Buffy: Season Three Overview

BUFFY-
Season Appearances- 22 (B301 +7, B302 +4, B303 +10, B304 +3, B305 +8, B306 +9, B307+4, B308 +3, B309 0, B310 +8, B311 +5, B312 +8, B313+2, B314 +5, B315 +5, B316+5, B317 +3, B318 +13, B319 +5, B320 +11, B321 +9, B322 +7)
Season Score- +134 (Average: +6.09)
Overall Appearances- 56
Overall Score- +292 (Average: +5.21)

Buffy shows why she is the leading lady in this series with a hefty points score. Buffy is much more consistent in this season compared to last as she often leads the episodes and provides the crucial blend of humour, drama and action. She starts off well with strong performances in Anne, Faith, Hope & Trick, Homecoming and Band Candy where we get to focus on more on the funny side of Buffy as she has to deal with the intoduction of Faith, Cordelia and a irresponsible set of adults. She hits something of a mid-season lull where she has decent performances in most episodes with the only standout being Helpless and the only bad episode being The Wish. It’s then we hit the business end of the season and Buffy leads the way with terrific performances in Earshot, The Prom and the season finale Graduation Day.

Buffy has an action-packed season, as can be expected. She left for L.A at the end of Season two and she is there for the start of this season. She manages to take care of herself and tries to forget her calling as Slayer but her destiny keeps bringing her to fight and she eventually heads home to Sunnydale. Then she has trouble reconnecting with her friends and Joyce but eventually does once everything about her decision to leave hits the open air. That’s when the fist major plot point hits. Faith. She is the opposite of Buffy in everyway, zesty, seductive, promiscuous and irresponsible. She is what Buffy would be if she didn’t make the choices she did. Buffy has a strange relationship with her which turns from a friendly rivalry to near sisterly partnership to bitter enemies. Faith manages to seduce Buffy into her ways of “Want.Take.Have” but Buffy goes back to her normal self when Faith kills a man accidentily. Buffy feels the effects of being involved in a murder and tries to help Faith but Faith turns evil and becomes a equally matched nemesis for Buffy. They eventually have a fight to the death so that Buffy can save Angel from a poison delivered by Faith. Buffy stabs her in the gut and appears to win, but Faith jumps from the building leaving Buffy with no cure. The Buffy-Faith plotline is incredibly intriguing and such a good enemy for Buffy to face off against. She is so similarly matched and is probably the best villain for Buffy to physically fight.

Buffy’s other plotline is with Angel. Angel, her doomed lover returns from hell and Buffy nurses him back to health. She keeps it a secret for a while but this is revealed by Xander and she loses some of the trust of the Scoobies. Buffy tries to tell herself that their just friends but Spike comes and opens their eyes. Buffy then decides to stop seeing him but this only lasts so long and Buffy and Angel decide to be a couple but keep their sexual tension under wraps. Meanwhile, Buffy gets jealous of Faith and thinks that Angel may be attracted to her, he tells her otherwise and comforts her about his love. The sexual tension obviously becomes to hard and the Mayor and Joyce give Angel some advice which leads Angel to break up with Buffy. Buffy is distraught and finds herself in a lot of emotional pain. She stands up though and manages to defeat the Mayor and stop his Ascension. I’m thankful that the Angel-Buffy relationship has ended because it would be too hard to continue it, due to their circumstances. I liked what they had, but would have preferred maybe more of a separation between the two this season. It ended pretty well though so no major complaints.

Other major plotlines included her fatherly relationship with Giles which is tested in Helpless when he drugs her, her friendship with Willow which is tested by Faith and the introduction of Wesley, her new watcher which eventually leads Buffy to quit the council. I like that Buffy is now a renegade, Buffy doesn’t really need a watcher and it’s good to let her ‘graduate’ from that. But most importantly, Buffy graduates from high school, leaving this phase of her life behind.

XANDER-
Season Appearances- 22 (B301 +4, B302 +1, B303 +1, B304 +1, B305 +5, B306 +2, B307-5, B308 -2, B309 +2, B310 +3, B311 +4, B312 +2, B313+18, B314 +2, B315 +2, B316+7, B317 +2, B318+7, B319 +2, B320 +6, B321 +3, B322 +4)
Season Score- +71 (Average: +3.22)
Overall Appearances- 56
Overall Score- +202 (Average: +3.60)

Xander has a pretty strong season, but not quite as strong as season 2. His start is pretty mediocre, with small points counts in most episodes, with Homecoming being the only one with a decent haul. He then hits a bit of a low where he loses 7 points in 2 episodes as he both fires up on Buffy and cheat on Cordelia. He regains a little before he hits the motherload in The Zeppo, a pure Xander episode. We get to focus completely on Xander as he fights his own apocalypse against a bunch of undead hoodlums. He also does well in the Willow central episode, Doppelgangland. He has a more consistent ending with strong performances in Earshot and The Prom.

Xander continues his relationship with Cordelia and all appears to be going well but he becomes attracted heavily to Willow. He starts having smoochies with her and is caught which leads to the break up between him and Cordy. This allows for their previous insulting relationship to continue, which can be quite funny and proves to be throughout the end of this season. This also proves to have consequences on his relationship with Willow. They aren’t quite as close in the end as they try to forget their indiscretion but they remain best friends, as ever. He manages to still hate Angel and leads a big tirade against Buffy for hiding him, I hate that he doesn’t consider her feelings and only his petty hate for the man. For the most part though, Xander maintains his role as the funny man and sprouts his funny lines in every episode. We do get some insight into the place of his character in The Zeppo, as he tries to find his cool thing which only leads to trouble with dead hoodlums and him having to save the school by bluffing the lead hoodlum into disarming a bomb in it’s basement. It’s a great episode which allows us to appreciate Xander’s role in the group so much more. A solid season.

WILLOW-
Season Appearances- 22 (B301 +2, B302 +2, B303 +4, B304 +5, B305 +7, B306 +2, B307+4, B308 +3, B309 +4, B310 +6, B311 +2, B312 +2, B313+4, B314 +2, B315 +4, B316+28, B317 +3, B318 +4, B319 +10, B320 +3, B321 +7, B322 +4)
Season Score- +112 (Average: +5.09)
Overall Appearances- 56
Overall Score- +246 (Average: +4.39)

Willow has a stellar season with a points count over the hundred mark and for a non-lead character, that’s quite an achievement. If you look at her summary of points you can see just how consistent she is, having no bad episodes managing at least 2 points in any given appearance. Her start is pretty strong with good shows such as Homecoming, and she keeps that consistency up throughout the middle of the season with a standout episode in Amends, but her big episode is Doppelgangland. It is the best single score for any character in an episode so far and will be incredibly hard to top. This obviously gave her point score a large bump but it is deserved and is the best episode for a character in this season. She finishes the season fairly strongly with great performances in Choices and Graduation Day Part One.

Her confidence is continually growing throughout this season due to her relationship to Oz and her dabbling in magic. These two things form most of her development this season. Oz-wise she finds herself in a serious, steady relationship with him at the start of the season, but Xander finds himself attracted to Willow all of a sudden and the thing that Willow has dreamed of for years finally comes to pass. Willow tries to stay faithful to Oz but the attraction to Xander is too strong and she is eventually is caught kissing him when Oz and Cordelia come to rescue them from Spike. Willow feels incredibly guilty and her indiscretion with Xander is the catalyst for her getting over her long-time crush. All she thinks of now is getting Oz back and making it up to him. Oz eventually takes Willow back as he misses her so, which leads into Willow trying to show her love for him by offering herself to him. He politely refuses and prefers to wait for when they both want to have sex for the same reason. Their relationship thereafter goes from strength to strength until eventually, in the first part of the season finale, they consummate their relationship.

Willow continues to study magic and she progressively gets more powerful as she tries more dangerous spells. Now, while she is studying magic, she is only moderately powerful being able to only float a pencil and perform basic spells through most of the season as she is still learning. But as the season ends, her power becomes stronger and she begins to be used as a weapon of the Scooby gang. She also begins to enjoy the danger of it all, something much different from the old Willow of season’s one and two. In upcoming seasons we’ll see a much more powerful Willow who will let the power of her magics take over her.

GILES-
Season Appearances- 22 (B301 /, B302 +5, B303 +3, B304 +4, B305 +1, B306 +9, B307+5, B308 +1, B309 +3, B310 +1, B311 +3, B312 +3, B313+2, B314 +4, B315 +2, B316+4, B317 +3, B318 +1, B319 +1, B320 +3, B321 +1, B322 +1)
Season Score- +60 (Average: +2.72)
Overall Appearances- 56
Overall Score- +152 (Average: +2.71)

Giles has a very similar season to season 2, where he plays the adult who explains things to the Sccobies. He actually has a strong start with fairly strong episodes including Dead Man’s Party and Band Candy, in which he plays a young, rebel version of Giles. Giles gets to flex his comedic muscles a bit in those episodes and get away from the stuffy, tweed clad Giles we know. He sort of just settles in to the middle of the season with episodes varying in 1, 2, 3 and 4 point episodes with Revelations being his strongest with a 5 points. The end of the season doesn’t focus too much on Giles and that’s why we only see 1 pointers most of the time. It’s a OK season by we’ll see a stronger Giles next season.

Giles main storyline for this season is his relationship with Buffy as her watcher. He at first thinks he has failed her as one because she has run away, and he becomes determined to find her again. Once she returns, he is incredibly relieved and thinks it is best to jump back into training. Giles wants to assert his authority over Buffy as her watcher and wants to guide her through life. It becomes obvious that Giles sees Buffy as more than just a slayer, but rather a daughter, and when he has to betray her for the Watcher’s Council’s test, it tears him up inside, so much so that he tells Buffy and loses his job as Watcher. Giles, now purely a librarian, still acts in a watcher-like role for Buffy and guides her like a father would. It’s good that Giles ain’t her watcher anymore, we are hitting a new era of Buffy in season 4 and Buffy seems to grow above the need for guidance, which will be a major theme next season. When Wesley comes to be Buffy and Faith’s watcher, Giles immediately becomes much cooler and he starts to help Wes take care of the girls, even acting as a mentor for him, which Giles doesn’t really like.

ANGEL-
Season Appearances- 22 (B301 /, B302 /, B303 /, B304 +2, B305 /, B306 +1, B307+4, B308 +2, B309 +1, B310 +7, B311 +1, B312 +5, B313 +2, B314 +1, B315 +2, B316 +3, B317 +9, B318 +6 B319 +2, B320 +8, B321 +3, B322 +6)
Season Score- +65 (Average: +2.95)
Overall Appearances- 43
Overall Score- +115 (Average: +2.67)

Angel has a decent season, his time on Buffy is mainly spent with Buffy and brooding in the shadows or in his mansion. He has a slow start but he is dead for the first three episodes and only appears in Buffy’s dreams, so points won’t be big. He then spends a little while recuperating from his time in hell so he isn’t really himself. Once he gets back to full health he manages a bunch of stronger episodes such as Amends and Helpless where we get to see some of his past and and his love for Buffy. It’s at the end of this season that Angel really picks up his performance with fantastic episodes such as Enemies, Earshot, The Prom and Graduation Day Part Two.

Angel spends much of his time with Buffy once he returns from hell as she gets him back to health. His return raises many questions which leads to Angel being tormented by the First Evil. He overcomes that with the help of Buffy which only leads to more torment for Angel. His relationship with Buffy is very complicated and they struggle to find out what they are doing. They think of each other as friends at first but their attraction is too obvious to overcome and Buffy decides to stop seeing him. Now, I would have preferred it to end there and they continue trying to stay away from each other but they eventually become a couple again who just try to avoid the sexual situations. This leads to a lull where the relationship hits a rut, because they can’t pleasure each other, they still try to overcome that though, but Angel starts to have thoughts, which are backed up by Joyce and the Mayor, that he may have to leave her. Angel finally takes the step and breaks up with Buffy and tells her he is to leave at the end of the ascension. This leads Angel to his own series as he fights for the hapless human race in L.A.

CORDELIA-
Season Appearances- 22 (B301 +3, B302 +3, B303 /, B304 +2, B305 +8, B306 +1, B307 /, B308 +3, B309 +3, B310 /, B311 +3, B312 +2, B313+1, B314 /, B315 +1, B316+2, B317 +3, B318 +3, B319 0, B320 +3, B321 +1, B322 +5)
Season Score- +47 (Average: +2.13)
Overall Appearances- 54
Overall Score- +124 (Average: +2.29)

Cordelia is not quite as strong as she was in season 2, but she hits more of a background role in the latter half of the season. Her start is pretty strong with a her standout episode in Homecoming but she only manages a few points this episode, mainly hitting three’s. Her appearances became much smaller once she broke up with Xander so her points became a little less common. She does manage to finish strong with her last episode of Buffy managing a 5.

Cordelia still is together with Xander at the start of this season and things seem to be going well, but Xander cheats on her with Willow which hurts Cordy bad. Cordelia then retreats from the Scoobies and goes back to her popular friends, and to insulting our heroes, especially Xander. It’s good to see the old Cordy but too often is she resigned to insulting Xander and walking away in a episode, which hurts her points count. She leaves Sunnydale for L.A after this season where she becomes a critical part of Angel.

OZ-
Season Appearances- 21 (B301 +5, B302 +4, B303 +3, B304 +4, B305 +1, B306 /, B307 /, B308 +4, B309 +3, B310 +7, B311 +1, B312 +1, B313+3, B314 +1, B316+1, B317 +2, B318 +4, B319 +3, B320 +1, B321 +3, B322 +5)
Season Score- +56 (Average: +2.66)
Overall Appearances- 31
Overall Score- +87 (Average: +2.80)

I feel sorry for Oz his season, as one of my favourite characters, he plays a very background role throughout this season. Many episodes involve Oz sitting in on discussions and having a couple of lines. These lines may be good but he has few leading roles. In saying that, he does fairly well for what he can. His start is strong with a few 4 point episodes and even a 5 pointer in Anne. The middle of the season is where Oz hits his lull as he only manages a point or two each episode but he does have a standout episode in Amends. He finishes decently with a few good performances.

Oz revolves around his red-headed love as he continues to date Willow. At the start, all is going well, but Willow has a indiscretion with Xander which leaves Oz heartbroken. Oz eventually takes Willow back because he misses her too much and they start their relationship again. It all goes well again as Willow and Oz get closer and closer until they eventually make love in the second-to-last episode of the season. Oz and Willow are my favourite couple and it’s great to see them have a full season together. Wolf-wise, little is said about his more ferocious side. It is used in Beauty & the Beasts when Oz may have killed someone in wolf form, but other than that, Oz just gets caged up when it’s wolf time. I would have liked more.

