A girl called Buffy Summers moves to the sleepy town of Sunnydale with her mother from Los Angeles. She got kicked out of her old school for burning down the school gym.

On her first day at Sunnydale High, she is introduced to Cordelia Chase, the most popular girl at school. After a little 'intiation' quzzing, Cordy decides that Buffy is cool enough to be able to hang out with her, and only with the popular group, no noe else.

Much to Cordy's annoyance, Buffy makes friends with the decidedly uncool Xander, Willow and Jesse. A trip to the school library introduces her to the school librarian, Rupert Giles. He is Buffy's new Watcher (after Merrick died). It's his job to introduce her the the 'wonder' that is the Hellmouth - a mystical, convergence which attracts evil like moths to a flame.

Giles shows her a book with the words 'Vampyr' written on it, which scares Buffy off. She wants to forget about the vampires and monsters and concentrate on fitting into school.

Unfortunately, this isn't as easy as Buffy hopes when a dead body, drained of all it's blood turns up in the boy's locker room.

Buffy goes to tell Giles about the body and lets him know, in no uncertain term that she no longer wants to be a Slayer. He replies by telling her about the Hellmouth and that her moving here is no co-incidence. As Buffy walks out Giles goes after her to try and change her mind.

Unbeknown to them, Xander is hidden amonst the stacks, looking for a textbook. He pops his head out from behind one of the shelves totally confused by what he heard.

That evening Buffy prepares for her first night out since getting to Sunnydale. She's going to The Bronze, Sunnydale's only nightspot, there's not a whole lot of town. Joyce (her mother) hopes that everything is going to work out for the better.

On her way to the Bronze, Buffy senses that she's being followed and ducks into an alleyway. A tall, handsome guy follows her in, looking for her. When he can't see her he turns to go when she swings down from a handstand on a handy bar over the alley. She knocks the handsome guy to the ground.

Sheepishly, he tells Buffy that he doesn't bite and that he just wants to help her. He warns her of 'The Harvest' and tells her about the Hellmouth. As a parting gift he gives her a sliver cross.

Later, inside the Bronze Buffy and Willow chat about boys. Buffy tells her to 'sieze the day' and stop waiting for boys to ask her out. Buffy spots Giles standing on the upstairs gantry and goes up to berate him for being skanky.

Giles tells her to spot a vampire for him. She does and unfortunately he's chatting up Willow. They disappear together and it's up to Buffy to save her. However, while searching for Willow she accidentaly attacks Cordy with a stake, which pretty much ruins her chances of joining the popular group.

As she leaves she bumps into Xander and asks him where Willow could have gone, and that if she doens't find her there will be another dead body tomorrow.

The vampire manages to get Willow into the cemetery and takes her to a large mauloseum. As she tries to escape, Darla turns up with Jesse in tow.

Buffy and Xander arrive hot on their heels and a fight ensues with Buffy managing to dust one vampire. Just as things are going Buffy's way, Luke and powerful vampire shows up and attacks Buffy. Xander,Willow and Jesse try to get away, Darla chasing after them. Luke throws Buffy into a large, stone coffin and while she is dazed, leans in for the bite . . .

Our View

An exciting start to the series, we meet the characters and begin to love them. Excellent direction.

Our Score - 8

The Professional View

A terrific beginning as the viewer is thrown headlong into a world of secret codes and language . . . and that's before we get to any of the supernatural stuff. Assured perfromances all round. Funny, inventive and very different.

Their Score - 8