Yes, it's not the most fluid ending plot-wise, but it's not the writers' fault; on the contrary, they took an avowedly irrational cancellation from the WB and made lemonade.
This has to be one of the most awe-inspiring thematic exits I've seen; it's so incredibly bittersweet to see all of Whedon's ideas unfold so masterfully but in such a rushed format. In short, this episode is almost as good as and almost as tragic as Firefly's finale.
Some specifically admirable things about this episode are, as follows: this episode manages to provide a tightly essentialized climax to the season while providing closing statements for each and every character. The lull before the storm is one of the greatest parts of this episode, second only to Angel's "immortal" closing statement.
This has to be one of the most awe-inspiring thematic exits I've seen; it's so incredibly bittersweet to see all of Whedon's ideas unfold so masterfully but in such a rushed format. In short, this episode is almost as good as and almost as tragic as Firefly's finale.
Some specifically admirable things about this episode are, as follows: this episode manages to provide a tightly essentialized climax to the season while providing closing statements for each and every character. The lull before the storm is one of the greatest parts of this episode, second only to Angel's "immortal" closing statement.