Home Featured TV Shows All TV Shows Movie Reviews Book Reviews Articles Frequently Asked Questions About Us

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chosen

Faith: "It looks like the Hellmouth is officially closed for business."
Giles: "There's another one in Cleveland."

Joss Whedon achieved the impossible. He gave us a huge, climactic, surprising, and ultimately satisfying end to Sunnydale and the series, while still leaving the door open for the characters and the Buffyverse to live on. I loved it, from the Buffy/Angel maturity discussion and cookie dough analogy at the beginning, to the Sunnydale sign falling into the pit at the end. I just wish they'd done more of this earlier in the season.

Spike completed his journey toward redemption, saved the world, and quite literally went out in a blaze of glory. If we hadn't already heard that James Marsters is moving to Angel, I'd still be in shock. But it was a mystical death, and hey, they keep coming back from those mystical deaths, don't they?

I was dry-eyed until Buffy, Giles, Willow, and Xander were standing together for the last time in the high school. The Scoobies were finally back together again, I got chills down my spine, and the tears started coming. The tears kept flowing pretty much until Spike's sacrifice at the end. I also got chills when the Slayers acquired their power.

Last year, Dark Willow; this year, White Willow. There was something delightfully feminist – okay, nifty – about this one powerful woman undoing what the Shadow Men did to the Slayer line. Kennedy was also cool, being there for Willow, ready to keep her from her "dark roots," and now they're a very powerful couple. "You are a goddess." "And you're a Slayer."

The RPG the night before The End was also delightful, with Amanda, Xander, Andrew as the Dungeon-master in that Little Red Riding Hood from "Fear, Itself", and Giles about as far from his original persona as he could get ("I used to be a highly respected watcher, and now I'm a wounded dwarf with the mystical strength of a doily.") And Anya snoring.

Anya had been talking about death constantly. Did she know deep down that she was going to die? At least Anya and Andrew were fun together, and there was one last reference to bunnies. If I have a complaint about this episode, it was that Anya's death lacked oomph. She should have died gloriously in Xander's arms, with one final, hilarious bon mot, like Barrymore – "Dying is easy. Comedy is hard." Xander didn't seem all that broken up, either. He and Buffy were all about the mall banter at the end, and they had both just lost their demon lovers. But Xander did his usual superlative job of quipping in the face of certain doom: "If you have to go to the bathroom, it's to your left. If you don't have to go to the bathroom, picture what you've got to face. Better to go now." I thought this was wonderful. No one ever mentions heroes having to use the bathroom before an Apocalypse.

Dawn didn't do too badly with the sunlight trap and all. Although I still think Xander should have bound and gagged her and put her in the trunk of the car.

Faith and Robin had a few nice moments, with defensive, isolationist slayer crap, and Robin telling Faith she was inadequate in bed. I also liked Robin's "surprise" at the end. But if I have a second complaint, it's that I thought Faith being the "real" Slayer would be a key plot point in the final battle – but instead, almost all of Faith's best moments were on Angel this year.

Speaking of Angel, I absolutely loved the Buffy/Angel scene at the beginning. It was perfect closure. Of course, Angel was going to smell Spike on Buffy, just as Spike smelled Angel on Buffy ("you have Angel breath"). I loved Angel "going all Dawson" on her, bitching about how "everyone's got a soul now" and "I'm getting the brushoff for Captain Peroxide." At one point, Buffy said, "You know, one of these days I'm going to put the two of you in a room and let you wrestle it out... there could be oil of some kind involved." Loved her face as she said that. After all, who among us hasn't pictured Angel and Spike like that?

It was way past time for Buffy to grow the hell up. The cookie analogy was apt along with being a very cute double entendre: "... and maybe one day I turn around and realize I'm ready. I'm cookies. And then, you know, if I want someone to eat... or enjoy warm, delicious, cookie me, then that's fine. That'll be then. When I'm done." Bravo, Buffy.

