Yeah Buffy's hair do is because it was burned off in the fight. I doubt it will stay like that.
I've only had the chance to do a first read through and I'd actually like to look back again at the scene between Buffy and Jordan in particular. I feel I need to really have a think through the huge number of messages over power/responsibility in this season. Obviously the fear of the power of others, the abuse of power are there. The experience of having lost power that feels a natural part of you shown with both Buffy and Willow in the season and then the dragon. But also stolen power, both with Wise from the dragon and supernatural creatures, but also then for differing reasons in Buffy's draw of the slayer powers and in Willow's drain of the other wiccans too. Jordan talked of Buffy having shared the power originally but Faith also told her to use 'their' power when fighting Wise. The whole mix of what is natural, what is shared, what is taken, what is abused, what is deserved, how it is a burden and how it is a gift draws from so many places across the series I really want to reread and consider all that this season covered and how it adds in. And although she may not be gone for good, I actually liked that Calliope possibly just doesn't want to opt back into that world. It seems right that not everyone would after the experience they had. It contrasted against how Jordan et al responded. I liked the moment when they were empowered again where there was a pause to see if they were going to leave calmly. I would welcome seeing Jordan's character return, one of the best originals we've had I think.
And I liked that the dragon came and took its power back from Wise. That there was something more than our guys, the natural world fought back too. We also had the return to some extent of the divide illustrated with Vicki which was welcome for me. Drawing together for a common goal but not actually bridging the divide fully works with the greys but doesn't ignore that there are definite breaks/differences still there.
The final group meet on the roof brought us full circle of course in the season to where they started and I like getting these little builds of the lives they are leading together. A great family feel to it and with Buffy feeling so much more at ease in herself after all that the season brought. And of course we have the ILY again. It was pretty expected, especially with that link back to him stopping her saying it when they were in camp, but coming just at a relaxed, undramatic moment, stated/accepted in a really straight forward, loving moment just felt very right for where we have been seeing the Spike/Buffy relationship get to. I have really enjoyed having time away from intense focus on relationship angst and it being more about the situations they are facing. Plus there is plenty of scope for continuing relationship developments that focus on individual issues being explored. These guys may be together for some time yet and that is more than fine with me.
I found the food comment from Spike a bit awkward and wondered if Gage was trying to add to the previous reference in S10 (I think it was) where Spike made a similar comment in response to the suggestion of going out for food. This seemed less out of step with what the series showed if you add in the viewer knowledge that he liked spicy foods as they would add stronger flavours, but it still felt a bit odd and a little clunky for continuity without that. Perhaps this is going somewhere in the future as again his need for blood and her helping him feed was a part of it all again (as it had been in camp). There is still scope for the blast of magic he had having altered/affected him somehow. But perhaps that feels a little too convenient for change to come from. We'll see, when and if we get a S12.
I don't have an issue with where Spike is at these days personally because things are going pretty well for him generally but he hasn't lost his insecurities about fitting in, being what Buffy wants or being a monster. I think he has settled more because he has focused on belonging to the group, what he decided he wanted to strive for during the S9 mini, but he still has his fears of how he doesn't/can't fit in which were raised last season and this. His path seems to still be developing coherently to me and there is scope for it to do so further. I'm glad of the distinct change of tone, whether it lasts fully, partially or not as his story goes on. It continues to feel logically progressive and not like he is held in a stasis where the writers won't develop him.
There are Q&As with Christos and Rebekah started over on SA if anyone can think of a question. Interestingly, they have said that Christos won't answer anything about S12.
