Angel says to me that there can be grace even in darkness; Buffy says to me that that you can get a damn generator and turn the lights on.

I like this a lot. I agree with Katie and Micole that somehow a MoG all die fighting ending is appropriate and I agree with the reasons you guys stated, but there's something else about why it works that I can't put my finger on. Maybe it's because BtVS became in its last few years a show about how suffering and fighting alienates you, while AtS has consistently been a more personal show about how suffering transforms you (in good or not so good ways)? I'm having a hard time articulating this.

It could also be that I still believe the MoG are a family, and I stopped believing that during the last two seasons of BtVS. Even though Angel's reasoning for this big fight seems rather idiotic, that last seen on Wednesday was beautiful. Power Play showed again how much all these guys love each other and the idea of them choosing to die together seemed based more on love than on necessity. In a way, I'm all right with that.

Hmm. Maybe it was just eternally young. Can't remember.

somehow a MoG all die fighting ending is appropriate

Agree with this, but either Spike or Angel will have to survive or at least become human sometime within the next week so that they can die and complete the Shanshu prophecy.

ETA: "Just" eternally young. This programme messes with one's standards.

"Just" eternally young.

So his corpse will stay pretty forever?

(Yeah, he wasn't looking too pretty when he died.)

If only young == pretty. If only.

ita, you're so very pretty, I can't figure the source of your "if only" sentiment.

Think someone from ME did eventually confirm that Halfrek and Cecily were the same person.

Goddard says this is so on the Region 2 S7 DVDs, in the commentary for "Selfless." Kinda makes you wish someone finally had said something on-screen to that effect, though.

Power Play showed again how much all these guys love each other and the idea of them choosing to die together seemed based more on love than on necessity.

Yes, this. I liked how Wes' initial response to Angels strange behaviour was "let's ask him". And that the MoG responded as a group rather than keeping their concerns to themselves.

Kinda makes you wish someone finally had said something on-screen to that effect, though.

I know, show not called "Cecilfrek" but me too. I don't know how they could have fit in the explanation but I really wanted to know how she went from Cecily the stuck up human biatch to Halfrek the nosy vengeance demon.

I don't know how they could have fit in the explanation but I really wanted to know how she went from Cecily the stuck up biatch to Halfrek the nosy vengeance demon.

Considering all the time that BtVS wasted repeating the same info in its final stretch, seems like we could've fit in a little Spike/Halfrek meeting/reflection episode before we killed her off. Might've made her death a lot more meaningful, too.

Yes, this. I liked how Wes' initial response to Angels strange behaviour was "let's ask him". And that the MoG responded as a group rather than keeping their concerns to themselves.

I saw this as a real full-circle moment for Wes- how far he's come from "The father will kill the son, better take Connor and not ask or tell anyone" Wes. Ironically, being slashed, beaten, and smothered has taught his little Wesley heart to trust.