Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Complete Season 4

Not all fans were happy with the central story arc about the sinister Dr Walsh (Lindsay Crouse) and her Frankensteinian creation Adam, though Crouse's performance was memorable. The strength of Season Four was perhaps most in impressive stand-alone episodes like the silent "Hush", the multiple dream sequence "Restless" and the passionate, moving "New Moon Rising", in which Oz returns, apparently cured, only to find that Willow is no longer waiting for him. This was one of the high points of the show as a vehicle for intense acting, perhaps only equalled by "Who Are You?", in which the evil slayer Faith takes over Buffy's body and Sarah Michelle Gellar gets to play bad girl for once. --Roz Kaveney

On the DVD:Buffy Season 4 was a hit and so is this sublime box set. The commentaries for "The Initiative", "This Year'sGirl", "Superstar" and "Primaveral" are all well above average, but are nothing compared to "Hush" and "Restless" where Joss Whedon gives out all the information and insights any fan would dream of. The four featurettes included are a pleasure to watch, especially the evolution of the sets for the show. The scripts, trailers and cast biographies complete the set and make for a decent addition to your Buffy archive. The soundtrack is in 2.0 Dolby surround, but the image is as grainy and dark as the previous seasons on DVD. --Celine Martig

Customer reviews:

Disappointing after an incredible season 3, 2006-12-19
I was majorly disappointed with this series. Yes, there were some gems e.g. 'Hush' but I really miss the old Scooby gang. Plus, Giles doesn't wear tweed anymore! And Buffy's lost some of that old spunky attitude and one of my favourite characters (Oz) leaves, leaving Willow to turn gay.

Demon slaying fun, 2005-10-10
Season four is the second best season in the series, after the incredible season 2.

This season is not 100% perfect, but compared to season three, a lot has been changed to make Buffy a good TV show again. Regarding the main character herself, gone is the sulky, depressing Buffy. She is back to her season one self, happy and joking. It was one of the worst points of season three, and happily rectified here, along with her actually doing some slaying.

Sure, she splits up with Angel, and then seemingly flies back into another relationship with Riley, but there's no depressing moody scenes. Riley seems to be right for Buffy.

The best thing about this season is the welcome return of Spike, now a season regular, he easily steals the show in every scene he appears in.

However, Xander has become a bit player. Funny and vital in seasons 1-3, in season four he's a shadow of his former self - grating rather than funny. He doesn't have much to do, and the jokes he comes out with are lame.

Giles is also a victim of the change from Sunnydale High to college - becoming a bit-part player who occasionally offers advice, which is usually pretty obvious. But his scenes with Spike are always a highlight.

This season also holds the worst Buffy episode ever, Beer Bad, which is just childish and unforgiveable.

Yet the pros outweight the cons. The whole idea of the military intiative is superb - an efficient military outfit which is the total anithesis of Buffy's supernatural slaying. The whole modern look of the intiative is also nice, and the creation of Adam quite genius - it's just a shame that he is underused, taking too long to enter the series, and being defeated far too quickly and easily.

This season is best viewed simultaneously with Angel season 1. There are some unique crossover episodes, and the cameo appearances of guests such as Angel himself, Oz and Faith are always welcome.