I loved this episode. I'd been looking forward to it more than usual all week. Then again after seeing Jane Espenson's name on the writing list, I had high hopes!
First of all, I've got to say that I hate Angel being back. I never really liked Angel when he was in Buffy and I just really didn't want him back. After Touched I'm all for Spuffy. And going back to Help, I hope Cassie's 'one day she'll tell you' means that Buffy will tell Spike she loves him.
I loved the ending though - 'that bitch'. It just doesn't seem the kind of ending you would get in the last but one episode!!
The idea of the Guardians is a good one, I think but how did Buffy find her, where has she been etc. I did like it when she asked Buffy what her name was and then said, 'no, really...'!!
This episode for me was like Buffy should be for the first time in ages in terms of relationships (ok, forgetting Angel and Buffy!)
Willow had that really sweet geekiness to her that we all love and she was making little pun jokes, (I guess scythe really does matter.)
Giles was back to his 'getting excited over weaponry and legends' and I loved the Willow/Giles, mentor/student type of scene.
I loved Xander and Buffy's conversation. Yesterday I watched The Freshman which has another great Buffy/Xander scene. Buffy is Xander's hero and Xander is Buffy's strength. I love their friendship.
I'm not the biggest Kennedy fan but I must admit that I was really scared for her when the Turok Han had her by the throat. I found the SiT scenes quite tense. I was really worried about their survival. I guess I care about them - even the 'nameless ones'. I was glad to see Vi and Amanda and Faith survive the explosion. I hope that Vi and Amanda get to do something heroic in Chosen (as long as they don't die!) I'm also hoping that Rona and Chao Ahn appear as they were missing from End of Days. I did like Faith's reference to Chao Ahn! I was very surprised that the bomb didn't do more damage to Faith.
I was glad that Wood was missing from the episode. I do like him but for me this episode was about the long termers and I think an appearence by Wood would have cluttered the episode. Again I hope that he appears in Chosen and he is one character I wouldn't mind dying. (I dont mean to be callous by saying that).
Anya and Andrew were wonderful this episode. Anya has come off as being a total bitch at times this season so in the last two episodes it has been great to see her back to how she used to be. Outspoken but thruthfuil, tactless and seemingly 'alien' yet underneath it all, totally human. After Willow and Tara, Anya is right up there with my all time favourite characters.
And the wheelchair fight scene although maybe non pc, was very, very funny! For me that is one of the best moments of the season.
I can't wait for Chosen but I'm so scared!!