Brunch @ Bobby’s (COOKING CHANNEL)
- Premiering Saturday, January 3rd at 12:00pmET/9:00amPT – “Waffles Gone Wild” -SEASON PREMIERE!
Ordinary waffles are a thing of the past with host Bobby Flay’s innovative brunch creations! Bobby wows with a menu of unexpected waffle creations like Cornbread Waffles with Ranch-Style Eggs and Cilantro Crema and Glazed Waffle Donuts! He dishes out the unexpected, mixing up a cool Wine Smoothie.
- Premiering Saturday, January 17th at 12:00pmET/9:00amPT – “Wake Up Brunch”
Two of Bobby Flay’s favorite things come together for a brunch menu that awakens the senses! His coffee-inspired creations include Scrambled Eggs with Sweet Potato Biscuits, Ham Steak and Red Eye Gravy, Espresso-Chocolate Chip Banana Bread with Espresso-Cinnamon Butter and a blended Spiced Mocha Lassi.
- Premiering Saturday, January 24th at 12:00pmET/9:00amPT – “Say Cheese”
Bobby Flay knows that cheese makes everything better, and brunch is no exception! He serves up some cheese-filled dishes like Meyer Lemon Ricotta Crepes with Candied Almonds, a Frittata with Thyme Roasted Potatoes, Smoked Mozzarella and Tomato-Basil Pesto and Cream Cheese Pancakes with Cherries Jubilee Syrup.
Emeril’s Florida (COOKING CHANNEL)
- Premiering Sunday, January 4th at 2:30pmET/11:30amPT – “Coming to America” – SEASON PREMIERE!
Emeril visits three chefs born in foreign countries who now own successful restaurants in Florida. First, Emeril visits with a Sushi Chef from Vietnam before meeting with a Moroccan native who trained in France and Norway prior to living in Florida. The third stop is with a German-born chef who now runs one of the top-rated French restaurants in the state. Finally, Emeril dishes on one of his favorite dishes, Sambal Shrimp.
- Premiering Sunday, January 11th at 2:30pmET/11:30amPT – “Big Night Out”
Emeril visits three restaurants to consider when looking to have a big night out for a special occasion. His first stop is the award-winning Italian restaurant Casa D’Angelo Ristorante in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Then he heads to Sarasota on the Gulf Coast of Florida to visit Michael’s on East, another highly acclaimed favorite in the state. Emeril then visits Salt, the signature restaurant at the Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island which has been one of the top-rated resorts in the country for a number of years. Inspired by his visits, Emeril prepares a dish for a big night in: Corn Cakes with Florida Caviar and Chive Crema.
- Premiering Sunday, January 18th at 2:30pmET/11:30amPT – “Space Coast”
Emeril travels to Florida’s Space Coast on the east coast of the state. He begins in Cocoa Village at Cafe Margaux, arguably one of the best restaurants in the Space Coast area. Cafe Margaux serves bistro fare and has been the place to go in the Cocoa area for fine dining for almost 25 years. His next stop is The Fat Snook in Cocoa Beach, a family-owned casual beachside restaurant, where the owners have a passion for fresh, local seafood and top-quality seasonal ingredients. He next visits Cafe Coconut Cove, serving up authentic German cuisine and craft beers since 1987. Local seafood is on the menu when Emeril prepares Florida Lobster with Pappardelle.
- Premiering Sunday, January 25th at 2:30pmET/11:30amPT – “South Florida Favorites”
Emeril travels to the southern part of Florida to visit some of his favorite restaurants he has encountered over the years. He visits his long-time friend and James Beard Award winner, Michelle Bernstein, at her famous restaurant Michy’s in downtown Miami. Next, Emeril crosses the bridge to Miami Beach to Pubbelly to meet the owners of the hottest gastropub in Miami. Emeril then travels to the Florida Keys for a stop at the historic Cheeca Lodge, and samples their signature restaurant Atlantic’s Edge. Emeril finishes up his visit by preparing one of his favorite Florida seafood dishes: Yellowtail Snapper with a Classic Meuniere Sauce.
