but the show took a radical turn in tone in S5-7. Which are coincidentally, Dawn's seasons.

I'm not sure the problem was Dawn as much as leaving school behind. Certainly by late S5, the show lost its overriding theme of "High school/ college is hell." After that, there was no real overriding theme that was both semi-realistic and entertaining.

And my rankings: S5 was mostly solid (it's the season I started watching, BTW). S6 was brilliant at both ends, but sagged badly in the middle (DMP and AYW, anyone?). S7 started well but became a mess (except for "Storyteller" and, oddly enough, LMPTM) -- with some too-little-too-late improvement at the end.

AYW, anyone?

Yeah, actually. It has its faults, several of them, but of all of season 6, it's my third most-watched episode (after the Smashed and Wreaked).

I agree that there were a lot of problems with S7, and a lot of missed opportunities, but I also remember how much I liked the first part of the season, some of the shows in the middle, and the finale.

This is where I am, too. They should have done more with Dawn and Xander, less with the stupid frelling UberVamps, and used the Potentials in fewer episodes.

They should have done more with Dawn and Xander, less with the stupid frelling UberVamps, and used the Potentials in fewer episodes.

More with characterization generally. That's why the D&D scene was one of the best parts of "Chosen" -- it allowed character interaction that wasn't overwhelmed by the plot.

As for the Potentials -- sending Giles off for a number of eps to search for Potentials was a good idea (given the limited number of eps he'd agreed to appear in). And each ep, another Potential or two arrives in Sunnydale. That way, we'd at least have a prayer of seeing some of the Potentials as individuals, instead of the indigestible lump created when dozens showed up in 2 or 3 eps.

One thing that just struck me last night at work. The world has come close to ending how many times on BtVS, and NOW the denizens of Sunnydale evacuate for this one. In retrospect it was probably a wise decision.

Also the possibility of a Clem spinoff lives on.

As for the Potentials -- sending Giles off for a number of eps to search for Potentials was a good idea (given the limited number of eps he'd agreed to appear in). And each ep, another Potential or two arrives in Sunnydale.

I see you point with regard to Giles and the Potentials, but I disagree otherwise.

The season began with a couple of rather horrifying scenes of Potentials being rather easily slaughtered by Bringers. Given that beginning, I have problems with number of Poternials (both the group fighting with Buffy and the scattered group awakening) left in the world at the end of the season.

Either the PtB create way too many Potentials in each generation (diluting their specialness, imo), or the Bringers weren't nearly as efficient and scary as they seemed, causing me to question the FE's real power.

I think the whole season would have been better served if there had only been 4-6 Potentials with Buffy and if, in the end, Buffy had shared her power with all of womankind, rather than all potentials.

Buffy had shared her power with all of womankind, rather than all potentials.

But... the fact that only Potentials got the power is the only thing standing between the showverse and a huge anvil with "BUFFY EMPOWERS WOMEN!" written on it. I don't want that taken away. It's a thing.

Edit: okay, so the message is there anyway. But I'm clinging onto the only thing that stopped Chosen being a big feminist banner. Personal thing entirely.

Also the possibility of a Clem spinoff lives on.

I would *so* watch this.

I am still looking for him here in Nebraska, but 7-11's are rare so I bet he ended up not staying.

the fact that only Potentials got the power is the only thing standing between the showverse and a huge anvil with "BUFFY EMPOWERS WOMEN!" written on it.

If by "standing in the way" you mean "waved it past the finish line with an enormous pink flag with WOMYN POWER written on it in menstrual blood."

(What, me bitter?)

If by "standing in the way" you mean "waved it past the finish line with an enormous pink flag with WOMYN POWER written on it in menstrual blood."

Yeah, something like that. Shall we be bitter together?

I was trying to look at it in a positive, it-could-be-worse; it-could-have-been-all-women light, but why bother? I'll embrace the bitterness.