. But Buffy takes more of a shine to shy Willow (Alyson Hannigan) and her friends Xander (Nicholas Brendan) and Jesse (Eric Balfour). As she enters the school library, she encounters a bespectacled man with a British accent named Rupert Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) who knows Buffy's a slayer and identifies himself as her watcher. Buffy really just wants a normal life. Giles explains what his and her duties are. Meanwhile, a dead body appears in a girl's locker...Very good first episode of what would be an outstanding series. Gellar, Hannigan, Brendan, and Head already make a fine team with Carpenter perfect as the stuck-up one. Also making first appearances are Angel (David Boreanaz) who is not yet identified as a vampire and Darla (Julie Benz), not yet known as Angel's former lover. This was the first WB show that truly gave the network an identity as the one that teens could relate to. So it's fitting that it should air on the WB's last day. So long, WB. It's been nice knowing you for the past 11 years...

Introducing a classic series

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 20 October 2016]

Buffy Summers is the Chosen One; the one in her generation… The Vampire Slayer. It isn't something she wanted but it is what she is. It has caused troubles in her past which caused her and her mother to have to move from Los Angeles to the town of Sunnydale. She thought she had left the vampires behind but it soon becomes apparent that Sunnydale has its own vampire problem and it is expected to get worse as The Harvest' and 'The Mouth of Hell' are mentioned.

As the episode opens we see a boy being killed by a vampire and Buffy having strange nightmares. The next day it is time for her to start the first day at her new school; here she makes new friends and meets Giles; her new Watcher; the man who will continue her training. Before her first day is over the body of the boy is found in the girl's locker room and the vampires are out looking for fresh victims to feed to 'The Master' one of these is Buffy's new friend Willow. Buffy rushes to save her but the vampires won't die too easily.

The film version of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' was fun enough but fairly forgettable; the TV series is one of those very rare things; a TV spin-off that is much better than the original. While this has its amusing moments it is not a comedy; the scares are impressive and the action exciting. Sarah Michelle Gellar is great in the lead role; perky but with an edge. The supporting cast are also impressive; especially those destined to play a long tern role in the series. This episode proves a great introduction to Buffy and her situation; just about everything we need to know about her is explained without it feeling like blatant exposition. It also serves to introduce many other key characters but obviously not in quite as much depth. The monster effects still look pretty good almost twenty years after it was first aired. Overall this was a great opening to a great series; definitely worth watching.

Where it all began

[steph-alder · 9/10 · 11 May 2015]

"In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the Vampires, the Demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer." Such a simple premise for a show which went from mid-season replacement to global hit, loved by millions. Buffy, as just about everyone calls it, was the show born from the ashes of a flop film of the same name in 1992, and was the singular vision of that unstoppably creative force known as Joss Whedon. To say that Buffy was influential is an understatement, the reality is that Buffy changed everything, and without it cult TV would be a much duller place these days.

But how did a failed move become a phenomenon? Well the answer is in part due to the TV format allowing Whedon the space to fully flesh out his world, something that had been impossible with the stand alone film, especially as the executives saw it as something altogether different. "I had written this scary film about an empowered women," Whedon said, "and they turned it into a broad comedy. It was crushing." Although he had just 12 episodes commissioned at first, Whedon set about telling the story he really wanted to tell: the story of someone who seems to be completely insignificant who turns out to be extraordinary. And sixteen year old Buffy Summers was that someone.

Neatly picking up where the film had ended, Buffy has been expelled from school for burning down the gym (it has been full of Vampires at the time) and, along with her mother, Joyce, has moved to the "one Starucks-town" Sunnydale where nothing ever happens in such of a fresh start. At her new school, Sunnydale High, Buffy finds herself torn between the popular girls, led by the selfish Cordelia, and the less snotty students like Willow, Xander, and Jesse. Despite wanting to get on with a normal life, Buffy is pestered by the Librarian, Rupert Giles, who somehow knows her secret. Any hope that Buffy could leave her Slaying days behind her is gone when Giles tells her that Sunnydale sits on top of an active Hellmouth - a sort of giant magnet for all things evil. Giles reveals that he is actually Buffy's Watcher, sent by the Watcher's Council in England, and intends to continue her training in secret because she cannot ignore her responsibilities.

