Such an emotional episode. I admit I cried.
For me (confirmed Spuffy obvs so admittedly biased) the Bangel scenes were such a throw back to early seasons. Here's Angel offering to help, giving her an amulet but not knowing too much about it. Their relationship was always dramatic, and we revisit this with Buffy saying 'What was the highlight of our relationship? When you broke up with me or when I killed you?'
I like that she admits Spike is in her heart, but I also understand why she gives the 'cookie dough' speech. Angel was her first love, they went through so much together and she will always love him, but she talks about 'when I'm done' 'years, if ever', so I'm not worried they'll ever get back together. It also annoys met that Angel says 'I'm not getting any older', but he can't spare any of the years he has to devote to his son ( just a pet peeve of mine)
We've seen Spike with The First, and are meant to think he's going to start trouble, maybe fight either Angel or Buffy because he's so angry and hurt and that's what he would have done pre-soul. But he shows his growth and maturity by doing neither, and Buffy proudly gives him the 'champions' amulet. There is no melodrama here, like all their previous scenes, there's a level of maturity and togetherness than marks them as a couple and can be seen when Buffy touches his face.
I love when Buffy tells the scoobies her plan and Willow is so much like her S1 self, with no confidence, and Dawn references S1 with 'watcher junior to the library'. Giles and Buffy make up in this scene, and it's so easy and simple;
GILES
(sitting by the window) It's a lot more than that. (stands) Buffy, what you said, it—it flies in the face of everything we've ever—every generation has ever done in the fight against evil. (smiles) I think it's bloody brilliant.
BUFFY
You mean that?
GILES
If you want my opinion.
BUFFY
I really do.
This plan is what this whole show has been about, it's about making the choice to be empowered. To face your fears and make yourself strong. We see it with Willow, discussing her fears with Kennedy, but when she finally chooses to be strong and use the powers she has, she becomes a Goddess. We see it with Faith in her discussion with Robin, she has objectified herself, seeing herself as only wanted for sex.
The build up to the final battle has a lovely poignancy. Buffy stands alone on the front steps, looking outwards. Spike is starting at the amulet, looking inwards, and then they stand together in the basement, looking at each other. They don't have to speak or touch, they just understand and know.
I have to admit I cried at the final battle. I loved the original four together, and 'The earth is definitely doomed'. I loved that Andrew has a motorbike on his t-shirt (I'm reading as a reference to Spike). The tears started with Dawn's 'anything you say is gong to sound like goodbye'.
The women opening the seal seemed to reference so much; that women bleed, that it's always all about the blood and that blood is life and gives you strength. I love that it is the thought of bunnies that gives Anya her strength, that it doesn't matter what it is that makes you strong, but that you find it.
Tears were falling when it appears that they are losing the battle. Buffy falls, Anya is sliced in half and Robin is wounded. It's now that the First appears to Buffy, and taunts her, sounding like a child and telling her she is mortally wounded. Buffy is not a child anymore and she's died twice, so no little knife wound is going to keep her down! This is the turnaround, and this is when we know the battle is won, and I've always loved Buffy, but I don't think I've ever loved her more than at this moment.
The amulet begins to burn. I firmly believe that the Slayers and Willow could have defeated the Turok Han, and therefore the First, without the amulet. They are incredibly strong (Willow is arguably stronger than The First anyway), so the amulet is simply to close the Hellmouth, not to win the battle.
As he burns, Spike believes he can feel his soul. This is his redemption. Buffy and Spike clasp hands and Spike's face softens. Buffy says, calmly, that she loves him, while her hand is burning. Spike doesn't believe her. He's moved beyond Buffy here and it's no longer about her (which is why he doesn't tell her he loves her). He's realised the getting of a soul doesn't make you worthy, it is only in how you use it. While she is still there he is tempted to leave with her, so he pushes her away. He makes the choice between being with Buffy and sacrificing himself, and this is when he is redeemed and becomes a champion.
Buffy is the last to leave the Hellmouth, as it should be. She runs above it, as she has done figuratively for 7 season. She leaps onto the bus outta town. She looks down an empty open road, clear of any obstacles to her future. The Sunnydale sign falls into the crater that was once her town. Buffy's final word is 'Spike' *sigh and she smiles.