Extra Virgin (COOKING CHANNEL)
- Premiering Wednesday, January 7th at 9:00pm ET/6:00pmPT – “Gift to the Neighborhood” – SEASON PREMIERE!
Debi Mazar and Gabriele Corcos have been living in their Brooklyn neighborhood for a couple of years and they have really grown to love it. Their neighbors have welcomed them with open arms and they feel a very strong connection to all of the local shops and restaurants. Now they want to give back the only way they know how: by cooking for them. Gabriele and Debi take over one of the neighborhood’s restaurants for the day, to prepare a variety of Tuscan recipes and serve their neighborhood friends a meal. Since they are cooking for the locals, they will be shopping in all of their favorite local shops for ingredients for the big feast.
- Premiering Wednesday, January 14th at 9:00pm ET/6:00pmPT – “Deb’s Fashion Show”
Gabriele has his motorcycle passion, but Debi has always had an interest for fashion. Her friend, Zac Posen, is a famous New York-based fashion designer. Debi takes Giulia, who inherited her mom’s love of fashion, to Zac’s studio for a behind-the-scenes tour and a dress fitting. Meanwhile, Gabriele has gone to the Fulton Fish Market to get fresh seafood for dinner. Zac later comes over to help cook a seafood-inspired Tuscan dinner.
- Premiering Wednesday, January 21st at 9:00pmET/7:00pmPT – “James Beard Supper”
Gabriele and Debi have been asked to cook at the James Beard House in New York City. The James Beard Foundation is well known throughout the culinary community for its educational programs, industry awards and scholarships. Gabriele and Debi will have an opportunity to add their names to the prestigious list of guest cooks, as they create the best possible culinary experience for an intimate group of friends that will get to share the evening with them.
- Premiering Wednesday, January 28th at 9:00pmET/7:00pmPT – “The Drill”
While living in Los Angeles, Debi and Gabriele would discuss what they would do when the big earthquake hit and left them living completely off the grid. Then, they moved to New York and Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast. Gabriele and Debi decide to take a day to prepare the family for the possibility of another major disaster in what they are calling ‘The Drill’. Can the family go the whole day without electricity or any modern conveniences? And can Gabriele and Debi cook dinner for the family without electricity or gas?
Guy’s Grocery Games: Family Style – Premiering Sunday, January 4th at 8pm (FOOD NETWORK)
Guy Fieri’s favorite things are food, fun and family, and he is bringing all three together for a Guy’s Grocery Games: Family Style showdown. The families will compete over four episodes, with each episode consisting of four teams made up of a different variation of family members, each including a chef, as they compete for a chance at the grand prize. Whether it is a child with two parents, a parent with two children or siblings working together, the families must navigate their way through the aisles of a grocery store, battling it out in different supermarket-themed obstacles, including shopping and cooking on a budget, cooking a meal with five ingredients or less, or the new game of station swap, among others. One-by-one the losing families must “check out” by a rotating panel of judges, featuring Melissa d’Arabian, Richard Blais, G. Garvin, Troy Johnson, Beau MacMillan, Catherine McCord and Aarti Sequeira. The last family standing goes on a shopping spree of a lifetime worth up to $20,000.
- Premiering Sunday, January 4th at 8pm -“Family Style: Kid’s Rule!” – STUNT PREMIERE!
Four competing families start by joining the breakfast club, but this is Watch Your Weight so they can only cook with 5 lbs. of ingredients. Next, the families must make a hot lunch ABC-style, using only ingredients whose name begins with the letter R. The final two families go head-to-head in the dreaded game, Food Wheel. How do you make a winning Sunday supper featuring hot dogs and the color red? The winning family goes after the green stuff, up to $20,000 in the Shopping Spree!
