As anyone whose read my previous reviews on the Buffy Season boxsets will realise I am a big fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This is the fourth season, and marks Buffy's ventures in the big bad world outside of high school, and in my opinion (which is what this review is all about) this is the weakest season.

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The Packaging
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As with seasons 2 and 3, season 4 consists of 6 DVDs contained within a sturdy "book". This time the book has a purple tinge to it. There is a seperate protective page for each DVD, along with an episode guide.

The book then slips neatly into a cardboard sleeve, measuring 16cm x 20cm x 2.5cm, and adorned with the now customary picture of Buffy. Although the boxset will not fit in a standard DVD rack, it looks very smart when displayed along with the other seasons on a shelf.

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The DVD's
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The 22 episodes of this season are, along with the special features contained on 6 discs. Each of the discs has a nice purple hue, and features a picture of Buffy in the foreground, and a scene from the show in the background. I must say that the discs in this season look much classier than those of previous seasons, presentation seems far more important now.

When first playing the DVD you will have to sit through the copyright warnings, before the fancy action menu begins. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm not a fan of action menus, I'd much rather get straight to the action so to speak. However, you do only have to sit through the once.
The menu system of these discs can be a little confusing, I find that I automatically choose the top right episode as the 2nd on the disc, when actually its the bottom left

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The Characters
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As with any long running programme, Buffy is only as strong as it's characters, in this season several previously important characters (Angel, Cordelia) have left and in their place we have some new characters.

In this review I've decided to split the characters into the OLD and the NEW.

OLD
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Buffy Summers - Played by Sarah Michelle Gellar

Buffy is a slayer, plucked from her life as cheerleader and super shopper, to life as the super strong slayer of vampires.. Buffy is now entering her first year at Sunnydale college.

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Willow Rosenberg - Played by Alyson Hannigan

Willow is super smart and find the transition from high school an exciting adventure. As she delves into the world of witchcraft, she makes herself a new "friend".

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Xander Harris - Played by Nicholas Brendon

Xander is feeling a little left out in this season as he has not gone on to college, and is living in his parents basement.

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Rupert Giles - Played by Anthony Stewart-Head

Buffy's now unemployed watcher, was previously librarian at Sunnydale High School, now at a loose end, and looking for something to help fill his time.

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Oz - Played by Seth Green

Werewolf Oz was Willow's love interest in previous seasons, but leaves Sunnydale early in the season after discovering he can't tame the wolf inside.

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Spike - Played by James Marsters

Spike, aka William the Bloody, is an english vampire with attitude. Definately my favourite character in the series. He is neutered in this season, and begins working with Buffy.

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Faith - Played by Eliza Dushku

Faith is a slayer gone bad. She was put into a coma by Buffy at the end of Season 3.

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Ethan Rayne - Played by Robin Sachs

An old friend of Giles, Ethan worships the Choas Demon and returns to once more cause trouble.

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Anya - Played by Emma Caulfield

An ex-vengence demon, who is now mortal, Anya is a maybe a little to forthright and has a lot to learn about human communication.

NEW
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Professor Maggie Walsh - Played by Lindsay Crouse

Professor at Sunnydale UCA, Maggie Walsh is also head of secret organisation "The Initiative".

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Riley Finn - Played by Marcus Blucas

TA to Professor Walsh, and member of the initiative Riley becomes Buffy's love interest.

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Tara Maclay - Played by Amber Benson

Shy student Tara, shares an interest of magic with Willow, and their relationship develops into something more.

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Adam - Played by George Hertzberg

Adam is a human/demon hybrid and the big bad of the season

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Episode Guide
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1. The Freshman

As though settling into life at college isn't enough to cope with, Buffy has to deal with a weird room mate and a freshman loving vampire gang.

My rating.......8/10 Was quite weird to see Buffy getting beaten up.

2. Living Conditions

Buffy quite literally has the room mate from hell.

My rating.....7/10 Did'nt really like this episode

3. The Harsh Light Of Day

Spike is back in Sunnydale with girlfriend Harmony ?!?!? He's after a ring that will make him invincible and about to go about during the day. (This is part of a cross-over story with spin-off series Angel)

My rating.......8/10 Several good fight scenes in this episode.

4. Fear Itself

Buffy and gang go to a halloween party, where a fear demon is accidently raised. As each have to face their fears a few comical moments ensue.

My Rating....7/10 Not fantastic episode, but the ending is quite funny.

5. Beer Bad

Buffy gets herself some new beer-swilling friends. Unfortunately the beer has been spiked with something that turns them into cavemen.

My rating....7/10 This episode has been regularly slated, but I don't think its that bad.

6. Wild At Heart

Oz finds himself a new soulmate, a werewolf named Veruca.

