Does the dog die?
386 supporters
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
TV Show • 1997 • Sci-Fi
ReportInto every generation a slayer is born: one girl in all the world, a chosen one. She alone will wield the strength and skill to fight the vampires, demons, and the forces of darkness; to stop the spread of their evil and the swell of their number. She is the Slayer.
This tv show contains 128 potentially triggering events.
| Season | |
| Episode |
Filter to only show:
Both
Yes
No
Your Triggers
Yes
50
No
14
8
kwfliy
Not shown, but in season 2 Giles describes one of Angelus' sadistic 'gifts', implying he nailed a puppy to a door.
6 comments | Add comment
Abandonment
Does someone leave without saying goodbye?
7 supporters
Yes
19
No
5
4
uru63
S3
E1
after the events of the s2 finale, buffy has left sunnydale and has no contact with her friends or family. willow specifically mentions the fact that buffy left without saying goodbye
3 comments | Add comment
Is a child abandoned by a parent?
30 supporters
Yes
24
No
9
2
Buffy is abandoned by her bio-dad. He appears a couple of times in series before not returning.
3 comments | Add comment
Yes
0
No
14
Abuse
Are there abusive parents?
1 supporters
Yes
26
No
5
2
dllh
S2
E11
Ted (Buffy's mother's boyfriend) assaults her.
3 comments | Add comment
Does an abused person forgive their abuser?
1 supporters
Yes
18
No
8
1
spike attempts to assault buffy, and this is seemingly forgiven when she falls in love with him??
1 comment | Add comment
Is someone stalked?
21 supporters
Yes
61
No
4
1
Emmasummers
The main plot of Season 2 centers on Angelus, a sadist who stalks Buffy and plays cruel tricks on her and her friends to make them paranoid. An example of this is a drawing of Buffy sleeping left on her bed while she sleeps.
8 comments | Add comment
Yes
54
No
7
5
mousymouse
The whole Angel/Buffy stalking plot after he loses his soul is physically and emotionally abusive
10 comments | Add comment
Yes
0
No
14
Yes
19
No
9
3
MorgueWanderer
***SPOILERS***
[S2 E21] Flashbacks of Angel religiously abusing Drusilla, who we know he has extensively tortured and abused to the point of insanity, while she is the main big bad of the season.***
[SEASON 3] Faith discusses how she was abused by her alcoholic mother when she was younger a few times, once in episode 17 while also torturing Buffy. Faith is also mistreated by her Watcher, Wesley, throughout the season which massively contributes to her decent into immorality later on.***
[S6 E16] We are reminded of a characters reoccurringly abusive family. He has a vision during the episode of himself growing older and going on to abuse his own wife and repeating the cycle. This is extremely distressing for him.
[S2 E21] Flashbacks of Angel religiously abusing Drusilla, who we know he has extensively tortured and abused to the point of insanity, while she is the main big bad of the season.***
[SEASON 3] Faith discusses how she was abused by her alcoholic mother when she was younger a few times, once in episode 17 while also torturing Buffy. Faith is also mistreated by her Watcher, Wesley, throughout the season which massively contributes to her decent into immorality later on.***
[S6 E16] We are reminded of a characters reoccurringly abusive family. He has a vision during the episode of himself growing older and going on to abuse his own wife and repeating the cycle. This is extremely distressing for him.
5 comments | Add comment
Is someone gaslighted?
1 supporters
Yes
34
No
9
4
redrosy
In addition to the other comments, season 6 episode 11 features a main character harassing someone she doesn’t like by messing with her sense of reality.
(SPOILER)——— the character is invisible & makes a social worker think that she’s losing her mind by moving her coffee cup & telling her to kill. The woman is freaked out & gets sent home from work, but otherwise is fine.
(SPOILER)——— the character is invisible & makes a social worker think that she’s losing her mind by moving her coffee cup & telling her to kill. The woman is freaked out & gets sent home from work, but otherwise is fine.
5 comments | Add comment
Yes
0
No
12
Yes
51
No
8
4
Emmasummers
"Nightmares" the young boy that the episode centers on is being abused by his coach. Buffy is emotionally abused by her father.
"Becoming, Part Two" It isn't direct, but there is a scene when Joyce finds out that Buffy is the slayer that could easily be triggering for LGBTQ people who have been rejected or kicked out by their parents. Joyce tells Buffy that she "can't accept" her being the slayer, tells her to just "stop" being the slayer, even makes a comment about "trying to join the slayer pride parade", and finally tells Buffy to "not bother coming home". If I remember correctly the creators of the show have stated that slayerness is meant in part to be a metaphor for LGBTQ people, but that might be a rumor. Either way, it definitely strikes a familiar chord, so tread carefully.
"Becoming, Part Two" It isn't direct, but there is a scene when Joyce finds out that Buffy is the slayer that could easily be triggering for LGBTQ people who have been rejected or kicked out by their parents. Joyce tells Buffy that she "can't accept" her being the slayer, tells her to just "stop" being the slayer, even makes a comment about "trying to join the slayer pride parade", and finally tells Buffy to "not bother coming home". If I remember correctly the creators of the show have stated that slayerness is meant in part to be a metaphor for LGBTQ people, but that might be a rumor. Either way, it definitely strikes a familiar chord, so tread carefully.
7 comments | Add comment
Addiction
Yes
42
No
12
2
oohoohahah
Characters will abuse magic for the high - prominent in s6.
3 comments | Add comment
Is there addiction?
1 supporters
Yes
51
No
8
2
MaxMitchell
In season 6 a character struggles with an addiction to magic: This is a metaphor for drugs.
2 comments | Add comment
Does someone abuse alcohol?
16 supporters
Yes
42
No
9
2
oohoohahah
Spike regulary abuses alcohol, especially when he's feeling sad/rejected. Shown in s3 e8.
2 comments | Add comment
Animal
Yes
0
No
22
Does a horse die?
