Ep 5. Never Kill a Boy on the First Date

Buffy The Vampire Slayer season 1 episode 5, "Never Kill a Boy on the First Date" follows Buffy as she navigates the perils of dating while also staying true to her calling as a Slayer.

From the outset, it is clear that Buffy is uncomfortable with the idea of dating. Her mentor Giles encourages her to embrace the normal aspects of teenage life, but Buffy is hesitant to let down her guard and allow anyone too close.

Despite her reservations, Buffy agrees to go on a date with a boy named Owen. Owen is a sensitive and introspective type, the kind of boy who spends his free time reading Emily Dickinson and gazing up at the sky with a telescope. Buffy finds him endearing, but also a little too intense.

As Buffy and Owen embark on their date, they are unaware that a group of vampires have been stalking them. Buffy becomes increasingly frustrated with Owen's obliviousness to the danger they are in, and she struggles to balance her desire to protect him with her desire to enjoy the date.

Meanwhile, Giles and the rest of the gang are monitoring the situation from afar. They are aware of the vampire threat, but they are hesitant to intervene and spoil Buffy's chance at a normal teenage experience.

As the night wears on, the tension between Buffy and Owen builds. Buffy finds herself opening up to him about her life as a Slayer, but Owen is taken aback by her admission. He can't handle the idea of her risking her life on a daily basis, and he becomes distant.

In the end, Buffy and Owen part ways on less-than-ideal terms. Buffy is left feeling vulnerable and frustrated, unsure of how to balance her responsibilities as a Slayer with her desire for a normal life.

"Never Kill a Boy on the First Date" is a classic episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, highlighting the show's unique blend of action, romance, and humor. It is a powerful exploration of the tensions that arise when someone tries to balance a life of danger and excitement with the expectations of a more mundane world.