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Buffy the Vampire Slayer (season 7)

The seventh and final season of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer premiered on September 24, 2002 on UPN and concluded its 22-episode run on May 20, 2003. It maintained its previous timeslot, airing Tuesdays at 8:00 pm ET.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Season 7
Region 1 Season 7 DVD cover
Starring
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes22
Release
Original networkUPN
Original releaseSeptember 24, 2002 (2002-09-24) –
May 20, 2003 (2003-05-20)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 6
List of episodes

Plot

Season seven deals with the Potential Slayers, normal girls around the world who are candidates to succeed the Slayer upon her death.

It is revealed that Buffy's resurrection caused an instability which allows The First Evil, a spiritual entity that Buffy encountered in the third season, to begin tipping the balance between good and evil. It has inactive Potential Slayers hunted and killed by Caleb, a sinister and misogynistic preacher turned serial killer, who heads a cult called Bringers, who worship The First as a god. Inside the Hellmouth it raises an army of Turok-Han, an ancient and powerful sub species of vampire. Caleb later destroys the Watchers' Council's headquarters in London, killing many Watchers, including Quentin Travers.

Dawn begins her sophomore year at high school. Buffy gets a job at the rebuilt Sunnydale High, where she meets the new principal, Robin Wood, a vampire hunter and the son of deceased Slayer, Nikki Wood, who was killed by Spike in New York City many years ago. Buffy also reunites with Willow, who still is working through her emotional rampage in the previous season, and Spike, who earned his soul back but is temporarily driven mad by regret.

Willow begins to heal emotionally from Tara's death and finds solace with a Potential Slayer named Kennedy. They immediately start dating before Kennedy can fully understand Willow. Their relationship is strained when Willow drains a significant portion of her life force to reopen a portal for Buffy, but they soon reconcile.

Andrew Wells and Jonathan Levinson leave Mexico and return to Sunnydale after The First convinces Andrew to help open the Seal of Danzalthar, which results in the death of Jonathan. Andrew is captured by the Scoobies, who show resentment toward him, but he becomes a committed ally after The First takes Jonathan's form and tries to convince him to kill all the Potentials in the house. Andrew refuses, insisting he's good now, later admitting his guilt about how cruel his betrayal of Jonathan was and disclosing that he does not believe he will survive the forthcoming battle.

Anya and Xander break up for good after a demon named Halfrek gets her to kill a group of frat boys. Buffy and Anya fight while Willow summons D'Hoffryn, who questions Anya. Anya requests that her latest vengeance be reversed. Halfrek is killed and Anya is turned human once more.

Spike is driven mad by The First, and soon it also gains control of him for a time. The First also reveals that Spike killed Robin Wood's mother, sparking a vendetta. Robin makes an attempt on Spike's life. Ironically, this attack frees Spike from his insanity and, regaining his clarity, Spike beats Robin. Buffy finds the injured Robin in his garage and angrily shuns him for attacking Spike. Buffy finds out that Giles was part of the scheme, and becomes angry at him, but they soon make peace.

Willow helps track the Potentials in Sunnydale and a number of them, brought by Giles, take refuge in Buffy's house. Dawn at first believes herself to be a Potential, but becomes disappointed when she finds that is not the case. Xander cheers her up saying she's anything but ordinary. The now human Anya also returns to the Scooby Gang, and while she and Xander still love each other, they don't get back together.

Later, a fully reformed Faith, having been broken out of prison by Wesley to save Angel, returns to Sunnydale to help fight The First. During Faith's return, the Scoobies and the Potentials begin to question Buffy's leadership skills. Everything goes seemingly well, but when Buffy leads the Potentials to attack Caleb and the Bringers, several girls are killed and Xander loses an eye during the fight. The Scoobies and the Potentials eventually mutiny against her, electing a reluctant Faith as their new leader. Spike, however, stays loyal to Buffy and informs her that he has learned of an ancient weapon, known as the Scythe, that was designed only for the Slayer. While Buffy fights Caleb and finds the Scythe, Faith leads the Potentials on a mission in the sewers, only to find they've been tricked as a time bomb explodes. Following the explosion, several Turok-Han attack the survivors. Buffy saves the lives of the remaining Potentials, reconciles with her friends and finally makes peace with Faith.

As the Hellmouth becomes more active, nearly all humans and supernatural creatures flee Sunnydale, turning the town into a ghost town. Buffy and her friends stay behind in an effort to defeat The First. Meanwhile, Xander, at Buffy's request, takes Dawn out of Sunnydale to safety. Also, Principal Wood returns to join the cause and finally accepts Spike.

In the series finale, Dawn adamantly returns to help fight against the First. As she does so, Angel leaves Los Angeles and returns to Sunnydale with an amulet (given to him by Wolfram & Hart), which Buffy gives to Spike. Buffy finally kills Caleb by cutting him in half with the scythe. While Caleb is dead, they make their move to thwart The First's plans once and for all. The Potentials descend into the Hellmouth to fight an army of Turok-Han, while the other Scoobies hold off the few Turok-Han that escape into the halls of Sunnydale High. Willow uses a spell that activates all the Potential Slayers, granting them some Slayer powers. Anya is killed in the fight, along with some of the new Slayers. Fearing she is done for, The First returns to taunt Buffy, saying her fight is in vain. Refusing to let the world be destroyed, Buffy and her allies dig deep and begin to gain the upper hand. Spike's amulet channels the power of the sun and kills all of the Turok-Han in the Hellmouth, but Spike himself is also consumed and he sacrifices himself to defeat the enemy. Buffy tells Spike she loves him; he tells her to run. The Hellmouth collapses, and the resulting crater swallows all of Sunnydale. The survivors of the battle escape on a school bus, which Buffy catches up to after saying goodbye to Spike.

