"How does that help him get revenge on Buffy?" Go back and rewatch those scenes. He never said "revenge." His exact words were "give her what she deserves..." Make of that what you will.

So let's go over Anya's contribution during this arc. She initially tried to talk Willow down and attempted to stop her from accessing the dark magic books. Chooses to help because she cares about Willow. Helps track Willow down to try to stop her from killing Warren. Tried to get the warden to release Andrew and Jonathon to protect them from Willow. Once Buffy got the duo out of the jail Anya stayed behind to 1. stall Willow and 2. try to talk her down again and got attacked for it. She found the the protection spell and was able to use it. She chose to stay at the magic box risking her own life in order to keep the spell on Willow and give Buffy a fighting chance against her. I feel that Anya does not get enough credit for all she does during these episodes both from the audience and in-universe.

There are hints that what Spike did to Buffy, even as soulless as he was, shook him to the core. He had flashbacks in one scene, it distressed him. He knew his opportunity to be what she needed would never really be there, so he tried to fix it. It's pretty amazing he could find the will to do that honestly.

Giving Buffy what she deserves..him with a soul

“Get what she deserves” “Gonna see a change” “Make me what I was” They were careful with the lines Spike said.

To be fair, Willow going crazy with magic after losing Tara showcases her true character when dealing with loss and her emotions. In season 4, when Oz left Willow couldn’t handle the heartbreak and decided to use magic to make it better. In season 5, when Glory made Tara insane, Willow delved into dark magic for revenge. And when Buffy died, she decided to go deeper with her magic to bring her back to life. So it’s not as much the magic possessing her, it more of Willow wanting the easy way out instead dealing with the pain to heal and that caused her to be addicted to it

Whoever said Spike was giving her revenge 😆. He's not out to get Buffy! Idk why people think that 😆 He's in LOVE with her.

He didn't want revenge on Buffy. He wanted to give her what she deserves. He thinks that's the kind of man William was. He loved her that much he was willing to give up everything he was to be with her.

Whoever said spike’s goal was to get revenge on Buffy? 😃

I think this whole season is really taking a look at the other side of these characters, the darker side. Xander is trampled on this season. Yes, he makes some poor choices, but so does everyone else. I'm not sure you can be totally unforgiving of Xander and then brush away the fact that Willow let her grief push her toward using magic. During the season they explained that its literally like a drug addition for her, so while, ultimately, the dark magic started taking control of her it was still her choice to go there and start using and absorbing more as events played out. She only started to really change the more dark magic she absorbed first from the books, then Rack. Xander's poor choices this season also came from a lifetime of thinking, and being told, that he's pretty much worth nothing. Plus, he has been in the fight all this time despite not having powers and yet always dives in to help his friends even when they try to keep him out if it (The Zeppo). This was a big moment for him to be the one to save the day because for him it wasn't just about saving everyone, it was about saving his best friend. The one who's been there for him through everything. I think people forget sometimes that Xander is only around 20 years old in this season, and most guys that age are still pretty immature.

Yes Xander has made bad decisions this season. But all of them have. It feels like people are giving everyone else a pass. Willow just killed a man, tried to kill Dawn & Buffy, almost killed Giles and was going to destroy the world. Xander left Anya at the altar and was mean and judgemental about Buffy & Anya sleeping with Spike. I'm sorry. It's not just the magic that made Willow go bad. Somewhere in her that capacity existed. It's why Tara demanded she give up magic in the 1st place. This episode really highlights the almost parallel paths Willow and Xander have been on. It's hard to be the sidekick. They've both struggled with feeling inferior. Tara helped Willow be the hero of her own story. This episode Xander got to be the good guy. It doesn't absolve him of his past mistakes. He's still terrible at communicating (so is Buffy by the way). He still lets fear rule him too often. He's still been judgemental. But he's also in a lot of pain. He still loves Willow. He still cares about Anya. These characters are all more complex than just your typical teen drama. That's what makes us love them and the show.

The Spike plot was a misdirect. He wasn't trying to get revenge on Buffy. He wanted to be the kind of man that she could love and he figured that if he had a soul she could love him. In his mind, what she "deserved" was a better man, a better Spike. And yes, that is a selfish view of love because he was still thinking about what he wanted, but he didn't have a soul when he was making that choice.

Who did you like this season? The only person who wasn't cracking under the pressure of life all season was Tara who was murdered. Nobody else made good decisions this season. But Xander was absolutely the only person that could do that. And he did. So all the Xander haters can complain about it, but the fact remains he was the only one that could and that's why he matters. He's not a hero. He's a normal, very flawed, but ultimately decent guy living around superheroes. He's also like 21, so he's still stupid. But he's loved Willow for as long as they both can remember and has his place in this family.

