Spoiler Slayer

Well, not quite...

I've decided that I'm no longer going to make promises of speculation in advance, especially if I haven't committed anything to paper beforehand. While I fully intended to discuss the events after the wedding, after re-reading several interviews, I'm suddenly faced with doubts. While I do have a good idea of what the post Wedding episode will likely bring, the final run is just way to hard to figure out. That doesn't mean I don't have things to talk about, just don't expect any revelations about the Season Finale just yet.

What's going to happen over the next few episodes? Even without knowing some of the spoilers, I think the bridge episodes ('Gone' and 'DoubleMeat Palace') have provided the answers.

Buffy and Spike: As I mentioned yesterday, while Spike is certainly happy with the attention he's receiving from Buffy, he knows that it's not what is right for either her or their relationship. Their continuing story arc will revolve around Buffy's denial of her true feelings for Spike. I feel that it will be what brings about their eventual, and more than likely mutual, parting. Buffy can't give Spike the one thing that he really wants, which is her love. She has feelings for him, but at this time, she can't bring herself to actually put it into words. Nevertheless, I doubt that this parting will be for very long.

I feel there is a point to Spike's story, and it's not that he will be forever unredeemable. That wasn't the point to Angel's story, that wasn't the point to Riley's story, and it's not the point to Spike's story. Every one of Buffy's boyfriends seems to end up facing a redemption storyline. Angel was forced into dealing with his past acts, while Riley had to face the fact that he had been misled by those he trusted. Spike's non-aggression is forced upon him, but it still doesn't explain why he sticks around. If it was solely for his love for Buffy and if he's truly evil, then why didn't he leave after she died? Why is he sticking around? By continually telling us that Spike's 'evil', the writer's seem to be backing up some fan's notions about Spike. I have a feeling they pushing it a little too hard. It may sound crazy, but I think we are getting close to something very big happening with his character. I have a hunch it's going to come down to the moment when Buffy actually admits to Spike (and the others) how she feels

This of course, has half of you cheering and the other half screaming. But it has to be what the writer's are working towards; it's the only thing that makes sense. If Spike is 'evil', then regardless of his feelings for Buffy, he should be doing 'evil' things. His actions might not be the most moral or ethical, but they certainly aren't evil. To be honest, I don't care if you disagree with me or not. Because even I have to admit that, this transformation could go either way. I've always said that the love of or for the Slayer is a powerful thing, but it can cause both good and evil. Spike could be transformed ala 'Beauty and the Beast' or the emotional overload could fry his chip, releasing the 'Beast' instead. The one thing you don't do, is invest this much time in a character and a relationship, only to have it burn itself out in the course of four or five episodes.

While the 'bridge' episodes are setting up Willow's tough road to sobriety, I'm somewhat bothered by the fact that Tara appeared in either one. I'm not insinuating anything, but it seems to me that if they are a couple, they should be facing this tough time as one. Tara should be there to support her, instead of being strangely absent.

There still isn't a sign that Willow will go bad or that Tara will end up being the 'Big Scooby Death' (BSD). However, I will say this; IF Tara dies, THEN Willow will likely turn against the others. One will not occur without the other, so if Tara doesn't die, then we can also discount the rumors of Willow becoming the 'Big Bad'. That said, I would point out that Marti Noxon has had more than one chance to refute the 'BSD' rumor, but she refuses to comment either way. I'd call that Pleading the Fifth.

The episodes also point to further friction between Xander and Anya, which makes sense even knowing what the wedding will bring. This brings me to what the future holds, because I see everything breaking down over the course of three episodes.

Episode 15 - As You Were: Over the previous few episodes, things are going to continue to get more strained between Buffy and Spike. This is where it will all fall apart. Judging from the dialogue in the wedding, it's not going to be a huge blowout. Which is why I think that it will be some type of mutual decision, simply because neither one is getting what they really want.

Episode 16 – The Wedding: Obviously, this episode is going to be all about Xander and Anya, with Xander making a very tough decision in the end. Much like Buffy and Spike, it does not seem like this parting will be permanent. Though there is something to be said for the fact that in each of the relationships, it seems to be the core Scoobie's that are the cause of the break. The three original Scoobies, are bringing it all on themselves. Willow with her addiction, Buffy with her lack of emotion, and Xander with his doubts.

Episode 17 - ???: At this point, all three of our couples are no longer together. Nature abhors a vacuum, so something has to happen during this episode to change the status of at least one of them. I would say, especially since it's been a long time coming, that this will be a Willow/Tara episode. In fact, this will like be THE episode, as either they get back together or something much worse happens. However, if the BSD lies in the storyline, I can't see how it could come about.

I also think, noting that there is a guest writer for this episode, that it's going to be a concept episode. These are usually standalone episodes, which are tied into the season's storyline, but are designed around a concept. 'The Wish' is a perfect example of one of those episodes. As is 'Superstar' or 'The Zeppo' or 'Fool for Love'. They do advance the storyline, but they have some unique angle. I also think I know what kind of concept this is going to be; it's going to be another wish-verse storyline.

It makes the most sense, as we have the pieces already in play. A heartbroken Anya, being comforted by her only friend (Halfrek), who would be more than willing to loan Anya her power source for a short vengeance trip. It could be even simpler than that, as Halfrek would seem to enjoy meddling with the Scoobies from what we've heard about 'Older and Far Away'. Perhaps Anya will accidentally use the phrase 'I Wish…' which will start the chain of events.

Then again, we have David Fury saying that we'll have an answer about 'Whether or not Buffy was in heaven' in this episode as well. So maybe something else happens entirely. I just think that somewhere along the line, Halfrek has to be tied into the story. Even though she's questioning Anya's decision to marry Xander, we have absolutely no indication that Anya has any major doubts about her decision. Xander is the one with the issues, and he certainly doesn't seem to need any encouragement. Which begs the question, why is Halfrek even being brought into the mix? The only thing that makes sense is that there will be a need for a vengeance demon in the near future. I also find it interesting that minor plots are being echoed later in the season. Buffy looked for a job in 'Life Serial' and found one in 'DoubleMeat Palace'. Willow cast a small spell in 'All The Way', which was used to major effect in 'Tabula Rasa'. Could the wish Halfrek grants in 'Older and Far Away' be just a precursor to a bigger wish later in the season?

After episode 17 things are somewhat murky. Much like the 'bridge' episodes, episode 16 or 17 always seems to the kick-off to the final run. I would presume that this final run is going to bring both Amy and the Troika back into the mix, and Giles will likely return around this time as well (he still has two episodes planned for this season). With word that there will be a two-part finale, I don't think we're going to be faced with a cliffhanger. I believe that when Joss said that they would have a different kind of finale this season, he was referring to the lack of an apocalypse. The murky part is figuring out exactly what the "Big Badness" will be, and how it's going to come about.