From the opening High School horror twist, it's clear that we're in a show that will play around with our preconceptions of the genre, and Whedon's mission statement is also evident: This is a show about female power. Buffy clearly yearns for the everyday life of any other teenager, yet her fate is inescapable. She keeps chests of weaponry and stakes hidden in her wardrobe, and has to routinely lie to her mother. When an "extreme dead guy" is found stuffed in a locker, drained of blood and with the tell-tale twin puncture marks on his neck, Buffy resigns herself once more to her slaying duties. Team Buffy is assembled, but Jesse is missing, with evidence suggesting he's been taken to the graveyard. And so, here we go. The story begins...

My favourite beginning!

[sbull1983 · 9/10 · 25 March 2017]

I was 14 when this started, and watched it the whole way through. Of all the ways to start this...well this couldn't be more perfect! If you like the supernatural than watch this, it truly won't disappoint, and as a beginning of 7 series it really doesn't disappoint! It lets you in to what's to come - there's MUCH more to come!

The One Where Buffy Moves To Sunnydale...

[taylorkingston · 10/10 · 30 September 2014]

I really think this episode is a great Series Premiere. It is one of the best I've seen. They explain the story and the characters well.

In this episode, Buffy Summers, a sixteen year old girl, moves to the small town of Sunnydale, California. She moved there because she was kicked out of her last school. But you can't blame her, she is the Slayer. Oh, you don't know what a Slayer is? Well, I'll tell you. A Slayer, more correctly referred to as, The Vampire Slayer, is a girl in every generation, selected to be the killer of all things evil. Things, not people. She has super strength, so she's equal or stronger than her foe. And in this case, she's super perky. I love the character of Buffy, she's so inspiration. There at Sunnydale High, she meets dorky Willow and Goofy Xander, who she befriends. She also meets Cordelia, but she's pretty superficial and chooses to hang out with Willow and Xander instead. Whilst getting books from the library, she meets Mr. Giles, who turns out to be her Watcher. A Watcher is someone who guides and trains the Slayer. She also meets Angel, a mysterious man who seems to know a lot about vampires.

Overall, I give this episode a 10 out of 10.

A good start for the show

[katierose295 · 7/10 · 13 July 2006]

All in all, a nice beginning to the show. Clearly, if you're going to watch BTVS, it helps to see this episode first. It introduces us to Buffy, Xander, Giles, Willow, Angel and Cordy, setting up the BTVS cast for the next several seasons. It explains Buffy's conflicted feelings towards her slayer-ness, neatly covering the vampire/slayer rules and starts the battle with the season's Big Bad, The Master. It's important that the characters establish real relationships and this episode has some funny moments where Willow and Xander adjust to the idea of vampires among them. Xander dubiously returning Buffy's wooden stake and her strained explanation that everyone in LA uses them for self defense because "mace is so passé" is pretty humorous. And it's cute to go back and see all Scoobies looking so young.

Honestly, season one isn't the show's best, though. It spends a lot of time trying to build its backstop and define itself. While important to the overall story, this episode doesn't have a lot of repeated viewing potential. Also, Angel's character is a little bit too... cool. The Angel who Buffy meets in this episode is far more verbally confident than the endearing, socially baffled Angel who emerges later. (Although, it is sort of funny that Buffy assumes Angel and Giles are friends,considering the problems that will arise between them next season.) Angel gets a lot more interesting as time goes on, eventually becoming a supernatural champion whose favorite past time is sitting in the dark alone reading philosophy, brooding, listening to Barry Manilow and, occasionally, watching hockey. And that outfit... Ugh! No way Angel would wear that weird shiny coat. If Spike saw him, poor Angel would never hear the end of it.

My favorite part of the episode: Cordy's increasing confusion and disgust as Buffy questions her about the kid Darla killed. "Geez, morbid much?"

Slayer!

[sini-200 · 10/10 · 26 September 2018]

Great pilot for a great show. I just started watching Buffy and I love the pilot, and I've been hooked on the series. I can't wait to discover this series!

A Slayer is Born...

[captaincracker · 9 February 2006]

Plot (From DVD Case): Buffy Summers, a high school sophomore, transfers to Sunnydale High. There she meets her new "Wather" and learns that she cannot escape her true destiny.

