If they never brought Buffy back...

[CorporalClegg]

^
It'd probably be okay for awhile. However, Thrall's head would probably explode.

 

[KB24]

It's slightly OT, but I prefer the series had ended with Once More with Feeling. I like Spike, but the last two seasons are too dark and stray too far for me. I think they should have gone out on top, at the cusp of returning its lead from the dead and having a musical episode. But am I complaining? No.

 

[RoJoHen]

It's slightly OT, but I prefer the series had ended with Once More with Feeling. I like Spike, but the last two seasons are too dark and stray too far for me. I think they should have gone out on top, at the cusp of returning its lead from the dead and having a musical episode. But am I complaining? No.

But "Once More With Feeling" is so depressing!

 

[Admiral_Young]

What would happen had Buffy stayed dead and SMG not come back for a sixth and seventh season? To be realistic I'm agreeing with the poster who said the series would not continue methinks. I like the idea of Dawn trying to take responsibly for her sister's legacy despite not having any experience and Giles training her and finding it difficult since she doesn't have any of buffy's natural Slayer powers or abilities. Xander would be grown more into being a Watcher, Willow would descend into Dark Willow quicker and I think develop into a major Big Bad. Spike goes down the redemption path that Angel entered into...taking a more proactive role in the group and genuinely wanting to help make the world a better place, he reveals to the group that he's doing this because he fell in love with Buffy. The musical would still happen, a little different obviously. The season six finale would have Faith return as the Slayer to take over the role that Dawn tried to fill. It's revealed at the start of Season Seven that Giles made a call to the Watcher's Council to use their influence to release Faith from the mental institute on a conditional basis. Then a huge battle against the First without Caleb's presence takes place and the First takes possesion of Willow and uses her as a physical Avatar.

 

[Lindley]

There are billions of people in this world. Some of them happened to be teenage girls. I doubt that they could gather them all. I personally think it's an another case of Whedon tripping on his feminism.

Only a few thousand (or was it hundred? I don't recall) were actually Potentials, though.

A few thousand? Thats a lot. Especially when they are spread across the world.

Yes, and you can imagine that nobody's particularly happy that a girl who blew up her home town is suddenly commanding an honest-to-God army.

The season 8 comics are pretty good, although I've only gotten through the first three TPBs so far.

 

[Sakrysta]

I think Willow & Tara, with Giles' help & guidance, would have done a lot with magic to stave off the scenario depicted in "The Wish." After about a half-season of being backed against the wall by whatever Big Bad they'd end up facing, they'd have either gotten Faith out of jail or found a magical way to make Dawn a slayer. Considering the big deal the writers made about Buffy & Dawn being "the same" in "The Gift", I could see how they could come up with some clever spell or ritual or something to give Dawn slayer powers. I'm just not sure I'd be interested in Michelle Trachtenberg as a slayer. Better to bring Eliza back.

 

[Skywalker]

Angel Investigations would save the day.