Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Four

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Four, 1999-2000. The vampire-hunting teenager goes to college.

Created by Joss Whedon. Directed by James A. Contner (6 episodes), Whedon (4), David Grossman (4), David Solomon (3), Michael Gershman (2), Tucker Gates (1), Michael Lange (1) & Nick Marck (1). Written by Marti Noxon (5 episodes), Jane Espenson (5), Whedon (4), David Fury (4), Tracey Forbes (3) & Douglas Petrie (3). Starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, with Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Anthony Stewart Head, Seth Green, James Marsters & Marc Blucas.

Concept: C
Story: C
Characters: B
Dialog: B
Pacing: C
Cinematography: C
Special effects/design: B
Acting: B
Music: C
Enjoyment: I don't know how, but they managed to come up with a love interest for Buffy that's even more tedious than Season Three Angel. Between that and a main villain who's not any fun, it's a pretty weak season. On the other hand, the other characters are all great (with the exception of Oz, who gets a pretty crappy exit), and there are a handful of stand-out episodes. "Hush" in particular is one of the best hours of TV I've ever seen. B

GPA: 2.5/4