Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV Series) Never Kill a Boy on the First Date (1997) User Reviews

Buffy has a date at the funeral home

[katierose295 · 8/10 · 13 July 2006]

This episode illustrates many recurring themes in BTVS. (1) Buffy trying to be a normal girl, despite her job as Slayer, (2)that prophesies tend to come true, one way or another, no matter how people try to stop them, (3)that Buffy needs Xander, Willow and Giles to help her fulfill her destiny. Basically, the episode centers around the Master's new sidekick the Annointed One being created, on the same night Buffy has a date. This leads to some pretty funny moments including Giles and Buffy sitting in a graveyard while he lectures her on the importance of keeping her Slayerness a secret from boys. (Buffy responds that it's not like she's wearing a button that reads "I'm the Slayer, ask me how!" a line that always makes me laugh no matter how many times I hear it.) Also, Xander, Willow and Angel all crashing Buffy's date at The Bronze is a lot of fun.

A downside to the episode is Buffy's inexplicable attraction to this Owen guy. I mean, granted I'm a bit biased, but with Angel standing right there, why in the world would she look at some nobody teenager? (I get the same amazed feeling when she starts seeing Riley in season four. Spike's evil and plotting to destroy the Scoobies, Angel's living in LA and will lose his soul if she sleeps with him, but I'd STILL rather date either one of them than Riley. However, I'm digressing.) Really, it's not that Owen is all bad. His morbid fascination with Emily Dickenson and his doofy excitement over a double date to a funeral home are pretty funny. He's just no Angel.

My favorite part of the episode: Cordy seeing Angel for the first time at The Bronze and drawling, "Hello, salty goodness," a line that she'll repeat in the episode "Spin the Bottle" over on "Angel." Cordy and Angel will develop such a complex and beautiful relationship in the years to come that it's fun to see them before they even know each other.

Dating and Slaying don't go together

[callanvass · 8/10 · 8 February 2014]

Buffy pines for a normal life, but Giles is always reminding her about her duties as the "Slayer" and admonishes her for being too frivolous. Buffy falls head over heels for Owen and Owen likes her as well. Giles learns about a prophecy involving the "anointed" and wants the anointed to bring Buffy to the master. When Giles runs into vampire trouble by himself, Buffy is forced to bring her date Owen to save him at a funeral home. Meanwhile, Xander is highly jealous of Owen for being around Buffy. Finally! No more Witches and Giant Praying Mantis's, back to basics. Not that I minded this show focusing on different stuff than vampires. They were great episodes as well, but Buffy kicking vampire ass warms my heart the most. I'm not sure if Owen appears again or not, but from other reviewers on this site, I'd suggest he doesn't appear again. That's probably for the best. I didn't care for Owen's character at all. He's boring and doesn't sell the vampires enough. The best he can come up with is "This is too much" Okay.... Buffy's ambivalent attitude towards her slayer duties makes for interesting T.V. It was a really good episode. It's suspenseful, enjoyable, full of sharp humor and good character development as well.

8.3/10

Buffy the Vampire Slayer:The First Date

[Scarecrow-88 · 7/10 · 2 January 2010]

The television template gave Joss Whedon a chance to expand upon a simple one-joke horror idea, provided with an opportunity to evolve high school characters as they enter into adulthood, facing the dangerous threat of vampires while struggling with growing pains, among other things.

In this episode, Buffy, the charming, intelligent and winsome teenage vampire killing warrior attempts to balance her duties of obliterating bloodsuckers with a personal life, wishing to dating a high school boy she's google-eyed about, a dreamboat named Owen(Christopher Wiehl), a rather vacuous fellow who kind of seems a bit remote and a tad on the dull side. Buffy, trying to find her way into Sunnydale, just wants to enjoy being a teenager sometimes, and librarian Rupert Giles(Anthony Head), a "watcher" and scholar who keeps her grounded in her role as a lethal weapon against the evil undead, tries to warn her of a prophesy foretelling doom regarding an "anointed" who will rise up and release "The Master"(Mark Metcalf), the head vampire who awaits his day to return to the surface, an escape from his cavernous prison where a type of forcefield has him trapped. Anyway, Buffy swoons over Owen, who, to her anyway, seems different and more appealing than the other boys who attend her high school. Also interested in Owen is Buffy's nemesis, man-hunting hottie, Cordelia Chase(the delicious Charisma Carpenter), whose quite confident in her seductive capabilities.