FAITH-
Season Appearances- 13 (B303 0, B304 +1, B305 +2, B307 -2, B310 +1, B313+3, B314 +3, B315 -3, B316+2, B317 +2, B319 +1, B321 +4, B322 +2)
Season Score- +16 (Average: +1.23)
Overall Appearances- 13
Overall Score- +16 (Average: +1.23)

This is Faith’s first and most crucial season. Faith is introduced fairly early on and makes regular appearances throughout the season. Her start is fairly slow, with small appearances where we get a taste of the character. Her mid-season is up and down. She has some strong episodes such as The Zeppo and Bad Girls but then loses points in Consequences. She’s a little more consistent when she turns evil and her best episode is her last major one, where she manages 4 points. Sure she doesn’t have huge points counts but they are good enough.

As soon as Faith enters the fray it’s immediately obvious how different she is from Buffy. It’s refreshing to see the darker side of slaying. She’s a loner who trusts herself and the power she possesses. She tries to fit in with Buffy and her Scoobies but when Gwen Post comes and misleads her, Faith loses some of her trust in the Scoobies. It’s at this same time that Buffy and Faith have their first battle. Things appear to get patched up afterward but Faith has actually gone into her shell. Faith does however manage to get Buffy to think her way for a little while, they party, steal weapons and slay but not everything is fun. They get caught by police and in their escape Faith accidentally stabs a human. This changes Faith as a human and a Slayer. She becomes unreliable and switches sides where she teams up with the Mayor. This relationship is important because the Mayor is the first person who has loved and cared for Faith. Faith acts as the dutiful evil daughter, carrying out his deeds. This all leads to Faith poisoning Angel, to distract Buffy and then to a titan-type battle between the two slayers in which Faith is defeated and left in a coma.

THE MAYOR-
Season Appearances- 11 (B305 +3, B306 +2, B308 +3, B311 /, B314+4, B315+2, B316 +2, B317+7, B319 +6, B321 +4, B322 0)
Season Score- +33 (Average: +3)
Overall Appearances- 11
Overall Score- +33 (Average: +3)

The Mayor is introduced pretty early on had manages some good starting points in his introduction. He then makes a few scattered appearances through the middle of the season where he still manages to make his mark. It’s once he teams up with Faith that the Mayor starts hitting the big points, episodes such as Enemies and Choices are fantastic showings. He is one of the better villains, if not the best, in the Buffyverse and it shows with such a high points count.

While the Mayor is great early on when he is with Mr. Trick, it’s his time with Faith that the Mayor ascends (see what I did there!) from being a normal big bad, we start to feel for him and his love for Faith. They become very interesting as a dynamic and it makes this season stand out a little more. Also, it’s his ability to be cheery one minute and evil the next that makes him so likable. You don’t often get a big bad who makes you laugh before making you wince. It’s quite the combination.

JOYCE-
Season Appearances- 15 (B301 -1, B302 +7, B303 +2, B306 +6, B308 +1, B310 +1, B311 -1, B312 /,  B314+1, B315/, B317/, B318 +2, B319 +1, B320 +1, B321 +1)
Season Score- +21 (Average: +1.4)
Overall Appearances- 34
Overall Score- +41 (Average: +1.20)

Joyce appears quite often in this season and I personally think it’s her best season. She actually starts off really well with her two best episodes, Dead Man’s Party and Band Candy in the first 6 episodes. She appears a little less often during mid-season and only scores a point every so often. That continues into the end of the season where she makes smaller appearances and manages a point or so.

Joyce has to deal with Buffy’s return and with Buffy’s calling as a Slayer. She mostly tries to keep out of her patrolling and the like, and the one time she does try to get involved Joyce gets manipulated by a fairy tale demon. Joyce’s points mostly came from her time with Giles, especially in Band Candy. It’s funny to see how they react to each other after the events of that episode and it makes for some humourous stuff.

WESLEY-
Season Appearances- 9 (B314+5, B315+2, B316 +4, B317+2, B318 +2, B319 +2, B320 +2, B321 +2, B322 +4)
Season Score- +25 (Average: +2.77)
Overall Appearances- 9
Overall Score- +25 (Average: +2.77)

Wesley comes in late in the season but appears in every episode once he starts as Buffy and Faith’s new Watcher. His first episode is actually his best as he gets to be very funny. Afterwards, Wes is very consistent, managing 2 points in pretty much every episode.

Wes gets to be the humourous Watcher for a while as he comes to work in Sunnydale with the two Slayers. He can’t quite move himself into the Scoobies and can’t connect with Buffy as her authority figure which is Wes’ story for much of this season. He hangs with Giles much of the time and they get to do some funny things. Unfortunately for Wes, Buffy quits the council making Wesley not needed, but it’s OK, we get to see him on Angel.

ANNE-
Season Appearances- 1 (B301+4)
Season Score- +4 (Average: +4)
Overall Appearances- 2
Overall Score- +3 (Average: +1.5)

The one episode for Anne which ends up being a very good one. Anne returned as someone completely reliant on her boyfriend, Buffy helps her though when he goes missing and helps Anne become her own person.

PRINCIPAL SNYDER-
Season Appearances- 8 (B302 -2, B303 /, B306 +5, B311 -1, B316 -1, B319 0, B321 /, B322 -1)
Season Score- 0 (Average: 0)
Overall Appearances- 18
Overall Score- -10 (Average: -0.55)

Snyder is much better than last season but still doesn’t end up in the positive. For the most part, he loses points but he has the one episode where he is hilarious and that’s Band Candy, which happens to be the episode where he is irresponsible. Snyder doesn’t quite have a storyline, rather he just tries to do his normal principal duties while trying to make Buffy, Giles and whoever else miserable. He gets his though when he gets eaten by the big Mayor-demon-snake.

MR. TRICK-
Season Appearances- 5 (B303 +3, B305 +1, B306 +1, B314+1, B315+1)
Season Score- +7 (Average: +1.4)
Overall Appearances- 5
Overall Score- +7 (Average: +1.4)

My favourite vampire who isn’t blond or endowed with  a prominent brow, Trick is a charismatic go getter with his eyes set on Sunnydale. He makes his strongest appearance in his introductory episode, Faith, Hope & Trick but manages to score a point in each of his subsequent appearances. He sticks with the Mayor most of the time until his untimely death at the hands of Faith, just as he was gonna drink Buffy.

SPIKE-
Season Appearances- 1 (B308 +18)
Season Score- +18 (Average: +18}
Overall Appearances- 13
Overall Score- +62 (Average: +4.76)

Spike only makes the one appearance but oh doesn’t it stand out. His previous appearance was Becoming, Part Two in which he managed 15 points. Back to back huge points counts for Spikey. Thank god he’ll be back for good in season 4.

HARMONY-
Season Appearances- 3 (B309 -2, B321 /, B322 /)
Season Score- -2 (Average: -0.66)
Overall Appearances- 6
Overall Score- -3 (Average: -0.5)

Harmony makes a couple of showings this season. She starts off taunting Cordelia, which lost her some points and in her other appearances she didn’t do much but die in Graduation Day Part Two. We will see a much funnier and cooler Harmony in upcoming seasons though.

THE MASTER-
Season Appearances- 1 (B309 +3)
Season Score- +3 (Average: +3)
Overall Appearances- 7
Overall Score- +9 (Average: +1.28}

Single appearance for The Master in which he’s still alive and kicking in The Wish, the alternate reality episode. Not bad showing for fruitpunch mouth.

LARRY-
Season Appearances- 4 (B301 +/, B309+1, B318 +1, B322 /)
Season Score- +2 (Average: +0.5)
Overall Appearances- 6
Overall Score- +2 (Average: +0.33)

Larry has some scattered showings, usually just a line or so. He gets to be a white hat in The Wish and makes a memorable appearance in Earshot.

ANYA-
Season Appearances- 4 (B309 +1, B316 +2, B320 +3, B321+2)
Season Score- +8 (Average: +2)
Overall Appearances- 4
Overall Score- +8 (Average: +2)

Anya’s first season and it’s not a bad showing for only 4 episodes. Her straight-forward style and her interactions with the Scoobies are worth a couple of points an episode. Her best, The Prom, is the start of her and Xander’s relationship, and it’s a strange one at that.

JONATHAN-
Season Appearances- 6 (B302 /, B305 /, B309 /, B318 +1, B320+2, B322 +1)
Season Score- +4 (Average: +0.66)
Overall Appearances- 12
Overall Score- +4 (Average: +0.33)

Jonathan has a similar season to last season, but manages to get himself more screen time and even a crucial part in the episode Earshot. Jonathan has evolved from the geek who gets picked on to the geek who gets picked on a little less. He’ll be much more crucial later on but he does OK for now.

ANGELUS-
Season Appearances- 1 (B310 +1)
Season Score- +1 (Average: +1)
Overall Appearances- 10
Overall Score- +24 (Average: +2.4)

Angelus appears in flashbacks in Amends as we get an idea of the atrocities he committed in his killing days. They are only small appearances but we still get to see him.

FIRST EVIL-
Season Appearances- 1 (B310 +2)
Season Score- +2 (Average: +2)
Overall Appearances- 1
Overall Score- +2 (Average: +2)

The First Evil’s first appearance. It comes to torture Angel and nearly is successful. It’s a incredibly creepy villain and will be the big bad of season 7.

WILLY-
Season Appearances- 2 (B310 +2, B13 /)
Season Score- +2 (Average: +1)
Overall Appearances- 4
Overall Score- +2 (Average: +0.5)

Willy makes a couple of showings and manages to put points on the board, unlike last season. He still runs his bar and is still getting pushed for info by Buffy and lately, Xander.

QUENTIN TRAVERS-
Season Appearances- 1 (B312 -3)
Season Score- -3 (Average: -3)
Overall Appearances- 1
Overall Score- -3 (Average: -3)

Travers is only in the one episode but he manages to be very unlikable. He’s your average stuck up Brit who tries to put his old Council beliefs on Giles and Buffy. Thankfully this is his only episode for a while.

PERCY-
Season Appearances- 4 (B316 0, B318 /,  B321 /, B322 +1)
Season Score- +1 (Average: 0.25)
Overall Appearances- 4
Overall Score- +1 (Average: 0.25)

A Sunnydale high basketball star who, under Snyder’s orders, gets tutored by Willow. He at first, is your typical jock until Vamp Willow beats him up a little which puts him in line. He actually ends up going fairly well thanks to Willow.

EPISODE RANKING-
These rankings are based on total character points for each episode, this doesn’t reflect which episode is the best, although it gives you an indication.

1. B316  Doppelgangland +59
2. B320 The Prom +44
3. B318 Earshot +44
4. B322 Graduation Day, Part Two +39
5. B310 Amends +39
6. B321 Graduation Day, Part One +38
7. B306 Band Candy +38
8. B308 Lover’s Walk +38
9. B317 Enemies +36
10. B305 Homecoming +36
11. B313 The Zeppo +35
12. B319 Choices +31
13. B314 Bad Girls +29
14. B303 Faith, Hope & Trick +26
15. B301 Anne +24
16. B302  Dead Man’s Party+23
17. B304 Beauty & The Beasts +22
18. B312 Helpless +20
19. B309 The Wish +19
20. B315 Consequences +18
21. B311  Gingerbread +17
22. B307 Revelations +11

EPISODE THOUGHT RECOUNT-
B301: 74.5
B302: 71.5
B303: 78.5
B304: 72
B305: 86
B306: 91.5
B307: 78
B308: 96
B309: 78
B310: 92
B311: 66
B312: 79.5
B313: 87.5
B314: 81.5
B315: 77.5
B316: 100
B317: 90
B318: 97.5
B319: 84.5
B320: 96
B321: 96.5
B322: 94

Season Score- 90 (Not an average)

SEASON THOUGHTS-

My favourite season. I think this season is the best because not only is it consistent but it has the strongest villain and some of the strongest episodes in the shows history. The characters are all very strong, Buffy is fantastic, Willow is brilliant, many of the others like Xander and The Mayor are all very solid. The writing is crisp and sharp, probably as sharp as it ever is on Buffy. The starting is a little slow with a few only average episodes. Homecoming, however, starts off a virtually never-ending streak of strong episodes. Even episodes which don’t sound like incredible end up very solid. There are so many standouts including Band Candy, Amends, The Zeppo, Bad Girls, Enemies & Choices. The classic episodes include Lover’s Walk, where Spike comes back; Doppelgangland, a Willow tour-de-force; Earshot, one of the strongest mystery episodes ever; The Prom, a fantastic emotional ep; and the two-part season finale, Graduation Day which is probably one of the strongest endings. In my opinion, the show is never stronger or more entertaining than season 3.

B322- Graduation Day, Part Two

Written by: Joss Whedon
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Anthony Stewart Head, David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter, Seth Green, Harry Groener, Alexis Denisof, Danny Strong, Larry Babgy, Merceds McNab, Ethan Erickson, Eliza Dushku & Armin Shimerman.

After stabbing Faith, Buffy stands stunned for a few minutes, then drops the knife and escapes from the rooftop just before the Mayor enters Faith’s empty apartment with a group of vampires. The Mayor, devastated by the thought of losing Faith, orders the vamps to find her.

At the library that night, Xander and Giles search for information on the demon Olvikan, while at the mansion, Willow watches over Angel; delirious, he mistakes her for Buffy and confesses how much he needs her. When Buffy finally returns, she sends Willow away, and tells Angel that the only cure for the poison is Slayer’s blood. Angel asks about Faith, but Buffy tells him that she killed Faith. However Buffy knows another source of the blood…herself. She suggests that if he’s careful he can drink enough to cure himself without killing her. He refuses, weakly, but she won’t take no for an answer and strikes him to bring out his vampiric nature. Eventually Angel vamps out, and Buffy exposes her neck to him. Angel can resist no longer and bites her. He drinks deeply, however he loses himself in the pleasure of drinking human blood. Seeing that Angel isn’t going to stop feeding and quickly approaching the point of no return, she tries to get him off to no avail. Angel finally lets go, cured of the poison but Buffy slips into unconsciousness, suffering major blood loss. Angel rushes Buffy to hospital, explaining that she’s lost a lot of blood. In another room, a doctor tells the Mayor that Faith’s head trauma coupled with massive blood loss means she is unlikely to regain consciousness. The Mayor notices Buffy in bed, and, enraged by her attack on Faith, tries to smother her until Angel tears him away. The Mayor leaves with a message not to miss the second act of the show. Meanwhile the rest of the Scoobies arrive at the hospital and when Oz notices that Angel is cured, Angel explains that Buffy put Faith in a coma and that she made him drink from her. Xander takes him to task about this but Giles takes charge and orders Angel to return to the mansion.

Dreaming, Buffy visits Faith, who is packing up her apartment. Faith says human weakness never fades, “Not even his.” Faith tells Buffy that it’s time to go and then Buffy wakes up in the hospital bed. She walks over to Faith and kisses her forehead, then strides into the waiting room, telling her friends to get ready for war.

