In every generation comes the Chosen One. According to the prophecy, she will lead the good fight against the vampires, the demons: the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer.
After being staked at the box office in 1992, “Buffy, the Vampire Slayer” was resurrected on the small screen with Sarah Michelle Gellar taking on the mantle left by Kristy Swanson. Created by Joss Whedon, Buffy debuted as a mid-season replacement on March 10, 1997: becoming part of the second-generation of girl power as a modern-day superhero.
For seven seasons, “Buffy” was Whedon’s own Wonder Woman: an avenger in her own right and might in protecting her family and friends, and the citizens of Sunnydale from the evil of the Hellmouth. However, her power was found not only within herself, but through the love, support, wisdom, and loyalty of the Scooby gang that included Xander Harris (Nicholas Brendon), Willow (Alyson Hannigan) and Tara (Amber Benson), Oz (Seth Green), Anya (Emma Caulfield), and Watcher Rupert Giles (Anthony Stewart Head). Buffy Anne Summers was clearly no damsel in distress, but she was the beauty that soothed the beast of the vampire with the face of an angel: Angel (David Boreanaz), the conscience-stricken vampire who could turn into the evil Angelus soon he achieved true happiness: turning him and Buffy into enemies. With her and Angel having the forbidden love of all time (think Black Widow and the Hulk), Buffy later got hot and bothered with Spike (James Marsters), who was not only sired by Angel, but William the Bloody got his soul back, as well: gradually making the transition from enemy to ally to hero.
Buffy found an equal yet opposite in the form of bad-girl slayer Faith (Eliza Dushku), who found redemption later on – just like “Angel” (1999-2004), the titular spin-off with Boreanaz’s brooding vampire heartthrob residing in the city that is perfect for him: Los Angeles, a city of lost souls that are in need of saving … even for a vampire with a soul who helps the helpless and hopeless as a private investigator/dark knight-for-hire.
Named ‘Class Protector’ at her high school prom, Buffy Anne Summers continues to have the gift of female empowerment. Why? It’s simple: she saved – and saves – the world … a lot.