Willow is apparently unstoppable, and the next targets on her hate list are Jonathan and Andrew. Buffy races to save them before it's too late, but it seems only a matter of time before Willow finds and kills them, and she may not care who gets between her and her targets.

If there's one thing the creators of Buffy know how to do by now, it's the season finale, and this one pulls out all the stops while managing to be different to each of the finales that have gone before it. Yes, there's a fair chunk of fighting in it, but this is a group of characters being torn apart, and for once it's one of their own that they have to rescue. As is pointed out to the remaining nerds, they're not the ones being saved, Willow is.

There really is a great deal to like about this two-part end to an up and down season, but it's not perfect. It's basically about each of the characters finding a new purpose in life, a reason to live, a reason to carry on after the traumas that have hit each of them this year. When Buffy runs off the list of problems they've all been through, laughter is the only recourse. Everything has gone to hell in a hand basket, but somehow they're still fighting on. All except Willow, whose personal tragedy has sent her completely over the edge.

The acting here is excellent. Where past seasons have featured a stack of recurring guest stars in the finale, this one keeps things pretty simple and there are few characters beyond the main Scoobies. Buffy's arc surrounds her return from the dead and her rediscovery of a purpose in life through Dawn. Her confrontation with Willow where she is told her problems is particularly poignant as Buffy tries to show Willow that she can fight back against the dark forces in control of her. Dawn finally comes into her own for the first time this season as we see a new toughness in her that comes from growing up; her fighting abilities alongside Buffy are wonderful as we see the sisters finally forging an elusive bond.

Xander, devastated that his best friend may be lost, and increasingly down due to what he sees as constant failure and an inability to help with anything, also comes into his own. Too long his closeness to Willow has been ignored, and not only is it right that he should be the one to go to her in her hour of need, but he shows a greater ability to fight through than he ever has before. It's good that Anya doesn't rush to him as if everything is okay once more, but there does seem to be some hope for things working out. Speaking of whom, even Anya finds her place as she aids the others against Willow, demonstrates a deep love and respect for the returning Giles and is showing greater signs of maturity each episode.

Alyson Hannigan once more gives a superb performance as the twisted Willow, with some excellent lines, an impressively malevolent air and a series of great fight sequences, especially against Buffy as the pair go no-holds-barred against each other. Jonathan shows a depth of decency, sense and courage that we haven't seen in him much before, and he and Andrew share some nice moments as they try to avoid being killed. Quite what will happen to this pair is unclear, but I get the feeling we might see them again. And then there's Giles. I've waited six years for him to finally get his chance to shine, and his appearance at the end of the first half of this story is superb and long overdue. His reaction to Buffy's news is perfect, and Anthony Stewart Head is on superb form as mentor, father figure and, above all, friend.

Really, this season has been a fan's dream, ticking all the boxes. Willow going evil, Xander becoming useful, Giles getting something to do, Buffy returning to a more happy outlook, Anya returning to being a vengeance demon and Spike getting his chip removed. Ah, but he doesn't, does he? There's one last trick up the sleeve of the writers, and it will be interesting to see what Spike's altered nature does for him next season. But I said this wasn't perfect, didn't I? The monsters that attack Buffy and Dawn seem a little useless; while they might do their job eventually, if Willow really wanted Buffy to go down fighting, you'd think she might have come up with something better. Confining her and Dawn to a hole for a lot of the second half is a shame as well; it may allow them to become closer, but it does seem something of a waste. I'm disappointed that Giles' powers don't come from his past dabblings in magic and that they're stripped from him so easily; there was more possibility in his empowered state than we see here, but I'm certainly glad he doesn't die even if it would be as heroic a death as anyone could ask for. Jonathan and Andrew could have been to greater use with their abilities, and the final plan of Willow's seems a little sudden and extreme, but overall this is still a strong close to the season and I'm keen to see where things go now.

****

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