End of Days
RIP Miss Kitty Fantastico. Poor little mite.
Also: Of shiny beads and scrubbing bubbles.
The First made a mistake in imbuing Caleb with its presence. Caleb is full of the very human frailty that the First despises but also oddly enough seems to find enticing. He is afraid of Buffy, who turns up refreshed and restored to pull the axe out of the stone. As she turns up to save the Potentials from even more carnage I want to cheer.
Thank you, Potential whose name I don't know - it is an axe. Buffy calls it a scythe.
Must. Let. It. Go.
Big Questions: did the USA really have Jaffa Cakes?
How does Willow not know what a glottal stop is? It's how Dru pronounces "pretty", as in "moy pri''y Spoike".
Don't try the taser in the car thing at home. Ok that’s not a question.
This is: did Spike give Dawn driving lessons that summer Buffy was in her grave?
I'm relieved to see the gang working together again. But as I think I said before, the only way I can personally really reconcile their previous mutiny is if the First poisoned their minds gradually. (Fumes from the Hellmouth?). But that Spike, having gone through the wringer already, is now immune to its blandishments. But I'm not too sure that's what we were shown. Granted, the whole group has at time or another individually or maybe in pairs shown doubts before Empty Days. Oh well, we are I suspect meant to see that their longstanding bonds overcome their differences. Whatever the reason, I do feel myself that Buffy has indeed earned their loyalty over the years.
Moving on: Xander and Buffy together are lovely and touching. Xander’s worry that he can’t help is
now augmented a thousandfold. I do feel for him.
But that resurrection joke is a little bit too close to the bone for me. At least Buffy has now realised everyone needs a pep talk.
It's so funny seeing Anya slugging away at Giles' single malt - flash back to Entropy.
I love Buffy and Faith working out their differences. We now finally get to see that the Slayer really does feel alone, even surrounded by friends and family. So Spike was right after all?
Cue Spike - what I find really interesting about this scene is that Buffy comes down the stairs to meet him. Previously in The Gift and Afterlife she has stayed on the stairs so that we are reminded that Spike is beneath her and must look up to her. Now she descends and also offers him a heartfelt apology for ditching him in favour of the mission. Spike is grateful and understands her priorities.
The whole cold comfort/shirty/bonehead/carrot top exchange is incredibly funny, touching and gut-twisting for me. It's also candle-lit, the first time since AYW we have seen a conventionally romantically lit scene for these two. Last time it ended badly. Now they try to work out what their "thing" is but Spike agrees to put off matters of the heart until after the battle. I hear something that sounds suspiciously like a love theme playing, as it also did in Touched. Spike's face shuts down when Buffy asks if it has to mean anything but he still has her back.
I agree with Andrew - Anya was the perfect woman. I forgive her for her rant at Buffy with her gorgeous little discourse on humanity. And the wheelchair fight looks like fun.
Both the former and the current demons want to pretend they aren't connected to humanity. They both threaten Andrew to keep him quiet about their embarrassing secret.
Ok, once upon a time Buffy would have rolled her eyes at the Guardian, who reminds me of the sisterhood in The Brain of Morbius - classic Dr Who. I’ve seen a better Deus ex machina on a 99 cone.
Angel shows up, thank goodness, before Buffy gets wiped out.
Yes, Angel, Buffy is indeed glad to see you. I'm not at all surprised that they kiss and embrace - her feelings for Angel have always been shown to be uncomplicated, free from the ambivalence she has, until comparatively recently, displayed towards Spike. (Apart from that brief moment in Lie To Me when she tells Angel that she loves him but doesn't trust him). And aside from the relief that he has saved her, we have seen this season that he is very much on her mind. So it's an emotional reunion.
But I don't buy for one nanosecond that Spike is going to turn evil. Not much of a cliffhanger.
Chosen
"I wanna see how it ends."
And so here we are, at last the last ever onscreen episode of Buffy. Sure to be a tearjerker.
Buffy gazes soulfully (sorry no bad joke intended) into Angel's eyes. Then she snaps into brisk business mode. Nonetheless she is worried for his sake and urges him to get the heck out of Dodge.