86 supporters
Yes
22
No
20
2
redrosy
In 5x20 there are knights riding on horses. There is a joke about how the main characters should aim for the horses in order to take out the knights, but none are harmed during the fight.
3 comments | Add comment
Yes
67
No
7
3
Anonymous
S1e6 (The Pack) The school’s mascot pig was eaten. The incident itself is not shown, but there are scenes before it happens where the pig is squealing and the aftermath of the cage is shown. There is no blood.
13 comments | Add comment
Are animals abused?
176 supporters
Yes
39
No
12
1
LynnBlackwell
Drusilla starved a bird in a cage, and it was stated it wasn't the first one she did that to.
3 comments | Add comment
Yes
1
No
43
0
RavenLordAK
Not dogs, but there is a werewolf fight in the fourth season.
2 comments | Add comment
Is there a dead animal?
98 supporters
Yes
46
No
7
1
oohoohahah
s3 e2 - a cat's body falls from a shelf when buffy goes down to the basement to get out the 'company plates'.
5 comments | Add comment
Yes
3
No
10
Yes
0
No
12
Does a cat die?
156 supporters
Yes
50
No
8
3
Anonymous
03x02 Dead Man's Party": There is a dead stray cat found and buried. It comes to life as a zombie.
4 comments | Add comment
Does a pet die?
142 supporters
Yes
17
No
8
1
xdancerx92
S7
E2
Dog is killed off-screen by a demon although there is a sound effect of dog crying in pain
3 comments | Add comment
Does a dragon die?
30 supporters
Yes
2
No
42
0
echoevemorrow1
SPOILERS
During the season 5 finale, something dragon-like is summoned and then effectively killed via a portal - not sure if that could possibly bother someone
During the season 5 finale, something dragon-like is summoned and then effectively killed via a portal - not sure if that could possibly bother someone
1 comment | Add comment
Are there spiders?
1 supporters
Yes
61
No
7
5
thegoodwife
There is an intense spider scene that is reused in the opening credits for seasons 1-3.
7 comments | Add comment
Yes
0
No
15
Are there snakes?
1 supporters
Yes
45
No
6
5
mad_melody
Snakes are shown in multiple scenes throughout the show. In Season 6 Episode 1, a snake comes out of a main character's mouth.
5 comments | Add comment
Are there sharks?
6 supporters
Yes
1
No
16
1
esmeostrow
S6
E8
a shark/man hybrid comes in to collect a character's debt as a play on the term "loan shark".
1 comment | Add comment
Are there bugs?
1 supporters
Yes
56
No
5
2
Anonymous
There are multiple instances of bugs, snakes and rats, often used in jump scares. Some monsters are bug-like or serpentine (ex, season 1 has a giant preying mantis and season 5 has a giant serpent). Two different characters are turned into rats at different points.
6 comments | Add comment
Assault
Yes
17
No
5
1
The episode Ted in s2 he slaps buffy across the face
3 comments | Add comment
Is someone drugged?
1 supporters
Yes
21
No
5
2
anonymous12
S2
E5
Buffy and Cordelia are both drugged/roofied at the frat house
5 comments | Add comment
Is there pedophilia?
1 supporters
Yes
11
No
17
4
anonymous12
One of the main relationships in the show is with a teenage, minor, girl, and a 270 year old vampire (appears as a 26 year old man)
4 comments | Add comment
Is someone held under water?
1 supporters
Yes
18
No
8
1
buffy is drowned in the season 1 finale to the point of being dead for a few minutes. in season 3, a demon holds her under water until she goes limp and when she springs back up she says, "i hate when they drown me".
she also has a nightmare of faith drowning her by holding her down, so this might be a specific fear of hers.
she also has a nightmare of faith drowning her by holding her down, so this might be a specific fear of hers.
2 comments | Add comment
Is rape mentioned?
75 supporters
Yes
21
No
8
0
TonieArtemis
S1
E4
Spoilers:
The substitute teacher rapes underaged male students; this is spoken about non-graphically by a victim and not depicted onscreen.
The substitute teacher rapes underaged male students; this is spoken about non-graphically by a victim and not depicted onscreen.
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
15
No
8
Is someone restrained?
1 supporters
Yes
37
No
3
0
echoevemorrow1
People pinned down by vampires all the time
Slayer gets tied to things all the time
Episode Normal Again, Buffy is in a mental hospital and strapped to the bed
Slayer gets tied to things all the time
Episode Normal Again, Buffy is in a mental hospital and strapped to the bed
4 comments | Add comment
Yes
77
No
9
5
LilyK
In s6e13 three characters enchant a woman to be their sex slave.
16 comments | Add comment
Is someone's mouth covered?
11 supporters
Yes
11
No
3
0
TonieArtemis
S1
E3
A girl is enchanted so that her mouth is covered over by skin
Spoiler:
When Buffy starts acting intoxicated during cheerleading practice, Xander covers her mouth to keep her from revealing the existence of witchcraft
Spoiler:
When Buffy starts acting intoxicated during cheerleading practice, Xander covers her mouth to keep her from revealing the existence of witchcraft
2 comments | Add comment
Are there jokes about sexual assault on men?
1 supporters
Yes
15
No
9
1
TonieArtemis
S1
E4
Spoiler:
After Buffy saves Xander and Blayne from the She-Mantis, the fact that they were targeted because they are virgins is treated as the butt of a joke and more serious by the victims than the assault.
After Buffy saves Xander and Blayne from the She-Mantis, the fact that they were targeted because they are virgins is treated as the butt of a joke and more serious by the victims than the assault.
2 comments | Add comment
Yes
10
No
17
3
Attempt from a character
4 comments | Add comment
Bodily Harm
Is there shaving/cutting?
32 supporters
Yes
39
No
5
2
scififan94
Many characters are cut during fight scenes but most notably for those who are triggered by self injury - a character cuts herself intentionally in season 5, episode 13.
7 comments | Add comment
Are any hands damaged?