Joss Whedon did a similarly wonderful job with Buffy and Spike. I knew Spike wouldn't turn evil or fall for the First again, and he didn't. He made a punching bag with Angel's face on it, instead. Spike doesn't have Angel's talent for portraiture, though; Angel looked like Beavis and/or Butthead.

But Buffy finally gave Spike everything he needed. She called him a champion by giving him the amulet, instead of Angel. We didn't see kisses, but there were flaming hands; she touched his face, they slept in each other's arms, and she fulfilled Cassie's prophecy and told him at the end that she loved him, even though he said he didn't believe her. She did it because she knew he and his Elizabeth Taylor accessory were toast, but it was still a wonderful thing for Buffy to do, and I'm glad she did it. Joss chose to let us interpret what happened between Buffy and Spike in the basement, probably so that the Buffy/Angel shippers and the tiny, manic minority that hates Spike can choose to believe that Spike saved the world but didn't screw Buffy. Well, I choose to interpret those final scenes in the basement as indicating that Buffy and Spike had a whole lot of sex, and did a lot of things together that he can't spell.

Did Spike fulfill the Shanshu prophecy? He is indeed a vampire with a soul who saved the world from the apocalypse. Does that mean Spike will get the "reward" and turn up on Angel this fall as a human being? Or will he return in some other mystical way? Doesn't matter. I'm good, whatever it is. I can't wait to see Angel and Spike together again. Let's get out the oil.

So where do we go from here?

We started in the high school, and ended there. The troops were actually led into the school by the principal. The survivors escaped in a school bus, as Spike knocked down the Sunnydale sign for the third time. There is a certain dramatic irony that's attached to all this. A synchronicity that borders on predestination, one might say.

Buffy has been told constantly that the Slayer must fight alone; how ironic and fun that it turns out the answer was not to be alone. The First (or The Taunter, I like that) may still exist, but Buffy gave up her uniqueness, and won the day. The First even gave Buffy the idea. Not too smart for a superior evil being, huh?

The music during the final battle was gorgeous. There was a major red herring when Buffy was stabbed. I'm sure many thought she would die for the third time. And we had a wounded Buffy passing the scythe to Faith; that was a scene they had to do. Joss destroyed Sunnydale, and changed the boundaries of the Slayer myth. Instead of just saving the world this time, the Scoobies changed the world. As Giles said, "I think it's bloody brilliant."

What will the Scoobies do now? Find the new Slayers and help them before they accidentally kill their friends? Start a much larger Watcher's Council? Buffy is free; she gets to keep her power, but she can go to college, travel, make a life for herself. And in a few years, when she's "done" and someone is ready to eat her, she can go find someone else. Because I think by that time, both Angel and Spike in his new incarnation, whatever it is, will have moved on.

Bits and pieces, for the final time:

-- How appropriate that Buffy got Caleb where he lived. Too bad we didn't get to see him in two separate parts. They must have blown the effects budget on the Hellmouth.

-- When Spike woke, he said, "I'm drowning in footwear... weird dream." Was this an obvious pun, sole, souled? A reference to "Welcome to the Hellmouth," where Cordelia talks about heaven being in L.A., that close to that many shoes? Or maybe it's part of the annoying mall joke, when Buffy was talking about her wicked shoe craving?

-- Why do people always have to cut the palms of their hands? Doesn't that make gripping a scythe a little harder? Couldn't they cut something less important, like almost anything else?

-- There were many references throughout to past episodes. Along with the ones already mentioned, we had Cleveland ("The Wish"); mini-golf (The Mayor and Faith), Giles saying, "The earth is definitely doomed," which was very close to what he said in "The Harvest." And there was staking out three places in the high school, even.

-- Did we ever find out why Buffy wasn't going to choose Dawn? Was it the whole leaving town thing? Like I said, bound, gagged, in the trunk, too late now.

-- I'm sorry we lost Amanda. I liked her. Especially in the last few episodes.

-- The final "grr argh" included a bit of animation. There haven't been many unusual "grr argh"s... "Becoming 2," "Graduation Day Part 2," "Once More, With Feeling..." It's pathetic that I know this, isn't it?

