Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a staple in noughties television, but many of its famous lines wouldn’t fly nowadays. Despite ending in 2003, the hit supernatural teen drama is still frequently referenced and watched by many. However, several key moments in the show can leave audiences cringing, raising the question of whether a Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival or reboot could work.
A cringeworthy moment can come from an awkward situation, or a character attempting to sound cool. It’s worth noting that a cringeworthy moment can sometimes be intentional for the sake of comedy, but not always. Considering Buffy the Vampire Slayer was initially released in 1997, 26 years before the new Buffy sequel series, a lot of the language used is reflective of the time, resulting in some glaringly obvious moments that the show could do without.
14 “Why are you ridin’ me?” – Angel to Buffy
Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 2 saw Buffy’s relationship with Angel develop, which led to a lot of teenage angst. While trying to protect Buffy, he and Buffy ended up arguing, resulting in this comment from him. Angel’s character wasn’t fully developed in the show’s earlier seasons, so this remark seems quite uncomfortable and out of place compared to the character Angel eventually became in later seasons.
13 “Hello? Gay now.” – Willow to Anya
Willow’s sexuality was a huge talking point when the character was written into a relationship with Tara in season 5, making the two of them one of the first depictions of queer women on television at the time. While talking with Anya, Willow defended that she wouldn’t break Cordelia and her boyfriend up again due to her “now” being gay. Willow’s sexuality was an important part of the show that could have been better explored and developed.
12 “Bored, now.” – Vampire Willow
This line from Buffy the Vampire Slayer became one of the show’s best-known catchphrases. Despite Willow’s usual sweetness, the line is rather sinister, but also quite cliché for a villainous entity. Buffy’s Dark Willow was introduced as a version of Willow from an alternative reality, as a result of Cordelia’s wish that Buffy never moved to Sunnydale. Although the quote is best known from the vampire doppelganger version of Willow, this line was originally said by Cordelia, but Vampire Willow was the one to bring it to its popular status.
11 “If you’re not jacked in, you’re not alive.” – Fritz
Frtiz was introduced in season 1’s “I Robot You, Jane”, and only appeared in this episode. Fritz had been recruited by the evil Moloch to watch Buffy, but unfortunately was killed by his master as a demonstration of power to the Slayer. His entire speech for this opening can be considered cringe and could be compared to a sci-fi drama, seeing as the character is set up as a stereotypical hurt computer nerd, looking for something bigger.
10 “And remember, if you hurt her, I will beat you to death with a shovel.” – Willow to Riley
This quote by Willow was a reputable cliché, inspired by every film or show when someone threatens their best friend’s prospective partner. The quote comes from season 4’s “The Initiative”, as Riley asks Willow for his help with pursuing Buffy. However, it is a little on the nose, given that there are several ways Willow could communicate this to Riley without being so stereotypical about it.
9 “When you kiss me, I want to die.” – Buffy to Angel
In season 2’s “Reptile Boy”, Buffy struggles with her feelings for Angel. The entire scene from where this quote originated is very clichéd, but the final line is what clinches its title as cringe-worthy. Buffy’s conflict with Angel being a vampire, despite their clear attraction to one another, was very stereotypical and laced with teenage angst. Interestingly, however, this line comes from a Shakespearean reference. Shakespeare frequently used the phrasing “la petite mort“, which translates as “little death” – referring to how an orgasm takes away a little piece of life.
8 “Nothing can defeat the penis!” – Xander to Willow
Although intentionally cringe, this line from Buffy season 4, episode 5, “Beer Bad” comes from a drunken conversation between Xander and Willow about Buffy. In a truly wholesome and platonic way, the two discuss Buffy’s dating life, and Willow points out to Xander that Buffy had plenty of options, including men who choose their brains over hormones. Nowadays, it’s unlikely this line would be used, but it makes a bit of sense considering Xander is drunk in this scene.
7 “It’s like a meat party in my mouth.” – Dawn
In season 6’s “Wrecked”, an unintentionally dirty comment was made by Dawn, Buffy’s younger sister. Immediately after, Dawn acknowledged what she had said, but unfortunately, the damage had already been done. The character of Dawn was 15 at the time of the episode, making the line even more problematic. It shouldn’t have been used then, and it would surely not be used now.
6 “Cow me.” – Riley
In Buffy season 5, episode 1, “Buffy vs. Dracula”, Buffy and her friends went to the beach with a makeshift barbecue. Although Riley only made a simple comment, the way he asked Xander for a burger was uncomfortable and unusual. Despite only using two words, there could have been a much better way to phrase such a request, especially without having to acknowledge the animal the meat was created from.
5 “I’m talking about watching my lover die.”
In Buffy season 3, episode 21, “Graduation Part 1”, the day is ruined when Angel is infected with lethal poison. Buffy becomes distracted by her true purpose, conflicted between saving Angel and being the Slayer, which leads to this cringe-worthy quote. Although the levels of drama are reflected well for a teenage girl talking about her boyfriend, it was extremely awkward.
4 “As long as you’re there, I mostly want you to wriggle.” – Angel
Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 3, episode 17, “Enemies” saw Angel and Faith in a violent fight with one another, taking brief breaks to kiss. Using an enemies-to-lovers trope, Faith straddles Angel as she tries to stab him with a stake, which leads to this incredibly inappropriate comment from the Vampire. Considering Angel is centuries older than anyone he encounters, plus the fact Buffy had just turned 18, this line should not have been used.
3 “What else would I want to pump you for?” – Buffy to Spike
Another inappropriate comment involving a vampire and a young woman happens in “Once More, With Feeling”, when Buffy probes Spike for knowledge. Offended, Spike points out that Buffy is “pumping” him for information. This is another instance where a Summers sibling acknowledges their phrasing, but considering that Buffy and Spike have a physical relationship in Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 6, it makes Buffy’s remark even more uncomfortable.
2 “I hope evil takes Mastercard!” – Faith to Angel
In “Consequences”, Angel warns Faith of the “price for true evil“. Instead of providing a deep and dramatic response, Faith’s reply is filled with cringe – especially as it appears to intentionally name-drop the card provider. Once again, this is a line from Buffy the Vampire Slayer that could have been phrased in many other ways and doesn’t provide the dramatic impact that the scene deserves.
1 “Was that all I was to you? A one-bite stand.” – Charlotte to Spike
Charlotte was introduced in the season 7 episode “Sleeper” as a vampire sired by antihero Spike and only appeared in one episode. Charlotte’s use of the vampiric pun is disappointing, and seeing that she and Spike argue about feeding on humans, feels insensitive. This is once again a line from Buffy the Vampire Slayer that could have been phrased much better, whether replacing it with another joke or making the moment more dramatic and impactful.