At school, Buffy outlines a plan which relies heavily upon Xander’s mystical military training and exploits the Mayor’s human weakness – Faith. Meanwhile, the Mayor explains to his group of vampires that when the eclipse takes place, he wants the vampires to keep the people from running, as he must feed within the first few minutes to sustain the change. Angel and Xander get to work creating a bomb, which Giles is assigned to detonate. While putting away books, Cordelia and Wesley finally kiss, and discover they have no sexual chemistry. Oz reassures Willow that “We’ll make it through this”, and they kiss, passionately. In the library, Angel tells Buffy he’ll simply disappear when the battle is over, because to say goodbye would be too painful. Buffy is left alone, with the most vital weapon to be used against the Mayor… Faith’s knife still stained with her blood.

At graduation, the Mayor starts his speech, but is interrupted by the eclipse, which triggers his transformation into the 60-foot snake demon Olvikan. The parents scatter, and the students gather together in one large group. At Buffy’s call, everyone rips off their robes, revealing weapons and crosses. Under Xander’s guidance, the students attack the demon with flame throwers and flaming arrows. Principal Snyder is eaten by the snake-demon in mid-lecture. Some students break from the group and run in fear – right into the mayor’s vampires approaching from behind. Students in the rear mount a ranged counterattack and drive the vampires back into a group of students at the rear led by Angel and Wesley. A melee ensues as both groups attack the vampires (although Wesley goes down in one punch after two seconds). Cordelia stakes her first vampire, but other students – including Larry and Harmony – are killed. Suddenly Buffy shouts at the Mayor, brandishing Faith’s knife. Buffy boasts about stabbing Faith, and then calls him a dick (a play on words, since the Mayor’s name is Richard, which is commonly shortened to “Dick”). She then runs into the school and the Mayor, enraged, chases her. Buffy runs for her very life as the Mayor smashes through the hallways. After leading the Mayor into the library, Buffy escapes the building through a window. The snake smashes through the doors to find the room laced with explosives, and speaks his last words: “Well, gosh.” Giles hits the plunger, exploding the Mayor as well as Sunnydale High.

As Wesley is taken away in an ambulance, Giles congratulates Buffy on a job well done, presenting her diploma which he pulled from the rubble. After he leaves, Buffy sees Angel at a distance. The two stand there, near tears, until Angel turns and walks away. Buffy meets up with her friends and they prepare to head for home, but Oz says they should take a moment to reflect… they survived. Buffy remarks it was a hell of a battle. “Not the battle,” Oz clarifies, “high school.” After a few seconds of reflecting, the gang decide to head for home. As the friends walk off into the distance, we see a charred Sunnydale High Yearbook nearby, stating “The Future is Ours!”.

From: Wikipedia

BUFFY- (+7)

• +3/ Offering her blood to save Angel. A true sign of her love for him, she is prepared to lose her life for Angel’s and letting a vampire virtually drain your blood is something that a Slayer shouldn’t take lightly. She can be very forceful when she wants to be.
• +1/ Her dream-like sequence with Faith. It’s nice to see them act friendly to each other again.
• +2/ Her leadership during the big battle against the Mayor. She’s like a general and she shows such incredible skill in leading a mish-mash of powerful people such as Angel and randoms such as Harmony.
• +1/ Taunting the the big snake-Mayor with the dagger she stabbed Faith with-
  “You remember this?  I took it from Faith.  Stuck it in her gut.  Just slid in her like she was butter.”

XANDER- (+4)

• +1/ He mentions cricket, and being an Australian, that’s point-worthy-
  Giles: Look through the, ah… Kepler volumes. Any reference to the demon Olvukan. Powers, weaknesses, hat size, anything.  There’s got to be something.
  Xander: Still batting zero?
  Giles looks at him.
  Xander: But I mean, ah… in cricket?
• +1/ Happy that he gets to be a vital part of the big battle-
  Buffy: Well, I’m going to need every single one of you on board.  Especially you Xander.  You’re sort of the key figure here.
  Xander: Key? – Me?  (takes a deep breath) Okay, – pride, – humility, – and here is the mind numbing fear.  (sighs)  What do I have to do?
• +2/ Playing a key-role in the big battle. He shows some great leadership skills of his own and shows signs of a potential general. He leads nearly as much as Buffy does.
  

WILLOW- (+4)

• +2/ Feeling guilty about such a terrible night full of fighting and tragedy being the best night of her life because of her time with Oz-
  Oz: Any change?
  Willow: He’s delirious.  He thought I was Buffy.
  Oz: You too, huh?
  Willow: I hope she gets here soon.  She better if…
  Oz: (sighs) Yeah.
  Willow: I feel so… I feel so guilty.
  Oz: Guilty?
  Willow: Well, things are so terrible, and things are coming apart, – but in some ways, this is the best night of my life.
• +1/ Going at it with Oz again as the wait for the graduation ceremony, she’s even late!!!!
• +1/ Her part in the big battle, she doesn’t throw up any spells but helps in the big charge against the vamps.

GILES- (+1)

• +1/ Giving Buffy her high school diploma which I think is very fitting.

ANGEL- (+6)

• +1/ During his delirium, he mistakes Willow for Buffy, even declaring his love and deciding not to leave-
  Willow: You’re awake.
  Angel: You’ve been watching over me?
  Willow nods.  Angel takes her hand and starts kissing it.
  Willow: (Slightly worried)  Well, – we’ve been taking turns.
  Angel: I thought… – I thought I’d never see you again. I can’t leave you.  I was wrong.  I need you.
  Willow: Oh!, You mean you need Buffy!
  Angel: (squints) Willow?
  Willow: (relieved) Yes, – right!, Willow!
• +1/ Refusing to bite Buffy to save his life. Buffy has to force him on her neck.
• +1/ Protecting an unconscious Buffy from the Mayor.
• +1/ Not thrilled about having to work with Xander in the big battle-
  Buffy: You and Xander are going to have to work together now.  Can you guys handle that?
  Neither one of them looks precisely overjoyed at the prospect.
  Xander: But I’m still key-guy, right?
  Buffy: Right.
  Xander: Then Angel, – in his non key-guy capacity, – can work with me.
  Angel: (sarcastic) What fun.
  Xander: (to Angel) Hey!  Key-guy is still talking…
  Buffy: Oh, that’s good!  Start bickering.  That’s going to look great for us. You guys are like little old ladies!
• +2/ Leading the charge of the flanking group. He deals with other vamps like they’re kids.
  

CORDELIA- (+5)

• +1/ Upset the Wes is upset and leaving-
  Cordelia: I demand an explanation.
  Xander: For what?
  Cordelia: Wesley.
  Xander: Uh – inbreeding?
  Cordelia: So very funny.  Any minute I am sure to laugh.  I just got off the phone with him.  He could hardly speak he was so upset.  He said there was something about a fight?  And he is leaving the country.
  Giles: Should I assay remorse?
  Cordelia: Just tell me what’s going on.
  Giles: Buffy has quit the council.  She’ll not be working with Wesley from now on.
  Cordelia: (puzzled) But he is her Watcher.
  Giles: Buffy no longer needs a Watcher.
  Cordelia: Well, does he have to leave the country?  I mean, you got fired, and you still hang around like a big loser.  Why can’t he?
• +1/ Her plan to defeat the Mayor-
  Cordelia: Of course, that’s it.  We attack him with germs!
  Buffy: Great!  We’ll corner him and then you can sneeze on him.
  Cordelia: (gesturing excitedly) No!  No, we’ll get a box with the Ebola virus and… and….  Or it doesn’t even have to be real, we can just get a box that says Ebola on it and… uhm (snaps her fingers) chase him… (no one says anything)  with the box…
• +2/ Her spectacularly bad kiss with Wes. Utterly hilarious.
• +1/Staking a vamp, and in a very Slayer-like manner.
  

OZ- (+5)

• +1/ Keeping things in perspective-
  Buffy: So, am I crazy?
  Willow: Well, ‘crazy’ is such a *strong* word.
  Giles: Let’s not rule it out though.
  Buffy: You don’t think it can be done?
  Giles: I didn’t say that.  I might, – but not yet.
  Cordelia: I personally don’t think it’s impossible to come up with a crazier plan.
  Oz: We attack the Mayor with humus.
  Everyone looks at him.
  Cordelia: I stand corrected.
  Oz: Just trying to keep things in perspective.
• +1/ Going at it with Willow in his van before graduation.
• +2/ Leading the fire archers in the final battle, which is pretty awesome.
• +1/ Summing up this season and the whole high school experience-
  Oz: Guys take a moment to deal with this: – we survived.
  Xander nods.
  Buffy: It was a hell of a battle!
  Oz: Not the battle, high school.
  They all look quietly at the school and listen to the crickets chirping.
  Oz: We’re taking a moment  (Willow and Buffy get up from the bench.)  and we’re done.

THE MAYOR- (0)

• +1/ Being incredibly worried about Faith, once again showing his fatherly love for her-
  Vampire: There is no one here, Sir.
  Mayor: No.  No, she took the fight outside.  My Faith doesn’t like to be cooped up. We have to find them.  Put everyone on it.  Do it now.
  Vampire: But Sir, the ascension…
  Mayor: Find them!
  The vampire leaves.
  Mayor: (pacing around, clearly very worried, talking to himself) Faith’s a good girl.  She can take anything they’ll throw at her.  She’s going to be all right.  She’ll be all right.  She’ll be all right.
• -2/ Trying to kill Buffy while she’s in hospital. Not a very grand plan by the Mayor, but he’s grieving over Faith. Still, not nice.
• +1/ Wanting to finish his big graduation speech, fortunately for the audience his ascension cuts it short.
  

FAITH- (+2)

• +2/ Her cool coma-dream sequence with Buffy. It’s a vitally important scene and is full of foreshadow. Faith’s also much nicer now-
  Buffy: There’s something I’m supposed to be doing.
  Faith: Oh yeah. – Miles to go – Little Ms. Muffet counting down from 7-3-0.
  Buffy: (grimaces) Great. – Riddles.
  Faith: Sorry, it’s my head.  A lot of new stuff. (looks at broken window) They are never going to fix this, are they?
  Buffy: What about you?
  Faith: Scar tissue.  It fades.  It all fades. You want to know the deal?  Human weakness – never goes away.  Not even his.
  Buffy: Is this your mind or mine?
  Faith: Beats me.

WESLEY- (+4)

• +2/ His horrifically bad kiss with Cordy, and after all that sexual tension.
• +1/ Getting knocked out immediately when the battle starts.
• +1/ Complaining about his pain after the battle-
  “If I could… could just get something for the pain.  It’s rather a lot of pain, actually.  Aspirin?  If you would… uh… ah…(The fire men start sliding the gurney into the ambulance)  Perhaps I could just be knocked unconscious.”

JONATHAN- (+1)

• +1/ Attacking a vamp during the battle, and with a ferocity I didn’t know he had in him.

PRINCIPAL SNYDER- (-1)

• -1/ He’s a bastard right up until the end. Thankfully he gets eaten by the Mayor.

SEASON COUNT-

BUFFY- +134
WILLOW- +112
XANDER- +71
ANGEL- +65
GILES- +60
OZ- +56
CORDELIA- +47
THE MAYOR- +33
WESLEY- +25
JOYCE-+21
SPIKE- +18
FAITH- +16
ANYA- +8
TRICK- +7
ANNE- +4
JONATHAN- +4
THE MASTER- +3
THE FIRST- +2
WILLY- +2
LARRY- +2
ANGELUS- +1
SNYDER-0
HARMONY- -2
TRAVERS- -3

OVERALL COUNT-

BUFFY- +292
WILLOW- +246
XANDER- +202 ( 3rd to double century in 56 episodes)
GILES- +152
CORDELIA- +124
ANGEL- +115
OZ- +87
SPIKE- +62
JOYCE- +41
THE MAYOR- +33
WESLEY- +25
ANGELUS- +24
FAITH- +16
THE MASTER- +9
ANYA- +8
TRICK- +7
JONATHAN- +4
ANNE-  +3
THE FIRST- +2
WILLY- +2
LARRY- +2
TRAVERS- -3
HARMONY- -3
SNYDER- -10

EPISODE THOUGHTS-

A fantastic way to finish a fantastic season. Personally I like Part one a little better but this is nearly on equal terms. Buffy’s scene with Angel as she forces him to drink from her is very powerful and a great way to pay off on all that sexual tension. I also love The Mayor’s grief during this episode, you can just feel his pain for Faith which continues throughout his episode, right up until his ascension. The speech before hand is great, I didn’t really like how the big demon snake looked, but budget probably got in the way so I’m not too fussed. I also liked how all the students fought for their lives on the graduation day, fighting vamps and a big demon, which even leads to the deaths of Larry and Harmony. And we also get to see the school blown up, specifically the library, the source of many expositional scenes over the past 3 seasons. In other memorable moments, Will and Oz are still going strong, Xander gets to have a moment in the sun as well as Cordy getting a staking on screen but what I remember most in Faith and Buffy’s scene which is just full of foreshadowing. We find out about Dawn and Buffy’s death in the one moment and it shows just how much Joss Whedon had planned in advance. Brilliant end to a Brilliant season.

94/100

B321- Graduation Day, Part One

Written by: Joss Whedon
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Anthony Stewart Head, David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter, Seth Green, Kristine Sutherland, Harry Groener, Alexis Denisof, Merceds McNab, Ethan Erickson, Emma Caulfield, Eliza Dushku & Armin Shimerman.

As Graduation Day approaches, Sunnydale High enjoys a mellow love fest as former enemies exchange pleasantries. Buffy has not caught the spirit, however, and others have their own concerns, too. Cordelia is worried about the color of the gown while Xander fears for his life. He then learns that the Mayor will be the commencement speaker, meaning that the Mayor is not only going to ascend on Graduation Day, but at the ceremony itself. Faith kills Professor Worth for the Mayor.

Anya tries to entice Xander into another date, but is stunned when she finds out about the upcoming Ascension. Xander brings her to the library, where she tells of an Ascension she witnessed 800 years before. A sorcerer had decimated an entire village within hours; only a few people escaped. The destructiveness of an Ascended demon stems from its lack of any human characteristic. The Mayor seems to be heading towards a different breed from the sorcerer’s, however, and Anya is unable to help further.

At that moment, the Mayor enters the library. He tells Buffy he will eat her, and Giles plunges a fencing epee into his chest. Wilkins shrugs it off with an indignant expression, promising “one heck of a speech.”

Anya tries to convince Xander to skip town with her, but he has friends on the line. Buffy convinces her mom to leave, while Oz releases Willow’s tensions by making love to her.

