OK, I know that everyone I talked to loved this episode, but frankly, I didn't think it was that super-great. I think my opinion of the entire episode (and maybe even the season) was marred by the fact Angel - devoted, worshipping, kind, gentle Angel - called his precious lover a - my mind cringes at the very thought - a brat! I sat there stunned in disbelief as I watched their quarrel scene. What the hell are the writers trying to do to us?!! First of all the horrible, insensitive 'whatever' comment from Angel in the Prom (which I've decided to officially not hear), and now this! Even Angelus would never be that harsh. (Pause. Thought: Angelus. Sigh. Unpause.) What happened to "You're still my girl?" and "Buffy, you know how much I love you - it kills me to say this"!! They spend the entire series hammering it into us that this is immortal love, and then they go and suddenly decide to give it an everyday flavour. No s'ree, you just can't do that to us die-hard shippers. Ya just can't!!

Admittedly, the part where Angel falls into Buffy's arms and she strokes his cheek tenderly, is very awww-inspiring, but after that (cringe) "brat", nothing was going to make amends. I mean, it is completely insensitive of Angel to be so harsh. He tells the woman who wants to spend the rest of her life with him that he doesn't feel the same way, then he tells her he misses her, then he gives her false hope by looking so damn gorgeous at the Prom, then he disappears into the night as usual, then he shadows her to help her with things she can handle herself, then he calls her a brat for wanting to continue on with the life that he's seen fit to set on a different course from the one desired. Breath. I know, isn't this amazing - for once I'm actually on Buffy's side. Ok, to be fair to Angel, I'll give a plot synopsis from his pov too to help me understand why, oh why, he said the "b" word. (Cringe) First of all, he sacrifices the only happiness he will ever know so that the woman who he worships can lead a happy life, then she cuts him off by refusing his help to fight evil, then he fulfils her highschool dream even though he hates being in public, then he tries to help her again, and she tells him to go away, complaining of him crowding her, not realising that every moment he is apart from her is like acid eating his heart. Breath. But - for all that, I just can't fathom my darling Angel voicing that insult to Buffy!!

Alright, even though I'll never be satisfied with that GROSS error in scriptwriting, I will move on to the rest of the episode. I thought the beginning scenes were very laugh-inducing, and an uncannily true representation of the last days of school ;0> Especially loved Harmony/Willow interaction, and the scene where the class is playing hangman (even though the teacher started drawing up the hangman part before the game actually started!) The Xander/Anjya scenes were brilliant!! Those two make such a cutesome couple, hope they develop that relationship beyond the barfy feelings stage. Really lovin' Anja; great actressing throughout the season.

But Willow and Oz. Hmmmm. Did anyone else feel and awkwardness in their relationship? And I don't mean the sex part - even before that, Oz just - I dunno, wasn't as cute as usual, more just ironic detattchment guy. I like their bed scene together, that was nice, but still - I can't imagine those two... well, they're the cute couple, not the passionate one, ya know? But what really oh this is not right-ed me was that shot of Oz massaging Willow's head while she was computering. Now c'mon - NO! That's not what Will and Oz are about - they're more pez witches and monkey biscuits than - NO! Ok, I'm yet again having difficulty dealing, so let's move on again.

The Faith/Mayor scenes were obviously put there to develop their relationship for something next ep, but the writers should have made that development gradual through the season, instead of lumping bonding sessions near the end. And Faith in that pink dress!! I know that was supposed to illustrate her regard for the Mayor, but come on! Great fight scene between Faith and the Buff. Note the relevance of Faith's childhood memory of being the only kid to have the guts to jump off the cliff - she's still that daring little girl, jumping off the building onto the truck below. See my Thoughts for an analysis of the fight scene.

Buffy: It's interesting to see the different sides to the Slayer. At the beginning, she's highschooler Buffy Summers, about to graduate. But even so, she's different from all the other students who are infected with the end of school bug. She has never really been a part of that life, and she has learnt to come to terms with that. Her "graduation" is of a different sort - one which needs no diploma or maroon gown. She has graduated above needing the Council, and Giles' siding with her is a recognition of that fact. She will take care of her lover, protect her mother, and fight Faith without the orders of a Council safely tucked away in Britain.

On the subject of Giles, he is *so* Buffy's father. (Speaking of, will a future storyline involve a rivalry between G and Mr Summers?...) Is there a parallel between Giles and the Mayor? Hmmm... Joyce however really outdid her patheticness with the bit about wondering if it was such a good idea moving to Sunnydale. Westley's not the only one who needs to "get a job". Have to admit though, some of Buffy's lines were on the egotistical side: "hullo? Fighting vampires professionally for four years running?" and the line about her Graduation could be taken in a cheesy sense by those who are not so devoted to the show.

Final notes: Whatta hottie was Angel with the sweaty body shots! What's the deal with Xander and Cordy - are they friends now? And great tension in the scene where the Mayor entered the Slayer's domain. Hope this Ascension thing is worth the hype.