Review: In the summer of 1992, a film called "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" was released into theaters. Starring Kristi Swanson and Donald Sutherland, the campy horror spoof soon became one of the biggest bombs of the year, and landed itself among a seat in the crowd of bad movies. For five years, the idea of "Buffy" was a joke, until Joss Whedon, the original writer of the film, was called out of hiding to write for a television spin-off. The spin-off would take Whedon's original idea for "Buffy", which was a dark comedy, and turn it into a television show geared for teens. While the show hit its first season as a mid-season replacement, it was barely able to get its ratings up enough. Luckily "Buffy" barely survived her first season, and over the course of seven seasons "Buffy" became possibly the most recognized character in modern television, not to mention the most successful cult television series in recent memory.

The show starts off a little bumpy at first, not as bad as some premier episodes but not wonderful either. The episode is titled 'Welcome to the Hellmouth', and in it the four main characters of the series are introduced. First we meet Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar), who has just moved to a town of Sunnydale with her mother (Kristine Sutherland) after she was kicked out of her old high school. Upon arrival at Sunnydale High School, Buffy is greeted by the snobby, stuck up popular girl Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter), who shows her how to insult fellow classmates while still being in the inn-crowd of Sunnydale. While Buffy recognizes that she was once like Cordelia, she no longer feels fit around her, and instead begins to drift towards the school outcasts; Willow (Alyson Hannigan), Xander (Nicholas Brendan), and Jesse (Eric Balfour). While Buffy tries to fit into her new surroundings, she can't help but carry a dark secret on her shoulders- she is the Slayer, one girl in all the world who is chosen to fight vampires, monsters, and the forces of darkness. Her heroic deeds of the Slayer are what got her kicked out of her old school, and she doesn't plan to escape them. But when the school's new librarian, Giles (Anthony Stewart Head), recognizes Buffy as the Slayer and names himself her 'Watcher', Buffy immediately realizes that she cannot escape destiny.

The acting in this episode is mediocre. Sarah Michelle Gellar captures Buffy's comical and witty side but forgets about the drama the character faces while being the slayer and a high school student. Nicholas Brendan doesn't seem fitted to his unlikable character Xander, who strangely transforms into one of the most beloved characters in the whole series later on. Anthony Stewart Head acts very well, but the character of Giles is written strangely in 'Hellmouth', making him seem almost creepy rather than heroic. Alyson Hannigan is the main character that really fits her role well, and there is no one else who could play Willow. The supporting cast is excellent, especially Charisma Carpenter, whose cruel Cordelia is actually likable and hateful at the same time. Julie Benz, who plays the villainous vampire Darla, steals her scenes with her sexy and cool attitude. David Boreanaz, Eric Balfour, Kristine Sutherland, Mercedes McNabb, Mark Metcalf, and Brian Thompson do wonderful jobs in their limited screen time. Boreanaz plays the mysterious Angel only for a minute or so, but he immediately lands the part. 'Welcome to the Hellmouth' is a must see episode simply because it is the first episode of the series. It is not perfect, and any premier episode is going to have its flaws.

'Hellmouth' works on some levels and doesn't on others. Giving the actors more time to work through their roles helps the later episodes, and the plot seems a little weak at points, but still interesting. But once you turn on 'Welcome to the Hellmouth' and have your first look at Sunnydale, you'll know that Buffy will slay anyone.

A Promising Start to a Phenomenal Series

[trix_n_min · 7/10 · 26 June 2008]

Welcome to Hellmouth might be a tad cheesy, slightly over-acted and a little silly, but it is a pilot episode and if its main job is to introduce us to the characters and Sunnydale and get a good idea of what the show is going to be about, then I believe it achieves this perfectly well. Sarah Michelle Gellar shows massive potential in this opening episode, and she looks so young in this one that it is great to watch her grow and mature throughout the rest of the series. The same goes for the other actors. Angel is introduced and knowing his and Buffy's future relationship I love watching them first meet. He is more handsome and witty in this season than he is for the rest of the show. All the characters have instant on-screen chemistry and they play really well off each other, especially Buffy and Giles, and also the Slayer and her Slayerettes. I'm glad Jesse was killed off, however, as he is too similar to Xander's character, and not nearly as funny. In all, this pilot episode presents a dangerous yet somehow warm and comforting Sunnydale and Sunnydale High, some fantastic complex characters as well as a unique and interesting storyline. It might be early days, but the perfect blend of sharp wit, superb action plots and heartbreaking drama that make this show so unique are already apparent in this episode, showing snippets and rearing its fantastic head. The journey begins with this episode, and what a journey it is going to be.

