Rating: 
Summary: Good, not Great
Review: Season Four of Buffy sees the titular character, along with her friends, moving into college. As Buffy seasons go, I certainly prefer the previous ones.Season Four deals with much more adult themes than one, two or three; after all, our lead characters are now adults themselves. This means that we're seeing a lot more sexuality, and more 'mature' feeling relationships. Personally, I don't find that this change is necessarily good. I miss the innocence of the Scoobies' high school years - the Willow (Alyson Hannigan) has a crush on Xander (Nicholas Brendon), Xander has a crush on Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar), and Buffy has a crush on Angel (David Boreanz) things that went on during seasons one and two. Season four is also a season of change, and a season of departures. The series does suffer from the loss of Angel, glad as I am to see that the talented David Boreanz snagged his own spin-off show. Some of the best story arcs from seasons one, two and three revolved around Angel, and Buffy loses a lot of its emotional intensity with his departure. Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) is also inexplicably gone, having gone to Los Angeles (where she would meet Angel). It would have been nice if the characters in Buffy had at least mentioned her in passing, but it's as if she never existed. I guess the memories of Cordy were too traumatic for our heroes. Finally, we see the unfortunate loss of Oz (Seth Green), as he vacates Sunnydale in an episode that comes off simply feeling forced. On the plus side, Season Four is one of the more humorous ones, with episodes like "Beer Bad" and "Superstar" serving up the laughs. It also contains the Emmy-nominated "Hush", written by Joss Whedon (creator of Buffy) himself. I would pay the entire price of this Season just for that episode alone, given that the DVD also contained enough extras on this unique showing of Whedon's writing talents. We also see the introduction of Riley (Mark Blucas) and Spike (James Marsters) as regular cast members, and Anya (Emma Caulfield) has a very strong presence as well. In the end, this is still distinctly Buffy, and worthwhile just for that reason. Unfortunately, it ultimately does not have the same emotional resonance as Season Two or even Season Three did. Certainly worth the money, but if you don't have the other seasons on DVD, get them first.
Rating: 
Summary: Even when you're not at your best, you're better than most..
Review: For the last seven years, Buffy The Vampire Slayer has been one of the wittiest, intelligent, and well written shows around. And the last 3 seasons have been released on DVD, much to the delight of fans everywhere. Fox now is set to release this, the fourth season of Buffy on DVD, and anticipation is high. How does the fourth season compare to the first 3? Well, the first season was the show finding itself, and the second reached an all time high with it's strong ending. Many people considered the third season, the pinnacle of the show's storylines. While the fourth season is considered weaker than the second and third, it still cranks out some solid TV. In the fourth season, we see Buffy entering a new era of her life...college. After the destruction of Sunnydale High, the defeat of the mayor at graduation, and Angel leaving her (for his own show), our favorite slayer starts anew with college life and finds herself dealing with a whole new set of rules...things aren't as simple as they were in high school (if you can call the 1st 3 seasons of Buffy simple). Season 4 deals with the familiar Scoobies finding out about a military operation on a mission to capture demons and the like. This group is known only as the Initiative. In typical fashion, Buffy and her pals become involved with the Initiative through a young agent named Riley, who soon becomes Buffy's new love interest. But the Initiative holds a secret that not even Riley knows about, a project that will reveal the season's big bad. While this season's overall plot is weaker than the last, there remains episodes in it that are truly some of the show's best. Two, which stand out in my opinion, are "Hush" in which a group of demons known as the "Gentlemen" come to town and steal everyone's voice. This episode of the show was acclaimed for its silence...the actors, without their voices are reduced to conveying emotion and communication in other ways. In a sense, a throwback to the silent films of the early days of movies, Buffy and friends are reduced to writing on wipe off boards and primitive sign language. Prepare yourself for one of TV's funniest moments ever, when Buffy demonstrates for the group how to "kill" the gentlemen. The other classic episode is "Superstar" where Jonathan places a spell on the world, in which everyone views him as the perfect person...he starred in the Matrix, invented the internet, and is more powerful than the Slayer. He's even in the opening credits! Only Buffy begins to sense something is wrong, but how can she hope to overcome this when she can't even slay a vampire without Jonathon's help? Season four is good TV. Angel returns in some episodes as his show runs parallel to Buffy and crossovers between the two are welcome. Faith returns to cause some havoc too. Even the weaker of Buffy's years is stronger than most other shows on TV today. You know this already, and don't need me to tell you otherwise. And just wait until season five.
