Buffy | Studio23 | 07.05.2004

On Buffy last night : Chosen

The end is here.

At least, the end of the Buffy era. Studio 23 has aired the last episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, number 144. In last night's episode, Willow channeled the power of the scythe and dispersed Slayer power to all girls who had the potential to become Slayers, while Spike wore the amulet that caused the Hellmouth to close and killed the Turok-han, at the expense of his own (undead-wth-soul) life. It was a fitting end to a ground-breaking series that helped shape lives and has firmly ensconced Buffy as one of the role models of a new millenium.

Everything in the past few weeks had been leading to the emotional payoff of this episode, and it was masterfully crafted by Joss Whedon and his team, from the sweet yet tragic reconciliation of Xander and Anya, to the grudging peace between Buffy and Giles, even the Faith-Wood "romance" of sorts. Most importantly, we watched with bated breath from the cliffhanger of the previous episode where Spike watches Buffy kiss Angel and The First taunt him for this. Whedon and Co. also try to do a CGI battle, not quite on the scale of Lord of the Rings, but quite good for television. The last episode of Buffy was a blast, taken either singularly, or as the fitting end to a marvelous series.

And in the end, when the dust has settled, you are indeed made to look back, because one scene is reminiscent of 'The Harvest', second-ever episode. Buffy, Willow, and Xander are together, just like old time, chatting airily before they go into battle. "The Earth is definitely doomed," Giles, watching, bemuses. Of course it is not.

Andrew, our favorite geek, sums it up. It has been an honor.