Giles believes a van crash, caused by The Master's vampire brood(..who attack the passengers on board), contains the anointed one and will check Sunnydale funeral home to see if he is present there. Meanwhile, Buffy's friends, Xander Harris(Nicholas Brendon)and Willow Rosenberg(Alyson Hannigan)attempt to keep Owen "out of the loop", while hoping to discover and stop whoever the anointed one is. This prophesy, spoken of throughout, is an obvious story arc which begins ultimately here where we see that the mission wasn't as successful as Buffy and Giles believes. Series regular, vampire Angel(David Boreanaz), shows up to motivate Buffy into action. We see here in this episode that Buffy and Cordelia will be adversaries in school for some time(..although, she, as the other established characters, would evolve past just being a clichéd high school stereotype as the series continues). Here Buffy realizes that her duty as a vampire slayer will definitely interfere with any sense of normalcy she'll wish to have in life..this, I think, is what truly makes the series a success. Also, apparent, and a constant for years to come, the often witty and hip dialogue spoken by the young cast.

Surprised that i liked this

[madman_salv · 7/10 · 27 April 2007]

Yearning for a normal life, Buffy agrees to a date with the mysterious and brooding Owen. Giles discovers a prophecy of coming danger which would interfere with her plans, but she chooses Owen over battling the forces of darkness. When Giles goes out on his own and is trapped by a group of vampires, Buffy must figure out a way to balance dating and Slaying.

I was surprised with this episode as i seem to be the only one that likes it.I think it had a little bit of a slow start but this is where the characters begin to grow on me.

7/10

Xander: So, Buffy, how'd the slaying go last night? Buffy: Xander! Xander: I mean, how'd the laying go? No, I don't mean that either.

[bombersflyup · 10/10 · 29 June 2019]

Never Kill a Boy on the First Date is about Buffy trying to maintain a normal life, juggling dating and slaying.

Poor technique. Prioritizing, sub-par... Execution was adequate, but a bit too bloody for my taste / Giles's review. I love every second of this episode, brilliant on all fronts; story arc, comedy, characterization and personal growth, definitely one of the best. The dialogue throughout first-rate and all six of the main characters shine, with the lovely Buffy as the centerpiece. That ah short dress, what a vision. Good music again. I love the relationship being formed with Watcher and Slayer. He has no control over her, she has to want and seek his guidance and that requires trust and respect to be earned, it's in no way some female power trip. The Owen character's alright, doesn't do enough to hurt the episode in any way.

Giles: Oh, the Order of Aurelius. Yes, you're right.

Buffy: Ooh, two points for the Slayer, while the Watcher has yet to score.

Never Kill a Boy on a First Date

[Joxerlives · 6/10 · 31 December 2011]

Never Kill a Boy on a First Date;

The Good; Great misdirection, you really never figure who the annointed is whilst Vorba is a truly frightening figure. Cordy and Buffy fighting over Owen is FANTASTIC! The fight at the funeral home is also excellent. And how often do you see 'Emily Dickenson' in a US teen show? (almost impresses Giles) The lovely scene between Buffy and Giles at the end. Buffy's green and white dress doesn't make her look fat but does make her look like a brazen hussy. The changing scene with Buffy, Willow and Xander is also funny

The bad; So, when a vamp dissolves why do it's clothes disintegrate and the ring etc doesn't? I always thought the idea was when a vamp dies the body returns to a natural state of decomposition but that doesn't seem the case as even newly made vamps dust. Buffy has a beeper? Not only does that terribly age the ep (see 30 Rock) even more than the computers they use but what's her excuse as a schoolgirl for carrying one unless she's a doctor, drug dealer or call girl?

Best line; (after Cordy knocks the cup over) "Boy, Cordelia's hips are wider than I thought!" OOOOOOOHHHH! The classic; "Bite me!" Cordy upon seeing Angel "Hello salty goodness!" (which are also her first words as an amnesiac in Spin the Bottle upon sighting Angel/Liam)

Observations and questions; We never see Owen again although he appears in a lot of the establishing shots of Sunnydale High. I guess the show only has room for one brooding loner guy? Check out Willow's expression when she and Xander pretend to be a couple. Also Willow digs Owen which is more grounds to assume she's bisexual rather than just lesbian. Someone actually borrows a book from the library? Giles must have had to sit down with shock. Being a Watcher seems to run in families

The One With Buffy's Date...

[taylorkingston · 8/10 · 19 May 2015]

I really like this episode. It's interesting and I always feel so bad for Buffy that she can no longer date Owen because of the way he feels about her slaying. He feels way too happy about it.

In this episode, Buffy goes on a date with Owen, a guy she's been wanting to date for a long time. But then their date gets interrupted with a vampire fight because Giles went out on his own and got himself into trouble. Buffy kills a vampire she believes is the anointed one, but turns out not to be. Then Owen wants to continue dating Buffy so he can have more exciting nights like the one before, so Buffy ends the relationship.