Searching Professor Worth’s apartment, Buffy runs into Angel. It is their first encounter after the Prom. They begin arguing in the street when Faith shoots Angel in the back with an arrow, deliberately missing the heart. Angel tries to get up, but collapses into Buffy’s arms.

Wesley tells Giles that the professor found a large demon carcass buried in a lava bed. Professor Worth thought it was an unknown dinosaur, but the Mayor evidently thought it safer to silence him anyway. Wilkins is impervious to harm only until the Ascension.

Buffy brings Angel to the library, where Giles helps remove the arrow. It was clearly poisoned and Wesley offers to ask the Watcher’s Council for help. Buffy thanks him, and Willow’s afterglow is cut short by Buffy’s call for help. Wesley returns to tell Buffy that the Council refused to help a vampire. He explains that the laws are older than civilization, and Buffy must follow the Council’s orders and ignore the distraction. Buffy quits the Council.

The Mayor prepares for the Ascension by eating the giant beetles in the Box of Gavrok as Faith takes a break from her murders.

Oz tells the gang that vampires can only survive the poison by draining the blood of a Slayer. Xander has doubts about its consequences for Buffy as she leaves with Faith’s dagger, intent on killing Faith before feeding her to Angel. Willow finds Faith’s apartment, paid for by taxpayers, and Buffy arrives after Faith had a workout. After an impressive but brutal battle, she eventually manages to stab Faith with her own knife, but Faith jumps from the roof onto a passing truck, unconscious but away from Buffy.

From: Wikipedia

BUFFY- (+9)

• +1/ Messing with Wesley, she’s actually warming up to him a little-
  Buffy: Which leads to the question, how come? I’m gonna destroy the entire city, but I take the time to kill harmless Lester first?
  Giles: Tying up loose ends? Lester had something or knew something.
  Buffy: Then I wanna know too. The Mayor’s trying to hide. I say we go seek.
  Wesley: Ah. By attempting to keep a valuable clue from us, the Mayor may have inadvertently led us right to it. (with a sword flourish)
  Buffy: What page are you on, Wes, cause we already got there.
  Wesley: Yes, well. You will go tonight. Look over his apartment. Anything of note, report back here.
  Buffy: I just love it when you take charge, you man, you.
  Wesley: Uh, we… was that a yes? I have trouble keeping track.
  Buffy: I’ll go.
• +1/ Trying to explain the Mayor situation to Joyce, it’s interesting to see Buffy’s view on graduation, she seems very unexcited about-
  Buffy: Mom, I need you to leave town. Tonight.
  Joyce: Buffy, I’d miss your graduation.
  Buffy: Yeah, that’s sort of the idea.
  Joyce: There’s no way. I wouldn’t dream…
  Buffy: Mom, graduation is a pointless ceremony where you sit around and listen to a bunch of boring speeches until someone hands you a piece of paper that says you graduated which you already know and maroon does nothing for my complection, so don’t argue, okay?
  Joyce: (sarcastic) What, is some terrible demon going to attack the school. (Buffy glares, keeps packing) Oh, I see. Oh, you know, Buffy, looking back on everything that’s happened, maybe I should have sent you to a different school.
  Buffy: Just promise me that you’ll be far away from here.
  Joyce: I’m not leaving you to face an awful monster. If I go anywhere, you’re going with me.
  Buffy: You know that I can’t.
  Joyce: Well then I can’t either.
  Buffy: Mom, I know that sometimes you wish I were different.
  Joyce: Buffy, no.
  Buffy: I wish I could be a lot of things for you. A great student, a star athlete, remotely normal. I’m not. But there is something I do that I can do better than anybody else in the world. I’m gonna fight this thing, but I can’t do it and worry about you.
• +2/ Fighting with Angel in the street (verbally, not in the physical way). Buffy is still very hurt by Angel’s decision to leave her so she doesn’t really communicate her feelings that well to him, which makes for a fairly entertaining scene (see Angel point 2).
• +2/ Deciding to quit as the council’s ‘employee’ and from now on playing by her own rules which will be an important concept on the show for next season.
• +3/ Her huge fight with Faith, which is utterly brilliant. Buffy is uncomprising and determined to save Angel and that means Faith, a human, has to die. It’s rare to see Buffy nearly void of compasion or mercy when it comes to a human but Faith has pushed her beyond a limit. Buffy eventually wins out in the end after stabbing Faith with her own dagger.

XANDER- (+3)

• +1/ Having the feeling that he is destined to die at Sunnydale high-
  Cordelia: I can’t believe this loser look. I lobbied so hard for the teal. No one ever listens to me. A lone fashionable wolf.
  Xander: I like the Maroon. Has more dignity.
  Cordelia: Dignity? You? In relation to clothes? I am awash in a sea of confusion.
  Xander: I just want to look respectable in this, considering I’m probably gonna die in it.
  Cordelia: Excuse me?
  Xander: I’m telling you. I woke up the other day with this feeling in my gut. I just know there’s no way I’m getting out of this school alive.
  Cordelia: Wow, you’ve really mastered the power of positive giving-up.
  Xander: I’ve been lucky too many times. My number’s coming up. And I was short! One more rotation and I’m shipping state-side, you know what I mean?
  Cordelia: Seldom if ever.
• +1/ Anya has become somewhat smitten with Xander, which is interesting to say the least. She tries to ask him out again, which he doesn’t react well to, especially since he expects to die soon-
  Anya: So, I was wondering, maybe if you were free this weekend, maybe we could do some entertaining thing.
  Xander: Would that be along the lines of you telling me about all the men you destroyed back in your demon days? Cause pencil me in.
  Anya: Well, we could do something else you like. We could watch sports of some kind.
  Xander: Uh, I don’t know.
  Anya: Men like sports. I’m sure of it.
  Xander: Yes. Men like sports. Men watch the action move, they eat of the beef, and enjoy to look at the bosoms. A thousand years of avenging our wrongs and that’s all you’ve learned?
• +1/ Cutting class with Cordelia, a little callback to their relationship.

WILLOW- (+7)

• +1/ Pretending to be nice to Harmony just because school is ending even though she hates her-
  Harmony: Willow, will you sign my yearbook?
  Willow: Yeah. You have to sign mine too.
  Harmony: You know, I really wish we woulda got to know each other better.
  Willow: Me too.
  Harmony: I mean, you’re so smart. I always wanted to be like that.
  Willow: Thanks. You’re so sweet.
  Harmony: I hope we won’t lose touch.
  Willow: No, we’ll hang out.
  Harmony: Bye!
  Willow: Bye!
  Harmony leaves as Buffy walks down the stairs.
  Willow: Oh, I’m gonna miss her.
  Buffy: Don’t you hate her?
  Willow: (still smiling) Yes, with a fiery vengeance. She picked on me for ten years, the vacuous tramp. It’s like a sickness, Buffy. I’m just missing everything. I miss P.E.
• +1/ Trying to be funny, it’s strange to see her try on a few of the Xander-type jokes-
  Xander: Guess who our commencement speaker is?
  Willow: Siegfried?
  Xander: No.
  Willow: Roy?
  Xander: No.
  Willow: One of the tigers?
  Xander: Come out of the fantasy, Will.
• +1/ Not liking Anya being involved in the group, establishing her dislike of Anya already.
• +3/ Discussing the Ascension with Oz, which is pretty funny in itself but then Oz and Willow finally decide to take the relationship to the next level and have sex. They’re such a cute couple and it’s nice to see them go along strongly-
  Willow: Oh, this is so frustrating.
  Oz: Nothing useful?
  Willow: No, it’s great. If we want to make ferns invisible, or communicate with shrimp, I’ve got the goods right here.
  Oz: Our lives are different than other peoples’.
  Willow: Oh, who am I kidding? I’m not going to find a spell to stop the Ascension. I’m no witch. I can’t even change poor Amy back to a person.
  Oz: But you got the swinging Habitrail going. I think Amy is in a good place emotionally.
  Willow: Oz.
  Oz: What?
  Willow: Could you just pretend to care about what’s happening? Please?
  Oz: You think I don’t care?
  Willow: I think we could be dead in two days time and you’re being ironic detachment guy.
  Oz: Would it help if I panic?
  Willow: (babbling) Yes, it would be swell. Panic is a thing people can share in times of crisis. And everything’s really scary now, you know, and I don’t know what’s gonna happen. And there’s all sorts of things that you’re supposed to get to do after high school, and I was really looking forward to doing them, and now we’re probably just gonna die and I would like to feel that maybe you would …
  Oz leans forward and kisses her, slowly.
  Willow: What are you doing?
  Oz: Panicking.
• +1/ Babbling after sex with Oz-
  Willow: I feel different, you know. I-I guess that makes sense.  Do you feel different. Oh, no, you’ve already, probably, no big change for you. It was nice. Was it nice? Should this be a quiet moment?
  Oz: I know exactly what you mean.
  Willow: Which part?
  Oz: Everything from ‘it’s different’.

GILES- (+1)

• +1/ Giles is completely nonchalant when fencing with Wesley, he even reads the paper during, could he be any cooler then with Wes.

ANGEL- (+3)

• +1/  Banging into a doorframe, very unstealthy, very un-Angel.
• +2/ Having trouble with his communication with Buffy. He wants to still be nice and help out but she doesn’t really want his help as it’s too painful for her-
  Buffy: You know what? Thank you, but I can take it from here.
  Angel: It’s alright. I’ll walk you there.
  Buffy: Look, I don’t need an escort. I’m a big girl. Superpowers, remember? I don’t need you crowding me.
  Angel: I didn’t think I was.
  Buffy: No, of course you don’t. You just show up at the prom and then you disappear into the ozone. For all I know, you left town.
  Angel: Are you mad at me for being around too much or for not being around enough?
  Buffy: Duh. Yes.
  Angel: Which?
  Buffy: What?
  Angel: I don’t get you.
  Buffy: No, you don’t, not anymore.
  Angel: Are you just making this harder to make this easier on yourself?
  Buffy: Could we stop with the brain-teasers? I just wish it was over, done.

CORDELIA- (+1)

• +1/ Cutting class with Xander, calling back their relationship.

OZ- (+3)

• +3/ Trying to help Willow in figure out the Ascension before deciding to ‘panic’ and make love to her. He has quite a few funny lines during their talk as well (see Willow point 4).

FAITH- (+4)

• +1/ Dressing up in a nice dress for the Mayor, which shows just how far their relationship has come. She’s prepared to pull down her walls and be very innocent for her father-figure, it’s a very nice moment.
• +1/ Having another nice father-daughter moment as she recounts her childhood.
• +2/ Her big fight with Buffy which is just fantastic. She doesn’t get 3 points because she loses.

THE MAYOR- (+4)

• +1/ Getting to see Faith in a nice dress-
  Mayor: Wow, aren’t you a vision?
  Faith: I feel I look stupid in this.
  Mayor: You look lovely. Perfect for the Ascension. Any boys that manage to survive will be lining up to ask you out.
  Faith: It just isn’t me, though.
  Mayor: Not you? Let me tell you something. Nobody knows what you are.  Not even you, little Miss Seen-it-all. The Ascension isn’t just my day. It’s yours too. Your day to blossom, to show the world what a powerful girl you are. I think of what you’ve done, what I know you will do (caresses her face) no father could be prouder.
  Faith: I hope I don’t let you down.
  Mayor: Impossible. Now come on, change back into your street clothes.  I’ll buy you an ice-e.
• +1/ His reaction to be stabbed by Giles’ fencing blade-
  Mayor: So, this is the inner sanctum. Faith tells me this is where you folks like to hang out, concoct your little schemes. I tell you, it’s just nice to see that some young people are still interested in reading in this modern era. So, what are kids reading nowadays?
  The Mayor walks to the table and picks up a book.
  Mayor: “The beast will walk upon the earth and darkness will follow.  The several races of man will be as one in their terror and destruction.” Aw, that’s kind of sweet. Different races coming together.
  Buffy: You never get even a little tired of hearing yourself speak, do you?
  Mayor: (chuckles, to Giles) That’s one spunky little girl you’ve raised. I’m gonna eat her.
  Giles grabs Wesley’s sword from the table and thrusts it through the Mayor’s chest. The Mayor staggers back but regains his balance.
  Mayor: Whoa! Well now, that was a little thoughtless. (pulls the sword out of his chest) Violent outbursts like that, in front of the children? You know, Mr. Giles, they look to you to see how to behave.
• +1/ Calling Faith a ‘firecracker’, once again showing the father-daughter relationship they have.
• +1/ Enjoying the insect creatures he had to eat-
  “Mmm. My god, what a feeling. The power of these creatures. It suffuses my being. I can feel the changes begin. My organs are shifting, changing, making ready for the Ascension. Plus these babies are high in fiber. And what’s the fun in becoming an immortal demon if you’re not regular, am I right?”

ANYA- (+2)

• +1/ She tries to ask Xander out again, since she’s become quite smitten with him. She isn’t all together that great at the asking out but at least she gave it a go (see Xander point 2).
• +1/ Asking Xander to run away with her so they can escape the Ascension. It’s nice of her to think of Xander at a time like this, showing how much she already cares for him.

JOYCE- (+1)

• +1/ Thinking that it may have been a good idea to send Buffy to a different school a few years ago.

WESLEY- (+2)

• +2/ Fencing with Giles. Wes tries fairly hard and looks hilarious. I love goofy Wes, and thankfully he turns up on Angel and becomes a major, major player.