16 supporters
Yes
10
No
3
0
S5
Spoiler
Season 5 big bad crushes a main character's hand as they are sitting in a fairground
Season 5 big bad crushes a main character's hand as they are sitting in a fairground
4 comments | Add comment
Are there dislocations?
1 supporters
Yes
6
No
6
0
in season 3, faith dislocates a shoulder(?) and has to pop it back into place by herself in her motel room. very brief but kinda icky
1 comment | Add comment
Is there throat mutilation?
37 supporters
Yes
13
No
5
2
uru63
S2
E21
in the final few minutes of the episode, a character dies as a result of having her throat slit. very little blood is shown, but the act itself is clearly visible on screen
2 comments | Add comment
Does someone struggle to breathe?
28 supporters
Yes
33
No
4
1
mad_melody
Throughout the show, multiple characters (including main characters) struggle to breathe on multiple occasions. Characters drown, hyperventilate, choke on things, get strangled, etc.
5 comments | Add comment
Is there decapitation?
34 supporters
Yes
17
No
5
1
CMster
One of the ways vampires can be killed, also other demons are killed that way
3 comments | Add comment
Is there cannibalism?
31 supporters
Yes
33
No
8
2
RavenLordAK
It isn't shown on screen aside from the initial attack, but in Season 1, a few students attack and eat the principal. It is said afterwards that he was eaten.
4 comments | Add comment
Yes
7
No
8
Is someone choked?
1 supporters
Yes
19
No
3
0
TonieArtemis
S1
E3
Spoiler:
"Amy" chokes Xander with magic when the gang start trying to undo her spells
"Amy" chokes Xander with magic when the gang start trying to undo her spells
6 comments | Add comment
Is someone burned alive?
1 supporters
Yes
51
No
4
3
Anonymous
In season 6, a monster causes people to dance until they burst into flames and burn to death.
A few monsters are killed and attacked with fire.
A few monsters are killed and attacked with fire.
4 comments | Add comment
Is someone buried alive?
1 supporters
Yes
39
No
8
2
mad_melody
In Season 1 Episode 10, Buffy lives through her fear of being buried alive. In Season 6 Episode 1, a main character wakes up in a buried coffin. In Season 6 Episode 2, in a detailed scene, the same main character breaks out of the coffin and uses their hands to dig their way up to the surface. Additionally, throughout the show, multiple vampires are seen climbing out the dirt of their graves, as people killed by being bitten by vampires are often buried before they turn into vampires.
2 comments | Add comment
Is there body horror?
1 supporters
Yes
19
No
4
0
TonieArtemis
S1
E3
In biology class, someone's mouth is closed over with skin
4 comments | Add comment
Is there amputation?
26 supporters
Yes
25
No
8
1
mad_melody
On several occasions throughout the show, monsters have their limbs cut off in combat.
3 comments | Add comment
Does a head get squashed?
52 supporters
Yes
38
No
8
2
redrosy
In the Season 3 episode Zeppo, Xander tips a vending machine onto someone’s head & torso. It’s not bloody & doesn’t make a sound.
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
0
No
14
Is there a hanging?
33 supporters
Yes
27
No
9
0
mad_melody
In Season 7 Episode 15, a minor character is seen hanging from the ceiling after having committed suicide offscreen. There might be other hangings that I unfortunately cannot remember.
4 comments | Add comment
Does someone asphyxiate?
26 supporters
Yes
11
No
6
0
Caractacusscrumptious
There are many examples of asphyxiation throughout the show. In season 1 episode 11 specifically a villain attempts to suffocate a minor character with plastic but they are saved. In episode 12 a main character falls face-first into a pool of water a drowns, but they are resuscitated and survive. These are just the instances in season 1 and there are many more throughout the series
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
0
No
23
Does someone become unconscious?
5 supporters
Yes
25
No
3
0
TonieArtemis
S1
E4
A vampire gets punched out at the beginning.
Spoiler:
Xander passes out at the substitute teacher's house after being drugged by her.
Spoiler:
Xander passes out at the substitute teacher's house after being drugged by her.
5 comments | Add comment
Does someone break a bone?
20 supporters
Yes
36
No
5
0
CMster
S4
E1
A bone looks broken, but is later said to just be sprained.
4 comments | Add comment
Yes
22
No
9
Yes
20
No
6
Is there finger/toe mutilation?
50 supporters
Yes
29
No
7
1
redrosy
In season 3 episode 16 a “bad” version of a main character breaks two of a vampire’s fingers as a form of torture
Season 5, episode 19: the main villain this season holds a main character’s hand and for the duration of the scene she squeezes so hard her fingers break & she bleeds
Season 5, episode 19: the main villain this season holds a main character’s hand and for the duration of the scene she squeezes so hard her fingers break & she bleeds
2 comments | Add comment
Is someone tortured?
77 supporters
Yes
55
No
8
0
Caractacusscrumptious
S1
E11
In season 1 episode 11 a villain takes out medical equipment and threatens a main character in detail, saying that they will perform surgery on their face. The villain cuts the other character's cheek once with a scalpel, but is interrupted by another character.
2 comments | Add comment
Does someone fall down stairs?
9 supporters
Yes
17
No
7
0
Season 6 episode 17: Normal Again
A character is grabbed by the ankle and falls down the stairs.
A character is grabbed by the ankle and falls down the stairs.
3 comments | Add comment
Does someone fall to their death?
13 supporters
Yes
37
No
7
1
HoppipHarvest
A character sacrifices themself and falls to their death in the Season 5 finale.
5 comments | Add comment
Is there eye mutilation?
1 supporters
Yes
51
No
7
2
mad_melody
In Season 7 a major character has their eye gouged out. They wear an eye patch for the remainder of the show.
6 comments | Add comment
Is someone stabbed?
1 supporters
Yes
21
No
3
0
TonieArtemis
S1
E1
Buffy impales a vampire with a wooden stake in a mausoleum
7 comments | Add comment
Is there excessive gore?
82 supporters
Yes
2
No
23
0
echoevemorrow1
A few graphic things, but not excessive
1 comment | Add comment
Children
Yes
10
No
9
Does a kid die?
