Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV Series) Prophecy Girl (1997) User Reviews

I thought it was almost perfect!

[callanvass · 10/10 · 3 June 2016]

(Credit to Alex on IMDb) In the first-season finale, Giles discovers an ancient prophecy which states that Buffy will face the Master and she will die. Upon hearing this, Buffy first denies her slayer roots, but when a small tragedy occurs at school, Buffy realizes she can't run from destiny, and decides to take on The Master.

I consider nothing to be perfect, but this is as close to perfection as you can possibly get for a finale. This episode is pretty dark and even frightening at times. Everything feels real and it hits you hard. For the first time, you actually sense that Buffy is in severe danger. She's been in danger before, but nothing like this in season one. Death is a scary thing. It's something you can't control. Buffy's reaction when she learns of her impending death is powerful. Sarah Michelle Gellar gives a phenomenal performance here and her reactions are bang on. There is more character development for Cordelia. She actually becomes somewhat endearing. Also, I felt so bad for Xander. He's so in love with Buffy, and watching Buffy fail to reciprocate it is heart wrenching. I'm not gonna spoil much in this review. It's just a damn good ending to season one.

10/10

Episode 12 Review

[leecdewsnap · 10/10 · 7 November 2015]

SPOILER WARNING I feel this episode ending the season brilliantly. I love the use of the theme tune in the middle of the episode. The fact that Buffy realises that she is a 16 year old girl with her life ahead of her and doesn't want to die, is brilliant because they have portrayed her as a human and not a superhero who thinks they're better than the rest of us. The use of all the characters throughout the season in this episode to bring it to a conclusion is brilliant. I like the fact the Cordy is suddenly on their side after knowing she wouldn't be seen dead or alive with them normally. The graphics for the beast from the Hellmouth were so good, I'm baffled why they couldn't do it in Episode 4. This was a great finale a good opening season.

If it had ended here it would still have been terrific

[Joxerlives · 10/10 · 8 January 2012]

Prophecy Girl

The Good; Buffy's unjustified (but very human) rant at Giles, the wonderful slow motion fight with the vamp whilst Cordy is parking with a guy. Buffy accepting her fate for the sake of her friends and family.The Buffy/Master confrontation and her final battle with him. Xander listening to country music, the white man's blues. Xander practicing on Willow and Willow consequently turning him down. Cordy and Will finding the bodies. Cordy's car trick and the girls fleeing in terror. The Buffy/Joyce scene. Love Buffy's dress.

The Bad; The tentacles from the Hellmouth look pretty weak. Also I thought the boy who get's killed is the same one as in the last ep but it's not, Cordy seems to have a new guy every week. I always think that's lame on TV, characters get boyfriends/girlfriends one week who mean the world to them then they're forgotten about the next ep.

Best line; Angel; "I like your dress" Buffy; "Big hit with everyone"

Kinky dinky; watching the scene you could interpret it as virginal Buffy in her white 'bridal' dress appears to orgasm wildly more or less against her will as The Master paws her and penetrates her body with his fangs. For such a self-professed pro-feminist Joss puts his heroines through a lot as Alien 4 may prove? In 'Get It Done' we learn why Slayers have these dark sexual desires.

Questions and observations; Buffy dies for the first time and is bitten by a vampire for the first but by no means the last time. Giles get's knocked out for the first time (by Buffy!). Jenny's back, yay! Presumably the reason Cordy is being so nice to Will and isn't mad at her boyfriend du jour is that it's one of the signs of the apocalypse? So if Buffy had died for real what would have happened? Presumably Angel would have defeated the Master? Or the Initiative? No offence to Kendra but I figure this would have meant that Faith would be the Slayer and consequently Dawn would be HER sister. Faith would never have gone bad and Joyce would get over her grief by adopting Faith and Dawn as her foster children. Even so, in the Buffyverse death isn't necessarily for ever...? Note that when Buffy comes back from the dead they play the show's theme full blast. According to Joss the theme starts off like a conventional horror theme but then kicks into rock and roll thrash because it signifies that Buffy and co won't conform to the horror stereotype, they won't take it any more. So we have Buffy dying just as the prophecy says, like all the Slayers before her but she rebels and comes back. If you wanted to see a feminist subtext, she refuses to be the victim, to accept the gender role assigned to her. I don't know if Joss intended it but someone at The Bronze once pointed out that the Scoobies are actually the clichéd victims you'd find in any horror film, the sexy blonde, the athletic hunk, the bitchy cheerleader, the hapless nerd, the wiseass jerk and the stuffy authority figure. But in Joss' show the victim's fight back and win. Angel has a phone and Giles' know's his number. Buffy actually says she feels stronger after Xander brings her back. She shouldn't of course, she should be weak as a kitten so maybe this is God's/the PTB's doing after her 'baptism'? Now of course, at the end of this we see the characters walk off into the sunset and we have no idea if there will ever be a second season? If the series had stopped there it would have been a good ending and fondly remembered, we'd assume the Hellmouth was closed and that our characters would go on to lead fairly ordinary lives. Except for Angel, of course? Couple of interesting lines. Xander says that if Willow is interested in Buffy she's playing it close to her chest. Cordy remarks that she doesn't know why she and Willow bother with boys and Willow agrees 'I hear you' 10/10 even with the stupid tentacles

