[Ragnarok]

Since we aren't going to have new episodes to discuss, we're going to have weekly episode discussion threads for old episodes. New threads will, of course, appear each Tuesday.

The Gift

Buffy and her brave band of Scoobies make one last play for Glory -- who holds Dawn's life (not to mention the fate of the world) in her hands. Glory (Clare Kramer) trumped the good guys when she stole the Slayer's little sis out from under her nose. In a race against time, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and pals must now execute a risky plan to rescue Dawn before her blood is spilled — which would open a portal to Glory's demonic dimension, creating a literal hell on Earth.

(Episode summary on loan from buffyworld.com)

RtS: #1; beat Killed by Death in the first round; beat Wild at Heart in the second round; beat Earshot in the third round; currently facing Restless in the fourth round, so Go Vote Now!

One of my very favorite episodes. Far too many good bits to try to list them here, so I'll let the rest of you do it for me. I'd heard rumors that Buffy was going to be killed in this ep, but seeing it happen was still a shock. I still don't think the reason she was able to sacrifice herself for Dawn was very convincing, but it was so well played it's easy to forgive.

Please feel free to post your comments, screencaps, favorite scenes and quotes.

Next week: 6x01, Bargaining, Part 1.

[Scythe]

I think I've probably only watched this episode three times. It's too sad for me to take

Is it me or does Spike look extra sexy in this episode and softer somehow?

I love the bit where he says "When you say you love us all..."






And the Spuffy moment on the stairs *deep sigh*



My heart just aches at the look on Spike's face when he realises he's failed









I'm going to go off and have a good cry now

[Bronson]

Yes the ending was sad. "Death is your Gift" finally made sense. BTW, why did you not find it convincing that Buffy could be a substitute for Dawn? I mean wasn't Dawn made from Buffy's blood? Please clarify the hole thing.

Also, how did you feel about Giles killing Ben? Did you agree with his actions.

[*Krissy*]

I love this ep. I've seen The Gift numerous times over the years and I still bawl like a baby everytime I watch it. When it first premiered, I think I cried for hours after it was over. I didn't even cry that much for Chosen.

The look Spike gives Dawn up on the tower right before Doc throws him off is so sad. It was like he knew he failed, he knew he couldn't help her. And the way he falls to his knees crying when he realizes Buffy died is so heartbreaking.

I never thought much about whether Buffy's blood could pass for Dawn's or not. Dawn was made from her. Her blood is the same as Buffy's blood. It seemed to make sense to me.

The one thing I didn't like about the ep was her headstone. "She saved the world a lot". I thought that was lame.

[Scythe]

Originally posted by *Krissy* The look Spike gives Dawn up on the tower right before Doc throws him off is so sad. It was like he knew he failed, he knew he couldn't help her. And the way he falls to his knees crying when he realizes Buffy died is so heartbreaking.

Yes that's the look I was talking about

[Bronson]

Were you all surprised that Buffy died at the end?

[*Krissy*]

I was very shocked by her death. I didn't see it coming until it was actually happening. And I was surprised by how I reacted to it knowing there was going to be a 6th season and that she would obviously be back... somehow.

[Scythe]

Originally posted by Bronson Were you all surprised that Buffy died at the end?

I started reading spoilers at the beginning of season 4 It's really easy to get spoiled if you're english

[Sabs77]

The thing that shocked me the most was Giles. His killing of Ben/Glory...that whole dialog:


BEN: "Need... a minute. She could have killed me."

GILES: "No she couldn't. Never. And sooner or later, Glory will re-emerge and make Buffy pay for that mercy, and the world with her. Buffy even knows that, and still she couldn't take a human life. She's a hero, you see. She's not like us."

BEN: "Us?"

(Giles suffocates Ben)

I remember sitting watching in shock....while at the same time cheering. I completely understood why Buffy, herself, could never do it.....but to see Giles take it upon himself......I saw his role as Watcher in a completely new light. Not in a bad way either.....he simply has to do the things Buffy, as hero, couldn't and wouldn't do.