Xander saving the day was the best. One of my favorite season finale moments. ❤️

Spike is not becoming William because he has his soul back, just as Angeles did not become Liam when he got his soul back.

(to help clear any confusion) The magic is not doing this to Willow, she actively chose to jump off the wagon and and absorb all that dark magic and everything she has said and done is 100% coming from her if only the deepest, darkest thoughts she's had but refused to say. The only reason Willow refers to herself as a separate identity like last episode is because of an intense amount of self-loathing for who she's always perceived herself to be: the weak, unlovable sidekick and the only reason Buffy and co. refer to the situation as "the magic taking over Willow" is a defense mechanism to try to make it seem like Willow isn't the one in control doing all of this which they come to realize that she 100% is.

I look at the end of this episode with Willow and Xander, and it reminds me of "Five by Five". Faith and Willow are two very different characters, granted, but their arcs take them to a similar place. Faith was driven by her sense of hurt and rejection turned into extreme spite ("you think I'm bad? oh, I'll show you BAD"), and Willow here was driven by hurt and grief into rage ("screw this whole world if I can't have Tara, starting with the monster who took her from me"). Both had self-esteem issues and felt like their powers and the love of specific others were the only valuable thing about them. They both set out to destroy themselves (Faith literally). They were both shown kindness and the love that had always been there for them. Xander's love for Willow was a little more clear, but I think Angel's nearly successful attempt to reach Faith in "Consequences" showed he genuinely cared and wanted to help.

and thus the day is saved by a carpenter using love.

Spike never meant to get revenge on Buffy it was just worded as him saying to give her what she deserved to mislead the audience for the twist. He reasoned that getting the soul would make him become the man that she deserved because in his current state he correctly knew he didn't deserve her.

Season 6 big bad wasn't the Trio or Dark Willow... it was depression

When it comes to Buffy, some fans has speaken kind of metaforically as she mentioned that she didin't feel whole. That she left something behind when she cravwled up from the grave in the beginning. But this time when she crawled up from a grave with her sister, Dawn helped her to find what she was missing when she saw how independet she actually was.

I really don't get the hate for xander yes he is floored but so is everyone in the show. For me he has always been the heart of the show the one with no slayer powers or witchcraft or vamp strength that still fought for and alongside his friends

I don't understand why you would think Dark Willow isn't really Willow or that the magics have possessed her. All of Willow's evil behavior has been present long before this. And even hinted at for years. She's always been insecure and felt powerless and had a tendency to do bad things she thought she could get away with. This is just her at her absolute worst. And the magic is a metaphor for her "drug" addiction taking her to her darkest self.

I don't think it was that the magic "possessed" Willow, but more that she shut down the sadness part of her grieving and used the magic to fuel the rage part. She's purposely not allowing herself to feel that part. She did that when she pleaded for Tara's life and got told "no". Dark Willow very much refers to herself in the 3rd person, but every now and then, especially in the previous 2 episodes, you see a hint of sad grieving Willow and she refers to herself, then cuts back. So in this episode, she says "Willow isn't here anymore", she completely shut that aspect of her grieving completely off. It also adds to the drug addiction metaphor, where addicts not their "normal" selves while under the influence or going through an active addiction, as opposed to being sober or who they were before the addiction. Then if you fall off the wagon, a lot of times, it's a very "Fuck It" mentality. Very often, when you relapse, you end up at an even lower bottom than that bottom you were at when you rehabilitated (to the point where it very often leads to death)because you often pick up right where you were left off in that heavy addiction or even worse instead of gradually slipping back (and a lot of times you don't have the tolerance you once had for it so you go way overboard, almost as if you're making up for lost time). She mentally checked out. In the end, this was Willow shutting down and giving up...

Xander saving the world was great. He may not have any powers, but he does have a heart. But season 7 is already off to a good start with where we leave off here.

Whoa. Two in one day

2:43 After a whole season of depression, existential crises, tragedy, relationship drama, _this_ is exactly what was needed. For Giles - the eternal mentor and most level-headed, practical character in the entire show - to come back and laugh at how absurd everything has gotten, and to reassure everyone that everything is going to be all right. Catharsis of the best kind. 9:50 Arguably Dawn's best moment. 10:06 And this is why Xander is essential to the Scooby Gang. He's nowhere near the strongest or smartest, but he's got heart in spades. And he knows how to use it. 13:57 Go back and watch Spike's last few scenes. He never says that he wants revenge; he says he wants to "give her what she deserves." You'll see what that means soon enough.

