Anno numero six, in which it was proved that you can't keep a good Slayer down. Also, the cast showed off their lungs (meaning, they sung in the oh-so-hyped but oh-so-worth-it extravagant musical episode) and our gang had to deal with real-world gritty issues...

Bargaining Part One
Quick summary - The Scooby Gang have had one tough summer. With no Slayer to kick all the demon ass, they have been doing just that - with a little help from the revived Buffy robot. However, when Giles leaves the country for England, Willow makes the gang take part in a spell that will bring Buffy back. But the spell is interrupted when a group of demon bikers head for Sunnydale, with the knowledge that the only 'Slayer' present is a machine - they want the town for themselves...
Best quote - Spike (on Giles, who has suffered a near-death experience); Oh, poor Watcher. Did your life pass before your eyes? Cuppa tea, cuppa tea, almost got shagged, cuppa tea?
Comments - And Season Six kicks off. Bargaining is like something we've never seen before on this show which, first, is good because it keeps the show fresh yet, second, is a little unnerving because familiarity is comfortable. The differences are very noticeable - the main one being, of course, Buffy's dead! While Sarah Michelle Gellar is well and present (and truly delightful) as the Buffybot, the presence of 'our' Buffy is not felt and this is cool because it makes the resurrection a goal we're waiting to see be achieved. With Buffy gone, the whole group dynamic has changed. Willow is the new somewhat scary leader (hello to the killing of Bambi - my mother was not pleased!), a scarred Spike plays babysitter to Dawn, and Giles is up and leaving. The others are just along for the ride and, in a place like Sunnydale where darkness is a big thang, it's not hard to understand why they go along with the spell to bring Buffy back - and, c'mon, it is her show after all even if you have to question the Scooby Gang's actions! While the 'goodbye Giles' scene is very touching, it also allows for the darker tone of that the resurrection spell calls for - with Daddy gone, there's nobody to supervise the actions of these people. And, let me tell ya, the darkness is big and bad - the vomiting of snakes, scary-ass demon bikers, and (to top it off) Buffy waking up alive in her coffin! It's all very unpredictable, and sets the tone for this somewhat schizophrenic season. Amidst the unsettling stuff, though, there are the moments of humour we have come to expect from the show although, admittedly, they are fewer and further between. Emma Caulfield is wonderfully amusing as Anya, something that isn't unepected, and Marti Noxon's script flows with the hip dialogue that is the show's standard. All other departments help create a great episode - the special effects are cool, and it seems that the ep had a big-ass budget when it came to prosthetics and stunts! All in all, this is one of the best and most original (yet disturbing) Buffy openers ever, kicking off the season in a loud and exciting way...
Verdict - * * * * 1/2

Bargaining Part Two
Quick summary - As the gang flee from the scary demon bikers, they are oblivious to the fact that Buffy has been resurrected - whilst still in her grave. When she claws her way out, she is disoriented and sees the trashed and burning Sunnydale as 'hell'. After a confused run-in with her friends that leads to a battle with the bikers, Buffy is suicidal and contemplates leaping off the tower that she did before to save Dawn - however, little sis comes to the rescue...
Best quote - Xander; Demons! Ah. There's something you don't see every day. (sarcastic chuckle) Unless you're us.
Comments - Part deuxs are tricky things. The onscreen action can be dragged out and filler material may be used in place of the good stuff so the viewer gets the running time expected in return. Fortunately, Bargaining numero two does not suffer from this fate...too much. The episode does a great job of bringing our Buff back, and bringing her back with baggage - nothing is all good and well and cosy once she's back, something adopted throughout the whole of this season. Sarah Michelle Gellar does a great job of looking creeped out and suicidal, brought back to a world she thinks is hell - and who can blame her when Buffy has to crawl her way out of her own coffin, when SMG's biggest fear is being buried alive? Props to the director by the way, who made that universal fear come to the screen with the universal scariness that is part of it - Buffy clawing her way out is one of the scariest things I've ever seen, probably cos I'm so damned claustrophobic! Moving on, and we have more dark stuff brewing - the destruction of the Buffybot, the aftermath of Will's spell and the notion that Will's magic isn't all that white anymore, plus Sunnydale going to hell pretty much. There's a great apocalyptic feeling about it all, and the monsters of the week are still cool (aesthetically AND role-wise). However, the episode's downfall is when it comes to the fighty bits - they're good but, by God, do they go on forever! One can only take so much stunts and special FX before one's head begins to spin. About ten minutes of this ep revolves around kicking ass, and I'm just being honest when I say it becomes pretty yawnsome. The best bits of this ep revolve around Buffy's return and the other characters' reactions to this fact; the rest just feels unimportant in comparison. Aside from this, though, the episode is solid and does a great job at leaving Buffy's resurrection a great big honking question mark...without sacrificing the snappy dialogue!
Verdict - * * * *

