Rob
You only live twice. Or so they say. Does this mean that Buffy, already drowned at the end of season one, won't be back for a third outing? No chance.

That said, even the most cynical fan must have felt a tug at the heart strings when Buffy accepted that death was her gift and took the plunge off Glory's tower.

Although a far more traditional episode than Joss Whedon's previous effort, The Body, The Gift was nonetheless a breathtaking mix of stunning fight sequences and high emotion from a man still very much in control of his creation.

Five years and 100 episodes on from its humble beginnings as a mid-season replacement Buffy still rocks. Who would have thought it?

Kim
Of course she's coming back. She's on contract with the studio.

Ann
So, at last it comes - the death of Buffy. And thank the powers that be that the show shook off the slow pace that�s dogged the end of the season up to now.

From the hectic, Buffy�s-life-flashing-before-our-eyes pre-credits sequence to the final, fatal, sacrifice, The Gift does what Buffy�s always done best - kick ass whilst keeping you just that little bit of balance.

This episode is packed with emotional punch - Xander proposing to Anya, the return of Tara�s sanity, Giles� cold practicality in murdering Ben, and of course Buffy�s dive to death. It�s also a highly enjoyable fight-fest - and who wasn�t fooled by the Buffy-bot?

I don�t mind admitting that a little tear ran down my cheek when Buffy realised that death, after all, was her gift. And another one when Spike broke down over her corpse. After a fragmentary season, Joss pulled it all together into another triumph.