#btvs 7x22

[whatisyourchildhoodtrauma]

BUFFY + THE SCYTHE

"It is not for thee. It is for her alone to wield."

[euridya]

[this-thing-saved-me]

This Show Saved Me - BTVS 7x22

7x22 Chosen

I will never not find it funny that to stream Buffy I have to go to Disney+. Or the fact that the most recent episode I’d watched (whenever that was) was this one. Since I’m pretty sure I left my rewatch mid-season 3.

But that’s the thing about this particular episode. It’s practically a perfect finale. And felt like the right place to start, because who says everything should happen in order. That’s not always how life works. 

THERE WILL LIKELY BE ABUNDANT SPOILERS FOR A FINALE THAT AIRED OVER TWENTY YEARS AGO. There, that was your warning. And now for some Cole's notes “Story so far.”

Okay, so Buffy’s been through it by this point. The First has annihilated her self-confidence and Caleb has been on the warpath. Spike has told her she’s the one (!!!), whether she fully believes in herself yet or not. (SIDENOTE: yes, I ship Spuffy. Yes, there are very, very valid reasons not to. However I am a big fan of redemption arcs and where they land by the end of the comics feels like as healthy a place as possible with a very real love.)

And Angel shows up trying to be all tall-dark and forehead. Which I get, he’s Angel, he needs to be in the finale. But ultimately he's a delivery boy and he didn’t need to do it in person other than to prompt the first on my list of loves for this episode. 

Which is what I lovingly refer to as the "Cookie Speech." Buffy knows she has more growing to do and she’s self-aware enough to share that with the first love of her life. She’s come a long way from the season of post-resurrection depression, but she’s still not quite ready for what Angel might like her to be (granted he’s JUST lost Cordelia so the fact that he is back at Buffy’s door is a rant for another post.) The idea that things aren’t working for her romantically because she’s not done baking. She hasn’t figured out all that she wants to be. While I love love LOVE this analogy, I wonder if there’s ever really a time in our lives where we are done baking? Besides the end of course. We’re supposed to evolve. We’re supposed to grow.

Spike is her Champion, not Angel. They’ve seen the best and the worst of each other, remember? He knows she needs someone strong, someone with a soul, and despite the bad, she knows he’s earned the right to the title through growing and atoning. Motivated people can change, and that’s something I believe that Spike has shown.

“He had to split” - the joke is LHF and I love it. Does its utterance deserve a place on this list? Yes. Because it's very me-coded. I’d have a very hard time not making the same joke if I had just rendered a man from stem to stern. But I digress. This episode is serious and still silly. It’s the epitome of BTVS episodes. I mean Spike waking from a dream yelling “I’m drowning in Cool Whip,” come on. It’s akin to “the cheese wears me” in off kilter nonsense. Plus Anya later finding her strength in her hatred for "floppy, hoppy bunnies" will never not kill me. (Or her, again spoiler.) I adore Emma Caufield.

Willow is afraid to use magic because of her history with the darkness. Not knowing if she’s stable enough. I can identify with her at this moment after clawing back from my own mental health blip a couple years ago. She went dark. (I went, arguably, nuts) She’s regained her balance but how secure? It’s going to turn out to be really secure because “Oh my goddess” she’s got this. AND…

The fact that Kennedy is there for Willow to help keep her grounded. Her very presence supports Willow but isn’t the deciding factor for victory. Willow needs to believe in herself that she won’t go back over that edge. She touched the darkness and it freaked her the f out. (Once she came back down from the overwhelm and shock of her grief.) I lived in that fear for a long time. And I’m grateful for the grounding I’ve found outside of the support of others, but within myself.

Just for fun, let’s chat about the DND session. Even the scoobies needed to disassociate before the big thing. And self-permission to have fun during challenging times is key. It can’t all be doom and gloom. Sometimes you recharge that nervous energy through Trogdor the Burninator references and that’s more than okay.

Ultimately we have the’ shared power’ speech. “Here’s the part where you make a choice” more specifically. Because they could easily choose to let the First and its legions overwhelm the world and finally be the apocalypse they couldn’t handle. It’s easier to stay down. It’s easier to say I can’t. But where does that get you? Making that choice to take your power back and say I am more than what wants to overwhelm me is a beautiful moment. This moment, where all the Potentials get their piece of the power pie is tremendously moving. I get shivers just thinking about it. Male or female, we don’t need the permission of Slayer power to take back our own. To say ‘no more’ and get back up off the ground. (Although Slayer strength would be badass, let’s be real.)

