The Gift

[prophecys]

When I first found out that the First Slayer said all Buffy had to give was death. I was shocked and really didn't understand the meaning until the final episode of season 5. When Buffy gave her own life, that was her gift to the world. Her death.

What are your takes on the gift?

 

[Spuffy is true love]

i think the gift is an amazing ep. The first slayer says that death is her gift in that, her death will bring on a better slayer. Once the slayer gets careless then they die and therefore the world does not need a careless slayer. I think Buffy defied all the odds and did away with the traditional slayer outlook. Therefore I don't think death is her gift at all. Death was simply a different state of mind and only temporary for buffy considering she came back twice from it.

 

[Rayne]

I think this episode was simply beautiful. When she goes to jump and they play what Buffy told Dawn I couldn't stop the tears. But is it just me or did Buffy almost seem too eager to end it? It felt like she finally found a way out and she was happy in some way to be finished. Kind of like she said in six to Spike.

 

[Willowsgirl]

Amazing episode! One of the reasons the 5th season is my second favorite season. Beautifully shot when Buffy jumps into the rip, which almost looks like an eye, to close the wound in the dimensions. So emotional, they way Spike drops to his knees when he sees Buffy's dead body. AMAZING!

As for the "death is your gift", I think it could be taken that Buffy brings death. To quote Spike "Death is your art, you create it with your hands everyday." The fact that she brings death to the vampires and other forces of darkness really does make death Buffy's gift to the world.

 

[TheChosenTwo]

I think this episode is wonderful. Especially the voice over in the end

 

[Your Creamy Coolness]

It's my favorite episode ever!

 

[Sunshine]

I think it was sad when Buffy jumped. I think it was nice of her to risk her life for Dawn and all of her friends. This episode makes me cry every time I watch it.

 

[fly on the wall]

I think her death was more of a gift to her little sister than to the world.

It was a two birds with one stone situation.

She could save the world, but she could ALSO save Dawn. As she looked into the sunrise, she realized that. It "dawned" on her, for the sake of a terrible pun. :tongue:

 

[Your Creamy Coolness]

I maybe reading too much into this but I thought it was intresting that as the dawn was coming up, a key named Dawn was supposed to open a portal! It's kind of poetic!

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

I think it was sad when Buffy jumped. I think it was nice of her to risk her life for Dawn and all of her friends. This episode makes me cry every time I watch it.

Me too. I always tear up. Can't help it. Seeing Spike crying with his head in his hands always gets me. And the shocked look on Xander's face...And Giles looks just devastated.

I always wished we'd seen the initial aftermath of her death. I guess that would have been too much, what with Joyces death earlier in the season.

 

[BuffyElevated]

This episode is in my Top 10 of the series. The way it was written, directed, and acted is amazing. When the first Slayer told Buffy "Death is your gift" I was confused, but when she had the flashback of telling Dawn "It's Summers blood, and it's just like mine", I got it and was like "Awwww." The voiceover at the end of Buffy's speech to Dawn was beautiful, especially while watching the reactions of all Buffy's closest friends and family.
I just got chills just thinking about it. 🙂

 

[atticus]

Everything I love about the character of Buffy is in this episode.
The saddest moment for me. "Tell Giles I figured it out, and I'm o.k." Cut to her body on the ground. 🙁

 

[BuffyElevated]

Everything I love about the character of Buffy is in this episode.

I completely agree with that statement. As much as sometimes Buffy has pissed me off, the moment she jumped into the void to take Dawn's place made my heart swell. I ♥ Buffy. 🙂

 

[Jersh]

I'd prefer to have Buffy stick around.

 

[Tasha]

it was sad, but beautiful in a way, i love this ep.!

it was her chance to rest in peace, and she knew it was the right thing to do.
she looks so happy don't ya think?

 

[BuffyElevated]

She did look happy; she looked like she was finally happy. She looked so peaceful and serene in that moment she died... It was beautiful but also so heartbreaking.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

I liked it but

Spoiler

(just in case) I think she should have stayed dead at least half of the next season.. I thought the brevity of her death robbed The Gift of an impact.

 

[mikeywikey]

For me death is your gift ha more than 1 meaning

1. when you die as reward for giving up your life as a slayer you go to heaven regardless and have peace
2 Her death is a gift to the next slayer ( a lot of potentials wanted to be called), just as the death of the previous slayer gave her , her powers
3.Her ability to kill is a gift to the world

4.

 

[Grey Ghost]

It's one of the best endings to a season, it left you feeling that this was the end.

 

[EveryNiteISaveU]

I just watched this episode today for about the millionth time....and it never ceases to still affect me as it always has. The ending when we find out what Buffy said to Dawn is just beautiful. This is one of my favorite episodes of the series.