PERCY- (+1)

• +1/ Wanting to forget all the things he learnt from school and Willow after graduation-
  Percy: Check it out, history final.
  Willow: B-minus, that’s great.
  Percy: I’m a scholar. I’m like a scholar.
  Willow: Congratulations.
  Percy: Hey, listen. Thank you. I mean, for helping me. Being so patient. And also, for not kicking my ass like you did in the Bronze.
  Willow: You know, Percy, that was actually… for your own good.
  Percy: I know, I know.
  Oz: (arrives) Hey.
  Willow: Hey. (to Percy) History’s important, you know.
  Percy: No, I totally get that now. And I got the grades, I’m graduating tomorrow, can forget all this crap. (cheerfully, leaves)

SEASON COUNT-

BUFFY- +127
WILLOW- +108
XANDER- +67
GILES- +59
ANGEL- +59
OZ- +51
CORDELIA- +42
THE MAYOR- +33
JOYCE-+21
WESLEY- +21
SPIKE- +18
FAITH- +14
ANYA- +8
TRICK- +7
ANNE- +4
THE MASTER- +3
JONATHAN- +3
THE FIRST- +2
WILLY- +2
LARRY- +2
SNYDER-+1
ANGELUS- +1
HARMONY- -2
TRAVERS- -3

OVERALL COUNT-

BUFFY- +285
WILLOW- +242
XANDER- +198
GILES- +151
CORDELIA- +119
ANGEL- +109
OZ- +82
SPIKE- +62
JOYCE- +41
THE MAYOR- +33
ANGELUS- +24
WESLEY- +21
FAITH- +14
THE MASTER- +9
ANYA- +8
TRICK- +7
ANNE-  +3
JONATHAN- +3
THE FIRST- +2
WILLY- +2
LARRY- +2
TRAVERS- -3
HARMONY- -3
SNYDER- -9

EPISODE THOUGHTS-

The start of one of strongest season finales in Buffyverse history. Angel gets poisoned by Faith, Buffy quits the council and a huge fight between the slayers leads to Faith being left in a coma. Now while that all sounds like a whole lot of fun, it’s the character moments which make this episode great. We have Buffy thinking she is to lose Angel, quitting the council and stabbing Faith; we have the beginnings ot Xander and Anya’s relationship, even if Xander doesn’t know it; we have Willow and Oz consumating their relationship and lastly we have the Mayor and Faith’s father-daughter relationship hit a peak. That’s quite a bit for one episode, I mean you could stretch that over two episodes. For me the most appealing is the Faith-Mayor relationship. To have such appealing and emotional villains is rare and makes this season the best in my opinion. The big fight that Faith and Buffy have is great and a fantastic way to end the episode. It’s such a tightly wound episode full of moments, suspense and action that you can’t wait for the next time. Great start to this finale.

96.5/100

B320- The Prom

Written by: Marti Noxon
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Anthony Stewart Head, David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter, Seth Green, Kristine Sutherland,  Alexis Denisof, Emma Caulfield & Danny Strong.

Buffy wakes up in Angel’s bed at the mansion after the two fell asleep after patrol. Buffy talks a bit about bringing some of her stuff over so every once in a while she could spend the night and she mentions going to the prom. When she opens the curtains to check for the sun, she accidentally lets in a strong beam. It hits Angel, but he manages to move before it really burns him.

At school, Anya, still a mere human being, asks Xander to the Prom. Both are dateless and desperate, so he says yes. Later, Buffy, Willow, Oz, and Xander discuss prom plans, and dresses. Joyce visits Angel at the mansion and tells him she’s worried about the effect he’s having on her daughter. She tells him that he can’t get in the way of her future and if Buffy can’t see that, he’ll have to do something about it.

Buffy and Willow are talking prom dresses while Giles is continuing research for the Ascension. Although the pages Willow tore out the Books of Ascension have helped, they don’t know for sure what kind of demon the Mayor will transform into. Giles and Wesley will both be chaperoning the prom which Buffy protests is going to be the one and possibly last night of fun they’ll have in Sunnydale. Meanwhile, in a small house, someone plays a video for a caged beast that makes it go wild.

Buffy and Angel are in a church getting married. As they exit the church, Angel is fearful of the sun, but it is Buffy that burns up and dies–not him–when they come in contact with the sun’s light. Angel wakes up.

While patrolling, Buffy and Angel have an argument. Angel’s still very disturbed by his dream, the visit from Joyce, and what the Mayor said to him and Buffy during their last encounter and tells Buffy they need to talk. He tells her that it’s unfair for her to be in a relationship with him because of all the things he can’t give her. In order to make her realize how serious he is, he breaks up with her and tells her he doesn’t want be with her. He plans to leave Sunnydale after the ascension.

Buffy goes to Willow for comfort and she realizes that Angel was right; the two of them really can’t be together. But, after such a long and dedicated relationship falls apart so quickly, Buffy just feels horrible and cries. At “April Fools,” a store where Cordelia works, Xander spots her through the window and goes in to tease her for what he perceives as her spending a long time trying to pick a dress, however he is stopped short when an assistant chides Cordelia for speaking to a customer. She reveals that due to her parents committing tax fraud, she’s now working there to save up for a prom dress because her family lost all of their money and now she has nowhere to live and she can’t afford to go to any of the colleges that accepted her. Xander is clearly shocked by this and can’t come up with any words in response while Cordelia says that he can go back to his friends and laugh at her getting her comeuppance. Their argument is cut short as one of the beasts that broke free breaks through the window and kills a boy dressed in a tux.

At the library, they study the video of the attack, and spot a guy outside who turns out to be Tucker Wells, who used to have a chemistry class with Oz. Tucker has plans to ruin prom night by sending a hell-hound trained to attack those in formal wear after the students. Buffy vows not to let the hellhounds ruin the big night and issues orders for everyone to split up and search for clues. She ends up finding an address at the butcher where Tucker ordered cow brains to feed the demons. She runs into Angel and the two have a post-break-up argument. As Cordelia leaves work, she finds that her prom dress has been paid for.

Buffy returns from her searching and orders everyone else to attend the prom while she takes care of the hounds. She tells Giles that Angel is leaving town. She finds Tucker in his basement and confronts him, asking him why he wants to ruin the happiest night of a senior’s life to which Tucker simply tells her he has his reasons (although the audience see that it’s just because the girl he asked to the prom said no). Buffy ties Tucker up before he can release the hound, but she also finds out that there are four hounds, and three are already on their way to the school. After killing all of them, Buffy changes into her prom dress and shows up for the dance. Everyone looks amazingly dressed up in their tuxes and formal dresses. Cordelia shows up and clings to Wesley (after thanking Xander for paying for her dress, restoring their friendship) while Anya tells Xander of her past cursing unfaithful men, and Willow and Oz just enjoy the evening.

When Class awards are given out, Xander is disappointed when he is snubbed for Class Clown. Then Jonathan approaches the microphone and asks if Buffy is in the room. Buffy, who was getting punch, slowly turns around. Jonathan says that the next award is a new category, and gives a speech saying that while they may not be friends, the student body has noticed whenever something creepy or horrible happened, Buffy was always there to stop it and that everyone in the room has been saved by her at least once. As a result, the Graduating Class of 1999 has the lowest mortality rate in Sunnydale High history and she is to be given an ornately decorated parasol bearing a small engraving saying ‘Buffy Summers – Class Protector’. Buffy can’t believe what she’s hearing, and approaches the stage to the cheering of her classmates and friends and she happily accepts the award from Jonathan. Afterwards, the students continue to dance when Angel surprises her by showing up in a tux. While Angel assures her that his presence doesn’t change their status, Buffy is just glad to be held in his arms as they dance.

From: Wikipedia

BUFFY- (+11)

• +1/ Getting fairly comfortable with Angel as her boyfriend. She gets bedhead in his bed and inquires about mirrors, which he doesn’t have. These are all normal things. But their relationship isn’t normal, just like when she tries to shine some light into the place which only burns Angel. A sign of things to come.
• +2/ Her reaction to Angel breaking up with her, it all seems peachy at first, that’s until Buffy starts talking prom which sparks the last conversation they’d have as a couple. Buffy is very upset, as you’d expect, but Angel is thinking rationally and deep down Buffy knows he’s right, only she can’t deal with that (see Angel point 3).
• +2/ Discussing her break-up with Willow. She finally agrees that Angel’s move was the right one, even though she feels so much pain-
  Buffy: That’s it. Assuming we survive this Ascension thing, he’s gonna leave town.
  Willow: Well, he’s a fool. He’s just a big, dumb, jerk person if you ask me. And he’s a super-maxi-jerk for doing it right before the prom.
  Buffy: It’s not his fault. He’s 243 years old. He doesn’t exactly get the prom.
  Willow: But he should, if …
  Buffy: Will, it’s okay. You don’t have to make him the bad guy.
  Willow: But that’s the best friend’s job, vilifying and grousing.
  Buffy: Usually, yeah. But he’s right. I mean, I think, maybe in the long run, that he’s right.
  Willow: Yeah, I think he is. I mean, I tried to hope for the best, but… I’m sorry. It must be horrible.
  Buffy: I think horrible is still coming. Right now, it’s worse. Right now, I’m just trying to keep from dying.
• +1/ Taking it upon herself to save prom from an evil scheme-
  Giles: Tucker is planning to attack the prom tonight.
  Oz: Once again, the Hellmouth puts the special in special occasion.
  Xander: Why do I even buy tickets for these things, I ask you?
  Willow: Wonder if I can take my dress back?
  Buffy: Don’t you dare.
  Willow: But Tucker is going to…
  Buffy: No! You guys are going to have a prom. The kind of prom that everyone should have. I’m going to give you all a nice, fun, normal evening if I have to kill every single person on the face of the earth to do it.
  Xander: Yay?
• +1/ Meeting Angel at the meat factory. They miss each other, but Buffy tries to be strong and puts on a fairly cold persona-
  Angel: What are you doing here?
  Buffy: Hello to you too.
  Angel: Sorry. I’m just surprised.
  Buffy: Me too. I don’t know why though. Where did I think you get your blood, McPlasma’s?
  Angel: How are you?
  Buffy: Right as rain, whatever that means. Don’t look at me like that. I can lie to you if I want to now. We’re ex, remember?
  Angel: If it means anything, I miss you.
  Buffy: Could we not, please? When I think about us, I have this tendency to sort of go catatonic. And I really can’t afford to do that right now. Gotta stop a crazy from pulling a Carrie at the prom.
  Angel: You still planning to go?
  Buffy: Strictly in the chaperon capacity. But it’s fine. I mean, the… I’m cool with going stag. I’m over the whole Buffy gets one perfect high school moment thing. But I’m certainly not going to let some subhuman ruin it for the rest of the senior class.
• +2/ Receiving the Class protector award. Buffy finally gets the recognition for 3 years of dangerously hard work at the school. It’s such a nice moment because you don’t expect a school which is oblivious to most of the happenings in Sunnydale to be so thankful on mass. Buffy finally gets her one normal, high school moment.
• +2/ Just when you thought her class protector award was enough Angel walks into the prom in a tux and takes Buffy on a last dance. She now has her one normal high school moment as a normal high school girl.

XANDER- (+6)

• +1/ Anya asks him to the prom. He is of course a bit flabbergasted and tries to be all cool and tell Anya that he has ladies lined up, when we all know he hasn’t (see Anya point 1).
• -1/ I don’t like his sock puppet jock.
• +1/ Showing some bravery when the hellhound attacks the Cordy’s clothes store.
• +1/ Not giving away Cordy’s secret about working at a clothes store due to her poverty. That’s pretty big of Xander and shows he still cares for Cordelia.
• +1/ Not being able to stand Anya’s constant reminiscing of her glory days-
  Anya: So then this one time, this girl wished her ex would cannibalize himself. Even I had a hard time watching that, let me tell you.
  Xander sees Cordelia and Wesley walk by.
  Xander: Cordelia! Wesley! My god in heaven, it’s good to see you.  How are you both? And details, please.
  
• +2/ Buying Cordy’s prom dress for her. It’s a very nice gesture.
• +1/ Being disapointed at not winning the class clown award-
  “Please! Anybody can be a prop class clown. You know, none of the people who vote for these things are even funny.”

WILLOW- (+3)

• +2/ Trying to be the good best friend and savagely attack Angel after his break-up with Buffy (see Buffy point 3).
• +1/ Worried that Buffy might not stop the monsters, Oz calms her down though.

GILES- (+3)

• +1/ Upset at all the prom talk when he wants to discuss the Ascension. He eventually blurts out this funny line to get the Scoobies back on track-
  “And I myself will be wearing pink taffeta as chenille would not go with my complexion. Can we *please* talk about the Ascension?”
• +1/ Offering Buffy ice cream as comfort after he finds out that Angel broke up with her.
• +1/ Wesley asks permission to dance with Cordelia, to which Giles has one of the funniest lines of the episode-
  Wesley: Mr. Giles. I’d like your opinion. While the last thing I want to do is muddle bad behavior in front of impressionable youth, I wonder if asking Miss Chase to dance would…
  Giles: For God’s sake, man, she’s eighteen. And you have the emotional maturity of a blueberry scone. Just have at it, would you, and stop fluttering about.

ANGEL- (+8}

• +1/ Watching Buffy sleep in his bed, the calm before the storm.
• +1/ His conversation with Joyce about his relationship with Buffy. He already knows what he has to do (see Joyce point 1).
• +3/ Breaking up with Buffy. He handles it pretty well and manages to not only not sound like an ass but come out just as likable. That’s a pretty big feat for someone who has just broken up with the lead character-
  Angel: I think we need to talk, but not now and not here.
  Buffy: No. No, if you have something to say, then say it. (silence) Angel, drop the cryptic. You’re scaring me.
  Angel: I’ve been thinking… about our future. And the more I do, the more I feel like us, you and me being together, is unfair to you.
  Buffy: Is this about what the Mayor said? Because he was just trying to shake us up.
  Angel: He was right.
  Buffy: No. No, he wasn’t. He’s the bad guy.
  Angel: You deserve more. You deserve something outside of demons and darkness. You should be with someone who can take you into the light.  Someone who can make love to you.
  Buffy: I don’t care about that.
  Angel: You will. And children.
  Buffy: Children? Can you say jumping the gun? I kill my goldfish.
  Angel: Today. But you have no idea how fast it goes, Buffy. Before you know it, you’ll want it all, a normal life.
  Buffy: I’ll never have a normal life.
  Angel: Right, you’ll always be a Slayer. But that’s all the more reason why you should have a real relationship instead of this, this freak show. (Buffy is stunned.) I didn’t mean that.
  Buffy: I’m gonna go.
  Angel: (grabs her arm) I’m sorry. Buffy, you know how much I love you. It kills me to say this.
  Buffy: Then don’t. Who are you to tell me what’s right for me? You think I haven’t thought about this?
  Angel: Have you, rationally?
  Buffy: No. No, of course not. I’m just some swoony little schoolgirl, right?
  Angel: I’m trying to do what’s right here, okay? I’m trying to think with my head instead of my heart.
  Buffy: Heart? You have a heart? It isn’t even beating!
  Angel: Don’t.
  Buffy: Don’t what? Don’t love you? I’m sorry. You know what? I didn’t know that I got a choice in that. I’m never gonna change. I can’t change. I want my life to be with you.
  Angel: I don’t.
  Buffy: You don’t want to be with me? I can’t believe you’re breaking up with me.
  Angel: It doesn’t mean that I don’t …
  Buffy: How am I supposed to stay away from you?
  Angel: I’m leaving. After the Ascension, after it’s finished with the Mayor and Faith. If we survive, I’ll go.
  Buffy: Where?
  Angel: I don’t know.
  Buffy: Is this really happening?
• +1/ Seeing Buffy at the meat factory. He misses her terribly and offers to help her, she declines (see Buffy point 5).
• +2/ Giving Buffy a normal high school moment and dancing with her at prom. He also looks very sharp.

