Let us go over that last scene of season seven's finale´...

[Ayko]

Let us go over that last scene of season seven's finale´...

Faith: Looks like The Hellmouth is officially closed for business.

Giles: There is another in Cleveland...not to spoil the moment.

Xander: We saved the world.

Willow: We changed the world. I can feel them Buffy, all over, Slayers are awakening everywhere.

Dawn: We'll have to find them.

Willow: We will.

Giles: Yes, because the mall was in Sunnydale, so, there's no hope of going there tomorrow.

Dawn: We destroyed the mall? I fought on the wrong side.

Xander: All those shops gone?! The Gap, Starbucks, Toys 'R' Us... Who will remember all those landmarks unless we tell the world of them?!

Giles: We have a lot of work ahead of us.

Faith: Can I push him in?

Willow: You've got my vote.

Faith: I just wanna' sleep, yo, for like a week.

Dawn: I guess we all could if we wanted to.

Willow: Yeah, The First is scrunched, so... what do you think we should do, Buffy?

Dawn: Yeah, Buffy, what are we gonna' do now?

Buffy remains silent as the picture zooms in on her forming a smile...

OMG, sounds like all of them have totally lost it!!! The Scoobies just destroyed Sunnydale with a population of over 30,000 civilians with souls and are now destitute without a home and without any belongings and no place to go with the added Potentials, etc.

Faith: Looks like The Hellmouth is officially closed for business. (The business was in L.A. Wolfram & Hart, plus...)

Giles: There is another in Cleveland...not to spoil the moment. (Well put but, does anyone hear him?)

Xander: We saved the world. (No you haven't but you did wipe out 30,000+ with a world still needing saving. Maybe next time?)

Willow: We changed the world. I can feel them Buffy, all over, Slayers are awakening everywhere. (Then why did none of them in such multitudes do anything to help Angel or anyone else over the next year, at least during the Angel series?!)

Dawn: We'll have to find them. (Dawn's job defining the next mission goals?!)

Willow: We will. (The new second in command?!)

Giles: Yes, because the mall was in Sunnydale, so, there's no hope of going there tomorrow. (Do I need to continue?!)

Dawn: We destroyed the mall? I fought on the wrong side. (ditto!)

Xander: All those shops gone?! The Gap, Starbucks, Toys 'R' Us... Who will remember all those landmarks unless we tell the world of them?! (We already know Xander does not acknowledge the civilian loss that was always strict taboo in the Buffyverse!)

Giles: We have a lot of work ahead of us. (Back to reality?)

Faith: Can I push him in?

Willow: You've got my vote. (How wonderful of them to be so friendly and agreeing, those two?!)

Faith: I just wanna' sleep, yo, for like a week.

Dawn: I guess we all could if we wanted to. (A-typical conversation in such a situation?!)

Willow: Yeah, The First is scrunched, so... what do you think we should do, Buffy? (Did somebody notice Buffy?)

Dawn: Yeah, Buffy, what are we gonna' do now? (sister second, but did)

Buffy remains silent as the picture zooms in on her forming a smile... (Is she The First foolibng everyone or is she, as Joss Whedon says in the DVD commentary, finally ready to be a normal girl or lady with a normal life and no more 'Slayer responsibility' and homeless and destitute with the Scoobies and 'cavalry'?!

I have my own theories and answers but, before I share them, I was hoping for some responses of my (perhaps exaggerated or not???) analysis... Do any of the other offshoot stories deal with these issues? Comments are appreciated 🙂

 

[DeadlyDuo]

All the residents of Sunnydale had vacated the town by the time of Chosen (hopefully the animals in the zoo were shipped out too). Xander mentioning Toys 'R' Us becomes funny in hindsight now that Toys 'R' Us is literally gone from the high streets of the world now.

As for the hellmouth in Cleaveland and why it was never a worry before now, my theory is that it's still using the original canon of what the hellmouth was supposed to be (a weak point between different dimensions) rather than what it became (a large cavern underground filled with turok han). Most of the stuff happened in Sunnydale because that was the big gaping wound where everything could escape to earth; when that closed, Cleaveland became the next point of exit.