One thing that occurs to me having watched Get it Done and season 8 is that the Slayer's power is rooted 'in the ground', maybe that's the link as to why the Master needed Buffy's blood to open the Hellmouth?

Excellent ending to the first series.

[madman_salv · 10/10 · 27 April 2007]

May contain spoilers.

As the first season comes to a close, Giles reads about an ancient prophecy which states that Buffy will face the Master and die, thus setting him free from his underground prison. Buffy finds out about this by overhearing a secret conversation between Angel and Giles, and reacts by deciding to abandon her slayer duties. However as more signs of the end of the world keep appearing, Buffy realises that she must face the Master.

A fantastic finish to the first season.Oh i just loved every second of it.The earthquake at the start was awesome and then Buffy's emotional lines when she finds out she's about to die. Great performances and everyone was in character. I loved how the master gets killed by Buffy concluding it to a excellent episode.

10/10 a very great episode.

Very Strong Ending to Season 1

[kellyq12 · 9/10 · 27 November 2021]

This episode is great in the suspense/thrills and the drama and Buffy's resolve to be the slayer and stop the inevitable no matter the cost. Fun and even a bit inspiring. Shows of shades of the greatness that this series will come to be!

buffy 1x12 season finale

[jackDee-56565 · 10/10 · 9 November 2020]

The season 1 finale was fantastic it pays off with the masters arc and I did like him as the seasons main villain and what a great way to close the arc and season overall I give season 1 a 8.5 out of 10

A great season finale

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 10 March 2017]

This, the final episode of the first series, doesn't open well for the main characters; Xander asks Buffy to be his date for the 'Spring Fling' but is rebuffed as she tells him that she sees him as just a friend and nothing more; then he invites Willow, but she rebuffs him as she doesn't want to be the substitute date… oh yes, then Giles discovers an ancient prophecy which states that the next day Buffy will face the Master and die! To make matters worse Buffy overhears Giles and Angel discussing the prophecy. Jenny Calendar finds more details about the prophecy which suggest that the 'Anointed One' is not actually dead and will still lead Buffy to Hell. Buffy is understandably conflicted about what to do and initially thinks she should just run but eventually decides to face her destiny. Meanwhile Xander seeks help from Angel so the pair can help Buffy and hordes of vampires surround the school while Willow, Giles, Jenny and Cordelia are trapped in the library.

This was a great conclusion to a fine first season; thinks started in a fairly downbeat manner as it looks as if the gang might start to drift apart. Things then get even bleaker when Buffy's death is prophesied in a way that suggests it cannot be avoided. It was good to see Buffy genuinely scared about the situation; Sarah Michelle Gellar does a great job in the role making us believe that Buffy is really scared and believes she will die if she faces the Master. When the two do meet the confrontation is impressive and anybody who didn't know there were another six seasons to come might think Buffy's future was in doubt. The attack on the school was impressive with some good physical special effects for the creatures emerging from the Hell Mouth. Away from the 'final conflict' it was good to see Xander finally pluck up courage to tell Buffy how he feels even if that meant his feelings getting hurt, it was also good to see Robia LaMorte return as Jenny Calandar. Overall this was a fine ending to the Master's plot arc and the first season… I look forward to seeing what happens next.

Terrific end to the debut season

[ossie85 · 9/10 · 8 August 2022]

An earthquake rocks the foundations of Sunnydale and all the signs point to an apocalypse. The Master is about to rise and he is going to bring hell with him. Xander finally works up enough courage to ask Buffy out. Giles and Angel find out about the prophecy that Buffy is going to die fighting the Master. Buffy hears about this.

Why It's So Good - The very first season final and Joss Whedon's directorial debut. The show ties up the season's storylines in a very exciting and emotionally satisfying way.

