Buffy 6.21/6.22 FAQ
What’s it called?
“Two to Go.”/”Grave.”
Who’s responsible?
The “Two to Go” teleplay is credited to Doug Petrie (“Flooded,” “As You Were.”) The ”Grave” teleplay is credited to David Fury (“Life Serial,” “Gone”).
What does TV Guide say?
“Surprises abound as the Scooby Gang battles a rampaging sorceress in this stormy two-part sixth-season finale. In Part 1, several of the Scoobies – who are still reeling from Tara's death – try to spring Jonathan and Andrew (Danny Strong, Tom Lenk) from the Sunnydale jail before the nerdy pair are annihilated by the vengeful spellcaster. Meanwhile, the headstrong Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) seeks help from Rack (Jeff Kober), a Faustian magic broker. In the conclusion, which immediately follows, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) is assisted by a magical friend and the stage is set for a supernatural battle royal – and the emergence of an unlikely hero.”
“In the second part of the sixth-season finale, a magical friend helps the Scooby Gang try to stop a sorceress. But the witch still has a few tricks up her sleeve – and an unwilling assistant. Also: Spike's African sojourn comes to a climax.”
What did Herc say about this one in his Tax Day spoilers?
“Willow takes off after Warren’s fellow Nerds of Doom. Giles returns, Spike returns, Buffy employs some very tough love, and young Ms. Rosenberg comes to her senses a little too late.”
The big news?
Spike doesn’t seem to lose his chip after all.
Does Spike return to Sunnydale?
No, his story ends in Africa. His return is of another kind: The last words he utters this season are, “Make me what I was, so Buffy can get what she deserves!”
Stupid question: the sorceress is Willow, right?
They’re talking about Willow.
Is Giles the “magical friend”?
He is, and he’s markedly more magical than we remember.
Is it true he teleports to Sunnydale?
It is. But there’s an explanation.
Is Xander the “unlikely hero”?
I think so. Though the term applies to Dawn this week as well.
Is Will’s “unwilling assistant” Miss Kitty Fantastico?
Fantastico is again wholly absent this week. The unwilling “assistant” they’re referring to I believe is Anya.
What’s up with Anya?
Anya is like the MVP this week. She’s not only proves useful, what with her demony ability to teleport, but she contributes the lion’s share of the funny this week.
Do Anya and Xander reconcile?
Not so much.
After Willow comes to her senses, do we get the big scene where she has some ‘splainin’ to do?
No. The episode ends with the Scoobies segregated. Spike in Africa. Anya and Giles in the trashed Magic Box. Buffy and Dawn in the graveyard. And Willow and Xander embracing silently before a satanic temple.
What about that “Buffy Year One” stuff series creator Joss Whedon was talking about for next season? Did he mean it literally? Does Willow send them back in time or anything at the end?
No.
You’re a liar, Hercules! Prove to us you’ve seen the finale by quoting a line of dialog that eerily echoes your infamous July 4 spoilers!
“Are you kidding?” asks Andrew as he flees the vengeful Willow. “She’s like Dark Phoenix up there!”
What’s good?
Screamy Willow. Anya’s frustration with the cops during the whole “Terminator” homage, and Emma Caulfield generally. The vampire who quotes Cobain. What Jonathan does to Andrew’s neck, and the Running Nerds generally. Giles’ reaction to Buffy’s update.
What’s not so good?
The final hour has too much of a warmed-over rehash quality, what with the floaty vengeance knives, the magical sticking to the ceiling, and Willow’s Glory-like feeding. Aside from the very final shot, it’s also devoid of amusing surprises and – like 6.20 – kind of slow-moving and yappy, as if they couldn’t find enough story to pad out the hour. Dawn finally gets a nice moment in the sun, but it feels like too little too late. Buffy seems to realize she’s invested in the world again – but, um, didn’t she already make that realization at the end of “Gone”? Also? What kind of slayer can’t crawl out of a deep hole? And when did Giles switch to contacts?
How does it end, spoiler-boy?
“Very well! We will return your soul!!” “Aaaaaaaaaaaaaagggghhhh!!”
Herc’s rating for “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” 6.21?
***1/2
Herc’s rating for “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” 6.22?
***
The Hercules T. Strong Rating System:
