My love affair with Buffy the Vampire Slayer started when in about 1999, and I was about 10 years old. I was at boarding school, and some of the older children were obsessed, one day, by mistake, they were watching “Reptile Boy” (Season 2). I stumbled in half way through, and I became hooked instantly, watching every week on the BBC2 6:45pm showings (meaning they were heavily edited for the younger audience). The internet was very new back then, and getting information about the programme was hard. I had to rely on buying books about the programme (and I had loads). I begged my mum for the previous box-sets and waited eagerly for the new seasons. Now I’m 27 and have every episode on DVD, but regularly stream my favourite episodes online (how things have changed!).

The first episode of Buffy aired 19 years ago, and I can still remember the feeling I got when I viewed a new episode. Although I was young when my obsession began, I felt I grew with the programme. The programme showed me my first look at gay relationships and helped me through some quite difficult times in regard to my own sexuality. I think I owe my sarcastic humour to Buffy’s own wit. The show ignited my love for looking past what is simply shown on screen, and I eventually went on to study for a degree in Media, Culture and Communications because of this.

This show has stood the test of time for so many reasons, from its social messages hidden beneath the surface to the timeless musical score. The beautiful and talented cast have had varying degrees of success since the show but still have a loyal fanbase dedicated to them on social media.

The programme took us on a journey, and, although I was younger, I grew up alongside Buffy. And, now, when I re-watch as an adult, I understand and get her motives more than ever. The mixture of sci-fi, horror, comedy and drama, a completely silent episode, a musical episode, deaths, one almost-wedding, good becoming evil and vice versa and back again, all under the direction of the now legendary Joss Whedon became a perfect recipe for a hit television show that will never be replicated. Personally, the programme made me feel less alone, which is really what we all want isn’t it?

Now … What about that reboot?