Rating:
Summary: Not the best season, but some of the best episodes
Review: Sunnydale High School has been blown to smithereens, and Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and her best friend Willow (Alyson Hannigan) are now students at U.C. Sunnydale. Angel has moved to Los Angeles (and his own show, also available on DVD), Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) is without employment now that his library is blown up, and Xander (Nicholas Brendon) is a townie. So season 4 is the dawn of a new era. That's dawn with a lower-case "D"; Dawn with the uppercase "D" doesn't show up until season 5. Overall, this was considered one of BtVS's weaker seasons, most notably for the overall plotline involving the Initiative, a secret government-run military operation headquartered at U.C. Sunnydale who's mission was to track, capture and study Sunnydale's demonic population. Actually, the Initiative was considered the weakest of Buffy's arch-rivals, eclipsed only by the Troika (aka, Nerds of Doom) from season 6. It's not until mid-season when one of the Initiative's experiments goes awry that things really start to pick up. But really, I'd rather not spoil the whole season if you haven't seen it yet. Although more than likely if you've read this far, you're probably a Buffy fan and already have seen it. Although it's not considered one of Buffy's best seasons (that honor is split by seasons 2 and 3), it does contain what's considered to by many to be Buffy's best single episodes. Some highlights: "Beer Bad" -- ok, considering who you ask, this is either one of the best or one of the worst BtVS episodes ever. Xander's working at the popular hangout for the U.C. Sunnydale students, serving up their favorite micro-brew, Black Frost. But little does he know that Black Frost is spiked; it turns those who drink it into neanderthals. To make matters worse, Buffy's fell in love with the brew, and starts to transform into "Cave-slayer". For those who enjoy their Buffy completely tongue-in-cheek and can handle an obvious anti-drinking message (unusally obvious for BtVS), this is a very funny ep. "Something Blue" -- Another very funny episode. Willow is heartbroken when Oz skips town to learn more about the werewolf inside him. She casts a spell to make her will come true, with disasterous effects -- Giles goes blind, Xander is hunted by every demon in Sunnydale, and Buffy and Spike become engaged! "Hush" -- This is the episode that got the Emmy nod for writing, BtVS's only nomination in a major category. The Gentlemen have come to town, fairy tell creatures in search of seven hearts. They are completely silent and float through the air, and have stolen the voices of everyone in Sunnydale to keep them from screaming while they do their business. The Gentlemen rank among Buffy's all-time spookiest villians (that's them on the DVD cover behind Buffy and Willow), and the mostly dialog-free episode was considered a master stroke by nearly every critic. This episode is also significant because it's the first time we meet Tara (Amber Benson), a quiet and shy girl who's also a very powerful sorceress; she and Willow develop a magical and loving bond that will have great impact for seasons to come. "Restless" -- The final episode of the season. Buffy and her friends have vanquished the bad guys and are enjoying a bit of R&R with movies at Buffy's house, but the exhausted gang all nod off and are hunted by the power of the First Slayer in their dreams. This episode is completely surreal and offers a lot of insight into how much and yet how little development has happened to the characters that have been with the show from the beginning, and also imagry from this episode is still having impact on new BtVS storylines airing three seasons later.
Rating:
Summary: Buffy Matures
Review: I was concerned BtVS couldn't keep up the standard of the incredible season 3.Some of the slight weakness is caused by the exit of Angel (now spun off into his own series, with some good crossover episodes) and his replacement as love interest by the much less interesting Riley (but, realistically, who could be as interesting as a brooding, tortured, 200 year old cursed vampire?), by the introduction of The Initiative as the seemingly inevitable Secret Government Plot, and by the move from "vampires as metaphor for high school angst" to a not quite as clear metaphor at university.However, not all these things are what they initially seem, and Spike at least adds a needed touch of acid -- the writers have resisted the temptation to make him "good". So, despite a slight lack of focus and a few weak episodes, there are some very strong ones (in particular, Hush and Who Are You?), some funny ones (especially Superstar), and quite a few twists and turns to keep you guessing, as the characters develop off in new directions.Highlights? Come on, this is BUFFY, it's all highlight. Particular ones to watch include 'Who Are You' which see the aforementioned return of Faith, the off-kilter 'Superstar', 'Primeval' (which out-Bonds 007 himself), the frankly bizarre and prophetic 'Restless' and of course the outstanding 'Hush' which, until season six's 'Once More, With Feeling' will surely have been any BUFFY fan's favourite.Season Four really sets the tone for the next two years. This isn't the same light, frothy teenage show of seasons 1-3. This is something very different altogether. But it's still BUFFY. It's still the best. What more do you want?
