Buffy the Vampire Slayer - 5x22 “The Gift” FULL REACTION

LOL The definition of be careful what you wish for. Especially in front of The Joss.

Raven Dark

Oooh, that's a nice detail.

UTU49

My personal favorite is a piece of foreshadowing so subtle many people may not even realize it was foreshadowing -- in 4x16, Who Are You?, when Faith was ordering an airplane ticket over the phone, she gave the them the expiration date -- 5-01 (May 2001).

peggin

The music always gets me. I have the whole buffy soundtrack on my phone and every now and then I listen to it. I think I know (without honestly looking at the credits) what episode Christophe Beck will return to score. I hope I’m right because as I imagine it in my head, that last one you’re talking about is also EPIC. ❤️

Stephen Mintac

noooo I love s6!

Holi117

Christophe Beck - the genius that he is... composing so many memorable pieces of music... Sacrifice, Bangel Theme, the whole of Hush (ones that always stick out to me)

Holi117

It really affects me see Spike cry. T_T Love the episode...but It's so sad...

Irene Cuartas

"Okay, Season Five... fuck me up." -- Liam Duke "Fuck you, Season Five." -- Later in the season, Also Liam Duke

UTU49

this is why i wouldn’t want this to be the series finale because buffy deserves so much better than to die so young

Sarah McKinlay

Don’t forget the call back to Season 4 with Willow and Tara. Their first time using magic together in Hush to move the vending machine was used here to move the minions away for Spike to run up the tower to Dawn.

Read back through what you wrote again, and then imagine you're someone who has never seen the show at all and knows absolutely nothing about S6.

Claire Eyles

I wished it would have just ended with season 5. 😭

ADDButterfly

I'm so confused. I didn't spoil anything. I mentioned that I don't like season six and seven and I mentioned that Buffy comes back. The first is opinion. The second is obvious. Then I explained my headcanon which has no relationship with season six and seven. Nothing about my comment is a spoiler.

Roger C Lackman

I understand why you feel that way. This season was the Peak of Buffy. I have grown to like season 6 but it took time like season 4. But Season 7 is just not my cup of tea. But I personally know people that love it.

Crystal vior

At the time this episode first aired, nobody was expected to think it was an actual series finale. I know WB promoted it as such, but BtVS getting a season 6 on UPN was announced around April 20th 2001, so a full month before season 5 ended. Not saying reactors reactions aren't lessened by knowing there's two more seasons and that I'd love a way to avoid it, but it's also not unlike the context of the show's original airing.

Thomas Hansen

Thanks for sticking to it for so long. :) You are so genuine and I can't wait for more reactions.

Grace

Liam, you're right, knowing there's two extra seasons means that reactors never really get the emotional hit we did back in the day. Back in the late 90s we didn't know if another network would pick Buffy up and I used to have moments during that whole summer where I would just feel stunned that Buffy was dead. I would love it if reactors were kept in the dark about how many seasons a show has and only found out after season finales if there was another. I don't know how feasible that is but you'd know more about that than me.

HuntingSwan

Back at “Restless,” (4x22) there were comments about the music by Christophe Beck that had helped weave the story together in seasons 3 &4, and half of season 2, including all the Angel “arc” episodes. Oh, and how he was playing the keyboards on stage during Giles’ song. I said then he only had two more Buffy episode credits after that. This is one of them. And the music in this episode really helps tie it back to all that myth-building. That theme that starts simply, in a solo piano melody, full of longing, aching, and regret, and then builds and soars to a full orchestral arrangement during the final moments of the conflict, and finally retreats to piano again, with a subtle, gently hopeful countermelody in flute. This episode is amazing and wonderful on multiple levels, but the music is one that stands out to me. Christophe Beck will return to score Buffy only once more.

