Top Ten Episodes of the Decade ~ Whedonverse

Well you didn’t honestly think we would make it all the way through our top episodes of our favorite shows without acknowledging anything from Joss Whedon’s universe, did you? We would never insult Joss like that! When it came down to it, we decided it would be most fair to recognize episodes from each series in their very own special list! I’m giving you fair warning now, this is going to be spoiler heavy and that includes pictures! And so we present, in no particular order:

The Shapusens’ Top Ten Episodes of the Decade: Whedonverse

(and yes, descriptions are lovingly donated by imdb.com once again)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "The Body" (season 5)

Buffy sees Joyce lying on the couch, calls 911 and unsuccessfully follows emergency procedures. When the paramedics arrive, they realize that Joyce is dead. Buffy calls Giles and goes to the school to tell Dawn. Along the day, the Scooby gang grieves the death of Joyce and sympathizes with Buffy.

Why it makes the cut: If this episode doesn’t make you cry, I’m about 99% sure you aren’t human. Anya’s monologue especially gets us every time. Of all the deaths throughout the series (and there were a lot of them) Joyce’s hit the hardest, perhaps because there was absolutely nothing mystical or magical to blame, and there was nothing that anyone could have done to prevent it.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "Once More With Feeling" (season 6)

Sunnydale is alive with the sound of music as a mysterious force causes everyone in town to burst into full musical numbers, revealing their innermost secrets as they do. But some townsfolk are dancing so much that they simply burst into flames, and it becomes clear that maybe living in a musical isn't so great after all.

Why it makes the cut: Take something we already love and then combine it with musical theatre and you’re pretty much guaranteed instant success in our eyes. The music is catchy, the lyrics are some of the most clever I have ever heard (“I think this line’s mostly filler.”), and it all works seamlessly to advance the plot of both the episode and the arch of the series.



Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "Conversations with Dead People" (season 7)

Buffy has a conversation with a vampire who once went to Sunnydale High, and learns something interesting about Spike. Joyce materializes to Dawn in the living room. The ghost of Cassie brings a message to Willow from beyond the grave. Meanwhile, Andrew and Jonathan have returned to Sunnydale on a mission to save the town.

Why it makes the cut: Our formal introduction to The First, by way of some creeptastic “ghost” interactions. Dawn’s encounter with Joyce is by far the most disturbing.

Angel, "Smile Time" (season 5)

Angel and the gang set out to foil an evil puppet show that is sucking the brain power of all the children who watch. During their fight, Angel is turned into a puppet himself and must rely upon his friends in order to reverse the spell which holds him at one foot tall.

Why it makes the cut: This episode was whimsical, cute, funny, and probably one of the most disturbing concepts of the whole series. The puppets draining the life force from children though the TV? Using the corpse of their creator as a puppet? Horrifying! Luckily puppet Angel is adorable, so it all balances out. Plus “Self Esteem is for Everybody” is damn catchy . . . and will be stuck in my head for the rest of the day . . .


Angel, "A Hole in the World" (season 5)

When an ancient sarcophagus arrives in the laboratory at Wolfram & Hart, Fred opens a small compartment and is infected by an ancient disease that slowly begins to kill her. As Angel and Spike travel across the world in order to help her, Wesley slowly begins to realize that there may be no stopping this disease.

Why it makes the cut: “Please, Wesley, why can’t I stay?” Joss might as well have just ripped out our hearts. Fred’s death was devastating to say the least, especially considering that she and Wesley had just finally gotten together.



Angel, "Not Fade Away" (season 5)

In the series finale, Angel reveals that his questionable moral behavior has been part of a bigger plan: to destroy The Circle of the Black Thorn and show the Senior Partners that the power of good can still make a difference. Wesley struggles with helping Illyria adapt to the world, scolding her for her attempts to take on Fred's form. As Gunn continues his quest of self-discovery, Lorne becomes more aware of the lack of happiness in the world. Harmony attempts to seduce Marcus Hamilton for information, Lindsey makes an important decision regarding his alliance, and Eve continues to deal with being mortal. As Spike comes closer to understanding the nature of heroism, Angel pays a visit to the one person he truly loves. On Angel's bidding, the gang goes out and spends each day as if it were their last.

Why it makes the cut: Heartbreaking, depressing, and uplifting all somehow manage to describe this episode. Some fans apparently had major issues with the fact that we didn’t get to see the final battle, but I think it was genius. This episode made it about the journey. In the end Angel and his crew were not fighting for a reward, or destiny, or prize, or because they had any real hope of succeeding. They fought because it was the right thing to do. “Let’s Go To Work!”

Firefly, "Out of Gas"

When Serenity's life support system fails, Mal orders the crew off the ship - but he stays behind.

Why it makes the cut: We got to see how all of the characters found their way to Serentity. The story telling took place in three timelines, all interwoven throughout the episode. Probably the smartest episode of the series. Wash’s mustache is just an added bonus.

Firefly, "Objects in Space"

The Alliance has placed a bounty on River Tam's head and a bounty Hunter named Jubal Early sets out to claim the bounty and tracks down the Serenity crew. Jubal sneaks on-board the Serenity while the crew is asleep to capture River and Simon and return them to the Alliance, so he can be paid for their capture and only River can stop him.

Why it makes the cut: What a great episode for Summer Glau. In the final episode of the series we really got a great look at River’s insanity, genius, and snazzy acrobatic moves. Hats off to Richard Brooks for a great performance as Jubal Early, the super disturbing bounty hunter.

Dollhouse, "Epitath One" (season 1, not aired in US)

In the future, the imprinting technology is rampant. A few people stumble on the Dollhouse.

Why it makes the cut: I hope the morons over at Fox are kicking themselves for not airing this episode. It was pure genius, far surpassing any episode in the first season, and second season (so far) for that matter. This episode provided a glimpse of what the future holds once imprinting technology begins destroying civilization, and it did not look good. If you haven’t seen this yet, we highly recommend tracking it down before the series finale (Epitaph Two: Return) later this month. Warning: crazy Topher will break your heart.


Dollhouse, "Belonging" (season 2)

The story of how Sierra came to the Dollhouse is revealed. And leads to a shocking outcome.

Why it makes the cut: This episode shows us how Sierra ended up in the Dollhouse, and it was beyond disturbing. We also start to see Topher grow a conscience, shedding further light on what leads to his condition in Epitaph One. Most importantly, we learn that the love between Sierra/Priya and Victor/Anthony goes way deeper than anticipated.