46 supporters
Yes
58
No
6
3
mad_melody
Many teenagers and multiple young children die on and off screen.
10 comments | Add comment
Is a minor sexualized?
98 supporters
Yes
26
No
3
1
SPOILER: Buffy was a teenager at the beginning of the series and developed a relationship with a vampire a few centuries older at least.
6 comments | Add comment
Creepy Crawly
Yes
0
No
11
Death
Does someone sacrifice themselves?
12 supporters
Yes
23
No
6
0
uru63
the show's final episode also features a character sacrificing themselves (though the character was later resurrected for the spinoff series angel)
2 comments | Add comment
Does a major character die?
23 supporters
Yes
22
No
8
2
CMster
One very major character dies multiple times.
A major character dies in the series finale and it's very sudden and upsetting.
A character is seen dead at the end of season 5 episode 15. Season 5 episode 16 is completely centered around that character's death and is extremely hard to watch.
Season 6 episode 19 has a very sudden, unexpected, and violent main character death.
Many characters who are probably sub-major but not minor die.
A major character dies in the series finale and it's very sudden and upsetting.
A character is seen dead at the end of season 5 episode 15. Season 5 episode 16 is completely centered around that character's death and is extremely hard to watch.
Season 6 episode 19 has a very sudden, unexpected, and violent main character death.
Many characters who are probably sub-major but not minor die.
3 comments | Add comment
Does a non-human character die?
22 supporters
Yes
26
No
2
1
CMster
Almost every episode honestly
3 comments | Add comment
Does someone die?
12 supporters
Yes
35
No
1
0
TonieArtemis
S1
E12
Vampires are slain
7 comments | Add comment
Disability
Yes
0
No
11
Is the r-slur used?
30 supporters
Yes
16
No
8
0
Haven
S6
E22
Xander refers to two other characters w this term while they're in the graveyard at night, fleeing someone
5 comments | Add comment
Drugs/Alcohol
Yes
2
No
15
Family
Does a family member die?
22 supporters
Yes
17
No
7
1
TonieArtemis
S1
E8
Spoiler
A boys supposed suicide letter is addressed to parents
A boys supposed suicide letter is addressed to parents
3 comments | Add comment
Does a parent die?
24 supporters
Yes
65
No
8
3
mad_melody
Throughout the show, multiple patents die. In Season 5 Episode 15, a main character finds their mother dead. For the entirety of Season 5 Episode 16, this character unsuccessfully tries in detail to revive their mother, and spends the rest of the episode in extreme distress, telling their sibling what happened, and trying to deal with the trauma. This death is frequently referenced throughout the remainder of the show, and the dead mother appears in several later episodes.
7 comments | Add comment
Yes
1
No
20
Is someone kidnapped?
9 supporters
Yes
45
No
2
2
mad_melody
Throughout the show, multiple characters (including main characters) are kidnapped and held captive on multiple occasions.
4 comments | Add comment
Does someone cheat?
17 supporters
Yes
40
No
8
0
mad_melody
Throughout the show, several characters cheat. Two characters cheating on their partners together is a major plotline in Season 3.
1 comment | Add comment
Fear
Are there ghosts?
9 supporters
Yes
52
No
8
1
esmeostrow
S2
E19
the school is haunted by a violent spirit.
2 comments | Add comment
Are there jump scares?
1 supporters
Yes
62
No
2
4
greendem
pretty much every episode.
7 comments | Add comment
Is there a shower scene?
8 supporters
Yes
44
No
6
1
mad_melody
Throughout the show, multiple characters are seen in the shower, and watched, approached and/or attacked while in the shower. In Season 6 Episode 19, a main female character prepares for a bath and main male character unsuccessfully attempts to rape her in the bathroom.
2 comments | Add comment
Are there natural bodies of water?
2 supporters
Yes
10
No
6
0
esmeostrow
characters are shown on the beach in season 2 episode 20 and season 5 episode 1
1 comment | Add comment
Are there clowns?
11 supporters
Yes
53
No
9
5
greendem
s1e10, characters are chased by a clown with a knife, no one is hurt, (apart from the clown who gets punched in the face.)
2 comments | Add comment
Is someone possessed?
11 supporters
Yes
52
No
7
1
mad_melody
Throughout the show, numerous characters (including main characters, and one inanimate object) are possessed either against their will or with consent in order to gain power.
5 comments | Add comment
Is trypophobic content shown?
22 supporters
Yes
2
No
11
0
TonieArtemis
S1
E4
magnified insect eyes and claws
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
9
No
5
0
TonieArtemis
S1
E8
A boy cuts a word into his arm
1 comment | Add comment
Are there mannequins?
5 supporters
Yes
14
No
6
0
TonieArtemis
S1
E3
There are Barbie dolls that someone uses as "voodoo dolls' to perform spells
2 comments | Add comment
Gross
Does someone vomit?
93 supporters
Yes
48
No
8
6
mad_melody
In Season 5 Episode 16, a main character enters a shocked dissociative state and vomits. The character then cleans up the vomit. There might be other instances of characters vomiting non-graphically that I unfortunately cannot remember.
5 comments | Add comment
Yes
0
No
17
Yes
1
No
10
Is someone eaten?
31 supporters
Yes
21
No
4
1
CMster
S1
E6
Some possessed characters eat someone. It is alluded to from time to time throughout the rest of the series.
4 comments | Add comment
Yes
0
No
12
Does someone spit?
9 supporters
Yes
32
No
7
1
redrosy
In season 4, episode 16 an agent in all black spits on a character’s face
Season 5 episode 19: a main character spits in the villain’s face
Season 5 episode 19: a main character spits in the villain’s face
2 comments | Add comment
Is there audio gore?
41 supporters
Yes
23
No
4
0
TonieArtemis
S1
E2
You hear the Master poke out the eye of one of his minions
2 comments | Add comment
Large-scale Violence
Yes
0
No
21
Law Enforcement
Is there copaganda?