I have to say, I think Angel seems awfully chipper for someone who has just mind-wiped his whole crew and taken over an evil law firm. I know he did it to save Connor but it seems a very high price to pay. I suppose he is relieved that his son isn't tormented by all the crap Jasmine put them all through. And all the other bad stuff that went before, too. Ah well, answers will be forthcoming at some point, just not here. And where does Jasmine, or for that matter, do the Senior Partners, stand in relation to the First Evil? Can’t remember if we get this clarified.
Angel is here with something else to help in the fight but Caleb gets up again and hits him before we get the lowdown. Ouch.
Buffy's little "he had to split" snigger was not funny for me, it felt yucky.
Purifying, cleansing powers. Hmm.
Yay, Angel! It is an axe. Thank you! Ok, I really will let it go now.
I didn't expect any clarity from Buffy about her actual feelings for Spike, especially not here and now. Not on the eve of battle and certainly not in front of her first love. However, she makes the astonishing admission to Angel that Spike is "in her heart". Angel hears only part of what she says about Spike's soul and her feelings for his grandson(?).
But really, while Buffy is contemplating her emotional development, couldn't Joss have come up with something better than the cookie-dough analogy? (Even if I do have a very amusing flashback to Something Blue.)
The two say farewell. It is rather sweet. Buffy says she does think that far ahead, but she can't guarantee anything. Angel says he'll take what he can get. Bless you, Angel cakes, you may not be getting any older, or more mature, but Buffy is going to be baking. Still, who knows what the future holds? Certainly not I.
I so love Anya standing protectively behind Xander and stroking his hair.
Having seen Spike's sketches on his Buffy shrine and further back in S2 Angel's pictures of Joyce and Buffy, I do wonder how the famed Aurelian talent for drawing has now deserted Spike.
He again does his best to hide his hurt feelings - he does that a lot now, he never used to bother - and I was pleased to see that oddly enough Buffy is keen to reassure him. Even if I find that peek into her fantasy world a bit unnecessary. Not to mention Spike's. So funny that Spike wants to have a smoke. He's clearly tense.
Spike knows the amulet is dangerous but volunteers to wear it. The moment Buffy gives it to him we focus on their hands. The lady has given her knight her favour. The knight knows he goes to his death.
"I've been called a lot of things in my time." Yeah, I think I've called you a lot of them, myself, dearie.
Spike has no pride where the love of his unlife is concerned. It's good to see that Buffy is tentative with him and relieved that he actually still doesn't mind being the rubber ball. Emotionally speaking. Argh! Sometimes I shouldn't say words.
Buffy looks protectively towards Spike when First Caleb mentions him. She is actually afraid the First will mess with him again.
Spike's drowning in footwear dream I think is connected to Buffy's wicked shoe craving later on. I just don't know how. Or it’s a misdirect to see if I’m paying attention.
I'm irritated that Willow is still having control issues. You can do this, girl. Willow saying Buffy is not that bright? Take that back, Will.
Faith and Wood's exchange is an interlude I could have done without, except I found Wood's reference to isolationist Slayer crap interesting - looks like he has taken on board Spike's lesson except with a dash of understandable bitterness. However, it would be nice to think he and Faith could be good together.
Giles having to contact the dead for intel is very funny. I feel sad that I can't be absolutely sure he and Buffy have made up, but his pride in her speaks volumes to their bond and love.
The D&D game is adorable. Xander is so affectionate with Anya. Why on earth did these two never get married? I don't understand.
We don't find out what Buffy has planned until nearer the end, but it seems the (sigh) scythe - clearly I need therapy for this - has mystical properties. We catch a glimpse of another inspirational speech but this time everyone is rapt with attention.
Buffy stands on her back porch gazing out thoughtfully. It's the last night before the big fight. We next see Spike holding the amulet, contemplating his own destruction. We hear Buffy's footsteps before we see her. She and Spike stand at opposite ends of the cellar. Cue fade out.
They play checkers. I'm convinced of it.
Next morning everyone takes the school bus to face the Apocalypse, which is very funny. Xander's warning to everyone to go to the bathroom first is very endearing. He's become very good at planning over the years and he is still in dad frame of mind to the Potentials. Wood has one final stab at being a principal. That's funny too.
Giles and Wood will fight together and I love Dawn's little speech to Buffy. Anya and Andrew make a lovely team and I wish they could both survive.
Finally we are left with the original four. They may never see each other again, and I love Giles' reference to when they all first got together. They part affectionately.
Everyone except Spike opens their veins and descends into the cavern.
