As to the Buffyverse -- I am watching BtVS S2 for the very *first* time.

Oh, I'm almost envying you. And you'll see, this is when it's about to get really good. Season one was so-so, in season two it's starting to come together. Three is one of my favourites seasons of Buffy. And of course after that there's AtS which is an even better show imho.