That was incredible. Very possibly my favorite episode of the season. It was just so... touching! 😛 So here's some random thoughts:
-I was surprised that Faith let the First get to her so easily. Luckily it doesn't seem like she's gonna act on any of it.
-Of course everything now is chaos without the Buffster! Even the cinematography was all jumpy (that was intentional, right?) I'm glad that Faith and the group (well, maybe not Rona, evil *****) are viewing this as letting Buffy cool off and clear her head as opposed to them simply being really glad she's gone with the "she sucks at being a leader and with her we'll lose" attitude. Me much happier now 🙂
-I'm sorta sad that Spike and Faith had to have that fight... it was inevitable, but they'd been getting along so well! 😉
-Faith and Wood? Interesting... it was totally a one-night, tension release deal though because there wasn't really any passion between them, I felt.
-Speaking of, I still sense something going on between Buffy and Faith... what's up with them sharing guys? Faith's been close (pysically and/or emotionally) to Xander, Spike, Wood, Angel, Riley... weird.
-Speaking of again, the little everyone's-having-sex-but-Giles-and-Dawn (oh god...) scene was really cute... anyone have any info about the song that was playing by the way? But yeah, so Xander/Anya was cute & funny... god knows the two of them will NEVER have final sex! lol. Willow and Kennedy was surprisingly passionate (thanks, UPN!)... although I started to get teary-eyed from missing Tara so much. It's not like I hate Kennedy, but there's still such a hole there 🙁
-Buffy and Spike. One of the cutest, most touching scenes I've ever seen on the show. It was adorable. Seeing Buffy so vulnerable like that just tears my heart out... god I'm gonna miss that girl. 🙁 She's such my weakness. But anyway, Spike's love was so genuine... I can't believe I'm gonna say this, but it was even better than a sex scene. I think Buffy finally appreciates him now. 🙂
-I still don't really get why and where Faith was leading the group to? Wazzup with that?
-I had a little (no, a lot actually) trouble seeing what was happening down there when there were only a few flashlights during that whole scene... it was especially hard to see what was going on when they were fighting.
-Buffy totally rocked in her scene with Caleb. He may have strength, but agility and speed is something enturely different! I think it's fair to say that B's back in the game! (I agree with whoever was talking about the good choreography in this scene.)
-Man, I hate cliffhangers!!! That bomb totally surprised me. And judging by the previews for next week, it seems to be pretty fatal! Buffy getting the new superweapon was cool though... way cooler looking than Olaf's hammer! 😉 I didn't get a real good look, but was it a reddish, see-through axe? strangeness.
-...How convenient that Faith told Giles, Wood, Willow, etc to stay at home while the rest go to get blown up... looks like her Slayer intuition is working after all *snicker*
-I loved the ep, but I'm still feeling a lack of plot development!! I mean, it's nice she's got the weapon and all, but there are only 2 left to resolve this whole thing!
But anyways, AWESOME episode!!! Can't wait for the final two... speaking of, the preview showed Angel but I thought he wasn't coming until the last episode? Well whatever. Big thumbs-up on tonight, Joss (and writer... and cast...)!! 😀
EDIT TO ADD:
I almost forgot! Buffy's ending was so kick-ass. Thank god for that, because it was starting to remind me a bit of season six... I mean, I love S6, but Buffy needs to go out on top! She's pulled herself together and is ready for an awesome ending. Even the First is getting worried now 🙂 While I absolutely LOVE teary-eyed Buffy, just seeing that smile when she found the new weapon at the end was so refreshing and empowering... she's so ready to kick some ass... good for her!!! 😀