Competitors: Bruno Family, Chiovera Family, Roberts Family, Robertson Family
Judges: Melissa d’Arabian, Richard Blais, Troy Johnson
- Premiering Sunday, January 11th at 8pm -“Family Style: Sibling Rivalry”
When four sets of siblings square off in a supermarket, sparks fly! The teams begin by making a family feast, but first they must agree on the 5 Ingredients or Less this challenge allows! Three families move on to make something stuffed using Guy’s Grocery List of unique ingredients. Then, in the feared game of chance, Food Wheel, the stakes are high as two families attempt to make an upscale dinner with strip steak and $7.15 worth of extra ingredients! The family that moves on will play for a chance to win up to $20,000 in the Shopping Spree.
Competitors: Fraser Family, Grbic Family, Loza Family, Testa Family
Judges: Richard Blais, Troy Johnson, Aarti Sequeira
- Premiering Sunday, January 18th at 8pm – “Family Style: Food Feud”
Chefs keep it all in the family with teams featuring husbands, wives, brothers, moms and even grandma! The pasta shelves are off-limits in Aisle Down, so our four families must really use their noodles to create their best dish. Next, three families have to come up with fresh ideas for making dessert from non-perishable items playing Meals from the Middle. The finalists must make their favorite family meal, but wait, this is Watch Your Weight, so, they only get 5½ lbs. of ingredients. Then, it’s all hands on cart as the winning family goes on the Shopping Spree worth up to $20,000.
Competitors: Casey Family, Parrish Family, Thurston Family, Vera Family
Judges: Troy Johnson, Beau MacMillan, Catherine McCord
- Premiering Sunday, January 25th at 8pm – “Family Style: Kid’s Choice” –STUNT FINALE!
“Family Style: Kid’s Choice”
Guy is constantly turning the tables, this time with kids choosing the meals, while the chefs endure a “Time Out” from cooking. Four families face off in a brunch competition that includes a mandatory Red Light Special: raisins! In Budget Battle, families must make a comfort meal on a very uncomfortable budget. Then, the final teams must prepare a five-star dinner while playing Station Swap, a twisty new game that forces the families to trade kitchens and groceries. One family will go on a Shopping Spree worth up to $20,000…if they can find one item on the list in each aisle.
Competitors: Binbek Family, Landefeld Family, Lavin Family, Murphy Family
Judges: Melissa d’Arabian, Richard Blais, Aarti Sequeira
Worst Cooks in America – Premiering Sunday, January 4th at 9pm (FOOD NETWORK)
Worst Cooks in America returns to transform kitchen disasters into confident cooks, with Chef Anne Burrell going up against first-time opponent Chef Tyler Florence. Anne and Tyler each lead a team of kitchen-challenged recruits in a grueling culinary boot camp designed to turn them into skilled cooks. A $25,000 grand prize is awarded to the contestant who makes the most impressive culinary transformation, in addition to delivering victory and bragging rights for their team leader.
- Premiering Sunday, January 4th at 9pm – “It Just Keeps Getting Worse”- SEASON PREMIERE!
In the season premiere, the fourteen recruits, each nominated by family and friends for their horrendous cooking skills, are selected by Anne Burrell and new-kid-on-the-block Tyler Florence to compete in a grueling culinary boot camp. These “home cooks” make the chefs their signature dishes, and upon tasting, Anne and Tyler choose their teams of worst cooks, and give their recruits a lesson in creating the ultimate romantic meal.
- Premiering Sunday, January 11th at 9pm – “Prepping for Success”
Anne and Tyler test the recruits’ knowledge of food in a special game of “Family Food,” in which the teams face-off in an effort to gain recipe steps through food trivia. As the recruits attempt to cut down the competition, they learn and execute knife skills to prepare their dishes. All of the recruits must successfully create the Spanish dish paella, which some will achieve with fewer bandages than others
- Premiering Sunday, January 18th at 9pm – “Spice Up Your Life”
The recruits try their hand at experimenting with flavor combinations with a skill drill called “Holy Crepes,” in which they serve their own creations in a blind tasting. Then the recruits “Taco-ver the World,” when they make their own international tacos. Some of the recruits are able to hit the mark with their flavor combinations, while others prove they earned their spot in the Worst Cooks competition!
