Buffy Rewatch: Chosen
So, the Buffy rewatch project I started 144 weeks ago came to an end this past week. Almost everyone who was with us at the start dropped off, until it was basically me, Grim, and Michael still watching, but it was very interesting seeing it all again, in order, spaced out, knowing what it was all leading up to.
Here are my thoughts on the final episode, reposted from the Cross and Stake:
Chosen:
-Right. The cookie-dough metaphor. Um, not so much. I think Joss realized it, too, as Angel makes a confused reference to it next season on his own show, IIRC. Not a huge fault, but I was hoping for something more for Buffy and Angel’s final moment together.
-Spike’s reaction to the B/A reunion: A bit rushed, but out of necessity. Again, understandable, and I can’t fault them too much, but I wish they could have developed this more. I mean, there’s a lot of baggage to unpack, what with Buffy having a relationship with another vampire, not to mention they are “related” to one another. Plus the whole soul thing.
-Spike’s decision to sacrifice himself: Once more, this was quick, but it was inevitable, so that may be for the best. Maybe if they could have had one more episode for this finale. That said, I did love JM’s delivery of the line after Buffy says she loves him, and also the decision to have him laugh as he realizes he is dying.
-The old gang back together again: The sequence where the original four discuss what to do after the apocalypse, followed by their silent walks to their appointed stations, was brilliant, if a trifle self-consciously so. Still, nice little moment for the fans who’ve been caring about these characters for so long.
-Anya’s death: Somebody had to die. It’s kind of an unwritten rule of the series finale, and Anya apparently drew the short straw. I have to say, I appreciated Anya a lot more on the rewatch than I did during the original run, and to have her reach a place where she’ll stand her ground for people she loves, even at the cost of her own life, was fitting. And yet, she was still Anya, analyzing the unfamiliar humanness of herself, even to the end.
-Andrew: That said, Andrew did not improve one iota on the rewatch. Obviously, someone at Mutant Enemy (or several someones) thought he was a riot, hence his continued presence. But I am not, and apparently never will be, one of them. I’m already dreading his return on “Angel” next season.
-The Scythe and the Slayer Power: Of course, this was a “make-shit-up” plot point, but I personally have no problem with that, especially in this case. Because Buffy “releasing” the Slayer power out into the world was absolutely perfect. I remember losing patience with this season during the original run, but this time I was able to put up with the annoying potentials, lack of Giles and Xander, meandering story arcs, and all the rest because I knew it would end up here. Absolutely awesome. Any woman, any of us out there in the world, could have the power of the Slayer inside of us. And Buffy, at last, shares her burden. As I said, perfect.
Okay, that’s it for the Buffy rewatch. I have to say, it was a blast, and thanks to everyone who hung in there, even if you didn’t post. In seven years it will be the 20th anniversary. What say we meet back here then?
Here are my thoughts on the final episode, reposted from the Cross and Stake:
Chosen:
-Right. The cookie-dough metaphor. Um, not so much. I think Joss realized it, too, as Angel makes a confused reference to it next season on his own show, IIRC. Not a huge fault, but I was hoping for something more for Buffy and Angel’s final moment together.
-Spike’s reaction to the B/A reunion: A bit rushed, but out of necessity. Again, understandable, and I can’t fault them too much, but I wish they could have developed this more. I mean, there’s a lot of baggage to unpack, what with Buffy having a relationship with another vampire, not to mention they are “related” to one another. Plus the whole soul thing.
-Spike’s decision to sacrifice himself: Once more, this was quick, but it was inevitable, so that may be for the best. Maybe if they could have had one more episode for this finale. That said, I did love JM’s delivery of the line after Buffy says she loves him, and also the decision to have him laugh as he realizes he is dying.
-The old gang back together again: The sequence where the original four discuss what to do after the apocalypse, followed by their silent walks to their appointed stations, was brilliant, if a trifle self-consciously so. Still, nice little moment for the fans who’ve been caring about these characters for so long.
-Anya’s death: Somebody had to die. It’s kind of an unwritten rule of the series finale, and Anya apparently drew the short straw. I have to say, I appreciated Anya a lot more on the rewatch than I did during the original run, and to have her reach a place where she’ll stand her ground for people she loves, even at the cost of her own life, was fitting. And yet, she was still Anya, analyzing the unfamiliar humanness of herself, even to the end.
-Andrew: That said, Andrew did not improve one iota on the rewatch. Obviously, someone at Mutant Enemy (or several someones) thought he was a riot, hence his continued presence. But I am not, and apparently never will be, one of them. I’m already dreading his return on “Angel” next season.
-The Scythe and the Slayer Power: Of course, this was a “make-shit-up” plot point, but I personally have no problem with that, especially in this case. Because Buffy “releasing” the Slayer power out into the world was absolutely perfect. I remember losing patience with this season during the original run, but this time I was able to put up with the annoying potentials, lack of Giles and Xander, meandering story arcs, and all the rest because I knew it would end up here. Absolutely awesome. Any woman, any of us out there in the world, could have the power of the Slayer inside of us. And Buffy, at last, shares her burden. As I said, perfect.
Okay, that’s it for the Buffy rewatch. I have to say, it was a blast, and thanks to everyone who hung in there, even if you didn’t post. In seven years it will be the 20th anniversary. What say we meet back here then?