Steve Maxey

Buffy in “Prophecy Girl” when she accepts her predestined death: “When he wakes up tell him... I don't know. Think of something cool, tell him I said it.” Buffy in “The Gift” when she again chooses to sacrifice herself: “Dawn, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will *always* love you. But this is the work that I have to do. Tell Giles ... tell Giles I figured it out. And, and I'm okay. And give my love to my friends. You have to take care of them now. You have to take care of each other. You have to be strong. Dawn, the hardest thing in this world ... is to live in it. Be brave. Live. For me.” It doesn’t matter how many times I watch this episode, I cry my eyes out every time. I start tearing up at the teaser when the boy says, “But you’re just a girl,” and Buffy replies, “That’s what I keep saying.” Buffy is so weary and, I think, depressed. She says as much to Giles, that she doesn’t know how to live in this world if these are her choices, when everything keeps getting stripped away. I would not like this as the series finale because as heroic as Buffy is, I don’t want her to die young like every other Slayer. I do not expect a Disney ending from any Whedon show, but I want Buffy’s story to be different somehow.

Rachael

“Death is your gift” goosebumps everytime

Sarah McKinlay

If you remember the final episode of season 3, in Faith and Buffy's dream Faith says "counting down from 730". It's 2 years, or approximately 730 days later that Buffy dies. Also, in Restless, Buffy and Tara look at the time on the clock and it shows 7:30. Tara says, "oh, that clock is wrong". Josh had a plan.

Cheryl Coffin

Yeah this episode has made a lot of people sob like crazy. It's a brilliant one. I have nothing to add that others haven't already said better. But great reaction, as always.

Jayna

I have two more: "Go Fish"

peggin

The summer after this one first aired was loooooong, not gonna lie. But Liam, if you doubt if this season is better than season 2, I have two words for you: "Bad Eggs"

Khanach

Edit 2: His full thoughts are always on youtube!

KT

You're watching it in preview mode, which in dropbox has a time limit of 1 hour. You may need to download the file or open it in the dropbox app

Khanach

Season 5 is my absolute fave season, I'm sure you understand by now why this season is such a fan favourite. The last two seasons are what completes my top 3 even in that order. So I'm excited to watch it with you now that we are finally there!

s jaco

I feel bad for Ben. I mean, I get why Giles killed him, and I might even agree that it was the least bad of all the possible choices, but that doesn't mean Ben deserved it. For the most part, he stood up to Glory and did what he could to protect Dawn. The only time that stopped was after the walls separating Glory from Ben began to break down, so it's not entirely clear that he was even still entirely *Ben* when he gave Dawn to Glory.

peggin

The song at the end is called "The Sacrifice". Buffy has always had an amazing soundtrack with so many different themes but this one is my favorite. Everytime I listen to it I can feel all the emotions of the moment and picture it in my head. 😭

Jenn Rose

One of my favorite episodes of Buffy period. An amazing finale as you agree. Everyone gets a moment and they foreshadow the entire season so well. Yes, knowing that Buffy can't be dead buts a damper on a reaction a bit, but at the same time the way that all the pieces come together still gets me. And to this day, that music from the gift gets me. Glad you enjoyed. I look forward to your review.

Angela Colon

The funniest part is that season 5 was actually less of a series finale than any prior season. The first four seasons, there was some doubt about whether the series would be renewed when Joss wrote the season finale. Season 5, the WB and UPN networks were in a bidding war over the series; there was no doubt at all that there would be another season when Joss wrote the season 5 finale.

peggin

This is my favorite season and favorite season finale. Fantastic reaction as usual. I can't believe we're this far already! Now onto my second favorite season 😁

Jenn Rose

Not surprised. The thought that you'd lost all those characters must have been gut-wrenching. I think we all fell in love with everybody, and if a character is left alive at least you can still see them as living somewhere, even if the show's over. But when somebody's gone in-story, it's a very very different feeling. Lost but alive versus lost forever.

Hazel Angus

I thought the opening scene was multi-purpose. 1- because yes, that is what Buffy does. She is the Slayer- But 2- to set up this.... “But You’re Just a Girl” “That’s What I keep Saying”

Mark Judge

I don't remember the voice over part with the trailer here, but I do remember a really long shot of the grave like they were trying to really hammer it in that Buffy was going to die. I was stunned that they would do that, and then I was just pissed off!

Claire Eyles

I know they did that in the UK. Was it other places as well?