One thing to keep in mind when it comes to Xander and his behaviour is that he comes from an abusive home and that's never been dealt with. There's beena running theme throughout the series that Xander's home life is bad, risk being killed by vampires every year by sleeping outside to get away from the drunken Christmas fights bad. Xander's entire personality is shaped by the toxic environment he grew up in: he has anger issues, he uses humour to hide his real emotions and pretend he's alright, and a more subtle one but he only ever goes after strong women who will fight back if he goes too far (and we see in Hell's Bells his worst fear is that he'll lose his temper and hurt Anya). Hiwever because these things are never addressed directly it means he's never been able to workj through his damage and get better so his coping mechanisms and their downsides are still there and still damaging his life. Things basically come to a head this season as there's no big threatening villain to bring the Scoobies together despite their actions and he's forced to directly dewal with the worst aspects of his family for a prolonged period and in front of everyone.

I'm annoyed and disappointed in Xander, but I could never hate him. He is the most realistic human being in this show and I met people like him. We just don't want to see real life attitudes or events that don't help character growth in tv shows, especially in sci-fi or fantasy shows; it is a reminder that real life (including people) sucks sometimes.

Marti Noxon's Twitter bio is "I ruined Buffy and I'll ruin you too". Which is hilarious, but also wrong. I love season 6 :)

Yeah I get the feeling that Xander is kinda being singled out this season as making bad choices. I would argue that his choices weren't as bad a some of the other Scoobies this season. Thats not to say that any of the Scoobies are to be completely blamed for their choices or actions this year, or villified for them, but they have all transgressed big time. Anya was too wrapped up in her wedding to even sense Xander's apprehension, this cannot be completely blamed on her, a wedding is an exciting time for a young woman. But sleeping with the same mass murdering demon that Buffy did as solace? A terrible decision. Dawn begins a crime spree of theft from those around her, defies all her authority figures, yes most of that is normal teenage shenanigans, but she is well aware of the evil that lurks in Sunnydale at night, so tricking Buffy and going on an all nighter with Janice and two boys she hardly knows was dumb as hell, at best. Then she let her abandonment issues endanger them all by causing them to get stuck in the house with a wall phasing demon. Yeah she was tricked to a degree, but it was her pain that caused the entire incident. Again, not say she didnt have a right to feel the way she did, but going all Angsty Klepto was a terrible decision she made to try dealing with it. Buffy came back from heaven, was borderline suicidal, in deep depression, decided to start a depraved sexual relationship with a mass murdering demon, almost killed her friends, ignored her role as Dawn's guardian and foisted it off on Giles or Tara. Again, thats not to say she wasn't going through some shit and that I cannot empathise with her, but those are still choices she made. Willow started to abuse magic, terribly, she was using a great primal power to do menial shit like change her clothes, or put up bunting in Buffy's house, just because using magic gave her a rush and made her feel powerful, completely ignoring the terrible consequences that come from abuse of such a power. She pretty much raped Tara's mind in what was a horrible violation of trust in someone she was supposed to love and she brought Dawn to a dangerous, magic equivalent of a crack den, released a demon that nearly killed them both. Then after Tara's death, she flayed a guy alive, tried to murder innocent people, including those who loved her, and then tried to destroy the world. But she is a cutie pie so she gets a pass? Spike....oh where to begin on his bad choices and trangressions this season, from immediately trying to murder an innocent woman when he thought his chip wasnt working, to breeding demon eggs for money in his basement, to attempted rape in what is still a horribly disturbing scene to watch. I know he is a soulless demon, but its still sick. But again, cos he has cool hair and wears cool leather coats and makes quips, he is okay? And Xander, well he was too afraid to voice his fear about marrying Anya and emulating his parents, and like a lot of guys, he had trouble verbalising and dealing with such deep seated feelings and phobias. So he did the right thing, but in the very wrong way, which was to call off the wedding, but he shouldnt have left it down to the wire and put Anya through that. But are you honestly going to tell me that his transgression was any where near the worst, after all that I listed above? Leaving someone at the altar is worse than starting sexual relationship with a sociopathic mass murderer, becoming an addict, almost killing your friends on more than one occassion, trying to rape someone in to loving you? Yeah I think Xander is getting the shitty end here for some reason! For me, nothing Xander said or did this season, or in previous seasons, comes anywhere close as a disgusting violation than what Willow did to Tara, or what Spike tried to do to Buffy.

