We’re celebrating Joss Whedon by listing our five favorite episodes he penned for TV.
In honor of his birthday, were looking at some of the best epidodes that Whedon himself has written.
In the spirit of not rambling on forever, were limiting ourselves to one episode per TV show.
Here are five of our absolute favorites…
Vows
Dollhouse
I like my scars.
They bring out my eyes.
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Dollhouseis a divisive show, even within the Whedon fandom.
Out of the few episodes Whedon did write, the season 2 premiere, Vows, is the best.
Is she still a doll?
She pranks and psychologically tortures Topher because she cant answer this question.
You dont know me and I dont know you.
Not fully, not ever.
I made you question.
I made you fight for your beliefs.
I didnt make you hate me.
But our definition of TV has stretched a lot in the last ten years, and I thinkDr.
Horribles Sing-Along Blogdeserves a spot on this list.
Also, the soundtrack is so darn catchy.
Firefly
Serenity
Were still flying.
That hasnt happened with any other of his shows so far.
It happens with so few TV shows, to be honest.
Waiting in the Wings
Angel
I dont dance, I echo.
Plot-wise, the episode is about the gang at Angel Investigations going to the ballet.
Meanwhile, both Gunn and Wesley explore their romantic interests for Fred.
It is an episode about fate and the choices we have in our own stories.
It is an episode about the power of performance and narrative.
And it is an episode that is just beautifully written, directed, and acted.
Graduation Day, Parts 1 and 2
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
We survived.
It was a hell of a battle.
Bad metaphor, you say?
The episode ends with Buffys graduating class helping her to take down the mayor.
Some of them die.
Some of them are turned into vampires.
Most of them graduate.
Eventually, Buffy blows up the school.
It is the perfect ending to this season and this first arc in theBuffyseries.
