SCREAM!! OH MY GOD!!! That was the BEST EPISODE of BTS E-V-E-R!!! Wow wow wow wow wow WOW!!! Talk about heartwrench! OK, I'll have to deal with the end first.

I loved how Angel was so stubbornly sacrifical about it all, putting on a brave face so that his weaknesses as the man within whom he loathes almost as much as his inner demon, would not live to hunt Buffy. It is so devastatingly sad how he hates himself and feels he is so worthless. He must have died at the end of last episode when Buffy abandoned him. She was the only thing that made his life worth living.

I think in this episode, she realised how much he needs her. "We can do it together" she vows. Is this a sign of things to come? It was great to finally get a declaration of love from her. I know, I know, she's been through some real heartbreakage and she's guarding herself from more, but still, she has been quite selfish and insensitive with Angel about their relationship. I think this incident has revealed to her how much she does love him, and the fear that she would lose him has resurfaced those emotions that she's been trying to repress. So c'mon Buffy, be nice now to our poor darling Angel. You've only got ten more episodes together y'know!! Sob!!

I loved the bit where Angel hits Buffy back so she falls on her face. No, I'm not some sicko sadist thank you very much. I just love the fact that their passion is so violent it explodes into their actions. I thought it was great when Buffy and Angelus did heir kickboxing routines, but this!! *This* was beyond hope. There's something so satisfying in the knowledge that these two are physical equals (actually Buffy's probably stronger). It's like, they can't even escape their emotions by hurting each other physically - so poetic, so tragic. Now *that's* love.

Two points about this part of the scene. First, I didn't notice this initially, but I read it in an episode transcript. After Angel realises that he's just bowled Buffy over, he says quietly to himself, "Oh My God". (So yes Neesh, rest assured he *is* penitent for his actions.) He then goes over and shakes her violently so that she can see that he is a bad man and he'll never be any good for her. He wants to scare her, to make her see him as Angelus so she can hate him - so she can let him go. "Am I a righteous man?" God, that kills me every time. Yes Angel dear, you are, you ARE!!

And notice how through this all, Buffy is not at all her usual kick-ass Slayer self. She actually looks shock horror, pretty weak, and doesn't oppose Angel's force. In fact, she cowers under him "No! No!" she cries. But I think this is more a protest against the emotional pain than any physical hurt. She's not afraid of what Angel will do to her as much as what he will do to himself.

And oh my God, who didn't melt when she sqeaked "what about me?" I think even Angel dropped his mask at that moment with the realisation that he was actually really hurting her. All this time he'd been like, I am so useless, I am so sinful, I deserve punishment, I I, I. It was hard for him to push Buffy away but he had to save her from him. He has always looked on himself as an appendage to her, excess baggage hanging on for the ride. He's been so absorbed by his love for her for so long, I don't think he's ever fully realised that *she* actually loves him too. As though he would never expect such an overwhelming curtesy from her, the Godess Slayer. Like he'd be content to just drink her in from a distance, sustainance that quenched the thirst for blood that without her, he battles to control.

Finally Buffy is revealing her feelings! OK, when you read out the facts it seems a bit ridiculous that Angel could have returned to Earth just after Buffy deals with his loss, just when she's come to terms that there's no possibility that he'll ever come back, just when he's become good again. But the whole idea of their fateful love is that it not be taken for its detail but for its essence. Therein lies the poignant poetry. Therein lies the power.

But still Angel doesn't budge! I'm guessing his love for her is just too strong: he must kill himself to save her. And then, the miracle snowfall. Note how, just before the camera pans out across the city, it moves between them and you see them make eye contact - jump out of your seat material!

How much did I love the scene of them strolling hand by hand down to street under the snow! They weren't even looking at each other, like they were shy little kids holding hands for the first time and not sure if they were allowed to. They looked ADORABLE!! Haven't seen the cutesie-pie side of their love before, like it! And the look they give each other at the very end?!! A new beginning YAY! They're back together. WOO-HOOO!!! See the need in his eys, see the concern in hers, see the smiles of hope? Their love can survive! Well, for the rest of the season at least.

Must give important mention of how deliciously angsty Angel was this episode. The most brooding he's ever been. Thank you Joss for finally giving us more than a two-second scene with our Angel. Much needed, although it's evident that was the whole point of making a new series. Which, I have to say, I'm really looking forward to now. Yeah, I know, no Buffy. Still, an hour of Angstly Angel is time well spent.

Wasn't the Angel-Giles scene incredible?! Ooooh, the angst, ooooh the tension. David Boreanez wears the tortured soul look so well!! I wonder if there are guys like that out there in reality? Hang on - reali-what? ;0>

Oh yeah, another thing: I love how Buffy's reaction to the Angel dilemma was wanting to go out and pummel some bad guys. Nice role-reversal on the typical macho man hero guy routine. Does Buff hide her feelings in the fight? Is that what she learnt to do with Angelus? Hmmm...

Other points: The B/A love-making dream sequence. SCREAM! Woah baby! Yeah, it was a dream, but at this point we'll take anything we can get. Oh my god, was the screen steamin up or what! Those two are so HOT HOT HOT together!! And then the suckage - can we *say* open the widows I can't breathe! Yayayayayay. Did anyone else wish they were Buffy during that scene?! Angel, you are a GOD!! How beautiful was the clasping of entwined fingers at the beginning? I have to say, next to them actually doing it, them dreaming it looked divine. Did you catch Buffy's moan of ecstacy and see the moisture on her lips? I could go on about this scene forever: the artistic cinematography, the careful timing, the passion, the intensity, the sensuality, the unexpectency. Roar!

Decided that I REALLY want Joss Whedon to have a storyline in which Angel makes Buffy into a vamp. Just to see the actualy siring scene would be heavenly! I love the sexual element JOss is adding to the show of late. Last ep with Will and Xander, and now with out Buffy and Angel. Sure, he hides it in imaginary circumstances, but he must be acting in accordance with popular demand. He must be reading fanfics! Oh but Mr Whendon, thank you. This is *so* much better than any fanfic imaginable. We love you. As long as you keep our Buffy and Angel together, you bastard!

Also as a sideline: How much do we *adore* Oz. Not sure any more that Will deserves such a honey. I mean c'mon, what was she thinking wanting Xander when she already has a guy who says: "I miss you... like every second of the day... I feel like I've lost an arm..." Awww. Be good to him Will!

Amazing episode!