In the last scene of the series, the survivors gather on the rim of Sunnydale's crater. The Scoobies and new Slayers tend to the wounded. Xander mourns Anya's death and is consoled by Andrew. Dawn asks what their next move is and Buffy smiles.

Cast and characters

Main cast

Recurring cast

Guest cast

Crew

Series creator Joss Whedon served as executive producer, and wrote two episodes – the season premiere and finale – and directed the finale as well. Marti Noxon also served as executive producer and was the showrunner, but only co-wrote one episode. Noxon was originally due to write the penultimate episode of the series, but she was already busy writing a new pilot for Fox. Jane Espenson was promoted to co-executive producer and wrote or co-wrote six episodes. Co-executive producer David Fury wrote three episodes, including directing one of them. Supervising producer Douglas Petrie was promoted to co-executive producer midseason and wrote or co-wrote four episodes, including directing one of them. Rebecca Rand Kirshner was promoted to executive story editor and wrote three episodes. Drew Z. Greenberg was promoted to story editor and wrote three episodes. The only new addition was Drew Goddard, who wrote or co-wrote five episodes.[1]

David Solomon directed the most episodes in the seventh season, directing five episodes and was promoted to co-executive producer. James A. Contner (also co-producer) directed three.

Episodes

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
U.S. viewers
(millions)
1231"Lessons"David SolomonJoss WhedonSeptember 24, 2002 (2002-09-24)7ABB014.99[2]
Dawn finds vengeful spirits in the new Sunnydale High; Giles is rehabilitating Willow in England. Spike is living in the high school basement and going insane after being filled with guilt upon the return of his soul.
1242"Beneath You"Nick MarckDouglas PetrieOctober 1, 2002 (2002-10-01)7ABB024.97[3]
The gang deals with a giant underground demon; Willow prepares to return home. Spike reveals to Buffy that he has regained his soul.
1253"Same Time, Same Place"James A. ContnerJane EspensonOctober 8, 2002 (2002-10-08)7ABB034.90[4]
A weak and vulnerable Willow returns home but cannot find her friends in Sunnydale. At the same time, they cannot find her, but bodies are being found without skin, and the resemblance to Willow's murder of Warren alarms Buffy and Xander.
1264"Help"Rick RosenthalRebecca Rand KirshnerOctober 15, 2002 (2002-10-15)7ABB045.04[5]
Buffy becomes a counselor at Sunnydale High and meets a girl who predicts her own death. Buffy learns that sometimes, whatever you do, you can't always stop bad things from happening.
1275"Selfless"David SolomonDrew GoddardOctober 22, 2002 (2002-10-22)7ABB055.02[6]
Buffy deals with Anyanka after she grants a lethal wish; Anya's background story is also revealed. The two end up fighting, with Xander unsure of where his loyalties lie.
1286"Him"Michael GershmanDrew Z. GreenbergNovember 5, 2002 (2002-11-05)7ABB064.65[7]
Dawn, Buffy, Willow and Anya fall in love with high school quarterback as a result of a 'magic' jacket. Xander and Spike become reluctant roommates, but try to sort out the confusion.
1297"Conversations with Dead People"Nick MarckJane Espenson & Drew GoddardNovember 12, 2002 (2002-11-12)7ABB074.83[8]
Buffy, Dawn, and Willow face individual encounters with familiar faces from their past. Also, Jonathan and Andrew return to Sunnydale to unearth a mysterious symbol.
1308"Sleeper"Alan J. LeviDavid Fury & Jane EspensonNovember 19, 2002 (2002-11-19)7ABB085.03[9]
Buffy probes a series of grisly murders that may be the work of Spike.
1319"Never Leave Me"David SolomonDrew GoddardNovember 26, 2002 (2002-11-26)7ABB094.83[10]
The Summers' home gains two captives: Spike and Andrew. The Watchers Council is attacked directly by an agent of the First.
13210"Bring On the Night"David GrossmanMarti Noxon & Douglas PetrieDecember 17, 2002 (2002-12-17)7ABB104.79[11]
Giles arrives with three apprentice Slayers; the Scoobies research the First; Buffy fights an ancient vampire.
13311"Showtime"Michael GrossmanDavid FuryJanuary 7, 2003 (2003-01-07)7ABB114.08[12]
Buffy must win the confidence of Potential Slayers and kill the Ubervamp.
13412"Potential"James A. ContnerRebecca Rand KirshnerJanuary 21, 2003 (2003-01-21)7ABB123.61[13]
Buffy and Spike establish a boot camp to prepare the Potential Slayers for combat, while a spell from Willow reveals another Potential in Sunnydale. Dawn thinks it may be her for a short while, but then the true Potential is revealed.
13513"The Killer in Me"David SolomonDrew Z. GreenbergFebruary 4, 2003 (2003-02-04)7ABB133.50[14]
After sharing a lingering kiss with would-be Slayer Kennedy, Willow bafflingly transforms into Warren and must confront the loss of Tara. When Spike's chip begins to malfunction, he and Buffy take a trip to the Initiative stomping grounds, where they meet up with a few remaining soldiers who give her a choice of how to deal with the problem. Meanwhile, when Giles takes the Potentials on a self discovery quest, the rest of the gang find clues that lead them to believe Giles may be the First Evil.
13614"First Date"David GrossmanJane EspensonFebruary 11, 2003 (2003-02-11)7ABB144.24[15]
Buffy accepts a dinner invitation from Principal Wood; Anya is jealous when Xander has a date, but it turns out to not be so innocent.
13715"Get It Done"Douglas PetrieDouglas PetrieFebruary 18, 2003 (2003-02-18)7ABB153.43[16]
Buffy learns more about the First Slayer and the source of power.
13816"Storyteller"Marita GrabiakJane EspensonFebruary 25, 2003 (2003-02-25)7ABB163.60[17]
Andrew makes a documentary on the events in Sunnydale.
13917"Lies My Parents Told Me"David FuryDavid Fury & Drew GoddardMarch 25, 2003 (2003-03-25)7ABB173.44[18]
The gang investigates Spike's trigger; Principal Wood and Giles decide to eliminate Spike without Buffy's knowledge or approval, but fail. Buffy confronts them.
14018"Dirty Girls"Michael GershmanDrew GoddardApril 15, 2003 (2003-04-15)7ABB183.31[19]
Faith returns to Sunnydale; a new powerful evil face appears, Caleb, a former priest who is unstoppable and works for The First; Buffy leads the troops into battle. Xander loses his eye to Caleb and some of the Potentials are killed by him.
14119"Empty Places"James A. ContnerDrew Z. GreenbergApril 29, 2003 (2003-04-29)7ABB193.60[20]
As the residents of Sunnydale evacuate, and the Potentials suffer many casualties, Buffy loses the trust of the group and is forced out of the house. Faith becomes the leader.
14220"Touched"David SolomonRebecca Rand KirshnerMay 6, 2003 (2003-05-06)7ABB204.02[21]
A depressed Buffy is comforted by Spike; Willow and Kennedy become intimate, as do Faith and Principal Wood. Anya and Xander rekindle their spark. The Scoobies capture and interrogate a Bringer; Faith decides on a plan, but it doesn't go smoothly.
14321"End of Days"Marita GrabiakDouglas Petrie & Jane EspensonMay 13, 2003 (2003-05-13)7ABB214.06[22]
Buffy finds an ancient battleaxe called the Scythe in the cave and faces off with Caleb; an old ally returns to Sunnydale to help.
14422"Chosen"Joss WhedonJoss WhedonMay 20, 2003 (2003-05-20)7ABB224.87[23]
Buffy talks to Angel about the future. Buffy and the Scooby Gang devise a plan to launch an all-out assault against the First. They all descend on the Hellmouth, as Willow uses a spell on the Scythe to turn the Potential Slayers into actual Slayers and they engage in a vicious battle against thousands of Ubervamps. Spike uses the amulet Angel brought from L.A. and brings about the end of Sunnydale, and the Hellmouth. Buffy is able to escape the crumbling Hellmouth and reunites with the gang.

