Hey, you won't hear me defending Season 7. As far as I'm concerned, it only had three episodes: "Selfless," "Conversations with Dead People," and "Chosen." Oh, and a few minute-long 4-way split screen video titled "Him."

I was probably easier on season 7 than you and a lot of Buffistas were. I do think the potentials flooded the ground where the main story should have (to my mind) taken place. That said, in addition to the episodes you've cited, I thought Lessons was a strong beginning. I love the hand-waving Giles did, to get rid of the magical crack part of Willow's storyline of season 6. It was a cheat, but a fulfilling one. And really, who can help but love an episode in which Giles asks, "Do you want to be punished?" I only take points off, because it made promises I felt the season didn't keep.

The last time I watched Lessons (I've barely touched my S7 DVDs) I thought about the Coven in Bath, where Willow went for healing, and the old I'm-now-the-only-one woman who appears out of the blue, in End of Days (she'd been among those who forged the scythe). If the coven had somehow tied into the scythe-making-hiding clan, we could have had some much needed continuity. I think season 7 suffered because the potentials took over time that should have gone to the core characters, and because continuity apparently only had a contract through season 4.

I loved Beneath You, even (especially) the scene with Spike on the cross. And despite what I've been saying about Willow re-entering the fold, I was so touched by the ending of Same Time, Same Place, with Buffy and Willow, and sufficiently creeped out by the Gnarl monster, that I actually really enjoyed it.

I still miss my show. I'm glad it ended, because it was going down hill, and I hated to see it. But I still miss it.

I have the warmest feelings for Same Time, Same Place of any episode in the entire series. The density of continuity and character parallels in the Willow/Anya spell scene, crazy Spike's every line carrying meaning, funny Dawn paralysis, the creepy flesh eating and scary fairy tale taunting, the real friendship and bonding at the end, and the perfectly metaphorical monster -- I believe it was Jim E-T who said it first, but while Hush and Once More With Feeling are great stunts, this is the best episode that's just Buffy through and through.

Crazy!Spike being revealed to be having two different conversations at the same time was a good touch. Plus there's "I'm crazy, what's his excuse?"

I've been dark due to vacation with no computer two places and dial-up in the third, and just found this:

Any idea where I could get ahold of this marvel of marvels? [unaired BtVS pilot, etc]

I hate to beg, but please, please, please, could I borrow this?! There could be bribery involved.

I think Joss suffers from this blind spot where once he thinks a character is great, EVERYONE MUST LOVE THEM. I've seen that happen with Willow, Spike, Fred, and River, and in my opinion only Willow has been redeemed to date—by the events of Season 6.

Hmm, I'm not sure I'd agree that River got to this point yet, though the danger was certainly there. If she'd ever gotten less crazy/broken, though, watch out for the flying cutesy debris.

I never got the vibe Joss fell in love with Spike, so much as a) JM was hella fun to write for, which led to b) the audience getting a little attached. And then we were catered to.

And then we were catered to.

not all of us, unfortunately.

And then we were catered to

Yeah. I like catering.

Yeah. I like catering.

oooh! mini quiches! there must be mini quiches!