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More than a decade after the show ended, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is still one of the most beloved shows of all time. Thanks to modern-day streaming — first with Netflix and now with Hulu — new generations of fans can enjoy the splendid acting and writing that made up Buffy. Buffy Summers is known for many things, and her fighting and witty comebacks are, of course, a couple of them. If you want to feel empowered or energized, these 8 clips will do the trick.

Now, there are certainly hundreds of moments, but these are the ones that first come to mind for us. Because in addition to saving the world — a lot — Buffy had some great one-liners and got the best of her enemies often. [Spoiler alert: Of course, there are spoilers ahead for the entirety of Buffy The Vampire Slayer].

Alyson Hannigan as Willow Rosenberg, Charisma Carpenter as Cordelia Chase, Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy and Nicholas Brendon as Xander Harris in "Buffy The Vampire Slayer.'
Alyson Hannigan as Willow Rosenberg, Charisma Carpenter as Cordelia Chase, Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy and Nicholas Brendon as Xander Harris in “Buffy The Vampire Slayer.” | 20th Century Fox via Getty Images

1. Buffy might have ‘flunked the written,’ but she still slays and saves the day

The Season 1 finale of Buffy The Vampire Slayer was very eventful. It was the first time Buffy died and really showed her vulnerable side. The fact that she was a butt-kicking slayer sometimes hid the fact that she was also just a 16-year-old who wanted a normal life. But in this scene, Buffy regrouped after coming back from the dead and beats the Master quickly. Her strong attitude is addicting to watch, and when she said, “What can I say, I flunked the written,” it causes the urge to cheer wildly. 

2. Seeing Buffy take down a cocky monster is always fun

Having Angel turn into Angelus and become a Big Bad in Season 2 was certainly a wrench in the system. Even though Buffy was heartbroken by the situation, she also knew that her number one job was to save people. So when there was a cocky, “unbeatable” monster, that didn’t deter her. She outsmarted it with some military tech, and the delivery is, yet again, a “chef’s kiss” moment.

3. Buffy’s ‘coming out’ as a vampire slayer to her mom goes as well as you’d think

It’s sometimes hard to remember, but Joyce, Buffy’s mom, didn’t always know that Buffy was the slayer. It’s not until the end of the second season that Joyce witnesses enough for Buffy to “come out” to her as the slayer. It’s not a very happy scene, but the parallels to coming out of the closet is very relatable to many (“Have you tried not being the slayer?”). Even though her mom is just worried about her safety and doesn’t get it, Buffy stands up to her and still follows through on her duties. 

4. Buffy’s sass was unbeatable

Buffy leaves for the summer after Season 2 when she had to kill Angel after he came back as his good self. She laid low in a big city, but still managed to come across a cult of demons feasting on humans for labor. Even though they meant to break down the humans, Buffy is unfazed. This little quip is a perfect example of Buffy’s wit and perseverance. 

5. Buffy’s high school honored her for saving their lives, which is more than anyone ever did

Probably one of the most touching moments in all of Buffy is during her prom. She’s had a rough year, as it’s her final year in high school and she’s dealing with a murderous Faith (another slayer), reemerging feelings for Angel, and the mayor wreaking havoc on Sunnydale. Being a slayer is a thankless job because humans don’t even know these demons exist, let alone a slayer against them. So when her class awards her with the Class Protector Award, it’s endearing, to say the least. 

6. When Buffy says no interruptions, she means no interruptions

Probably one of the best speeches Buffy ever made is in Season 5, Episode 12, “Checkpoint.” It’s also one of the most overlooked. After the Watcher’s Council comes to Sunnydale and disrupts Buffy and her friends’ lives, they also tell her they have key information on Glory, yet won’t give it to her unless she bends to their will. This speech is basically Buffy telling them to watch themselves when they talk to her and remember who she is. As Xander says, “That was excellent.”

7. Even without talking, Buffy saves the day

Season 4’s best episode is “Hush,” which has barely any dialogue thanks to some of the creepiest demons: The Gentlemen. They take away Sunnydale’s ability to speak, which poses way more problems than usual, as you’d expect. The whole episode is a testament to the cast’s acting, and this scene’s ending is so satisfying because of it.

8. Even Ubervamps are no match for Buffy

Lastly, Season 7 gave Buffy some of her hardest challenges. From family and friends turning their back on her to Ubervampires popping up, Buffy had her hands full. These vampires are more vicious and harder to kill than what audiences saw for the past six seasons. So when Buffy finally kills this one, it’s a massive victory. It brings hope to Buffy, the other potential slayers, and the viewer as well.

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