The Gift (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
"The Gift" | |
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode | |
Episode no. | Season 5 Episode 22 |
Directed by | Joss Whedon |
Written by | Joss Whedon |
Production code | 5ABB22 |
Original air date | May 22, 2001 |
Guest appearances | |
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"The Gift" is the season 5 finale, and the 100th episode, of the fantasy-horror television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003).[1] The episode aired on The WB on May 22, 2001. The episode serves as the "WB Finale" of the series, as it moved to the UPN channel for the remainder of the series.
In "The Gift", Buffy refuses to accept that her sister Dawn's death is the only way to defeat the hell-god Glory and prepares to do battle. In the end, she discovers the meaning of her "gift".
Plot
The Scooby Gang considers plans to foil
As Buffy trains with Giles, she reveals to him that the First Slayer told her, on her vision quest (in "
Meanwhile, Xander proposes to Anya. At first, she is upset, believing that he is doing it just because the world will end, but after he reassures her that he wants to see the world safe because he truly wants to spend the rest of his life with her, she agrees to accept if they survive. As Buffy and Spike gather weapons, she asks him to protect Dawn. Spike tells Buffy he knows she will never love him, but is grateful that she treats him like a man rather than a monster.
Glory's minions build a tower for the ritual to open the gates between dimensions. Buffy and her allies confront Glory just as the ritual is to begin.
With the window of time to stop the ritual about to close, the Scoobies spot someone up on the scaffolding with Dawn. Willow telepathically tells Spike to go up to Dawn, and she and Tara magically clear a path for him by throwing aside Glory's minions and guards. Spike finds the demon Doc threatening to start the ritual. A fight ensues, but Doc tosses Spike off the scaffolding and then cuts Dawn with shallow slashes that bleed steadily, starting the apocalyptic ritual. Buffy reaches the top, pushes Doc off and frees the captive Dawn just as the portal between dimensions opens. Dawn is willing to sacrifice herself to seal the portal, but Buffy, comprehending the true meaning of the First Slayer's revelation, stops her. Realizing that since Dawn has her blood and that her own death can stop the ritual, Buffy throws herself into the portal, which closes when she dies, leaving her friends devastated. She is buried with the epitaph, "She saved the world. A lot."
Development
Written by Joss Whedon, the episode was originally conceived as the series finale. After its airing, the series was left "in limbo" before its network changed to UPN for its final two seasons.[1]
Themes
The episode's title encapsulates its central theme. Buffy's ultimate sacrifice to close a hellish portal highlights the loss of her support system, including her mother and her mentor, Giles. This act thrusts her into a world where the weight of her unique role as the Slayer becomes overwhelming. The episode signifies the end of the comparatively lighter tone in the series, as Buffy grapples with the ramifications of her destiny.[1]
One of the significant developments in the episode is the evolution of the character Spike. He transitions from a tolerated danger to a multifaceted ally. Spike's love for Buffy and his commitment to protecting Dawn marks a substantial shift in his character arc, and this growth continues over the subsequent seasons, leading to a profound exploration of humanity and redemption.[1]
The episode also foreshadows the darkness within Willow, a character known for her endearing qualities. Willow harnesses powerful dark magic and telepathy to protect her friends, signaling her capacity for wielding darker forces. This transformation sets the stage for her eventual descent in the next season, a contentious plotline that explores the consequences of unchecked magical power.[1]
Giles, typically portrayed as a mild-mannered librarian and Buffy's guardian, reveals a darker side in the episode when he kills Ben, as he believes it is his duty as a Watcher. His complex identity, somewhere between a friend and a father figure, adds depth to his character.
Reception
Rachel Simon of
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Simon, Rachel (2021-05-27). "The Buffy Episode That Changed Everything". Vulture. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
- ^ Petrova, Erma (March 2003), "'You cannot run from your darkness.' / 'Who says I'm running?': Buffy and the Ownership of Evil", Refractory, 2, archived from the original on 2011-04-15, retrieved 2008-06-04
- ISBN 9780812695311.
- ^ Marshall, C. W. (August 9, 2003), "Aeneas the Vampire Slayer: A Roman Model for Why Giles Kills Ben", Slayage, 9, archived from the original on September 27, 2007
External links
- "The Gift" at IMDb