Buffy the Reluctant Vampire Slayer

[injury-65447 · 9/10 · 16 June 2020]

23 years later and I'm finally seeing Buffy. No idea why I have never gotten into the show before.

I'm blown away by how fun this is - the characters are fantastic and sassy, the humour and Goofy horror are perfectly balanced. Wow. It's a 90s dream come true.

I can't believe the show starts at such a high level with such a fully formed concept. Great script.

The show is cast so well! The actors seem to embody these characters effortlessly.

I was expecting this to be an origin story with Buffy discovering her powers and destiny. Instead we get a confident kickass girl who already knows all there is to know about vampires (or so she thinks). I don't know if the show will ever explain her backstory but my expectations were totally subverted here. The fact that she thinks vampires are a matter of fact issue fits the irreverent tone of the episode.

It was just really fun to watch & I can see why this is a series beloved by so many people.

A strong opener that hints at great things to come but not overtly brilliant in itself

[Joxerlives · 7/10 · 21 December 2011]

WTTH

The Good; Great opening scene, straight from every slasher flick ever but with a Joss twist. Brian Thompson is an excellent villain with a real sense of menace about him as anyone who saw him on the X-files can tell you. He plays a very similar role in the excellent Fright Night pt2. The Master is pretty OTT but like Darth Vaders first appearance in Star Wars you really get the sense this is the baddest guy in the universe and no mistake.

The bad; not much although it's early days yet. The one thing they could have improved upon is putting Eric Balfour in the opening titles, when you don't see him it's a big clue that Jesse isn't going to make it

Best lines; Instantly fell in love with Giles when he states that "You didn't hone". Also a good one from Xander when he recovers Buffy's stake "All I can think of is that you're building a really small fence"

Observations and questions; And here we have the REAL Willow although we'll never again see her so nerdy, from now on she dresses more like Cassandra from the movie. We also never see Buffy wear either her Jehovah Witness dress or her PVC number which is a shame on both counts. Nonetheless both Buffy and Cordy dress scandalously in these early eps, obviously going for the ratings. Darla is also lovely although she really does look too old for her outfit outside of Playboy's College Girls ('College' being Playboy speak for 'schoolgirls who turned 18 yesterday' or strippers who once took a night class). But everyone looks SO young. SMG is a little more voluptuous and DB is a lot thinner and it suits both of them. We see Buffy's vamp sense again but it now seems more based on her fashion taste than cramps, perhaps it's more intense just after a Slayer inherits her powers? PresumablyAura who has the dead guy in her locker is the same girl who calls Cordy in the Angel ep 'Rm w/a vu'? (Do the Cordettes stay constant or do they change over time?) Cordy has a mobile phone! We won't see one of those again until season 1 of Angel and the Sunnydale Scoobies won't have them until season 7. Another point against Normal Again, Buffy doesn't want to be the Slayer and is trying to leave her past behind her. Presumably either the council or PTB arranged Joyce's job in Sunnydale? Buffy/Cordy fancy James Spader presumably for Pretty in Pink (although that's an 80s film when Cordy and Buffy would both have been toddlers). You wonder what they thought of him in S&M fest 'Secretary' although considering what both get up to in later seasons maybe that would be OK with them (or they'd like him MORE?). Still I guess Buffy is over her Christian Slater phase? Who's John Tesch?

The Slayer

[nysmbs · 10/10 · 15 December 2022]

Buffy spends her pilot episode following the arc of the reluctant prophesied hero. The choice of starting point for this series is interesting. Buffy clearly has clearly already done much fighting and vampire-slaying before the first time we see her, so why *is* this the first time we see her? What's so special about a new school?

This is the beginning--not just of a transfer to a new school-- but of Buffy facing and answering the question of whether to embrace her destiny as Slayer full-time (as accelerated by her meeting Giles). This sets up a conflict between two aspects of Buffy, engagingly developing both of them. Buffy's initial opposition to her responsibility strongly establishes her desire to live some semblance of a normal life while simultaneously showcasing her fantastical abilities. It's this that convinced me not only to continue to episode 2, but that I had to watch the rest of the series. Two things are abundantly clear from this episode. 1. Buffy is a force to be reckoned with; killing vampires already comes easily to her and she can clearly handle herself in a fight. 2. Buffy is not contained by (1); she has concerns about things like school, friendships, romances, fashion, beauty, and her mother. She wants what most girls want; to be seen simultaneously as strong, beautiful, and kind in a world that all too often tells us we have to pick one out of three. And she fights for it.