The bottom line, this episode epitomises what I love about Buffy and the Whedon-verse. Real characters in a fantastic world who battle larger than life caricatures of the demons we fight in our daily lives. This show saved me in a lot of ways. My very first boyfriend got me to watch it back in 2005, which he may have regretted as it CONSUMED my brain for most of grade 12. It was the perfect time for me to experience this show. I credit it for helping me find my voice offline. I was always a nose-in-a-book girl or heavily distracted with FanFiction. I was one of the quietest in my friend group, not really feeling like there was a value to what I had to say. The message that we can choose to be strong and fight back? That’s one that I’ll eternally be grateful for and will carry with me, always. What’s your favourite episode? And why is it “Once More With Feeling”? ;)

(Honourable mention goes to this eye contact where my headcanon is convinced he sees she really does love him despite him telling her otherwise seconds before. THOSE SMG EYES! I can't.)

[movies-tv-more]

20th Anniversary - BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER series finale (5/20/03)

From now on, every girl in the world who might be a Slayer, will be a Slayer. Every girl who could have the power, will have the power. Can stand up, will stand up. Slayers. Every one of us. Make your choice... Are you ready to be strong?

[chasecordelias]

#i know lots of people on my dash #are fans of this scene #and i don't want to take it away from you #but i really need this on my blog #i am glad that people are finally acknowledging #that buffy did to other girls #exactly what the men in black did to the first slayer #and even though the comics aren't canon #they do kind of address this #but not in the way they should #it is more like all these slayers upset this balance #i think probably dana is the best example of this #but at the end they still took dana away #i just have a lot of feelings about btvs (x)

buffy rewatch ❉ chosen

[spuffygifs]

I wanted to give you what you deserved. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: S7E2: Beneath You | S7E22: Chosen

[l0veisntbrains]

I'd be thinking about how I want to spend my last night on earth. 3x13 | 7x22

[dailybuffysummers]

What do you think we should do, Buffy? Yeah, you're not the one and only Chosen anymore. Just gotta live like a person. How's that feel? Yeah, Buffy. What are we gonna do now?

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (1997–2003) 20 Year Anniversary — “Chosen” — aired May 20, 2003

[serenityscribes]

"Are you ready to be strong?"

I had disconnected from social media today for obvious reasons. Chose not to pick the political battle with a family member who didn't understand my devastation for what this outcome signals.

See: being a female Canadian + Pierre Polievre and maybe it's more understandable why today feels like one big nervous gulp.

I let myself watch the concession speech. And I'm certainly glad I did. The cheers. The chanting. The love in that space. Gosh, that woman oozes Presidential. She should have been the one.

The fact that the states would rather elect... we know what he is, I don't have to describe it... It's something I can't fathom, that there can be so many who don't see the wolf in plain sight. He doesn't have to bother with any semblance of sheep's clothing.

Yet somehow, I still flat out refuse to believe that this is the darkest timeline. This is just the one where we have to work just a little bit harder to get there. And as Kamala just said, hard work is good work.

Should we still be fighting half these battles in 2024? Of course not. Doesn't mean we can't rise to the challenge.

I was letting myself have today to wallow (after working out my frustrations at the gym) and tomorrow I'd make a plan. How I can get involved locally. This loss is devastating but it's also motivating. Because change is possible if we just get the right words to the right people in a way that they can be heard.

The "Chosen" speech from the BTVS series finale feels like it has the same energy that Kamala has left us with. We're down, we're not out, and we're certainly not going back. "Are you ready to be strong?"

[gehirnfussel]

[elizadushkudaily]

Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Season 7, Episode 22: Chosen original airdate: Tuesday, May 20th, 2003. (8 pm ET in US)

"Yeah you're not the one and only Chosen anymore. Just gotta live like a person. How's that feel?"

20 years ago TODAY the last episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer aired live! This was the last appearance of Faith Lehane played by Eliza Dushku.

(credit to KissThemGoodbye.com for screencaps)

[whatisyourchildhoodtrauma]

The Scoobies + Season 5, 6, & 7

[ SEASON 1 | SEASON 2 | SEASON 3 & 4 ]

[on-this-day-btvs]

May 20, 2003

Chosen aired for BTVS season 7, episode 22. This was the series finale for BTVS. It was the 144th episode of BTVS.

This was the last appearance of many Buffyverse characters, including Buffy, Dawn, Xander, and Willow. As well as Giles, Faith, Anya, Kennedy, Rona, and Robin Wood.

Since ATS S4 had ended earlier in May, the only Buffyverse characters that would appear again would be those who are in ATS S5. (S5 would be the last season of ATS.)

(Technically several characters also appear in Buffy books and comics, but this site only considers the TV series.)

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Wednesday, January 29th

Inside a crypt, five vampires are feeding off of a single victim. Sucking sounds are heard. Cut to exterior. The Scoobies exit from the crypt looking depressed. WILLOW: "I don't care if it is an orgy of death, there's still such a thing as a napkin."

