Buffy the Vampire Slayer: 5x22 Full Reaction
Added 2024-10-18 14:00:11 +0000 UTC"The Gift"
Comments
The fact that the shifty demon guy was the one who cut Dawn to start the portal opening is a direct and sharp commentary on the truth that evil is never just a "big bad" - it is always propelled along by the "small bads" who gleefully join the cause. We're seeing it happen in real life on the streets of the US today.
Peter Warton
2026-01-13 08:45:01 +0000 UTCHope you watch the next 2 together!!!
MaggieStormborn
2024-11-04 00:02:17 +0000 UTCEven decades after watching this when it aired, this episode can still squeeze salty water out of this old man's eyes at several points.
SJ Lute
2024-10-24 00:40:43 +0000 UTCLove how you mentioned Giles has been acting out of character at times this season because of his dark moments (Reminiscent of Ripper) and then he ends up killing a human (Ben), the seeds were planted haha.
Ahmad
2024-10-23 20:09:51 +0000 UTC"Buffy has never taken a human life and never would." Buffy literally put an axe into the chest of one of The Knights of Byzantium. LOL!
Aaron Price
2024-10-23 19:28:14 +0000 UTCI miss your schedule era
madfem
2024-10-23 17:44:08 +0000 UTCThe best part was seeing you just holding the pen within frame the entire time lol And the What the Fuck at the end
Preaching to the Horse's Mouth
2024-10-23 13:47:14 +0000 UTCI often think that the Willow telepathy crowd clearing moment, as cool as it is, ends up overshadowing the fact that she herself basically did the Glory trick of STICKING HER FINGERS INTO SOMEBODY'S FUCKIN' BRAIN!
Preaching to the Horse's Mouth
2024-10-23 13:22:47 +0000 UTCNow let's get to season 6, maybe my favourite season.
David Allan
2024-10-20 22:24:32 +0000 UTCIn 2000/ 2001 we thought that season five of Buffy was the series finale, not the season finale. The show premiered on the WB network and going into season five the show had not been renewed by WB for a sixth season. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, social media and cell phone usage were in their infancy, so information was not as readily available as it is now. When Buffy died in the episode "The Gift", for the fans it was how the show ended. That was May 22, 2001, we spent the entire summer with little to no information and Buffy dead. We didn't have the knowledge that there were two more seasons to soften the blow of losing a beloved character and that the show itself would carry on. Most fans were not even aware that the show had been picked up by another network until September of that year and we would have new episodes in October. And that information had been somewhat obscured by a particular event on September 11, 2001. It was and still is one of my favorite shows, mostly because the writing, directing, and acting was always excellent. As a side note, in all of Buffy when Giles was in an uncomfortable situation, he would take off his glasses to clean them. Right before he killed Ben, he put them on.
Douglas Robertson
2024-10-20 02:51:22 +0000 UTCIt's not just a show. Just like your favorite art is not just art, your favorite music is not just music. It in some ways defines your life, a part of it you take into yourself and keep it as part of you. For some it is special episodes like this, some it is the whole thing, the shows, the books, the comics, the fandom, now the watch-alongs, the re-watches. In this episode especially, there were a lot of close ups of the cast saying personal and intimate things to each other, very little of the talking to yourself part, or talking past each other. Everyone listened to each other, and said what they most felt genuinely out loud. This were everyone quits lying to each other to try to get over feels very raw and very appreciated, after a season of trying to deny and hide reality from each other. There was a lot of yelling at each other in Season 5, because life is getting hard for everyone, and everyone is feeling like all this hellmouth jazz is not great for trying to grow up and have a normal life. Buffy already knew that things were at a breaking point, and came to the conclusion that her life as a normal girl was forfeit to her destiny, and made peace with that. Making peace with death has never been what she did, ever. She always took the hard way out against evil, until she realized it was no use, and then she fell (into a coma of depression! wow guys...) and came back out ready for the end, to fight to the last. Strangely, Dawn took the same journey emotionally, and was ready to sacrifice at the end too. I am not sure she had thought it through like Buffy did, tho, I think it might just be overwhelmed by horror and being so violated by adults, being an orphan, being the target all the time. It took a few episodes to accept Dawn as a legitimate character, a central one at that. She had nothing special going on, other than a different energy from the rest of the cast. I understand they turned her into a trouble magnet for plot reasons, but really haven't got her relationship to Buffy fleshed out yet, and this was the "end". The relationship of Tara and Willow was written much better this season, though the new gay adventures of Willow and Tara of Season 4 were a highlight, even if they had to keep it PG. The times were early 2000s, after all, and both Buffy and Angel got away with a lot other shows in prime time couldn't. Willow being emotionally destroyed by losing Tara even partly was very well done. Buffy losing Joyce was drawn out and really given only one great episode, The Body, which might be the best TV episode in history even if it is so terrible that watching it more than once is painful, because it pulls out the real feeling we have in our real lives about losing people. This show takes some risks other shows don't, that is part of its drama and excitement, but also why it is so loved. It is also quite violent, and has some real scenes of abuse, and people abused act almost real, it doesn't just fall off them in the next scene. The stunts and action cannot be beat, they just keep getting better. The choreography of the final battle -- amazeballs. Even the magic ball of portal looked great. Buffy dying while the gang has to carry on -- that might be the real horror. They all built their lives around Buffy and the Slayer's mission, relying on her to save basically everyone. Spike goes to pieces without someone to love, becomes a drunken hermit most of the time. Dawn is probably not going back to school, she will not be able to function on that level for a long time. Willow looked utterly defeated, and will probably study magic full time now. Xander and Anya may stay together, but without the mission and the crisis might get real bored with each other. Giles ... We'll see who made it alive through the summer without the slayer. Clare Kramer ("Glory") went on to be an accomplished stage actress in plays on Broadway, and you can check her out in the hilarious lesbian spy comedy D.E.B.S (2003), which would be great reaction movie, btw.
