1x01 Welcome to the Hellmouth (1) - Buffy the Vampire Slayer Episode Guide

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

- Episode 01x01

Episode: 01x01 (pilot)
Title: Welcome to the Hellmouth (1)
Type: Regular Episode
Production Code: 4V01
First Aired: Mar. 10, 1997

Season 1 » Episode #01 - Welcome to the Hellmouth (1)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer - 01x01 Welcome to the Hellmouth (1)

Summary: A young vampire Slayer, Buffy Summers, has left her home in L.A. and has moved to Sunnydale, the home of the Hellmouth. Buffy, now at a new high school, is trying for a fresh start at a normal life. She is not the least bit thrilled when she finds out that the new librarian, Rupert Giles, was sent to Sunnydale as her Watcher and wants her to resume her Slayer duties. He explains to her that the city is located directly above the mouth of Hell, and he warns her of all the dangers she must face. Buffy, though, wants to be no part of this. She later meets a mysterious stranger named Angel, who reiterates everything Giles has told her and warns her of the impending vampire ritual known as the Harvest. Meanwhile, Buffy's new friends, Xander and Willow, find themselves in grave danger when they get involved with vampires.

Watch Episode Videos

01x01 Welcome to the Hellmouth (43:27) (Full Episode)

Clip: Because You Are the Slayer (3:09)

Clip: You're Strong. I'm Stronger. (2:01)

Who appeared in this episode?

Guest Stars:

The Master	played by Mark Metcalf
Luke	played by Brian Thompson
Principal Bob Flutie	played by Ken Lerner
Darla	played by Julie Benz
Thomas	played by J. Patrick Lawlor
Jesse	played by Eric Balfour
Teacher	played by Natalie Strauss
Boy	played by Carmine Giovinazzo
Aphrodesia	played by Amy Chance (II)

	Season 1 / Episode 1: - Welcome to the Hellmouth (1) Willow Rosenberg: When I'm with a boy I like, it's hard for me to say anything cool, or-or witty - or at all. I-I can usually make a few vowel sounds, and then I have to go away.
	Season 1 / Episode 1: - Welcome to the Hellmouth (1) Buffy: So, you like to party with the students? Isn't that kind of skanky? Giles: [witheringly] Oh, right. This is me having fun. Watching clown hair prance about is hardly my idea of a party. I'd much rather be home with a cup Bovril and a good book. Buffy: You need a personality, STAT.

[More Quotes]

MISTAKES/GOOFS

PLOT: Buffy is never told what the cover charge is to get into the Bronze and has never been there before, but somehow she gives the bouncer the correct amount and just walks in the club.
CHAR: In the first classroom scene when Buffy doesn't have her own textbook, she shares Cordelia's. The teacher asks them open to page 63, but Cordelia opens the book almost at the beginning.

TRIVIA

Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy) originally auditioned for the part of Cordelia Chase and Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia), auditioned for the part of Buffy. Julie Benz also tried for the part of Buffy but eventually landed the role of Darla. Mercedes McNab (Harmony, one of Cordelia's group), auditioned for the part of Buffy as well.
The scene where Jesse asks Cordelia to dance is actually from Joss Whedon's school experience. Though in answer to the girl's reaction "With you?" he said nothing and left unlike Jesse.
The Master has a name which goes unused on the show but was mentioned in the script: Heinrich Joseph Nest.
"Mutant Enemy", Joss Whedon's production company, was the name he gave to his first typewriter when he was 15. The logo was created in 20 minutes when he was told he had to have one
SPOILER: Joss Whedon has said that originally he wanted to include Eric Balfour (Jesse) in the opening credits for this episode, to trick viewers into thinking that he is a regular character, only to shock them by having him killed. This idea was eventually deemed too time-consuming (having to develop alternative opening credits for use with just this one episode) and was dropped.