She saves the world. A lot.

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It started out as a decently funny movie. Then it became a way-hip, cult fave TV show on a tiny network. And then on another tiny network.

Then, it ended after seven seasons. Plus, a spinoff. And DVDs, three soundtracks, action figures, and now, a comic book.

Ten years ago, last Saturday, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” started its TV run. You really can’t keep a good slayer down.

buffy-grave.jpg

Anything this good lives on forever. I didn’t catch it from the beginning, but once I saw it, I was hooked.

Getting friends on board was another matter.

The really worthwhile shows sometimes take persistence and patience. I couldn’t adequately describe the premise to the uninitiated.

Basically, I said, you need to watch this. Period.

Back in a time before broadband reruns, iTunes videos, TiVo, file-sharing downloads and even timely DVD box sets, you had plain old word of mouth.

The show comes on at this time, on this night, on this channel. Once a week. You miss it, I lose.

That it survived its first season is unusual. That it managed to continue despite timeslot changes and even a network change is incredible.

No one can say “Buffy” didn’t cover all the stories it wanted to in seven (really, six-and-a-half) seasons.

It’s been said before, but when it was good, it was really good. And when it was bad, it was still pretty good. Like any good literature, it elevated the medium, incorporating a sly wit and an endless bag of metaphor to coming-of-age stories.

And, Sarah Michelle Gellar? Smoking hot.

The series has that perfect combination of intelligent writing, spot-on comedic timing, and just a hint of sad weariness. We fight, even though we might ultimately lose.

When people ask which 10 discs you’d have with you on the desert island, I think about both music and video. Very few shows would hold up over repeated viewings for me.

But I’d find a way to put all 144 hours onto one magical disc. In the meantime, it’s probably time to revisit Sunnydale from the pilot onward and remember why truly exceptional work deserves my attention more than the standard fare airing today.

They killed “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” a few times. Their mistake: That only made it stronger.

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