Top 10 Times Buffy The Vampire Slayer Tackled Serious Issues

In Season 6 of this teen drama, Buffy’s life gets super real. For one thing, being the unwitting head of her household leads to some money troubles. While this problem is introduced in “Flooded,” it becomes most apparent when Buffy takes a job at the Doublemeat Palace later on. In a show that’s all about larger-than-life fantasy, it's powerful - and relatable - to see our heroine struggling with challenges like plumbing leaks, a loan denial, and a minimum-wage job. It doesn’t make the show’s sixth outing particularly cheerful, but it does make for a complex and emotionally resonant viewing experience.

The show’s sixth season is full of life-or-death situations, but one of Buffy’s most challenging opponents is a social worker. In “Gone,” she receives a visit from an agent named Doris. Suffice to say, the Slayer and her friends don’t make the greatest impression. No vampires or demons are involved, but the prospect of the Summers sisters’ being separated makes this saga incredibly scary. Thankfully, Buffy is able to turn things around while affected by the Trio’s invisibility ray. The Slayer hilariously haunts her bewildered investigator, and avoids disaster. But there’s no doubt the situation could have turned out much worse.

While going out with Scott, Buffy is introduced to his friends Pete and Debbie - a seemingly happy couple. However, we soon learn that recent attacks aren’t being caused by Oz or a recently resurrected Angel, but rather Pete. It turns out the high schooler has been consuming an elixir that’s unlocked a monstrous side of his personality. Upsettingly, Debbie is the victim of his jealousy and aggression. What’s more, he blames her for his actions. It may be for teens, but the show doesn’t shy away from portraying disturbing patterns of mistreatment that plague real-life relationships. Although the supernatural twist makes the storyline classic “Buffy” fare, the spotlight on violence in relationships is important, to put it mildly.

One would think that Buffy’s resurrection in the show’s sixth outing would be cause for celebration. But of course, life isn’t always so simple. Unbeknownst to her friends, the Slayer’s time on the other side was spent in Heaven. And she has now returned to a life full of high-stakes situations and stressful responsibilities. Buffy’s feelings of emptiness and despair color much of the season, and she initially only opens up to Spike. But when her friends do find out, she’s able to seek support from people like Tara. The show’s candid exploration of mental health struggles is painful, but also incredibly moving.

This series is no stranger to using metaphors to comment on real-life problems. For instance, Willow’s struggle to give up magic mirrors substance use disorders. In “All the Way,” the witch dismisses both Giles and Tara’s worries about her excessive reliance on spells. Then, her attempt to affect her loved ones’ memories in “Tabula Rasa” seriously damages her relationships. Things come to a head a few episodes later, when she causes a car crash while under the influence. The striking depiction of the beloved character’s addiction, its effects on those closest to her, and her recovery is emotional to say the least. It makes for one of the show’s most powerful and memorable arcs.

“Buffy” is beloved by many for its portrayal of queer characters at a time when such on-screen representation was sorely lacking. After her breakup with Oz, Willow falls for fellow UC Sunnydale student and witch Tara Maclay. A few episodes later, this romance - and Oz’s return - lead to Willow opening up about her sexuality to her best friend. Although it would’ve been great to see Buffy less confused about the revelation, her stilted reaction reflects what many LGBTQ+ people experience when coming out. Needless to say, it’s a monumental moment for Willow’s character, and for the series as a whole.

The show tackled the topic of youth maltreatment with a creative storyline all the way back in season 1. When Sunnydale High’s students’ nightmares start coming to life, Buffy traces the occurrences back to a comatose boy named Billy. It turns out that his baseball coach attacked him following a loss, which led to his hospitalization. But once Buffy helps him confront the manifestation of his fears, he awakes and the real culprit is caught. There’s some justice and healing for Billy, but the events that precede this conclusion are truly frightening. There’s an abundance of nightmares in this episode, but the scariest part is that it sheds a light on the real-life mistreatment of minors.

Season 3’s “Earshot” features one of the show’s darkest plotlines ever. When she’s infected by a demon on patrol, Buffy gains the ability to read minds. She learns that someone is planning to harm her classmates, and we’re led to believe Jonathan is behind the plot. But it turns out that he actually intends to take his own life. Shockingly, the real culprit is a lunch lady who is poisoning the cafeteria food. The twists and turns here are undoubtedly entertaining. But when it comes down to it, Buffy and Jonathan’s conversation is serious and heartfelt. With the episode shining a light on teens’ mental health and campus violence, it’s easily one of the series’ weightiest installments.

As Buffy struggles with a variety of stressful situations in Season 6, she begins a tumultuous relationship with Spike. But she’s clearly perplexed, and feels guilty about the romance. After realizing how unhealthy it is, she breaks things off in “As You Were.” However, what follows in “Seeing Red” is an incredibly shocking moment of intimate physical violence. As Buffy prepares to take a bath, Spike shows up and attempts to overpower her. It’s an extremely difficult scene to watch, and by far one of the show’s darkest moments. However, it highlights the fact that such acts tend to be perpetrated by individuals known to the survivor, and often occur in the context of past or present relationships.

Season 5’s “The Body” is an acclaimed episode, and for good reason. It features the shocking death of the Slayer’s mother, and handles the intense subject matter with care and sensitivity. With a lack of music conveying a visceral sense of disorientation, the characters process the reality that Joyce’s death was not supernatural in nature. While each has their own way of grieving, Anya’s perspective as a newcomer to human ways stands out for its honesty and vulnerability. It’s never easy to lose a loved one, and the show aptly captures the utter pain of bereavement. Importantly, it also demonstrates that a strong support network can make a huge difference when coping with such tragedy.