13jun2003:
Buffy is over. And in one of the best possible ways. Plenty of little
circles didn't get closed - what's going to happen with Faith? Where did Angel
run off to? (Back to his own series, I suppose.) And Spike's pendant thing
was a bit of a Maguffin. But the big themes that've made Buffy the most-analysed
TV series in media studies courses were all nicely wrapped up and a ribbon
tied on top.
Buffy's always dealt with bigger themes that might be apparent from
viewing an episode or two. In early series, it was resentment at having to
be different. Later, she became comfortable with being the slayer; later still,
exalting in her sense of purpose. It went pear-shaped around S5, when she
started the whole 'I'm alone' stuff. And in the final season - gradually -
it completed its course, realising that she doesn't have to be alone after
all.
The final episode - where Buffy thinks, 'Hey, whoever dreamed up this
one-slayer-per-generation shit?' and turns every girl on the planet into a
slayer - also took the series' central conceit to its logical conclusion.
It's no longer just the vampire myth having an ironic take taken on it, but
the whole prophecy-laden, preodained nature of mythology getting turned on
its head.
So: a fitting end to a great series. There are just so many good things
about Buffy: the way it draws its visual vocabulary from cinema rather than
television, the deep interplay between actors who've basically grown up with
each other on the show, coherent themes, well-written dialogue, strong female
characters and brilliant pop-cultural commentary. And, of course, those utterly
brilliant Skittles idents that bracket each break. (The two flights - cgi'd
talking 'sour' Skittles and live-action spoof horror).
The most frightening thing, though, was the documentary after
the episode. Featuring some Buffy 'fans' at Buffy 'conventions'. Whale-fleshed,
baseball-cap wearing, trailer park trash all. And for an instant, I saw myself
reflected in their uncritical, unthinking, sheep-like eyes.