Quotes:

Angel: "It's very powerful and probably very dangerous. It has a purifying power, cleansing power... possibly scrubbing bubbles."

Angel: "You know, I started it. The whole having a soul. Before it was all the cool new thing."
Buffy: "Oh, my god, are you twelve?"
Angel: "I'm getting the brush-off for Captain Peroxide. It doesn't necessarily bring out the champion in me."
Buffy: "You're not getting the brush-off. Are you just going to come here and go all Dawson on me every time I have a boyfriend?"

Buffy: "And then, you know, if I want someone to eat m... or enjoy warm, delicious cookie me, then that's fine. That'll be then. When I'm done."
Angel: "Any thoughts on who might enjoy... do I have to go with the cookie analogy?"

Willow: "Did you find out anything about the scythe?"
Buffy: "It slices, dices and makes julienne preacher."

Spike: "So. Where's tall, dark and forehead?"

Buffy: "You know, one of these days I'm just going to put you two in a room and let you wrastle it out."
Spike: "No problem at this end."
Buffy: "There could be oil of some kind involved."

Willow: "This goes beyond anything I've ever done. It's a total loss of control and not in a nice, wholesome, my girlfriend has a pierced tongue kind of way."

Anya: "Come on. Let's go assemble the cannon fodder."
Xander: "That's not what we're calling them, sweetie."
Anya: "Not to their faces. What am I, insensitive?"

Xander: "Smack down on Red Riding Hood. This could get ugly."
Giles: "Could it possibly get uglier? I used to be a highly respected Watcher. Now I'm a wounded dwarf with the mystical strength of a doily."

Xander: "If you have to go to the bathroom, it's to your left. If you don't have to go to the bathroom, picture what you're about to face. Better to go now."

Spike: "I'm getting zero juice here. And I look like Elizabeth Taylor."

Buffy: "I'm not worried."
Rona: "Really? 'Cause I'm flashing back to Xander's whole bathroom speech."

Spike: "I can feel it, Buffy."
Buffy: "What?"
Spike: "My soul. It's really there. It kind of stings."

Dawn: "We destroyed the mall? I fought on the wrong side."

Part of me can't grasp that this is actually my last Buffy review, after writing them for so many years. I'm so glad that the finale was worthy of the series.

Four out of four stakes,

Billie
---
Billie Doux reviewed all of Buffy and Angel, so she knows the plural of apocalypse.

43 comments:

  1. Buffy wasn't joking about the mall at the end, that was the others. The last word she spoke on the show was "Spike", in answer to Giles's question of what caused the crater.

    She was silent from that point on. Which was appropriate since her Spike just sacrificed his life to save the world.

    I just loved that the last thing she said on the show was his name. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Billie,

    I've just finished watching Buffy, all seven seasons in seven months! I just watched the final episode today and am already going into withdrawals...I can't believe I didn't watch it when it aired on TV, especially as I was 16 when it came out, I would have loved having such a kick-ass girl to watch and admire!

    I discovered your blog only when I was in season 6, so have a bit of back reading to do, but I just wanted to say I really enjoyed reading it as I went through the last two seasons. Although I have to say I'm a total Angel fan (reading your blog I feel I'm in the minority!), I do think Spike (James Marsters) took the series to a whole new level when he joined the cast and can totally understand your admiration :)

    Now to find a new series to obsess over, but nothing can replace Buffy...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi, Billie Jo:

    I'm so glad you enjoyed watching my favorite show! You know, I really do love Angel, although our relationship has had its ups and downs. I just love Spike more.

    And hi there to another Billie! We are few and far between!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow. Just wow. I have finally seen the last ever episode to Buffy and it has left me feeling wow.

    Anya's death really upset me more than anything else in this series. I found her death to be shocking and sudden. When Xander went in to look for her and she was just laying there with her eyes open dead and alone I was devestated when Xander didnt see her and walked out. Poor poor Anya. I think Andrew seemed more upset by her death than Xander did! I wanted Xander to show a bit of grief though.

