R.I.P. BTVS

Buffy is dead. And none too soon. You'll excuse me for being bitter, but even Joss Whedon couldn't pull an eleventh-hour rabbit out of the hat, not with the mess that was left for him by the writers this season. Sure, as exec producer he had some input into the story for this season, but the (relative) excellence of the finale episode, which Whedon wrote and directed, only underscores how little attention he was paying to the series in its twilight.

This is not to say that there weren't any enjoyable episodes this season, but it suffers in comparison to any other season, and I didn't think things could get much worse than last season's Milquetoasty ending to the Dark Willow storyline. In this case, it was simply too little, too late, and a whole lotta plot threads left dangling -- possibly left for Angel to pick up. (It was pretty gutsy to kill Spike off, given that he has already been confirmed as a new cast member on Angel.) The storyline of The First Evil was never fully explored (what was all that business about The Slayer allowing it the opportunity to gain strength?), and there was never even a reaction from The First about its supposed defeat. And, as predicted, the relationships of the four core characters who made the series what it is got just a tiny bit of lip service. I mean, who gives a damn about Willow's new girlfriend?

On to the next thing, Joss. Please.