Okay, just a little FFL fangirling.

- I love Buffy getting injured by some no-name vamp. In a season where she's fighting a freaking god, she gets a reminder that even the wussiest vamp could take her out. As Spike says, it's not about "Why'd they win?" but it's about "Why'd she lose?"

- William! *fangirls William* Glasses and floppy hair and really bad poetry...just so adorable.

- I love the scene with the Chinese Slayer. For one, she's got some mad skills. Spike looks thoroughly baffled by her leet moves at first. Until he gets into the whole bloodlust thing. Then I also love Drusilla coming in after Spike kills the Slayer. She's dressed in white, virginal. Then she and Spike get it on with the fire and the death in the room. And then when we see them out in the street, she's wearing a red jacket. Baptized in blood. It's like Dru is the representation of Spike coming into his own. She is his "creator" after all. The metaphorical source of his demonosity. And she becomes stained in blood after his first Slayer kill. Very brilliant.

- I have equal love for Nikki, who just rocks my socks off. I think it's her jeans. I want those jeans. Oh, and the jacket. Plus, the awesome fightiness. And that entire scene, with the intercutting and Spike's speech is simply awesome and fantastic and represents some of the best of BtVS.

Then the whole scene building up the tension and the unbelievable chemistry until it just explodes with Spike trying to kiss Buffy and then getting the smackdown. Gah! *loves the episode*

- And the porch scene. Which...well, what can you say? It's just lovely. Spike, once again back where he was after Cecily's rejection, offered a choice in his life. Kill Buffy, continue on the path Dru led him to, or...don't kill Buffy. Take a sharp turn and return way back to his William roots. Of course, he chooses to try to comfort Buffy. And Buffy's so utterly unsure how to receive his awkward attempts at comfort (Course, I love how unfazed Buffy is by Spike showing up with a shotgun). Then the sitting in silence, the synchronized exhalation, like the two keeping silent vigil with each other. Shades of what's to come between the two of them.

Such a momentous episode for Spike's character. Such a momentous episode for Buffy's character. Leading them both on paths that will end up side-by-side in the future. So....brilliant.

And now, because I am that much of a fangirl, I've just picked out some of my favorite quotes/exchanges from the episode below the cut. I promise, I won't quote the whole episode! I just must gush.



Riley: So tell me about the bad guy - or guys. What do you think they were?
Buffy: Vampire.
Riley: How many?
Buffy: One.
Riley: So...what? He was like a super-vampire or something?
Buffy: No, he was the regular kind. He just beat me.
Riley: That ever happen before?
Buffy: I'm in the best physical shape of my life. I mean, if you're asking how it happened, I don't -

Giles: Yes, well, the problem is after a final battle, it's difficult to get any...well, the Slayer's not...she's rather...
Buffy: It's okay to use the D-word, Giles.
Giles: Dead. And hence not very forthcoming.
Buffy: Why didn't the Watchers keep fuller accounts of it? The journals just stop.
Giles: Well, I suppose if they're anything like me, they just find the whole subject too -
Buffy: Unseemly? Damn. Love ya but you Watchers are such prigs sometimes.
Giles: Painful...I was going to say.

Buffy: Were you born this big a pain in the ass?
Spike: What can I tell you, baby? I've always been bad.

Party-goer: Ah, William! Favor us with your opinion. What do you make of this rash of disappearances sweeping through our town? Animals or thieves?
William: I prefer not to think of such dark, ugly business at all. That's what the police are for. I prefer placing my energies into creating things of beauty.
Another party-goer: I see. Well, don't withhold, William.
And another: Rescue us from a dreary topic.
William: Careful. The inks are still wet. Please, it's not finished.

William: Oh, they're vulgarians. They're not like you and I.
Cecily: You and I?

William: I know I'm a bad poet, but I'm a good man and all I ask is that...that you try to see me -
Cecily: I do see you. That's the problem. You're nothing to me, William. You're beneath me.

Angelus: You can't keep this up forever. If I can't teach you, maybe someday an angry crowd will. That...or the Slayer.
Spike: What's a Slayer?

Spike: Become a vampire, you've got nothing to fear. Nothing but one girl. That's you, honey. Back then...it was her.

Drusilla: Oh, Spike, look at the wonderful mess you've made. That's a Slayer you've done in. Naughty...wicked...Spike.

Spike: Don't be so glum, mate! The way you tell it, one Slayer snuffs it, another one rises. I figure there's a new Chosen One getting all chosen as we speak. I tell you what...when and if this new bird does show up, I'll give you first crack at her.

Spike: Lesson the second: ask the right questions. You want to know how I beat them? The question isn't "How'd I win?" The question is "Why'd they lose?"

Spike: She was cunning, resourceful...oh, did I mention? Hot. I could have danced all night with that one.
Buffy: You think we're dancing?
Spike: That's all we've ever done.

Spike: And the thing about the dance is, you never get to stop. Every day you wake up, it's the same bloody question that haunts you: is today the day I die? Death is on your heels, baby, and sooner or later it's gonna catch you. And part of you wants it... not only to stop the fear and uncertainty, but because you're just a little bit in love with it. Death is your art. You make it with your hands, day after day. That final gasp. That look of peace. Part of you is desperate to know: What's it like? Where does it lead you? And now you see, that's the secret. Not the punch you didn't throw or the kicks you didn't land. Every Slayer... has a death wish. Even you. The only reason you've lasted as long as you have is you've got ties to the world... your mum, your brat kid sister, the Scoobies. They all tie you here but you're just putting off the inevitable. Sooner or later, you're gonna want it. And the second- the second- that happens...You know I'll be there. I'll slip in... have myself a real good day. Here endeth the lesson. I just wonder if you'll like it as much as she did.

Spike: Come on. I can feel it, Slayer. You know you want to dance.
Buffy: Say it's true. Say I do want to. It wouldn't be you, Spike. It would never be you. You're beneath me.

Spike: I haven't said a word about the bloody Slayer since we left California. She's on the other side of the planet, Dru!
Drusilla: But you're lying! I can still see her floating all around you, laughing. Why? Why won't you push her away?

Drusilla: You can't blame the girl, Spike. You're all covered with her. I look at you... all I see is the Slayer.

Buffy: What do you want now?
Spike: What's wrong?
Buffy: I don't want to talk about it.
Spike: Is there something I can do?