After Life
Quick summary - Everyone is shocked at Buffy's resurrection, not least Buffy herself, who seems distant and different. The confusion isn't helped when it is discovered that a nasty critter was created as a result of Willow's spell, and it is now possessing all of Buffy's friends in an attempt to finish off Buffy - again! However, when the Slayer survives, she lets Spike in on what happened after she died - she was in what seemed like Heaven...
Best quote - Buffy (to Spike); I think I was in heaven. And I was torn out of there by my friends...
Comments - Thank the Lord that Jane Espenson lives! A mile apart from her other stereotypically 'funny' Buff stuff, Jane brings us this episode, a creation that lacks in the humour department. I love it, though, and it's living proof that our Jane can do more than sell a joke. With Buffy back, things are still not of the good - consequences are in the mix, a staple of this show, and this time the result is a pretty scary demon thang. Anyone who wasn't freaked out by the 'egg yolk eyes' possession scenes must be scared very difficultly. While the gang try to find a resolution to this demon's existence, whilst also debating why Buffy doesn't seem to be the same girl they knew and loved, Buffy finds comfort in Spike and reveals all - she was not in a hell dimension at all but at peace. The revelation scene is simply beautiful, played to perfection by SMG and written gorgeously. This scene alone would make the episode worthy of high marks but the fact that it's spooky, serious, dark, funny at times (hello Anya and Jane, how I love you) and also so sad makes it a golden piece of television. A quiet episode but one that lets the viewer know that this season is not going to be an easy ride...
Verdict - * * * * *

Flooded
Quick summary - While Anya is annoyed that Xander seems to be putting off announcing their coming nuptials, Buffy has to apply for a loan at the bank when the basement floods and she is informed that she is broke. However, Giles is back to catch up with his recently deceased Slayer. As all this unfolds, a group of 'supervillains' (in the shape of the very threatening Jonathan, Warren and new geek - sorry, guy - Andrew) recruit a demon to help them get rich. However, the demon is more interested in killing off Buffy...
Best quote -
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Verdict - * * * *

Life Serial
Quick summary - Giles and her friends suggest Buffy should think about going back to college or getting a job, when she returns from a private meeting with Angel. However, the trio of geeks put her under some most wacky (but most amusing, on our part) tests that put a stop to her earning cash or learning anything worthwhile. Therefore, she winds up getting drunk and depressed and plays 'kitten poker' with Spike - yes, she really has sunk that low...
Best quote -
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Verdict - * * * * 1/2

