I remember at the time being shocked, because I had read that somebody would die in the finale, but I never thought it would be Buffy. And then, because the show was leaving the WB, the network put together a "thank you to Buffy for five great seasons" (or something) right after the credits and I actually had a week or so where I thought the whole move to UPN might've been a fake out and the show was over and Buffy was dead.

And I didn't mourn, because I think The Gift had a great ending - and the idea of her dieing in service felt kinda right. It was sad and lovely - a proper hero's death. I still would prefer that ending to the mess that the show became during its last season and a half. Even thinking of seventh season now makes me slightly bitter.

Sky TV ruined the ending of 'The Gift' by showing the tombstone in previews. I believe I was too pissed off to worry about much else. But I assumed she'd be back.

Season five's ending would have been a superb final ending to the series. I love the twist of season seven's end, and I think it resonates with everything the series communicated and stood for - but you could absolutely stop watching at 'The Gift' and it would feel complete.

I was moved (Spike, Willow, wah) but I didn't mourn. I agree that Joyce's death was far more disturbing. The Girl has only watched 'The Body' once - she says she could never deal with it again.

And then, because the show was leaving the WB, the network put together a "thank you to Buffy for five great seasons" (or something) right after the credits and I actually had a week or so where I thought the whole move to UPN might've been a fake out and the show was over and Buffy was dead

I thought the exact same thing. Buffy's death was a huge shock. I don't think I mourned because by the time the shock was gone, I knew she'd be back. I knew Joyce wasn't coming back and I still mourn for her.

I didn't personally mourn for Buffy, but I was deeply moved by the other character's pain. The same thing for Joyce's death. I certainly would miss her, but watching the pain of her survivors was much more upsetting for me.

I didn't start watching Buffy until season 6 and was getting caught up with all the other seasons on FX at the same time, so nothing was a surprise. Still, The Gift gets me every time. I, too, would have been perfectly happy for the show to end there; it seemed suitable and fitting. I'm guessing I would have mourned Buffy if it had been the end; she was a character I highly identified with and I still miss the damn show, every day.

I didn't really identify with Buffy, but I wish I could have. Buffy was kind of everything I wasn't in school. I identified most with Willow(Oh, and William in "Fool For Love")

There's identify with, and there's want to be. I was Xander. I wanted to be Faith.

Edit: Or would have done, if there'd been Buffy in high school. Why wasn't there Buffy in high school? Would have helped! (Blimmin' Dawson's Creek was all there was.)

I totally identified with Buffy, especially in seasons 5&6. And 2. Which is probably why they are my favorite.

Who doesn't want to be Faith? Actually, I have met women who said they didn't, but I think they were fooling themselves.

Who doesn't want to be Faith?

Well, it would be cool to have that "I don't give a shit" attitude that Faith has - but I wouldn't want all her self-hatred. One of the scenes that always makes me tear up is the one in "Who Are You?" when she's beating Buffy (herself) and yelling "you're nothing." Man, that's upsetting.

Maybe to be Faith after she went to prison and liked herself a lot more.