~~Superstar~~

The Sunnydale Herald is looking for at least one new editor. Contributing to the Herald is a great way to get your Buffy on! Find out more here.

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Novice by badly_knitted (Willow, PG)

A Different Light by zombiesam (Buffy/Giles, E)

You kiss on sidewalks, You fight and you talk by Cumultus9 (Buffy/Faith, T)

At each other's throats. by AirSteps (Buffy/Faith, E)

People are people and sometimes we change our minds by Cumultus9 (Buffy/Faith, T)

Plenty of Fights by arcanedreamer (Spike, Ryuu ga Gotoku | Yakuza video game xover, T)

[Chaptered Fiction]

The Skull of Night - ch. 1 by Lord_Ghirahim (Buffy/Angel, Giles, Willow, Xander, T)

An Enmity Most Engaging - ch. 10 by HappyWhenItRains (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Ripples - ch. 22 by violettathepiratequeen (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

How To Be A Heartbreaker - ch. 26 by Maxine Eden (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Arrive Before the Birds - ch. 13 by EverythingElse (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Animal I Have Become - ch. 3 by CheekyKitten (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Masquerade - ch. 13 by Holly (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Salvage My Heart - ch. 5 by SzmattyCat (Buffy/Spike, G)

Four Times Too Many - ch. 1 by LydiaBlue (Buffy, HP xover, FR13)

In Hell as it is in Heaven - ch. 15 by kedrann (Buffy, Willow, Anime xover, FR18)

How to Be a Heartbreaker - ch. 26 by Maxine Eden (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

An Enmity Most Engaging - ch. 10 by HappyWhenItRains (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Xmas in the Air Is the Love We Share - ch. 8 by VeroNyxK84 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

Ripples - ch. 22 by violettathepiratequeen (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

Arrive Before the Birds - ch. 13 by EverythingElse (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Sweet Dreams (Or A Beautiful Nightmare) - ch. 5 by goodbyetoyou (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

[Images, Audio & Video]

good girl by chelseabeecreates (Buffy/Faith, NSFW)

Headcanons with artwork: Would like to hear more about the black Buffy au 👀 answered by pzyii (Buffy, Willow, Anya, Drusilla, worksafe)

Artwork: found some btvs sketches i never posted by zestoflemon (Buffy, Faith, Willow, worksafe)

Artwork: Kitty 🎀 by x66r9u (Drusilla, worksafe)

Artwork: I’m SO obsessed with ponytown recently it’s not even funny. have cordelia... by thepunkmuppet (Cordelia, worksafe)

Artwork: Faith on her smoke break by sideartblog999 (Faith, worksafe)

Artwork: more flf spangel art!! i cannot get them out of my head. by fangs-light-forgiveness-au (Angel/Spike, worksafe)

Artwork: xillow WIP by hamspamandjamsandwich (Willow/Xander, worksafe-ish)

Artwork: [that's it B] by chelseabeecreates (Buffy/Faith, NSFW)

Edit: warsan shireby dogmetaphors (Faith, worksafe)

Textpost: [Chat] by umalvie (Angel, Faith, worksafe)

Textpost: [Spuffy textpost] by sinomin (Buffy/Spike, some NSFW text)

Moodboard: willow & xander by courtillyy (worksafe)

Gifset: Buffy Summers + 😎 by sophsun1 (Buffy, worksafe)

Gifset: References to Buffy in Other Media by sulietsexual (worksafe)

Gifset: THE INITIATIVE and remember, if you hurt her, i will beat you to death with a shovel. by detectivedawnsummers (ensemble, worksafe)

Gifset: Xander Harris + Outfits (Season 4) by clarkgriffon (Xander, worksafe)

Gifset: BEST OF BTVS: Xander Harris — Season One by clarkgriffon (Xander, Willow, worksafe)

Gifset: 𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐇 𝐌𝐈𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐄 𝐆𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐑 as 𝐁𝐔𝐅𝐅𝐘 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐒 & 𝐃𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐃 𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐙 as 𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐋 - 1x01/3x22/7x22 Hello / Goodbye / See You Later (Buffy/Angel, worksafe)

Gifset: Buffy the Vampire Slayer 5.14 “Crush” | 5.18 “Intervention” by spikedaily (Buffy/Spike, worksafe-ish)

Gifset: Buffy the Vampire Slayer 6.10 “Wrecked” | 6.11 “Gone” by slayerbuffy (Buffy/Spike, mildly NSFW)

Buffy stained glass I made! by spookywonton (Stained glass: worksafe)

[Reviews & Recaps]

