That is truly an excellent question. While it probably isn’t possible to explore the motivations of each of the slayers, I don’t doubt that a few of them will be looked at between now and Issue #40. (And hopefully not necessarily because of their proximity to a Scooby or immediately preceding their untimely demise!)

And, yes, I’m afraid we’re all a bunch of voyeuristic masochists. Why, if not for us I’m pretty sure they’d all be leading exceedingly boring and normal lives with only the normal risk of death, dismemberment or being turned into a vampire. But then, how empty would our lives be without them? It’s a big, ugly viciousy circle of love, life and undeath.

On the subject of Xander’s string of unfortunate women, I particularly feel sorry for Ampata, the Inca Mummy Girl. What a sad fate.

I don’t like the deslayerizing spell as well. I’m all for girl power, and unlike some fans, I don’t harbor any hate (or annoyance) with the massive number of slayers. Although, it makes me wonder: did these girls choose to be with Buffy for good? aren’t they thinking of getting their own careers and living a normal life? For Buffy, she never really had a choice because she was the only slayer then (well, Faith’s there but she was evil). There’s about 2000 slayers now. I think the 500-odd girls with the Scoobies should be commended.

Dawn = (^_^) \m/

I’m at Season 5 of my current Buffy marathon, and just finished the episode where she discovered that she’s the Key. heavy stuff. glad she’s been given a major part to play in a battle, finally.

If Joss is such a sadist (”the pain!”), and we continue devouring his stories, does that make us masochists?

Poor, poor Xander. Every woman he’s touched in *that* way is dead - except Faith. It started with Ms. French and hasn’t stopped since.

I was so very ready to love the stuffing out of the episode and then *skurk!* All of my hopes and dreams were once again stabbed through the heart. (By “my” I mean “Xander’s”.)

And as for future speculation? All I have to say is:

Step 1: Go to Japan
Step 2: ???
Step 3: Fray!

But less unseriously; I’m not so much a proponent of the deslayering of the neoslayers. Buffy, on one of its many levels has always been about the empowering of teh grrls. But, as always, In Joss We Trust.

And my final point: Dawn-freakin’-zilla! I cheered. Literally. I stood up in my chair and cheered.

My real final point: This episode is one of my top rated but I still harbor some hate for Joss. (I hope he can find it in his blood pumping place to forgive me.)

I’ve seen that cover and it’s a nod to the poster of Akira Kurosawa’s film Seven Samurai (where many people die). My take on it is that Renee’s appearance is just to acknowledge her role in this “war” as one of those who fought with Buffy. She will of course still be on issue #15, albeit weakened or dying, which further justifies her image on the cover.

You’re right to point that out, though, because you can never tell if Willow can revive her or what, but it’s my personal opinion that she won’t make it, harsh as it may seem. If so, her stay in the show, though brief, will always be remembered by fans. We’ll see what really happens next month, or in the previews. (maybe some people should start collecting bets, no?)

We’ve got ’til issue #40 in 2010 to resolve everything, and maybe even Season 9 if comics sales continue to be high. It pains me to think I’ll have to wait for two more years before I know how everything will end.

Sharp eye you got there. I think the colorist made a mistake with Satsu’s hair, making it red instead of black. Who’s the guy with black hair? There’s Dracula, Andrew and Xander.

I think this arc will leave a lot of unresolved issues, there’s just too many things happening to wrap them all in one issue.

Did you notice that on the second frame of page 23 there are 3 redheads and we don’t see Satsu?, and on the next frame there’s some black haired guy.

***Spoiler next***

I’m also not sure Renee is dead, remember, she is on Georges Jeanty variant cover for next issue.

i’m curious about the next issue. there was a recent article and i quote:

What’s the reaction to Buffy’s lesbian exerience? “Wait til you see the last panel of issue 15,” Allie said.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16098

hmmm….

great review. can’t wait for next month!!!!!!!

p.s. i am in total agreement about dawn/king kong comment.