1 supporters
Yes
4
No
25
1
esmeostrow
the opposite, they are portrayed almost exclusively negatively. best outright example of the shows views is in 2x9. the characters take career quizzes and buffy is extremely insulted by the idea that she could go into law enforcement. also a line they give to xander that is imo, very ahead of it's time.
xander-"they assigned you to the booth on law enforcement"
buffy-"as in cops?" *horrified look*
xander-"as in polyester, donuts, and brutality"
giles- "well now there's an idea- have you ever considered law enforcement?"
buffy- *goes to say something, can't, is too insulted to continue the conversation and just gestures to something unrelated to this plot with a very offended look on her face*
xander-"they assigned you to the booth on law enforcement"
buffy-"as in cops?" *horrified look*
xander-"as in polyester, donuts, and brutality"
giles- "well now there's an idea- have you ever considered law enforcement?"
buffy- *goes to say something, can't, is too insulted to continue the conversation and just gestures to something unrelated to this plot with a very offended look on her face*
2 comments | Add comment
Is there incarceration?
1 supporters
Yes
7
No
7
0
Wilston
S5 near the end, two characters are in a holding cell. They have committed crimes.
1 comment | Add comment
LGBTQ+
Yes
1
No
15
Yes
0
No
13
Yes
0
No
13
Yes
0
No
17
Yes
1
No
11
Loss
Is a priceless artifact destroyed?
8 supporters
Yes
10
No
6
2
CMster
Often
1 comment | Add comment
Medical
Is electro-therapy used?
21 supporters
Yes
25
No
18
2
Anonymous
behavioral control via electroshock (seasons 4-7)
2 comments | Add comment
Are needles/syringes used?
29 supporters
Yes
45
No
6
2
Emmasummers
"Killed By Death" features them throughout
"Normal Again" has an extremely triggering transition that goes directly from a monster stabbing Buffy in the arm to a doctor holding a syringe in her arm in a hospital. There is no warning and you can clearly see the needle. My advice would be look away when the demon with the pointy hand thing shows up.
"Normal Again" has an extremely triggering transition that goes directly from a monster stabbing Buffy in the arm to a doctor holding a syringe in her arm in a hospital. There is no warning and you can clearly see the needle. My advice would be look away when the demon with the pointy hand thing shows up.
6 comments | Add comment
Is there a mental institution scene?
1 supporters
Yes
49
No
8
3
mad_melody
There are a few scenes of people in mental institutions. Also, for the entirety of Season 6 Episode 17, one of the main characters magically hallucinates that they're in a mental institution. In these hallucinations, the character is lead to believe that they've been in the institution for years and have hallucinated all of the events of the show.
5 comments | Add comment
Is there a hospital scene?
1 supporters
Yes
60
No
8
2
sorryboutit
There are many in season 5 and 6
4 comments | Add comment
Yes
0
No
11
Does someone have cancer?
1 supporters
Yes
47
No
15
4
traumarama
In "The Puppet Show" a character has brain cancer, he is shown in some head pain and there are mentions of doctor visits but it is not discussed extensively. In "Lie to Me" another character has brain cancer, it is discussed extensively and with graphic language. In season 5 brain cancer is heavily featured in several episodes, most notably "Shadow" and "Listening to Fear" which discuss treatment and surgery, "The Body" (and the very last frames of the previous episode, "I Was Made to Love You") which show death/immediate grief from cancer, and several following episodes but particularly "Forever" which depict continued grief after death from cancer. It's handled sensitively and very realistically but could be extremely triggering.
4 comments | Add comment
Mental Health
Does someone have a mental illness?
10 supporters
Yes
12
No
3
0
TonieArtemis
S1
E4
An unseen character is mentioned as needing to be institutionalized after a traumatic encounter
2 comments | Add comment
Yes
42
No
7
4
Anonymous
05x13 Blood Ties: A major character self harms through cutting with blood shown.
Source: http://thiscouldbetriggering.tumblr.com/post/54864713261/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-suicide-and-self-harm
Source: http://thiscouldbetriggering.tumblr.com/post/54864713261/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-suicide-and-self-harm
7 comments | Add comment
Yes
1
No
10
Is a mentally ill person violent?
32 supporters
Yes
24
No
8
3
para_seren
there is a mentally ill vampire who is shown to be violent not due to their mental illness but due to their vampirism
3 comments | Add comment
Yes
9
No
2
0
TonieArtemis
S1
E3
Spoiler:
Amy's mother makes her and Amy switch bodies, so depersonalization
Amy's mother makes her and Amy switch bodies, so depersonalization
3 comments | Add comment
Yes
2
No
14
Is there autism specific abuse?
40 supporters
Yes
8
No
23
8
PluviaFang
A character displays many traits similar to autistic traits and can be considered autistic-coded, and is sometimes chastised for those traits (social ineptitude, special interests) but is never straight up abused.
3 comments | Add comment
Yes
18
No
7
2
uru63
S4
E11
a vampire who was previously a major antagonist -now a comedically hostile ally- attempts to kill himself by falling onto a wooden stake, but is interrupted by two of the main characters and ends up missing the stake entirely. this scene is framed in a comedic tone.
6 comments | Add comment
Is reality unstable or unhinged?
18 supporters
Yes
15
No
5
1
uru63
S4
S4E04 "Fear Itself" a haunted house plays with the main characters minds. in one scene a character is shown rocking back and forth and repeating the line "it's not real" to himself
S4E17 "Superstar" a character casts a spell that alters all of reality in order to make himself impossibly talented, capable, and beloved by all. the main character has a vaguely unsettling feeling for the majority of the episode that something about the world as they know it isn't quite right
S4E17 "Superstar" a character casts a spell that alters all of reality in order to make himself impossibly talented, capable, and beloved by all. the main character has a vaguely unsettling feeling for the majority of the episode that something about the world as they know it isn't quite right
5 comments | Add comment
Does someone have a meltdown?
