I'm sorry to report that I had "no interest" in Buffy because it was a "high school" show. Shows what I know, right? I can't imagine Firefly making much sense without the pilot. It does the basic world-building and introduces the characters.

After Joss, most television seems thoughtless and flat. I think that's a great description: he writes characters. I get the vivid and real thing; after mainlining Buffy, it would surprise me to remember there wasn't a Slayer. I love his work!

I liked Angel/Cordelia, too, and that surprised me because I thought I was hooked on Buffy/Angel. Yup, it's Joss and his writing.