For every television series, the original vision is shaped by various social and artistic forces, as well as industry conventions. While bad television succumbs to these pressures, good television, exemplified by Buffy the Vampire Slayer, actively resists them. This collection of essays delves into the struggle to create meaning within this influential series. Contributors utilize diverse techniques and perspectives to analyze the social and cultural issues embedded in the show, situating it within a broader literary context. They explore its literary influences, from German liebestod to Huckleberry Finn, and examine the series' intentional literary allusions. Additionally, the book addresses extratextual elements such as fanfiction and online discussion forums. To further engage with the ongoing dialogue surrounding television art, the editors have established an online journal, Slayage (www.slayage.tv). Rhonda V. Wilcox and David Lavery, who have authored and edited numerous works on quality television, have also examined other notable series like Twin Peaks, Northern Exposure, The X-Files, and The Sopranos.
