She saved the world a lot
It's possible that S5 is my favorite season so far--or at least the season I've been the most involved in emotionally. I loved the last third of the season, from Joyce's death (SAAAAD) through the Scoobs' psycho road trip in Spike's RV through Buffy's silly swan dive off that big giant scaffold.
- SPIIIIKE. It's not that I'm surprised, exactly, at how much I adore Spike right now; everybody ELSE loves him, after all, and I'm so suggestible. But oh gosh, how I love that bleach-blond vampire's dorky, angry, weirdly devoted heart.
- I was warned ahead of time that Joyce would die this season, and how it would happen, but nobody told me when it would happen--so I spent the first half of the season holding my breath every time Buffy came around a corner. But I loved loved loved (and bawled my way through) "The Body." Having been through the sudden death of a friend this year, who was also the husband of a friend, I can say: it's a damn accurate portrayal of the shock and nearness of death, and for that I am thankful. (P.S., bilunabirotunda, not an episode to watch for a good long while. Just saying.)
- I'm over Angel, but thought it was both touching and appropriate that he showed up for Buffy in her moment of grief. That was a nice, comforting touch.
- But really my favorite--in "The Body" and also just generally--must be Anya, with her general shock and outrage at the very fact of death. BEST.
- Speaking of which, how is it possible that dopey Xander Harris is responsible for my new favorite TV proposal? THAT WAS FANTASTIC. I'm still smiling, like two hours later. I love them, and the world DIDN'T end, and does this mean they can get married? Because I would watch that.
- Alyson Hannigan really did have fantastic hair this season.
- I totally love that Glory is also Courtney from Bring It On. I spent this entire season waiting for her to say, "You're being a cheer-tator, Tor, and a pain in my ass!" Ah, well.
- Aaaaaaah Giles totally suffocated Ben! Which I find terrifying--because Giles is NICE and DECENT--but also v. compelling. Way to be a frightening badass, there, magic shop guy.
Woooo, on to S6! Ninety-nine down, forty-four to go! I am on a ROLL with this here vampire-slayer thing.
I'm gonna go make Christmas cookies. Priorities!