Crossovers with Angel

The seventh and final season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer coincided with the fourth season of Angel. This was the final year in which both shows were on television together.

In "Lies My Parents Told Me", Willow (Alyson Hannigan) receives a call from Fred. She leaves immediately and goes to L.A. without telling why. Willow appears in the Angel episode "Orpheus" to re-ensoul Angel (David Boreanaz) as she previously did before in "Becoming". After successfully re-ensouling Angel, she brings Faith (Eliza Dushku) back with her to Sunnydale to help in the fight against The First Evil.

In the Angel season four finale, "Home", Angel receives an amulet from Wolfram & Hart which is important to the final battle in Sunnydale. Angel goes to Sunnydale in the penultimate episode "End of Days" and also appears in the series finale "Chosen". Angel gives Buffy the amulet (which is later worn by Spike in the final battle) and offers his help, but Buffy declines as she needs him to be the second front if they fail. Buffy and Angel share one final moment in a graveyard where they discuss a possible future.

In the fifth and final season of Angel, Spike is resurrected (after his death in "Chosen") by the magical amulet. Spike becomes a main character in the final season. Harmony Kendall (Mercedes McNab) also becomes a main character in the final season. Buffy recurring character Andrew Wells (Tom Lenk) appears in two episodes ("Damage" and "The Girl in Question") in the final season of Angel, revealed to be a Watcher-in-training. Andrew states in "Damage" that Xander is in Africa, Willow and Kennedy are in Brazil, Buffy and Dawn are in Rome, and everyone else is in England.

Reception

The series received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Special Visual Effects for a Series for "Chosen". While, "Chosen" won for Outstanding Visual Effects in a Television Series at the Visual Effects Society Awards.

"Conversations with Dead People" won a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation – Short Form, while "Chosen" was nominated in the same category.

The series received the Television Critics Association Heritage Award.[24]

The Futon Critic named "Conversations with Dead People" the 42nd best episode of 2002[25] and "Chosen" the 50th best episode of 2003.[26]

The seventh season averaged 4.1 million viewers.[27] Rotten Tomatoes gave season seven a score of 80% with an average rating of 8.33 out of 10 based on 20 reviews with a critics consensus stating, "Seldom subtle, always subversive, Buffy ends the way it began: a funny, weird show that packs a punch and a whole lot of feeling."[28]

Canonical comic book continuation

In late 2006, series creator Joss Whedon announced that a canonical comic book continuation of the series would be written.[29] The comic book, titled Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, is published by Dark Horse Comics; and the first issue (written by Whedon), titled "The Long Way Home" was released on March 14, 2007.[30]

The storyline picks up after the end of the final episode with the Scooby Gang in Europe and Buffy in charge of all the new Slayers. Most of the characters from the television series appear in the comic book series.

Out of the 40 issues of Season Eight, Whedon wrote 17 issues and oversaw all other issues as "executive producer". Other Buffy television writers that have written issues include Jane Espenson (6 issues), Drew Goddard (4 issues), Steven S. DeKnight (1 issue), Drew Z. Greenberg (1 issue) and Doug Petrie (1 issue).

The comic book series continued with Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine in September 2011, Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten in March 2014,[31] Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eleven in November 2016, and concluded with Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Twelve in June 2018.

