THE
GIFT
In an alleyway, a young teen runs from a vampire, but Buffy intervenes. Buffy
slays him, leaving the teen questioning how a simple girl could do that. Inside
the magic shop, Buffy demands that Giles repeat the process of the ritual as
she desperately seeks out another option other than killing Dawn. Giles has a
more realistic look at the situation than Buffy and knows killing Dawn is the only
option. Buffy's bond with Dawn is too strong for Buffy to be willing to allow
Dawn to die.
The gang brainstorm for a way to defeat Glory and Anya suggests using the Dagon
Sphere and troll hammer. Then, they realize that Tara's craziness can lead them
to Glory. Ben offers a ritual robe to Dawn to wear, but she doesn't want to
look at him and demands Glory's presence. Glory throws Dawn around as she
reminds her that Buffy hasn't shown up yet to rescue her.
Buffy brutally hits a punching bag then talks with Giles about the upcoming
battle and their differing opinions. Buffy tells him that she's not able to
sacrifice another person to save the world...she can't do it again. Dawn
screams as minions take her up to the top of a giant tower. Xander attempts to
calm Anya by having sex in the shop basement when they're supposed to be
looking for the Dagon Sphere. They spot the Buffybot down there in their search
and then Xander pulls out a ring and proposes to Anya. She freaks out a bit,
worried that he's doing it because they're going to die, but he convinces her
to accept.
Willow explains her ideas to Buffy about possibly weakening Glory and getting
Tara's sanity back by reversing the effects of Glory's brain suck. Willow goes
to comfort Tara, but is met with a slap and an angry, senseless reply, which
Tara immediately feels guilty for. Buffy brings Spike with her to gather
clothes and weapons from her house, and she invites him inside. He tells her he
understands she never returned his love, but he accepts that now and
appreciates the way she always treated him.
Tara leads the way to Glory as the gang follows slowly behind. Glory catches
Tara but Willow shows up, and casts her magic. Glory is debilitated and in need
of a brain to suck, so Buffy is there to offer hers. A huge battle ensues as
the gang takes on Glory's minions and Buffy battles with Glory. Dawn remains
helpless, tied up at the top of the tower.
Willow recovers and goes to Tara, please to find that Tara is back to her
normal self again. Glory recovers enough strength in order to knock Buffy's
head off, but she finds that Buffy is actually the Buffybot. The real Buffy
attacks Glory from behind with the troll hammer. Spotting Dawn at the top,
Buffy races to the top of the tower, fighting a fierce battle against Glory on
the way up. The girls fall down from the tower and the fight continues on the
ground.
As Buffy keeps Glory busy, a new complication arises as Doc appears at the top
of the tower, armed with a knife. Willow uses telepathic powers to tell Spike
to get up to the top of the tower and save Dawn. Willow and Tara use their
combined strength to move the minions out of Spike's way. Doc stabs Spike with
the knife before throwing him off the top of the tower. Buffy hits Glory
repeatedly with the troll hammer, until Glory morphs into Ben and Buffy tells
him and Glory to stay away forever. Buffy leaves, but Giles arrives, telling
Ben that Buffy couldn't take a human life, but he could. He smothers Ben with
his hand.
Doc places cuts into Dawn's skin until Buffy arrives at the top of the tower
and pushes him off to fall to his death. Dawn's blood has already opened the
portal and hell begins to open on earth. Dawn is willing to jump in the portal
herself, but Buffy finally realizes that Dawn isn't the only one who can stop
the dimensional walls from crumbling. With final inspiring words to Dawn, Buffy
throws herself into the portal, successfully closing it.
The gang gathers around Buffy's body, which has fallen to the ground and
remains, lifeless. Tears fall and hearts break as everyone mourns the loss of
Buffy, the girl who put her life on the line and saved the world...a lot. The
episode ends with a shot of Buffy's gravestone.