Oh, Spike, you are so vain. As Faith says, does it really matter that you look like Liz Taylor? As I recall, she had nothing but the very best. So stop grumbling. You'll find out soon enough what happens.
Buffy is worried. Rona is funny. Spike is scared.
We see Buffy talking again the previous day and find out that Willow is going to release the power of the scythe - I still hesitate - to empower Slayers the world over. We see a montage of girls and young women around the world suddenly acquiring this supernatural strength and Vi in particular has a wonderful personality transformation. Willow is white-haired, channeling the white magic. That was nifty is classic Willow and for once doesn't jar.
But the fight doesn't go well. Amanda dies, as does Chao-An. Buffy is wounded and I love the look of concern on Faith's face as she takes the weapon from Buffy.
But Buffy tells the First to get lost as it tries to demoralise her one last time. At that point Spike realises the amulet is working as well.
Upstairs Dawn is kicking Mega Vamp arse. It's great stuff. But I'm horrified to see Anya spliced.
Spike is pinned against the cavern wall as he starts to channel the sunlight and thank goodness Willow manages to roll out of the way in the office. Faith leads everyone out as the vamps start to dust and the cavern quakes.
Buffy tries to persuade Spike to leave, but he needs to stay and do the clean up. Buffy hesitates when she sees he is adamant, then takes his right hand. As they clasp hands, there is clearly some sort of mystical bond as the flames form.
And so finally the prophecy of the princess seer Cassandra, whose utterances were doomed never to be believed, comes about. Buffy finally delivers the three little words that Spike has been longing to hear for ages. But his reply is almost identical to hers in Dead Things, except that he is grateful for her saying it. He orders her to go. I have to say, I do love it that they have both now said "I love you." "No you don't" to each other. It feels right.
Spike has never been afraid of the battle and now he is consumed by the flame. The cavern collapses, the earth trembles and like Mylie I feel tense as I think Buffy might not make it out.
It's a really nail biting run but she makes it to the top of the bus with Dawn looking out for her. The town disappears into a massive chasm.
I love Vi taking charge and Faith being in control. And Andrew being devastated.
Finally they screech to a halt. Dawn and Buffy hug, which is lovely to see. Giles is baffled. Buffy tells him Spike did this. Well, more accurately her last words are "I love you, Spike." Does she mean it? Who knows? Does she even know? I'd like to think she doesn't just say it out of pity for a dying man.
I suppose it seems odd that in a show supposedly about female empowerment, it is a man wielding an amulet who buries the villain. But I think it's not as straightforward as that. For one thing, Spike to me has always seemed to personify more traditionally female traits, and his inspiration is drawn from love of a woman. That's a gross oversimplification as well, but gentle reader I sense you are asleep. I will spare the thematic ramble for another occasion. I'll just say I find it powerful stuff.
So all over the world Slayers are waking up. Trust Giles to pour cold water. The Welcome to Sunnydale sign topples over one last time. Thanks, Spike!
Buffy has the world at her feet. What will she do now?
Anyway that is it. It's really over. Someone pass me a hanky.
[automerge]1521889436[/automerge]
TriBel, you are right - my mind certainly didn't cope with that abstract concept. I didn't think in those terms, I actually thought Shanshu/sand shoes? That doesn't make sense, but your explanation does.
I feel like a bit of a twit posting these additional comments after the full reviews, but after I posted I realised I forgot to include something in Touched which might just might explain the mutiny and Buffy's utter demoralisation in Empty Places and Touched. Remember when Spike finds Buffy in Touched and says how the town really has been taken over, as he can enter the house without an invitation? What if the exodus of the townspeople could be explained by the outpouring of bad vibes from the First increasing in strength? After all, we do find out in S2 that Sunnydale has an inordinate number of churches. Maybe I'm being too fanciful here, stretching a tenuous point to breaking? It's just there doesn't seem to be any overt sign of an impending apocalypse compared to previous seasons and nobody left then.
Also re scythe/axe - ok, I really will stop yammering about this now, I promise. It's the running gag about Buffy getting names wrong all the time, isn't it. Except the wrong name sticks. Can't believe I didn't grasp that before now.
Ok, leaving quietly. But I'd like to know what anyone else thinks about the Hellmouth vibe. Including whether I'm grasping at straws!
Thank you for reading my summaries and your kind comments. I do so appreciate feedback.
Xx