Put briefly: this pilot is brilliant because the protagonist is established as both real-world-person and epic hero, strongly, in the course of forty-five minutes. That we can both sympathize with Buffy and sit in awe of her should not be undervalued; too many fantasy and action heroes lack the former which weakens the effects of the latter.

Glad to be here.

[bombersflyup · 10/10 · 27 June 2019]

Welcome to the Hellmouth is an excellent start to a wonderful series.

The episode has a few weak breaking the ice moments, but some really strong one time only moments too. Such as Buffy interrupting Giles's speech and leaving him lost for words; and Buffy's first encounter with Angel. There's quality music to kick off and Cordy and Jesse a funny combination here, Cordy with the laughs. It's too strong an introduction and world creation not to get full marks, minus some pop culture references.

Buffy: "You're like a textbook with arms."

Great start for a fantastic series

[madman_salv · 8/10 · 27 April 2007]

Buffy summers is an average teenage girl that had just been kicked out from her old school. Wrong! Buffy has very big responsibilities, she has to fight vampires, demons and has to save the world. This may sound like a very stupid and dumb series but you will be amazed.It is a great start to an awesome series. Buffy was kicked out from her old school after burning down the Gym. She moves to Sunnydale where she has thought that she had escaped from her responsibilities but the demons have followed her.She is helped with 2 new close friends that she meets.

Very Good start, Joss.

22 Years on, how does the pilot hold together.

[GraXXoR · 8/10 · 7 August 2019]

It's very interesting to see the march of technology and the difference in production values of shows from the 20th century.

This is a Pre Jack Bauer 24 series and as such it could never compete on a sheer production value basis with modern shows that command budgets greater than many A rank movies.

However, apart from the clunky computer monitors, colour cathode ray TVs and the tail end of post-Farrah Fawcett hairstyles, the show holds together remarkably well.

Sure, the music is a touch trite but the show's basic charm and character stands the test of time.

It's perhaps Anthony Head's Giles' apparent timelessness and the library's musty air at the centre of the nascent Scoobies that helps the show remain aloof from the fads and trends that often make shows painful to watch in retrospect.

The paced dialogue and funky slang were never really grounded in reality and hold up as a stage performance rather than a snapshot of any time.

All in all an interesting start to the show.

Welcome to the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer!

[kermitthefrog594 · 7/10 · 5 January 2008]

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a fantastic series that starts off okay. This first episode is a great introduction to the multi-dimensional characters of the show. From the very first, cliché-breaking scene - where Darla, disguised as a female student, kills a male student - it is clear that this is something different.

Admittedly, this episode - like many others in the first season - has its problems, including a low budget and cheesy music. But it's hard not to fall in love with the main characters. Willow's very cute and likable; it's hard not to hate Cordelia, but that's part of the reason we love her; but Giles appears quite one-dimensional, in the Dumbledore-giver-of-exposition role.

The only major problems here are that The Master is pretty corny, and not too interesting; and Luke is far too corny. But other factors - as listed above, as well as Xander and Buffy's first meeting, and Buffy's second encounter with Giles in the library - more than make up for that.

Welcome to the Hellmouth

[avidmoviewatcher1221 · 9/10 · 26 July 2016]

Buffy Summers wants to move on from her destiny as the Slayer, but moving to Sunnydale, of all places . . . well, that's going to be a little difficult (and that's an understatement).

One of my all-time favourite television programmes, Welcome to the Hellmouth is one of my all-time favourite pilot episodes. It introduces the characters I love (Buffy, Xander, Willow, Giles, Cordelia) and the setting: Sunny California; it contrasts with the darker tones.

My only issue with the episode - at least when I watch it on DVD - is that the lighting can be quite dark. Apart from that, I loved everything about it.

Kristy who?