A graphic novel (canon status not certain) set during the seventh season of the show, Spike: Into the Light, written by James Marsters, was released by Dark Horse Comics on July 16, 2014.[32]

DVD release

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Complete Seventh Season was released on DVD in region 1 on November 16, 2004[33] and in region 2 on April 5, 2004.[34] The DVD includes all 22 episodes on 6 discs presented in full frame 1.33:1 aspect ratio (region 1) and in anamorphic widescreen 1.78:1 aspect ratio (region 2 and 4). Special features on the DVD include seven commentary tracks—"Lessons" by writer Joss Whedon and director David Solomon; "Conversations with Dead People" by writers Jane Espenson and Drew Goddard, director Nick Marck, and actors Danny Strong and Tom Lenk; "Selfless" by writer Drew Goddard and director David Solomon; "The Killer in Me" by writer Drew Z. Greenberg and director David Solomon; "Lies My Parents Told Me" by co-writer/director David Fury, co-writer Drew Goddard, and actors James Marsters and D. B. Woodside; "Dirty Girls" by writer Drew Goddard and actor Nicholas Brendon; and "Chosen" by writer and director Joss Whedon. Featurettes include, "Buffy: It's Always Been About the Fans", which details the fandom of the series; "Buffy 101: Studying the Slayer" showcases interviews with television critics and scholars discussing the themes of show; "Generation S" showcases interviews with the "Slayerettes" introduced in the season; "The Last Sundown" has Joss Whedon list his favorite episodes and comments on the show; "Buffy wraps" features interviews with cast and crew at the series wrap party; and "Season 7 Overview – Buffy: Full Circle", a 30-minute featurette where cast and crew members discuss the season. Also included are series outtakes and DVD-ROM content.[35]

References

  1. ^ "A Brief History of Mutant Enemy". Whedon.info. May 24, 2004. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  2. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Sep. 23–29)". The Los Angeles Times. October 2, 2002. Retrieved May 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  3. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Sep. 30–Oct. 6)". The Los Angeles Times. October 9, 2002. Retrieved May 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  4. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 7-13)". The Los Angeles Times. October 16, 2002. Retrieved May 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  5. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 14-20)". The Los Angeles Times. October 23, 2002. Retrieved May 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  6. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 21-27)". The Los Angeles Times. October 30, 2002. Retrieved May 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  7. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 4-10)". The Los Angeles Times. November 13, 2002. Retrieved May 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  8. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 11-17)". The Los Angeles Times. November 20, 2002. Retrieved May 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  9. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 18-24)". The Los Angeles Times. November 27, 2002. Retrieved May 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  10. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 25-Dec. 1)". The Los Angeles Times. December 4, 2002. Retrieved May 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  11. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 16-22)". The Los Angeles Times. December 25, 2002. Retrieved May 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  12. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 6-12)". The Los Angeles Times. January 15, 2003. Retrieved May 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  13. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 20-26)". The Los Angeles Times. January 29, 2003. Retrieved May 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  14. ^ "February 4, 2003". TV Tango. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  15. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 10-16)". The Los Angeles Times. February 21, 2003. Retrieved May 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  16. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 17-23)". The Los Angeles Times. February 26, 2003. Retrieved May 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  17. ^ "February 25, 2003". TV Tango. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  18. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Mar. 24-30)". The Los Angeles Times. April 2, 2003. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  19. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Apr. 14-20)". The Los Angeles Times. April 23, 2003. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  20. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Apr. 28-May. 4)". The Los Angeles Times. May 7, 2003. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  21. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (May. 5-11)". The Los Angeles Times. May 14, 2003. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  22. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (May. 12-18)". The Los Angeles Times. May 21, 2003. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  23. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (May. 19-25)". The Los Angeles Times. May 29, 2003. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  24. ^ ""Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1997) - Awards". IMDb. Retrieved August 2, 2010.
  25. ^ Brian Ford Sullivan (January 6, 2003). "The 50 Best Episodes of 2002 - #50-41". The Futon Critic. Retrieved August 2, 2010.
  26. ^ Brian Ford Sullivan (January 12, 2004). "The 50 Best Episodes of 2003 - #50-41". The Futon Critic. Retrieved August 2, 2010.
  27. ^ (in French). Audiences USA. December 30, 2010. Archived from the original on March 16, 2016. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  28. ^ "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 7 (2002-2003)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  29. ^ Ileane Rudolph (December 7, 2006). "Buffy the Vampire Slayer Is Back: The Complete Joss Whedon Q&A". TV Guide. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
  30. ^ "Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8: #1". Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
  31. ^ Gage, Christos (March 2014). Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten. Dark Horse Comics. p. 12.
  32. ^ "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Spike—Into the Light HC". Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
  33. ^ "Buffy the Vampire Slayer - The Complete Seventh Season (1997)". Amazon.com. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  34. ^ "Buffy DVD and VHS". BBC. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
  35. ^ . TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on November 4, 2008. Retrieved July 31, 2010.

External links

  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer at IMDb
  • List of Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 7 episodes at BuffyGuide.com
  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer at epguides.com