Watch Out For - Nice shot.

Quote - "When he wakes up tell him... I don't know. Think of something cool, tell him I said it." - Buffy.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Prophecy Girl

[coolcolleen38 · 10/10 · 23 June 2008]

I did enjoy this episode, but one thing that really stuck with me was the gorgeous dress that Buffy wore at the end of this episode.

Does anyone know who the maker of that dress was? Or where the costume designer bought it?

I loved that it was a white dress, a pure and beautiful choice for Buffy.

Anyways, even though this t.v. show is over, I'm astonished that so many people are still fans after five years have already passed.

It's truly inspiring.

I'm a huge fan, what more can I say?

Xander's Courage

[Aegelis · 10/10 · 16 March 2024]

Much can be praised in this episode, most prominently is storytelling, which advances the main themes and progression of Buffy. With suspense, intensity, action, thrills, this episode properly delivers. Vampires are back in a big way through total chaos.

Most impressive to me, however, was the stepping up of Xander into more of a leadership role as well as confronting demons internally as well as externally. Showing more than just the Scooby crew, our young man has a lot of ups and downs, with finally meets resolve.

Plot twist near the end brings about a surprise leaving viewers with questions as well as answers to season-old curiosities.

Well done

[parasr-75219 · 10/10 · 6 April 2022]

A very well done finale that feels like a big step up from a lot of the previous episodes that lead up to this. It's filled with action, great emotional moments and well done moment of comic relief.

The first season finale- but not the best

[katierose295 · 7/10 · 15 July 2006]

If you wanted to watch the abridged version of the BTVS series, you could probably skip a lot of season one and not miss much. The real mythology arch of the show comes together in season two, with new characters and darker plot lines that will resonate for years to come. However, there are 3 episodes of season one that are necessary to understanding the rest of the show. (1) "Welcome to the Hellmouth" which introduces the characters. (2) "Angel" where we learn Angel's back story. (3) "Prophecy Girl" where Buffy dies... for the first time. "Prophecy Girl" isn't Buffy's best season finale (I'd say that title would go to either "Becoming Part Two" in season two or "The Gift" in season five.) However, "Prophecy Girl" does set-up the idea that there can be more than one slayer and gives us our first glimpse of the hellmouth. It's an important episode, just not my favorite.

Basically, the episode centers around the Master's rise and a prophecy that says Buffy will die fighting him. Terrified, Buffy decides to quit slaying. Her "I can't do this" speech to Giles is really one of the high points of the season. Her voice cracking she whispers that she's only sixteen, she's not ready to die. For the first time, Giles really confronts the idea that Buffy's not just the Slayer... She's also a teenage girl. He's not just Buffy's watcher, he's becoming her father figure. He loves her.

It's also the night of the Sunnydale High prom. Xander musters his courage and asks Buffy to the dance. Cordelia and Willow work on the stereo system set-up. Joyce buys Buffy a new prom dress. And, of course, there's a vampire attack. The death of several fellow students makes Buffy realize that she cannot turn her back on her destiny and let the Master rise. She goes to face him.

Prophecies in the Buffy-verse are a funny thing. Sometimes trying to avoid them makes them come true and there's almost always a loop hole. Especially, if you have a little help from your friends. It's certainly no surprise that Buffy defeats the Master, considering that there are 6 more seasons of the show. Their fight is not nearly as good as the season finale battles to come, but it is entertaining. And the "now what?" scene at the end of the episode, where Buffy, Angel and Scoobies decide to go to the prom is pretty fun.

On the down side, what the heck is the point of the Annointed One? All that build up and he just sort of fizzles out as a bad guy. He doesn't do anything. Big thanks to Spike for dealing with him next season.

My favorite part of the episode: Xander, depressed that Buffy and Willow both refused to go to the dance with him, splayed out on his bed, listening to country music ... the music of pain.

Season One

[ametaphysicalshark · 11 April 2008]

Season One of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" is honestly quite poor when compared to basically all of the later episodes of the show. Although it contains two memorable and exciting episodes- "Angel" and "Prophecy Girl", it's really mostly a collection of poor or mediocre, and really formulaic (see monster becoming a threat, monster captures/endangers someone Buffy likes or is related to, and Buffy saves the day) episodes that serve no purpose or benefit but to introduce the characters and setting. Luckily, it's only 12 episodes long and the second season was an astronomical improvement.

Average rating based on all episodes: 5.33/10

The One Where Buffy Dies...

[taylorkingston · 9/10 · 1 June 2015]

I love this episode. It's a great first season finale and a great finale, in general. A lot of stuff happens and it's all very entertaining.