All The Way
Quick summary - Dawn, who is getting a little rebellious after becoming somewhat of a klepto, sneaks out on Halloween night with a friend and hooks up with two guys. However, of course, these guys are not, well, guys - vamps! You guessed it, Buffy comes to the rescue, just before Dawn gives in to the vamp's deadly kiss. Meanwhile, Xander announces his and Anya's impending marriage...
Best quote - Dawn; (after telling her honey-vamp that she kisses all the time) Not that I'm a kiss-slut!
Comments - So this was never gonna be as good as the second season's Halloween ep because, hello, classic! But I had high hopes for it. Unfortunately, while there were some redeeming treats, this was mainly one big stinking trick! Michelle Trachtenberg is great and brings some poignance to her scenes, yet the whole teenage-gal-gets-rebellious-and-makes-with-the-hot-and-steamy- with-random-guy is a trashy cliche. Of course, 'random' guy here is a vamp (which, admittedly, does lead to some gigglesome humour) but, c'mon, how old are we again? Actually, I am Dawn's age - and even I (king of adolescene) see that this is juvenile Friday-night-movie stuff. While DeKnight's script does have some cool dialogue and there is some self-mocking going on (hopefully, anyway - the producers couldn't have been taking this episode seriously?!), it borders on tiresome and unoriginal. For example, stoner vamp guy (best friend of 'random' love interest vamp guy) is a rehash of a coupla Joss characters (the 'Dude, this sucks' line falls flat cos it's already been done). In a show that takes its characters very seriously, it's not a good move to bring in tertiary characters that are gonna be around for a single ep and have them take up most of the ep - we don't care about them! Even Dawn's characterisation is a little off. I mean, yeah, she can be a brat and this is her whole naughty phase (kleptoism, tut tut) but having her nearly give in to a vamp and hanging out on a night with two strangers and one friend in a town like Sunnydale? This is the Slayer's sister! I smell plot devices! However, all is not lost. There's a way cool fighty-fight in the woods (what an original setting!), the beginning of friction between Will and Tara (Benson equals goodness), a hilarious B-plot in the form of the engagement party (while some of the jokes are samey, Caulfield is delightful whilst Xander worries about the future, continuing the interesting 'oh grow up' subtext of this season), and a creepy old guy (stereotypes galore!) who would have been a much better bad guy than two lame-ass teen vamps. What lets the side down is said vamps, as the teen-centric ep verges on 'Goosebumps'-stylee 'scares' (and I use sarcastic quote marks). Having Trachtenberg centre-stage in a non-Key capacity, unlike last season, is promising and she does deliver - but there is something lacking throughout. Standard filler...
Verdict - * * *