buffy, vampire, slayer, season, seventh, final, season, television, series, buffy, vampire, slayer, premiered, september, 2002, concluded, episode, 2003, maintained, previous, timeslot, airing, tuesdays, buffy, vampire, slayerseason, 7region, season, coverstar. The seventh and final season of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer premiered on September 24 2002 on UPN and concluded its 22 episode run on May 20 2003 It maintained its previous timeslot airing Tuesdays at 8 00 pm ET Buffy the Vampire SlayerSeason 7Region 1 Season 7 DVD coverStarringSarah Michelle Gellar Nicholas Brendon Emma Caulfield Michelle Trachtenberg James Marsters Alyson HanniganCountry of originUnited StatesNo of episodes22ReleaseOriginal networkUPNOriginal releaseSeptember 24 2002 2002 09 24 May 20 2003 2003 05 20 Season chronology PreviousSeason 6List of episodes Contents 1 Plot 2 Cast and characters 2 1 Main cast 2 2 Recurring cast 2 3 Guest cast 3 Crew 4 Episodes 4 1 Crossovers with Angel 5 Reception 6 Canonical comic book continuation 7 DVD release 8 References 9 External linksPlot EditSeason seven deals with the Potential Slayers normal girls around the world who are candidates to succeed the Slayer upon her death It is revealed that Buffy s resurrection caused an instability which allows The First Evil a spiritual entity that Buffy encountered in the third season to begin tipping the balance between good and evil It has inactive Potential Slayers hunted and killed by Caleb a sinister and misogynistic preacher turned serial killer who heads a cult called Bringers who worship The First as a god Inside the Hellmouth it raises an army of Turok Han an ancient and powerful sub species of vampire Caleb later destroys the Watchers Council s headquarters in London killing many Watchers including Quentin Travers Dawn begins her sophomore year at high school Buffy gets a job at the rebuilt Sunnydale High where she meets the new principal Robin Wood a vampire hunter and the son of deceased Slayer Nikki Wood who was killed by Spike in New York City many years ago Buffy also reunites with Willow who still is working through her emotional rampage in the previous season and Spike who earned his soul back but is temporarily driven mad by regret Willow begins to heal emotionally from Tara s death and finds solace with a Potential Slayer named Kennedy They immediately start dating before Kennedy can fully understand Willow Their relationship is strained when Willow drains a significant portion of her life force to reopen a portal for Buffy but they soon reconcile Andrew Wells and Jonathan Levinson leave Mexico and return to Sunnydale after The First convinces Andrew to help open the Seal of Danzalthar which results in the death of Jonathan Andrew is captured by the Scoobies who show resentment toward him but he becomes a committed ally after The First takes Jonathan s form and tries to convince him to kill all the Potentials in the house Andrew refuses insisting he s good now later admitting his guilt about how cruel his betrayal of Jonathan was and disclosing that he does not believe he will survive the forthcoming battle Anya and Xander break up for good after a demon named Halfrek gets her to kill a group of frat boys Buffy and Anya fight while Willow summons D Hoffryn who questions Anya Anya requests that her latest vengeance be reversed Halfrek is killed and Anya is turned human once more Spike is driven mad by The First and soon it also gains control of him for a time The First also reveals that Spike killed Robin Wood s mother sparking a vendetta Robin makes an attempt on Spike s life Ironically this attack frees Spike from his insanity and regaining his clarity Spike beats Robin Buffy finds the injured Robin in his garage and angrily shuns him for attacking Spike Buffy finds out that Giles was part of the scheme and becomes angry at him but they soon make peace Willow helps track the Potentials in Sunnydale and a number of them brought by Giles take refuge in Buffy s house Dawn at first believes herself to be a Potential but becomes disappointed when she finds that is not the case Xander cheers her up saying she s anything but ordinary The now human Anya also returns to the Scooby Gang and while she and Xander still love each other they don t get back together Later a fully reformed Faith having been broken out of prison by Wesley to save Angel returns to Sunnydale to help fight The First During Faith s return the Scoobies and the Potentials begin to question Buffy s leadership skills Everything goes seemingly well but when Buffy leads the Potentials to attack Caleb and the Bringers several girls are killed and Xander loses an eye during the fight The Scoobies and the Potentials eventually mutiny against her electing a reluctant Faith as their new leader Spike however stays loyal to Buffy and informs her that he has learned of an ancient weapon known as the Scythe that was designed only for the Slayer While Buffy fights Caleb and finds the Scythe Faith leads the Potentials on a mission in the sewers only to find they ve been tricked as a time bomb explodes Following the explosion several Turok Han attack the survivors Buffy saves the lives of the remaining Potentials reconciles with her friends and finally makes peace with Faith As the Hellmouth becomes more active nearly all humans and supernatural creatures flee Sunnydale turning the town into a ghost town Buffy and her friends stay behind in an effort to defeat The First Meanwhile Xander at Buffy s request takes Dawn out of Sunnydale to safety Also Principal Wood returns to join the cause and finally accepts Spike In the series finale Dawn adamantly returns to help fight against the First As she does so Angel leaves Los Angeles and returns to Sunnydale with an amulet given to him by Wolfram amp Hart which Buffy gives to Spike Buffy finally kills Caleb by cutting him in half with the scythe While Caleb is dead they make their move to thwart The First s plans once and for all The Potentials descend into the Hellmouth to fight an army of Turok Han while the other Scoobies hold off the few Turok Han that escape into the halls of Sunnydale High Willow uses a spell that activates all the Potential Slayers granting them some Slayer powers Anya is killed in the fight along with some of the new Slayers Fearing she is done for The