spikeysnack
2024-10-20 00:30:49 +0000 UTCthis show is always miles ahead in termes of creativity and quality than first time watchers expect... that's why i watch Buffy reactions 🤭🤭
madfem
2024-10-19 21:41:36 +0000 UTCDid you ever think Anya has a phobia for bunnies and Buffy's name meaning is Bunny.
Morgan Williams
2024-10-19 18:36:10 +0000 UTCEven the beginning when Buffy says "Why don't we start with, Hi I'm Buffy." It gets me. When Buffy is in the alley with the kid. He says, "But you're just a girl." Buffy, "That's what I keep saying." After everything, she still longs to have a normal life. When Buffy turns to the rising sun, her look is not one of fear or sadness, but of anticipation. Spike said to Buffy in FFL, "Part of you is desperate to know, what it's like, where does it lead you?" "Death is your gift" A gift to Dawn, but also in a way a gift for herself.
Bud Haven
2024-10-19 16:19:45 +0000 UTCFavorite episode of the whole series, i just particularly love the opening scene, i think it perfectly encapsulates the show. Kid running from vampire in the alley, seemly innocent and helpless girl shows up and when you least expect it she saves the day. The whole premise of the show is right there and it's awsome that they gave this nice touch at the beggining to remind us that even though she's a hero, Buffy is also just a girl.
Carol Gonçalves
2024-10-19 16:19:30 +0000 UTCSome foreshadowing all the way back in the 2nd episode of the season, Harmony has the line " You'll see. Buffy'll be dead by sunrise. I've got a plan." and her plan was to kidnap Dawn. Also the part in the beginning when Buffy cuts her speech off. The original script had the line. Giles: She's not your sister. Buffy: No. She's not. She's more than that. (trying to articulate it... ) More than family... my sister, my daughter... Xander: She's your sister and your daughter? but was cut while filming, which is so interesting to me because if Dawn is Buffy's sister, shouldn't the monks have taken Joyce's DNA instead?
NC
2024-10-19 12:46:54 +0000 UTCFew notes: 01 - I watched this when it originally aired in 2001 and most of us here in the UK didn't know at the time that there was going to be a 6th season. You can imagine the absolute sadness at her death. It was big news. 02 - This was intended to be the series finale after contract ended with the WB before UPN picked it up for 2 more seasons. That being said, the scripts for S6 were already being written when production/filming had begun on the S5 finale - just hadn't been officially announced 03 - In the UK, the trailer for this finale showed Buffy’s headstone and was the ultimate spoiler! We were all PISSSED at that. There was no social media back then so this major spoiler could have been avoided! Still annoyed 23 years later! You can view that very trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BL8kAcGFp0 04 - The full series recap was to celebrate this being Buffy’s 100th episode leading on to her biggest and final battle.
Cambo
2024-10-19 10:28:18 +0000 UTCJust a couple details about this episode that after many rewatches I noticed and make me enjoy the ep even more: 1) the music during Buffy and Giles’ talk in the training room, when she says how much she loved Angel and still knew it was the right thing to sacrifice him, we hear a very slow somber version of the Bangel love theme. And as soon as Buffy says she just wishes her mom was here, the music transitions to the 'Sacrifice' theme music of this episode. Very beautiful. 2) in the last scene with Buffy’s grave, you might not have noticed but they buried her under a willow tree......🥺😔😭 it’s like Willow is always watching over her...
Ariel17
2024-10-19 03:56:46 +0000 UTCWe all had the same thoughts, questions and theories! How are they going to bring her back? It’s called Buffy! Can’t wait for you to start season 6.