My rating 7/10 Again, I did'nt enjoy this episode.

7. The Initative

Spike is captured by an underground commando group, the Initiative. While in their clutches, he's neutered by a "chip" and after escaping finds he can no longer hurt people.

My Rating 8/10....Lots of Spike in this episode.

8. Pangs

Buffy is trying to produce the perfect thanksgiving dinner, but Xander has accidently awakened a vindictive native american spirit. Spike ends up asking the Scoobies for asylum.

My rating.....8/10 Quite a good episode, with plenty of action.

9. Something Blue

Willow, distraught over Oz leaving casts a spell to have her will done. This leaves Giles blind, Xander a demon magnet, and Buffy engaged to Spike.

My rating.....9/10 Lots of comic moments in this episode.

10. Hush

The gentlemen have come to town, and stolen everyones voices. The majority of this episode is conducted without speech.

My Rating 9.5/10.....This is a very dramatic episode, and hats off to the actors for performing without speech.

11. Doomed.

In a blast from the past, another attempt is made to open the Hellmouth, so Buffy and gang must return to the burnt out high school to save the world...again.

My rating 8/10.....Not brilliant, but Spikes attempts at suicide are quite hilarious.

12. A New Man

Giles is feeling distinctly old and left out. When Ethan returns to Sunnydale, the pair reminisce. The next day Giles wakes up as a demon. Will he find Ethan before Buffy kills him.

My rating 8.5/10....Again lots of comedy in this episode.

13. The I in Team.

As Buffy gets more involved in the initiative, her friends begin to worry about her. Then Professor Walsh tries to kill her.

My Rating 7.5/10

14. Goodbye Iowa

Riley has to choose between Buffy and the Initative, while suffering the effects of withdrawral from the drugs he's been given.

My rating 7/10

15. This Years Girl

Faith has awakened from her coma, and is out for revenge on Buffy.

My rating 8/10...listen out for the last thing said by "Buffy" gives a big clue to the next episode.

16. Who Are You?

As Buffy tries to keep out of the watcher's council clutches, Faith learns what it's like to be good.

My rating 9/10 I enjoyed the significance in this episode, Faith realising how it feels to do something selfless.

17. Superstar

Nerd Jonathon is suddenly a superhero, adored by the whole town. But as Buffy and co soon discover not everything is at it seems.

My Rating 7/10..again this episode has often been slated, but it's down to personal taste and the first time I watched I enjoyed it, but less so on subsequent watches.

18. Where The Wild Things Are?

Buffy and Riley get amourous at a party, and release the spirits of abused children.

My rating 7/10.. I did not really enjoy this episode, too much s*x not enough action.

19. New Moon Rising

Oz returns to Sunnydale, claiming he can now control his animal side, but Willow has moved on and is now involved with Tara.

My Rating 7/10

20. The Yoko Factor

Spike plays the gang against each other. Angel visits and fights Riley over Buffy.

My Rating 8/10

21. Primevil

The gang take on Adam. Willow casts a spell to help Buffy win, by giving her the power of the original slayer.

My rating 8/10 Not brilliant, but some good action scenes.

22. Restless

This is a bit of a strange episode, after defeating Adam, the gang are relaxing in front of a video, as they all fall asleep and experience cryptic dreams all featuring the original slayer, with Tara as guide.

My rating 7/10 I found this episode a bit of an anti-climax, after all the final episode in a season is traditionally where the big bad is defeated.

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The Extras
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The following extras can be found on the discs:

Disc 1

"Fear Itself" Script

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Disc 2

Commentary for "The Initiative" by Doug Petrie

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Disc 3

Commentary for "Hush" by Josh Whedon
"Hush" Script
"Hush" Featurette
"The Sets of Sunnydale" Featurette
"Buffy, Inside The Music" Featurette
"Introducing Spike" Featurette
Trailers
Cast Biographies

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Disc 4

Commentary for "This Year's Girl" by Doug Petrie

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Disc 5

Commentary for "Superstar" by Jane Espenson
"Who Are You?" Script

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Commentary for "Primevil" by David Fury & James A. Contnor
Commentary for "Restless" by Joss Whedon
"Restless" Script
"Season 4 Overview" Featurette
Stills Gallery

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Extra Information
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Running Time : 924 minutes
Rating : 15
Languages : English
Subtitles : English for the hearing impaired, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish

Price : The best available on-line price is currently £33.99

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Final Words
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Although this is not the best season of Buffy, it is a must buy if you have the previous seasons. I personally felt that this season relied far more on comedy rather than storyline, which although not a bad thing in itself, weakened the season as a whole. If this would be your first purchase in the Buffy saga, I would be tempted to save up and buy the new complete boxset, which is even better value for money.