Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Complete Season 4 [DVD] [1998]

There is everything to like about season four, and not really much to hate, as it contains some of the best stand-alone episodes produced, excellent character development, and the return of the hilarious Spike, Harmony (who is now a pathetic excuse for a vampire!), Anya, Jonathan, Ethan Rayne and even Angel and psycho rogue slayer Faith (who awakens from her coma and wants revenge in "This Years Girl and "Who are You?"). We are also introduced to new characters Tara, who is extremely likeable, and Buffy's new love interest Riley Finn, who may be considered annoying, but is a strong addition to the cast, and definately necessary for the story-arc, considering he is an agent for the Initiative. All characters are at their best, with Willow and Spike in particular shining in their roles. Spike is most definately at his funniest, as there is none of season five's "I'm in love with Buffy" nonsense. Instead, he remains a fickle enemy of the "scooby gang", who he must form an exciting and hilarious bond with after the chip that prevents him from hurting humans is implanted in his brain. James Marsters as Spike is a joy to watch throughout, particularly in "The Initiative", "Something Blue", "Hush", "The 'I' in Team" and "The Yoko Factor", where his character traits are fully exploited. It is priceless to watch him chained in Giles' bathtub, complain about staying in Xander's basement and "watch him and Anya s*@g", and request weetabix to give his warm pig's blood texture.
Perhaps the most surprising character development is with Willow, who is an improving witch, breaks up with Oz in the excellent "Wild at Heart", before causing mayhem in her depressed state in "Something Blue" (when Buffy and Spike decide to get married!), and later realises she is a lesbian when she falls in love with the wonderful Tara.
The drifting apart of the scoobies is not disappointing, but rather a vital and necessary part of the shows character development, and this only betters their reunion in the penultimate epiosde "Primeval".

The story-arc is completely different from anything Buffy fans are used to, bringing in elements of science fiction and government conspiracy (a step-up from the conspiracy in seasons two and three). Though admittedly not the strongest story-arc, it kept me interested, and we do see the introduction of the wonderful Professor Walsh (Lindsey Crouse), who must be one of the most notorious Buffy villians ever. She is put to excellent use in the under-appreciated, though brilliant "The 'I' in Team", when she tries to have Buffy killed, and her Frankenstien project "Adam" is completed, before he stabs the evil prof ("mother") with his 'skewer'. Adam himself is not a bad creation, but it is refreshing to see that he is not given too much screen time. Season four is instead fleshed out with brilliant stand-alone episodes, and some very funny, very scary storylines.

The best episodes in this season are (in viewing order);
"Living Conditions", "Wild at Heart", "Something Blue", "Hush" (scariset episode!), "The 'I' in Team", "Who are You?", "Primeval" and "Restless" - (extremely original and very clever), although every episode in the boxset is a classic, and each are very good indeed. "Hush" deserves special mention because it is almost entirely silent, and instead relies on spooky background music, even spookier "monsters of the week" (the Gentlemen), and wonderful storytelling and acting. The best bits of this episode are when Anya asks if Olivia is Giles' s*@g buddy; when the scoobies wake up (and Xander blames Spike, who in reply gives him an amusing hand gesture); when Giles gives the gang the slide show (and Buffy mimes how to kill them, whilst Anya is eating popcorn); when Xander thinks Spike is feeding on Anya; and when Buffy and Riley come face to face in the clock tower...

Overall this season deserves and rightfully achieves 10/10, and I am not easily pleased! So what are you waiting for, go buy it!

This DVD set is remarkable. The episodes themselves are pure class but the extras make them even more enjoyable. We've never had six commentaries before but if the standard of the ones on this set keep up, we should have one for every episode! Doug Petrie's enthusiasm for the show seeps over during both of his talks, whilst Jane Espenson is a delight during her commentary for one of her fave episodes Superstar. David Fury and James A. Contner are interesting but don't compare to Joss Whedon's double dutch of Hush and Restless. He speaks rapid-fire and lets us in on anecdotes, hidden meanings, and influences. He should be knighted! Meanwhile, we have five featurettes - these are not that fulfilling but offer up some interesting info such as interviews with Chris Beck (the man behind the musical scores) and an updated look at sets. After this, we get the usual scripts, biographies, trailers, and stills. However, this time around, the scripts (well, three out of the four) are actually interesting to read - because the three Joss Whedon scripts all have their own gimmick and 'special' twist, it's fun to read Whedon's stage directions and to get a sense of how he wrote a silent episode, for instance. The interactive menus are gorgeous, and the same thing can be said for the exquisite packaging.

So, you've probably seen the episodes before. See them again! While the quality of the season is bought down a little due to the overall arc, ninety per cent of this season is top and the extra features just compliment it even more. Watch as Faith emerges from her coma, see the Scooby Gang fall apart and then get back together even stronger than before, witness their dreams, their loves, their failures, and watch as their town is plunged into silence as part of The Gentlemen's sinister plan. And, after doing all this, hear the cast and crew chat about their roles, watch a live performance of the Buffy theme music, get a free tour of Sunnydale, read up on the cast's extracurricular activities, and listen to the rip-roaring commentaries. This is brilliance, through and through. So get it NOW! What are you waiting for? The end of the world? Again?!