[continued from previous message]   
      
   presence served as little more than a reminder of season 4's misguided   
   military direction.   
      
   "Into the Woods" was Riley's last hurrah as a main member of the roster, as   
   Buffy finally learned about her boyfriend's midnight escapades with   
   vampires. The drug addiction metaphor was something the series would revisit   
   time and time again, but this storyline was by far the dullest of the lot.   
      
      
   4   
   Best Of Season 6: Once More, With Feeling (Episode 7)   
      
   After season 5, Buffy the Vampire Slayer switched over to the UPN network, a   
   change that did not result in an upturn in quality. Season 6 is the bleakest   
   and most depressing of the entire series. While that is not necessarily a   
   bad thing, some heavy-handed metaphors and questionable character moments   
   can make this season a rather frustrating sit.   
      
   Thankfully, Once More, With Feeling raises above any of season 6's   
   shortcomings to stand as one of TV's greatest episodes. A musical that ties   
   in well with the season's themes and uses its songs to progress an array of   
   relationships, Once More, With Feeling is a delight.   
      
       [I have to say S6 wasn't very good overall. But OMWF was, IS, the best   
   Buffy episode ever. And every time I watch it on DVD, I always follow it   
   with the next ep, 'Tabula Rasa', the 2nd best episode of the season.]   
      
      
   3   
   Worst Of Season 6: Doublemeat Palace (Episode 12)   
      
   In theory, "Doublemeat Palace" is a perfect fit for season 6's more   
   realistic challenges. Although quite comedic in nature, "Doublemeat Palace"   
   is extremely bleak and arguably represents Buffy's lowest point as a person.   
   However, it is rather silly that nobody is willing to help the "chosen one"   
   out financially so she does not have to work at a fast food joint.   
      
   "Doublemeat Palace" is sort of like a season 1 throwaway episode coated in   
   season 6's depressing aesthetic. It is a weird combination.   
      
      
   2   
   Best Of Season 7: Chosen (Episode 22)   
      
   Season 7 is generally not considered to be Buffy the Vampire Slayer's   
   strongest season. Nevertheless, "Chosen" was a great way for the show to end   
   its run. Buffy, the Scoobies, Faith, and an army of Slayers-in-training take   
   on the First Evil's übervamps at the Hellmouth's entrance.   
      
   "Chosen" is satisfyingly action-packed and about as epic as one would expect   
   from the finale of such a fantastic series. Buffy the Vampire Slayer went   
   out on a high and a heartwarming smile.   
      
       [I know that 'Chosen' had to be the ""Best Of The Season"", but I always   
   liked 'Storyteller'. I don't think Andrew got his due. He was one of the   
   best characters of the season.]   
      
      
   1   
   Worst Of Season 7: Empty Places (Episode 19)   
      
   After a failed mission, Buffy is the target of a coup and thrown out of her   
   home by Dawn, the Scoobies, and a group of mostly awful wannabe Slayers.   
      
   From a technical standpoint, "Empty Places" is decent. It also advances   
   season 7's central storyline and marks an important turning point for   
   various characters. It also happens to be the most infuriating episode of   
   the entire series and presents an array of characters, veterans and   
   newcomers alike, as insufferable and unlikable.   
      
       [pretty terrible, but in the end, it proved that Buffy was one they   
   needed all along.]   
      
      
   David   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)