It is the eve of The Sunnydale High Prom and Giles, while researching translates a very disturbing prophecy from The Peramum Codex. The prophecy states that the Master will rise up from his dungeon below the earth and that the Slayer will die. To begin with, Giles tries to ignore the prophecy. However, he realises that he will have to face the truth of the prophecy after some strange events which point to the Master freeing himself.

Giles talks to Angel about the prophecy and it's implications. Angel, naturally, is a little distraught about it, as is Giles. Unfortunately Buffy overhears them talking about the prophecy and tells Giles that she's quitting Slaying and that she will not go willingly to her death. She does not want to die.

News reaches Buffy via Willow that two students have been killed on the school grounds by vampires. She realises that she can't forsake her duty and she can't affect the prophecy, but she will try. She goes to the library to apologise to Giles and finds him preparing to face the Master. She punches him out, to protect him and goes to face the Master on her own.

She goes to the cemetery and finds Colin, the Annointed One there waiting for her. The prophecy mentioned in 'Never Kill A Boy on the First Date' comes to pass: "And the Slayer will not know him, will not stop him. And he will lead her into Hell." He takes her to the Master. The Master tells Buffy that she is the key to him freeing himself. He leans in and drinks her blood then leaves in lying face down in a pool of water. Dead.

A few moments later, Angel and Xander come running in to find her. They see her lying in the pool of water. Angel thinks she is dead, and that there is nothing they can do to revive her. He can't do anything anyway, he has no breath. Xander, however, won't give up and gives her mouth-to-mouth recusitation and revives her. As soon as she comes round they leave for the school to stop the Master.

They find the Hellmouth is opening right underneath the library. Buffy heads off to the rooftop to find the Master while Giles, Jenny, Willow, Angel and Xander fight off a huge purple monster that is rising out of the library floor.

Buffy reaches the rooftop and confronts the Master. He is very surprised to see her. They fight, but this time the Master loses and he plunges though a skylight into the library where is impaled on a wooden stake. He dusts, leaving only his bones behind.

With the death of the Master the hellmouth closes again and takes the big purple monster with it. The vampires, leaderless scatter. Buffy comes down from the roof and everyone celebrates when they see her. "We saved the world, I say we party." Buffy says. And once again the world is saved.

Our View -
This is the only episode that Kali has not seen, (because 'someone' forgot to set the video), so it's over to 'Nessa for her views:
I liked it. I liked the way Buffy tried to fight the prophecy, but in the end gave up, because there's no use in fighting destiny. The best scenes for me were Buffy meeting the Anointed One and Xander bringing her around. This is the first time he saves her life, lets start keeping count shall we...
'Nessa's Score - 10

The Professional View
A staggeringly well put together season finale, though with some very obvious flaws (The Xander/Buffy subplot gets irritating after two minutes). features some terrific direction, and a circular feeling, as many elements from the pilot are again referred to. Very effective final scenes.
Their Score - 9