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Season 3 – Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Play trailer Poster for Season 3 – Buffy the Vampire Slayer 1998 Drama Horror Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 13 Reviews 96% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Sarah Michelle Gellar takes on the role of Buffy Summers in this TV version of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," based on the film of the same title, which starred Kristy Swanson. Buffy is a Slayer, one in a long line of young women chosen for a specific mission: to seek out and destroy vampires, demons and other forces of darkness. Unlike her predecessors, Buffy establishes a group of supportive friends who aids her in her battles with evil, including Willow, Xander and Cordelia. Her battles with evil are frequent, since Sunnydale, where Buffy and friends live, sits atop a gateway to the realm of the demons.
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer — Season 3

Buffy the Vampire Slayer — Season 3

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Critics Consensus

Season three perfects the show's winning formula to create an addictive and satisfying viewing experience, episode after episode.

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Critics Reviews

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Belinda Acosta Austin Chronicle I must admit, watching Buffy kick butt each week is one of the thrills of the show. It's not that I'm into the violence. I'm into the strong, young woman not only defending herself, but also embracing and defending a higher code of justice and honor. Nov 22, 2017 Full Review Sarah D. Bunting New York Magazine/Vulture But you can't deny the writing's momentum, carefully built over three seasons, the payoffs of dozens of relationship moments, throwaway lines, and nightly patrols. Nov 21, 2017 Full Review Ken Tucker Entertainment Weekly Give series creator Joss Whedon credit: No other show balances so many elements as deftly, without a trace of corniness or melodrama...Buffy just slays me. Rated: A Nov 17, 2017 Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Many fans consider this seasonthe last to co-star Angel (he left for his own spin-off series)to be the best of the series. Mar 12, 2022 Full Review M.S. Mason Christian Science Monitor Buffy the Vampire Slayer is targeted at teenage girls. It is also a masterly spoof of contemporary American pop culture that often showcases a positive view of female empowerment. And it's likely to appeal to adults as well. Apr 18, 2018 Full Review Justin Carreiro TV Fanatic After the pain that was caused on Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 2 Episode 22, it was nice to see that all was forgiven when Buffy returned. Rated: 4/5 Mar 16, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (22) audience reviews
Liz D Great show to watch with teenage daughter. Empowering female leads, and just fun. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/15/23 Full Review Peacemaker Excellent. Hands down, one of the best TV shows I have ever seen in my life. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/03/23 Full Review Anthony T Series three somehow builds on two and makes the show even better. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/04/23 Full Review liam s For me this is the best season of Buffy the vampire slayer and also when it was at its best! We know what we're getting from our cast at this point and what to expect. However we also get our new slayer Faith and villain Mayor Wilkins. The high school years of Buffy hold a very special place in my heart and I think the first three seasons were the best. This season always feels like "home" for me, if that makes sense. One of the best story arcs in Buffy history and the two part finale has to be one of the best! The last scene always gets me when the high school is in ruins and we get our last shot of the original scooby gang before Angel and Cordelia exit the Buffy verse. Excellent Season. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Thomas C With writing that packs this much punch and characters - old and new - this interesting, it's obvious why Season 3 is often hailed as Buffy's best. By now, the cast have embodied the characters they play, utilizing the excellent script to perfection, and creating a thrilling season with a long list of iconic moments in the process. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/24/22 Full Review Audience Member After about a decent season and a half of airtime, Buffy really comes into its own in season 3. Secondary characters increasingly have more added meat to their parts, Buffy's character goes through so many iconic and inspired moments, as this season sees her revealing and going through the growing pains of having her mother know her secret (with all the subtext that entails). The introduction of the Mayor villain and the anti-hero Faith, a second Slayer, builds to the exciting world that Sunnydale finally lives out. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Buffy the Vampire Slayer — Season 3

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Cast & Crew

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Joss Whedon

Creator

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Buffy Summers

Nicholas Brendon

Alexander "Xander" Harris

Alyson Hannigan

Willow Rosenberg

Charisma Carpenter

Cordelia Chase

Anthony Head

Rupert Giles

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 29, 1998 Anne Far from home, Buffy takes on a demonic force threatening to destroy inner-city kids living on the streets. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 6, 1998 Dead Man's Party Buffy faces a difficult return to Sunnydale, but must reunite with Xander and Willow to face a new threat from the undead. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 13, 1998 Faith, Hope & Trick Buffy's effort to settle into normal life is dashed when she is challenged by an ancient villain and his sidekick. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 20, 1998 Beauty and the Beasts When a student is found mutilated in the woods, Buffy suspects Angel, who has returned after 100 years of infernal torture. Details Episode 5 Aired Nov 3, 1998 Homecoming Cordelia's apparent lock on the Homecoming Queen title inspires Buffy to show her up; Mr. Trick brings together a band of dangerous killers. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 10, 1998 Band Candy Buffy must take on Mr. Trick again when he causes all the adults in town to act like teenagers; Buffy tries to keep Angel a secret. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 17, 1998 Revelations The gang is angry when they learn that Buffy secretly has been sheltering Angel, but they must put aside their differences to fight a demonic visitor. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 24, 1998 Lover's Walk A brokenhearted Spike returns to Sunnydale ready to take revenge on those he blames for his troubles, especially Angel. Details Episode 9 Aired Dec 8, 1998 The Wish Cordelia is granted a wish by an evil genie and moves to another reality where the Master rules with Xander and Willow by his side. Details Episode 10 Aired Dec 15, 1998 Amends Buffy hopes for a quiet Christmas, but Angel is troubled by visions of his past and the ghost of Jenny Calendar. Details Episode 11 Aired Jan 12, 1999 Gingerbread After Joyce discovers two murdered children, she spearheads a town-wide witch hunt, which ultimately ensnares both Willow and Buffy. Details Episode 12 Aired Jan 19, 1999 Helpless After being sapped of her strength, Buffy's mettle is tested by a mighty vampire foe in a grim rite of passage on her 18th birthday. Details Episode 13 Aired Jan 26, 1999 The Zeppo Xander mixes with a wild crowd, raising the dead and consorting with fast women, while Buffy and the crew battle an all-female apocalyptic cult. Details Episode 14 Aired Feb 9, 1999 Bad Girls Wanting a taste of the wild life, Buffy follows Faith (Eliza Dushku) into her reckless world of slaying abandon. Details Episode 15 Aired Feb 16, 1999 Consequences Buffy feels remorse over her behavior with Faith; Wesley instructs Buffy and Faith to investigate the recent murder. Details Episode 16 Aired Feb 23, 1999 Doppelgangland A vampire Willow from an alternative universe wreaks havoc and confusion in Sunnydale; Buffy trains to beat out Faith on the Watchers Council tests. Details Episode 17 Aired Mar 16, 1999 Enemies Faith and the mayor conspire to rob Angel of his soul; Giles resumes his duties as Watcher when Cordelia distracts Wesley. Details Episode 18 Aired Sep 21, 1999 Earshot When Buffy acquires the ability to hear other people's thoughts, she uncovers a plot to massacre Sunnydale students, and the others race to find the killer. Details Episode 19 Aired May 4, 1999 Choices While Buffy's plans to leave Sunnydale and go away to college are quashed by Faith, Willow fields offers from prestigious colleges. Details Episode 20 Aired May 11, 1999 The Prom Buffy tries to keep a villain from crashing the prom; Xander has a demonic prom date (Emma Caulfield); Cordelia likes the new watcher. Details Episode 21 Aired May 18, 1999 Graduation Day A lethal potion weakens Angel; Buffy faces off against Faith for what may be the last time; the mayor prepares for his transformation to pure demon. Details Episode 22 Aired Jul 13, 1999 Graduation Day Buffy and her friends risk their lives to prevent the mayor's impending transformation into a pure demon. Details

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer — Season 3

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Season Info

Director
Joss Whedon, James Whitmore Jr., James A. Contner, Michael Lange, David Greenwalt
Creator
Joss Whedon
Executive Producer
Joss Whedon, Gail Berman, Sandy Gallin, Fran Rubel Kuzui, Kaz Kuzui, David Greenwalt
Screenwriter
Douglas Petrie, Dan Vebber, Joss Whedon, Marti Noxon, David Fury, Jane Espenson, David Greenwalt
Network
The WB
Rating
TV-14 (V)
Genre
Drama, Horror, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 29, 1998