Overall, I give this episode an 8 out of 10, which in my ratings book is: Awesome.

Buffy making sacrifices

[ossie85 · 7/10 · 8 August 2022]

Giles warns Buffy about an ancient prophecy involving The Anointed One but Buffy is to busy trying to get the attention of Owen. Instead of trying to prevent this prophecy, she goes out with Owen. Giles then goes after them himself, meeting face to face with the vampire thought to be The Anointed One - Andrew Vorba. Willow and Xander run for help.

Why It's So Good - Shows that Buffy has to make sacrifices. It isn't all fun and games for heroes, and Buffy is just putting her physical self in danger, but also her chances of normalcy and happiness.

Watch Out For - Slaying and laying.

Quote - "This is the 90's. The 1990's, in point of fact, and I can do both. Clark Kent has a job. I just wanna go on a date." - Buffy.

Engaging Character Development and Conflicts

[nysmbs · 9/10 · 16 December 2022]

Some of the strongest episodes in S1 of Buffy are those which tackle the conflict inherent in her juggling act of heroic-vampire-slaying and ambitious-social-life-maintaining.

This is an enjoyable episode because it feels like most of it actually matters. Weaker episodes of Buffy are filled with pointless exposition about antagonists but this one is more tightly focused on character issues a viewer actually cares about. And as a result it's a lot easier to get and stay invested.

The question posed of whether Buffy can have a boyfriend is explored from more than one angle. Does she have time for it? Is it safe for the boyfriend? For her? For her friends? And what will a potential lover think if he sees that side of her?

And to his credit, Owen is rather cute. A strong, soft spoken boy who's into poetry. I think anyone attracted to men has had a crush at some point who was not unlike Owen.

In any case, the irony is, Buffy fears alienating a boy with that side of her, but instead excites her love interest with that side of her, and it's the latter that causes her to break things off.

Buffy's logic for opting out isn't necessarily sound (after all, Xander and Willow were also once civilians from the outside), but it doesn't *have* to be. If she finds that a romantic relationship with someone outside the world of vampires is soured by her dragging them into that world, that's enough valid reason for her to break things off.

Side note: it didn't affect my score or anything but Buffy thinking Owen was dead after he hit his head (not very hard) was pretty hilarious.

More trials and tribulations of a teenage vampire slayer.

[BA_Harrison · 6/10 · 14 June 2015]

Teenage vampire slayer Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) juggles her social life with staking the undead, dating sensitive hunk Owen (Christopher Wiehl) whilst trying to find the Anointed One, who has been prophesied to rise up and release head bloodsucker The Master (Mark Metcalf). Needless to say, holding down a relationship while dealing with vampires doesn't prove all that easy.

Another Buffy episode that doesn't quite do it for me: whenever the Master and his vampiric acolytes are the central villains of the piece, I tend to switch off (mentally, not literally). Lucky for me, then, that—despite the show being called Buffy The Vampire Slayer—vampires are often the least of her worries, with far more exotic demons and creatures lurking in the shadows waiting to bring death and chaos to Sunnydale. Roll on the next episode...

Buffy has a date

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 21 November 2016]

In the prologue we see Buffy slaying a vampire followed by Giles critiquing her performance. They spot a ring in the vampire's ashes and the next day they investigate the symbols on the ring and discover that its owner was a member of an order of vampires who are to deliver 'The Anointed One' to The Master; the prophecy also states that this Anointed One will not be recognised by the Slater and will deliver her to Hell. While doing this research a boy, Owen, comes into the library looking for a book of poetry… it is clear that Buffy fancies him. After meeting him again the two arrange a date but this is spoilt when Giles says that the Anointed One is expected that night. He doesn't turn up so Buffy decides to meet Owen after all; unfortunately when she gets to The Bronze he is dancing with Cordelia. The next day Owen approaches her and asks if they can have another try at a date… this time she won't stand him up when Giles worries that five deaths in a bus crash could be related to the prophecy. Giles goes to investigate on his own and gets into trouble. Willow and Xander fetch Buffy and against her wishes Owen comes too… how will he react when he sees what she deals with on a regular basis and will they identify and stop the Anointed one.

After a couple of standalone episodes it was fun to return to the season's main story featuring The Master and his plans. I liked how the prophecy was revealed in a way that was likely to make the viewer suspect that Owen must be involved in some way while Buffy and her friends assume it refers to a murderer on the bus only for it to be revealed in the final moment that it was somebody else altogether… clearly this prophecy will be returned to later. It was interesting seeing Buffy trying to balance her social life with her role as Slayer… although I was surprised to see her going with a boy like Owen, and even more surprised that Cordelia also fancied him, as he was hardly a dynamic character. The episode features some good action scenes; the final fight in the funeral home was particularly good… nice to see there are more ways to kill a vampire than staking it! Overall a good episode that progressed the season's plot nicely.

