The action in this season finale seems rather tame compared to what will come in later seasons but this episode has some of the best character dialogue and acting in the whole series.
The scene where Xander asks Buffy to go to the dance with him and she turns him down - it feels so believable. It is painful to watch and makes me squirm every time. As Buffy says to him - he's her close friend and she doesn't want to do anything to damage their relationship but romance - no. Typically his ask being declined would introduce an uncomfortableness in their relationship going forward but heck, he brings her back from death. I guess that means they can go back to the way they were and Buffy, now knowing of Xander's romantic interest, can simply put it aside.
Yes, I like the scene between Buffy and her mom, Buffy just wanting to be her mom's daughter and not able to explain to her the burden that she is carrying.
Charisma Carpenter is great. Funny line: the vampire is trying to break in and she bites his arm: "See how YOU like it!"
Several scenes stand out - of course the library scene with Buffy, Giles, and Angel - "I'm only sixteen - I don't want to die" but I also find the shot of Buffy walking hand in hand with the Anointed One as he leads her to the Master to be oddly moving. I wish there had been more scenes in the show of SMG with small children.
And for fans of the Harry Potter series: