“Let Me Rest in Peace”
The show: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Perhaps the greatest of all supernatural shows and the best vampire series of all time, this show defined a generation. Sarah Michelle Gellar plays the title character and broke ground in the way of female heroes of TV. The show was also continually innovating, being one of the first shows in this demographic to feature a musical episode. Some consider this particular episode one of the most iconic of this generation. Honestly, it really set the precedent for what we could expect for shows coming after it.
The best of the best: “Let Me Rest In Peace” (“Once More With Feeling,” season 6)
The episode was unexpected from the series, and perfectly combined the show’s gravitas with its levity. It’s smart and wry, and proves the show only got better as it went along. In fact, “Let Me Rest in Peace” is among my favorite moments of the series because it showcases the relationship between Buffy and Spike. If you ask me, this is the real love story in the show. It’s a plaintive plea from Spike to Buffy about his feelings and the rejection he feels when she won’t reciprocate. I always rooted for them to be together. Angel who?
Best lyric(s):
“Well, I don’t wanna play
‘Cause being with you touches me
More than I can say
And since I’m only dead to you
I’m staying away
And let me rest in peace”