- Premiering Sunday, January 25th at 9pm – “Scared Straight Into the Kitchen”
This week, recruits huddle up to tackle game day dishes as they create deep-fried fan favorites for Anne and Tyler. Will they make crowd-pleasing dishes, or be defeated by a deep fryer? After the big game, the recruits try not to “Lose their Noodles” when they break down a raw squid to prepare squid ink pasta with calamari.
Daphne Dishes – Premieres Sunday, January 4th at 12pm (FOOD NETWORK)
Mom, blogger and home cook Daphne Brogdon shares all the secrets to her easy and impressive family-friendly meals in her series Daphne Dishes, serving it all up with a healthy side of humor. From Daphne’s home kitchen in Los Angeles, get ready to jump into her life and meet her two cute kids, one sweet dog and chef-husband Mark.
- Premiering Sunday, January 4th at 12pm – “Mom’s Gone Healthy” – SERIES PREMIERE!
In an homage to the healthy dishes her mom created as a child, Daphne Brogdon invites her mom and sister over for dinner. Daphne livens up a Pecan-Stuffed Chicken Breast and pairs it with Blistered Tomatoes and Feta Cheese along with Crowd-Pleasing Couscous. For dessert, a little bit of Dark Chocolate Sauce over fresh berries puts a smile on everyone’s face.
- Premiering Sunday, January 11th at 12pm – “Comfort for a Friend”
Daphne Brogdon invites her friend, actress Molly Culver, over for a welcome home dinner. For the main dish, Daphne makes Pan-Roasted Chicken with a Creamy Mustard Sauce. She’s also making comforting Horseradish Mashed Potatoes, plus incredible crispy Brussels Sprouts and a classic Brogdon family dessert, Cafe Bengali.
- Premiering Sunday, January 18th at 12pm – “Festival of Leftovers”
Daphne Brogdon gets inventive preparing simple and tasty recipes utilizing leftovers. She turns last night’s braised brisket into a Brisket Ragu served over Crispy Pasta. Some lonely cauliflower gets transformed into the Best Cauliflower Ever and her leftover Vanilla Pound Cake gets a makeover with Macerated Strawberries and ice cream. Leftovers never tasted so good.
- Premiering Sunday, January 25th at 12pm – “Eat Up, Sports Fans”
Daphne Brogdon’s got a special game day menu that is sure to win over the crowd, without stressing out the cook! She kicks off the party with her signature Guacamole and Fried Wonton Chips and then it’s Butter Burger Sliders with two sauces, Sweet Russian and Arugula Pesto. Plus, she whips up a Spicy Cabbage Salad on the side and Daphne’s shares her special crowd-pleasing cocktail, her Kick-a-Rita.
Best. Ever.– Premiering Monday, January 5th at 10pm (FOOD NETWORK)
Do you remember the last time you bit into a burger and thought, “This is the best burger. Ever.”? When you tell a friend about your favorite pizza place, do you describe every juicy detail about what makes it the best pizza ever? Food Network searched through every delicious nook and cranny in the country and found some of the best pizzas, burgers, barbecue and breakfast…ever! Hosted by Ted Allen, and with guest appearances by Food Network stars, chefs and judges including Anne Burrell, Alex Guarnaschelli, Katie Lee, Antonia Lofaso, Jeff Mauro, Roger Mooking, Marc Murphy, Aarón Sánchez, Steak Shapiro, Fabio Viviani and Andrew Zimmern, it is a veritable collection of the best ever comfort foods.
- Premiering Monday, January 5th at 10pm – “Best. Pizza. Ever.” – SERIES PREMIERE!
Pizza is one of the best ever comfort foods, and it has evolved into endless culinary interpretations that can be savored from all corners of the country. In Austin, Texas, a mouthwatering margherita pizza is baked to perfection in 90 seconds, while a restaurant in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is getting high marks for their meat-piled pizza. One night a week, diners are wowed by the unique toppings at the underground pizzeria that pops up at a Northwest restaurant, and one SoCal restaurant shipped materials from Italy for the oven of their dreams, turning out their signature pork pizza. Whether it be classics or regional favorites, this is the best pizza ever.