 

[thetopher]

They all likely thought that they and their loved ones were going to die in battle, but most of them made it through. They saved the world- by stopping The First's army and smooshing the Hellmouth- and so now they are wearily, happily basking, for the most part, because it could've been so much worst.

I never saw anything wrong with the final scene, basking in victory and making light of things after scary, near death was quite common on the show.

 

[Angel6]

SMG really should’ve dropped by on Angel in Season 5. But she didn’t want to because she was done with Buffy and trying to branch into film. I’m sure in hindsight she would have done it.

 

[TriBel]

@Ayko (sorry about the bold type. I'm not shouting - just trying to differentiate between your responses and mine) 🙂

Faith: Looks like The Hellmouth is officially closed for business. (The business was in L.A. Wolfram & Hart, plus...). Not really. One could argue that W&H was a Corporate H.Q. and the SD Hellmouth was simply a local branch of a business they owned.

Giles: There is another in Cleveland...not to spoil the moment. (Well put but, does anyone hear him?) TBH, it's not a very constructive remark because tomorrow isn't going to be like yesterday. Space remains stable (Cleveland is still Cleveland) but time (history) has changed. They're in what I think is Jetztzeit (as I understand it, "the time of the now") quite literally, "in the moment".

Xander: We saved the world. (No you haven't but you did wipe out 30,000+ with a world still needing saving. Maybe next time?) a) we see a lot of the population leaving in Empty Places. I presume that the people we see leaving are a synecdoche for the whole of the population. So SD is one of THE Empty Places. b) In Touched we're told "the people from the power company have got the hell out of Sunnydale". I imagine that in a crisis situation, energy companies are among the last to leave.

Willow: We changed the world. I can feel them Buffy, all over, Slayers are awakening everywhere. (Then why did none of them in such multitudes do anything to help Angel or anyone else over the next year, at least during the Angel series?!) I think the story is that Giles doesn't trust Angel.

Dawn: We'll have to find them. (Dawn's job defining the next mission goals?!) And...?

Willow: We will. (The new second in command?!) And...?

Giles: Yes, because the mall was in Sunnydale, so, there's no hope of going there tomorrow. (Do I need to continue?!) Sarcasm?

Dawn: We destroyed the mall? I fought on the wrong side. (ditto!) ditto - Sarcasm? Sarcasm is a form of irony. It relies on language having the capacity to say one thing and convey the opposite meaning. It's only possible because of a gap between signifier and signifed. The instability of language is a major theme of S7.

Xander: All those shops gone?! The Gap, Starbucks, Toys 'R' Us... Who will remember all those landmarks unless we tell the world of them?! (We already know Xander does not acknowledge the civilian loss that was always strict taboo in the Buffyverse!) I think this is meant to be a comment on the ubiquity of Global Capitalism/Consumerism. I imagine Global Capitalism's been the source of far greater damage to populations and the environment then the damage we see in SD. Juxtapose this comment with Faith's "Looks like The Hellmouth is officially closed for business". Don't you think there's a parallel? Look at @DeadlyDuo's response. Toys 'R' Us HAS gone, possibly ruining the lives of some of its employees - not because of an apocalypse but because it wasn't making enough money.

Giles: We have a lot of work ahead of us. (Back to reality?) Possibly not - possibly back to a multitude of realities. I don't think the idea of a single reality has been feasible since the beginning of S6 (possibly since Life Serial where, coincidentally, there's a class on "The Social Construction of Reality"). Buffy's reality has been changed - blasted out of the continuum. That's probably why there's a void in front of her. I'm fairly sure it's why she says nothing.

Faith: Can I push him in?

Willow: You've got my vote. (How wonderful of them to be so friendly and agreeing, those two?!) And...?

Faith: I just wanna' sleep, yo, for like a week.

Dawn: I guess we all could if we wanted to. (A-typical conversation in such a situation?!) The episode's called Chosen. Dawn's making the point they (or just Buffy) have a choice.