Rating:
Summary: Another Great Season For the Best Series on Television
Review: Old World Mysticism and New World Technology...they can co-exist, right? Buffy enters UC Sunnydale, and after initially having trouble settling in, begins to realize that the world of post-secondary eduction isn't all that different from her high school experience...or is it? She eventually encounters the Initiative, a literally underground para-military operation, led by Buffy's psychology professor, Maggie Walsh, hellbent on harnessing the demon population and putting it to its own (questionable) use. Spike re-enters the fray, and is quickly "neutered" by a government chip which restrains him from causing harm to humans. Meanwhile, Xander struggles through a series of low-paying jobs, Willow begins to "experiment" with fellow Wicca practicioner Tara, Giles is a "Gentleman of Leisure", and Buffy engages in a casual relationship with an apparently straight-arrow upperclassman named Riley Finn, who turns out to be an undercover Initiative soldier. The division of the Scoobies becomes the focal point of the season, as the Initiative begins to realize that it cannot control the demon populace, as evidenced by their mishandling of demon super-soldier Adam. Standout episodes include the Halloween-themed "Fear Itself", the silent masterpiece "Hush", the Faith two-parter "This Year's Girl"/"Who Are You", and the brilliantly surrealistic "Restless". The central arc isn't as intensely personal as other seasons, but the characterisations remain rich and nuanced, the dialogue is extremely sharp, witty, and postmodern, and the plotting is endlessly inventive.
Rating:
Summary: In My Opinion, One of the Best Seasons
Review: Ok, I'll admit it: there are a few things I disliked about season 4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The main thing being: Riley. Could they have invented a more boring love interest for Buffy? Don't get me wrong, Riley was a very nice guy, I just didn't really care for him. Nor did I really care for that season's "Big Bad", Adam. He wasn't a very interesting villain, like the Master, or the Mayor, or especially the latest one, The First Evil. HOWEVER - Buffy's 4th season had so much to offer. Beginning with the very welcome return of Spike, who became a series regular that season. But more than that, there were some really great, classic episodes. Here are the ones, in my opinion, I thought were the best: "Something Blue" was a hilarious episode that foreshadowed two things: the future "relationship" between Buffy and Spike, and Willow's magic getting out of hand. In this episode, Willow's spell to help her get over the departure of boyfriend Oz goes terribly wrong and ends in chaos - with Buffy and Spike getting engaged, Giles going blind, and Xander being chased by demons. I think this may actually be the most humerous hour of Buffy ever produced. "Hush" was a television first: almost an entire episode of no talking. When The Gentlemen come to town, everyone in Sunnydale loses their voice, so that when The Gentlemen rip their hearts out, no one will hear them scream. Despite the silence, or maybe because of the silence, this is one of Buffy's creepiest episodes ever. "Restless" is actually one of my favorite episodes of Buffy. It almost needs multiple viewings to digest everything. Even to this day, when I'm watching reruns from other seasons, I see a new connection to this episode. After their final battle with Adam, the Scooby gang head over to Buffy's house for a movie night. But before the first movie even begins, they are all fast asleep in front of the TV. That's when the nightmares start. I won't get into any details about any of their dreams, but they range from comical to downright frightening. And the episode is a lot more complex than you think, because it reflects on things that have happened in the past, and it foreshadowed events that were to happen in the future (for instance, Tara's warning to Buffy to "be home before dawn" was actually a reference to the arrival of Buffy's "sister" Dawn in season 5). I know, I only listed 3 episodes. This does not mean the rest were bad; those were just my favorites. I will say that I'm more excited for the release of this season out of all of them so far, mainly because the above 3 episodes are ones I'm likely to watch again and again. I can't say this is the best season of Buffy, because I don't think there really IS a best - they have all been excellent. However, I do think it is one of the finer seasons. A lot of people didn't like it as well (a lot of people agreed with me on the Riley issue, I think), but I think it was great. The performances were all-around stupendous, and the scripts were well written as usual, with the same hip wit and humor, and with many, many, many quotable lines. This has got to be on every Buffy's fans' wish lists. Even if you don't agree that it was a great season it's a must-have. It will definitely be spending A LOT of time in my DVD player. Now, my only wish is that they would put more special features on these discs. Not that the episodes alone aren't worth the money; it would just be nice if they added more interviews, and maybe some more commentary, especially from cast members. Either way, I'll take what I can get.