Sorry Mackenzie your cool but. Your 1000 % wrong. Wilow was not possessed. It was her she was grieving. If you didnt understand the build up through the entire season idk what to tell you. And Giles helped a lil bit. Don't know why you like him so much. He's irrelevant like willow said. They are grown now. He really is kinda like furniture. Use him when you need him.......

Willow has always been one to take drastic measures and flirt with evil actions. Nearly cursing Oz for cheating, brainwashing Tara, etc. She always acts selfishly, especially in connection to magic. She is always one to believe her pain supersedes the rights of others, even if she doesn't realize it. So her going dark like this was pretty much inevitable. Mackensie keeps saying she's not acting like Willow but she totally is, just without her usual limits put in place to hold her back from going ballistic.

Let's summarize the main characters. Buffy a popular valley girl cheerleader, with a good heart. becomes the slayer. Willow an introverted girl, with talents. very intellect and quick study. quickly picking up on the magics. Giles watcher/librarian having a father like figure with buffy. Xander despite all the odds against him he always strives for what's right. all very likable and interesting. Displayed through out the series. Either of them could've gotten to willow. Buffy being in a heaven has seen the other side of life. Giles having experienced dark magic. Xander knowing willow longer was able to get through. To be continued.

Wow, didn't expect this, 2 episodes in 1 day thanks, great season finale/episode, sometimes I dont like Xander but he saved Willow from herself and the world, Dawn kicked butt, Giles a total badass and Spike got his soul, its alot to take in 1 episode. No Spoilers Where Willow tries to destroy the world is the same location where Angel tried to kill himself in season 3, Amends. Joss Whedon said about Spike getting his soul, he wanted to fake out the viewers to think that Spike wanted to get his chip out/revenge on Buffy, this wasn't about revenge or getting the chip out, he did it to be what Buffy deserves, a man with a soul, his love for her consumes him and he will do anything for forgiveness and to be with her.

I love how the Yellow Crayon is a continuation of Xander and Willow's conversation in "Hell's Bells" in the kitchen. Also, ironically love that it is Xander that shows Willow that life is worth living.

In this season Alyson hannigan really killed it, her acting was awesome, she deserved an award

I never thought Spike really wanted revenge on Buffy. I thought the writers were trying to throw us off in that direction but I noticed before this episode that his dialogue was very carefully chosen. He said, on more than one occasion, that he wanted "to be the man Buffy deserves" (worded slightly different each time). The writers were trying to make it sound like the demon was going to remove his chip (or its effects) but I always thought he was trying to get his soul back. Oddly enough his mission was to be more like Angel.

Spike getting a soul was never about revenge. The writers wanted what he was doing to be a surprise and also to give viewers "what she deserves." A character that could love her and didn't just say he did. Spike without a soul can never be trusted again, but I respect that he realizes that and soullessly makes the decision to get his soul.

If you look back, everyone on the show has made many, many mistakes; Xander just makes the ones that are more human, so to speak. I think that's why so many of the new reactors dislike him. He's the normal guy making normal mistakes, but he's also one of the most heroic characters. He saved Buffy's life in season one, yet Angel got the credit. He takes the blame for the fluke, Willow gets off basically scot free. He's the first to see the humanity in Anya,and the only one that still sees the humanity in Willow at this point. Somewhere it was pointed out(I think it was it a fanfic by Ironbear) that Xander's basic philosophy is to save his friends, and the sun coming up in the morning is a happy bonus. Yeah, he makes mistakes, but he never tries to end the world.

I completely agree with everyone’s comments about the “revenge on Buffy” thing. “So she/the slayer gets what she deserves:a man with a soul. The show has James say it in a way that denotes a vengeful tone in order to fool the audience. A lot of reactors will also ask the question: how’d he find out how to do this or: why didn’t he do this sooner? The answer should seem obvious: he was fine being what he is: a demon/vampire. It took his act of perversion against someone he claims to love to push him toward the soul trials. After all; it could have meant his death if he failed. He did it out of love for Buffy.

There is a "fight scene" setting this one up. Xander is frustrated, Willow tells him they should "go", and he says he could never take her. She replies "Damn straight". He kisses her on the forhead. Its beautful. There is just so much going on at that time so the scene gets stuck.