First returns to taunt Buffy saying her fight is in vain Refusing to let the world be destroyed Buffy and her allies dig deep and begin to gain the upper hand Spike s amulet channels the power of the sun and kills all of the Turok Han in the Hellmouth but Spike himself is also consumed and he sacrifices himself to defeat the enemy Buffy tells Spike she loves him he tells her to run The Hellmouth collapses and the resulting crater swallows all of Sunnydale The survivors of the battle escape on a school bus which Buffy catches up to after saying goodbye to Spike In the last scene of the series the survivors gather on the rim of Sunnydale s crater The Scoobies and new Slayers tend to the wounded Xander mourns Anya s death and is consoled by Andrew Dawn asks what their next move is and Buffy smiles Cast and characters EditMain cast Edit Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers The First Evil Nicholas Brendon as Xander Harris Emma Caulfield as Anya Jenkins Michelle Trachtenberg as Dawn Summers James Marsters as Spike The First Evil Alyson Hannigan as Willow RosenbergRecurring cast Edit Tom Lenk as Andrew Wells D B Woodside as Robin Wood Anthony Stewart Head as Rupert Giles Iyari Limon as Kennedy Sarah Hagan as Amanda Felicia Day as Vi Indigo as Rona Clara Bryant as Molly Adam Busch as The First Evil Warren Mears Eliza Dushku as Faith Nathan Fillion as Caleb Danny Strong as Jonathan Levinson The First Evil Camden Toy as Turok Han Kristy Wu as Chao Ahn Juliet Landau as The First Evil Drusilla Mary Wilcher as Shannon Dania Ramirez as Caridad David Boreanaz as Angel Harry Groener as The First Evil Richard Wilkins Lalaine as Chloe The First Evil James C Leary as Clem Kali Rocha as Halfrek Azura Skye as Cassie Newton The First Evil Kristine Sutherland as The First Evil Joyce Summers Guest cast Edit Elizabeth Anne Allen as Amy Madison Sharon Ferguson as First Slayer George Hertzberg as The First Evil Adam Clare Kramer as The First Evil Glory Mark Metcalf as The First Evil The Master Andy Umberger as D Hoffryn Harris Yulin as Quentin TraversCrew EditSeries creator Joss Whedon served as executive producer and wrote two episodes the season premiere and finale and directed the finale as well Marti Noxon also served as executive producer and was the showrunner but only co wrote one episode Noxon was originally due to write the penultimate episode of the series but she was already busy writing a new pilot for Fox Jane Espenson was promoted to co executive producer and wrote or co wrote six episodes Co executive producer David Fury wrote three episodes including directing one of them Supervising producer Douglas Petrie was promoted to co executive producer midseason and wrote or co wrote four episodes including directing one of them Rebecca Rand Kirshner was promoted to executive story editor and wrote three episodes Drew Z Greenberg was promoted to story editor and wrote three episodes The only new addition was Drew Goddard who wrote or co wrote five episodes 1 David Solomon directed the most episodes in the seventh season directing five episodes and was promoted to co executive producer James A Contner also co producer directed three Episodes EditSee also List of Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes No overallNo inseasonTitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd codeU S viewers millions 1231 Lessons David SolomonJoss WhedonSeptember 24 2002 2002 09 24 7ABB014 99 2 Dawn finds vengeful spirits in the new Sunnydale High Giles is rehabilitating Willow in England Spike is living in the high school basement and going insane after being filled with guilt upon the return of his soul 1242 Beneath You Nick MarckDouglas PetrieOctober 1 2002 2002 10 01 7ABB024 97 3 The gang deals with a giant underground demon Willow prepares to return home Spike reveals to Buffy that he has regained his soul 1253 Same Time Same Place James A ContnerJane EspensonOctober 8 2002 2002 10 08 7ABB034 90 4 A weak and vulnerable Willow returns home but cannot find her friends in Sunnydale At the same time they cannot find her but bodies are being found without skin and the resemblance to Willow s murder of Warren alarms Buffy and Xander 1264 Help Rick RosenthalRebecca Rand KirshnerOctober 15 2002 2002 10 15 7ABB045 04 5 Buffy becomes a counselor at Sunnydale High and meets a girl who predicts her own death Buffy learns that sometimes whatever you do you can t always stop bad things from happening 1275 Selfless David SolomonDrew GoddardOctober 22 2002 2002 10 22 7ABB055 02 6 Buffy deals with Anyanka after she grants a lethal wish Anya s background story is also revealed The two end up fighting with Xander unsure of where his loyalties lie 1286 Him Michael GershmanDrew Z GreenbergNovember 5 2002 2002 11 05 7ABB064 65 7 Dawn Buffy Willow and Anya fall in love with high school quarterback as a result of a magic jacket Xander and Spike become reluctant roommates but try to sort out the confusion 1297 Conversations with Dead People Nick MarckJane Espenson amp Drew GoddardNovember 12 2002 2002 11 12 7ABB074 83 8 Buffy Dawn and Willow face individual encounters with familiar faces from their past Also Jonathan and Andrew return to Sunnydale to unearth a mysterious symbol 1308 Sleeper Alan J LeviDavid Fury amp Jane EspensonNovember 19 2002 2002 11 19 7ABB085 03 9 Buffy probes a series of grisly murders that may be the work of Spike 1319 Never Leave Me David SolomonDrew GoddardNovember 26 2002 2002 11 26 7ABB094 83 10 The Summers home gains two captives Spike and Andrew The Watchers Council is attacked directly by an agent of the First 13210 Bring On the Night David GrossmanMarti Noxon amp Douglas PetrieDecember 17 2002 2002 12 17 7ABB104 79 11 Giles arrives with three apprentice Slayers the Scoobies research the First Buffy fights an ancient vampire 13311 Showtime Michael GrossmanDavid FuryJanuary 7 2003 2003 01 07 7ABB114 08 12 Buffy must win the confidence of Potential Slayers and kill the Ubervamp 13412 Potential James A ContnerRebecca Rand KirshnerJanuary 21 2003 2003 01 21 7ABB123 61 13 Buffy and Spike establish a boot camp to prepare the Potential Slayers for combat while a spell from Willow reveals another Potential in Sunnydale Dawn thinks it may be her for a short while but then the true Potential is revealed 13513 The Killer in Me David SolomonDrew Z GreenbergFebruary 