I appreciate your comments here Lexi, as usual you express my thoughts better than I could. No apologies!
I think she had to leave him there for the plot to have any significance other than to the Spuffy romance.
*Nods* And this is very true for both of them, to each be "whole and complete" in their own right. (Isn't that the frequent complaint, that Spike needed to be his own man?) The self-styled Big Bad makes a totally unselfish choice, and gets to be the hero. The former creature of Darkness and Death gives the gift of life; and death is her gift in return - a noble, honorable heroic death, rather than an ignoble death at the end of a Slayer's stake in some alleyway.
Buffy understands that because she has been there herself, they are two warriors and heros who understand one another completely. He is in that moment his own man, entirely, and at the same time is completely connected to both Buffy and Willow and the new Slayers via the Slayer Spell that released the power of the amulet (see shooting script).
It's all connected:
"Tell Giles...that this is the work I have to do." (The Gift)
"Gotta do this...Now go!" (Chosen)
Completely parallel events. Both characters are accused of selfishness; both act unselfishly here, helping each other completely rewrite the story of what it means to be a Slayer and a Vampire; and btvs is at heart a story about the stories we tell ourselves tell others and the stories we inherit.
Think of Andrew telling Xander about Anya's death, finally using his imagination & storytelling skills for good. It's all connected.
And don't forget - Joss was told by the networks that they wouldn't extend AtS for one more season without JM on board, so they had to find a plausible way in-story to get him from one story to another. The way they chose is much more heroic and grand than just some lame-ass "oh Buffy and I broke up so I thought I'd come round these parts" or whatnot. We should probably be grateful. *lol*
no subject
I think she had to leave him there for the plot to have any significance other than to the Spuffy romance.
*Nods* And this is very true for both of them, to each be "whole and complete" in their own right. (Isn't that the frequent complaint, that Spike needed to be his own man?) The self-styled Big Bad makes a totally unselfish choice, and gets to be the hero. The former creature of Darkness and Death gives the gift of life; and death is her gift in return - a noble, honorable heroic death, rather than an ignoble death at the end of a Slayer's stake in some alleyway.
Buffy understands that because she has been there herself, they are two warriors and heros who understand one another completely. He is in that moment his own man, entirely, and at the same time is completely connected to both Buffy and Willow and the new Slayers via the Slayer Spell that released the power of the amulet (see shooting script).
It's all connected:
"Tell Giles...that this is the work I have to do." (The Gift)
"Gotta do this...Now go!" (Chosen)
Completely parallel events. Both characters are accused of selfishness; both act unselfishly here, helping each other completely rewrite the story of what it means to be a Slayer and a Vampire; and btvs is at heart a story about the stories we tell ourselves tell others and the stories we inherit.
Think of Andrew telling Xander about Anya's death, finally using his imagination & storytelling skills for good. It's all connected.
And don't forget - Joss was told by the networks that they wouldn't extend AtS for one more season without JM on board, so they had to find a plausible way in-story to get him from one story to another. The way they chose is much more heroic and grand than just some lame-ass "oh Buffy and I broke up so I thought I'd come round these parts" or whatnot. We should probably be grateful. *lol*