I've confessed before -- or should I say shouted from the rooftops -- that I am a Joss Whedon fan. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is one of my all-time favorite shows and I still mourn its loss (the comic books just don't give me my Buffy fix).This season, I was hopeful when Reaper arrived on the scene. It seemed to have some of the same elements that I liked about Buffy: demon lore, a Scooby gang, a story arc, and a lighthearted, humorous side to a subject that could be very dark.
So how does Reaper measure up to Buffy? When I actually did the breakdown, I was pleasantly surprised. A very interesting outcome, indeed....
Demon Lore
Buffy had one of the most intricate and solid demon lores of any show on television. There were very few holes in the story and with each season it became more complex. Heck, since everything was written down in Giles' vast demon lore library, how could there be holes? There was a clear and well developed vampire lore -- and gypsy lore -- which were integral parts of the plot, especially starting in season two.
Reaper's demon lore? It started off slow, but as the season went along, they built and added to it so that I am left intrigued, to say the least. From Sam's dad fiddling with the contract to the demon revolution, we've got a lot to look forward to.
The winner? I would have to say Buffy at this point, but it is almost an unfair comparison when Reaper is down six seasons from Buffy. If I compare the first season of Buffy to the first season of Reaper, Reaper just may win the crown. Yeah, I guess the punch-mouthed Master was pretty cool, so this is a tough call.
The Scooby Gang
The two gangs are freakishly similar. On Buffy, Cordy was added late to the game, much like Andi on Reaper. The gang expanded on Buffy to include a demon, Oz the werewolf (and maybe we could count Angel the vampire here as well, and even Anya the vengeance demon, and hey, even Spike in the later seasons). Reaper's gang, although they aren't official members, has introduced Ken Marino's character, Tony (and the prematurely deceased Steve), and of course our DMV friendly neighborhood demon, Gladys.
The two things that Buffy's gang has going for it that Reaper's doesn't are a "father figure" and a more well-rounded group (although does The Devil play this role for Sam?). Season six of Buffy suffered with the absence of Giles, and the immature gang on Reaper could use a little grounding with a Giles-like role model. I also liked the characters better on Buffy, and how they played off of each other. We needed the nerd-turned-witch Willow, the crush she had on the goofy and somewhat useless Xander, and the flaky Cordy. Reaper's gang hasn't solidified beyond a post-adolescent threesome. It is almost like watching three Xanders sometimes, and I think we need more diversity.
Round two goes to Buffy.
The Story Arc
Nearly every episode of Buffy had some of the season's story arc. Sure, there were always a few throw-away episodes ('Doublemeat Palace,' anyone?) each season, but for the most part, each episode moved us along toward the Big Bad. And the Big Bads were mostly awesome, and allowed for the main characters to show us new dimensions of themselves. The writing on Buffy still remains some of the best ever on TV.
Reaper doesn't have a Big Bad, unless of course you count The Devil. So when the season began, we actually had no story arc. I craved a story arc, Reaper needed a story arc; the formula was becoming far too predictable. They gave us what we wanted with the demon revolution. However, I wish they would develop it further, and move the story forward with each episode. For me, they don't come back to it often enough and it leaves me unsatisfied (even though the promise of what's to come is huge!).
Buffy comes out ahead on this one, too, but again, if we are only comparing first seasons, they may just be neck in neck. Season one of Buffy hadn't fully found itself either, and there were many lame episodes that leave me rolling my eyes (uh ... puppets?). Reaper hasn't left me rolling my eyes, just wanting a deeper core to the weekly formula. So I guess Reaper gets points for promise.
The Humor
Buffy ran the gambit from subtle, literary and pop culture allusions to laugh-out-loud moments (Giles transformed into a Fyarl demon in 'A New Man,' chasing Professor Walsh). The smart literary allusions were such a refreshing foil to Buffy's classic teenage girl angst and the flighty Cordelia.
Unfortunately, Reaper's humor is juvenile, although if you are a 19-year-old boy, you may find it hilarious. Sure, there are some laughs, but they are mostly cornball antics by Sock or Sam's fumbles with the vessels.
Buffy wins this category hands-down; nary was there a smarter show on television than Buffy, and those who disagree weren't smart enough to get the jokes. Or you were watching Ally McBeal or Jag on your picture-in-picture TV set.
The Final Score
I found it interesting to note that if we were just comparing first seasons, Reaper comes out fairly strong in this comparison -- not what this Whedon-worshiper expected. It makes me excited with the potential that Reaper has, and I hope it can deliver all that Buffy did, and more. That is, if the CW sticks around long enough for them to do it....
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-19-2008 @ 10:49AM
CRVBOY said...
Buffy did have some great episodes, especially the Halloween one with the Fear Demon. (Big Overture, Little Show!)
Reaper is a good show, Bret Harrison as Sam is a cutie. It just needs to flesh itself out a little bit more. Expand the universe past just Sam and the gang and the escaped soul of the week.
