Rate the Jossverse first seasons

[henzINNIT]

Rank from best down the strongest series, then vote on my loverly poll

Firefly is the legendary Joss tradegy... Ruthlessly culled before it's time when in only 14 episodes it was already clear that this show was magic. I think if you put this show up against 14 episodes of any of the others it wins.
We can only imagine what would have happened if it got the shot it deserved, but honestly there's something comforting in knowing that Firefly exists as this little Whedon lovechild that never knew the ravages of age and declining quality lol

Angel comes next for me. There's a few less interesting episodes and a couple of duds in there, but as it's the only full season they're easily outnumbered by the brilliant ones. This is probably my favourite season, there's just loads of my favourite episodes here and I love the family unit throughout.

Dollhouse gets a lot of flack, but you can't fuck with season 1 from episode 6 onwards. If it hit the ground running a little bit faster, it would have probably been my pick for best season. The storytelling is much more efficient in this series, which was sadly undermined by the Fox guided stuttering start.

I love Buffy, but the first season shows more of the cracks and strains of a developing show than the others. It's only fair, it was Joss's first shot, and there is plenty of promise in it also. The show went from strength to strength a little later, put in motion by episodes like "Angel" and "Prophecy Girl".

[drusillacakes]

Ah for me, I would say Angel's opening episodes were the best, followed by Firefly, Dollhouse and Buffy. The Angel pilot sets the tone for the first couple of seasons, and Angel as the broody dark avenger was pretty awesome.

If we're rating first seasons, then I'm right up there with you with Firefly... first and only season, but some of the best stuff ever.

[gumgnome]

I agree with henzINNIT that Firefly tops this list. Let's face it, if it didn't - we probably wouldn't care about it at all. It speaks of the quality of this opening set of episodes that we are still pining over the show's demise 5 years on. I've re-watched those 14 episodes 5 or 6 times now, and most stand up to the task. The show had so much promise and is the Joss production that needs to be revisited.

Angel also gets second spot for me. Although the first episode left me dreading the rest, once that hurdle was past, the show really presented itself with strength. Many of my favourite episodes are from this season and the "Buffy" crossovers into "Angel" are all better than the corresponding crossovers into "Buffy". Wesley's introduction takes everything to a whole new level and season finale is one of the best for any Joss show.

Buffy comes third here for me. I do think that if it had the benefit of the budget and writing experience that the other shows had, it would come in first place, but without these things it does suffer. The Joss episodes aside, there are only a couple of others that really hold up to scrutiny today, with some seeming a tad embarrassing. They are saved by nostalgia and for encapsulating the mid-late nineties, but I'm always quite relieved on re-watches that there are only 12 of them...

Dollhouse doesn't compete in the same league. It's....just....too...slow....
I really tried to like Dollhouse, but in all honesty there are only a few episodes that have aired so far that I really enjoyed. I defended her against all attackers at first, but have swung round to the opinion that Eliza Dushku doesn't have the acting chops to pull off the role convincingly. Coupled with some other poor casting choices (Tahmoh Pennikett for one), the series never truly got off the ground. It remains the only Joss show that I won't grieve over.

[henzINNIT]

gumgnome, just out of interest... Have you ever given the Dollhouse unaired pilot a look? I'm not going to infer that it'll change you into a superfan, but it's an interesting look none-the-less. It's more of its own entity than the one that aired, more unique and more Joss-like. I think it shows off its potential. A must watch for Joss fans.

[buffyfan21]

I vote Buffy, with Angel coming in a very close second.

[gumgnome]

Dec 1, 2009 9:04:55 GMT -5 henzINNIT said:

gumgnome, just out of interest... Have you ever given the Dollhouse unaired pilot a look? I'm not going to infer that it'll change you into a superfan, but it's an interesting look none-the-less. It's more of its own entity than the one that aired, more unique and more Joss-like. I think it shows off its potential. A must watch for Joss fans.

I haven't, but will check it out on your recommendation.

[Tea - Total]

I say buffster.
the start of an amazing tv show.

[Beaumonde]

Firefly. Just amazingly written.

Angel is definitely next for me. There are quite a few dull episodes, but the others just make me forget about that. Five by Five, Sanctuary, Hero, I Will Remember You, To Shanshu In LA, etc = thank you Joss & Co.

Dollhouse possibly would of been second after Firefly if they had gone with the unaired pilot. It could have really shown it's potential early on, instead of giving us 5 episodes of nothing. I wasn't a fan of the way they ended Omega, considering I really enjoyed the build up to the finale in Briar Rose. Epitaph One rocked it though.

Season 1 of Buffy is enjoyable enough, but pretty lackluster. It just doesn't match up to the consistency that Firefly has. Every single episode of Firefly is great, most are brilliant.

I would love to see something more done with Firefly. I'm very happy with the BtVS and Angel comic continuations, but Firefly just wouldn't suit the medium for an on-going series. Sadly.

[BenTaylor3907]

Firefly for me but all the pilots or whatever were pretty badass.

[Xander-Shaped Friend]

Dollhouse for me.

Then Firefly, Buffy, Angel.

[Randi Giles]

I just had to go with my all time favorite show of couse. BTVS.

[VampSlayer]

Hmm... I'm actually going to go with Dollhouse. *Gasp*

Firefly was amazing, and it was only one season long. It's shocking at how good it was for the little time it lasted. But I feel like I enjoyed Dollhouse s1 more, with some of the twists they pulled. Plus, Epitaph One makes Dollhouse ahead of a handful of Firefly episodes(Because a few Firefly eps seemed to drag). I'm not saying Dollhouse didn't drag on at first, but I don't hold that against the show at all.

Buffy s1 was okay. Not as good as any of the other seasons. Angel s1 was actually very good, and it had a full 22 episode list, unlike the other first seasons up in the poll. I really like Angel s1, but I did not enjoy it as much as Dollhouse of Firefly.

1. Dollhouse S1
2. Firefly S1
3. Angel S1
4. Buffy S1

[Jsebold87]

Although Buffy is my absolute favorite show ever, I'd have to go with Firefly, it was kick ass.

[El Diablo Robotico]

I agree with henzINNIT's list in the first post, for pretty much the same reasons.

[Erica]

Firefly absolutely. It didn't even have a full season and was still captivating.

Buffy season 1 and Angel season 1 didn't do it for me for the most part. Had I only seen those first, I probably wouldn't have become a fan.

I've only seen part of Dollhouse's pilot, because I lost interest really fast, and I've yet to watch it, so I can't comment on if it's good or not.