Buffy and Angel Rewatch part 37

B5.19 Tough Love
This is the first episode I ever properly saw of Buffy, so its always a bit of a special one for me. As for the episode itself, its a very emotional one. Even though in a way it feels like not much happens in the episode (its the beginning of the final arc so there's no ending to the story), however it also feels like loads was fitted in to the one episode.
The human aspect with Buffy trying to be a parent to Dawn was touching and emotional to watch. The idea that she might get taken away is a very real one and I'm glad the show addressed it.
The rest of the episode was taken by Glory's search for the key. Thinking how Glory would, Tara makes perfect sense to be the key, Anya being the next logical choice (also new). Whilst something about Tara and Willow's fight felt off to me (maybe because they are a much better couple when happy) the scenes when Tara had been turned crazy and Willow had to look after her were so sweet and quite upsetting. I really liked the understanding Buffy and Willow came to at the end of the episode. We also got to see the first of dark Willow and she was a formidable force, the only one so far able to stop Glory in any way. (8.5/10)

B5.20 Spiral
This is easily one of the most epic episodes of the show. The leaving Sunnydale means we get a real run and chase and the thrill that goes alongside with it. I love the scenes where they are on the run in the caravan thing. They manage to blend both humour and despair in the scenes and they are most enjoyable. The humour is gone by the time the van crashes, but the drama remains. The scenes between Buffy/Dawn and especially Buffy and Giles are so sweet and so sad. I also liked the grudging acceptance between Xander and Spike.
We finally get a lot of explanation about who Glory is and this has been a long time coming since her origins and goal beyond finding the Key have been vague. However from the description given by the General of the Knights of Byzantium, Glory sound a lot more formidable than she really is. I know her power is meant to be diminished on Earth but most of what we've seen from her is a lot of failed attempts to get the Key and a few crazy people. She doesn't feel like a God feared enough to warrant a whole army. Speaking of the army they are a little annoying at times and its frustrating that they couldn't just work with Buffy to fight Glory. However, in terms of drama their opposition works perfectly as Glory doesn't really have the manpower to create those kind of battle scenes. (9.5/10)

B5.21 Weight Of The World
Placed in between the dramatics of the last episode and the next, this episode is a little disappointing as it loses a lot of the momentum already built up over the last few episodes. However after the end of the next episode an episode in between was probably needed so that the finale could take in the stunning matter that it does and not have to deal with some of the aftermath this episode deals with. This includes of course Buffy's feelings of utter dispair and guilt at having lost Dawn. The way they dealt with this was a little boring though. I liked the overall theme that came out of it- Buffy giving up- but its not terribly exciting. This also goes for the Glory/Ben fighting. It was good to finally get some interaction between the pair no matter how disjointed, but honestly to see Glory become so human after in the last episode being described as such a terrifying Beast, is a little disappointing. Ditto for Ben eventually choosing his life over Dawn's.
The funniest bits of the episode was Spike having to explain over and over again to the gang the link between Ben and Glory, it lightened proceedings even if it felt a little bit filler at times. (8/10)

B5.22 The Gift
There is next to nothing that is bad or unlikable about this episode- its practically perfect. What makes the episode so perfect is that it works on so many levels. As a season finale, the story wraps up Glory's quest for the Key. She's beaten, but not without a tough fight. She also proves her godly status as its not her or one of her minions but actually another disciple that starts the ritual. As the 100th episode, it neatly sums up the show itself, starting with that excellent cold opening of Buffy fighting a vampire, her birthright, and continuing with neat little call backs to previous seasons, storylines and themes. The biggest theme followed is that of a Slayer's death; ironically it's an important part of a Slayer's life and here Buffy finally dies so fulfills her prophecy (although I must admit I have a slight problem with the logic behind Buffy's death closing the portal but its so beautifully poetic I'm prepared to go with it). Also the episode is just so epic in the fighting and in the planning and execution of the plan, with all the characters getting a chance to be the hero. Finally and despite everything else that was going on, all the main pairings managed to get a few moments of bonding and utter sweetness, so much so that we didn't feel that we were getting short changed by the action of the episode. All in all, utterly brilliant. (10/10)