- Premiering Monday, January 12th at 10pm – “Best. BBQ. Ever.”
Few things are more American than barbecue, and there are as many delicious variations as there are dedicated pit masters. The queue for ‘cue at one popular Austin restaurant stretches down and around the block, while the mash-up of Korean and American-style barbecue draws a big crowd at a small Atlanta barbecue shack. There is succulent smoked chicken in Philadelphia and spicy jerk chicken in the Twin Cities. Plus, a dive bar turns out delectable barbecue in Cambridge, Massachusetts and a San Francisco restaurant serves a signature barbecue platter with every meat, side and fixin’ on the menu. Roll up those sleeves for the best barbecue ever.
- Premiering Monday, January 19th at 10pm – “Best. Breakfast. Ever.”
These days, breakfast can be so much more than cold cereal and toast. Boston serves up an otherworldly sweet breakfast and in Philadelphia, waffles meet cake for delicious results. In the Twin Cities, a hot and hearty pancake is an engineering marvel. Savory breakfast fans get a look at an egg and cheese in Los Angeles with real star quality, a Vietnamese twist on bacon and eggs in Austin and a classic New York bagel that gets an update with beets. Plus, a breakfast special in Atlanta is like a buffet on a plate! The morning gets started with a bang with these best breakfasts ever.
- Premiering Monday, January 26th at 10pm – “Best. Burger. Ever.”
Americans love hamburgers, and these burgers are the best the nation has to offer. In Atlanta, a double cheeseburger is so exclusive that only a few dozen are served each night, and in New York, the most buzz-worthy burger is sandwiched between something usually found in soup. On the menu is a burger served on a bed of freshly-cut fries and topped with everything but the kitchen sink, a cheeseburger stuffed with cheese that melts right out of the patty and burgers that are so good they do not even need beef! These are best ever burgers.
Fitness: Impossible – Premiering Wednesday, January 7th at 11pm – SPECIAL! (FOOD NETWORK)
Robert Irvine has a grueling schedule, traveling from town-to-town and state-to-state, in a race against the clock to transform failing restaurants. With his impossible schedule, Robert still finds time to focus on his passion for health, fitness, food and family. With that in mind, Robert is taking on his next mission: motivating America. Robert’s fans and followers are constantly asking him for advice on health and fitness. In order to give back, Robert is going to tackle as many health-related questions, concerns and dilemmas as humanly possible, in the time he has between one Restaurant: Impossible and the next. It will not be easy, but Robert is willing to take on the challenge. As soon as his last shoot wraps, the clock is ticking! Robert will hit the ground running, answering as many questions he can before he is scheduled to save another failing restaurant. Being healthy, happy and in shape is not unattainable… this super-chef is just the guy to make Fitness: Impossible, possible!
Duff Till Dawn– Premiering Thursday, January 29th at 10:30pm – (FOOD NETWORK)
Duff Till Dawn is the ultimate underground cake competition, featuring bold ideas, fierce competitors and a ringmaster who has never had a boring day in his life. Duff Goldman is ready to give a few lucky cake fanatics some love, but he is going to put them through a series of challenges in order to earn it. It is the coolest throw-down in cake.
Jon M. Chu’s Wicked, the long-awaited cinematic adaptation of the Broadway musical, soars as a dazzling spectacle that captivates audiences with its lush visuals, heartfelt performances, and rich storytelling. The film, the first in a two-part series, delves into the origins of Elphaba and Glinda, exploring their unlikely friendship and the events that transform them into the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.
Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) and Ariana Grande (Glinda) lead the cast with exceptional performances. Erivo’s powerful vocals and nuanced portrayal of Elphaba’s internal struggles bring depth to the character. Grande, in her most notable film role to date, is both hilarious and heartfelt as Glinda, perfectly capturing her charm and comedic timing. Supporting performances by Jonathan Bailey (Fiyero), Michelle Yeoh (Madame Morrible), and Jeff Goldblum (the Wizard) add layers to the narrative, enriching the world of Oz with compelling subplots.