Once More, With Feeling
Quick summary - During patrol one night, Buffy bursts into song. The following day she discovers all of her pals and, indeed, the whole town have also been affected and are spilling out their deepest secrets through song. It turns out that Sweet, a demon summoned by Xander, is responsible and has the power to make people dance to their flamey deaths. When his henchmen kidnap Dawn so he can take her back to Hell with him to be his bride, the Slayer turns up unaided (at first) and the spell cast by the demon causes her to reveal to her friends that she was in heaven during her absence. Happy with the damage he's done, Sweet leaves and the gang are doubtful about their futures. Giles feels he is standing in Buffy's way, Tara has discovered that Willow has been tampering with her memory through magic, and Anya and Xander seem to be getting cold feet. Oh, and Buffy, in an attempt to feel something other than the cold, and Spike snog...
Best quote - Buffy; (to her pals, a little freaked after her graveyard ditty) Uh, so, did anybody ... uh ... last night, you know, did anybody, um ... burst into song?
Best lyric - Anya, during 'I'll Never Tell'; His penis got diseases from a Chumash tribe!
Songlist -
1. New Titles
2. Overture
3. Going Through The Motions
4. I've Got A Theory/Bunnies/If We're
Together
5. The Mustard
6. I'm Under Your Spell
7. I'll Never Tell
8. No Parking
9. Rest In Peace
10. Dawn's Lament
11. Sweet's Lair
12. What You Feel (Sweet's Song)
13. Standing
14. I'm Under Your Spell/Standing
(Reprise)
15. Walk Through The Fire
16. Life's A Show (Give Me Something To
Sing About)
17. What You Feel (Sweet's Song) (Reprise)
18. Where Do We Go From Here?/Coda
19. End Titles
Comments - It could have been bad. It could have been so bad it actually sucked! But, c'mon, who didn't have faith in Joss that he could pull this off? Cos I had faith. Although this episode is nothing like I thought it would be, it is certainly now one of my all-time faves and one of the best and most unique episodes ever on any series to hit the screens. Brought to us by the man who brought us Hush, Restless, and The Body, OMWF is the latest in a succession of 'gimmicky' episodes written and directed by Whedon. However, Joss can rise above this label and actually works the so-called gimmick into the plot and makes it all about the characters. While the musical does take the mick a bit out of, well, musicals, Joss weaves it seamlessly into the plot and makes this episode not just a stand-alone - he makes it into an extended musical extravaganza that moves forward all the various plot threads established so far this season. The BIG review follows below...
So where do I start? First of all, the music was amazing. The lyrics were funny, emotional, and revealing, whilst the tunes are hummable and catchy. It took me two viewings to realise I couldn't wait for a soundtrack album to be released, instead choosing to make my own straight away. Now I just love every song and play 'em all non-stop. From the downright ridiculous but hilarious (Anya's rocking 'Bunnies') to the simply sublime (Tara's raunchy hippy chick ballad 'I'm Under Your Spell'), all the tracks showed off the cast's (often surprising) vocal ranges. Whilst Alyson Hannigan obviously didn't want much in the way of material (she only has about three or four solo lines), she does her best while Amber Benson and Anthony Head definitely stand out as the best warblers (check out the harmonies on their duet). However, credit has to be given to every single member of the cast - they all tried their best and it shows (while Sarah Michelle Gellar, for instance, is not the best singer she gets her teeth into her numbers for sure). Highlights certainly have to be 'Going Through The Motions', 'I've Got A Theory', 'I'll Never Tell' - hang on, why am I listing faves? They were all BRILLIANT! Choreography was also spot-on, from Anya's 'I'm dancing crazy' to the twisted Swan Lake-ish dance Dawn does with Sweet's henchman. Speaking of, props to the Broadway star that made Sweet his flashy but creepy self. It would be cool to see him again, along with his scary Pinnochio lackeys. *shudder*
Anyway, time for a paragraph. *breathes* Right, there's so much still to write about. First of all, the episode was made even more of a masterpiece due to all the cute little touches such as the cameos courtesy of Marti Noxon and David Fury (v.funny) plus all the little dances going on in the background and the newspaper headline. Hehe. There's too many little jokes to note. And how sharp is the wit in this ep?! From implied oral sex to the bitching between Anya and Xander, this ep is choc-full of hoots. But it's not all fun and games, as there's also a lot of drama after the first act break. Spike's true feelings are let out in a bluesy number, causing conflict but leading to a gigantic surprise of a swooping kiss at the end. OHMIGOD! I knew it was gonna happen but still! That'll be interesting to watch unfold. As will the engagement, now that Anya and Xander know the other has doubts. And Tabula Rasa deals with the whole Willow/Tara emotional trouble, as well as Giles's departure. Boo hoo!
All in all, this is just a complete and utter classic, an achievement that Joss and the cast and anybody involved should be proud of. There's everything you could ever want from an episode, and you just know it's gonna be a special piece of television (an event, if you like) from the opening titles. In and out, through and through, this is pure gold. You might not get the joke at first and may be a little wary but it just gets better and better the more you watch it. I'd love there to be a sequel! However, that's not likely (unless the L.A. Scooby Gang get down and boogie - hehe) so you should just soak up every ounce of brilliance this episode has to offer. And that's many ounces. Class!!!
Verdict - * * * * *