Rating:
Summary: The best show on television
Review: This season is not the strongest of the series due to the departure of the popular character Angel and the transition from high school to college. However, there are several stand-out episodes such as "Pangs", a Thanksgiving episode in which Angel returns unbeknownst to Buffy, "Hush", a hilarious and creepy episode in which no one talks for the greater part of the episode, "Something Blue", another hilarious one in which Willow casts a spell that causes Buffy and Spike to think they're in love as well as "This Year's Girl" and "Who Am I", which feature the return of Faith, the rogue Slayer (just to name a few). The truth is, even a "Buffy" episode that isn't quite up to par is much better than almost anything else shown on television. This set is a must-have for "Buffy" fans.
Rating:
Summary: Still the best thing on TV
Review: There are a lot of mixed feelings over Buffy The Vampire Slayer's fourth season, mostly because it's different and although there may be the odd dodgy episode here, the rest is superb. By taking the gang out of college series creator Joss Whedon made a brave transition that is often very hard to pull off but he manages it. Many people were upset by the fact that there was no longer a high school, Angel and Cordelia were no longer there, Buffy had a new boyfriend and there was less Giles and Xander. But it just so happens that Joss knew exactly what he was doing with all of these plot developments, creating interesting and realistic character developments. The gang couldn't have remained in high school forever, characters move on to different places and new relationships are entirely realistic. As for less Giles and Xander, yes it was upsetting at the time, but entirely realistic given both characters' fears about being pushed aside by the new college-attending Buffy, Willow, Oz and Tara. Kicking off the season with one of the best season openers (second only to Buffy Vs. Dracula) is The Freshman. Showing the first day of college along with all its worries and trauma is so true to life it's uncanny. I've been through exactly these experiences and yet again Buffy relates them better to screen than anything else on television. Following this is another in what is fast becoming a tradition of great characters that only appear for one of two episodes. Kathy the evil roommate, who listens to Cher, puts up Celine Dion posters and irons her jeans - how much more evil can you get?! Harsh Light Of Day is also a classic for bringing back the ever popular cult character Spike and Anya, both of whom were to become permanent fixtures later on in the season. Unfortunately there was a mid-season dip around around about Beer Bad, The Initiative and Goodbye Iowa. The usually gently evoked metaphors of the show are too overt here and the Initiative concept just isn't quite as interesting as other seasons' big bads. Fortunately there are several episodes here that rank among the best the show has ever produced. Hush is near perfect and its rare that a show actually has an intelligent message to give whilst still remaining entertaining and original but Buffy does it. The episode begins with characters discussing the uselessness of communication because you can't put into words how you really feel. Xander can't define his relationship with Anya, Buffy can't explain her feelings for Riley and Giles doesn't seem to want to talk at all. So before you can say a word Joss Whedon strikes them all mute in an episode that's high on the creepy factor as the eerie Gentlemen steal the voices of Sunnydale inhabitants. The episode is also notable for introducing the adorable Tara. Faith also makes a return appearance for the two-parter This Year's Girl and Who Are You. For the first time in TV history the stereotypical bad guy has been given the same amount character development as the show's stars and Faith is such a wonderfully complex character that I doubt she'll ever be rivalled. Extending sympathy towards her loneliness and explaining her descent into murder as a way to shut off the pain of reality, Joss really makes you feel sorry for someone that has killed three people and is fully intent on killing Buffy. The concluding part to the two-parter is especially enjoyable as a new twist is put on th old formular of good guy and villain switch bodies. Sarah Michelle Gellar as Faith is simply wonderful, even displaying evidence of Faith's Boston accent. As Faith tries to ruin everything in Buffy's life she sees for herself exactly what she's missing out on, hasn't got and whilst before she was mocking Buffy's supposed mantra 'Because it's wrong' she finally, at the