4 2003 2003 02 04 7ABB133 50 14 After sharing a lingering kiss with would be Slayer Kennedy Willow bafflingly transforms into Warren and must confront the loss of Tara When Spike s chip begins to malfunction he and Buffy take a trip to the Initiative stomping grounds where they meet up with a few remaining soldiers who give her a choice of how to deal with the problem Meanwhile when Giles takes the Potentials on a self discovery quest the rest of the gang find clues that lead them to believe Giles may be the First Evil 13614 First Date David GrossmanJane EspensonFebruary 11 2003 2003 02 11 7ABB144 24 15 Buffy accepts a dinner invitation from Principal Wood Anya is jealous when Xander has a date but it turns out to not be so innocent 13715 Get It Done Douglas PetrieDouglas PetrieFebruary 18 2003 2003 02 18 7ABB153 43 16 Buffy learns more about the First Slayer and the source of power 13816 Storyteller Marita GrabiakJane EspensonFebruary 25 2003 2003 02 25 7ABB163 60 17 Andrew makes a documentary on the events in Sunnydale 13917 Lies My Parents Told Me David FuryDavid Fury amp Drew GoddardMarch 25 2003 2003 03 25 7ABB173 44 18 The gang investigates Spike s trigger Principal Wood and Giles decide to eliminate Spike without Buffy s knowledge or approval but fail Buffy confronts them 14018 Dirty Girls Michael GershmanDrew GoddardApril 15 2003 2003 04 15 7ABB183 31 19 Faith returns to Sunnydale a new powerful evil face appears Caleb a former priest who is unstoppable and works for The First Buffy leads the troops into battle Xander loses his eye to Caleb and some of the Potentials are killed by him 14119 Empty Places James A ContnerDrew Z GreenbergApril 29 2003 2003 04 29 7ABB193 60 20 As the residents of Sunnydale evacuate and the Potentials suffer many casualties Buffy loses the trust of the group and is forced out of the house Faith becomes the leader 14220 Touched David SolomonRebecca Rand KirshnerMay 6 2003 2003 05 06 7ABB204 02 21 A depressed Buffy is comforted by Spike Willow and Kennedy become intimate as do Faith and Principal Wood Anya and Xander rekindle their spark The Scoobies capture and interrogate a Bringer Faith decides on a plan but it doesn t go smoothly 14321 End of Days Marita GrabiakDouglas Petrie amp Jane EspensonMay 13 2003 2003 05 13 7ABB214 06 22 Buffy finds an ancient battleaxe called the Scythe in the cave and faces off with Caleb an old ally returns to Sunnydale to help 14422 Chosen Joss WhedonJoss WhedonMay 20 2003 2003 05 20 7ABB224 87 23 Buffy talks to Angel about the future Buffy and the Scooby Gang devise a plan to launch an all out assault against the First They all descend on the Hellmouth as Willow uses a spell on the Scythe to turn the Potential Slayers into actual Slayers and they engage in a vicious battle against thousands of Ubervamps Spike uses the amulet Angel brought from L A and brings about the end of Sunnydale and the Hellmouth Buffy is able to escape the crumbling Hellmouth and reunites with the gang Crossovers with Angel Edit The seventh and final season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer coincided with the fourth season of Angel This was the final year in which both shows were on television together In Lies My Parents Told Me Willow Alyson Hannigan receives a call from Fred She leaves immediately and goes to L A without telling why Willow appears in the Angel episode Orpheus to re ensoul Angel David Boreanaz as she previously did before in Becoming After successfully re ensouling Angel she brings Faith Eliza Dushku back with her to Sunnydale to help in the fight against The First Evil In the Angel season four finale Home Angel receives an amulet from Wolfram amp Hart which is important to the final battle in Sunnydale Angel goes to Sunnydale in the penultimate episode End of Days and also appears in the series finale Chosen Angel gives Buffy the amulet which is later worn by Spike in the final battle and offers his help but Buffy declines as she needs him to be the second front if they fail Buffy and Angel share one final moment in a graveyard where they discuss a possible future In the fifth and final season of Angel Spike is resurrected after his death in Chosen by the magical amulet Spike becomes a main character in the final season Harmony Kendall Mercedes McNab also becomes a main character in the final season Buffy recurring character Andrew Wells Tom Lenk appears in two episodes Damage and The Girl in Question in the final season of Angel revealed to be a Watcher in training Andrew states in Damage that Xander is in Africa Willow and Kennedy are in Brazil Buffy and Dawn are in Rome and everyone else is in England Reception EditThe series received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Special Visual Effects for a Series for Chosen While Chosen won for Outstanding Visual Effects in a Television Series at the Visual Effects Society Awards Conversations with Dead People won a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation Short Form while Chosen was nominated in the same category The series received the Television Critics Association Heritage Award 24 The Futon Critic named Conversations with Dead People the 42nd best episode of 2002 25 and Chosen the 50th best episode of 2003 26 The seventh season averaged 4 1 million viewers 27 Rotten Tomatoes gave season seven a score of 80 with an average rating of 8 33 out of 10 based on 20 reviews with a critics consensus stating Seldom subtle always subversive Buffy ends the way it began a funny weird show that packs a punch and a whole lot of feeling 28 Canonical comic book continuation EditIn late 2006 series creator Joss Whedon announced that a canonical comic book continuation of the series would be written 29 The comic book titled Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight is published by Dark Horse Comics and the first issue written by Whedon titled The Long Way Home was released on March 14 2007 30 The storyline picks up after the end of the final episode with the Scooby Gang in Europe and Buffy in charge of all the new Slayers Most of the characters from the television series appear in the comic book series Out of the 40 issues of Season Eight Whedon wrote 17 issues and oversaw all other issues as executive producer Other Buffy television writers that have written issues include Jane Espenson 6 issues