The news broke on Friday past of the actor Anthony Head At 72, he is best known for his role as the Watcher/father figure Rupert Giles about supernatural drama Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Fans and former actors flooded social media with expressions of gratitude for his talent and sadness at his death.
Bash certainly had a thriving career afterward Buffy: played Uther Pendragon in the series Merlin; in the prime minister Little Britain; a bad director Doctor Who “School reunion” episode; and of course the wealthy Rupert Mannion Ted Lasso. But Giles remains his defining role; there was even talk of a spinoff series, Ripperalthough it was never done.
In fact, there are very few Giles-centric episodes, which belies the character’s central importance to the series. He certainly had the best, smartest cutting lines. But Head’s true genius — and his character — was in quietly filling in the gaps in each scene and working with his colleagues to weave a complete tapestry. Take it out and it diminishes everything.
(spoilers for Buffy the Vampire Slayer Series below.)
What a great time to watch for a few hours Buffy In honor of the leader? If you want some suggestions, here are 10 of our favorite Giles moments in chronological order. Feel free to weigh in with your favorites in the comments.
Lie to me (S2)
Credit: 20th Television/WB
Credit: 20th Television/WB
Buffy’s old classmate from Los Angeles, Ford (Billy Fordham), transfers to Sunnydale High for his senior year and reveals that he knows she is the Slayer. We soon learn that Ford has an ulterior motive for looking for her. He has joined the secretive “Sun Club,” whose members have read too much Anne Rice and romanticized vampires unaware of the wild nature of demons. Ford is not fooled, but still approaches Spike (James Marsters) with a deal: Ford will deliver Buffy to Spike, and Spike will turn Ford into a vampire. All other club members will be killed.