    Andrew surprised me. I was really glad that he survived and that is what surprised me about him. I really didnt like him for much of this series and I hated him for killing Jonathon but towards the end he changed and I really enjoyed his friendship with Anya (sob).

    I was really upset about about Spike and I couldnt believe he died but then today I came on this site and saw that he is infact going to be in Angel so he must live again after all - phew!

    Perhaps Anya could be brought back to life? Does it count as a mystical death if you are stabbed by a demons sword?

    Now what will I do with my evenings? Oh well I guess I will have to go and purchass the Angel box set now!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Also, I love your site Billie Doux. Everytime I watched an episode I couldnt wait to come and see your take on it. I loved your opinions and views on each Buffy episode very much :) Thank you, love Tommi x

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you so much, Tommi. Enjoy Angel! It started out so so but got better every season; the last one (with James Marsters) was IMO the best.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hey Billie,
    I know I'm several, well, many actually, years late to be commenting on BtVS, but I've recently discovered it and haven't been able to stop watching. I just watched the last episode and I've had this question nagging at me for several days. I'm hoping your input can put me at ease.

    Remember the whole "Dawn, Buffy won't choose you at the end" thing that back-from-the-dead Joyce said? It seemed to be a major plot point at the beginning of season seven. They kept hitting us over the head with it during the recaps. I was waiting for Buffy to let Dawn sacrifice herself somehow, but it never happened. It didn't even come up in the last episode and it's not like the Buffy writers to leave a major plot hole untouched.

    So here's my nagging question... The Elizabeth Taylor amulet that Angel brought was suppose to be used by someone 'worthy', someone who had a soul but was more than human. I immediately thought of Dawn. She's human but she's also the Key, and as far as worthy characters (whether we liked her or not) she was definitely in the line-up. Do you think Buffy knowingly allowed Spike to wear the amulet instead of Dawn, which would go with the whole "she won't choose you" thingy?

    I could be completely wrong and it's possible that I missed something. However, I love reading all your insights and your reviews usually point out something that I never thought of. I'm starting to watch Angel now and I hope its just as good as BtVS.
    ~Kellie

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi, Kellie:

    Your theory about Dawn has merit. I really do wish Joss Whedon hadn't left that plot thread dangling on the series floor.

    Enjoy Angel! As I already mentioned in these comments, it kept getting better, and the final season was its best. And I'm glad you enjoyed the reviews. Buffy is still my favorite show, ever. (Although if you haven't tried it, Supernatural is very Buffylike in its scope, and worth trying.)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi, Billie

    I've just finished a Buffy rewatch (7 seasons in 5 weeks, believe it or not), and I can say it's much, much better the second time around. The episodes are much more enjoyable when you know what's coming.

    As for the not-choosing-Dawn thing, I think it's what happend at the end of last episode: Buffy tried to have Dawn beside her in battle.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Whether I like BtVS or Angel changes almost daily. Anyway, this was an awesome episode, and a good end to the series (but as a whole, season 7 was my 2nd or 3rd least favorite, with seasons 1 and 4 being slightly worse). Definitely try Supernatural. It's like Buffy, but with some more horror aspects to it. I watched all 6 seasons just this year (and read Billie's blog along with it) and I have to say I almost like it as much as the Buffyverse shows. Anyway, this blog is fantastic, and thanks for having it, Billie.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love your site! I just finished watching Season 7 for the second time, and it was so much better than the first time through! I was too impatient when it first aired. What a great season. What a great series. I am totally in agreement with you on everything I've read so far, and I look forward to returning to your site when I rewatch the other seasons.

    Rebecca

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you so much, Rebecca! I've always thought Buffy improved with age. I'd go back and watch an episode I didn't initially love and it would seem so much better. Which I think says something about the series as a whole.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I don't have much to add from what has already been written....but just had to say that these last two episodes were fantastic. The series ended just right. Lots of tears, laughed out loud several times -

    Guardian: "What's your name?" Buffy: "Buffy"
    Guardian: (pause) "Seriously?"

    ...series finales can make or break a whole series, but IMHO the writers and creators of this show struck all the right notes, down to Buffy's smile at the end and ending it right there and then with no further words.

