Buffy vs. Dracula Blog

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Buffy Summers portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar

Buffy vs. Dracula

In this day and age, there are more movies and T.V. shows are showing a lot more females as the protagonist or the leading character in their own movie/T.V. show. However, we're not talking about what's happening now in 2020. Buffy the Vampire Slayer was ahead of its time, as it premiered in 1997 on The WB as a show with a female lead slaying monsters that creep in the night. Normally in movies, T.V. shows, and including literature that we read, it's usually a man or a group of men that fight the monsters or antagonists. But, that's not the only reason why the show is different. Not only Buffy is a female, but she is a 16 year old girl trying to live her life as normally as she can, as she tries to balance the life of being a high school student and a vampire slayer.
Before I get more in dept, I do want to write about the similarities and differences between Bran Stoker's Dracula and the episode of Buffy vs. Dracula. Dracula made his first appearance in a scene where he made it to Sunnydale (the show's town/setting), traveling in style. And by "style" I mean traveling in a box full of dirt. Sounds familiar? It should be as Dracula from Bram Stoker's novel mentions it in later chapters. Anyways, Dracula officially meets Buffy when she was patrolling for other vampires that would come into the town. Dracula's image is a little different from the book. In the beginning of the book, it describes Dracula as an old man with no hair on his head, a thin mustache and red eyes who becomes young as the readers continue to read.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Dracula

While in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the Dracula picture on the left shows Dracula with blue colored eyes. However, that didn't stop some of the main female characters who became enthralled with Dracula's appearance as going so far as calling him sexy. Female characters, including Buffy. However, Dracula wasn't the only mythical creature of the night that has been viewed to be sexualized by the other characters on the show. Later on in the episode we see the three brides of Dracula, or the three sisters as they were called in the show. The three sisters made their appearance when two of Buffy's friends went to Castle Dracula to try and find her. Alas, they find the sisters/brides instead. And don't get me wrong, I enjoyed that they made an appearance and other references to Bram Stoker Dracula. But, of course that's not all that was referenced in the book.

Xander being Dracula's emissary
The theme good versus evil came up during the show for a good reason. The reason why Dracula was in Sunnydale was to find Buffy because he believed Buffy's darkness rivals his own. As for Buffy being the "good guy" or protagonists in her own show, that captures my attention. However not only Buffy, but her friend's behavior as well have caught my eye because just like John Harker, Dr. Seward, Arthur Holmwood, Quincey Morris, and Dr. Van Helsing were so set on protecting Mina (the good), Buffy and her close friends were protective too as they discovered Dracula was coming after her. Well, not all of her friends. One of Buffy's close friends named Xander (in the GIF above) became Dracula emissary or also known as his henchman (hint, hint, Renfield) when trying to get to Buffy. But, that's beside the point.

Moving on, Buffy slays monsters and saves the day (and night) in her show. It's interesting to see a female doing the slaying and fighting because we know that females in some movies, T.V. shows and in older literature usually don't indulge with that type of behavior. Buffy kind of reminds me of Mina in a way. Not because Mina fought Dracula at any point of the book, but because Mina had an important purpose in Bram Stoker's novel. It was Mina who put all the different journals and diary entries and other documents together to form a timeline from when Johnathon Harker met Dracula up to Lucy's death in the book. It was her who made an insane man become sane again and it was her who guesses how Dracula would travel, via riverside, when he was going back to Transylvania. Buffy and Mina both prove to the readers and viewers that they are much more than just a pretty face.
Bedroom scene in Buffy vs. Dracula episode
As I stated before, Dracula wants Buffy as he was attracted to her by her darkness. Buffy seems like the type of person to be hard to persuade, right? Well, during a good portion of the episode, Buffy was under Dracula's thrall (meaning she was under Dracula's power). She didn't so much as lift her finger when Dracula was in her bedroom. What she did do however, was submit to Dracula and let him bite her neck. And just like in Dracula the book, neck biting is an intimate act to do as a vampire. Even Buffy's friends say that Dracula would want to have a connection when it comes to his victims. Is that a tactic to make sure his victim gives Dracula their consent in for the neck biting act? It may be more of the thrall, but consent is a key element for Dracula. I say this because in the book, Lucy gives her consent for Dracula to bite her versus Mina who does not. However that didn't stop Dracula from getting what he wanted.
And so, remember kids, consent is key, if you meet Dracula don't invite him in, or you're going to become (Zander's words, not mine) his fly-eating-man-bitch. And with that being said, I'll leave it as that.

Comments

  1. Jose GamboaFebruary 22, 2020 at 5:27 PM

    I was first introduced to the Buffy universe through Dr. Francis in her English 288: Feminist Reading of Culture course. It is fascinating to me that this series also laces Dracula into their storyline. It all fits; it all works; it all makes sense. Buffy shares a strong character resemblance to Mina. Both these women are strong, smart, and (to be direct) good. For Dracula to seek out Buffy like he sought out Mina makes perfect sense. I have yet to watch the entire Buffy series. However, knowing that the screenwriters adapt Stoker's original text further intrigues me to invest time into this series.

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  2. Megan UphamFebruary 23, 2020 at 4:46 PM

    I've never seen Buffy but I can say that I am excited now. I can see how the characters line up. Something I found funny is that the location is Sundale, and Dracula can't go in the sun. (sorry i'll stop) I agree that there is a significant gender roles in the character Buffy. Not only being a female but still being a teen. I can see now that Buffy was ahead of its time.

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