Just off to bed, so I haven't got time to discuss the content of this episode (which, incidently, I thought was superb). I will however, as usual, list the details of the cuts. Whilst the cuts to this week's episode did not hinder the storyline as much as those to Seeing Red or Villains, several of them were still rather silly, and VERY noticeable. Details:

1) Cuts to the "This is what happened this year..." recap section, to reflect previous cuts.
2) Spike's snapping of fire-guy's neck was removed.
3) Various cuts to the Willow/Buffy fight scene at the end, including Aly Hannigan's impressive double-kick.

As usual, I've made a video clip of the uncut versions of these scenes. Download it from here:

snow.prohosting.com/buffyukn/

I thought that was stunning - and a whole week to go now

I really can't imagine where this is going. I thought Rack was human (although bad). I can't see any redemption for Willow within a series that isn't hers, so I really don't know how this is likely to end. I agree with Alf, 'normal'Willow couldn't cope with what she's done, and Dark Willow seems beyond redemption.

As for the Dawn thing, I thought Willow was about to take Dawn's energy as well, to add to her powers, until Buffy stopped her.

And YAY GILES! I was hoping he'd be back for the finale somehow!

I'm also glad Jonathan came out for good in the end - I kind of expected he would eventually.

I too am off to bed, but before I go let me too shout from the rooftops

YAY GO GILES

Hopefully Giles will reinstate some normality into the freaky going-ons inside Willow's head.

In some ways its great seeing her bad and using her powers to the darkest of her potential, but in another way its really scary seeing her turn against her friends like that. For a moment we thought that Anya would be a goner!!

I actually thought that Jonathan would have been able to help with the protection spell given half a chance. I don't think he's every been *really bad* with the nerds, just striving for recognition and attention all along as an extention to how he was in Superstar. Anyway Jonathan is so ickle you have to feel sorry for him.

And the funniest part of the show was Anya trying to persuade the policeguard to *just let* Jonathan and Andrew out of their cell ... yeah right, don't be daft gal

Great EP , the best part to me was that line

"I'd like to test that theory" sent shivers up my spine ... Go Giles

Can't wait for next week , to be honest I really didn't see that ending coming (yeh me for keeping away from spoilers)

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by Sweet-Sange
Can't wait for next week , to be honest I really didn't see that ending coming (yeh me for keeping away from spoilers)

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Same here. I actually sat there and went "Ooohhhhh!" out loud. Didn't realise Spike was a Nirvana fan "Here we are now, entertain us" Nice muscle man *swoon*

Think this is the first time this season I enjoyed Buffy more than Angel.

Wow this was so much better than the Angel episode!

Just when I was thinking "where is Giles? He should be here." he turned up!

"I'd like to test that theory." I love Giles!


I wonder what will happen to Willow???

Can't wait for next week's episode!!!



9/10

Yeah, I literally went 'oooh' as well when Giles showed up, even though I knew it was going to happen!

I had pretty much the same reaction as I did to the last one - wow!

I loved every moment, although some of Willow's "aren't I evil" lines began to grate after a while.

Good to see Rack go down, and to see Xander and Anya approaching a neutral status regarding each other at least!

Loved the bit with the truck.

I am a little worried about Dawn, Willow was getting very nasty with her. I suspect the "ball of energy" reference was because that energy is magical in nature. Will had just discovered she had limits, which is why she chowed down on Rack (does that make her a thaumivore?). The implication is that she was viewing Dawn as another potential energy source, which is kind of scary :eek: I do keep getting the impression Dawn will be key to the whole thing.

Regarding Willow's insults, is this really Willow talking, or the magic? The whole VampWillow thing implies the former, which then means Willow's been keeping a whole lot of bitterness buried somewhere...

I knew Giles was coming, courtesy of that gorgeous Sky trailer... It wasn't enough of a spoiler to upset me though

I think that's Giles talking btw, maybe he's reconciled Ripper and his later personality?