BHillzebub

Great reaction! Interesting note, If (like me) you had watched this season when it originally aired in the UK on Sky 1 immediately after the previous episode they showed a trailer for this one. The "Trailer" boiled down to this. A long lingering shot OF BUFFYS GRAVE and her speech to Dawn in voiceover. To say I was annoyed at this would be an extreme understatement.

BHillzebub

"Miles to go, Little Miss Muffet counting down from 730". 730 days until the S5 finale when those words were spoken.

Claire Eyles

When this episode first aired where I lived the trailer for it completely spoilt the ending, seriously, the promo spot showed Buffy's grave. At the time I remember trying to work out if it was a red herring or not, but yeah it totally made Buffy's sacrifice at the end less impactful emotionally because when she was preparing to jump I was like, 'Oh right, yeah, tombstone'. That was annoying.

Claire Eyles

Watching live and not knowing until months later that the show was coming back, I sobbed and sobbed when Buffy died. My bf at the time (now husband) came in the room during her speech. He looked at me and thought our dog had died. I said "B b b b buuuffys dead!!!!" 😭😭 He just stared at me then walked out. 😳🤣🤣

RavenSteal

oooh all these years and I never caught the 'feels like a hundred' refering to the 100 episodes! i'm feeling shamed lol! I also like how they said 6, including that 1 apocalypse from The Zeppo that we didn't really see haha, and the one from Doomed!

Holi117

"Joss always ended the shows seasons like a series final in case for any reason, there weren't any more.: This is the total truth. It's funny to me to see people argue over it. There are lots of quotes of him saying this. He never knew if any season was the last, so he wrote them all like they were.

KiwiJello

"The hardest thing in this world is to live in it. Be brave. Live." - The most beautiful quote from any TV show ever "This is how many Apocalypses now?" "Six at least. Feels more like a hundred" - I see what you did there 😄

Wrecked again. This episode kills me. In regards to Giles and Ben. It's important to see that GILES, not RIPPER, did the deed. He put his glasses ON. This, to me, was Buffy's father protecting her the only way he could.

KiwiJello

no matter how many times I watch this episode, nd I've watched it ALOT as this is possibly my fav season, and fav finale... I cry my little eyes out. When I watched it, it was on TV live, and I had no idea if there would be another season or what, and I just sobbed... Spike breaking down breaks me everytime. Now I can't hear that Christophe Beck score without tearing up... those first 2 notes of the piano and i'm off... Gah! Such an incredible season, so much pain and heart and tears, but also a lot of laughs, and SUCH an amazing, cohesive plot arc! Oh, season 5... EDIT as I listen to your ending thoughts: To my knowledge, Joss Whedon always had a plan mapped out for s5, 6 and 7. He knew the major points he wanted to cover and what he hoped to do. But with s5, they were (i think?) told the network wouldnt be taking them on for a 6th season, and so they were really uncertain if they would find another network, or what would happen. So Joss essentially wanted to make this season as if it was the last, wrap everything up as well as he could, especially with the finale being the 100th episode, and possibly the last episode. He knew what he would do for s6, but has said in interviews if he hadn't got the chance to do it, that he would be happy with this as the ultimate finale. Xander and Anya engaged, Tara restored and with Willow, Spike and Buffy on friendly terms, Dawn given a chance to live, Buffy fulfilling her destiny as the Slayer and as a human/ sister/ friend by choosing to give her life to save everyone... EDIT 2: wah! the video stops at 1hr mark, so no idea whether you said anything after that lol

Holi117

Oh that music.... I remember crying for days when I listen to it in my head. 😭

Stephen Mintac

Buffy can finally Rest In Peace... That was the message of this Season Finale. After all she had been through. It seemed like this was the “gift” she was supposed to receive after all. 😭 Season 5 really tore out hearts to pieces. Are you ready for the Scoobies to carry her legacy for the last 2 season by themselves?!?! They will fight the good fight for sure! Ups and Downs! Fun Fun Fun!

Stephen Mintac

It’s interesting to compare Spikes “ I know I’m a monster, but you treat me like a man,” with Angeles’ “ She made me feel like a human being. That’s not the kind of thing you just forgive.” Some soulless creatures want to be as far as possible from what they were before and some seem to be desperate to get a piece of that back.