CORDELIA- (+3)

• +2/ Owning up to her poverty to Xander after he finds her working at a fashion store-
  Xander: You work here?
  Cordelia: Yes. Yes, I work here.
  Xander: But, uh, why?
  Cordelia: I’m trying to buy a dress.
  Xander: But don’t you already have all the dresses?
  Cordelia: I have nothing, okay? No dresses. No cell phone. No car.  Everything’s been taken away because Daddy made a little mistake on his taxes. For the last twelve years. Satisfied? Are you a happy Xander now? I’m broke. I can’t go to any of the colleges that accepted me. And I can’t stay home because we no longer have one.
  Xander: Uh, wow.
  Cordelia: Yeah, neato. Now you can run along and tell all of your friends how Cordy finally got hers. How she has to work part time just to get a lousy prom dress on layaway. And how she has to wear a name tag. Oh, I’m a name tag person. Don’t leave that out. The story just wouldn’t have the same punch.
• +1/ Getting to spend her prom night as the dazzling princess she was expected to thanks to Xander.

OZ- (+1)

• +1/ Feeling very affected by the prom-
  Oz: Everything cool?
  Buffy: Coolest. Devil dogs are history. How’s the prom?
  Oz: Strangely affecting. I got all teared up when they played ‘We Are Family’.

ANYA- (+3)

• +2/ Asking Xander to the prom, incredibly funny scene-
  Anya: Xander!
  Xander: Well, hey, it’s demon Anya, punisher of evil males. Still haven’t got your powers back? (serious) You haven’t right?
  Anya: No. I will, though. It’s just a matter of time.
  Xander: So now, how did that work? Women would wish horrible things upon their ex-boyfriends. You’d show up and make it happen.
  Anya: That’s right. The power of the Wish made me a righteous sword to smite the unfaithful.
  Xander: Well, hey! Good luck with that. Hope it works out for you.
  Anya: You know, you can laugh, but I have witnessed a millenium of treachery and oppression from the males of the species and I have nothing but contempt for the whole libidinous lot of them.
  Xander: Then why you talking to me?
  Anya: I don’t have a date for the prom.
  Xander: Well gosh. I wonder why not. It couldn’t possibly have anything to do with your sales pitch?
  Anya: Men are evil. Will you go with me?
  Xander: One of us is very confused, and I honestly don’t know which.
  Anya: You know, this happens to be all your fault.
  Xander: My fault?
  Anya: You were unfaithful to Cordelia so I took on the guise of a twelfth-grader to tempt her with the Wish. When I lost my powers I got stuck in this persona, and now I have all these feelings. I don’t understand it. I don’t like it. All I know is I really want to go to this dance and I want someone to go with me.
  Xander: Be still my heart. Oh wait, it is. How come I got the short straw?
  Anya: You’re not quite as obnoxious as most of the alpha males around here. Plus I know you don’t have a date.
  Xander: I haven’t settled on anyone yet.
  Anya: Fine. Look, I know you find me attractive. I’ve seen you looking at my breasts.
  Xander: Nothing personal, but when a guy does that, it just means his eyes are open.
  Anya: Whatever. Look, do you wanna go with me or not?
• +1/ Boring Xander with tales of evil men and her devilish wishes which destroyed them.

JOYCE- (+1)

• +1/ Talking to Angel about Buffy. She is obviously worried about her daughter and virtually drops Angel the big hint that she thinks they have no future together. I also find it interesting that this is the first time we see Angel and Joyce really talk to each other-
  Joyce: I’m here because I’m worried about you two. In general.
  Angel: What happened before, when I changed, it won’t happen again.
  Joyce: That’s not all I’m concerned about. I don’t have to tell you that you and Buffy are from different worlds.
  Angel: No, you don’t.
  Joyce: She’s had to deal with a lot. Grew up fast. Sometimes even I forget that she’s still just a girl.
  Angel: I’m old enough to be her ancestor.
  Joyce: She’s just starting out in life.
  Angel: I know. I think about it more now that she’s staying in Sunnydale.
  Joyce: Good. Because when it comes to you, Angel, she’s just like any other young woman in love. You’re all she can see of tomorrow.  But I think we both know that there are some hard choices ahead.  If she can’t make them, you’re gonna have to. I know you care about her. I just hope you care enough.

WESLEY- (+2)

• +1/ His reaction to seeing Cordelia in her prom dress-
  Wesley: Well, I must say this is all rather odd to me.
  Giles: Oh yes. At an all-male preparatory they didn’t go in for this sort of thing.
  Wesley: No, of course not. Unless you count the nights you made the lower classmen get up as girls and watched them … (stops on Giles’s look) Dip is tasty, isn’t it?
  Cordelia enters in her new dress. Wesley is struck by a coughing. Giles is not facing the door and looks askance.
  Wesley: Sauce is hot. (another lingering shot of Cordy) Very hot.
• +1/ Asking Giles permission to dance with Cordy (see Giles point 3).

JONATHAN- (+2)

• +1/ He brings an attractive date to the prom, go Jonathan!
• +1/ Awarding Buffy with the Class protector award-
  Jonathan: We have one more award to give out. Is Buffy Summers here tonight? Did she, um…
  The crowd turns and finds her. She looks nervous at the attention.
  Jonathan: This is actually a new category. First time ever. I guess there were a lot of write-in ballots, and, um, the prom committee asked me to read this. “We’re not good friends. Most of us never found the time to get to know you, but that doesn’t mean we haven’t noticed you. We don’t talk about it much, but it’s no secret that Sunnydale High isn’t really like other high schools. A lot of weird stuff happens here.”
  Crowd outbursts: Zombies! Hyena people! Snyder! (laughter)
  Jonathan: “But, whenever there was a problem or something creepy happened, you seemed to show up and stop it. Most of the people here have been saved by you, or helped by you at one time or another. We’re proud to say that the Class of ‘99 has the lowest mortality rate of any graduating class in Sunnydale history.” (applause from the crowd) “And we know at least part of that is because of you.  So the senior class, offers its thanks, and gives you, uh, this.”
  Jonathan produces a multicolored, glittering, miniature umbrella with a small metal plaque attached to the shaft.
  Jonathan: It’s from all of us, and it has written here, “Buffy Summers, Class Protector.”

SEASON COUNT-

BUFFY- +118
WILLOW- +101
XANDER- +64
GILES- +58
ANGEL- +56
OZ- +48
CORDELIA- +41
THE MAYOR- +29
JOYCE-+20
WESLEY- +19
SPIKE- +18
FAITH- +10
TRICK- +7
ANYA- +6
ANNE- +4
THE MASTER- +3
JONATHAN- +3
THE FIRST- +2
WILLY- +2
LARRY- +2
SNYDER-+1
ANGELUS- +1
HARMONY- -2
TRAVERS- -3

OVERALL COUNT-

BUFFY- +276
WILLOW- +235
XANDER- +195
GILES- +150
CORDELIA- +118
ANGEL- +106 ( sixth to the century in 41 episodes)
OZ- +79
SPIKE- +62
JOYCE- +40
THE MAYOR- +29
ANGELUS- +24
WESLEY- +19
FAITH- +10
THE MASTER- +9
TRICK- +7
ANYA- +6
ANNE-  +3
JONATHAN- +3
THE FIRST- +2
WILLY- +2
LARRY- +2
TRAVERS- -3
HARMONY- -3
SNYDER- -9

EPISODE THOUGHTS-
If you looked at this episode by it’s name you’d expect a pretty corny episode but what we get is a classic which is full of emotion and drama has some of the most memorable moments in Buffy history. Buffy and Angel break up, finally, not that I don’t like Buffy and Angel, I just think that this was a little overdue. Angel is great as he had to break it off with the girl he loved, which would have surely tore him up inside. Both SMG and Boreanaz are brilliant during this scene and you can just feel the emotion throughout. And while that alone would make the episode memorable, we get to see another great moment where Jonathan gives Buffy the Class Protector award. It’s such a nice scene and it really pulls on the heart strings to see Buffy’s efforts get recognised. Then as if that wasn’t enough, Angel turns up and gives Buffy her perfect high school moment. This is such a great episode to lead up into the finale, there’s all this emotion mixed in with happiness of the moment. The hellhound plot really doesn’t mean anyhting, it just gives Buffy something to fight but it’s all about Buffy and Angel this episode. We do get some other minor moments from the other characters, Wes is funny as usual, Anya is back and asks Xander to the prom and Xander is very kind to Cordelia as she is struggling with poverty. Overall a fantastic episode.

96/100

B319- Choices

Written by: David Fury
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Anthony Stewart Head, David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter, Seth Green, Kristine Sutherland, Harry Groener,  Alexis Denisof, Eliza Dushku & Armin Shimerman.

The Mayor gives Faith a knife for a gift in exchange for picking up a box at the airport. Buffy and Angel are fighting off vampires at the cemetery. They then discuss their relationship and how it seems to be going nowhere. Buffy’s mom finds out that Buffy was accepted to Northwestern, but Buffy is reluctant to make any plans for leaving because of what she’d be leaving behind. Joyce doesn’t seem to be hearing a word of it and goes to call family members in Illinois.

At school, Principal Snyder is on a drug search, and even searches a student’s lunch. Buffy and friends discuss their college futures and Buffy mentions that she did get accepted to the University of California, Sunnydale. Willow on the other hand has been accepted to every school in the country and some out of, including Oxford. Xander has plans to travel around and find out what his future may be since college isn’t posing as much of an option. Cordelia arrives for long enough to insult everyone based on their college futures.

Buffy tells Wesley and Giles that she wants out of Sunnydale. Her slaying job, however, is too much of a problem for them to just ignore. Buffy then decides that if she takes the offensive against the Mayor, bringing the fight to him, that she could defeat him, stop the ascension and then be able to go away for college. Later that night, Faith is there to meet the box at the airport, killing the courier and taking his hand off to separate him from the box. Buffy watches from the bushes as Faith arrives in a limo and brings the box to the Mayor. After the coast is clear, Buffy attacks the limo driver and forces information about the box out of him before staking him.

When Buffy returns to the library, with information about the Box of Gavrok, Giles and Willow bring maps of City Hall so that they can plan their attack on the building in order to get the box back. The box, which is being kept in a top floor conference room is protected by magic which they plan to have Willow destroy before they can take the box. Since they have to destroy the box with a ritual, Xander is sent off in search of ingredients. Wesley is annoyed that no one will listen to him, and feels that they are rushing this too much.

On his way to find ingredients for the ritual, Xander spies Cordelia in a clothing shop. He stops in long enough to give her his best comeback to the insults she provided him the day before but she shocks him with her acceptance letters to several very important colleges. That night, Wesley and Giles drop off Buffy, Willow and Angel at City Hall. Back at the library Xander and Oz prepare to help Willow with the ritual to take of the protective barrier on the box.

After Willow performs the spell, she leaves, and Buffy gets ready to take the box. Angel lowers her through the skylight to take the box. After she gets the box though, an alarm goes off and the rope gets stuck. Buffy is left hanging as two vampires enter. Unable to get Buffy free, Angel jumps down and a fight ensues. After tearing up the conference room, they escape through the main doors and hide in a bush while Giles and Wesley cause a diversion.

The Mayor is extremely angry that they got away with his box, but he suddenly becomes very happy when he finds that Faith has captured Willow. The gang finds out about Willow’s capture and they’re all very upset; Oz is, of course, taking it especially badly. Buffy decides that they will trade the box for Willow. Wesley is strongly against it and tells Buffy that she was right to take the offensive against the Mayor, and that by giving up the box, they are sentencing all of Sunnydale to death. Everyone fights over the issue until Oz ends the argument by smashing the pot needed for the ritual and Buffy tells Giles to set up the meeting.

Willow tries to escape from the room she’s locked in, but only succeeds in attracting the attention of the vampire on lookout. He comes in with intentions of just taking a bit of blood, but she manages to levitate a pencil and stake him before he can take a bite. Willow sneaks out of her room and finds the Mayor’s office. Inside, she also finds the Books of Ascension, which she reads until Faith finds her. Willow tells Faith that she’s made her decision and that it’s over now and they fight for a bit until Faith brings out her knife ready to kill Willow until the Mayor stops her, having received the offer for a trade.

The meeting takes place in the cafeteria where everyone meets the Mayor and his crew armed with weapons. The Mayor gives a speech about how he doesn’t think that Buffy and Angel have any future together. The trade is made, but Principal Snyder shows up with security guards before anyone can leave, expecting to find drugs in the box. One of the guards opens the box and a large beetle-like creature crawls out and kills him. Another beetle breaks free and the two manage to attack The Mayor and Buffy. Both beetles are killed, one with the knife the Mayor gave Faith, and the Mayor leaves, box in hand, with Faith following behind, reluctantly leaving behind the knife.

At the library, Willow tells everyone her story, then presents Giles with a few important pages which she tore from the books. Wesley reminds Buffy that the gang are now back exactly where they started, with no way to stop the ascension. At school the next day, Buffy comes to the conclusion that she’s never going to leave Sunnydale. Willow tells her of her plans to go to UC Sunnydale because she wants to keep helping Buffy save the world and continue her study of Wicca. Buffy is overjoyed that her best friend will be staying in Sunnydale and tells Willow she loves her, and then comments on how something can be different to how it appears. Meanwhile Cordelia is still in the clothing shop looking at a dress, but it turns out she isn’t shopping at the store…she’s working there. That night Buffy and Angel talk about Buffy’s future and she says that everything will be okay, although Angel isn’t so sure.

From: Wikipedia

BUFFY- (+5)

• +1/ Feeling like her relationship with Angel has stagnated, this is their last proper episode as a couple so it’s nice to see them have a few relationship troubles (see Angel point 1).
• +1/ Not knowing what she’s gonna do with her future all the while Joyce is getting awfully excited at Buffys possible future, I like her line about flagpoles, it’s just a quirky line-
  “Mom, you know that I can’t … I-I just can’t decide on a school right now. I mean I want to sleep on it, you know, mull it over. Raise them up my inner flagpole, see which one I salute.”
• +1/ Wanting to take the fight to the Mayor instead of waiting for him to make a move-
  Buffy: I’m tired of waiting for Mayor McSleaze to make his move while we sit on our hands counting down to Ascension Day. I mean, let’s take the fight to him.
  Wesley: No. No! Much too reckless. We’re at a distinct disadvantage.  We don’t know anything about the Mayor’s Ascension…
  Giles: She’s right. Time’s running out. We need to take the offensive.  (to Buffy) What’s your plan?
  Buffy: I gotta have a plan? Really? I can’t just be proactive with pep?
• +1/ Her fight scene in the town hall, very nice choreography.
• +1/ Trying to be strong about her relationship with Angel after his truthful words on their future-
  Buffy: It’s gonna be fun. Will and I are going to go on Saturday to check out the campus. I’m hoping Mom will let me live there. It’s too far to come home every night. Plus the whole lack of cool factor.  Either way, I’ll be close to your place. I don’t know what the Mayor was talking about. How could he know anything about us?
  Angel: Well, he’s evil.
  Buffy: Big time. He doesn’t even know what a lasting relationship is.
  Angel: No.
  Buffy: Probably the only lasting relationship he’s ever had is with  evil.
  Angel: Yeah.
  Buffy: Big, stupid, evil guy. We’ll be okay.
  Angel: We will.

