Unveiling the Dark Transformation: 8 Epic Vampire Conversions in Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Summary

Buffy's friends are at risk of turning into vampires due to the constant vampire attacks in Sunnydale, showcasing the high stakes of the show's supernatural battles.

In Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a number of significant figures, including Jesse, Angel, Harmony, and even Buffy herself in a nightmare sequence, have been transformed into vampires. Spike's background and longing for love as a human elucidate his unwavering commitment to Drusilla and his behavior throughout the show, unveiling the intricacies of his character.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer revolves around a high school student named Buffy, who is bestowed with the title of Slayer in order to safeguard her hometown of Sunnydale. Despite her efforts, several characters in the show end up being transformed into vampires. The constant terror inflicted by hordes of vampires in the town inevitably leads to certain things slipping through the cracks. Unfortunately, at times, these overlooked matters happen to involve her friends, who are ill-equipped to combat supernatural creatures.

Fortunately, Buffy is not alone in her battle against vampires in California. She has a group of school friends, Willow and Xander, as well as her Watcher, Mr. Rupert Giles, supporting her. The depiction of vampires in this show deviates from the conventional understanding. In Buffy The Vampire Slayer, individuals who are turned into vampires undergo a transformation into demons and lose their humanity. Consequently, they are unable to experience genuine emotions, yet their human instincts drive them to yearn for the emotions they once felt. This dynamic results in the creation of captivating and distorted characters. While formidable adversaries on Buffy the Vampire Slayer are nothing out of the ordinary, this unique twist on vampire lore adds an extra layer of intrigue, even when the vampirism is only temporary.

8 Jesse McNally

Jesse McNally became a vampire ahead of many other characters. Prior to Buffy's arrival in Sunnydale, Jesse was close friends with Willow and Xander, who were part of her group. In "The Harvest," the second episode of season 1, Jesse is turned into a vampire by Drusilla. Initially intended to be consumed, Drusilla eventually decides to employ Jesse as bait, setting a trap for Buffy. Unfortunately, during the ensuing confrontation, Xander inadvertently stakes Jesse, leading to his demise in this particular episode.

7 Angel

Angel began and ended the series as a vampire, with a brief period of experiencing humanity in his spinoff show, Angel. However, Buffy the Vampire Slayer delved into his past in season 2, episode 21, "Becoming, Part 1," revealing his life as a human and his transformation into a vampire by Darla. This backstory sheds light on his unusual affections towards her and is crucial in understanding his character. While always possessing a strong moral compass, this episode takes Angel back to his origins, offering further development beyond his enigmatic and benevolent role as a love interest.

6 Harmony Kendall

Harmony was a frequent presence on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Although she did not appear in every episode, she was a member of the popular group led by Cordelia Chase, eventually assuming leadership herself after Cordelia's departure. In season 3, episode 22, titled "Graduation Day, Part 2", Harmony found herself caught in an ambush orchestrated by the Mayor's group of vampires during Sunnydale High School's graduation ceremony. She was subsequently turned into a vampire by one of them and joined the attack. However, in season 4, Harmony resurfaces with the intent of killing Buffy before ultimately choosing to depart from Sunnydale and forge her own path.

5 Anne Pratt

Although Anne played a minor role on the show, her impact on a main character's life was significant. That main character happened to be Spike, or William Pratt, also known as William the Bloody - and he was Anne Pratt's son. Spike, in an attempt to save his mother's life, turned her into a vampire. However, the transformation only amplified his already intense love for people, pushing it to an overwhelming obsession. Unfortunately, Anne wanted nothing to do with her son anymore. She found his presence suffocating and desperately sought to escape from him. In her desperation, Anne even attempted to kill Spike, but her plan backfired, resulting in her own demise. Although Anne may not have appeared consistently throughout the show, this particular event played a pivotal role in shaping Spike into the vampire he ultimately became.

4 Spike

Spike, one of the vampires in the show, remained a prominent character throughout its entire run, just like Angel. Unlike Angel, however, he remained a vampire for the duration of the series. The show delved into his backstory, revealing important details about his character. This included his transformation by Drusilla, who was a villain in the first season. The reason for his unwavering loyalty to her was never explicitly explained, except for her turning him into a vampire. Spike's underlying desire to be loved as a human sheds light on his actions in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It is this longing for connection that compelled him to stay with Drusilla, loving her as much as any vampire in Buffy the Vampire Slayer could love anyone.

3 Willow Rosenberg

Apart from being a witch, Willow had a key association with the supernatural realm. However, she also ventured into vampirism for a brief period of time in a couple of episodes. One such instance occurred in season 3, episode 9, titled "The Wish," where Cordelia Chase expresses a desire for Buffy to never have arrived in Sunnydale, thus eliminating the presence of a Slayer in the town. It is within this alternate reality that vampire Willow makes her initial appearance. The second and final encounter with her transpires in season 3, episode 16, named "Doppelgangland." Here, Willow conjures her vampire doppelgänger to Sunnydale while attempting to control a friend's burgeoning powers, leading to a confrontation between the two versions of herself. Despite Willow being commonly depicted as the group's nerd, the inclusion of alternative versions of her character, such as the vampire Willow, served to defy typical stereotypes and enrich her overall development.

2 Alexander (Xander) Harris

Xander took on the role of a vampire just like Willow did. In the alternate universe brought forth by Cordelia's wish to eliminate Buffy, Xander assumed the vampire persona alongside Willow. Together, they wreaked havoc upon alternate Sunnydale, forming a partnership in season 3, episode 9, "The Wish." Xander's actions resulted in the deaths of Cordelia and Angel, a vampire known for his virtue, until the wish was eventually reversed and normalcy was restored. Throughout this transformation, Xander maintained his role as the comedic relief amidst the vampire chaos, albeit with a significantly darker sense of humor. This showcased the ongoing struggle between his human and demonic sides.

1 Buffy Summers

While Buffy Summers' successes can be attributed to her good luck, her string of misfortunes can account for almost everything else. In "Nightmares," the tenth episode of season 1, a comatose child named Billy starts projecting his subconscious fears into the town of Sunnydale. These nightmares range from common phobias like spiders and public nudity to deeper anxieties about failing to protect loved ones. As the episode unfolds, it is revealed that Buffy's ultimate fear is losing to The Master, the villain of the first season, and being turned into a vampire. To everyone's astonishment, she ends up battling and surviving as a vampire for the latter half of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode. However, when Billy overcomes the entity tormenting him, the nightmares vanish for Buffy and everyone else.