    Now that I have finished my first watching of the series, I'll have to wait a few years and re-watch...from all the comments it apparently gets better with age.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am shamed and embarrassed to say that I received my Buffy and Angel set on April 18. I completed all 7 seasons of Buffy and 4 of Angel on May 10.

    Do I need a life or what?

    ReplyDelete
  15. If you need to get a life, Rish, then we all do. I'm so glad you enjoyed my favorite show. Do you still have season five of Angel to go? If you haven't, you still have something to look forward to. It's the very best season of Angel.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Now that I have completer all the Buffy and Angel seasons, should I read the comics or is it better to stop now?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Rish, it might depend on whether or not you like comics. I'm not a comics person. I was ultimately disappointed in Buffy season eight, but it did well enough that a season nine is in progress. Some people liked season eight a lot. Some didn't.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I haven't really read many comics before, So I'll give it a try. What about Angel Season 6. Did you read those?

    ReplyDelete
  19. I tried the first issue of Angel season six, and stopped there.

    ReplyDelete
  20. There are two instances in the season in which Buffy does not seem to choose Dawn. First, when Dawn is not picked as a Potential. OK, this was not Buffy's decision, but Dawn could feel as if she were being rejected by Buffy, as she is being rejected for slayerhood. And second, when Dawn is sent away with the help of Xander.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I decided to do a re-watch (or just a watch, since there were a lot of episodes I never saw when they aired). I never was "into" vampire shows/moviess (Twilight=shudder), but I caught an ep of Buffy on reruns and got sucked in. I started with episode 1 and went all the way to the end, reading your reviews as I went. I loved following along with your comments/reviews. Good times. -Amber

    ReplyDelete
  22. The comment about Buffy's name was also a nod to one of the first episodes of S1, when the girl in the locker room says, "Buffy, what kind of a name is that?"

    ReplyDelete
  23. Finally got to the last episode just now... Now i will miss the series (never thought i would say this after watching the first 3 seasons).

    I might have missed something, but how did Buffy (and co) kill the first Evil? I saw them killing the army of the first evil, but not the first evil itself.

    And more importantly...why did mister Josh feel the need to kill off Anya in the way he did? I can't get over it, and not only because she was one of my most favourite characters. The ending felt much to rushed, and all the credit that the Xander character had gotten from me, in the last few seasons, went up like 'poof' when it seemed clear to me that he didn't much care about Anya's death in those last minutes.

    Still i'm glad i gave this series a chance eventually, i really enjoyed most of the latter seasons, and the characters really grew on me after all.

    I'm still gonna try the "Angel" series (not really looking forward to it, but hey, i felt the same way when i started "Buffy" a while ago.

    I heard the season 8 of Buffy (comics) wasn't very well received, but the season 9 made it all better and even explained some of the season 8 weird stuff. I'm gonna dig thru it for sure.

    I will miss Anya in the comics though, she made me laugh the most. It's a shame that Sarah Michelle Gellar did not sign on for another season on tv. She was a great Buffy by the way, i liked her much.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Billy
    Wow, I am in a very similar boat to Billie Jo It's currently November and I started watching Buffy in late August early September. I really have loved Buffy but I've sort of found I have to force myself through Angel. In season 6 and 7 I just watched the whole season because I couldn't stand to stop watching Buffy. Is this something you felt?
    Also no one else around me has seen these shows so your reviews are a great way of me digesting all of the big things that I just need to talk about. Thank you so much.
    I can now definitely say that Buffy ties with Avatar the last Airbender as my favourite show of all time. Would you ever review that series?
    Thanks again
    Josh

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hey, Josh: Thanks so much for the comment. I was reviewing Buffy and Angel when they aired, so I had to *wait* and *wait* and *wait*. I sort of envy people who are new to the show and get to watch as much as they want. Although you guys didn't get to enjoy Buffy fandom at its best. It was insane how obsessed we all were with the Buffyverse.

    I've never seen Avatar the last Airbender, and it's never been requested. I'll definitely keep it in mind.