XANDER- (+2)

• +1/ Deciding to go on a road trip after school-
  Xander: Everything in life is foreign territory. Kerouac. He’s my teacher. The open road is my school.
  Buffy: Making the open dumpster your cafeteria?
  Xander: Go ahead, mock me.
  Oz: I think she just did.
• +1/ Finally settling in to his position as ingredient getting guy. It’s important that he realizes his position within the group.

WILLOW- (+10)

• +1/ Being a linchpin in Buffy’s assault on the Mayor, showing how powerful and important Willow has become, and it will only become greater for Willow-
  Wesley: The Mayor will most assuredly have supernatural safeguards protecting the box. (silence) Oh, we all forgot about that, did we?
  Buffy: Looks like a job for Wiccan girl. What do you say, Will? Big time danger.
  Willow: Hey, I eat danger for breakfast.
  Xander: But oddly enough, she panics in the face of breakfast foods.
• +3/ Her prisoner scene with a Vamp guard who she manages to stake with a pencil magically-
  Guard: What are you doing?
  Willow: Oh, uh, I’m looking for a sucking candy, cause my mouth gets dry when I’m nervous, or held prisoner against my will.
  The vampire slowly approaches her with a hungry look.
  Willow: And suddenly I’m thinking sucking isn’t a good word to use around vampires. Hey! Did you get permission to eat the hostage? I don’t think so. You’re going to be in some trouble when the Mayor …
• +2/ Standing up to Faith, which shows how far Willow has come confidence-wise. She now will go toe-to-toe with a psychotic Slayer when not so long ago she would sweat up when talking to boys-
  Faith: Check out the bookworm.
  Willow: Faith!
  Faith: Anyone with brains, anyone who knew what was going to happen to her, would try to claw her way out of this place. But you, you just can’t stop Nancy Drew-ing, can you? Guess now you know too much and that kinda just naturally leads to killing.
  Willow: Faith, wait. I want to talk to you.
  Faith: Oh yeah? Give me the speech again, please. Faith, we’re still your friends. We can help you. It’s not too late.
  Willow: It’s way too late. You know, it didn’t have to be this way.  But you made your choice. I know you had a tough life. I know that some people think you had a lot of bad breaks. Well, boo hoo! Poor you. You know, you had a lot more in your life than some people.  I mean, you had friends in your life like Buffy. Now you have no one. You were a Slayer and now you’re nothing. You’re just a big selfish, worthless waste.
  Faith punches Willow in the jaw and she falls to the ground.
  Faith: You hurt me, I hurt you. I’m just a little more efficient.
  Willow: Aw, here I just thought you didn’t have a come-back.
  Faith: You’re begging for some deep pain.
  Willow: I’m not afraid of you. .
• +1/ Stealing pages from the Books of Acension, giving Giles some vital information for them to work off.
• +3/ Deciding to stay in Sunnydale and go to college with Buffy, preferring to fight the good fight and train as a Wicca then advance her education at Harvard or Yale. I’m definitely thankful for her decision-
  Buffy: I can’t believe it! Are you serious? Ah, wait, what am I saying? You can’t.
  Willow: What do you mean, I can’t?
  Buffy: I won’t let you.
  Willow: Of the two people here, which is the boss of me?
  Buffy: There are better schools.
  Willow: Sunnydale’s not bad. A-And I can design my own curriculum.
  Buffy: Okay, well, there are safer schools. There are safer prisons.  I can’t let you stay because of me.
  Willow: Actually, this isn’t about you. Although I’m fond, don’t get me wrong, of you. The other night, you know, being captured and all, facing off with Faith. Things just, kind of, got clear. I mean, you’ve been fighting evil here for three years, and I’ve helped some, and now we’re supposed to decide what we want to do with our lives. And I just realized that that’s what I want to do. Fight evil, help people. I mean, I-I think it’s worth doing. And I don’t think you do it because you have to. It’s a good fight, Buffy, and I want in.
  Buffy: I kind of love you.
  Willow: And, besides, I have a shot at being a bad ass Wiccan, and what better place to learn?

GILES- (+1)

• +1/ Siding with Buffy on the whole taking-the-fight-to-the-Mayor thing, it’s strange to see Giles act as more of a Scooby than a Watcher.

ANGEL- (+2)

• +1/ Having a few relationship troubles with Buffy while fighting some vamps-
  Buffy: Sorry, honey!
  Angel: That’s okay.
  They defeat them.
  Buffy: Well, there’s something you don’t see every day. Unless, of course, you’re me.
  Angel: That was bracing. Want to do another sweep?
  Buffy: It’s what I live for. Sad to say.
  Angel: You too tired?
  Buffy: No. It’s just… Do you get the feeling that we’re kind of in a rut?
  Angel: A rut?
  Buffy: You never take me any place new.
  Angel: What about that fire demon nest in the cave by the beach?  I felt that was a nice change of pace.
  Buffy: So this is our future? This is how we’re going to spend our nights when I’m fifty and you’re … the same age you are now.

CORDELIA- (0)

• -1/ Being very mean to Buffy when discussing their respective futures.
• +1/ Actually decently earning a living after her parents money gets taken away by the government. It’s actually a good thing for Cordy because she then goes to Angel and becomes a much better person.

OZ- (+3)

• +1/Discussing his Willow with Xander after she leaves a note with stick figure representations of them, Oz is the one with a guitar.
• +2/ Settling the dispute over whether or not to trade the Box of Gavrok for Willow by smashing the pedestal and jar needed to destroy it. It’s one of a few moments where we see lots of emotion from Oz, clearly showing how much he cares for Willow.

THE MAYOR- (+6)

• +1/Giving Faith a nice dagger as a present. He does threaten to take it back when she’s a little insolent, which is very fatherly of him.
• +1/ Trying to show his appreciation for Faith-
  Mayor: (chuckles) You are one heck of a girl, you know that? I mean geez, the initiative, the – the skill.
  Faith: Go on, go on. (sits down)
  Mayor: I will. You know, I’ll tell you, if Buffy … (Faith props her feet on the desk. The Mayor frowns.) Hey hey hey hey. (Faith drops her feet.) If Buffy Summers walked in here and said she wanted to switch to our side, I’d say (snaps his fingers) no thanks, sister, I’ve got all the Slayer one man could ever need. (chuckles)
  Faith sighs.
  Mayor: What?
  Faith: Nothing.
  Mayor: Oh, it’s cause I used the B-word, huh?
• +1/ Going from melancholy to furious in a matter of seconds when he finds out that his Box of Gavrok is missing.
• +1/ Getting all excited about his meeting with Buffy and the Scoobies-
  “Well, this is exciting, isn’t it? (chuckles) Clandestine meetings by dark of night. Exchange of prisoners. I just, I, I feel like we should all be wearing trench coats.”
• +2/ Passing on some truthful wisdom about what lies ahead for Buffy and Angel, which ends up being the impetous for Angel leaving Buffy-
  Mayor: Well, I wish you kids the best, I really do. But if you don’t mind a bit of fatherly advice, I, uh, I-I just don’t see much of a future for you two. I don’t sense a lasting relationship. And not just because I plan to kill you. You two have a bumpy road ahead.
  Buffy: I don’t think we need to talk about this.
  Mayor: God, you kids, you know. You don’t like to think about the future. You don’t like to make plans. Unless you want Faith to gut your friend like a sea bass, show a little respect for your elders.
  Angel: You’re not my elder. I’ve got a lotta years on you.
  Mayor: Yeah, and that’s just one of the things you’re going to have to deal with. You’re immortal, she’s not. It’s not. I married my Edna May in ought-three and I was with her right until the end. Not a pretty picture. Wrinkled and senile and cursing me for my youth.  Wasn’t our happiest time. And let’s not forget the fact that any moment of true happiness will turn you evil. I mean, come on. What kind of a life can you offer her? I don’t see a lot of Sunday picnics in the offing. I see skulking in the shadows, hiding from the sun. She’s a blossoming young girl and you want to keep her from the life she should have until it has passed her by. My God!  I think that’s a little selfish. Is that what you came back from Hell for? Is that your greater purpose?

FAITH- (+1)

• +1/ Being very daughterly with The Mayor after he gives her a nice dagger.

JOYCE- (+1)

• +1/ Joyce is awfully proud of Buffy academic achievements which I like, gives Buffy that shred of normalcy, which is the only thing Joyce can relate to.

PRINCIPAL SNYDER- (0)

• +1/ He’s on a bit of a drug tirade this episode. He does fail in one drug bust after he snatches a students lunch and interrogates them about. It’s all above the board of course. It’s nice to see Snyder taken down a peg or two.
• -1/ Sticking his nose into the wrong place when he interrupts the big meeting between Buffy and the Mayor. He leaves a much more frightened man.

WESLEY- (+2)

• +1/ Forbidding Buffy from leaving Sunnydale. What’s pointworthy is the fact that he says- ” By the power invested in me by the Council, I forbid it.”, while crossing his wrists over his heart, completely hilarious.
• +1/ Being completely out of the loop with Buffy’s big assault plan and not being able to catch up, you gotta feel for him a little, Buffy is not the most astute follower.

SEASON COUNT-

BUFFY- +107
WILLOW- +98
XANDER- +58
GILES- +55
ANGEL- +48
OZ- +47
CORDELIA- +38
THE MAYOR- +29
JOYCE-+19
SPIKE- +18
WESLEY- +17
FAITH- +10
TRICK- +7
ANNE- +4
THE MASTER- +3
ANYA- +3
THE FIRST- +2
WILLY- +2
LARRY- +2
JONATHAN- +1
SNYDER-+1
ANGELUS- +1
HARMONY- -2
TRAVERS- -3

OVERALL COUNT-

BUFFY- +265
WILLOW- +232
XANDER- +189
GILES- +147
CORDELIA- +115
ANGEL- +98
OZ- +78
SPIKE- +62
JOYCE- +39
THE MAYOR- +29
ANGELUS- +24
WESLEY- +17
FAITH- +10
THE MASTER- +9
TRICK- +7
ANNE-  +3
ANYA- +3
THE FIRST- +2
WILLY- +2
LARRY- +2
JONATHAN- +1
TRAVERS- -3
HARMONY- -3
SNYDER- -9

EPISODE THOUGHTS-

Another strong episode. This season just doesn’t let up. We are given plenty of character moments as well as humour and strong drama. Willow is the stand out as she stands up to Faith and is incredibly brave under her prisoner circumstances. She also decides to stay with Buffy and fight the good fight, which is great because without Willow, this show would not be as good as it is. It’s all the character’s working together which make Buffy and Angel entertaining and I think this episode shows it. All the characters have their moments and provide the majority of the entertainment, with the plot just a device for the characters to work off. The plot for this episode is not bad, the box is pretty inconsequential but the capture of Willow and the trade between the two parties is very important. The Mayor gets to sum up Buffy anf Angel’s relationship the way only he can, which allows Angel to take the step of moving on. Good episode.

84.5/100

B318- Earshot

Written by: Jane Espenson
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Anthony Stewart Head, David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter, Seth Green, Kristine Sutherland, Alexis Denisof, Ethan Erickson, Danny Strong & Larry Bagby.

On patrol, Buffy runs into two demons that she fights and then kills one of them. While the other escapes, the blood from the demon she killed mixes with a cut on her palm she received while fighting it. The next day at the library, Buffy finds that they’re making very little progress with the Mayor and stopping the ascension. Willow asks Buffy if she’s talked to Angel and then suggests that Buffy straight out ask him what happened with Faith. Percy checks in with Willow to reschedule their study session and then she talks to Buffy about the basketball game after school which everyone except Buffy is going to.

Buffy goes to Giles after she finds that her hand is itching where she was cut and that, because she came in contact with the blood of one of the demons, she may be infected with an aspect of the demon. Xander and Oz watch the cheerleaders at the pep rally and Xander reveals that he still has a thing for Cordy when he witnesses Wesley looking at Cordelia. Buffy is constantly worried as she waits to find out what aspect of the demon she’ll be getting; Willow horrifies her, wondering if the demon was a male. She talks to Angel about it that night and he tells her he’d love her no matter what she looked like.

The next day, as she’s walking through the halls, Buffy finds out that she can hear the thoughts of others. She talks to Giles about it, and he goes right to work researching it while Buffy decides to put her new ability to work. In class, she listens to the thoughts of her teacher and classmates and answers the questions asked. Buffy also hears the thoughts of Freddy Iverson, who writes editorials for the school newspaper who has a seriously negative opinion about everything at Sunnydale.

Later that day, Buffy goes to the mansion to use her mind-reading abilities to check up on Angel and find out the truth about what happened with Faith. He figures out what she’s trying to do, and he tells she can’t read his mind because he’s a vampire. He reveals to her that what happened with Faith meant nothing and that in 243 years, he’s loved only Buffy.

At the library, Buffy tells her friends about her ability to read minds. Xander constantly thinks about sex, Cordelia says almost exactly what she thinks, Oz thinks extremely deep thoughts, Willow thinks about how she’s left out of things, and Wesley thinks about Cordelia.

In the lunchroom, Buffy hears someone think, “By this time tomorrow, I’ll kill you all,” and then the voices get to be too much and Buffy passes out. When she regains consciousness, she tells everyone to get organized and find out who the potential killer is. Buffy goes home to rest but before she leaves, she overhears Giles’s thoughts that she’ll go insane if the telepathy continues. He and Wesley found that it happened before, but the person is in total isolation because they can’t stop the power. Buffy’s mom is nervous around her and doesn’t want to stay in the same room with Buffy for very long. Finally, Buffy reads her mind and finds out that she had sex with Giles, twice, on the hood of a police car. Willow and everyone go around interviewing students and faculty that were in the Cafeteria to see if they’re potential killers.

Giles and Wesley have found a possible solution to curing Buffy, but it requires the heart of the second demon. Angel hunts down the demon and the next morning brings the heart to the Summers’ home in a glass mixed with other ingredients. He forces Buffy to drink it and then her body goes into convulsions. Willow and the rest of the Scooby Gang were able to locate all the students on the list except Freddy Iverson and they all go looking for him.