Drew Goddard 4 issues Steven S DeKnight 1 issue Drew Z Greenberg 1 issue and Doug Petrie 1 issue The comic book series continued with Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine in September 2011 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten in March 2014 31 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eleven in November 2016 and concluded with Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Twelve in June 2018 A graphic novel canon status not certain set during the seventh season of the show Spike Into the Light written by James Marsters was released by Dark Horse Comics on July 16 2014 32 DVD release EditBuffy the Vampire Slayer The Complete Seventh Season was released on DVD in region 1 on November 16 2004 33 and in region 2 on April 5 2004 34 The DVD includes all 22 episodes on 6 discs presented in full frame 1 33 1 aspect ratio region 1 and in anamorphic widescreen 1 78 1 aspect ratio region 2 and 4 Special features on the DVD include seven commentary tracks Lessons by writer Joss Whedon and director David Solomon Conversations with Dead People by writers Jane Espenson and Drew Goddard director Nick Marck and actors Danny Strong and Tom Lenk Selfless by writer Drew Goddard and director David Solomon The Killer in Me by writer Drew Z Greenberg and director David Solomon Lies My Parents Told Me by co writer director David Fury co writer Drew Goddard and actors James Marsters and D B Woodside Dirty Girls by writer Drew Goddard and actor Nicholas Brendon and Chosen by writer and director Joss Whedon Featurettes include Buffy It s Always Been About the Fans which details the fandom of the series Buffy 101 Studying the Slayer showcases interviews with television critics and scholars discussing the themes of show Generation S showcases interviews with the Slayerettes introduced in the season The Last Sundown has Joss Whedon list his favorite episodes and comments on the show Buffy wraps features interviews with cast and crew at the series wrap party and Season 7 Overview Buffy Full Circle a 30 minute featurette where cast and crew members discuss the season Also included are series outtakes and DVD ROM content 35 References Edit A Brief History of Mutant Enemy Whedon info May 24 2004 Retrieved July 30 2010 National Nielsen Viewership Sep 23 29 The Los Angeles Times October 2 2002 Retrieved May 18 2021 via Newspapers com National Nielsen Viewership Sep 30 Oct 6 The Los Angeles Times October 9 2002 Retrieved May 18 2021 via Newspapers com National Nielsen Viewership Oct 7 13 The Los Angeles Times October 16 2002 Retrieved May 18 2021 via Newspapers com National Nielsen Viewership Oct 14 20 The Los Angeles Times October 23 2002 Retrieved May 18 2021 via Newspapers com National Nielsen Viewership Oct 21 27 The Los Angeles Times October 30 2002 Retrieved May 19 2021 via Newspapers com National Nielsen Viewership Nov 4 10 The Los Angeles Times November 13 2002 Retrieved May 19 2021 via Newspapers com National Nielsen Viewership Nov 11 17 The Los Angeles Times November 20 2002 Retrieved May 19 2021 via Newspapers com National Nielsen Viewership Nov 18 24 The Los Angeles Times November 27 2002 Retrieved May 19 2021 via Newspapers com National Nielsen Viewership Nov 25 Dec 1 The Los Angeles Times December 4 2002 Retrieved May 20 2021 via Newspapers com National Nielsen Viewership Dec 16 22 The Los Angeles Times December 25 2002 Retrieved May 20 2021 via Newspapers com National Nielsen Viewership Jan 6 12 The Los Angeles Times January 15 2003 Retrieved May 20 2021 via Newspapers com National Nielsen Viewership Jan 20 26 The Los Angeles Times January 29 2003 Retrieved May 20 2021 via Newspapers com February 4 2003 TV Tango Retrieved September 29 2013 National Nielsen Viewership Feb 10 16 The Los Angeles Times February 21 2003 Retrieved May 20 2021 via Newspapers com National Nielsen Viewership Feb 17 23 The Los Angeles Times February 26 2003 Retrieved May 20 2021 via Newspapers com February 25 2003 TV Tango Retrieved September 29 2013 National Nielsen Viewership Mar 24 30 The Los Angeles Times April 2 2003 Retrieved May 21 2021 via Newspapers com National Nielsen Viewership Apr 14 20 The Los Angeles Times April 23 2003 Retrieved May 21 2021 via Newspapers com National Nielsen Viewership Apr 28 May 4 The Los Angeles Times May 7 2003 Retrieved May 21 2021 via Newspapers com National Nielsen Viewership May 5 11 The Los Angeles Times May 14 2003 Retrieved May 21 2021 via Newspapers com National Nielsen Viewership May 12 18 The Los Angeles Times May 21 2003 Retrieved May 21 2021 via Newspapers com National Nielsen Viewership May 19 25 The Los Angeles Times May 29 2003 Retrieved May 21 2021 via Newspapers com Buffy the Vampire Slayer 1997 Awards IMDb Retrieved August 2 2010 Brian Ford Sullivan January 6 2003 The 50 Best Episodes of 2002 50 41 The Futon Critic Retrieved August 2 2010 Brian Ford Sullivan January 12 2004 The 50 Best Episodes of 2003 50 41 The Futon Critic Retrieved August 2 2010 Retrospective Buffy Contre Les Vampires in French Audiences USA December 30 2010 Archived from the original on March 16 2016 Retrieved May 17 2015 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 7 2002 2003 Rotten Tomatoes Retrieved December 18 2017 Ileane Rudolph December 7 2006 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Is Back The Complete Joss Whedon Q amp A TV Guide Retrieved August 4 2010 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 1 Dark Horse Comics Retrieved August 4 2010 Gage Christos March 2014 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten Dark Horse Comics p 12 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Spike Into the Light HC Dark Horse Comics Retrieved April 4 2014 Buffy the Vampire Slayer The Complete Seventh Season 1997 Amazon com Retrieved July 30 2010 Buffy DVD and VHS BBC Retrieved July 31 2010 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 7 TVShowsOnDVD com Archived from the original on November 4 2008 Retrieved July 31 2010 External links EditBuffy the Vampire Slayer at IMDb List of Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 7 episodes at BuffyGuide com Buffy the Vampire Slayer at epguides com Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 7 amp oldid 1138109051, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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