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Arbitrar of Quality finally made it to 'Chosen'.
He wasn't blown away, but he declared himself satisfied. A snippet:
I used the phrase "symbolically right" above, and it describes my general feelings about "Chosen." For the most part, it feels right for the characters to end their journey here. In that respect it's reminiscent of Season Seven as a whole, which has been fulfilling as far as themes go. Just having known these people for so long allows for a sense of incredibly rich character history that's come through in this and other episodes (such as this year's masterpiece, "Selfless"). But also like Season Seven, there are a few places where "Chosen" feels shoddy on a more literal narrative sense as the story falls apart some. That's also why, despite the number-crunching below, I'd say I like S6 better than S7 (the two are probably my favorite years of the show that aren't my beloved Season Three. S2 is up there too, though), even though S7 scores a little higher based purely on the rough individual-episode rankings. Both are more than the sum of their parts, but S7 is somewhat less more; the hiccups in the narrative don't bother me as deeply as they do some people, but they're harder to entirely brush past.
[...]
Since it's the last episode, in theory anyone can die. I wasn't worried about Buffy or Xander, but a full third of the main cast eats it here. Anya, after one last bunny joke, gets killed while helping keep Andrew alive, as a natural extension of (and as backwards-foreshadowed by) their talk last episode. Sorry to see you go. I very much like the last Xander/Andrew moment at the end. As for the other big central character's death, Spike goes out in style, as seems fitting. Both the effects and his last words make for something that's sad, but not depressing because it's a triumph, the peak of his hero's journey.
Whole review here.
I used the phrase "symbolically right" above, and it describes my general feelings about "Chosen." For the most part, it feels right for the characters to end their journey here. In that respect it's reminiscent of Season Seven as a whole, which has been fulfilling as far as themes go. Just having known these people for so long allows for a sense of incredibly rich character history that's come through in this and other episodes (such as this year's masterpiece, "Selfless"). But also like Season Seven, there are a few places where "Chosen" feels shoddy on a more literal narrative sense as the story falls apart some. That's also why, despite the number-crunching below, I'd say I like S6 better than S7 (the two are probably my favorite years of the show that aren't my beloved Season Three. S2 is up there too, though), even though S7 scores a little higher based purely on the rough individual-episode rankings. Both are more than the sum of their parts, but S7 is somewhat less more; the hiccups in the narrative don't bother me as deeply as they do some people, but they're harder to entirely brush past.
[...]
Since it's the last episode, in theory anyone can die. I wasn't worried about Buffy or Xander, but a full third of the main cast eats it here. Anya, after one last bunny joke, gets killed while helping keep Andrew alive, as a natural extension of (and as backwards-foreshadowed by) their talk last episode. Sorry to see you go. I very much like the last Xander/Andrew moment at the end. As for the other big central character's death, Spike goes out in style, as seems fitting. Both the effects and his last words make for something that's sad, but not depressing because it's a triumph, the peak of his hero's journey.
Whole review here.
no subject
Chosen isn't my favorite ending of a season, but it had its good moments. The smile Buffy and Giles shared is so sweet. This is one of my favorite relationships in the show.
GILES
(sitting by the window) It's a lot more than that. (stands) Buffy, what you said, it—it flies in the face of everything we've ever—every generation has ever done in the fight against evil. (smiles) I think it's bloody brilliant.
BUFFY
You mean that?
GILES
If you want my opinion.
BUFFY
I really do.
*hugs Giles* She wants it, she wants it!!! Don't be insecure, Giles!
Dawn as a watcher? I can see it. I think Dawn is a high school Willow with better clothes. Willow would have been a great watcher, but her interests now are more into magic so and less towards books IMO.
Are Xander and Anya together? Guess no one knows but them.
ANYA
(to Xander) Come on, let's go assemble the cannon fodder.
XANDER
That's not what we're calling them, sweetie. (walks out)
ANYA
(walks out) Not to their faces. What, am I insensitive?
But they sure act the same as before when they're still a couple. Anya says something rude, Xander tells her she shouldn't. So yep, guess they're quite back together.
And awww at Xander rubbing Anya's hair as she slept. And that scene where he's yelling her name, looking for her, she's right there but he can't see her. Many wanted Xander to see Anya for the last time, find her and hug her body to him, but I prefer the Chosen ending more, it's more dramatic and sad and perfect.
I think Willow became a goddess so fast, I don't know, maybe if they had her just control her powers better without the white hair. But for me Willow's arc is finished as her character. Unlike Giles, Xander and Dawn who still got potential for more stories and developments, the writers had gotten everything out of Willow, except that she doesn't love Kennedy yet. I see it as a one sided love, but hopefully in the future Willow can return that love back.
Spike and Anya's deaths are perfect. Spike dying slowly and painfully, Anya dying fast and painless. Loved how Spike and Anya's arcs had finished, they are very similar. Both of them had sacrificed their lives for the world, showing how much they had changed from when we first met them.
My favorite character development in this episode was Andrew's. Finally using his storytelling to make someone else happy and not for silly selfish reasons.
No matter what everybody said, I love Buffy's smile in the end. Buffy who finally forgave Giles, Buffy who finally acknowledged Dawn as a woman with her own choices, Buffy who trusted Xander with the most precious thing in her life: Dawn, Buffy who trusted Willow with their lives, Buffy who respected Spike's choice and left him to finish his journey, Buffy who smiled to a brand new beginning.
no subject
I never saw that as anything more than a compliment. Like saying Spike is a sex god...
No matter what everybody said, I love Buffy's smile in the end. Buffy who finally forgave Giles, Buffy who finally acknowledged Dawn as a woman with her own choices, Buffy who trusted Xander with the most precious thing in her life: Dawn, Buffy who trusted Willow with their lives, Buffy who respected Spike's choice and left him to finish his journey, Buffy who smiled to a brand new beginning.
That's beautiful. :)
no subject
Yeah, I know it was just a Kennedy complement... I guess I didn't like the white hair..
That's beautiful. :)
Thanks. I try to be poetic but it usually comes out like William's 'effulgent' poems. :)
no subject
Nothing wrong with being effulgent! ;)