So the hatred for Xander in a subset of the fanbase, generally women I've noticed, is so weird to me. If anything, the faults that Xander has are the most normal, and should be somewhat relatable to everyone. Also out of the whole main cast, he has done the least amount of damage and questionable acts if everyone is being honest with themselves. I know this isn't going to be a popular opinion, but I feel Xander gets so much backlash because by and large he is your average joe, normal man, and I honestly feel like a fair amount of people who are fans of Buffy (though I wouldn't say the majority) are either women or guys who never fit into the traditional masculine roles in society (and there is nothing wrong with that). And I feel like they have a vendetta against any of the male characters, like Xander or Riley, who even have the audacity to display any type of traditional masculine traits (and in Xander's case I find it extra comical, as he is fairly balanced in terms of traditional and non-traditional traits). Yes, Xander can be judgmental, petty, and even a bit vindictive to those he hates or has a bias against, but I personally feel in the grand scheme of things, and especially compared to our other three main protagonists (Buffy, Willow, and Giles) his faults are infinitely less destructive, and I dare say he even has more noble traits than the other three do, at least on an average basis. I simply find it sad how much some weird, vocal group in the fanbase try and tear the guy down, and either outright ignore or begrudgingly accept when he does great and heroic things. He's the guy with no power in the group, and I feel he's done just as much to save the world, if not more so, when you really break things down. Sometimes his contributions are only on the small scale, but they almost always end up having a big impact, and every once in a while he is the true, main hero, but too many in our fanbase refuse to give him the credit he deserves, out of what I can only assume is some misplaced hatred or bias on their own part. He doesn't have to be your favorite character, but he deserves his props, not just this intense focus on his faults, which again, are rather minor compared to the majority of his friends.

I've got a theory 🎶: Spike never said he wanted to get "revenge" on Buffy, he said he wanted to give her what "she deserved". And in his mind she deserves a "good" Spike, not an evil vampire. After trying to rape her he knew then and there that he could never be a truly good person as his nature was evil, so the only remedy is to get his soul back.

wasn't expecting this! Thank you!! Grief, to rage, to vengence, to the pain of the world. to ending it all. Everything came back full circle. To be continued.

Crayon breaky Willow gets me every time. The fact that it was Xander who stopped Willow gets me too. I know a lot of people dislike him / this finale / this season - but as far as finale wise I think this is right after Becoming part 2 for me

I dont really view it all as "willow was posessed". More as willos was on denial and didnt wanna be willow anymore. She let go of control as much as she could and pretended she wasnt there. Until she kinda wasnt when the magic got way too powerful. At the beginning she talked in third and first person, thenby the end she was fully consumed by it. But it was the charavter to choice to let it all in

Dawn finally being invited to take part of the fighting and saying "you think Ive never watched you?"... That feels like she is knocking on the 4th wall a bit, since we all have watched her. I take that to be an invitation to all of us to be slayers as well. Like a more intimate family version of that element from graduation day, coming back for another finale but in a different form.

Joss wrote the yellow crayon speech. He was busy directing Firefly pilot.

I'm so happy this got released today, iwas like "How can you leave it at that!?!?! FOR A WEEK!" Thank you

Mackenzie’s look of surprise at the return of Spike’s soul: priceless. Kyle’s reaction to Mackenzie’s reaction: same! You guys are awesome! I like Xander more and more with every rewatch, not because he is easier to take but because I appreciate his honesty. He doesn’t have enough tact to combat it, at times, but that is clearly in part to his upbringing. But he’s always genuine. He is the perfect “heart” of the group. An angsty, joking, insecure, over-compensating, tender, imperfect group.

My favorite scene in the entire show is the very last scene of 7x01 i have waited for you guys to get to season 7 for so long and i am so fricken happy ive been along for this entire journey with FAN THEORY. 🖤🖤🖤👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 bask in it.

Willow and Xander have been best friends since they were babies. He was the only one who could get through to her in the end.

A "Carpenter" saves the world. Bible reference

Spike never said he wanted revenge. He wanted to "give her what she deserves". Not once does he say he wants violence. "Bitch is gonna see a change".

Also, in relation to Xander, I think the reason we all hold so much contempt for him this season even though everyone is making bad decisions and doing questionable things is because everyone except him eventually take steps to atone as well as the fact that they suffer for their actions. Spike goes to obtain a soul after he attempts to rape Buffy, Buffy apologizes to and breaks up in a respectful manner with Spike after abusing him( ex: Dead Things) and using him for sex as well as taking steps to be a more active figure in Dawn's life after neglecting her at times, even Willow was trying to get better before she jumped off the wagon. However, Xander never really faces the consequences nor does his behavior change into that of being truly repentant which is something that persists throughout the entire series rather than just this one. Xander can lie to Buffy and basically create a situation where she kills Angel without seemingly any other options, cheat on Cordelia and make himself out to be the victim, shame Buffy for so many things( the Riley situation, her relationship with Angel, etc.), belittle Anya, leave her at the alter, and slut shame her(and Buffy) for sleeping with Spike, and so many other things without consequences of any kind or any remorse and that's just not right whatsoever.