1 supporters
Yes
6
No
6
0
TonieArtemis
S1
E4
Mentioned that someone had a breakdown upon facing a fantastical beast
1 comment | Add comment
Is there misophonia?
32 supporters
Yes
10
No
5
1
CMster
This is the era of extremely loud mouth noise kissing, which triggers my misophonia
2 comments | Add comment
Are there anxiety attacks?
22 supporters
Yes
31
No
5
2
mad_melody
Throughout the show, multiple characters panic on multiple occasions. In Season 5 Episode 16, a character enters a shocked dissociative state and vomits.
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
0
No
16
Does someone say "I'll kill myself"?
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255)
29 supporters
Yes
17
No
8
3
Emmasummers
In "Ted" Buffy says she would want to kill herself if something happened
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
2
No
13
Is there body dysmorphia?
1 supporters
Yes
17
No
17
0
TonieArtemis
S1
E3
Throughout the episode, Amy remarks on how her mother was always able to stay skinny and clearly has feelings of dysmorphia about her body
1 comment | Add comment
Is there a claustrophobic scene?
1 supporters
Yes
40
No
6
1
mad_melody
Multiple times throughout the show, characters (including main characters) hide or are trapped in small confined spaces.
1 comment | Add comment
Does someone have an eating disorder?
1 supporters
Yes
4
No
37
2
esmeostrow
no, but throughout the show buffy is often mentioned as not eating when she is in distress. (1x12 "you must be full from that bite of dinner you almost had" or "the way you've been eating, we can afford it.")
buffy also loses quite a bit of weight throughout the show and there are times (usually at buffy's lowest, ex: 5x16) where she seems very sickly and it's played up using lighting and contours
buffy also loses quite a bit of weight throughout the show and there are times (usually at buffy's lowest, ex: 5x16) where she seems very sickly and it's played up using lighting and contours
4 comments | Add comment
Yes
39
No
8
3
Anonymous
02x19: “I Only Have Eyes For You†- an abusive relationship ends with a murder-suicide.
03x10: “Amends†- A character attempts to kill himself, emotionally intense.
03x18: “Earshot†- A character plans to kill himself, but is talked out of it. (This is the episode where a school shooting is discussed.)
04x11: “Doomed†- A character tries to kill himself. (Note that it's a vampire, and it's played mostly for laughs/not graphic.)
05x22: “The Gift†(major spoilers) - A character kills themself, but it is done as an act of sacrifice, not mental illness.
06x02: “Bargaining Part 2″ - A disoriented, traumatized character attempts to kill herself, but is talked down.
06x07: “Once More With Feeling†- no direct suicide attempt is made, but suicidal thoughts and major depression are major themes throughout the episode (and season 6 in general).
07x04: “Help†- It's speculated that a character is contemplating suicide, although she turns out not to be.
07x06: “Him†- While under the influence of a magic spell, a character tries to kill herself.
07x15: “Get It Done†- A character commits suicide (we also see the body).
Source: http://thiscouldbetriggering.tumblr.com/post/54864713261/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-suicide-and-self-harm
03x10: “Amends†- A character attempts to kill himself, emotionally intense.
03x18: “Earshot†- A character plans to kill himself, but is talked out of it. (This is the episode where a school shooting is discussed.)
04x11: “Doomed†- A character tries to kill himself. (Note that it's a vampire, and it's played mostly for laughs/not graphic.)
05x22: “The Gift†(major spoilers) - A character kills themself, but it is done as an act of sacrifice, not mental illness.
06x02: “Bargaining Part 2″ - A disoriented, traumatized character attempts to kill herself, but is talked down.
06x07: “Once More With Feeling†- no direct suicide attempt is made, but suicidal thoughts and major depression are major themes throughout the episode (and season 6 in general).
07x04: “Help†- It's speculated that a character is contemplating suicide, although she turns out not to be.
07x06: “Him†- While under the influence of a magic spell, a character tries to kill herself.
07x15: “Get It Done†- A character commits suicide (we also see the body).
Source: http://thiscouldbetriggering.tumblr.com/post/54864713261/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-suicide-and-self-harm
4 comments | Add comment
Does someone suffer from PTSD?
38 supporters
Yes
18
No
6
1
HoppipHarvest
S6
E7
Not PTSD, but a few characters are traumatized by their pasts. Buffy in particular is mentally unwell.
1 comment | Add comment
Noxious
Are there underwater scenes?
1 supporters
Yes
7
No
7
2
uru63
S2
E20
S2E20 "Go Fish" two separate instances of a character being dropped into a body of water against their will. both characters are pulled underwater, though the camera does not follow them and all shots are from above water level
1 comment | Add comment
Are there sudden loud noises?
32 supporters
Yes
28
No
1
0
TonieArtemis
S1
E2
During action and fight scenes there are loud noises
4 comments | Add comment
Is there shakey cam?
1 supporters
Yes
28
No
9
0
TonieArtemis
S1
E1
Buffy's nightmare is portrayed by a bunch of shakey images in succession
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
10
No
6
Is there screaming?
13 supporters
Yes
25
No
2
2
uru63
basically every episode
4 comments | Add comment
Is there obscene language/gestures?
5 supporters
Yes
11
No
9
1
uru63
there are multiple instances during the course of the show in which a character makes a hand gesture that in the UK is considered equivalent to giving someone the middle finger (index and middle finger up with the palm facing inward)
3 comments | Add comment
Are there flashing lights or images?
43 supporters
Yes
38
No
2
4
redrosy
Season 4 episode 4 features a haunted house with many strobe effects
8 comments | Add comment
Paranoia
Is someone watched without knowing?
12 supporters
Yes
27
No
3
1
CMster
Angel and Spike frequently watch Buffy from afar without her knowing
6 comments | Add comment
Is the fourth wall broken?
11 supporters
Yes
15
No
9
4
overturezzzmedia
Only once in the musical episode, Buffy looks at the camera and sings ‘and you can sing along’
5 comments | Add comment
Pregnancy
Yes
0
No
16
Yes
1
No
41
Are there babies or unborn children?