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5-19-2008 @ 11:17AM
Scott said...
It's only fair to compare "Reaper" to the first season of "Buffy". By those standards alone, "Reaper" does hold up pretty well. Since the characters are older, Reaper loses that whole "high school as a metaphor for hell" thing. But I do like the Bench. And Ray Wise's performance as the Devil is a classic TV character that will be remembered long after the series is over.
I don't think the talent behind "Reaper" is in the same league as Whedon, however. Whedon also found Greenwalt, Noxon, and others to expand and improve his vision. If "Reaper" hires some top-notch writers for its second year, maybe it could reach "Buffy"s level.
Unfortunately, since it's on the cursed CW, and it's not a show about rich white teenage girls gossiping and having sex, it's going to be a midseason show at best in 2009, and only get another half-season at most. My guess is that no matter how high the quality gets next time around, "Reaper" will be finished after its next set of episodes.
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5-19-2008 @ 9:58PM
Discosis said...
'It's only fair to compare "Reaper" to the first season of "Buffy".'
I dunno about that ... Reaper has the advantage of being produced after 7 seasons of Buffy, so the production team should have learned some of the lessons before it began (and, it seems, did).
5-19-2008 @ 12:28PM
gooby said...
I actually got back to watching Reaper after getting somewhat bored with the show during the mid season point. And now? I kinda love it.
I must agree though, you can only compare Buffy and Reaper if you compare the first seasons on each show because if you ask me, Buffy didn't get to the "great" level until later on. So Reaper holds up pretty well.
Thing things I love about the show that makes me want to stick around for more? The Work Bench. I LOVE that as a location. Sock. He's one of the best sidekicks ever and makes the show worth while just for his fun, snarky dialogue. Another thing is just the way the three guys and Andy interact together. Especially now that Andy knows what Sam does it's even more of a "Scooby Gang" which is awesome.
I also loved the Ben "Green Card" story arc which brought some muchly needed attention to his character. Real nice!
All in all, the show's become really enjoyable and I'm definitely tuning in for more.
Also, Ray Wise is awesome as The Devil.
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5-19-2008 @ 12:54PM
Ed said...
Thanks for pointing me in the direction of a new show to try. Currently trying Bones for the first time after many recommendations, and Reaper's going on the list.
Dammit I'm never gonna get round to watching The Wire!
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5-20-2008 @ 11:33PM
Jesse said...
You need to watch The Wire now. My roommate showed it to me and at the end of episode 1 I wasn't int it. By the end of episode 3 or 4 I couldn't stop watching, and about 4 weeks later I'd seen all of them. It is one of the best shows ever made. It has one of it not the most bad-assed characters ever, Omar Little.
5-19-2008 @ 12:59PM
mj said...
I liked Reaper at first, but the writer's strike killed it for me. I could never get into it again. To me, the only interesting character was Jerry. He was cool. Buffy, the first season, wasn't the best, but I agree that this is what you have to compare Reaper with. And Buffy wins, hands down. Now Jerry on BUFFY...oh yes.
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5-19-2008 @ 2:44PM
MarcDom7 said...
I really like Buffy, but I have to agree with the writer; if we're comparing first seasons, I think "Reaper" is far better.
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5-19-2008 @ 5:53PM
Bash said...
All right. So we are comparing first seasons only. Reaper wins. Congratulations. Buffy's first season was 13 episodes.
And considering how much better it got you have to come to the conclusion that if Reaper doesn't get better in season two ff it is (will be) Bullshit compared to the grandeur that Buffy is.
I didn't like Buffy after the first season either. But then again I don't like the Mona Lisa's hair that much either. So I know that you have to compare what you got with something you already know but to minimize the amount of Buffy you want to compare Reaper to to just the first season is totally moot. It's irrelevant. You should've judged Reaper by what you got and don't tell us "compared to the crap that Buffy Season 1 was this actually looks ok".
Because you'd have to add the difference between Buffy Season 1 and 2 to the mix. What changed in Buffy's production between those seasons? Why did it get so much better?
Because at the moment the reaper writing is boring. The "arc" is almost nonexistant. The episodes are dragging. The love interest is a complete and utter nothing to the triangles Buffy formed in later seasons. Where is the potential in Reaper you see? I don't find it in ANY of the characters. Xander/Cordelia - Xander/Willow - Willow/Tara - Buffy/Angel - Buffy/Riley - Buffy/Spike, Willow. Where is all THAT in Reaper and how on earth can you imagine them being able to pull all that greatness, the ingenuity off?
I don't see it.
So again - Comparing Reaper to Buffy is an affront. They barely fit into the same genre and Whedon is a god compared to the writers of Reaper.
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5-20-2008 @ 11:08AM
Rosewood said...