Look at everything spike said after THAT moment a few episodes ago. Did he say he was after revenge?

Spike is Angel's better because he wanted to be better, Angel had it forced on him.

Love the reaction and comments. When Giles laughs after the quick recap, I had the same tought. It was though one of my favorite finales. The twist with Spike getting back his soul, I find really funny. It reminded me of the «be careful what you say», cause he only asks the power to give Buffy what she deserves and going back to what he was. I agree that Xander was the only one fitting to stop Willow. Although I also didn't like him during the season that much but that for me was one of the major reasons why it surprised me at the time. And in afterthought that is why he was the perfect one to do it. Cause you also didn't expect it. Independent of this, although you could argue it is cheesy, as Willow says herself :«what...you're gonna stop me by saying you love me» , to me it is beautiful and powerful considering the reply: «if you're gonna kill the world then start with me, I have earned that...». I realized watching your reaction that there was a small moment of foreshadowing in the previous episode, when Xander and Anja are talking and Xander mentions feeling guilty for not reacting when he saw the gun on Warren. And to a certain degree, Xander couldn't get married, wasn't super helpful this season but he was their for Willow in the end with the help of Giles. I personally didn't attribute Willow becoming «vainy Willow» to the magic, it was more like a full circle with the beginning of the season. Magic allowed her to bring Buffy back (although with consequences) and she could not bring her love back therefore she went even deeper in it to be able to cover also her pain. And one last thing. I don't know if it was intentional foreshadowing by the makers but I remember thinking of the end of this season sort of reflecting also the end of season 4 with Adam. What was shown as potential Willow becomes the powerfull witch Willow of this season. As well as Xander was the reflection of the heart, he is the one able to get through to her.

Giles in 6x22: "Willow's killed a human being, how will she be able to live with herself?" Giles in 5x22: "She's a hero you see. She's not like us." "Xander never uses kid gloves." To quote his ex: "Tact is just not saying true stuff." I love every part with Buffy and Dawn in that hole. And while there's a lot to dislike about Xander, I love that scene with him and Willow where he talks her down. He's still been rage inducing all season, but in at least that one scene he did everything right and it still manages to make my eyes misty. "How is that going to get revenge on Buffy?" He didn't say he wanted revenge on Buffy. He said she was going to see a change, he said she was going to get what she deserves. The writers did a good job of disguising what he was actually doing there, and it is definitely an interesting development for his character. I still hate the fact they used an attempted rape as the means to teach him a lesson and get him started down this path. "You basically called this whole episode" Mackenzie is just that smart.

The biggest problem with all the characters is that they don't communicate with each other. It's been their problem for years. And Xander has been a bit of a dick this season, but I don't think it's fair to only call him out for it when every one of them have been arseholes. I love these characters but they are a selfish bunch. Every one of them were struggling this season and it seemed like they only cared about themselves.. And Xander being the one to get through to Willow was perfect IMO. They've been best friends since they were 5 and they have been inseparable since. Their bond this season was strained, but it's pure love between them and I think that's beautiful.

It's so obvious they wanted us to think he went there to have his chip removed so you couldn't see coming the actual reveal. They chose his words very wisely. It didn't make any sense he went there to have his chip removed... He was visible horrified by what he had done, enough to get out of town. Whatever was gonna happen it was gonna be to put him on the right path.

personally I definately disagree with McKenzie interpretation ls of Xander and Willow. But its interesting getting a different interpretation and reaction then I've seen from other reactors. With Xander I personally don't have issue with him until entropy and the way he talks with Anya and Buffy. As someone who struggles to communicate and sometimes feel inadequate not having all the right tools I can sympathize for his wedding jitters etc. So for me I kind of love that the post problematic character on the show is the one that "saves the world" its also makes sense given that Willow just lost the love of her life and so its her first love that saves her from herself. I guess to me Willow was is recovery from magic and when Tara dies I read it as she has two choices: she can either choose to spiral into darkness and self-destruct or take the harder path and cope with grief. Because willow chooses to spiral I do hold her accountable and not the magic. As for Spike, I know I and probably many other people had the same thoughts/feelings "how is that revenge" I always disliked this Spike B plot here. As someone who said they love trials I wonder more about what your thoughts are on that? I'm sure will get there though Looking forward to season 7! Thanks guys!