JUST WATCHED BUFFY REVAMPED AT THE LOWRY AND IT WAS SO GOOD by ejsuperstar

PODCAST: Episode 88: Five by Five & Sanctuary by Gym Was Cancelled: A Buffy Podcast

PODCAST: Angel 1.22 - To Shanshu in LA by Buffy the Vampire Straya

[Recs & In Search Of]

Spuffy Fic Recs — January by veronyxk84

[multiple] Spuffy Fic Recs — January by veronyxk84

ISO: bamboozledcorvid seeks fics where spike is pathetic [and loser but also psychotic in a loser way - recs in the replies]

[Community Announcements]

fic_promptly: Wednesday, January 29 - Theme: Colors

Buffy-Boards: Reminder to not just use gifs. Your post has to still make sense if others cannot see the gif.

[Fandom Discussions]

[S1-2 ATS Headcanons about Cordelia dscovering Angel's more inhuman but cute behaviors] by aeyrnofnbe

love how angel... looks like he has a rock in his shoe by xaeyrnofnbe

Canon Divergent fic where Buffy ends up in going to Glory's hell dimension and... by nonconstories

Why do Angel and Spike get fancier outfits in your au? answered by fangs-light-forgiveness-au

[Drusilla vs Spike around embracing being a demon - see also OP comments in the tags] by camellcat

[headcanons with worksafe artwork] Would like to hear more about the black Buffy au 👀 answered by pzyii

Have your shipping tastes changed? by November and others

What Is a Theory That’s Canon in Your Head? by cicigal8

The Big Book of Bad Buffyverse Hair [discussion of many characters' hairstyles] by warcraftducky

"It makes you luckier than us" rage. [characters in Empty Places] by Annual_Swordfish263

Weapons appreciation post. What are some of your favorite weapons? by InfiniteMehdiLove

Thoughts on magic as an addiction metaphor in Season 6 by shukii89

Are the rest of the watchers just glorified researchers? by Justmemories001

Am I the only one who thought that Angelus didn't really live upto his reputation in season 2? by Passion211089

[can slayers become vampires? also discussion of this in the comics] by Lazy_Pigeon48

"Intent has to be pure with love spells" [can you magically compel someone to love you?] by Illithid_Substances

Okay so I just finished Buffy and I wanna know is Angel better? [asked to the ATS reddit] by SamTheMarioMaster2

Which characters could you see as gay , bi or at least curious? by Extra_Impression_428

What was the point of Angel stopping Cordelia [re Billy] especially if he was gonna do it anyways? by Extra_Impression_428

The best thrift store find in my entire life. [Half scale battle damaged Angel puppet-ish figure] by callmepbk

[Articles, Interviews, and Other News]

James Marsters to Attend Nightmare Weekend Chicago 3-4 May 2025 via dontkillspike

Submit a link to be included in the newsletter!

[juanabaloo]

Whats your favorite Eliza film?

Hello @blazinwolve, thank you for the ask! Here's a long response! (I'm super close to having seen everything she has done, so the timing of your ask is great.) All answers are spoiler free!

It's a cliche for a reason:

Bring It On! (2000)

The movie is solid, and way better than the description sounds. It has also aged decently. To me she is the star of the movie, more than Torrance (Kirsten Dunst). Also Isis (Gabrielle Union) is excellent. She and The Clovers should have been in the movie more. This is currently free on TUBI in the USA. Various Bring It On gifs via Eliza Dushku Daily. (I like it even though I don't like her hair.) I mean...

Since that's not the most interesting answer, I'll give a few more. (Also bc I can't shutup about Eliza.) Bring It On is part of Eliza's BTVS to Tru Calling era. She made a slew of movies: Bring It On, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Soul Survivors, The New Guy, City by the Sea, Wrong Turn, and The Kiss.

Eliza's best horror / scary movie:

Wrong Turn (2003)

I like horror / scary movies and she's done several. This one is her best IMO, not just of this era, but of all time. This movie came out 10 days after the BTVS Series Finale (7x22 Chosen) aired May 20th, 2003!! Jessie is a born leader. Various Wrong Turn gifs via Eliza Dushku Daily.

Eliza's most under-rated movie of this era:

City by the Sea (2002)

Her character Gina is super interesting but sadly she doesn't get enough screen time or lines. She is super believable as a struggling single mom. She holds her own with DeNiro (who plays her baby's grandfather) in a great scene. The downside is the movie has James Franco and focuses WAY too much on him (and DeNiro) but if you're an Eliza fan check it out! Not much but check out City by the Sea via Eliza Dushku Daily.

(via IMDB)

(ranking Eliza Dushku movies and shows)

[spuffygifs]

I don't know what I would've done if you'd gone up those stairs. [ she touches his face] Let's not find out. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER | S7E22: Chosen