Buffy and Riley feel so real and I’ve always really enjoyed that about his introduction!
I understand anything pro-Riley can be considered a hot take, but I will often start my (millionth) rewatch in random spots and this time I started in season 4. I think the transition to the college years is actually quite well done, and the Buffy/Riley romance feels like an actual connection between two people. I watched Buffy for the first time as an adult so Angel/Buffy didn’t have quite the same pull on me as it might have had had I watched it for the first time as an angsty teen—I’m not quite as into the broody, long looks across the room, romantic vibe—but I like the awkwardness and affection between Buffy and Riley in season 4. Their early romance feels authentic and cute (Riley’s speech about her wanting to “stay down in the darkness” notwithstanding…I hate that speech), and I think it’s all enhanced by the fact that Marc Blucas was a little baby actor himself when he got cast in the show. You can really feel his earnestness and it suits the role!
Bring on the naysayers 😅—I also understand the Riley dislike to some degree, especially in season 5—but their early romance has only grown on me with more time and rewatches.