Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Script Book Season One Vol. 2

If you like Buffy, you will like the scripts. This is my self fulfilling prophecy to you. It is the second half of Season One, so if you are a latecomer to the Buffy franchise, this will give you a great opportunity to catch with the crowd until the DVD comes out.

What a great idea. The writing on Buffy has always been its greatest asset. These scripts just sparkle. I was especially pleased to read the scripts of episodes I missed. The writing is so good -- and the actors have done such terrific jobs establishing their characters -- that I felt like I was watching the show, not reading about it. These two volumes have some wonderful hidden gems, too -- such as dialogue and scenes left on the cutting room floor. (Good decision, by the way. The omitted scenes tend to be dull.) The only dud in the collection is "I Robot, You Jane." I remember enjoying this episode when it was on television. On paper, though, the dialogue falls flat. In general, a real treat.

Just as with the first volume of scripts from season one, this second volume gives you the writers insight, deleted scenes and production notes. It is a must if you have the first volume as it wraps up the first season. It is interesting to see how the writing improves as the year went along. The characters start building deeper personalities and we get to know them better. That is always the key with successful TV shows, the ability to connect and relate to the characters and caring about how their "lives" turn out. Just like volume one, a great and funny read.