As I continue the tribute to one of my favorite shows of all time, during the month of the 15th anniversary of its debut, I’m reminded of the end scene in the Season 5 episode “Family” (I’ll avoid any description in case you haven’t seen it), where Buffy defiantly decrees that she and her Scooby Gang are a family. Not by blood, but a family nonetheless. That’s what Buffy means to me. Everyone who has ever watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a family. We will defend Buffy with our last breath and excitedly welcome any new members to the flock who want to see what’s so special. How many shows can you say that about?

We can also use Buffy as a stepping stone to strengthen ties with our own actual family members. Like I said in last week’s article, I am very proud to have introduced my niece Aly to Buffy, and even happier she loves it. In fact, I sent her a few questions, an interview if you will, asking her what the show means to her and what her favorite things about it are.  Here are some of the highlights of our discussion:

If she could change anything about the show, she wouldn’t. Her favorite character is Xander because “when things get real serious, he usually lightens up everything and makes you laugh.” Her favorite episode is “Nightmares” because “it kind of lets you know more about the characters.” When I asked her if she would still love the show in 15 years (like I have, watching it from its first airing), she said, “Of course I will still love the show!”

Put simply, this is the magic that Buffy the Vampire Slayer possesses. Through the common interest of a television show about a teenage girl who kills vampires and demons, I have a stronger relationship with my niece. We have something to talk about that transcends age, race or gender. In the series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer created a family out of her friends, those around her who stood by her side and went through the same struggles and faced the same literal and figurative demons she faced.  Luckily for me, and many others throughout the world, I have family members to share my love of the show with. For those Buffy fans who don’t think they have anyone to share their admiration of our favorite vampire slayer with, you have all of the rest of us in the Whedonverse. We will always be your family.