And I wasn't shocked that Buffy died. Back in Season 3....with the dream sequence btwn Buffy and Faith. And the "counting down from 7-3-0"....pretty much planted that seed already. I knew she would die......and at the end of Season 5. But watching it happen in the manner it did (glowy portal of energy).....visually was stunning and heartbreaking.

Edited to fix some tags

[Sir Fireboard]

Originally posted by Scythe I love the bit where he says "When you say you love us all..."

I love that bit, too!

Originally posted by Bronson Were you all surprised that Buffy died at the end?

No, but only because I read spoilers

Originally posted by Bronson Also, how did you feel about Giles killing Ben? Did you agree with his actions.

I don't see a problem with it. Sure he killed someone, and thats bad, but Glory would've destroyed many more. It wasn't fair for Ben, but Giles had to do it.

The Buffy jumping instead of Dawn didn't make any sense, because Dawn was still alive. But meh, I'll forgive them. The major nitpick I had with the episode was Buffy's willingness to let the entire world be destroyed for Dawn to be able to live for 12 seconds more That's the most retarded thing I've ever heard of, and it completely ruined the episode for me.

[*Lethe's Bramble*]

This episode totally gave me goosebumps! like more than any buffy ep ever gave me! the speech buffy gave at the end while jumping, wow! If I hadn't known Buffy was gonna be back for a sixth season I would have cried my eyes out for sure!

[Scythe]

Originally posted by cleis666 This episode totally gave me goosebumps! like more than any buffy ep ever gave me! the speech buffy gave at the end while jumping, wow! If I hadn't known Buffy was gonna be back for a sixth season I would have cried my eyes out for sure!

As soon as that episode finished I went online and tried to find spoilers They just confused me though

[Messed Up Girl]

I loved this episode. Definitely one of the highlights of the show.
It was a very fitting ending and I actually thought that BTVS should have ended there. It just tied up all the loose ends.

Plenty of shippy happiness! Xander/Anya Willow/Tara and Spuffiness

Spike's emotional breakdown? Absolutely broke my heart.

[Night Nymph]

Originally posted by Sir Fireboard I don't see a problem with it. Sure he killed someone, and thats bad, but Glory would've destroyed many more. It wasn't fair for Ben, but Giles had to do it. The Buffy jumping instead of Dawn didn't make any sense, because Dawn was still alive. But meh, I'll forgive them. The major nitpick I had with the episode was Buffy's willingness to let the entire world be destroyed for Dawn to be able to live for 12 seconds more. That's the most retarded thing I've ever heard of, and it completely ruined the episode for me.

In my opinion, Ben was Evil. I suspected so since I learned he shared his body with Glory - calling a monster to kill crazy people isn't something an innocent person does. He would've let the world be destroyed to become a god. I didn't see anything unfair about his death - though it did shock me that Giles did it.

As for Buffy's lapse in judgement, whether she would've actually gone through with it is a legitimate question, but her attitude was understandable given her history. She had to send Angel to hell to save the world and she lost her mother. She was tired of the unfairness of what she had to do to save the world and of losing those she loved in general. And she was right. It wasn't a fair choice for her to have to make - she had a legitimate complaint. It was not what a hero willing to sacrifice everything would say, and it made her fallible and more real in my eyes as a character. It is what made her a different person than Angel - who would more likely be willing to make those sacrifices. In the end, she did save the world. She did what a hero was supposed to do, but she didn't compromise Dawn to do it. Yes, she had flaws, but to me that makes Buffy more real and not a cartoon hero.

[film fan]

ahhhhhhhhhh the ending is so sad...i have the soundtrack to the musical & it has that song which plays when buffy jumps..it makes me so sad..then i rememeber hey, she'll be back next year..fit as a fiddle hehe..but still a very sad ep