Wonderful entrance!

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by Barbara
Just when I was thinking "where is Giles? He should be here." he turned up!

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I know! When they were trying to translate the protection spell I was yelling "why does no one ring Giles!?" at the telly. And what an entrance! I cheered!

yay for giles
and also spikes great nirvana reference

black magick willow is scary esp. the balck veins all over her face..yeep...

i was so scared that willow was gonna kill clem...as a guest stars go, and with spike missing hes expendable so to speak but i love him!

willow vs buffy in a physical fight and willow about to win...if giles hadn't of walked in would she have killed her? and then Xander? willows speech about the nerdy-ness ofher former self reminded me of the one jesse gave xander when he became a vampire.

can't wait for the finale.

I loved the second half, when Willow's actually doing stuff, but as before, there is too little to fill a two parter. 'The Gift' was amazing and a one part episode, same happened with Becoming, Graduation Day. But, on a plus not, for both of them, the best one is the second, YIPPY!!! Next week, can't wait.

Is it me, or are you sick of Spike? I'm sick of his terrible, "you love me, yes you do" moments. He's gone from big bad into sad and pathetic. His love for Buffy was more real in season 5. Also, how many time is he going to get his shirt off? He's the best male actor on the show, cos he's got talent, but he's selling himself with looks.

I used to love Spike's character, now I just hope he dies or leaves, he's not interesting or even funny any more

But, sadly, I think Willow is going to die, I can't see how after all the death she'll come back I still LOVE Willow's character and was thrilled when she got loads to do this season

Oh well, back to Kerry Weaver I suppose

Great episode and loved it when good old Giles walked in sort of bookending the season,(it would be nice if he was back for good please) while hes been gone this season the show has really missed him.

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by maisie19
(quotes)I was yelling "why does no one ring Giles!?" at the telly. And what an entrance! I cheered!

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OK, this creates my next point

All this with Tara being killed and Willow turning has supposedly all only happened in a matter of days - so *when* exactly did someone tell Giles in England (or more to the point who) for him to suddenly turn up like that

So I'm being picky - but he did have to have time to get from England back to Sunnydal

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by Pegasus
(quotes)So I'm being picky - but he did have to have time to get from England back to Sunnydale

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Err he was popping over for a visit, I dont care its good to have giles back

I know, I think its great to see Giles back. But I like to think about the more practical side of things too

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by Pegasus
(quotes)OK, this creates my next point...

so *when* exactly did someone tell Giles in England (or more to the point who) for him to suddenly turn up like that

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Talking of people suddenly just turning up...

How did Buffy find Rack's place?? She couldn't before and Dawn laboured the point that she needed Clem's demon senses to find it, something Buffy ain't supposed to have!

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by Alf
(quotes)How did Buffy find Rack's place?? She couldn't before and Dawn laboured the point that she needed Clem's demon senses to find it, something Buffy ain't supposed to have!

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That's good point Although we all know that Buffy came back *wrong*

But as Willow had killed Rack surely his magic would have started to stop hiding the place (perhaps Dawn and Clem found it just before it became visible ) Maybe Buffy just happened upon it on the way home

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by Pegasus
(quotes)That's good point Although we all know that Buffy came back *wrong*

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Naww, she was unable to find Rack's earlier so shouldn't now.

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But as Willow had killed Rack surely his magic would have started to stop hiding the place...

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Although Buffy would have had to still sense it's appearance
and get their quick, that will do it for me - she popped out to fetch Dawn, or buy some lip gloss and suddenly saw Rack's appear!

I think that Giles has definately got in touch with his darker side again and so he probably sensed what was going on in Sunnydale even if he didnt quite know what it was and so he could have transported (like Will did to get to the police station) or something.
Or maybe he came back for Tara's funeral or something... although the latter is not as fun or cool
Anyway, yay for Giles!!!! And I love seeing Spike as a sweetie!