“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” seems set to rise from the grave, with Sarah Michelle Gellar reportedly set to return as her iconic character. That is nice information for everybody who grew up watching the unique sequence within the late ’90s and early 2000s, however the revival in all probability will not arrive for some time but, and meaning having to attend impatiently. Nonetheless, what if we informed you that there is an superior present that is much like “Buffy” and flew beneath the radar on the time of its launch? That present exists and it is referred to as “Reaper,” and it deserves to be exhumed so it could possibly lastly achieve the appreciation it deserves.
Created by Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters — who Marvel followers will know for his or her work on “Agent Carter — The CW’s “Reaper” started life as a spec script for an episode of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” Nonetheless, after being impressed by Edgar Wright’s “Shaun of the Useless,” the writers determined to create a comedy-horror challenge a couple of slacker referred to as Sam Oliver (Bret Harrison), whose mother and father bought his soul to the Satan (Ray Smart) when he was conceived. Thus begins a recreation of tug-of-war for our hero’s soul whereas he contends with the literal forces of Hell.
“Reaper” and “Buffy” share many similarities, whereas nonetheless retaining their very own distinct hallmarks that make them distinctive. Preserving that in thoughts, let’s focus on why “Buffy” followers ought to try this forgotten gem.
Reaper Is Buffy for Slackers
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” boasts a rogue’s gallery of monsters, however the sequence is a coming-of-age story concerning the trials and tribulations of highschool and early maturity. “Reaper” additionally makes use of fantastical ideas as a prism for exploring existential angst, solely the heroes are aimless millennials looking for their function. After we meet Sam, he is nonetheless residing at house, and he spends his days working in a ironmongery store, goofing round along with his buddies Sock (Tyler Labine), Ben (Rick Gonzalez), and love curiosity, Andi (Missy Peregrym).
In fact, Sam’s life modifications when the Satan instantly seems in his automobile mid-drive and divulges that he owns his soul. From that second on, Sam is compelled to spherical up the underworld’s escaped souls and ship them again by way of a portal on Earth, which is situated within the Division of Motor Automobiles and overseen by a cranky demon named Gladys (Christine Willes). There’s additionally a big selection of creatures, starting from blob monsters to dudes with weapons for palms, which Sam and his buddies should defeat utilizing uncommon objects given to him by the Satan, resembling toy vehicles.Â
Like “Buffy” earlier than it, “Reaper” can also be filled with unconventional romances. Buffy Summers crushes on vampires, whereas the aforementioned Ben falls in love with a winged demon referred to as Nina (Jenny Wade) after she tries to kill Sam. Sock, in the meantime, has a fling along with his half-sister, which is arguably extra questionable than human/demon relations. “Reaper” is sillier than “Buffy,” however it’s clear that the enduring ’90s sequence was a serious affect. Sadly, it was canceled after two seasons, with the present ending on one almighty cliffhanger.
Reaper was canceled after two seasons
With out getting too closely into spoiler territory, “Reaper” ends with Sam nearly getting out of his settlement with the Satan, just for considered one of his allies to unexpectedly present up and ensure that the Father of Lies retains possession of his soul. The ending arrange a wealth of attention-grabbing potentialities for the deliberate third season, however The CW canceled the present in favor of shifting most of its assets to weekday programming, and “Reaper” simply so occurred to be caught in a Sunday evening timeslot. The remaining is historical past.
At one level, there have been plans to proceed the story as a comic book or cartoon sequence, however these concepts by no means materialized. Tyler Labine and Bret Harrison revived their characters within the “Outdated Mates,” episode of “Kevin (In all probability) Saves the World,” one other fantasy-comedy sequence that was canceled shortly after it started. Nonetheless, the reunion was a enjoyable strategy to give the characters a send-off, even when it wasn’t within the sequence that birthed them.
By all means, watch “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel” once more forward of the previous present’s comeback, however do not skip out on “Reaper.” It is an entertaining present that hangs out within the wheelhouse as these classics, albeit with extra humor and wackiness. “Reaper” won’t find yourself getting the revival it deserves, however extra folks discovering that it exists could be a victory in its personal proper.