Tabula Rasa
Quick summary - Tara threatens that she'll leave Willow if the red-headed one doesn't stop using magic so often and for the wrong reasons. However, Willow performs a spell which causes Tara and Buffy to forget past heartaches which has a damaging effect on every single member of the gang - the effect being amnesia. Meanwhile, Giles prepares to leave for England - and this time he's planning on staying...
Best quote - Spike; (realising that he speaks in an English accent) Bloody hell! Sodding, blimey, shagging, knickers, bollocks, oh God! I'm English!
Comments - What a way to follow up the shockingly good musical! While not as flawless as its predecessor, this is certainly one of the gems of the sixth season and one of the funniest for a while. Like Cordelia's wished alternate universe, this episode provides us with new characters in the shape of old favourites - due to the forgetful spell, nobody has a clue who they are and so make up identities for themselves. Hilarity ensues, of course. One of the best dynamics comes in the form of 'Joan' the Vampire Slayer ('I'm like a superhero or something!) and 'Randy' ('I must be a noble vampire. A good guy. On a mission of redemption. I help the hopeless. I'm a vampire with a soul'). Also, the Anya/Giles engagement mixup is a highlight - providing us with snide remarks from Spike (Giles's new son), lots of hilarious bickering (and more bunnies!), plus a big unadulterated smooch! However, the whole cast seem to be having a ball, and after the dramatic, teary and downright upsetting developments our characters have gone through so far this season, it's good to see them smile. However, of course, the spell doesn't last - throwing our faves back into turmoil yet again. And they deal in very different ways - Tara leaves her honey heartbroken, Buffy and Spike get snogging again, and Giles hops on to a plane. And this all goes on to the soundtrack of one Michelle Branch - what a song choice, and how very appropriate. Rebecca Rand Kirshner proves that, after penning three of Season Five's big emotional outings, she can balance the big heartache with mucho comedy value. From demon loan sharks (literal, that is) and more kitten business to plenty of English humour and 'what if?' confusion, I cannot stress how much of a complete hoot this episode is (five stars alone would be awarded simply because of the now-classic shot where Buffy opens the door to a vampire - how cool are all the gang's reactions?!). This is a more-than-adequate follow-up to what looks like the gem of the season (the musical, for those of you out there who are a little slow), so enjoy the fun while you can cos it's all dark after this...
Verdict - * * * * *

Hey! The DVD of Season Six is going to be released sometime early next year in the UK. Therefore, reviews for the episodes below will not appear until then. Sorry guys. But, hey, 'Older & Far Away', 'Two To Go' and 'Grave' are up!

Smashed
Quick summary - Spike realises his chip is not working when he happens to punch Buffy, and assumes our Slayer has come back 'wrong'. That doesn't stop him from shagging the shag with her, though, and causing a derelict building to fall down in the process - hmmmmmm. Anyhows, in the meantime, Willow takes a trip on the magic wild side at the Bronze when she turns Amy into a looking-for-fun human once again...
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Verdict - * * * 1/2

