What if The Gift was the last episode?

[Lizzie]

Inspired by this TWoP article.

"
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Perfect Episode to End With: "The Gift"
"She saved the world. A lot." A simple epitaph that left fans weeping as this cult series ended on The WB. When it returned months later on its new network, UPN, it just wasn't ever the same. Sure, the instantly classic musical episode aired after Buffy's death and resurrection, but we still kind of wish the series had stopped with that final shot of her tombstone. Killing off the lead character and leaving fans gaping would've been the ultimate way for this ground-breaking show to go out."

I think it would have been a very dramatic ending, and could have worked. We know Joss is known for killing characters off, and to kill the main character and NOT bring her back would have been a very surprising and interesting ending. OTOH, we would have missed out on some great episodes, like OMWF.

Thoughts?

[shred]

I would have been happy if it has ended with The Gift. I liked Chosen and thought it was a great ending too but season 7 was poor. Both season 6 and 7 weren't as awesome as the first 5 seasons so I would have like it if the show finished on top with The Gift.

And I read that if The Gift was indeed the finale, a lot of other stuff would have happened as well, which would have been interesting to see.

[Sammy]

I don't think I would have appreciated BtVS so much. OMWF and HUsh were two fo the best episodes imo of Buffy and without them the show wouldn't have received so much acclaim I don't think.

[shred]

Hush was in season 4 so we'll just miss OMWF.

And we'll miss other great eps like Tabula Rasa and Seeing Red.

[Sammy]

Ok that shows how tired I am that I stuffed that up. I mean Tabula Rasa. Ugh lol

[Lizzie]

I love Tabula Rasa!

Giles: Magic! Magic's all balderdash and chicanery. I'm afraid we don't know a bloody thing. Except I seem to be British, don't I? Uh, and a man. With... glasses. Well, that narrows it down considerably.
...
Giles: We'll get our memory back, it'll all be right as rain.
Spike: Oh, listen to Mary Poppins. He's got his crust all stiff and upper with that Nancy-boy accent. You English men are always so... bloody hell! [counting them on his fingers.] Sodding, blimey, shagging, knickers, bollocks. Oh god... I'm English.
Giles: Welcome to the Nancy tribe.

Dawn: You want me to name you?
Buffy: Oh, that's sweet, but I think I can name myself. I'll name me... "Joan".
Dawn: Ugh.
Buffy/Joan: What? Did you just "ugh" my name?
Dawn: No, I just... I mean, Joan, it's so blah.
Buffy/Joan: I like it. I feel like a "Joan".
Dawn: Fine, that's your purgative.
Buffy/Joan: "Perogative".
Dawn: Whatever, Joan.
Buffy/Joan: Whatever, Umad.



Okay, Joss could have just moved that episode up a bit. I have watched season 6 and 7 the least, so I think I would have been okay with it ending at 5.

[Beck]

I don't think it would be better. Yes it would have been shocking but can you imagine the outcry if he had left it with Buffy dead? I personally was happy to have another 2 seasons. The 7th season was a weak one but it could have been done better and I don't think it ran too long.

[shred]

But it's such a Joss thing to do though! I mean, look at how Angel ended.