15 Most Important Buffy The Vampire Slayer Episodes
10. Becoming (Season 2, Episode 21/22)
In Buffy's double-bill season two finale, the Slayer forms an unlikely alliance with Spike and readies up to kill Angelus once and for all. Giles has been kidnapped by Drusilla and tortured, whilst Angelus plans to bring about the end of the world. As Buffy becomes sure she has to kill her former lover, Willow tries to restore Angel's soul.
Becoming is probably the show's best finale, bringing together everything that makes the show and the characters so great. It pits Buffy against Angelus in a fight to the death that, at first, looks like it's going to go in the vampire's favour. But Buffy, knowing she has to put her duty before her emotions, finds a second wind and gets the upper hand, killing Angel even after realising Willow has restored his soul at the last second.
Becoming sees Buffy lay it all on the table and, just as she did in the season one finale, put her selflessness and duty above her emotional attachments and personal life.