[BA_Harrison · 7/10 · 13 June 2015]

Teenage vampire slayer Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) moves to the town of Sunnydale with her mother, having been expelled from her old high-school for burning down the gym while dealing with the undead. On her first day at Sunnydale High, Buffy meets bitchy Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter), lovable nerd Xander Harris (Nicholas Brendon), computer geek Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan) and librarian Rupert Giles (Anthony Stewart Head). But no sooner has she started to settle in to her new school than dead bodies begin to turn up drained of all their blood; it seems that Sunnydale is also plagued by vampires…

I'm far from what you would call a Joss Whedon fan-boy: I hated Serenity, I think that Alien Resurrection is easily the worst thing to ever happen to the Alien franchise (yes, even worse than Prometheus), and I wasn't all that impressed by Avengers Assemble. But in the case of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, I find that Whedon's writing style works, the self-aware dry humour and snappy dialogue actually befitting of his characters. Of course, my enjoyment of this series also owes a lot to the impossibly perky Gellar as the cute yet tough titular slayer, who kicks major undead butt while wearing very short skirts.

This pilot episode serves primarily as an introduction to the excellent ensemble cast, which also includes David Boreanaz as the mysterious Angel, and Julie Benz and Brian Thompson as nasty vampires Darla and Luke, minions of this season's main bad-guy, The Master (Mark Metcalf).

Buffy 1x1 review

[jackDee-56565 · 10/10 · 9 November 2020]

Great pilot episide , season 1 as a whole is a strong but also hit miss season for me but the beginning is a fantastic start to the series with a great introduction to the buffyverse

Great characters, immense charm and Whedon-esque style of humour help the pilot succeed despite some issues

[SLionsCricketreviews · 7/10 · 29 May 2017]

Depending on the context in which one views this episode, either as a first time viewing entering the world of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" or as a fan returning to the series, the pilot episode is a bit of a disappointment. On the one hand, it is often incredibly cheesy and does not evoke too much confidence in its material, nor does it lend enough credibility to a humiliating to say aloud title for a show. And yet, there's often so much fun to be had here and most of that lies in the series' strongest aspect: the characters and dialogue.

Dialogue brings the characters to life and none in the crew of the show were more adept with screenplays than Joss Whedon, who wrote the script for the pilot and would write and/or direct virtually most of the oft-agreed upon 'best episodes of the show'. There are serious limitations in budget for this first season that detract tremendously from the aesthetic and entertainment aspects of the show (the lack of light and interesting visuals and composition, the rather dull and awkward action), but the season (and this episode embodies this notion properly) often finds strength in its great characters, whom are illuminated through performances and writing. Even when some of the supernatural elements in this episode, such as The Master, are handled in ways that may be unintentionally funny (at times), the characters are instantly appealing and compel the viewer's attention.

There's Buffy (Gellar), who along with her mother has recently moved to Sunnydale after having been expelled at her previous high school. Former cheerleader and now vampire slayer by night, it soon becomes clear to Buffy that duty follows her and she bears an overwhelming responsibility not just to friends and family but the world. Buffy is joined by Willow (Hannigan) and Xander (Brendon) and the trio form a formidable dynamic throughout the show's seven seasons. This very first episode provides plenty of humorous and touching interactions, whether it be Xander's flirting with Buffy, in which the hopelessly is excruciatingly tangible or Buffy's own (ultimately ill) advice to Willow on "seizing the moment" that really is a beautifully heartwarming moment in that relationship.

There's not too many emphatic positive aspects in the first episode beyond characters and performances. This isn't to say that any aspect of the episode is particularly egregious. The soundtrack lacks the beautiful orchestrations of later seasons, instead reduced here to synthy sounds that is more reminiscent of trashy horror than "Buffy" as it would come to be known. The cinematography is not particularly gratifying, the lack of lighting really diminishing the creative opportunities, such as deep stage framing and the like. And yet, considering the unfortunate circumstances of its arrival on television (a mid-season replacement television programme), the fault cannot be emphatically placed on the show. It diminishes the creative licenses that the show would sustain in later seasons but the context demands more forgiveness.

Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy and Nicholas Brendon as Xander are fantastic but the true stars are Alyson Hannigan as book-worm Willow and Anthony Stewart Head as librarian/watcher Giles. The scene early into the episode in which Buffy laments Giles for the overwhelming responsibilities of being a Slayer, the burden of not just the well-being of friends and family but the world is a pivotal moment in the episode and the show. The theme of adulthood and adult responsibilities embedded into a teenager carries tremendous weight throughout the first five and a bit seasons (there is a certain point where the show changes direction) and it is effectively summed up in one scene.

