How a Buffy Time Jump Could Have Made Season 5 Even Better

As a devoted admirer of the show, I can’t help but express my fondness for season 5 of “Buffy The Vampire Slayer.” Despite the fact that every season has its detractors, this one stands out as a testament to what makes the series so legendary. However, I must acknowledge that there were areas where the writers and creator, Joss Whedon, could have refined the structure for a smoother flow.

a time jump. While this narrative device can be tricky to handle, I believe the writers would have executed it flawlessly in “Buffy.” If the show had employed a time skip, I’m convinced that season 5 would have soared even higher.

Of course, this is just my humble opinion. But I genuinely think that the writers could have pulled off a successful Buffy time skip, making the storytelling even more engaging and impactful.

Season 5 of Buffy boasts one of the greatest fantasy TV episodes ever made, “The Body,” which left an indelible mark on the series. However, this isn’t the only outstanding episode in the season; there are numerous compelling storylines that tested the boundaries of the show throughout its run. Given that season 5 was initially planned as the final season, it’s deeply emotional and thought-provoking, propelling each character to new heights, particularly Buffy, who discovered her role as the Slayer by the end of the season in “The Gift.

More Teen Dramas Are Using Time Jumps & Buffy Should Have Too In Season 5

Time Skips Are A Useful Way To Avoid The Tough Transition Out Of High School

Buffy, generally considered one of the greatest supernatural teen dramas ever made, kicks off in high school, a setting that perfectly suits the series. However, once the characters graduated, the production faced challenges. Much like other teen shows, the actors playing these roles were significantly older than their on-screen counterparts, which made it tougher for them to convincingly portray the early stages of life these characters were experiencing. Many shows grapple with this transition from teen years to adulthood, and Buffy is no exception.

Following season 4, introducing character aging and a five-year time leap might have made season 5 even more remarkable, as it would have allowed the characters to navigate their lives beyond high school. High school settings are comfortable because they allow us to explore adolescent struggles, but college can be tricky on television since it’s an in-between phase where characters are more independent than in high school, yet not fully adults. Many shows struggle to portray university life effectively due to this balance. By skipping over this transition with a time jump, Buffy might have avoided some complications.

Buffy Season 5 Mostly Dropped Its College Storylines, So A 5-Year Time Jump Would Have Worked

After A Middling Fourth Season, Buffy Got Back On Track In Season 5

Despite the fact that every season of Buffy is top-notch, it’s evident that season 4 stands out as the least strong. This might be because creator Joss Whedon and the writing team recognized this issue, as they abandoned most college-centric storylines in season 5. Initially, in season 4, Buffy embraced the college stereotypes. However, once season 5 begins, you’ll notice that Buffy spends very little time attending classes, and the show swiftly moves away from this aspect of the plot, as the characters’ college careers became less relevant to the storyline’s new direction.

As a dedicated movie critic, I must say that in its post-high school phase, Buffy managed to find its footing once more, albeit with a few stumbles along the way. Just like many shows, it excelled during its high school years and struggled to balance the complexities of adulthood, especially when college entered the picture.

The fifth season, however, saw a shift towards more mature storylines, indicating that the creators were more focused on exploring who the characters had become as young adults rather than students. A potential solution to smooth this transition could have been maintaining the connection to UC Sunnydale by having Willow and Tara enrolled as graduate students. This would have allowed for a natural continuation of their academic pursuits within the series.

There were numerous opportunities to integrate the time jump into Buffy seamlessly.

Xander’s Storylines Would Have Made More Sense If He Was In His Mid-20s

Xander’s Character Arc Takes A Significant Turn In Season 5

After graduation, each main character, Buffy, Willow, Xander, and Giles, embarked on separate journeys. In season 4, Buffy explores their growing distance and eventually reunites them in the battle against Adam at the end of the season; however, these conflicts persist into season 5. As for Xander, he encounters significant challenges in determining his path after high school. These difficulties are more reminiscent of a person in their mid-20s rather than someone in their late teens or early 20s. His major life decisions, such as proposing to Anya, seem more fitting for an older individual.

In the TV show Buffy, some storylines seemed a bit off due to a lack of a time jump, suggesting that the writers were already envisioning the characters as more mature and advanced in their character arcs compared to what was originally established. For instance, Xander’s engagement with Anya and his attempts to appear responsible occurred earlier than one might expect given his character development. These events could have just as effectively been portrayed if they had happened when Xander was older, perhaps in his late 20s. In essence, Xander’s growth as a character was centered around trying to project an image of maturity and stability before he was truly ready for it.

The Tension Between Buffy & Riley Would Have Made More Sense With A Time Jump

Buffy & Riley’s Relationship Was Always Contentious, But A Time Jump Could’ve Solved This

Riley is considered one of Buffy’s less favored romantic interests, and his departure from the series and Buffy’s life significantly contributes to this. Throughout much of Season 5, he often hindered Buffy and complicated her life. Eventually, he departed Sunnydale following a heated argument where he presented Buffy with an ultimatum, stating that she wouldn’t allow him closer, thus he saw no reason to remain. Regardless, this goodbye would have been painful under any circumstances, but if his storyline had been developed later in their relationship and the characters aged accordingly, it might have been more coherent. These criticisms seem to be more akin to those voiced about long-term relationships rather than ones lasting only a year.

In the series “Buffy The Vampire Slayer”, viewers might have felt more empathy towards Riley and grasped why he was insecure about Buffy’s feelings for him if their relationship had been established over a longer period through a time jump. Riley often faces criticism for his actions, but they could be seen as understandable for characters entangled in a difficult relationship. It’s worth noting that Buffy isn’t portrayed as a perfect romantic partner, given her tendency to keep her love interests at a distance in the show. If the narrative had set up Riley’s unhappiness through a time jump, I might have been more inclined to side with him.

Title	Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)	85%	92%

2025-05-18 17:00