Wrecked
Quick summary - Willow has to face her out-of-control magical tendencies when, after an introduction to dangerous warlock Rack, she endangers both her own and Dawn's life. Meanwhile, Buffy has to deal with the aftermath of her night with Spike...
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Gone
Quick summary - The troika's latest wacky scheme involves turning Buffy invisible. Buffy enjoys the newfound freedom invisibility entails for a while (Spike-shagging, haunting social workers, you know - the usual) yet, in order for the Slayer's survival, the magic-free Willow must quickly find a cure.
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Doublemeat Palace
Quick summary - In order to make some money, Buffy takes the low-pay greasy job of being a fast food worker at the Doublemeat Palace. However, talk of the burgers' 'secret ingredient', followed by the discovery of dismembered body parts, causes Buffy to get understandably paranoid about her new workplace. Meanwhile, Willow finds cold turkey to be difficult when Amy gives Will a 'birthday present'...
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Dead Things
Quick summary - The troika's latest troublesome plot (kidnapping Warren's ex Katrina to do their bidding) takes a decidedly dark turn when she's 'accidentally' murdered. The three geeks dump the body and pin it on Buffy, something the Slayer does not need at the moment, when she's trying to deal with her darkening relationship with Spike...
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Older & Far Away
Quick summary - Dawn confides to a 'guidance counsellor' at school that she's feeling out-of-the-loopy and wishes people would stop leaving her - as the counsellor is actually Halfrek, the vengeance/justice demon, Dawn gets her wish. During Buffy's birthday bash, the entire gang plus guests are unable to leave the house. And when Tara attempts a spell to release them, she actually releases a demon from a sword in Buffy's house...
Best quote - Tara; (when Spike makes a lewd and rude comment to Buffy, lost on the other Scooby members) You still got that cramp, Spike? I think you better put some ice on it...
Comments - Wahey! Another great little episode based around a simple but effective idea, keeping all the characters in the same setting for most of the show. It could have become stagnant and there are slight moments here where it looks like it might - yet the Buffy-birthday-episode tradition of cool episodes saves the day! There are a number of little tiny nuggets of brilliance found here. I, for one, think it works because, during a season where the characters are falling apart and going through mucho badness away from home, we get the gang facing a situation together like back in the ol' days. The magic is back, as is Tara (I swear the eps are so much better when Amber's around), and it's great to see every member of the gang bouncing off one another and interacting - like Dawn, I've missed that. Michelle Trachtenberg, whilst on that subject, shows yet again how much she can do with Dawn when she gets the chance and proves she's one snazzy little actress - you go, gal! Also, Caulfield gets the chance to do more than crack jokes and worry about the wedding - I feel Anya's crazed argument with Willow is justified and hope, with the upcoming wedding, we see more to the character than just money, money, money. And, on Willow, while the whole magic-as-drug thang is going a little too far admittedly now, things between her and Tara look set to develop again. I can't wait to see what this season brings us after the last couple of episodes! However, whilst keeping the various subplots on their toes here, this episode also has a fun factor and it's one that works well compared to the oh-so-dire 'comedy' of the invisi-Buffy episode. Halfrek is just hilarious - definitely one of the most inane and bitchy demons we have had for a while, and I hope to see her more in the future, and maybe at the wedding! Also, you gotta love Spike's party guest - skin condition or no, he's just adorable!Oh, and Sophie (Buffy's new 'friend' from work) is also amusing - more appearances from her in the not-so-distant future? The demon itself is a little plot-devicey - how come it only springs out of the walls when the story calls for it? However, this is one slight niggle - the rest of this ep is fantastico. Enjoy!
Verdict - * * * * 1/2

As You Were
Quick summary - When Buffy is at the end of her rope (her job is getting her down and her affair with Spike is confusing her), Riley shows up on the trail of a particularly nasty demon. And it turns out he's married, forcing Buffy to face up to some of the decisions she's been making recently. Meanwhile, Anya and Xander are finding it stressful organising their upcoming nuptials...
Best quote - Willow; (to Buffy, doing the girly best friend thing and insulting Riley's wife Sam for Buffy's sake, who she actually gets on with) What a bitch!
Comments -
Verdict - * * * *

Hell's Bells
Quick summary - The big day has finally arrived and what a day it turns out to be! Xander's oddballs and Anya's many demonic guests do not mix all that well, Buffy and Spike confront each other at the wedding, and Willow and Tara are getting all flirty again. But the biggest event of the day probably has to go to Xander leaving Anya at the altar after a bizarre meeting with a demon claiming to be Xander's future self - uh-oh! I mean, you kinda need a groom for there to be a wedding. Poor Anya...
Best quote -
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Verdict - * * * *

Normal Again
Quick summary -
Best quote -
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Verdict - * * * *

Entropy
Quick summary -
Best quote -
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Verdict - * * * * *

Seeing Red
Quick summary -
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Verdict - * * * *

Villains
Quick summary -
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Verdict - * * * *