The climax does suffer and it has suffered for me every single time I have returned to this first episode. The physical threat of the vampire is not convincing at all here and it would take until the second season for the action scenes to have a raw physical impact. Even the sermons about the apocalypse and the ascension of The Master only comes off as incredibly cheesy and in any other season of the show, would be viewed as fantastic meta filmmaking (see the Season 3 episode, "The Zeppo").

"Welcome to the Hellmouth" does an impressive but not incredible job of introducing some of the show's key characters and a characteristic Whedon screenplay combined with the naturalistic performances of the leads make for something with value. It is a step above the second episode and is one of the stronger elements of the first season, fatally flawed but often charming in its distance from what "Buffy" would become.

The show that started a phenomenon

[BenTramerLives78 · 10/10 · 12 October 2020]

The last we saw Buffy, she was riding off into the night on a motorcycle with Pike. Now, we see her dreaming about things to come. More vampires and the forces of darkness are on the horizon for high school student Buffy Summers. Buffy thinks a new school in a new town means no more vampires, but quickly finds out she thought wrong.

Buffy was kicked out of her old school after the events of the 1992 film, and now she is beginning a new life in Sunnydale, California. She is first befriended by queen bee Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter) but quickly makes friends with nerdy Willow (Alyson Hannigan), Xander (Nicholas Brendon) and Jesse (Eric Balfour). Buffy also meets a mysterious man who follows her one night to a club called The Bronze. The mysterious man (David Boreanaz) gives her a cross.

At the Bronze, Buffy gives the shy Willow advice on dating, which leads her to talk to a man who Buffy right always knows is a vampire. By the end of the episode, Buffy goes head to head with a vampire.

This pilot episode is amazing and the episodes to come were perfect television. The cast was great, the acting was top notch and the writing was well done. This show definitely deserved the popularity it got and it is obvious why the show is a cult hit to this day.

All Buffy wanted was to start over

[callanvass · 8/10 · 9 January 2014]

Buffy Summers has moved from the comfortable confines of Los Angeles, where she set fire to the school gym, to Sunnydale. Her mother has tagged along with her as well. She manages to befriend a bunch of people, especially the dimwitted, but kindhearted Willow, and Xander. She also comes across a creepy new librarian who insists the school is ridden with vampires. Not all is sun and rainbows. Buffy suffers from nightmares, a dead guy is found in a locker from vampire bites, so Buffy is forced to deal with the responsibility of stopping vampires. I used to watch this show with my Dad many years ago, but I stopped watching for some reason. I didn't remember that much about it, other than a few of the characters. I remember that I really enjoyed it whenever it was on. The reason I decided to revisit this show after so many years is because I am sick of hearing about Vampire Diaries. I decided to start from the beginning. Much to my happiness this show was as good as I remembered. I really like how they slowly built things up in this episode, giving us a chance to know the characters. I thought the makeup for the vampires was a bit cheesy, but fairly effective nonetheless. Sarah Michelle Gellar is amazing as Buffy. I couldn't imagine anyone else as her (Kristy Swanson doesn't count!) she's gorgeous, charismatic, spry, athletic, and a normal girl that wants to live a normal life. She is easy to relate too. She's mostly witty in this episode, but I remember she gets more serious as this series goes along. The rest of the characters are great as well, but Alyson Hannigan's portrayal of Willow is my favorite supporting character. There is a brief appearance from Angel (David Boreanaz) They don't give much away about him, which I thought was clever. He would have a substantial role, even getting his own show. The finale is pretty exciting. It ends on a cliffhanger for the next episode. I've always hated that blasted "To be continued" But it leaves viewers that haven't seen the show or don't remember it very well, wondering what will happen next

Final Thoughts: I'm basically a brand new viewer. It feels kind of cool to be honest. I felt this was an extremely effective pilot. I'll definitely be watching more episodes from this point forward

8.5/10

Not what I expected, but good enough.

[aura772 · 8/10 · 1 June 2007]

I really loved the way Sarah Michelle Geller played in this movie, she is my favorite actress, she really brings up the girl power... the feminine power in all her movies, especially "Buffy". Buffy might be only a teenage girl, but she has a great destiny.

I believe the first episode of the series really brings up your curiosity about the show and you only want to know it all.

Buffy is a show for everybody to watch. It has everything it needs for teenagers, adults, maybe elders...

This episode was a bit hurried, if you ask me, we barely get to meet young Buffy and she is already having problems with big and very old vampires coming back to suck everybody's blood....