Willow: Yeah, The First is scrunched, so... what do you think we should do, Buffy? (Did somebody notice Buffy?) But isn't that (in part) what she wanted to be - not noticed? To share the weight of the world - to be one among many rather than a singularity? If you're the same as a group why should you stand out in the group?

Dawn: Yeah, Buffy, what are we gonna' do now? (sister second, but did) See above. Could it be making the point that her leadership skills are not because she's THE Slayer but are an intrinsic part of Buffy herself?

Buffy remains silent as the picture zooms in on her forming a smile... (Is she The First foolibng everyone or is she, as Joss Whedon says in the DVD commentary, finally ready to be a normal girl or lady with a normal life and no more 'Slayer responsibility' and homeless and destitute with the Scoobies and 'cavalry'?!

That's really interesting. No - I don't think she's the First. Or rather, she could be The First but not for the reasons you give. It's definitely an enigmatic smile. It's a provocative idea - I don't think she's The First but let me think about it. 🙂

 

[Dora]

What annoys me is the death of Anya....Buffy does not know ,but Xander doe's....nothing, he is twaddling on about shops when the women he said he loved is dead , not sure if this is to make Xander look bad or Whedon's vengeance on Emma as she said she was leaving at the end of S7 no matter what

 

[Ayko]

What annoys me is the death of Anya....Buffy does not know ,but Xander doe's....nothing, he is twaddling on about shops when the women he said he loved is dead , not sure if this is to make Xander look bad or Whedon's vengeance on Emma as she said she was leaving at the end of S7 no matter what

Tough words... I cannot say that I agree with you because I think Anyanka's leave was way overdue but, I do like Emma 🙂

 

[Ayko]

That's really interesting. No - I don't think she's the First. Or rather, she could be The First but not for the reasons you give. It's definitely an enigmatic smile. It's a provocative idea - I don't think she's The First but let me think about it. 🙂

Thanks for your thorough response... As I indicated, I was 'painting the picture bright' (exaggerating, if you will) to make a point that I believe you understand so, the (extended) diplomacy is welcomed but it is now the attempted diversion from my point (I'm sure you're ignoring... I say in all friendliness) 🙂 Also, I know she is not The First but, what other logic explains it... That is why I threw it in (with a grain of salt).
Still, thanks for responding...

Anyone else before I continue?

 

[Ethan Reigns]

OK, my turn to take a shot at this:

Let us go over that last scene of season seven's finale´...


Faith: Looks like The Hellmouth is officially closed for business. (The business was in L.A. Wolfram & Hart, plus...) I think she was limiting her comment to what she could see in the immediate area. This specific hellmouth had been destroyed but this did not mean evil would end worldwide or interdimensionally.

Giles: There is another in Cleveland...not to spoil the moment. (Well put but, does anyone hear him?) I think the main players all know that but this is Giles stating the reality that they have not vanquished all evil everywhere.

Xander: We saved the world. (No you haven't but you did wipe out 30,000+ with a world still needing saving. Maybe next time?) You have all seen my avatar 5465 times that I have used from the beginning showing Clem leaving town and caught in the traffic jam of everyone else leaving town. When Buffy and Spike went to a random house, the owner left and Spike could enter without any invitation because the owner had not just left, he had relinquished the house. Anya and Andrew could pillage the hospital for supplies because everyone had left. And remember the Jaffa cakes from the supermarket? No one was there to be paid for them.

Willow: We changed the world. I can feel them Buffy, all over, Slayers are awakening everywhere. (Then why did none of them in such multitudes do anything to help Angel or anyone else over the next year, at least during the Angel series?!) They are awakening to the fact that they are now different but they don't understand why or have any idea that they are supposed to do something with these powers. They have no connection to Angel and know nothing about him. They have to be trained from the basics, sort of like a drill sergeant starting off with, "This here's a rifle."

Dawn: We'll have to find them. (Dawn's job defining the next mission goals?!) Dawn has stepped up in her research capabilities and now she is showing signs of the kind of planning you need to be a project manager. Good for her.