Okay really spike getting his soul was the hardest thing in my life not to spoil thank goodness you finally got here.Love the reaction you guys rock... did Spike ever actually say he wanted revenge? He just kept saying she’s gonna get what she deserves.

Another great reaction to another great finale. Buffy's moment with Dawn - well, moments, from just before the fight to climbing out of the grave (but not alone this time!) - such great stuff. And I loved Anya with Giles - well, I love a lot about this episode. About the discussion at the end: See, Xander did SO BADLY this season - with Anya, primarily - that he HAD to do something like save the world to redeem himself. ...Although, Mackenzie, I've been thinking about the idea of Warren killing Xander instead of Tara ever since you mentioned it. And - at least at this point - I think I might actually have preferred it that way. (!) Figuring out why Tara would have trouble getting through to Dark Willow would be the only tricky part.... And Kyle - good save on rolling with Mackenzie STILL not getting what's going on with Spike! God knows I never ancipated THAT reaction! (It's actually kind of shocking at this point, since she 's so good at figuring out and anticipating almost everything else.) (Although... it seems more people were fooled by the misdirect than I realized, so maybe my reaction is just based more on the fact that I personally never was. Honestly, when they threw in a "bitch" or two - ultimately just the demon part of Spike just trying to assert itself however it could at this point - I rolled my eyes a little at their attempt to create doubt. I knew from the conversation he had with Clem - [paraphrasing?] "The chip won't let me be a monster, and I can't be a man." I felt it would be completely against the character progression they had given him to do anything other than try to become the _man_ that Buffy deserved.) Great season, guys! Here's to catching up with you before you finish Seven!

AND . . . I wake up to find the season finale reaction here! Xander saving the world sort of redeemed him a bit from the cad he was throughout this season. Not since "The Zeppo" has Xander shined so, and in that one, you have to at least wonder if the story being told through Xander's eyes is completely honest to what was actually happening. This one, he literally saves the world. And thus we come to the end of one of the most problematic seasons, but one that had VERY powerful episodes and moments. Thanks again for the reactions, and of course there is a thumb in the up position!

As a demon Spike can't love. What he felt for Buffy was more akin to obsession. I always took it as Spike went to reclaim who he was before the chip was implanted and the demon corrupted his wish; restoring his soul instead of removing the chip. Thats why the demon laughed when Spike asked to be restored.

And now we get to one of the reasons I love season 6. It get's a lot of flack for being the 'dark' season., but to me it's a season of redemption. A season about coming out of the dark and finding he light again. Contrast the end of season 5 with the end of 6. 5 is a descent. 6 is the uphill struggle away from that. We end in hope.

2 IN ONE DAY!!!! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Some odd thing I noticed coincidentally or not about the season finals. They've all strived for an apocalyptic plot, except for season 4 when they left that for the penultimate two parter while the actual final was a more experimental dream voyage. If we look at this as the dividing point there's a strange parallel. Season 1 and 5 have Buffy sacrificing herself. Season 2 and 6 have a victory over one of our own, yet with some much loss it almost felt like a defeat (at least for someone) So if this follows: I imagine next season like Season 3 would have a massive battle of two armies: one of dark forces following the Big Bad and the other made up of local recruits lead by the Scoobies.

He didn't want revenge on Buffy. He wanted to give her what she deserves...a soulful man...

the demon promised to "return him to what he was" and he asked to "give her what she deserves", spike never asked the demon to take revenge on buffy, he may have intended that, but really needs to be more specific in his wording.

OMG yay, wasn't expecting this

"noo!! not the ceiling!! i've seen Supernatural!!" hahahaahah well, supposedly William was an atrocious poet. he can write terrible poems for her forever XDDD

Mackenzie treats magic like it's an entity. Magic is an influence, all the motivations and desires come from Willow. Like drugs you can blame the drugs for how bad things get but the decision to use and the weakness of self that allows that hold to be taken is the actual fault.

I love buffy.. rewatch it every yr...

OMG guys, Spike doesn't want revenge on Buffy. HE wants to give HER what she deserves... wink wink

And so the world was saved by a carpenter... Again.

An amazing finale to an incredible game-changing season!

It was never revenge spike wanted. He never mentioned revenge. He believes if he gets his soul back then he can be the man he believes she wants. Like Angel (although he nothing like angel).

