I just finished Season 5

[OFAWB]

What is wrong with me? I'm literally weeping as I type this. Even having a general idea of what's going to happen after "The Gift", I cannot take it. This is too emotional for me. It's like every emotion and thought and idea I've ever experienced while watching BTVS is now manifested through my tears.

The foreshadowing that led to this climax, the dozens of little surprises that happen within the episode, the raw dialogue of the characters...It all blew me away, and I don't know when I can resume. A significant break might be needed before I start watching Season 6.

Still weeping. I can't believe the impact that this episode - this series - has had on me. I can't type anymore right now. Goodnight.

 

[Spikefan31]

"The Gift" is truly a great episode. At least you know that there is a season 6 and 7. Season 6 gets pretty heavy, but it's one of my favourites. 🙂

 

[Black Eye Guy]

Yeah the Gift is one of the best episodes, first time it happened I knew she would die and knew she'd be coming back for season 6, in those days there were spoiler hotlines you could ring and you'd get a recording of a bunch of spoilery news, but it was still just as shocking.

 

[bentjazz]

OFAWB,

Indeed, "The Gift" is truly a great episode. Some of us think BtVS should have stopped at Season 5 and this episode, instead of Joss Whedon milking the series for all it was worth. But you see, some of us also think the obvious greed of the last two seasons backfired, because, in my estimation, it's all downhill from the 5th season onward. Season 6 and 7 are mired with writing catastrophe, one after another. Particularly the 7th season. It's heartbreaking, really. But hey, that's just my opinion. You might feel differently once you watch the last two seasons, but objectively speaking, I don't see how anyone can rate them well in contradistinction with the wonder and awe of the first 5 seasons.....

 

[Blaze]

OFAWB,

Indeed, "The Gift" is truly a great episode. Some of us think BtVS should have stopped at Season 5 and this episode, instead of Joss Whedon milking the series for all it was worth. But you see, some of us also think the obvious greed of the last two seasons backfired, because, in my estimation, it's all downhill from the 5th season onward. Season 6 and 7 are mired with writing catastrophe, one after another. Particularly the 7th season. It's heartbreaking, really. But hey, that's just my opinion. You might feel differently once you watch the last two seasons, but objectively speaking, I don't see how anyone can rate them well in contradistinction with the wonder and awe of the first 5 seasons.....

This is all subjective 😉 s6 is my favorite!

And to OFAWB, hang in there girl, might be a sad ending but you just saw what is probably the best pseudo series finale I've ever seen in any show. I wish I could go back and watch it for the first time. Aww I'm feeling nostalgic.

 

[Hale Caesar]

I love season 6, it's one of my favorite seasons, most fans either like it or hate it, but it goes in a a different direction that I felt was best for the show

 

[OFAWB]

Now that I've slept, woken up, responded to some (not all) PMs, and had lunch with some fellow Buffy fans, I can talk about it some more. It's not just that the ending was sad. It's that it was INTENSE. This season is the season that made me feel sympathy for Buffy's character. Before that, I didn't really identify with her. I admired her strength, to be sure, but I often disliked her behavior or disagreed with her course of action. Season 5, though, really helped me understand her better and like her a lot more.

I found myself crying at so many things:

Willow restoring Tara and the aftermath of that.
Spike being re-invited into the Summers home and being glad that Buffy treated him "like a man".
Giles telling Ben that Buffy was a hero, unlike him (and me realizing that he was going to kill Ben, which I found strangely awesome).
Xander proposing to Anya.
The incorporation of the Dagon Sphere, the Buffybot, the hammer, and Buffy's blood...all of which had been introduced in earlier episodes.
Everyone - but Spike in particular - crying at the sight of Buffy's lifeless body.
The flashbacks that went all the way back to the beginning of the series.

It was just all really, really powerful. Thanks for letting me share this, and for not thinking I'm insane for crying about it!

 

[Spikefan31]

@OFAWB agrees: I hear that some people refer to it as "Season Sex". I think I'll wait a week or two before I start watching again.

I've never actually heard it referred to as that. 😀 But I guess it's fitting 😀