Buffy 7.21 FAQ
What’s it called?
“End of Days.”
Who’s responsible?
Teleplay is credited to the “Flooded”-“Checkpoint” team of the Doug Petrie (writer-director of “Get It Done” and the hugely underrated “As You Were”) and Jane Espenson (“Same Time, Same Place,” “Conversations With Dead People,” “Sleeper,” “First Date,” “Storyteller”).
What does TV Guide say?
“Faith deals with a time bomb and Buffy adds a powerful weapon to her arsenal in the penultimate episode, which sets up the series finale. Like King Arthur drawing Excalibur, Buffy retrieves a mystic scythe from a stone to combat evil - embodied here by the devilish priest Caleb (Nathan Fillion). Since Caleb withstood the Slayer's prior assaults virtually unharmed, Buffy is surprised by his fear of the scythe and realizes the blade may give her an edge. Even with the lethal weapon, however, Buffy will be hard-pressed to slay Caleb, especially after Faith (Eliza Dushku) is incapacitated by an explosion. Luckily, Buffy's old guardian Angel (David Boreanaz) is in town for the climactic showdown.”
The big news?
Though the scythe can only be liberated by a slayer, it existed long before the “shadow men” created the slayer line!
Faith has to deal with a time bomb? Isn’t it the time bomb at the end of last episode that incapacitates her?
Yes. Faith spends the episode in a prone position, dealing only with the time bomb’s after-effects.
Is Faith even in the episode this week? I though she was shooting her Fox pilot, “True Calling,” the week they shot this installment.
She has one scene where she’s conscious: it’s a conversation with Buffy about the scythe and leading the anti-First forces.
Is it true the Ubervamps are back this week?
Yes. They pounce upon the potentials, who are much more helpless with Faith newly unconscious and the Scoobs elsewhere.
How close to the end does Angel appear?
Less than two minutes before the “Executive Producers” credit.
Does he clutch the Wolfram & Hart files and amulet the ghost of Lilah Morgan gave him last week?
Sharp-eyed viewers may notice them lying in a corner in the final scene. But then again, maybe not.
What’s this about a “mysterious woman” I hear Buffy meets this week?
She may be older than the scythe, and provides much exposition. “We’re the last surprise,” she explains.
What’s up with Spike?
There is discussion of recent cuddling and its level of importance to those involved.
Does Anya continue to nurse poor Xander’s socket?
No, the exes go their separate ways. Anya teams with Andrew to gather medical supplies for the impending melee. Xander begins to behave all sinister-like when no one but Dawn is around.
Does Willow eye the dark magicks? Is Giles restored to the foreground?
The smartest of the Scoobies, Willow and Giles team up in an effort to learn more of the scythe.
Does Dawn require rescuing?
They try to rescue her, but it doesn’t take.
And what of Robin Wood?
He appears to be not hanging about for this adventure.
Any sign of Fantastico?
Dawn offers a clue as to poor Miss Kitty’s fate.
Any news on Caleb?
Morphy seems to engineer a kind of merger with the fallen preacher.
What’s good?
The pretty scythe! Anya’s medical technique in general and bedside manner in particular. Xander’s julliened metaphors. “You’re the reason I made it this far.” Spike describing the best night of his life. The wheelchair fight. “No, really.” Dawn’s guffaw-inducing reaction to Buffy’s letter. Angel’s “Raiders”-esque entrance.
What’s not so good?
Only one to go!
How does it end, spoiler-boy?
“That bitch.”
Herc’s rating for “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” 7.21?
****
The Hercules T. Strong Rating System:
- ***** better than we deserve
- **** better than most motion pictures
- *** actually worth your valuable time
- ** as horrible as most stuff on TV
- * makes you quietly pray for bulletins
8 p.m. Tuesday. UPN.
- ***** better than we deserve
- **** better than most motion pictures
- *** actually worth your valuable time
- ** as horrible as most stuff on TV
- * makes you quietly pray for bulletins
8 p.m. Tuesday. UPN.