Chu, known for his work on Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights, brings his signature style to Wicked, blending vibrant visuals with emotional resonance. The production design by Nathan Crowley is stunning, vividly rendering Oz with grandeur, from the Emerald City to Shiz University. Paul Tazewell’s costume design is equally striking, updating the Broadway look with cinematic flair. The score, by Stephen Schwartz and John Powell, retains iconic musical numbers like “Defying Gravity” while incorporating new arrangements that heighten their cinematic impact.
Critics have hailed Wicked as one of the best musical-to-film adaptations in decades, rivaling Chicago and Mamma Mia. Chu’s decision to split the adaptation into two parts allows for a deeper exploration of the story, giving audiences time to connect with the characters and their journeys. Fans of the Broadway show will appreciate its faithfulness to the source material, while newcomers will be enchanted by its universal themes of acceptance, ambition, and friendship.
With Wicked, Jon M. Chu has delivered a masterpiece that sets a new standard for musical adaptations. The film is a visual and emotional triumph, showcasing unforgettable performances and a meticulously crafted world. Whether you’re a fan of the original musical or new to the story, Wicked is a must-see cinematic event.
Rating: 3.5/5
Devara Part 1 dives deep into the heart of coastal India, merging high-stakes action with rich, emotional storytelling. Directed by Koratala Siva, this movie delivers both visually arresting cinematography and a gritty, dramatic narrative that examines the impact of power, loyalty, and revenge. The film stars Jr. NTR as Devara, alongside Saif Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor, both in pivotal roles. With its mix of action, suspense, and drama, Devara has quickly become a must-watch on Netflix.
The film is set in a fictional coastal region, where Devara, played by Jr. NTR, emerges as a man caught in the crossfire of a world rife with ambition and betrayal. The narrative pivots around land issues and the power struggles within the community, which expose Devara’s journey from a common man to a feared figure within his circle. Saif Ali Khan’s antagonist is a complex and calculated character whose machinations add depth to the storyline, setting the stage for a high-stakes conflict with Devara.
The film uses classic Bollywood tropes of revenge and honor but explores them through a modern lens. Devara’s journey is marked by his raw emotional drive and relentless courage, and the character’s depth makes him a gripping protagonist. Janhvi Kapoor adds a softer, more vulnerable counterbalance as Devara’s love interest, providing relief amid the film’s intensity.
Jr. NTR shines in the title role, embodying Devara with both intensity and vulnerability. His transformation into this hardened figure is subtle and believable, allowing viewers to empathize with his struggles. Saif Ali Khan, as the antagonist, is charismatic yet menacing, bringing layers to his role that make him much more than a standard villain. Janhvi Kapoor, while not the primary focus, delivers a grounded performance, effectively conveying the emotional depth needed in a film as intense as this.
One of the strongest elements of Devara Part 1 is its cinematography. Siva and his team bring the coastal setting to life, with expansive shots that capture the rugged beauty of the region. Each scene is meticulously crafted to capture the landscape’s natural colors and textures, lending authenticity to the story. The high-quality production value, along with the tight pacing and impressive action sequences, ensures that the audience remains engaged from start to finish.
Korotala Siva’s direction keeps the narrative’s emotional core intact while focusing on action and drama. The way he layers tension and reveals character motives adds a degree of realism rarely seen in mainstream cinema.
At its core, Devara is about the moral complexities that arise when survival and loyalty collide. It tackles themes of power, corruption, and revenge, all within a tightly woven plot that never strays too far from the human element. The film also dives into social issues, shedding light on the systemic corruption affecting the lives of ordinary people in coastal India. Devara’s journey is one of self-discovery and confrontation with societal norms, and this depth keeps the film compelling beyond its action sequences.
The film also sets up exciting possibilities for Devara Part 2, hinting at an even deeper exploration of these themes, as the stakes rise and alliances shift.
Devara Part 1 combines strong performances, beautiful cinematography, and a gripping storyline. While it does lean on some familiar tropes, the story’s authenticity and Siva’s nuanced direction make it a worthwhile watch. The movie’s pacing, engaging plot twists, and character-driven drama make it hard to turn away.
Rating: 4.3/5 Devara Part 1 is a compelling drama that balances action and emotion, making it a standout in Netflix’s lineup. It’s perfect for viewers looking for a powerful storyline mixed with well-executed action. Highly recommended for fans of Bollywood cinema and anyone who appreciates stories with moral complexity.
Trigger Warning: Discussions of sexual assault and rape.
In a lot of ways Buffy the Vampire Slayer was more than just a TV show…it was a feeling.
No. But it did change the way heroines were written and showed the world how awesome and self-aware supernatural comedies could be. In the mid-’90s to early ‘00s, Buffy influenced everything from fashion trends to the way we speak. The linguistic feature of speakers ending declarative sentences in an upward inflection (like everything is a question). This phenomenon, known as ‘upspeak’, became popular in the mid-90s to the horror of many a boomer.
Buffy was progressive in many ways for its time. A strong (yet at times, admirably vulnerable) relatable heroine. Buffy was cool, independent, and brimming with quippy comebacks. Buffy’s creator, Joss Whedon, may have turned out to be the bad guy but he did create an admirable main character and immerse us in her world. Buffy was one of the first primetime network shows to have a gay main character and a lesbian relationship. Lesbian-identified Willow Rosenberg ushered in a new age of sapphic style that helped generations of queer young people come out.
Throughout the show, Buffy has not one but two hot, badass vampire boyfriends. What’s not to love?
Well, as it turns out; a lot of stuff. Like many shows from that era, Buffy doesn’t always adhere to the morals and values of 2024. I am, and have pretty much always been, a Buffy obsessive (to varying degrees). Even I can admit the main cast wasn’t exactly diverse. There are of course insensitive comments and jokes that wouldn’t fly today, but what I want to focus on is the show’s treatment of sexual assault.
In Western culture, rape is seen as one of the worst that can happen to a woman, perhaps even worse than death. Throughout the series, Buffy (and her female comrades) is assaulted numerous times and threatened with rape even more.
Season 1 Episode 6 – The Pack
In probably one of the weirdest plots, an early ‘monster of the week’ episode. Buffy’s closest male friend is possessed by the spirit of a hyena on a class zoo trip (it happens).
To a lot of modern fans; Xander is the archetypal ‘toxic nice guy’. Identifies as a feminist but regularly slut shames his female friends and has different rules of conduct for them than he does for himself. Regularly treats his romantic partners as less than or infantilizes them. Xander’s questionable behavior aside, this is the first episode where his true nature perhaps shines through.
Up until this point he had been attracted to Buffy. The slayer’s disinterest in anything other than friendship had caused him to act petulant and snidey in ways only a teenage boy can. As loathe as I am to compliment Nicholas Brendon (‘Xander’) the complete personality shift he embodies for possessed Xander is laudable. He’s confident, cruel, and highly sexual. Even vampiric some might say.
Possessed Xander’s newfound animalistic urges lead him to attack Buffy with a strength that matches her own supernatural strength. In an uncomfortable scene, he pins her to a vending machine and tells her: “The more I scare you…(SNIFFS)…the better you smell.”
Buffy escapes by knocking Xander unconscious and remarks to Willow that Xander “tried his hand at felony sexual assault”. It could be argued that Buffy is making light of her trauma by joking about it. However, at the end of the episode, Xander pretends he remembers nothing about his possession but then admits to Giles that he does.
Other more popular recurring characters are forgiven for their horrific behavior due to their lack of souls (being vampires). However, the show never makes clear exactly what a soul is and how it affects a person’s intrinsic goodness. It is unclear what happened to Xander’s soul during his brief possession but the instance is never brought up again.
Season 2 Episode 20 – Go Fish
Yet another ‘monster of the week’ episode; the school’s swim team gets turned into sea monsters (again, it happens). Buffy goes on a date with a member of the swim team when she turns down his advances he locks his car door stopping her escape. When he tries to touch her she breaks his nose on the steering wheel. Buffy is blamed by the school for the way she dresses, almost every woman has heard that at least once!