Whitney Mercer
2024-10-19 03:37:33 +0000 UTCI think Karma knows you're done with the episode because that's when you do your longest period of unbroken talking, and she seems to pick up on that. also, her walking away after finding out Buffy died was priceless. same, girl, same. 😭 (she doesn't know there are two more seasons.)
Test User
2024-10-19 03:23:01 +0000 UTCThis episode feels like such a cathartic and heartbreaking conclusion for Buffy's journey, but I'm glad there are two more seasons of the show. Season 6 is literally one of my favorite seasons of television ever.
Raymond Simon
2024-10-19 02:50:40 +0000 UTCI think everything got covered except the "Restless" episode left its share of breadcrumbs as well for this finale. I have a couple of thoughts on the following: If the series were to end here it would have been a perfect bow on the wrap-up as Buffy accepted finally who and what she was and met her ultimate fate as a world saver. Spike/William... it would be interesting to see a vamp trying to be good minus the soul thing. I have noted in the past that the soul doesn't seem to be the complete determining factor as lots of evil humans have souls for example. About Giles; I don't think he would have killed Dawn himself without great difficulty but Dawn offering to end the matter herself... he would almost certainly let her do it. A previous comment indicated that Giles did not allow himself to be blind to what he did with Ben but did it with eyes wide open. About "Ripper" not being involved, I partially disagree in that "Ripper" is/was always a part of Giles' identity as our own pasts and decisions remain a part of us with the consequences and lessons taken as a result. I think if Giles were to lead the Watchers that organization would be different (fun exercise in speculating how...). If the series would have ended here it would have done what too many failed to do (some infamously so) ... leave the audience wanting more. Looking forward to the discoveries and developments for season six.
Michael Labs
2024-10-19 02:28:49 +0000 UTCOnce we got over our astonishment and a few weeks of talking about the episode itself, the netizens of the message board I lived on spent the next couple of months speculating, theorizing, and even fan-fictioning on how Season 6 could possibly come into existence. None of us got it right.
DanielOrme
2024-10-19 00:29:08 +0000 UTCThis is all around a great episode, but my personal favorite touch is how Giles puts on his glasses immediately before smothering Ben. It highlights that he's doing this deliberately, and making no effort to hide from himself or claim that he wasn't in control or had no choice. He is -- to use the cliche -- going in with his eyes open. Such a contrast to people who try to avoid responsibility.
JBK405
2024-10-18 23:56:42 +0000 UTC"Why is there so much death in this season?" Yep, you got it there, Death was the subject/theme for Season 5. So many colossal moments in this episode. Just a few that get to me the most: > The way Buffy turns and runs toward her fate with utter confidence. How do you explain to people that an actress deserves an Emmy just for the way she runs? >Giles suffocating Ben. Notice that he carefully and deliberately puts his glasses on first. That's to make it clear that it's not (as some might try to rationalize) Ripper, the irresponsible kid he once was, but Giles, the Watcher, the adult. He does it because he knows Buffy can't. He will always take the weight for Buffy. >The whole scene between Buffy and Spike at her house is pure gold, but my favorite Spike moment is on the tower with Doc. "i don't smell a soul anywhere on you. Why do you even care?" "I made a promise to a lady." That's William the poet, that 19th century Man of Honor. He has become Buffy's White Knight.
DanielOrme
2024-10-18 23:55:37 +0000 UTCSuch brilliant direction to have Spike be the one breaking down out of everyone. Its subversive, since he's the soulless demon, which makes it impactful, plus it makes total sense because he doesn't hide/mask his emotions ever
SpikesEcho
2024-10-18 22:01:35 +0000 UTCGiles' nightmare from the first season came true. :(
Mornir
2024-10-18 21:42:27 +0000 UTCGiles says they stopped 6 apocalypses. I would argue that Buffy saved the world in ‘The Harvest’, ‘Nightmares’ ,‘Prophecy Girl’ ,‘Becoming Part 2’ ,‘The Zeppo’, ‘Graduation Day Part 2’, ‘Doomed’, ‘Primieval’ so 8 times plus ‘The Gift’ making 9 times. 4 attempts to open the Hellmouth (Harvest, Prophecy Girl, Zeppo and Doomed), 3 times that Earth would have been altered by other (nonHellmouth) Hell dimensions (Nightmares, Becoming, The Gift) and 2 monster leaders who probably could have taken over the world (Demon Mayor and Adam's human-demon-cyborg assembly line). Buffy Summers- She saved the world a lot
James Smith
2024-10-18 21:33:16 +0000 UTCAs others have said the 'previously on' was a nice treat for the 100th episode, but you can also look at it as Buffy's life flashing before her eyes. Maybe that's why you were terrified watching it. This is a great end to a great season. There was plenty of foreshadowing for Buffy's death but no one ever sees it coming. Including Spike in 5x07 Fool For Love: "That final gasp. That look of peace. Part of you is desperate to know: What's it like? Where does it lead you? And now you see, that's the secret. Not the punch you didn't throw or the kicks you didn't land. Every Slayer has a death wish."
rattusprat
2024-10-18 21:31:15 +0000 UTCAlso in Who Are You, Faith as Buffy reading the credit card info, "Expiration 5/01," which is when The Gift aired and Buffy, uh, expired.
