Pretty solid conclusion to Season 9. Dawn fading away due to magic was something they should have seen coming, but I got why they didn’t. Man, do I hate her relationship with Xander though, and boy did this solidify that. Early on, he smacks the cold medicine bottle out of her hand because she’s coughing and he can’t sleep? The toxicity just comes off him in WAVES, if you didn’t realize it when he started dating someone six years younger than him that he’s known since she was 10. TEN. And then Xander blames this on Buffy (like she could have known any of this would happen??) and joins forces with Simone and Severin! Xander Harris, you have firmly and decidedly certified your place as the Worst Character On This Show. Anya deserved better, Dawn deserves better.

Love the return of Spike & Dawn’s interactions. Their (platonic! fraternal!) relationship was a highlight of the show for a while, and then mostly swept under the rug. I love that he ran to be with her through this, while Xander’s stupid ass HAD to “save the day”.

Loved Illyria’s return, and her chemistry with Eldare-Koh. I hope she’s not dead for real. The return of magic is going to be interesting going forward. I kinda hate that Willow only got over her stupid grudge against Buffy once she got magic back, but whatever. She’s rapidly become the third worst character around (Angel for #2!), but had redeemed herself slightly between her one-shot and here.

And another Jane Espenson Billy story. I love her writing, but I don’t understand this character at all, even when he’s made slightly better by a storyline with Buffy’s awesome roommate Anaheed. Most of the original characters in this series have been truly great and some of the best parts (Koh, Dowling, Lavinia & Sophie, Satsu, etc), but Billy I just don’t understand. What about him is supposed to make him a Slayer? Just that a cute boy decided he was??