DAWN

And the Master grabbed Buffy from behind and bit her, she tried to move but he was too strong, he fed on her blood and he tossed her in the water, cackling insanely as the bubbles rose around her and she slowly drowned to death.

I love this because it takes you right back to Spike and Dawn in the crypt with the girl in the coal bin story. ContinuityYay!

I love this because it takes you right back to Spike and Dawn in the crypt with the girl in the coal bin story. ContinuityYay!

I thought so too. Joss has mentioned in interviews that he thought Dawn got cheated, as a character. That he had plans to develop her more but it didn't happen.

There are lots of cut lines in the script, so it's well worth reading to see Buffy going on after her bad pun...

BUFFY
He had to split.
She snorts with dorkish laughter. Angel just shakes his head reprovingly. She stops after a moment.
BUFFY (cont'd)
I'm sorry, I just... ahhhh... I haven't had a good pun in a while.
ANGEL
That would still be the case.
BUFFY
Hey! My kill, my wordplay.
ANGEL
(hands up)
I'm out of line.
BUFFY
Well, I'm still glad you're here.

a bit more Dawn characterization that got lost..

BUFFY
(re: scythe)
I did find out some history on this puppy. I'll fill you in -- And I got some...
(hands over files)
...files, might be helpful, and
(produces amulet)
This. Supposed to be powerful, don't know much more.
GILES
Where'd you get all this?
BUFFY
Angel.
DAWN
Angel?
GILES
He's here.
BUFFY
I sent him back to L.A. To prepare.
She heads out toward the basement, turning back to add:
BUFFY (cont'd)
If we fail.
XANDER
Operative word "If."
ANYA
Operative word "Fail."
DAWN
Or, operative word "Wheeee!"
(crickets)
Nobody gets me.

So there are already two lines I'd use as tags that got cut...

Hey! My kill, my wordplay.

and...

Pucker up, ladies. We're going to Hell.

One last bit to compare how it was written vs. how it was shot:

We see the back of a beefy fellow as he is about to strike someone -- and HER hand blocks his blow. She rises into frame, slightly bruised and bleeding, but with a cold fury in her eyes that suggests that won't be happening again.

A twelve year old girl stands uncertainly at the plate as the power hits her: she takes it in, looking down in confusion.... then looking back up, slowly, her stance straightening and a wicked grin on her face.

We see the back of a beefy fellow as he is about to strike someone -- and HER hand blocks his blow. She rises into frame, slightly bruised and bleeding, but with a cold fury in her eyes that suggests that won't be happening again.

This is totally what I saw. Stunning moment.

A twelve year old girl stands uncertainly at the plate as the power hits her: she takes it in, looking down in confusion.... then looking back up, slowly, her stance straightening and a wicked grin on her face.

I didn't so much pick up on her uncertainty at the start, but the smile on her face was so knowing and powerful it just gave me chills. Happy chills.

I'm amazed at how masterfully they did what could have been a pretty cheesy montage.

I like Joss's glee at the end of the montage in the script:

INT. CAVERN - CONTINUING

As the girls come out of slo-mo and into their own.

AMANDA

Sweet fancy moses.

Buffy and Faith beam at each other.

FAITH

You feel that?

BUFFY

I really do.

Faith looks ahead, they all steel themselves, various expressions of readiness and uncertainty on various faces...

FAITH

Everybody, hold the line...

VI

(dead cool)

These guys are dust.

And the first wave hits, the vamps cresting the edge en masse, swarming over the girls --

Sorry. "Slayers". Who take the horde and beat it back, every single one of them slicing, kicking, twirling, punching, slaying like they've been doing it all their lives.

They are taking out a bunch (Spike keeping his end up just fine, thank you), holding off others -- but the vamps keep coming, endlessly. It's brutal and dark and sweaty and bloody and I love it. I love it.

A twelve year old girl stands uncertainly at the plate as the power hits her: she takes it in, looking down in confusion.... then looking back up, slowly, her stance straightening and a wicked grin on her face.

For God's sake. That *still* makes me teary. I am a sap.

I reallyo trulyo love Joss Whedon with all the passion my sould can conjure up.

I'm just saying.

I reallyo trulyo do.

So there are already two lines I'd use as tags that got cut...

>Hey! My kill, my wordplay.

and...

>Pucker up, ladies. We're going to Hell.

Hi Hec

out of context (and not actually shown) those lines are not spoilery. So nothing really stops you from using either one. As a stand-alone line, I like the second better.