That was not the magics possessing Willow. That was all Willow. I think this was her 'Shadow" (the darker supressed parts of her subconscious) fullyh at the wheel for 3 episodes.

Before finally wrapping this season up: I'm still not sure if I should say something about the controversy over this finally story arc. So much as already been written about the fate of Tara and Willow over the years I'm not sure if I can properly summarize. But I think this is something I'll come back to later if someone else doesn't take it up from her because it's worth considering in terms of Willow's arc going forward.

When I watched that episode ending for the first time I nearly had an embolism. It was the very last thing that I expected.

That's why love is the most powerful thing

It's not the magic willow had a dark and ambitious side of her. Magic is the medium for her to Express it. They're of been moments like season 4 and 5 when she was really pushed to rage u see this dangerous side of her comes out. Season 1 also when cordelia insulted buffy willow easily tricked cordelia into destroying her homework. And that resurrection dawn was doing wasn't a true one but an image or a zombie.

Ohh no waiting. Let's go!!

If you go back you'll notice that Spike never actually says that he wants revenge. He says a lot of things that could be interpreted that way. But like, the last thing he says is to make him as he was so she can get "what she deserves". So they mislead us entirely 😂 Actually, the first time I saw it (granted I was like, 10) I thought it was a mistake from his side - that he wasn't clear enough with his wish, so "make me what I was" meant something different to him than to the entity. But now I know they just mislead us on purpose and it's always fun on re-watches 😅

SPOILER! Love the fact that Spike wants to be like he was and the demon twists that desire, digs a little deeper and gives him his soul instead - doesn't give him what he wants, but what he needs, even if it drives him insane ;) Or the demon might say if asked: Yeah, I don't deal in chips, I deal with the magic. Besides, much better story than "Got the chip out, now I'll fight her again!" Been there, done that!

5:09 RIP Magic Shop

It's been nearly 20 years and that effigy on the satanic temple still makes me so mad. It looks so crappy

What do Buffy and an eight day old Jewish boy have in common? A fresh cut.

hes gonna write her a break up poem... yes :) Xander is the heart, and I thought this moment of him saving Willow through love and friendship is so very beautiful to me. Tears still, after all these re-watches.. So epic.... so many empowering moments in my opinion, very feminist with Dawn fighting etc OMG 1 season left... ahhh I have so many things to say but I forgot them all haha I was too focused on watching your reaction, I just love that season... because it´s dark, because it deals with real life issues such a s gun violence, addiction, pushing down your emotions, sexism, feeling inediquate, rage, sexual assault etc I also know taht´s why so many people dislike this season but yeah On to season 7 hu

Fun fact: This is the only season finale, in "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" history, that was not written and directed by: Joss Whedon. He was too busy directing and writing "Firefly" Pilot.

You answered your own question . Spike with a soul will write Buffy poetry. Have you heard his poetry? That is the worst kind of revenge!

Spike's wording was bad. When he said 'what I was' he meant a killer, without the chip in his head. Which the demon twisted, Faust style, into what he was before he was a vampire, and returned his soul.

Gonna be wacky and controversial and say that Spike getting a soul IS getting revenge on Buffy. I'm not saying that's the only reason, but Buffy has always derided him for being soulless, a vampire, a "thing", dead inside, etc. and has always held herself as morally superior to him. (Which, I mean, she is, but I would argue that's because of her choices, not her nature as a souled being.) Spike clearly resents this ("bitch thinks she's better than me"). So I do think Spike getting a soul is partially motivated by spite and the desire to show Buffy that she was wrong about him and that she isn't actually better than he is. Part of why I like Spike is that he does "noble" things but for the wrong reasons and I think this is another example of that.

Warren, Angelus, and Adam-314 are the best villains ever to Grace this show!

Imagine disliking the best character

I've always found Xander to be not so great. His saving grace is that he will without second guessing, jump head long into any dangerous situation to save his friends. Otherwise, the only time he comes off as great is when you compare him to his family. I always felt that the show could have done more to shine a lite on where Xander inherited all his bad traits. We only ever saw his family in that blasted wedding debacle episode. As for Willow, I agree about the dark powers stripping her of her humanity, to a point. Go back to Dopplegangland and watch the scene where they lock Vampire Willow in the cage. That scene foretold Willow that Willow was gay and that the that the depraved darkness on Vampire Willow came from Willow. The reinforce that point by her use of the phrase "bored now", which always proceeds some violent act. My thoughts at least.

The continuity error with Willow's bloody nose really annoys me. I can't believe they didn't see it when they edited the episode, it's so obvious! But it's still an excellent episode!!