Q. My SO/parents/roommates/cats won't watch Buffy. They sneer at me and my tacky taste. They've finally agreed to watch Just One Episode, in order to shut me up. Which episode do you recommend?
Someone mentioned that we should tell folks to start from the beginning and I agree. Maybe amend the FAQ to read:
Some Buffistas recommend you start with the first season right away. This way you don't have to explain any of the backstory.
Others suggest something from one of the middle seasons. This way you aren't constantly saying, "Oh, that's Angel, but he later got his own show," or "Oh, Cordy and Xander aren't dating any more."
Many Buffistas have had good results with Season 4's "Hush" (almost no dialogue, funny mime scenes) and "Something Blue" (Buffy and Spike become betrothed; hilarity ensues). If you don't have DVDs from Season 4, try "Earshot", from Season 3. Season 5's premiere episode, "Buffy vs. Dracula," is also a fun romp.
If you're trying to convert through Spike-lust (or even spickle-oost), "Crush" from Season 5 works. Sure, what Spike does in the episode is pretty creepy, but there's the Tongue Thing going on. Gaaah... excuse us. "Intervention," also from S5, offers a nobler, gentler Spike, and the notorious Buffy-job.
After you've got 'em hooked, go back to Season 1 and catch up on the backstory. "Yes, Mom, I know Angel's kinda wooden. Shut up and drool like the rest of us." If this doesn't work, we recommend finding new parents/SO/roommates. (The cats can simply be locked in the bedroom for the duration.)
Reminding people not to sign their posts reminds me way too much of TWoP!
Yeah. If there's one thing we're not, it's TWOP.
We might want to add some stuff from later seasons, especially "Once More With Feeling," to the list.
Maybe swap out BvD for OMWF?
PAL-format people, those in the UK, Australia and elsewhere, can buy pretty much everything on Blackstar or Choices Direct.
Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.co.au have them as well.
There are other options, but they are both illegal and morally questionable. You can try to download eps off of alt.binaries.multimedia.buffy-v-slayer on USENET, or find one of the mythical download sites, or find someone on an auction site who will sell you a set. Buyer beware. Have fun.
No one said anything about the downloading eps link being unusable. I get nothing when I click on it - but that could just be my browser being wonky. I guess we leave it unless someone has an objection.
I think if we're talking downloading, we should mention BitTorrent. Because Suprnova (http://www.suprnova.org/) has the current angel episodes, as well as often hosting links for dvd-rips of older shows--like earlier seasons of Buffy, etc. I've never done Usenet, but I know it's possible; I also have a couple links to places that sell vcds that we could include.
Not that I'm wicked gung ho about this or anything, but 'cause I'm a downloader/vcd fan versus dropping forty bucks on dvds, I think it would be nice to include some updated information on that, as it's already in the faq.
I also worry about our linking to sites like that in the FAQ. It's one thing to have individual people post about it. It's another for the whole site to endorse it.
What Dana said. I don't mind mentioning the word "Bittorrent", but I don't want to link to any of the sites that use it.
Good point about Amazon.co.uk & au though. I can probably get associates income through those as well.
I think if we're talking downloading, we should mention BitTorrent.
I don't think we should. Even if we don't mention specific sites, I'd hate to have the MPAA's attention drawn here by a Google search for "BitTorrent."
a Google search for "BitTorrent."
Good point. Having the words "buffy" and "bittorrent" in close proximity could draw unwanted attention.
