Buffy The Vampire Slayer

1. In 2000, the Parents Television Council ranked Buffy the Vampire Slayer as the third-worst show on TV. What was Sarah Michelle Gellar’s response?

2. In which Season 4 episode do vampires take over a church and hold the congregation hostage?

3. In the Season 5 finale, just before Buffy dies a second time, she says: "I love you. I will always love you. But this is the work that I have to do. You have to take care of them now. You have to take care of each other. The hardest thing in this world . . . is to live in it. Be brave. Live . . . for me." To whom does Buffy say this?

4. In a Season 6 episode, where does Buffy think she was existing for 147 days?

5. Upon her return, in that same episode, Buffy confides to Spike: "I was torn out of there. Pulled out . . . by my friends. Everything here is . . . hard, and bright, and violent. Everything I feel, everything I touch . . . this is hell. Just getting through the next moment, and the one after that . . . knowing what I’ve lost. They can never know. Never."

What theologian wrote in his The Shaking of the Foundations: "The new life could not really be a new life if it did not come from the complete end of the old life"?

6. Todd Hertz (www.christianitytoday.com) of the Season 6 finale: "Hatred, vengeance and witchcraft turned Willow evil, but (a friend’s) unconditional love showed that no sinner is beyond grace." What friend?

7. During the closing moments of the Season 6 finale, what song is heard?

8. Who said on CBC Radio’s Ideas (Jan. 20, 2003): "Buffy’s calling is to serve mankind, and it connects her to a greater good. And I think that I certainly struggle to feel connected to something larger than just our daily existence, and Buffy’s plugged into it. And I think that idea of destiny, and serving God in a way" — Sarah Michelle Gellar, executive producer Marti Noxon or series creator Joss Whedon?

9. Vancouver Sun TV critic Alex Strachan writes, "The eternal question at the heart of Buffy was that if you were given the power to save your friends, a power that also exacted a terrible price, would you, like Buffy, use that power for good and suffer its price in silence, or would you, like the demons, surrender to your more base instincts?" How does Jesus phrase the same challenge in the gospel?

10. In the Season 7 finale, Buffy leads the Scooby Gang and the New Slayers into the Hellmouth for a final battle with the Turok-Han, during which Buffy’s right side is pierced with a sword. Who pierced the side of the dead Jesus Christ while he hung on the cross?

Answers

1. Gellar: "We’re like the most religious show out there! We’re more religious than 7th Heaven! We’re Greek mythology — we answer the big questions! They just make me laugh so hard. I say, ’Come debate me. I want to see you bring your arguments to my face. Because you will lose so quickly.’"

2. Who Are You? One vampire says: "He (the Lord) was supposed to be here. He gave us this address. Well, we’ll just have to start killing off His people, see if He shows up." Who shows up is Buffy.

3. Her "sister" Dawn. Buffy’s words are reminiscent of Christ’s to his disciples, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another" (John 13:34).

4. Heaven. In the After Life episode, Buffy tells Spike, "Wherever I was, I was happy. At peace. I knew that everyone I cared about was all right. I knew it. Time didn’t mean anything. Nothing had form, but I was still me, you know? And I was warm, and I was loved. And I was finished. Complete. I don’t understand theology and dimensions . . . or any of it really. But I think I was in heaven. And now I’m not."

5. Paul Tillich (1886-1965), one of the 20th century’s foremost theologians. Among his best-known works are Systematic Theology: Vol. I (1951), Vol. II (1957) and Vol. III (1963).

6. Xander (Nicholas Brendon), who tells Willow (Alyson Hannigan): "You’ve been my best friend my whole life. If we are all going to end, where else would I want to be? . . . I know you’re in pain. I can’t imagine the pain you’re in. And I know you’re about to do something apocalyptically evil and stupid . . . It doesn’t matter, I’ll still love you . . . I love you, Willow." Hertz continues: "Moments like this explain why Christians such as myself watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

7. Sarah McLachlan’s The Prayer of St. Francis, which begins: "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace/ Where there is hatred, let me sow love." McLachlan’s song Full of Grace is heard at the closing moments of the Season 2 finale, Becoming: Part 2.

8. Marti Noxon, who continued: "I mean Joss (series creator) is a rabid atheist, but interestingly his work is full of yearning for belief. The show speaks to people who also have that yearning."

9. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). Buffy’s tombstone reads: "Buffy Anne Summers, 1981-2001/ Beloved sister/ Devoted friend/ She saved the world/ A lot."

10. "One of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water" (John 19:34). In freeze-frame, the shadow of a cross is visible after the sword enters Buffy’s side.

For more study, visit the Web site www.tvtome.com/BuffytheVampireSlayer

For comments or suggestions, e-mail: solomann@look.ca

Knowledge level

0-1 kindergarten

2-3 primary

4-5 intermediate

6-7 secondary

8-9 college/university

10 As wise as Solomon