If you want a show with some of the best elements of Buffy, then I suggest watching Supernatural. The reasons I loved Buffy are the mytharcs, the development of the characters, how it brings the funny with the heartfelt, and Supernatural has some genuine scarey and gorey demons to boot. The look of show reminds me of the X-Files (in a good way). I just started watching Supernatural this fall (season 3) and I'm now going back to watch S1 and S2 on DVD.
Supernatural is on the CW as well - and like Reaper, the CW is not promoting this show properly either.
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5-19-2008 @ 10:06PM
scotty said...
I've said this before and I'll say it again: Reaper is like the "guy version" of Buffy crossed with Ghostbusters. That's how I pitch it to friends when trying to convince them to check it out. Reaper has more in common with Buffy than Chuck (the NBC series Reaper gets most confused with).
(I find this also interesting: Buffy, a show centered on a young female character, was created by a man. Reaper, a show centered on a young male character, was created by two women.)
By the way, Anthony Stewart Head auditioned for the role of Jerry/Satan.
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5-19-2008 @ 11:59PM
Bash said...
I see the similarities sure but again: Reaper can only seem bland compared to ALL that Buffy is. The only way Reaper could even be comparable to Buffy is if you limit the compared material to the first seasons, of which Buffy has 12 episodes (not including the unaired pilot) and Reaper will have at least six more. It would've had eight more.
And it's nice you point out that "Giles" thought he would be able to get a similar role he played before. Seems he saw the similarity too and the creators of Reaper thought he didn't fit the role.
I don't see a problem in finding similarities. The problem I have is that Reaper just can't stand its ground. Buffy is/was pure genius. Reaper can now only be old wine in new skins. And isn't even that yet. It's grape juice at the moment.
5-19-2008 @ 10:07PM
chris graber said...
I consider any comparison of Buffy to Reaper, well lets get it straight - it is just down right blasphemous.
The Reaper people are trying to stand on Josh Whedon's folders, but they fell off and hit a well in the process. I'm a big fan of Buffy - but I quickly lost interest in the pedestrian Reaper
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5-19-2008 @ 10:14PM
scotty said...
Well, I'm speaking as a Buffy/Angel fan. Those shows ended, and I moved on. I consider Reaper to be good/cool on its own right. No, it's not the same kind of show as Buffy and Angel were, and I don't want Reaper to be a clone of those shows' styles.
There is an interesting and potentially strong mythology that has been building on Reaper. I now wonder if God him(her?)self could show up next season. (This might not be a bad idea, as the pilot was directed by Kevin Smith. I would like to see Smith direct more episodes and more actively help to shape the creative direction, particularly in its humor elements, next season.)
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5-19-2008 @ 11:50PM
Bash said...
Yeah Buffy was the show which introduced us to a strong heroine, pure emancipation.
Reaper went back to the good ol' Cowboy Days.
Now that's what I call innovation. And again the "mythology" I don't see. He gets a new box he has to put the souls into every week. One of them was a dirt devil. How interesting *yawn*
5-20-2008 @ 7:25AM
Freuni said...
The comparison is indeed blasphemous. The two shows are clearly not in the same league, even if you compare the first seasons, or the first 12 episodes - which is silly in a sense, cause Reaper comes after the seven seasons of Buffy.
Reaper is a formulaic show with stereotypical characters. Buffy reinvented itself all the time. The characters were quirky and fun, and most of all, it was unpredictable.
I can see why some people would compare those two shows, but that's really an insult to BtVS. It was much more than an horror show with comedy moments.
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5-20-2008 @ 2:17PM
chgosaint said...
Comparing Buffy to Reaper is like comparing Shakespeare to an incoherent blog. Buffy was solid, Reaper repetitive and tiresome. But I am sure there is some socially retarded bleached kid out there screaming at me, "LEave Reaper alone!"
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5-20-2008 @ 3:40PM
voidistant said...
heh, and here I thought Buffy sucked.
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5-21-2008 @ 10:15AM
Bash said...
Why the heck isn't this post tagged with "Reaper" but rather "buffy-summers, cw, demons, fox, giles, joss-whedon, wb"
What kind of tag is "joss-whedon"? I thought this blog tags everything actor/author related "SurnameName" and "Surname Name". Talk about not understanding how your blog works... click on it, you'll find that you are the only one who did this before. If you don't get it ask your husband, I guess he knows how to do it. Oh and quick sidenote, Buffy changed networks betweens seasons, you missed another network, but I won't tell which.
Sorry for "bashing" you but coming back here after another day just shows how angry I am about this comparison. It's like comparing shit with chocolate. Really.
And again: Giles?!?
Gawd.
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5-21-2008 @ 12:37PM
Keith McDuffee said...
Now I know why you call yourself "Bash". Here I thought you were referring to the shell.
We try not to use tags that we already used categories for. Come on, you have to resort to bitching about tags? Why am I here defending this nonsense? Move along.