Well, if Spike got his soul back, I'm sure all of the evil committed while Spike was a vampire would come back and cause the new Spike a lot of emotional and psychological pain for him, and leave him in a state of confusion and denial for the evil he's committed. Just because you regain your soul doesn't mean you have a clean slate of your past actions.

Angel went decades before he found a reason to truly live again (and get out of the self-flogging mode) when he was shown Buffy from afar and fell in love with her.

true, I never thought of it that way...time will tell.

Dumbledore (I think) was the name of the cheif Wizard at the Wizard Academy that Harry Potter went to - FYI. Either that or it was the name of the Academy (or both!)

Doug

Keep an eye on "Double-oh Xander".... I just get the feeling he's headed for a fall of some sort. No one on Buffy stays happy or even successful for long without consequences. If this season's themes are "power" and "illusion/reality", I think Xander might be not all he seems (just doesn't seem like Xander in a suit and a friggin' Chrysler)

No....

Actually that's left to interpretation on whether Spike wanted the chip removed, or his soul restored. I think it was vague in presentation on purpose to make the audience think Spike wanted his chip removed, but Spike wanted to become something that Buffy could love, which is a being with a soul, otherwise Buffy would alway reject his soul-less carcass. Spike still love Buffy, but his only shot with her is to reclaim his soul.

But Spike didn't realize how badly he'd feel with the re-instatement of his soul, and he is having a hard time coming to grips with the evil that he's committed in his vampire state.

it could go either way....

I enjoyed last nights show but I didnt like the whole Lets past the torch thing. I dont want to watch a show called Dawn The Vampire Slayer. I wont watch it. End the show if SMG is going to leave.
Liked the last scene with all the past villians. Looks like we are off to a better season that last years crap fest.

What did the speeches mean at the end? What does everyone make of that?

Funny how it will only take Spike a few episodes instead of decades

Ditto.
And let's not all forget that Dawn is just A BALL OF LIGHT....

Well, I have something of another take on this. It reminded me of the 'Reptile Boy' ep...I think maybe the hooded robes might control the 'entity' that has attached itself to Spike and perhaps the woman from Istanbul knew of it.

There is something with Buffy being the last morph as well. Is a bad slayer in the works here?

ohpleaseohpleaseohplease let it be Faith

I think you will definitely be getting your wish 12th There was an interview with her and she will be in 3 Angel eps and 5 Buffy's...if they are towards the end I have a feeling she's gonna be a baddie

I believe Marti Noxon & Co when they say that they are *not* doing any of this specifically to pave the way for Dawn show if SMG quits. They are not even sure they would want such a show. (I bet they'd change their minds, tho... )

The Scrappy Gang was added because it seemed the best way to take the show back to Sunnydale High and recapture the classic-Buffy-vibe.

now THAT'S good news...

Her and Buffy deserve another battle royale, especially with the newly rebuilt Hellmouth high school.

I thought Faith had redeemed herself by doing jailtime? At least that's what I'm told whenever I ask for Faith vs. Buffy re-match.
I too dislike the idea of "torch passing" so to speak. They tried that with "X-Files" and you saw what happened in that case. Please, if a show has run its course, end it! Don't milk it past its prime.

Firstly, i have to give a big thanx to my friend IRC, Season 7 in Australia will probably only be shown the middle of next year ! I, however can keep upto date with VCD quality episodes


Very interesting first episode, didn't try to do too much (the 'baddies' in this episode, the three 'zombies' were pretty pathetic), just set the scene for the series.

Now comparing Spike with a soul to Angel with a soul, there is a big difference ! When angel got a soul, he was still a vampire. Spike got his wish of becoming what he was before. Spike was a human, then a vampire, then a vampire with a chip, so spike is now back to being 100% human ! correct me if i'm wrong

So therefore Spike has no strength or anything, i'm wondering if he still gets to retain his fighting techniques or has he lost them too

I liked the fact that the characters are growing up and moving in slightly different directions, it mirrors what happens in real life between friends after high school. The new scooby gang can work well if done right (e.g. Gone in 60 seconds remake). I don't think there should be too much focus on them.

Anya - well yes she looked bad, there has to be some significant subplot involving anya the vengeance demon

Willow - being the huge focus of last season, i expect willow's involvement to be toned down just a tad, let's hope Giles is kept around for a bit

has Ripper the series starring Giles started yet ?????

SMG has lost a bit of weight but she is far from Ally McBeal, i think she has been working out more.

Faith - yeah is gonna be cool seeing Faith back again, Eliza has done ok in movies, but let's face it, she's no A list star yet and is still in the 'flavour of the month' category as far as how her career could go (e.g. wind back to 1985, Tom Cruise v Cory Haim/Feldmen). I'm sure she would have jumped at the chance for a return into two popular tv shows. As far as she is concerned, the more exposure to the public, the better, so yeah, it's not exactly like Julia Roberts deciding to do a guest appearance on Friends.

new Sunnydale high - yeah looked cool and brings the show full circle back to it's roots, new principle seems cool to, yes who is he will be one of the questions to be answered


Overall 8/10

CaptainMarvel - I apologize. I didn't mean to do a spoiler give-away.

Let's also bear in mind that we cannot get a new slayer unless Faith dies. Buffy dying would not be it as she is not currently the official slayer.

Also, I agree that the principal is more than meets the eye.

Concerning Spike's current status, IIRC from reading interviews with the staff:



Of course, this is based on memory and rumors, so they could be wrong, and might change through the season.

AmazingColossalPumaMan--I read the same thing you said in an interview with Jane Espensen, so I think you're probably right.

tasha

AmazingColossalPumaMan
You win, for longest screen name.

And just to stay on topic. I was eating in a local Red Lobster today and in walks this guy that is the spitting image of Spike.
My wife who occasionaly watches the show with me even poked me and said "Look, it's Spike from Buffy".

Next Weeks episode looks to be great from the previews.

Did buffy's house look different or is it just me??


jay

I never really paid attention to the house. Looks a little more cheerful.

Hmm...the interview I read with Joss over the summer said that Spike went to Africa to get his chip out. NOT that he wanted his soul back. I will go see if I can find some record of it.

BTW, loved the ep. Very excited for new season.

X