" Killed by Death " (Season 2, Episode 18) is a horror-heavy installment of Buffy the Vampire Slayer that explores deep-seated childhood trauma while dealing with the immediate threat of a demonic serial killer. Although often labeled as "filler" by critics, it is notable for introducing one of the series' most viscerally terrifying monsters, . Narrative Summary
"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Killed by Death (TV Episode 1998) "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Killed by Death(1998)
Buffy is hospitalized with a severe case of the flu, an environment she inherently fears due to witnessing her cousin Celia’s death in a hospital when she was eight. While feverish, she discovers Der Kindestod, a demon invisible to healthy adults that preys on sick children by sitting on their chests and sucking out their life force. To defeat it, Buffy must intentionally re-infect herself with the virus to maintain the "fever-sight" required to see and fight the creature. Critical Analysis & Themes " Killed by Death " (Season 2, Episode