The Anointed one rises

[Realrockerhalloween · 26 September 2016]

The episode has the master awaiting the prophecy of the anointed one being fulfilled and lead to the death of the slayer. Buffy wants to try being a normal girl by going on a date with Owen and has to take him along to stop the vampire rising. It has very eerie shots as you see the bus before it strikes a vampire allowing them to take over the bus when he stops to check on him or when the scoobie hang head to the funeral home only to have one of the victims rise from the dead. The funeral home is very spacious like a labyrinth, with fake flowers, boxes to hold bodies and lots of dark shadow creating a creepy atmosphere.

The anointed one is revealed to be a child on the bus killed yet he isn't menacing or intimidating in the least. Nor does he inspire you like the prophecy lead you to believe he would bring about the end of days. Another aspect is Owen seems like a great guy who's great to talk to and fun to be with yet feels like a replacement for Angel. There is even a shot where they stand next to each other and perform the same mannerisms to drive the point home.

Okish

[mrybrcht · 6/10 · 15 April 2017]

This episode wasn't awful like Teacher's Pet but it was a pretty slow moving and dry episode, I feel like it also repeats the plot of the first two episodes and doesn't really make anything new out of that. Buffy and her date in this episode just don't really have a good chemistry just making it kind hard to sit through. At some points they just spend a lot of time looking for the vampires, there isn't really much action or fighting until the end which is probably best scene of the episode but overall the plot just isn't really that great.

Episode 5 Review

[leecdewsnap · 5/10 · 7 November 2015]

SPOILER WARNING This is one of my lower rated episodes of the season. My reason for this was because before I quite liked the use of the episode specific story being backed up with bits to extend the background story, whereas with this is was the opposite. This episode was based on the overall background/season story and used the episode specific story to back it up and didn't work as well for me, and may have worked better if Owen had been used in future episodes, but as there was no follow on, this didn't work for me. I liked the use of Angel in this episode, it built more on the character that we became more accustomed to in future episodes.

Dating slayer style.

[stevenjlowe82 · 7/10 · 30 June 2022]

Overall I enjoyed this episode as it tied into the story arc for season 1. On paper the anointed one sounded cool but was ultimately a bit of a let down, although I enjoyed the twist reveal but the character was just meh. I found it odd Buffy would pine for someone like Owen. I found him dull, pretentious and condescending. Also wasn't a fan of seeing more creepy Xander, it took me a while to start enjoying his character. A solid 1st season episode imo.

One of Season 1s better ones

[kellyq12 · 8/10 · 27 November 2021]

Buffy dates. Or tries! I like this episode a lot because it gets back into the overarching season 1 storyline. Some fun stuff with Giles and with Cordelia as well.

buffy 1x5 review

[jackDee-56565 · 7/10 · 9 November 2020]

A step uu from the previous episodes but just a little, involving the master was the saving grace and stops it from being a filler episode

Buffy The Brooding Boy Layer?

[injury-65447 · 8/10 · 2 July 2020]

Is it just me or does this Owen guy look like he could be Buffy's dad? Seriously doesn't he look about 35 years old?

It's a fun episode- definitely not a masterpiece but there are still plenty of good lines and jokes. I always enjoy seeing Xander desperately hanging in the periphery!

I really loved the final reveal at the end! I hope the little kid thing gets explored in subsequent episodes.

Watch Out Giles!

[Aegelis · 9/10 · 27 February 2024]

Unfolding ancient vampiric prophecy is the central theme as Buffy tries to adapt to a dualistic life... or is it a duelist life? Her friends are with her most of the time, but a split during an investigation goes terribly awry.

Action is there, mostly hand-to-hand combat with uglies and Buffy. A new face is pulled into the mix while dramatic romantic tension swirls around the group. High school is hard enough socially, these baddies from the underworld complicate the problem.

Revealing character development overall, nice to see a progression in the story rather than one-off jump-in jump-out episodes, yet viewer friendly to pull in those who haven't seen the show before.

Excellent episode, the only drawback I think was a bit of 'rinse and repeat' formula as we've seen a lot of these elements in previous episodes. Still, entertaining show and plenty of draw to see more.

Horrible episode

[kingsx_64 · 4/10 · 1 July 2022]

Too many Snappy quirky comebacks get old really fast. Buffy not acting like a teenager but a 12-year-old that's boy crazy. Ick, just ick Terrible writing terrible story thank God the rest of the episodes are better.