Buffy 7x22 Chosen

Over 20 years later, I still have recurring dreams that I am watching Buffy season 8 but keep forgetting to catch up on the episodes.

Well what a journey. An episode that felt like Creator-Saves-By-Finale which is true but is unfair were used as a judgement on the rest of season 7. I like Chosen's structure: how it begins with season 7's central story, resolving Caleb, before going into The Final War. The episode is loaded with callbacks, (Angel himself, that core group, Giles with patrenal pride, Spike-as-hero), in a way that feels earned. Great stuff. Thanks for sharing. I really liked CommodoreLezmo's comment on 'why Anya'. Writers kill characters because they like to tell about high stakes: putting a little hurt their audiences. The theory might be a sort of reminder about death as ever present and we should always be thinking about it in relation to our life, and those of people around us. Because life can be terrific, and when it is who wants thoughts of death? Anya died to convey shock in the story. The girl who ran from the apocalypses, stopping. The death of Spike is easier to take. He's had a long run and his character has always expressed someone who'll go down fighting. We were prepared for that, but not for Anya's departure. Fucking death! Strongly suggest you leave off Buffy research until Angel is done. Many spoilers to be ruining. Research can wait for those Buffy-verse video essays you wanted to make.

Thank you for reacting to the show! Can't believe you've finished it! Like you I was confused "why Anya" initially too, but now I do think Anya dying was fitting for her character development. She died saving a human, not just that but a male who had committed a crime worthy of vengeance. Re-watching Andrew teasing Anya that she loves humans in the previous episode hits differently a second time. Also when D'Hoffryn reverses the wish and gives the from beneath you it devours warning, I always wondered if he somehow knew she specifically would die before the end. But then he sent demons to kill her in a subsequent episode and I kind of dismissed my initial feelings there. She was such a great character! Hope your okay and not suffering post-Buffy blues.

Who would've thought that a seemingly silly show about highschool kids fighting vampires would go on to become one of the all-time greats? It's been an absolute pleasure to go on this journey with you Juliette. Now it's time for the best season of Angel to finish things off!

Thank you, Juliette, for letting us come along on your journey through Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It has been wonderful seeing someone as kind and caring as you enjoy this show that we love.

Ooh, I wasn't aware that we'll get the finale so soon, thank you! I think the way most character arcs (Buffy, Willow!, Spike) were concluded so satisfyingly (in my eyes) and even the main female empowering theme of the show being brought to another level makes this the perfect series finale. I'm looking forward to watching your reaction tonight, and I hope your Kleenex supply didn't fail you...

Well only one thing left to do. Angel season 5 baby!

Welcome to the other side, Jules. You made it all the way through one of the best TV series to ever exist (I was there 28 years ago when S1 aired, nothing has ever toppled it from the top spot in my head). I normally just watch the YT edit, but for this one, along with The Body and The Gift, I felt like I needed to relive it with you. Thank you for sharing your reactions with us all. We remember what it was like seeing it for the first time and now you get to watch other people's reaction videos and join in. One more of Us and one less of Them, lol.

I have been stewing with that quote by Cassie in the 4th episode by Cassie. "She'll tell you, someday, she'll tell you." Didn't want to spoiler. That was a moment that didn't click for me until a second watch. And it makes that moment and the moment when Buffy tells Spike she loves him hit so much more. It's amazing to me that you clicked on it from the first in your post talk of this episode. I didn't pick up on it until the second rewatching.