The episode culminates with Buffy being thrown into a sewer with the monstrous swim team by the evil coach. The coach remarks that ‘his boys have already eaten “but boys have other needs”. Threatening our 17-year-old heroin with gang rape. Buffy of course jokes about her predicament and is saved in the nick of time.
It could be speculated that as Buffy is a metaphor in itself that the writers were trying to make a statement about how female victims of young male sports stars are treated.
Season 6 Episode 1 & 2 – Bargaining
Season 6 is extremely controversial within the Buffy fandom. Arguably the most polarising of the seasons. Whether you love it or hate it (I love it, just putting that out there) everyone agrees it’s the darkest season. Fittingly the season opens with Buffy being brought back from the dead and digging herself out of her own grave.
A gang of heavily pierced demons is attacking the town and is torturing the Buffybot (a replacement robot for the erstwhile slayer obviously). The head demon refers to Buffybot as “nothing but a toy, a pretty toy” in a sinister and arguably sexual way before we see her being torn limb from bionic limb.
If that’s not bad enough the head demon threatens Buffy’s friends (Xander, Anya, Tara, and Willow) by saying; “we’re just gonna hold you down and enjoy ourselves for a few hours”. He also brags about his gang’s “anatomical incompatibilities that tend to tear up little girls”. The blatant and graphic threat of gang rape disturbed a lot of fans. Was this a sign of things to come with the new direction the show was going in?
Season 6 Episode 19 – Seeing Red
And here we are. We couldn’t talk about the most controversial season of Buffy without discussing its most controversial episode. Seeing Red has fan favorite Spike (vampire) attempting to rape Buffy in her own bathroom after she is injured while vampire slaying.
Throughout most of season 6 Buffy and Spike kindled a sexual relationship. Despite the writers prefacing the two as a metaphor for a toxic relationship, the couple are championed by fans to this day.
The scene itself is horrific. I can recall watching it when it was aired at the age of 12 hesitantly through my mum’s plants it was that awful. On a recent rewatch I committed myself to watching it again thinking it can’t be as bad as I remember, despite always fast-forwarding that bit on my videos (yes, I’m that old). It was as bad as I remembered.
The scene was heavily choreographed with alternating close-ups of Buffy and Spike (separately) to inspire the audience’s empathy with each character. Along with the being so brightly lit, the scene is extremely disorienting. The choice of lighting makes the actors look all too human.
Encouraging empathy for both victim and perpetrator during a rape scene is an interesting premise. Personally, I liked how multilayered and complex Buffy and Spike’s relationship was for what was billed as a teen drama. But I, like many, was traumatized by this scene. James Marsters, who played Spike, calls shooting the scene; “the darkest professional day of my life” (Marsters J, 2024) and sends him to therapy. Buffy herself, Sarah Michelle Gellar (Gellar S, 2024) is quoted as saying that she skips that particular episode while watching with her young family.
Many conspiracies were discussed after the airing of the episode. Many thought that it was creator Joss Whedon’s way of getting the audience to hate Spike. Whedon made no secret about hating Spike and had to be talked into making the series regular due to his popularity. As tempting as it is to blame Whedon, he was barely involved in the show at the time.
It is commendable that Marsters (outing myself as a fangirl here) is willing to honestly talk about how the episode affected him personally and the fanbase. Unfortunately, the show failed to properly address Buffy’s trauma. Despite showing her having PTSD-like flashbacks to the attempted rape when seeing Spike again in Season 7.
To me, Buffy has always embodied everything that is great about being a woman. She’s strong, resilient, and unapologetically feminine. Her story is one of triumph against all odds while still staying true to herself and empowering her friends along the way. As Buffy is a feminine story perhaps it is appropriate that it shows the unfortunate side of being a female presenting person. Women are assaulted regularly and usually by close friends someone they are on a date with or someone they’ve had a sexual relationship with. Many have argued that the handling of these scenes was clumsy or even irresponsible. This may be true but having someone as inspiring as Buffy Summers overcome and thrive after an assault could prove that anyone can and make victims feel less alone.
Buffy is, as always, a source of strength for many.
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