Karissa Edie

I watched Buffy out of order so I hadn't seen all the emotional eps yet before this finale, but I remember crying for the first time when we saw Spike break down at the end. I remember saying to myself, I can't believe I shed a tear for this show about a vampire slayer. Liam- watching you get emotional made me cry more than I ever did watching this finale,and I've seen it many times. So thanks for that! :) Good on you for guessing the Buffybot may come into play, I didn't even think about that when I first watched, It's really interesting on rewatches what I pick up. Like when the gang was walking and got to the crazy tower, I realized that was the Buffybot with them and even though you hear Buffy off camera say, "Will you're up." then they show "Buffy" but that is really Buffybot. Sneaky Joss. I had always wondered when they exactly replaced the Buffy with the bot, and now looking at it again I discovered where. It was when the gang are leaving the Magic Box, you see Buffy exit to her right, so she must have done some fast clothes changing and then joined them. Because the bot was wearing the clothes she had on. Also, I don't know if you realized but when Willow telepathically tells Spike to "go now", she grabs Tara's hand and then you see the minions and crazy people separate. That was a call back to when Willow and Tara clasped hands and moved the soda machine in Hush. I like when Joss does that. Anyway, glad you loved the finale, it never gets old to me I've seen it so many times, it is definitely my favorite of the series and I know many fans as well. Also glad you loved season 5, It's the most cohesive and flowing,which I think you had touched on recently. On to season six! Oh man I can't wait for your reactions. After season five, it's my favorite to watch newbies react to, so I am really looking forward to your videos.

Val

The Buffyverse somehow manages to pack in twice as much story in 42 minutes than most other shows. I don't know how they do it.

UTU49

"You're a killer!" -- Tara "Things are always darkest before... " -- April the robot "You think you know what you are... what's to come. You haven't even begun." -- Dracula

UTU49

I cried to hard at the ending and I already knew there was a season 6. The hardest thing in the world is to live in it, has been one of my life mottos every since. It's so powerful.

s jaco

i have been waiting all day. thank you for this....I cry every single time seeing this one. such a good episode...I especially love that all these episodes that we thought dont have any further meaning like Olaf the troll and the Buffy bot for example all came back in this finale and part of the final fight. so so good.

Yes, for the original airing I did cry my eyes out for a good half hour after the episode ended because I had no clue it was coming back on another network. That part (plus knowing Angel gets his own show) does suck for reactors today, but I've heard time and time again that people knew these things even back then and it really doesn't take away from the brilliance anyway. Loved your reactions this season, and I'm looking forward to the thoughts video.

Lisa Irv

Well 100th episodes were commonly treated as a big deal, for what that’s worth. I actually missed out on this entire season when it originally aired, due to extenuating circumstances, so my experience with season 5 as a whole and “The Gift” in particular were different from most Buffy fans at the time. But it stands out for many reasons and it really is excellent.

Koz

Great reaction for a great finale. What a season ! It's me or your post review is cut ? I'm at the end (one hour) and video stops as you'r talking.

Yesss. Awesome reaction! Season 5 is my favorite. ❤

Shaun Stacy

This reaction was a gift (heh). You mentioned the foreshadowing of Buffy's death. Not to be the class know-it-all, but Buffy's death was actually first foreshadowed in Graduation Day, then in This Year's Girl/Who are you? and then later in Restless. It's cryptic and subtle, but it was obviously Joss' plan from a while before (same with Dawn coming into the show). I hope you love the show going forward, since there's still so much great stuff to come.

I love this episode and as usual love ur reaction. cant wait for ur 12hour long review for season 5 😁. I have a chopping board with the quote "The hardest thing in this world, is to live in it" -Buffy Summers.

Shauni Livingstone

So i been refreshing all morning and the minute i go out 4 lunch with my daughter you upload it!! Now i have to wait until i get home 😭😭😭

CeNedra

Well, it may be 4:30 in the morning for me and I may not have had any sleep yet but I'll be damned if I choose even the smallest possibility of waking up before noon over watching Liam's reaction to this season finale

Ritchie

Dang it, it’s 11:23pm here and I have work tomorrow but this has me too hyped to sleep now haha!

April Elizabeth

Here we are 😍