DVD review - Buffy season 7 episodes 21 and 22

Concluding my viewing/reviewing of Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 7 (final season)....

SPOILERS

B7-21: End of Days (written by Douglas Petrie and Jane Espenson, airdate 5/13/03)

Buffy gains the ultimate weapon and learns its origins from one of the Guardians who forged it (no, not little blue men - more like a very old, old woman). Faith has doubts about herself after leading the girls into a trap and needing Buffy to save them all from a horde of ubervamps. She and Buffy talk about the burden they bear as Slayers, having to be alone and handle it all by themselves. This gives Buffy an idea! Andrew and Anya bond a bit over a hospital raiding trip (complete with wheelchair fighting - oh, those crazy sidekicks). Xander agrees to Buffy's plan to take Dawn away, only to get tasered by the niblet when she wakes up (and she takes them back to Sunnydale). Buffy has round 4 with Caleb, with a little help from Angel - but ultimately its her fight so he basks in the entertainment. After, he rewards her with that kiss. Spike sees - uh oh....

B7-22: Chosen (written by Joss Whedon, airdate 5/20/03)

Caleb comes back for one more round, but Buffy cuts it short (in more ways than one). Of course, she and Angel talk about Spike (complete with alpha male jealousy). He agrees to be the second front if need be (after all, this isn't his show) but leaves her with an amulet. Of course, it is meant for Spike - and after he and Buffy talk, all the feelings are on the table - sort of. Loved when Dawn kicks Buffy in the shins and calls big sis a "dumbass" for trying to keep her out of the final fight. Everyone wants a piece of this final episode. Loved the AD&D interlude the night before the battle, with Andrew as DM and Giles, Xander and Amber playing. Best line from Giles - "now I'm a dwarf with the mystical strength of a doilee".

Sunnydale High is the site of the final battle, and what a battle it is! After the original four have a moment (a nice moment), it is off to their positions. Willow's spell on the scythe grants every girl (in the world? - okay that was cheesey - ra ra girl power, Joss) the Slayer power, Buffy, Faith and the Potentials kick some butt. A few escape to the upstairs - giving us some b-level characters mortal wounds (alas, poor Anya...). Of course, Spike has to make the ultimate sacrifice with the amulet - bringing about the destruction of the Hellmouth and allowing Buffy time to escape with the others. They clearly got a good effects budget on this one - with the hordes of ubervamps and the implosion of Sunnydale. Nice. We end with a sigh of relief, of sorts. What's next? No mall left. Second best line from Giles - "I hear there is another Hellmouth in Cleveland". Nice. Let's all relocate.

Time soon for season 8 - aka, the Dark Horse comics. Yeah!