3. Buffy The Vampire Slayer - 'Chosen'
Buffy The Vampire Slayer had gone apocalyptic on at least six occasions that I can count, but that was nothing compared to the final big bad in season seven, the First Evil itself. Fans may have been disappointed with the lack of personality for the central villain - that final scene in the opening lesson 'Lessons' was so thrilling, I think this story line never lived up to that potential - but the finale certainly delivered. Hey, Buffy might be the greatest show in television history. Even at it's most disappointing it was still awesome television. And let's not forget that while the potentials story line might have squandered some of the time devoted the show's leads, it was a season that continued to deliver outstanding episodes like 'Conversations with Dead People' and 'Storyteller'. The entire 5-part final arc knocks things up another level and dealt with the lack of physical villain by introducing Nathan Fillion's First Evil-possessed priest Caleb. The return of Faith. The discovery of a slayer super weapon. An army of super vampires called the Turok-Han ready to break out of the Hellmouth. Poor Xander loosing an eye. All the chips were in place for this finale and it paid off. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is great for three reasons. Great action sequences and monsters. Witty characters and dialogue. And powerful emotive scenes. Let's start with the first. Action. Well you couldn't get any bigger than this episode. Its Buffy meets the Battle Of Helms Deep. Slayers, Potentials and supporting characters versus First Evil acolytes and Turok-Han within the halls of the newly rebuilt Sunnydale High and the cavernous depths of the Hellmouth, but not before one final struggle between Caleb and Buffy, with the evil priest literally meeting a side splitting end on Buffy's scythe. And then the almighty destruction of Sunnydale itself, closing seven years of Buffy's life in this town. All the cast are on fine form. Let's start with the returning Angel and his reunion with Buffy. After the passionate kiss at the end of the penultimate episode, we're treated to a great little speech at how Buffy is 'cookie dough'. She's getting there, but she's not quite done yet. They may be a future for her and Angel, but now now. Angel leaves with a smile and a great quote "I ain't getting any older", giving hope for a future story (that as far as I am aware hasn't been resolved yet in the comics). It's followed by a sweet little scene between the slayer and a jealous Spike who doesn't want her to stay because she has 'Angel breath' and he has standards. But my favourite scene harks right back to the closing moments of 'The Harvest', the second part of the Buffy pilot. Buffy, Xander and Willow discuss 'going to the mall' when this is all done, to which Giles drolly exclaims 'the world is definitely doomed'. And then we have those big emotional moments. Anya's tragic death, Xander 'she's my girl' and Spike using the amulet to destroy the Hellmouth but not before he tells Buffy he loves her. While she responds with the same, he knows she's only saying it to comfort him. And the big twist - Willow uses magic to turn all potential slayers into real slayers - fulfilling her role as the slayer's most powerful ally. In the end, everything is changed for good. The Hellmouth is finally destroyed. The First Evil seemingly defeated. And Buffy (and Faith) are no longer the only slayers in this world. It brings closure to Buffy's story as the chosen one as she no longer has to save the world alone. But it also opens up an exciting new chapter for the world of the Buffyverse too. And that is an exciting place to end. Let's relieve that end right now...