13 supporters
Yes
7
No
7
2
para_seren
In Band Candy there are babies shown being carried off by monsters, with the intent to feed them to a demon. The demon is not shown eating any babies and it is implied that all survived when they were rescued
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
0
No
35
Yes
0
No
34
Yes
0
No
29
Prejudice
Are there homophobic slurs?
1 supporters
Yes
18
No
17
4
oohoohahah
mostly from Giles when he gets angry and sometimes from Spike, and mostly british slang e.g. poof, poofter,
2 comments | Add comment
Is there ableist language or behavior?
1 supporters
Yes
30
No
6
4
Amanduhkonda
There are several instances early in the series where the word r*tard is used.
5 comments | Add comment
Yes
0
No
30
Yes
9
No
21
3
RavenLordAK
Not antisemitism in the sense that it isn't done with malicious intent, but early on in the series, a main character who is Jewish has to remind her friends a few times that she does not celebrate Christmas, but they keep forgetting and talk about the holiday as if she also celebrates. It's a small thing, but it's noticeable.
4 comments | Add comment
Are there "Man in a dress" jokes?
1 supporters
Yes
18
No
9
2
Emmasummers
"Reptile Boy" the frat boys dress Xander up in a wig, padding, and feminine clothes while he is drunk as a practical joke.
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
0
No
37
Does an LGBT person die?
1 supporters
Yes
86
No
9
7
Anonymous
06x19 Seeing Red": A lesbian character is shot through the heart by a stray bullet and killed.
03x22 "Graduation Day pt. 2": A gay side character is among the many casualties to the end of season fight against the Mayor.
03x22 "Graduation Day pt. 2": A gay side character is among the many casualties to the end of season fight against the Mayor.
2 comments | Add comment
Are there fat jokes?
1 supporters
Yes
29
No
7
1
esmeostrow
S1
E6
the bully kids approach a fat kid at the bronze and tell him to get out of the seat because they always sit there. one says "shouldn't you be hovering over a football stadium with goodyear written on you?"
a (now known to be possessed) xander laughs and buffy and willow are appalled by him and the bullies.
a (now known to be possessed) xander laughs and buffy and willow are appalled by him and the bullies.
6 comments | Add comment
Yes
0
No
15
Is a minority is misrepresented?
23 supporters
Yes
15
No
9
1
uru63
S2
the romani people and culture are heavily misrepresented throughout the show, most significantly in season 2.
3 comments | Add comment
Does the black guy die first?
1 supporters
Yes
6
No
27
4
PluviaFang
Many of the introduced black characters are quick to die.
2 comments | Add comment
Is there hate speech?
1 supporters
Yes
26
No
14
5
redrosy
There are many uses of the G racial slur, including a main character being Romani in season 1/2 & reproducing many racial stereotypes. Also Buffy mocks a character’s African accent in the second season (possibly more that I don’t remember).
There is regularly dialogue that did not age well (including use of the R word in the season 6 finale).
There is regularly dialogue that did not age well (including use of the R word in the season 6 finale).
6 comments | Add comment
Race
Yes
0
No
15
Relationships
Is there a large age gap?
37 supporters
Yes
33
No
6
3
Kizzy
Buffy is in two relationships with vampires, which have been alive for hundreds of years, and Xander is in a relationship with an ex-demon, who has been alive for thousands of years.
5 comments | Add comment
Religious
Is religion discussed?
11 supporters
Yes
8
No
5
2
Lisasam
Willow mentions being jewish multiple times but it's never further discussed
3 comments | Add comment
Are there demons or Hell?
13 supporters
Yes
20
No
0
0
TheCassandraComplex
Hells and demons are major parts of the show’s lore. One of the main characters is a former demon, two main characters are half-demons (in the show’s lore, vampires are dead humans possessed by a demon soul).
1 comment | Add comment
Sex
Are there nude scenes?
39 supporters
Yes
1
No
18
0
helpfulbug
partial nudity but this was on tv in the early 90s so nothing crazy
1 comment | Add comment
Is there bestiality?
79 supporters
Yes
1
No
15
1
TheCassandraComplex
There are “non-human” characters who engage in sexual acts with human characters, but they’re not animals, they are sentient supernatural beings and very much able to consent…. Honestly, I’d argue that the vampires, werewolves, even many if the demons (like Anya) are still at least partially human.
2 comments | Add comment
Does someone lose their virginity?
13 supporters
Yes
18
No
7
1
3 main characters have sexual encounters for the first time throughout the show.
5 comments | Add comment
Is someone sexually objectified?
42 supporters
Yes
23
No
3
2
Xander is constantly sexually objectifying buffy and other minor characters in the first few seasons
4 comments | Add comment
Yes
0
No
37
1
esmeostrow
S7
E17
in a flashback, a characters mother taunts him and claims that he has romantic/sexual feelings towards her but it is not true and she only does it to torture him. it is uncomfortable but nothing happens
2 comments | Add comment
Is there sexual content?
52 supporters
Yes
54
No
8
4
JimmyP
Buffy has PG sex with a few people throughout the show.
4 comments | Add comment
Is there BDSM?
22 supporters
Yes
7
No
7
2
TheCassandraComplex
Not realistic BDSM with safe words, toys etc. But characters do engage in consensual rough sex that involves inflicting physical pain on one another.
1 comment | Add comment
Sexism
Yes
4
No
13
Sickness
Is someone terminally ill?
19 supporters
Yes
12
No
8
0
TonieArtemis
S1
E3
Spoiler:
Buffy is magically infected with a terminal illness, but she is magically cured by the end
Buffy is magically infected with a terminal illness, but she is magically cured by the end
1 comment | Add comment
Does someone have a stroke?
9 supporters
Yes
9
No
8
0
CMster
A semi-main character has a stroke (or something stroke-like) and is hospitalized
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
4
No
13
Is there dementia/Alzheimer's?
