24 Hilariously Cringeworthy Buffy Lines that Would Never Make it to TV Today
14 cringeworthy Buffy lines that will have you squirming These quotes are so hilariously awkward, they'd never make it on TV today Brace yourself for some seriously cringe-worthy moments!
Summary
Buffy the Vampire Slayer's famous lines can be cringeworthy when viewed through a modern lens, raising questions about a potential revival or reboot.
The show's language and certain moments reflect the time it was released, leading to uncomfortable moments that are hard to ignore. Although intentional comedy can occasionally redeem these cringeworthy moments, some of the lines delivered by characters such as Angel, Willow, and Buffy can seem misplaced or inadequately developed.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer became a popular show during the 2000s, but many of its famous lines wouldn't be acceptable today. Despite ending in 2003, the supernatural teen drama remains a popular reference and is still watched by many. However, certain scenes in the show can make audiences cringe, leading to the question of whether a revival or reboot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer could be successful.
Cringeworthy moments can arise from awkward situations or characters trying to sound cool. It's important to note that these moments can sometimes be intentional for comedic effect, but not always. Since Buffy the Vampire Slayer first aired in 1997, 26 years before the new Buffy sequel series, much of the language used reflects the time period, resulting in some obvious moments that the show could do without.
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14 "Why are you ridin' me?" – Angel to Buffy
In season 2 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Buffy's relationship evolved, causing a wave of adolescent emotions. While attempting to safeguard Buffy, they found themselves in a heated argument, leading to Angel's unexpected comment. Due to Angel's character not being fully fleshed out in the earlier seasons of the show, this remark seems rather odd and out of sync with the angelic transformation he undergoes in later seasons.
13 "Hello? Gay now." – Willow to Anya
12 "Bored, now." – Vampire Willow
The inclusion of Willow's relationship with Tara in season 5 sparked widespread discussion about her sexuality, as it presented one of the earliest portrayals of queer women on television. While conversing with Anya, Willow defended her decision not to interfere with Cordelia and her boyfriend, citing her newfound identity as a gay woman. Willow's sexuality played a pivotal role in the show and had the potential for further exploration and development.
This iconic phrase from Buffy the Vampire Slayer has become one of the most recognizable catchphrases in the show. Despite Willow's typically sweet nature, the line carries a sinister undertone and is somewhat cliché for a villainous character. The introduction of Dark Willow in Buffy's storyline depicted her as an alternate reality version of Willow, resulting from Cordelia's wish that Buffy had never moved to Sunnydale. While Cordelia originally uttered this quote, it was Vampire Willow who propelled it to its widespread popularity.
11 "If you're not jacked in, you're not alive." – Fritz
Frtiz made his debut in the first season's "I Robot You, Jane," where he made his sole appearance. He had been recruited by the wicked Moloch to monitor Buffy, but tragically met his demise at the hands of his master, who sought to showcase his dominance over the Slayer. The opening speech delivered by Fritz can be characterized as cringe-worthy, resembling a sci-fi drama due to the portrayal of his stereotypical persona as a vulnerable computer enthusiast yearning for something greater.
10 "And remember, if you hurt her, I will beat you to death with a shovel." – Willow to Riley
Willow's quote in the fourth season's episode "The Initiative" has become a well-known cliché, commonly seen in movies and TV shows, where a person threatens their best friend's potential partner. Although Riley seeks Willow's assistance in pursuing Buffy, the quote can be seen as somewhat predictable, considering there are alternative ways for Willow to convey her thoughts to Riley without relying on stereotypical phrases.
9 "When you kiss me, I want to die." – Buffy to Angel
In the episode "Reptile Boy" of season 2, Buffy grapples with her emotions towards Angel. The entire scene containing the quoted dialogue is incredibly clichéd, but it is the final line that truly solidifies its cringe-worthy status. Buffy's struggle with her connection to Angel, despite him being a vampire, follows a predictable and angsty teenage narrative. Interestingly, this line actually originates from a Shakespearean allusion. Shakespeare often used the term "la petite mort", meaning "little death", which symbolizes how an orgasm diminishes a small part of life.
8 "Nothing can defeat the penis!" – Xander to Willow
7 "It’s like a meat party in my mouth." – Dawn
6 "Cow me." – Riley
In the episode "Wrecked" from season 6, Buffy's younger sister Dawn unintentionally made a comment of a suggestive nature. Without delay, Dawn recognized her slip-up, but unfortunately, the harm had already been done. Considering that Dawn was only 15 years old in that particular episode, the statement became even more problematic. It should not have been uttered at that time, and it would certainly not be acceptable in the present.
In the first episode of Buffy season 5, titled "Buffy vs. Dracula," Buffy and her friends decided to have a beach outing complete with a makeshift barbecue. While Riley's request for a burger seemed simple, the way he approached Xander made it uncomfortable and out of the ordinary. It would have been more appropriate to phrase such a request using different words, particularly without explicitly mentioning the animal from which the meat had been derived.
5 "I'm talking about watching my lover die."
4 “As long as you’re there, I mostly want you to wriggle.” – Angel
In "Graduation Part 1," the penultimate episode of Buffy season 3, the day takes a turn for the worse when Angel is infected with a deadly poison. Buffy finds herself torn between her duty as the Slayer and her love for Angel, leading to a cringe-worthy quote. While the portrayal of teenage girl drama is spot-on, the scene becomes incredibly awkward.4 “As long as you’re there, I mostly want you to wriggle.” – Angel
In episode 17 of season 3 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, titled "Enemies," Angel and Faith engage in a violent altercation while also sharing intermittent kisses. Employing the enemies-to-lovers trope, Faith straddles Angel while attempting to impale him with a stake. This prompts an utterly inappropriate remark from the vampire. Considering Angel's age, which spans centuries compared to those he encounters, coupled with the fact that Buffy had recently turned 18, the inclusion of this line was highly unwarranted.
3 “What else would I want to pump you for?” – Buffy to Spike
Another inappropriate comment involving a vampire and a young woman occurs in "Once More, With Feeling" when Buffy interrogates Spike for information. Feeling offended, Spike points out that Buffy is "pumping" him for knowledge. This situation highlights a moment where a Summers sibling acknowledges their choice of words. However, considering Buffy and Spike's physical relationship in season 6 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Buffy's remark becomes even more uncomfortable.
2 "I hope evil takes Mastercard!" – Faith to Angel
In "Consequences", Angel cautions Faith about the consequences of embracing true evil. However, instead of delivering a profound and poignant response, Faith's reply comes across as cringeworthy – particularly because she seemingly purposefully mentions the card provider. Once again, this line from Buffy the Vampire Slayer could have been expressed in various other ways that would have conveyed the desired dramatic impact of the scene.
1 "Was that all I was to you? A one-bite stand." – Charlotte to Spike
Charlotte, a vampire turned by the morally ambiguous Spike, made her debut in the "Sleeper" episode of the seventh season. Unfortunately, her utilization of vampire-related innuendo fell short of expectations. Furthermore, witnessing her and Spike dispute over their feeding habits seemed callous. Once again, this dialogue from Buffy the Vampire Slayer could have been enhanced significantly, either by substituting it with a different humorous remark or by intensifying the scene for a more profound and memorable impact.