    And you're so welcome!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Yeah, I definitely wish that I could have experienced some of the fandom. Although because I live in Australia I don't really get to experience any fandoms. They mostly have things in Europe and America :(

    ReplyDelete
  27. According to the subtitles, Spike dreams he's "drowning in cool whip," which I guess makes a tad more sense than footwear.

    ReplyDelete
  28. BahiaPortfolio, hmm, that's odd. I remember the footwear line. I think someone screwed up the subtitles. My understanding of "drowning in footwear" was it was an allusion to Los Angeles and all of its shoe stores. Like Cordelia said in Welcome to the Hellmouth: "I would kill to live in L.A. That close to that many shoes?" Or that's what I've heard anyway.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Marianna, yeah I thought it sounded like footwear, which is why I replayed with subtitles. I did a little more digging and it appears that while most people heard "footwear" some people thought it was cool whip. Most of the fan theories about what it means assume footwear. I couldn't find the original script, but all the fan transcriptions I found use "footwear." One fan theory is that it's a reference to the Sanshu prophecy, which on Angel is referred to by Spike as "san shoes."

    So it could be that the subtitles are wrong. I'm not sure if the subtitles are put in using the original script or by transcription. They do occasionally have errors. I replayed it a few times and after seeing the subtitles it sounded like cool whip to me, but maybe that's because the subtitles put that bug in my head!

    It might be addressed in the DVD commentary. I'd pull my out and check, but I don't currently have a DVD player.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Lovely finale! I think this and 'Six Feet Under' has the best finales ever.

    ReplyDelete
  31. It's been many years since I re-watched Buffy and I really wasn't sure how I would feel given the recent news of inappropriate behaviour by the shows creator. The characters and story meant too much to me growing up to disown it and I have to believe that everyone involved brought these wonderful characters to life rather than one person. Rewatching it this year I still feel the same connection to it as I did all those years ago although it is tinged with a sadness/disappointment at the end of each episode when Joss' name appears.

    I loved the finale for all the reasons posted above and I just wanted to say thank you Billie for doing these reviews and keeping them up after all this time. I've never posted but I watched the whole series this year and after each episode would come here to read your review and all the comments afterwards - it made me feel like I was watching it with friends - so thank you so much for the great reviews, valued entertainment and fun insights.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Chris, thank you so much for your comment. Even after all this Whedon carrying on, Buffy will always be special to me, too.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Kennedy: "C'mon, Red... make it happen"
    That was a cool (and sexy intense) whisper.
    I liked the shot of Dawn peering out from the back of the schoolbus when it was quickly pulling away.
    And I liked that Anya fell asleep during D&D. Nobody should die sleep-deprived.

    Great finale, the best of the last few episodes and I'm grateful they ended an iffy season on a good episode. Buffy getting a hint from the First's one-too-many taunts was neat, along with Willow's hair turning white. Wish Angel and Faith had a scene together.. they could cut to Robin watching creepily from a window like when he was spying on Buffy.

    @BahiaPortfolio: "It might be addressed in the DVD commentary."
    It doesn't really matter years later but yeah Joss quite clearly enunciates it as 'footwear.' And says something about how nice it is as a writer to inject silly words like that and make it onto the screen.

    I understand why I should care more about the lack of grief expressed by Buffy and Xander but I'm glad they didn't... just, as the final shot of the show I wanted them to feel good and relieved. I can always just imagine they all have delayed reactions to it once the shine of victory wears off (not that I even want to).

    Spike's amulet shooting beams around the cave was a genuinely cool/satisfying shot, I liked the sound design too and it was totally worth blowing the budget on lol if that's what really happened.

    As a general overview all I have to say is that season 4 was better than I remembered it, and I can at least confirm to myself that my favourite run of the show was s2's from Lie To Me to Becoming pt ii, even though I concede to the generally accepted opinion that season 3 is the best. Liked season 5 a little more too but even seeing it as the spiritual ending it was not enough to sway my original ranking. Angel 'turning' on everyone is just too wonderfully heart-breaking a plot twist and will never be beat.