You know what to do now, right? Go allllllll the way back to the beginning and watch it from the start. Now knowing where all of the stories go, and how everyone grows and changes, all the trials and tribulations. It’s fun to see the journey from the start again 😉

It's been a heck of a trip Jules. And remember, you never have to say goodbye -- you can now pick up any Buffy episode any time you want and watch some or all of it. Just be careful -- it's easy to pick up somewhere and then find yourself watching every episode after that. 😉

I get your concern about all the new slayers with no guidance, but luckily, at the end scene, willow says that they will go and find them. hopefully the scooby gang can find and help as many as possible! Thanks so much for sharing your journey with us, I've loved watching your reactions :)

As has been said a couple of times already, the show continues on in comic book form for quite a while. Of course, then there's also the revival series that is in the works, but no word yet if it's going to treat the comics as canon. Another fun fact, showrunner Marti Noxon wanted Tara to be resurrected during season 7, but Amber Benson declined to return due to behind the scenes drama.

The Buffy season 8 and beyond are available as used hardcopies or as viewable-online-only PDF's. Not sure how legal the PDF sites are. There is also another Slayer-verse graphic novel by Joss Whedon, 'Fray'. It is available in Kindle format on Amazon for $1.99US per volume (8 volumes). It is about the calling and initial adventures of Mel Fray, a slayer living a couple hundred years in our future. The scythe makes a reappearance in the story.

Remember Cassie told Spike "She'll tell you"

I knew you would be sobbing by the end, but you handled it pretty well. I've seen the finale so many times, and I still cry at the end. I think this is an amazing finale and the perfect way to end the show. I know some fans think "The Gift" would have been a better finale, but I personally would not have been happy with the show ending in Buffy's death. Anya's death was foreshadowed earlier in the season in "Selfless". When Anya tells D'Hoffryn that he should have killed her instead of Halfrek, he says, "Oh, I wouldn't worry about that. From beneath you, it devours. Be patient. All good things in time." The ending with Spike and Buffy is sad but beautiful. Their relationship came such a long way.

Buffy is definitely an emotional roller-coaster ride! Aside from some of the outdated themes (like Xander's ill-treatment of women in certain cases), it's still an epic series that can never truly be replicated. Buffy standing up during the battle will always be a powerful moment, and her speech on top of that. So many incredible speeches and scenes in this show! Thank you for sharing your first watch with us! Looking forward to watching your Angel S5 reaction when you start releasing that 😊💓

💞🥰 Thank you so soo much for letting us all be a small part of your Buffy journey! I loved watching the show with you and I can't wait to see what you get into next ✨️😊

So, Spike destroyed the "Welcome to Sunnydale" sign for the third and last time... Anya's death was because Emma Caulfield asked to be killed off. She wanted to move on from the Anya character. There were also talks at the time about a Faith spin-off. But Eliza Dushku turned that down as she thought Buffy would be a hard act to follow. Wonderful reaction Jules. I knew you would be emotional at the end. It has been such a treat to re-watch this show with you. And it is not really over, as we have the final season of Angel still to go.

I've heard that Emma Caulfield asked for her character to be killed in the end. And I think it makes sense for both her and Spike to sacrifice themselves, as they are far more in need of redemption than anyone else in the main cast.

To answer your question in the outro dark horse comics did a series of comics after this to continue the story line Also great reactions

When you watch Angel 5x1 don’t watch the opening

Haven't watched this yet, but jumping in to say: I know I'm the millionth person to warn you about the Angel 5x1 intro credits, and maybe you recorded that reaction already, but once more just in case - don't watch it. Like, not even a second of it. Off to watch this finale with you <3

Thanks for the journey, Juliette. And as a reward for your effort... you're also one of the official chosen potentials now! Because every girl who could have the power, will have the power. Are you ready to be strong?

First off, congrats on reaching the end! It’s a show that, for all the occasional storyline faults, has really stood the test of time! It’s just beautiful! Thank you for sharing your viewing experience with us!

Anyanka, y'all.⚔️ Edit: To your closing discussion--- in our 'verse, in our community--- no, it's not too late. This year, oddly enough, it's truer than ever. I'm not just referring to the fan fiction either: the "Buffy: Season 8" comics are good, the "Angel: After the Fall" books are excellent, and I keep my hopes high for that reboot (still to come). The journey continues. Keep on slayin'...🦇