25 supporters
Yes
0
No
12
1
HoppipHarvest
S6
E7
No, but there is memory loss.
1 comment | Add comment
Social
Are there fat suits?
1 supporters
Yes
3
No
13
0
S3
E14
There’s a demon wearing an obvious fat suit
1 comment | Add comment
Is someone homeless?
6 supporters
Yes
17
No
7
1
echoevemorrow1
S3E1 takes place in LA and the homeless are the focus
2 comments | Add comment
Is existentialism debated?
11 supporters
Yes
6
No
6
1
HoppipHarvest
S6
E7
Throughout this musical episode, Buffy alludes to how pointless her life feels. “Something to Sing About” is the clearest example. As the song goes on, it becomes more clear that Buffy is looking for a reason to live. The other characters tell her that life is just living, and she has to go on.
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
0
No
15
Spoiler
Is Santa (et al) spoiled?
5 supporters
Yes
30
No
9
2
esmeostrow
S5
E16
during a flashback a character says something about santa being real. the conversation roughly goes:
"that's a myth."
(next character) "i know"
"no, it being a myth is a myth"
"there's a santa?"
"yes. he doesn't bring presents so much as disembowel children, but he's real"
"that's a myth."
(next character) "i know"
"no, it being a myth is a myth"
"there's a santa?"
"yes. he doesn't bring presents so much as disembowel children, but he's real"
3 comments | Add comment
Are there end credit scenes?
36 supporters
Yes
7
No
9
1
esmeostrow
S1
E9
willow, xander, and buffy's talent show performance
2 comments | Add comment
Does it have a sad ending?
53 supporters
Yes
12
No
24
2
Bipolaebadass
The protagonists win the final battle, but at great cost of lives, it's bittersweet
5 comments | Add comment
Vehicular
Does a car honk or tires screech?
13 supporters
Yes
14
No
5
0
TonieArtemis
S1
E3
Happens during Cordelia's driver's test which she gives without being able to see
1 comment | Add comment
Does a car crash?
20 supporters
Yes
39
No
6
1
sorryboutit
in season 6 two characters get into a car crash, one character has a broken arm from it
5 comments | Add comment
Yes
0
No
36
Is someone hit by a car?
21 supporters
Yes
35
No
7
1
Emmasummers
"Out of Mind, Out of Sight" Cordelia almost gets hit by an oncoming vehicle but Buffy saves her in the last second. It's a suspenseful scene.
Late Season 5, maybe "Spiral"? I can't recall. But there is a scene where Buffy and Dawn are on the sidewalk confronting Glory, who is in the street. Buffy says the word "bus" and then Glory gets hit by a bus. It's very sudden and quick, and there's no blood or anything. Glory survives it because she's a god.
Late Season 5, maybe "Spiral"? I can't recall. But there is a scene where Buffy and Dawn are on the sidewalk confronting Glory, who is in the street. Buffy says the word "bus" and then Glory gets hit by a bus. It's very sudden and quick, and there's no blood or anything. Glory survives it because she's a god.
4 comments | Add comment
Violence
Does someone drown?
18 supporters
Yes
47
No
9
1
Anonymous
01x12 Prophecy Girl": Buffy is bitten and passes out and then dropped into shallow water face down where she drowns. She is then given mouth-to-mouth and resuscitates.
4 comments | Add comment
Is there blood/gore?
52 supporters
Yes
52
No
6
1
sorryboutit
Small blood/gore every episode. Nothing super graphic, but there is a lot of physical fighting and people get banged up
3 comments | Add comment
Is there a nuclear explosion?
6 supporters
Yes
0
No
41
2
TheCassandraComplex
The series finale involves an implosion that decimated a suburban town, but it’s not nuclear.
1 comment | Add comment
Is there gun violence?
25 supporters
Yes
40
No
8
2
Emmasummers
Season 4 has a military operation as the main antagonist, and from the start of the season they're seen wielding large guns.
"Angel" Darla wields two hand guns briefly and shoots them loudly.
"Halloween" Xander has a toy plastic gun for a Halloween costume that is turned into a much larger, real gun in a spell. He points it at the camera at one point, although the gun is still reasonably far away. In another scene, though, he fires the gun to scare away monsters and it is very loud.
"Innocence" it's not a gun but Buffy uses a rocket launcher
"Earshot" the episode centers around a potential school shooter that turns out to be a suicide attempt. The gun is shown but never fired.
"Shadow" Spike has a large gun that he loads and points at the screen. He talks about killing Buffy with it and even raises it to bludgeon her with but stops. [SPOILER] As others have mentioned, in Season 6 Episode 19, a character who seems to be insane storms into Buffy's backyard and shoots both Buffy and Tara. Both wounds are seen in intense detail, and Tara's scene in particular is disturbing. She does not survive. The scene is mirrored in "The Killer In Me" when Willow holds the same gun that the killer did in the same position as he did, and even threatens a person with it. Earlier in the episode she is seen at a gun store.
"Angel" Darla wields two hand guns briefly and shoots them loudly.
"Halloween" Xander has a toy plastic gun for a Halloween costume that is turned into a much larger, real gun in a spell. He points it at the camera at one point, although the gun is still reasonably far away. In another scene, though, he fires the gun to scare away monsters and it is very loud.
"Innocence" it's not a gun but Buffy uses a rocket launcher
"Earshot" the episode centers around a potential school shooter that turns out to be a suicide attempt. The gun is shown but never fired.
"Shadow" Spike has a large gun that he loads and points at the screen. He talks about killing Buffy with it and even raises it to bludgeon her with but stops. [SPOILER] As others have mentioned, in Season 6 Episode 19, a character who seems to be insane storms into Buffy's backyard and shoots both Buffy and Tara. Both wounds are seen in intense detail, and Tara's scene in particular is disturbing. She does not survive. The scene is mirrored in "The Killer In Me" when Willow holds the same gun that the killer did in the same position as he did, and even threatens a person with it. Earlier in the episode she is seen at a gun store.
4 comments | Add comment