episode's end, says it and understands what it means. Followed up by another two-parter in Angel where she seeks redemption This Year's Girl and Who Are You remain as somewhat landmarks in television. Most people will also probably agree that the two-parter at the end of the series, The Yoko Factor and Primeval are very good indeed, delving into mysticism more than the show has before and pulling together all the issues about the group splitting apart that have been worrying us all season. However, even this is nothing compared to the masterpiece that is Restless. Comprised almost entirely of dream sequences the episode works on so many layers that a full analysis of what everything means would be fruitless here (though you are able to find one of the Internet). Prophesising later events such as Buffy's death, Dawn's arrival and even Anya returning to vengeance the dreams give each character a vision on their own nightmares. Remember the episode in series 1 which did the same thing, and even the earlier episode of this series, Fear Itself? Well Restless delves deep into the psychological fears of the characters revealing Willow to be afraid that she's still the same nerdy little girl from high school, only acting out another life. Xander worries that the others have left him behind and that he'll never catch up, Giles is concerned over whether Buffy really needs him anymore and Buffy faces new fears over the nature of her power and where its roots lie. A genuinely creepy episode (watch out for Christophe Beck's killer score) this sets things up and pulls them together so well that the hair on the back of your neck will be standing up throughout. A masterpiece pure and simple, and following last season's Earshot and Graduation Day, and this season's Who Are You and Hush, Restless proves that a genre show doesn't have to be constricted by that genre. Whilst previously the show was praised for mixing drama, comedy and horror together, it has transformed itself into something entirely different now, something much deeper. Restless is a foreshadowing of what's to come not only for the characters but for the show itself, as season 5's The Body proves.
Rating:
Summary: Best Season of Buffy, Hands Down
Review: This was the season that I'll remember forever... when everything that was wonderful about Buffy gelled and crescendoed. It had more standout episodes, more visceral emotional pull, and more sophisticated interaction among the gang than in previous seasons. It also made wonderful use of the college setting, taking the four main characters we'd known through engaging changes. This was the season when the series, already amazing, matured. I'm disappointed that there doesn't seem to be any reflection of Riley and The Initiative on the packaging (as they did with the Season Three discs, will Fox try to shove Spike to prominence over everything else?), since they were a major part of the season, and since the contrast between the supernatural and the scientific was the driving force. Riley, Forrest, Maggie Walsh, even Adam... the campy fun of that storyline only gets more enjoyable over time.
Rating:
Summary: VERY Underrated.
Review: Season 4 of Buffy, while not the best (that honor goes to season 5), is still most exceptional television. The overall arc, involving a mysterious government agency known as the Initiative, is quite a change from seasons 1-3, but in my opinion, that's a good thing. Season 4 was the transition season, the middle season, the midpoint between seasons 1-3 and seasons 5-7. Even if you don't like the main arc (which produces 4 quality episode: "The I in Team", "Goodbye, Iowa", "The Yoko Factor" and "Primeval"), this set is still well worth your money, since the true power of season 4 is in the dozen or so "stand-alone" episodes, i.e., the ones that do not heavily affect the overall arc. But that's what's so good about Buffy, even a fun and light-hearted episode can reveal crucial information that fits in with the season's arc. Among these superb episodes, there are the wonderful ("The Freshman"), the hilarious ("Fear, Itself", "Pangs", "Something Blue", "A New Man", "Superstar") the incredible ("Hush, "This Year's Girl", "Who Are You?", "Restless"), and the heartbreaking ("Wild at Heart", "New Moon Rising"). With such a spectacular season, all the special features are just icing on the cake. This set is rumored to have more extras than any other previous Buffy set. There will be 6 commentaries total, two by series mastermind Joss Whedon for both "Hush" and "Restless". Overall, this is a set not to be missed, whether or not you're a Buffy fan.
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