In this episode, Giles discovers an ancient prophecy and none of it is good. It states that Buffy will face The Master and she will die. Giles and Angel don't want to tell Buffy, but she overhears them talking. She refuses to be a pawn in a prophecy and says she won't face The Master. Eventually, she realizes what she must do. She goes down to face The Master, where he drinks her blood and leaves her in a puddle, in which she drowns. Angel and Xander find her and revive her. Just in time for Buffy to face The Master one last time, and this time, he's dust. But not before a creepy-as-hell tentacle demon starts coming out to play in the library.

Overall, I give this episode a 9 out of 10, which in my ratings book is: Amazing.

The Master: Oh, good. The feeble banter portion of the fight.

[bombersflyup · 10/10 · 4 July 2019]

The Prophecy Girl is about an ancient prophecy stating that Buffy will face the Master and she will die.

A quality season finale with significance and a serious tone. I see it as rather a collection of character moments though. Xander asking Buffy to the dance on a date, then asking Willow and Giles and Angel with Buffy discussing the prophecy and then Buffy facing the Master. I haven't cared much for the Master until this point, he's good here. The love triangle or more accurately put hierarchy is on the dial and it's set to country music, the music of pain. I don't like that Buffy did what it said to do though, as that's a bit out of character for her and the effects of the three-headed monster aren't great.

The « first » series finale.

[m-47826 · 6/10 · 12 June 2021]

This season finale was clearly made, according to an impending cancellation. Buffy's first year had interesting ideas and episodes. The show was already bittersweet, but in a way you never see it play out again. Personally, I'm not a big fan of that season finale. It is good to bring closure to the « Hellmouth » arc, but pales in comparison to what followed. And even to some episodes before. The big showdown make me laugh. It's too silly, with corny special effects. A campy turn, so it won't get too intense, after depression took a hold on Buffy and her friends. Cordelia and Jenny joining the battle, is still unexpected and enjoyable. Seasons 2 to 4, are my favorites years. But the show was really off to a great start. And for once, was given time to thrive...

A true hero

[Realrockerhalloween · 19 September 2016]

Prophecy girl shows Buffy as the true hero she is by facing her fears of dying and save the world. She's heard the prophecy, knows she will die yet instead of running away conquers her fear and puts it on the back burner for the people entrusted in her care. Buffy's so relatable as a human being since we see the fears, anxiety and joys she's experiences as a sixteen year old girl. Instead of a superficial beautiful girl she Has empathy for others, wants to keep her friends safe no matter how bad she's treated and shows the inner strength inside all of us if we don't let fear get in the 21st.

Another thing is the master shows his true brilliance one again by creating a vamp army and waking up an old one to end the world. I love to cheer on the hero if they have a good villain to face and here the master proves that no special effect makes up for good writing as he's very entertaining to watch. You can tell the Metcalfe had a blast and he'll be missed from here on out.

The Master's Defeated

[rumblinglove · 7/10 · 31 July 2009]

I expected a better ending for this episode, but i didn't say that the ending was bad it was good. However, there is something inside this episode never explained throughout the series, and that's how Buffy was alive again and not transformed into a vampire after being bitten by the master. She was just alive. Did the master drunk enough blood from Buffy to kill her but not enough to transform her into a vampire or what? How is Buffy alive suddenly after being dead for a sometime? Did the writer wanted to make this issue optional for the viewers.

However I like this episode but i really hoped so much for a better ending. It was also funny when Buffy said to the master that he had bad breath. I liked how Joyce encouraged Buffy to go to the prom even if she is dateless. I loved when the vampires chased Cordelia, Miss Calender, and Willow. I loved it when the vampires surrounded the library. There are many things I like about this episode, but still it wasn't very good it was average to me.

Might be the show's first great episode.

[Jeremy_Urquhart · 1 November 2023]

Make no mistake: season 1 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a little rough around the edges. On a rewatch, it's kind of rough in a charming way, but I remember finding all the praise around the show a bit bewildering the first time I watched season 1.

But thankfully, its finale, Prophecy Girl, injects some real energy and drama into the show overall, and things start getting much better from this point onwards. Season 2 has some of the show's heaviest moments and a more consistently enjoyable campy tone in its more relaxed episodes, and then later seasons would of course reach even more dramatic heights.

There's some moving stuff in this episode, and it's generally better-acted than the rest of season 1, too. Both Buffy the character and Buffy the show are reborn here, and it's all on the up from this point onwards.