Two To Go
Quick summary - Will relentlessly pursues Jonathan and Andrew and won't let anyone (not even her closest friends) get in the way. Therefore, a huge battle commences in the Magic Box, leading to a face-off between best friends Willow and Buffy. Eek! Meanwhile, Spike faces life-endangering tests in Africa so 'that bitch can get what's coming to her'. Again, eeek!
Best quote - Andrew; (his observation when it comes to evil Will) She's a truck-driving magic mama!!!
Comments - OK, so here we have it; the first in a two-hour extravaganza of a finale. We're used to the big buildup before the final episode and Petrie certainly delivers some well-paced and tension-mounting action. His script is helped along by some brill performances - especially from the delicious Aly Hannigan, who seems to be relishing every moment of her bad girl persona. However, Nicky Brendon is convincing as a self-pitying Xander, while the one or two scenes focusing on the Anya/Xander dynamic post-altar are wonderfully written and played - Caulfield is improving by the line. Also, while it's been touch and go with the geeks throughout the season, Danny Strong and Tom Lenk deliver the goods here, showing what they can do with some good material - their interaction with the gang they've been harassing over the last year is amusing. All in all, though, this is just an action-packed energy-jolted romp, offering much in the way of gratuitous violence (catfight, wahey!) and special effects. It's also nice to see that Willow-going-over-to-the-dark-side is handled well, with many references made to the good ol' Will who wouldn't say boo to a goose. However, the episode falls down in my estimations due to a coupla reasons - first of all, 'Get off, superbitch!'. WHY??? Also, the continuation of the drug analagy occasionally pops up, whilst Willow's magic tricks in the magic shop almost grow tiresome. These are the only little niggles that detract from an otherwise entertaining and delivering episode. And remember - Giles! The English one can only make things better! One to go...
Verdict - * * * *

Grave
Quick summary - Giles returns to Sunnydale to put a stop to Willow's magic which have been fuelled from grief and pain. However, when his plan for her to drain him of his magics actually works, she sets off to destroy the world to end the suffering and pain of humanity - so, actually, the plan didn't work and is quite awry! Meanwhile, Xander contemplates his usefulness a la Zeppo, and Buffy realises two things - that Dawn can handle herself and the truth, and that there's so much to live for. Oh, and while we're at it, Spike's completion of a number of trials leads him to his reward - his soul...
Best quote - Dawn; (after she has decapitated a monster-guy and Buffy looks at her, baffled) What? You think I don't watch you?
Comments - Wahey! It might not have worked and I certainly (and stupidly, it seems) had my reservations about a season finale with no Joss at the helm - however, while it doesn't top the events of graduation nor Buffy's receival of her gift, this is a great way to end the year on. All the loose ends come together (well, most, anyway) and some questions are posed for next year - and these are the two essentials that a finale must provide us with. First of all, Anthony Stewart Head - the Ripper that we all know and love returns and gives a great performance (and is it only me that felt some love in the room between him and Anya? Pleeeeeease let it happen!). Meanwhile, whilst the whole drugs-as-magic thing makes way for some awful dialogue ('I'm so juiced' and 'Who's your supplier?!'), the Willow-ends-world thing is brought to a close brilliantly. While Xander's speech may seem like a cop-out to the more cynical of minds, it's ultimately life-affirming and solidifies the friendship that loyal fans know would stop Willow's craziness - the scene atop Kingman's Bluff, where Willow (Alyson Hannigan, you are a star!) breaks down in Xander's arms, is beautiful. While Andrew and Jonathan scarper for Mexico (bring them back but only in small doses, please), Buffy and Dawn are fighting for their lives undergound, making way for some character development we've been itching for - Buffy finally accepts Dawn as a woman, and also gets out of her I-was-in-heaven-and-now-I'm-not funk. Woohoo! This all bodes well for next season's supposed 'lighter' tone. However, Spike's got a soul - ohmigod, ohmigod, ohmigod! Great development but huh, what, how, huh? Was Spike really intending to receive his soul, or did the demon guy trick him? And what will the dynamic be next season? I can only hope my questions are met with glowing results. Overall, this is a brilliantly executed piece of work. Not the most exciting of finales (although it certainly has its moments) but it works on a quiet more character-driven level (as did Restless). In a nutshell, this (along with Two To Go) brings to a close the up/down year that was Season Six. It's been a rough ride but, ultimately, it was soooooo worth it. See ya next year!
Verdict - * * * *

SEASON SIX OVERVIEW

MY TOP TEN EPISODES