    ReplyDelete
  34. @onigirli even though it’s years later thanks for clearing that up!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Onigirli, you're watching this on DVD? So retro!

    ReplyDelete
  36. @Bahia: Oh it's cool to see you're still around. And I did happen upon at least one of the other comments you mentioned written by other people who also heard cool whip lol. And then I almost started freaking hearing it too! It definitely sounded more like a C than an F at the beginning, but I could still hear the 'wear.' "I'm drowning in cooh-wear!"

    @Josie: D-don't draw attention to it. DVDs are a classic, not a relic >:( But seriously I don't have a problem watching 4:3 aspect ratio which I'm glad about since I think they're all still Region 1 DVDs and I'm pretty picky about my TV otherwise.

    I never properly watched the show as it aired (not counting the time my cousin and I tried to check it out and were treated to one of the late-s7 eps that started recapping the doomed vineyard visit with those two Potentials being killed and Xander uh you know, which scared us off and made the show seem more metal in general than it really was) so all my nostalgia was baked into the DVD stuff. The main menu theme, the chapter screens, some of the bumpers/trailers they included to almost simulate the TV experience.

    I actually do plan to do my next Buffy rewatch on Amazon because IIRC they still have the uncorrected HD remaster and I want to bear witness to how botched it was lol. I'll have to check Disney+ if it's no longer on there... or use a VPN to get on Hulu because it's still not available here in Canuckistan.

    ReplyDelete
  37. @onigirli I’m still lurking here haha! Actually I’m in the middle of another Buffy/Angel rewatch with a friend who has never seen it and it’s kind of amazing seeing it through new eyes. We are currently about mid S4 and I’m liking that season much more than I remembered! We are currently watching in Hulu, though all my early watches were on DVD and on tv for S7 Buffy, S5 Angel.

    ReplyDelete
  38. @BahiaPortfolio, glad you're still here -- I of course recognize your handle. And @onigirli, I really am enjoying your comments.

    FYI, while the new show reviews have readers, our biggest hit count is on classic shows like Buffy, The X-Files, Lost, La Femme Nikita, etc. I think it's because there's less competition. When I started reviewing Buffy, there were literally thousands of fan sites getting traffic. Now there aren't.

    ReplyDelete
  39. No shade, Onigirli--I still have my Buffy and Angel DVDs. But I also still listen to music on CD, so I always feel weird about my old fashionedness.

    ReplyDelete
  40. I just finished the Buffy franchise for the first time ever! I watched it on Hulu and I would always come to your reviews after every episode! I have never watched Angel before so my question is - should I watch Angel simultaneously with Buffy (I don't mind rewatching it, as it is a great show) or can I watch Angel alone without watching Buffy and understand?

    I too cried during the OG Scooby Gang part and the "The earth is most definitely doomed" callback. But Spike dying was where I cried the most. I know Buffy told him she loved him and he said no you don't but thanks for saying that... I believe she actually loves him. I don't know why they didn't just let Spike have it :( Anyways in my mind they are together and live happily ever after with like peroxide babies!

    Thank you again for all your great reviews!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Gaby, you're very welcome, and thanks for your comment. :) About your question -- although it isn't required and you could follow what happens if you don't, Angel is best watched intertwined with Buffy. The final season of Angel is not to be missed.

    I did a crossover guide a long time ago that might help.

    https://www.douxreviews.com/2011/09/buffyangel-crossover-guide.html

    ReplyDelete
  42. I've just finished Buffy for the first time ever. Thank you for your reviews Billie Doux, like others have said I come and read your reviews after every episode as noone I know is watching it! I'll have to do a rewatch and read all your reviews from the beginning.
    I've also just started x-files so have those reviews to enjoy too!
    P.s team Spike forever 🖤

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CC, you're so welcome. And absolutely, Team Spike Forever. :)

      Delete

We love comments! We moderate because of spam and trolls, but don't let that stop you! It’s never too late to comment on an old show, but please don’t spoil future episodes for newbies.