Willow: We will. (The new second in command?!) Just think of how impossible it would have been for Willow to have such confidence at the beginning of the series. She has been the one in command since the beginning of Season 6 and she has no disclaimer attached to what she said.

Giles: Yes, because the mall was in Sunnydale, so, there's no hope of going there tomorrow. (Do I need to continue?!) Giles still chafes at having a slayer who was more inclined to do "civilian" things than devote her time to being a slayer.

Dawn: We destroyed the mall? I fought on the wrong side. (ditto!) We are reminded that although Dawn has become a research powerhouse, she is still an adolescent girl.

Xander: All those shops gone?! The Gap, Starbucks, Toys 'R' Us... Who will remember all those landmarks unless we tell the world of them?! (We already know Xander does not acknowledge the civilian loss that was always strict taboo in the Buffyverse!) This is just property loss - everyone else had gone. He is being sarcastic about franchise outlets being landmarks when you can see the same thing everywhere else.

Giles: We have a lot of work ahead of us. (Back to reality?) Now that they have changed the game, Giles knows there will have to be slayer schools all over the place and someone will have to obtain the property, set up courses, teach the courses and monitor results. They have an educational system to construct from scratch.

Faith: Can I push him in? Go ahead, give yourself a treat.

Willow: You've got my vote. (How wonderful of them to be so friendly and agreeing, those two?!) I thought there was going to be two moons in the sky before these two agreed about anything.

Faith: I just wanna' sleep, yo, for like a week. Recognition in the story about the amount of effort required for even a short battle.

Dawn: I guess we all could if we wanted to. (A-typical conversation in such a situation?!) It was not her first thought because she was not in the hellmouth, even though she was a combatant, but did not see anywhere near as much action.

Willow: Yeah, The First is scrunched, so... what do you think we should do, Buffy? (Did somebody notice Buffy?) Everything still revolves around Buffy. They rejected her leadership once but seem to have no trouble with the idea that she is the go-to girl for their next marching orders.

Dawn: Yeah, Buffy, what are we gonna' do now? (sister second, but did) Even the girl who threw Buffy out of her own house is waiting for her answer.

Buffy remains silent as the picture zooms in on her forming a smile... (Is she The First foolibng everyone or is she, as Joss Whedon says in the DVD commentary, finally ready to be a normal girl or lady with a normal life and no more 'Slayer responsibility' and homeless and destitute with the Scoobies and 'cavalry'?! This is an interesting thought to put out there but I doubt The First is about to appear as Buffy. People are going to touch her and find her incorporeal and this is not something that can be hidden. I prefer to see it as the DVD commentary says - she is finally able to stand down and delegate slayer duties to the girls who want to do it.

I have my own theories and answers but, before I share them, I was hoping for some responses of my (perhaps exaggerated or not???) analysis... Do any of the other offshoot stories deal with these issues? Comments are appreciated 🙂

 

[Ayko]

OK, my turn to take a shot at this:

So, are you gonna' share your 'shot at this:' with me/us or not?!

 

[Dora]

Tough words... I cannot say that I agree with you because I think Anyanka's leave was way overdue but, I do like Emma 🙂

Maybe but someone they had been friendly with , someone who had been a major character for four seasons , some one that Xander loved and was to marry......nothing nobody gave a dam , surely Xander should have shown some emotion apart from that talking to Andrew, saying that's my girl always doing the stupid thing , I always thought it was a shame it finished there just standing looking into the crater , I always thought it would have made a great new start from a new angle......but after S6 and S7 .....would have S8 been any better ? it would have needed a major shake up , with how it was run and the writers

 

[DagonSphere]

I'm a little disappointed that Buffy's last line in the series is "Spike". Other than that, it's a great final scene, though I do have issues with the destruction of Sunnydale, it's just cheesy and way too convenient for all of Sunnydale's residents to suddenly have left (when there have been multiple apocalypses before and everybody was oblivious). Also, I feel like activating all those slayers actually made Buffy's life even more complicated.

 

[ILLYRIAN]

And they got of the bus to find, no dust anywhere.