Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 4

    The 22 episodes that make up season 4 are much like the episodes from the previous seasons as far as the action and the emotional development of the characters but there is something lacking this time around.  The departure of the Oz character early in the season leaves a huge hole to fill in the emotional landscape that never really gets filled.  The additions of Spike and Anya to the full time cast are great and the two characters are given room to manoeuvre in order to become series regulars.  The main issue with this season is that once again the main villain is too preachy and not really very menacing.  The whole "Initiative" story is rather boring and only serves the purpose of creating another character for Buffy to become romantically involved with while allowing her to once again feel betrayed.  The Riley character is not developed well enough and is not as good at brooding as Angel.  The addition of Tara as Willow's new love interest is handled rather well and provides a great opportunity for her character arc in later seasons.  All this being said the season is still pretty damn good with some fantastic episodes including the amazing and creepy "Hush" which might well be one of the best episodes of all time.  The season ends on a rather strange note as the villain is defeated in episode 21 and the following final episode, that would have been better utilised as the first episode of season 5, leaves you wondering where the series is planning on going.  Well worth watching for fans despite a clear sense that the writers were struggling with the direction of the show.