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The Best Episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4

Every episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4!

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Into 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

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4 Episode 1 - The Freshman
    7.6/10(3967 votes)

    #1 - The Freshman

    S4:E1

    Buffy feels like a fish out of water in her first year at college, but the mysterious disappearance of a fellow student puts her back in her element.

    Director:Joss Whedon
    Writer:Joss Whedon

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  2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4 Episode 2 - Living Conditions
    7.5/10(3923 votes)

    #2 - Living Conditions

    S4:E2

    Buffy finds herself at odds with her new roommate and is troubled by a series of disturbing dreams involving a soul-sucking demon.

    Director:David Grossman
    Writer:Marti Noxon

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  3. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4 Episode 3 - The Harsh Light of Day
    7.9/10(3753 votes)

    #3 - The Harsh Light of Day

    S4:E3

    As Buffy gets to know a charming student named Parker, Spike searches obsessively for a possibly-mythical treasure.

    Director:James A. Contner
    Writer:Jane Espenson

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  4. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4 Episode 4 - Fear, Itself
    8.4/10(4163 votes)

    #4 - Fear, Itself

    S4:E4

    On Halloween, Buffy and her friends find themselves trapped inside a haunted frat house complete with real bats, zombies, and a terrifying demon.

    Director:Tucker Gates
    Writer:David Fury

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  5. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4 Episode 5 - Beer Bad
    6.3/10(4293 votes)

    #5 - Beer Bad

    S4:E5

    Xander finds employment as a bartender at a pub where some of Buffy's friends turn into terrifying Cro-Magnon creatures.

    Director:David Solomon
    Writer:Tracey Forbes

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  6. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4 Episode 6 - Wild at Heart
    7.9/10(3803 votes)

    #6 - Wild at Heart

    S4:E6

    When Oz falls hard for a sexy singer who also happens to be a werewolf, he must choose between Willow and his own animal instincts.

    Director:David Grossman
    Writer:Marti Noxon

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  7. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4 Episode 7 - The Initiative
    7.9/10(3309 votes)

    #7 - The Initiative

    S4:E7

    Spike finds himself targeted by a group of commandos after he escapes from a military lab underneath the Sunnydale campus.

    Director:James A. Contner
    Writer:Douglas Petrie

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  8. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4 Episode 8 - Pangs
    7.9/10(3962 votes)

    #8 - Pangs

    S4:E8

    On Thanksgiving, Buffy encounters the spirit of a Native American warrior whose people were wiped out by settlers.

    Director:Michael Lange
    Writer:Jane Espenson

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  9. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4 Episode 9 - Something Blue
    8.9/10(4623 votes)

    #9 - Something Blue

    S4:E9

    One of Willow's spells causes her statements to become reality, with consequences both entertaining and life-threatening.

    Director:Nick Marck
    Writer:Tracey Forbes

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  10. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4 Episode 10 - Hush
    9.7/10(9792 votes)

    #10 - Hush

    S4:E10

    When everyone in Sunnydale loses their voice, the Scooby Gang must silently solve the mystery of the monsters who stole their ability to speak.

    Director:Joss Whedon
    Writer:Joss Whedon

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  11. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4 Episode 11 - Doomed
    7.5/10(3605 votes)

    #11 - Doomed

    S4:E11

    While attempting to redefine her relationship with Riley, Buffy must also stop demons that are determined to reopen the Hellmouth.

    Director:James A. Contner
    Writers:David Fury, Jane Espenson, Marti Noxon

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  12. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4 Episode 12 - A New Man
    8.2/10(3795 votes)

    #12 - A New Man

    S4:E12

    Ethan Rayne returns to town and transforms Giles into a demon. Spike is the only one who can help.

    Director:Michael Gershman
    Writer:Jane Espenson

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  13. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4 Episode 13 - The I in Team
    7.3/10(3358 votes)

    #13 - The I in Team

    S4:E13

    Buffy teams with Riley after she is allowed access to the Initiative; Spike is targeted by commandos.

    Director:James A. Contner
    Writer:David Fury

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  14. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4 Episode 14 - Goodbye Iowa
    7.0/10(3431 votes)

    #14 - Goodbye Iowa

    S4:E14

    Tension erupts between Buffy and an ailing Riley as they pursue Professor Maggie Walsh's killer.

    Director:David Solomon
    Writer:Marti Noxon

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  15. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4 Episode 15 - This Year's Girl (1)
    8.3/10(3870 votes)

    #15 - This Year's Girl (1)

    S4:E15

    Faith awakens from her coma and seeks revenge against Buffy.

    Director:Michael Gershman
    Writer:Douglas Petrie

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  16. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4 Episode 16 - Who Are You? (2)
    8.9/10(4239 votes)

    #16 - Who Are You? (2)

    S4:E16

    Having switched bodies with Buffy, Faith enjoys freedom. Meanwhile, Buffy finds herself at the mercy of the Watcher's Council.

    Director:Joss Whedon
    Writer:Joss Whedon

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  17. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4 Episode 17 - Superstar
    7.2/10(4079 votes)

    #17 - Superstar

    S4:E17

    Buffy senses that something is amiss when Jonathan becomes a hero to everyone in Sunnydale.

    Director:David Grossman
    Writer:Jane Espenson

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  18. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4 Episode 18 - Where the Wild Things Are
    6.3/10(3909 votes)

    #18 - Where the Wild Things Are

    S4:E18

    Buffy and Riley's passionate lovemaking energizes supernatural elements inside a frat house.

    Director:David Solomon
    Writer:Tracey Forbes

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  19. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4 Episode 19 - New Moon Rising
    8.1/10(3668 votes)

    #19 - New Moon Rising

    S4:E19

    Oz's return to Sunnydale leads to his incarceration by the Initiative and complicates the relationship between Willow and Tara.

    Director:James A. Contner
    Writer:Marti Noxon

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  20. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4 Episode 20 - The Yoko Factor (1)
    7.9/10(3594 votes)

    #20 - The Yoko Factor (1)

    S4:E20

    After joining forces with Adam, Spike drives a wedge between Buffy and her friends. Meanwhile, Angel's return to Sunnydale leads to a violent confrontation with Riley.

    Director:David Grossman
    Writer:Douglas Petrie

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  21. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4 Episode 21 - Primeval (2)
    8.2/10(3695 votes)

    #21 - Primeval (2)

    S4:E21

    Having gained control of Riley's mind, Adam sets in motion his plot to create an army of unstoppable soldiers and destroy the Initiative.

    Director:James A. Contner
    Writer:David Fury

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  22. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4 Episode 22 - Restless
    8.6/10(5021 votes)

    #22 - Restless

    S4:E22

    Buffy, Willow, Xander, and Giles experience dreams in which they are pursued by a mysterious figure.

    Director:Joss Whedon
    Writer:Joss Whedon

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Season 4 Ratings Summary

"The Freshman" is the best rated episode of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" season 4. It scored 7.6/10 based on 3967 votes. Directed by Joss Whedon and written by Joss Whedon, it aired on 10/5/1999. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Living Conditions".