El
2024-10-18 21:20:44 +0000 UTCSpike sobbing at the end gets me. Every. Single. Time.
Christine Cox
2024-10-18 20:46:23 +0000 UTCMy favorite season finale...ever, really. Still has yet to be topped. Just the perfect build up, and the perfect pay-off. And I cry like a little puppy every time. And the previously on...her life flashing before her eyes...just so fucking good.
Steve Mercier
2024-10-18 20:26:26 +0000 UTCThe ending still makes my eyes wet. And now Season 6, can't wait.
slypeartree
2024-10-18 19:24:19 +0000 UTCIf this had been the series finale, they started the episode with a scene that just brought it back to basics. Buffy dealing with a vampire - like she's done countless times before. Expressing her constant desire to just have a normal life. Be a normal girl. </3 The "pervert - other pervert" moment is one of my low-key favorites, just such a natural normal teasing moment that makes Anya and Xander feel like a real couple <3 "She saved the world a lot" - MY HEART Honestly this musical cue as Buffy runs off the tower - I am emotionally trained to cry when I hear it. Every time. I have been dying for you to get to this episode. Very eager for you to start season 6.
dreamsofspike
2024-10-18 18:37:53 +0000 UTC"She has never taken a human life"... I think the knight that got axed on top of the RV just two episodes ago was human though.
Thomas L
2024-10-18 18:05:28 +0000 UTCI just like Cass until that moment had no clue it was going to end like that
Sean Stuart
2024-10-18 18:03:45 +0000 UTCIf you recall in the season 3 finale, this episode is foreshadowed during Buffy and Faith's dream sequence. Faith tells Buffy, "Oh yeah - miles to go. Little Miss. Muffet counting down from 7-3-0." The 730 is the exact number of days this episode was released. Joss always had a story arc planned out years in advance.
Shea
2024-10-18 17:45:56 +0000 UTCNo spoilers, just a response to how vampires are turned: the vampire has to suck a human’s blood until just near death, then the human drinks some of the vampires blood, then an inconsistent amount of time later (maybe it just varies by the person), the human turns (or rises from their grave if they’ve already been buried). So in the case of someone who’s already dead from non-vamp causes, it would be too late to turn them. Loved this, can’t wait for season 6!
Minna
2024-10-18 17:34:42 +0000 UTCAre you serious?
Eric J Quintern
2024-10-18 16:59:33 +0000 UTCBest villian in the history of the show
Eric J Quintern
2024-10-18 16:59:03 +0000 UTCI think a lot of fans misunderstand what "it was going to be the series finale" really means. Joss had a five year plan, like most TV writers did in that era. The idea that the finale of season 5 would be the series finale was always in his head, but that doesn't mean it would have been this exact episode if it had. But by the time The Gift was conceived and written, even though UPN hadn't officially signed all the papers yet, Joss and the other producers were pretty well aware there would be more seasons.
El
2024-10-18 16:59:01 +0000 UTCI've seen this episode countless times of course knowing what happens, and I cry every single time. That's what good television does. It evokes such strong emotions that trigger a response. This episode is brilliant and the show at its absolute best.
Melissa
2024-10-18 16:54:41 +0000 UTCSeen as they changed network after this, the network actually didn't
Thomas L
2024-10-18 16:54:13 +0000 UTCRIP Glory you were an amazing villain
Ahmad
2024-10-18 16:04:07 +0000 UTCWhat may have confused at the start was the "previously on..." that covered every episode of the last 5 seasons. Why? Because not only was this the finale of season 5, it was also the 100th episode. Hence also Giles's little comment on how many apocalypses they had faced: "seems like a hundred".
Steve Quinn
2024-10-18 15:36:29 +0000 UTCIf you'd watched this episode in Australia when it first aired you would've been fully prepared for that ending, considering the TV network just outright spoilt it for everyone by showing Buffy's grave in the episode promos. Of all the things not to show, you would think spoiling the entire ending of the episode would be top of the list.
Claire Eyles
2024-10-18 15:29:02 +0000 UTCAlso this is the series 100th episode
Eric J Quintern
2024-10-18 15:26:39 +0000 UTCThis is my favorite episode of the series. For the record, this was originally meant to be the series finale as they weren’t sure if the network was going to allow them to continue for a sixth season.
Eric J Quintern
2024-10-18 15:26:10 +0000 UTCOMG
Melissa Reynolds
2024-10-18 14:10:01 +0000 UTC