Back at home, Buffy wakes up and is no longer able to hear thoughts. The gang finally corners Freddy in his office and find out that he’s not the potential killer. Buffy shows up just as they find a letter from Jonathan apologizing for his upcoming actions of death on Freddy’s desk. The gang splits up to find Jonathan while he is up in the clock tower, assembling a rifle. Buffy spots him from below and puts her Slayer strengths to work as she flies up the stairs, onto the roof, and into the tower. Buffy talks to him and tells him that the reason why everyone ignores him is because they all have their own problems that actually matter more to them than his do. She takes the rifle from him and then finds out that he was really going to commit suicide.

Xander checks the kitchen and stumbles upon the overweight lunch lady putting rat poison into the food. She comes out and tries to kill Xander with a cleaver, but Buffy stops her. The lunchlady likened the students to “vermin” always eating and never stopping. Buffy decides that the lunchlady has lost her mind and knocks her unconscious. Giles and Buffy recap what happened as they walk around the school grounds. Giles asks her if she’s up for some training, and Buffy says she is if he isn’t too busy sleeping with her mother, causing Giles to walk straight into a tree.

From: Wikipedia

BUFFY- (+13)

• +1/ Freaking out about her apparent infection-
  Giles: You touched one of the demons?
  Buffy examines her hand under a magnifying lamp.
  Buffy: A good touch, not a bad touch. Anyway, it’s been itching like crazy. (she switches off the lamp and swings it aside) No big, just another problem for the good people at Lubriderm, right?
  Giles finds a picture of the demon. He set the book down in front of Buffy.
  Giles: That’s the demon in question?
  Buffy: In the disgusting flesh.
  Giles: Hmm.
  He picks the book back up and steps away from her, reading it.
  Buffy: What?
  Giles: It says they can infect the host.
  Buffy: Infect? Infect?
  Giles is still reading.
  Buffy: GILES! INFECT?!
• +1/ Discussing the possibilities of demon parts which Buffy may inherit (see Willow point 1).
• +1/ Her reactions to the thoughts of students in the school hallway. At first she’s pretty happy because boys think she’s attractive, well, until the thoughts turn a little turn sexual for Buffy’s liking.
• +1/ Telling Giles of her new found power due to the aspect of the demon-
  Buffy: Is this the thing? The aspect thing? Because I gotta say, if it is, it is way better than a tail. I mean, I have a hard enough time finding jeans that fit right.
  Giles: Buffy, slow down. I’m not even convinced that this is genuine mind reading. You’re most likely projecting your-
  Buffy: When I walked in a few minutes ago, you thought ‘Look at her shoes. If a fashion magazine told her to, she’d wear cats strapped to her feet.
  Giles: I…um… (V.O.) The demons are telepathic. I should have known. That’s why they didn’t need mouths.
  (non-V.O.) Of course, demons are telepathic!
  Buffy: I know, you just told me. That’s why they don’t need mouths. And you should have known.
• +1/ Using one of the smarter students thoughts to answer many of the teacher’s questions in class.
• +2/ Trying to use her power to read Angel’s thoughts, specifically on Faith. Unfortunately for her, he’s a vamp so it doesn’t take but she does get his reassurance that he only thinks of her (see Angel point 2).
• +1/ Soon enough, the thoughts she hears become to much to bear. Even under this terrible pain and anguish she still manages to be a leader and order the Scoobies to find the threat to the students.
• +1/ Finding out, through her power, about Joyce and Giles’  little Band Candy fun (see Joyce point 1).
• +1/ Showing some awesome acrobatic ability in getting to the school’s bell tower.
• +2/ Saving Jonathan from himself and giving some insight into the average teens head, all due to the experience she had with mind reading. It’s nice to see Buffy save the day with words instead of punches, kicks and stakes-
  Jonathan: Stop saying my name like we’re friends! We’re not friends! You all think I’m an idiot! A short idiot!
  Buffy: (matter-of-factly) I don’t. I don’t think about you much at all. Nobody here really does. Bugs you, doesn’t it. You have all this pain, and all these feelings and nobody’s really paying attention.
  Jonathan: You think I just want attention?
  Buffy: No. I think you’re up in the clock tower with a high-powered rifle because you wanna blend in. Believe it or not, Jonathan, I understand about the pain.
  Jonathan: Oh right. Cause the burden of being beautiful and athletic, that’s a crippler.
  Buffy: You know what? I was wrong. You are an idiot. My life happens to, on occasion, suck beyond the telling of it. Sometimes more than I can handle. And it’s not just mine. Every single person down there is ignoring your pain because they’re too busy with their own. The beautiful ones. The popular ones. The guys that pick on you. Everyone.
  Buffy: If you could hear what they were feeling. The loneliness. The confusion. It looks quiet down there. It’s not. It’s deafening. (about the rifle) You know, I could’ve taken that by now.
  Jonathan: I know.
• +1/ Buffy: Well, it’s nice to be able to help someone in a non-slaying capacity. Except, he’s starting to get that look, you know, like he’s gonna ask me to Prom.
  Giles: Well, it would probably be good for his self-esteem, if you…
  Buffy: Oh come on! What am I, Saint Buffy? He’s like three feet tall!

XANDER- (+7)

• +1/ Xander: Hogan Martin thinks he’s sooooo hot. Like we should all be awed by him cuz he can put a ball in the net.
  Hogan: Hey Xander.
  Xander: He said my name! He knows my name!
• +1/ Upset that Wesley finds Cordy attractive-
  Xander: You know Oz, I look at all this beauty, all these healthy young woman and I wonder why I ever wasted my time on Cordelia. I mean, look at her. She’s no better looking than the rest of them.
  Oz: None of them are really my-
  Xander: Oh my God, he’s looking at her!
  Xander spots Wesley looking at Cordelia.
  Xander: He’s got his filthy adult Pierce Brosny eyes all over my Cordy.
• +1/ Discussing the recent basketball game with the other Scoobies (see Oz point 1).
• +1/ Xander’s thoughts during the classroom scene-
  “When did she study? Was I supposed to study? Ms. Murray’s kinda hot.”
  
• +2/ Constantly thinking about sex-
  Xander: (V.O.) What am I gonna do? I think about sex all the time! Sex! Help! 4 times 5 is thirty. 5 times 6 is 32. Naked girls. Naked Women! Naked Buffy! Oh stop me!
  Buffy: God Xander! Is that all you think about?
  Xander: Actually… bye.
  Xander runs from library.
• +1/ His hunger for Jell-o managing to find the actual threat to the school, the lunch lady.

WILLOW- (+4)

• +1/ Discussing Buffy’s possible demon parts-
  Willow notices Buffy running her hands over her hair.
  Willow: What are you doing Buffy?
  Buffy: Nothing… Checking for horns.
  Buffy hops off the bench away from them. Willow quickly goes after her.
  Willow: Ah, you know, Buffy, I don’t even think Giles is right about you becoming like a demon. I mean he’s totally burnt. You know, dealing with faith and this ascension thing. Between you and me, he’s not doing his best work.
  Buffy: What if he is right? I’m suddenly going to grow this demon part and we don’t even know what it is. It could be claws or scales…
  Willow’s expression turns shocked.
  Buffy: What?
  Willow: Was it a boy demon?
• +1/ Afraid that Buffy knows more about Oz due to her new found power-
  Willow: (V.O.) She knows so much. She knows what Oz is thinking. I never know that. Before long, she’ll know him better than I do.
  Buffy: No, don’t think that.
• +1/ Making up some interrogation sheets for the Scoobies-
  Willow: Okay, I’ve taken our list and narrowed it down to a dozen strong suspects. Here are your personalized assignments.
  Xander: Ooo, I was hoping there’d be assignments.
  Cordelia: I think I should work with Wesley.
  Xander: You have no shame.
  Cordelia: Oh please, like shame has something to be proud of.
  Willow: Be quiet! (off their looks) Sorry, but, but this is important. Talk to everyone on your list. And use the sample questions.
  They look over the sheets as Willow eyes them.
  Willow: Today people!
  The three go to exit the library.
  Willow: Oh! Write neatly. And, and label your worksheets.
• +1/ Interrogating Jonathan, reminding me of Go Fish. She’s quite good at it and seems to take on a totally different persona. She’s confident and aggressive.

GILES- (+1)

• +1/ Having absolutely no clue about what’s gonna happen with the Ascension. He seems so determined to defeat Wesley as a watcher.

ANGEL- (+6)

• +1/ Telling Buffy that he’ll love her no matter what happens to her-
  Angel: An aspect of the demon.
  Buffy: You know the drill.
  Angel: By rumor. That doesn’t mean anything. I mean, sometimes demons, they just exagerate their power.
  Buffy: Demon hype. Maybe not. I spend all my time in the dark here anyway. It’s not like I’d be at a gain you know with my friends where someone could see me and my new monster part.
  Angel grabs her arm and pulls her around to face him.
  Angel: Hey, I won’t let anything happen to you if I can help it. No matter what, I’ll always be with you. Hey, I’ll love you even if you’re covered with slime.
  Buffy: I liked everything until that part.
• +3/ Telling Buffy what she needed to hear about his feelings for her, he even manages to be funny-
  Buffy: You know, not that she was so bad to have around… You know, before the evil… You know, I think she was hurting a lot. And some people, protective type people, might be drawn to that I guess… Well, the thing about Faith-
  Angel: You can’t get into my mind.
  Buffy: How did you…why not?
  Angel: It’s like the mirror. The thoughts are there, but they create no reflection in you. You got the aspect of the demon.
  Buffy: Yeah, Giles doesn’t know how long it’s gonna last. It’s OK, a little headachy, but…
  Angel: You don’t have to play games with me Buffy. Ever.
  Buffy: Well, you’re not exactly Joe-here’s- what-I’m-thinking.
  Angel: So ask me.
  Buffy: Oh, but that woulda made sense.
  Angel: What do you wanna know about? Faith? How I felt kissing her, pretending to have no soul? Watching you suffer?
  Buffy: Well, since you bring it up…
  Angel: I hated hurting you, more than I could stand.
  Buffy: Look, the thing about Faith, I’d understand. You know, she has, you know, that whole bad girl thing working for her.
  Angel: Kissing her meant nothing. I don’t want a bad girl. I’ve done that before. I’ve lived a long time Buffy, and I’m past that. I’ve been with dozens of girls like her. More.
  Buffy: Oh this honesty stuff is funny.
  Angel: I mean, there’s no comparison. In two-hundred-forty-three years, I’ve loved exactly one person.
  Buffy: Ohh…it is me right?
  Angel: Next time, just ask.
  Buffy: Ok.
  Angel: And Buffy, be careful with this gift. A lot of things that seem strong and good and powerful, they can be painful.
  Buffy: Like say, immortality?
  Angel: Exactly, I’m dying to get rid of that.
  Buffy: Funny.
  Angel: (with a straight face) I’m a funny guy.
• +2/ Managing to rip the heart out of the missing demon and save Buffy from insanity. He comes through in the clinch.

CORDELIA- (+3)

• +1/ Saying what she thinks, which I think is brilliant and completely within her character.
• +1/ Upfront in her questioning technique-
  “Hi Mr. Beech! I was just wondering, were you planning on killing a bunch of people tomorrow? (smiles) Oh, it’s for the yearbook!”
• +1/ Wanting to know if Freddy Iverson reviewed the cheerleaders performance, she still very vain.

OZ- (+4)

• +1/ Discussing the recent school basketball game-
  Willow: Could you believe it? Right at the buzzer. Three points for the win. They all sit down.
  Oz: It was intense.
  Xander: Yeah, for a minute there I thought you’re gonna make an expression.
  Oz: Well, I felt one coming on. I won’t lie.
• +2/ Are we ready! Oz’s thoughts-
  ” (V.O.) I am my thoughts. If they exist in her, Buffy contains everything that is me and she becomes me. I cease to exist. (Non-V.O.) Hmm…”
  and….
  “(V.O.) No one else exists either. Buffy is all of us. We think. Therefore, she is.”
• +1/ Taking criticism very well-
  Oz: (reading the school paper) Dingoes Ate My Baby play their instruments as if they have plump polish sausages taped to their fingers.
  Freddy: Sorry man.
  Oz: (shrugs, sets down the paper) No, it’s fair.

JOYCE- (+2)

• +2/ Trying to not think about her sexual experience with Giles while in Buffy’s presence, this of course means she ends up thinking about it-
  Joyce: There, you look better already.
  Buffy: Thanks mom.
  Joyce speeds out into the hallway.
  Joyce: I’m uh, I’m just going to get you another pillow.
  Buffy: I really don’t need one.
  Joyce comes back in with the pillow.
  Joyce: But you need another blanket.
  She sets the pillow on the bed, turns back again.
  Buffy: Uh, mom, I’m fine.
  Joyce grabs the blanket, comes back in.
  Joyce: How about, some soup? Chicken and stars.
  She sets the blanket on the bed.
  Buffy: Mom, please, just come sit with me.
  Joyce fidgets and steps back from the bed.
  Joyce: I’ve uh, I’ve got laundry.
  Buffy: Why are you…? (she bolts up in bed) You had sex with Giles?!
  Joyce: (gasps)
  Buffy: YOU HAD SEX WITH GILES?!
  Joyce: (turns to hurry out of the room) It was the candy! We were teenagers!
  Buffy: On the hood of a police car?!?
  Joyce: (stops just outside the room looking back) I’ll be downstairs. You feel better. (she hurries away)
  Buffy: (calling after her) TWICE!!!!

WESLEY- (+2)

• +1/ Managing to outwit Giles-
  Giles: I was just filling Buffy in on my progress regarding the research on the acension.
  Wesley: Oh, and what took up the rest of the minute?
  Giles: Touche.
• +1/ Thinking about Cordy when he shouldn’t-
  Wesley: (V.O.) Look at Cordelia. No! Don’t look at Cordelia! She’s a student! Oh I am a bad man. I’m a bad, bad man!
  Buffy gazes intently at him.
  Wesley: Excuse me.
  Wesley exits into Giles’ office.

JONATHAN- (+1)

• +1/ Being interrogated by Willow-
  Willow: Fantasy’s are fun, aren’t they Jonathan?
  Jonathan: Uh… I guess.
  Willow: We all have fantasies that we’re powerful, more respected. Where people pay attention to us.
  Jonathan: Uh… maybe.
  Willow: But sometimes the fantasy isn’t enough, is it Jonathan? Sometimes we have to make it so people don’t ignore us. Make them pay attention. You know what I’m talking about, don’t you?
  Jonathan: Em, you… Want me to pay attention?

LARRY- (+1)

• +1/ Finally coming out to the school, he still thinks Xander is that way inclined though.

SEASON COUNT-

BUFFY- +102
WILLOW- +88
XANDER- +56
GILES- +54
ANGEL- +46
OZ- +44
CORDELIA- +38
THE MAYOR- +23
SPIKE- +18
JOYCE-+18
WESLEY- +15
FAITH- +9
TRICK- +7
ANNE- +4
THE MASTER- +3
ANYA- +3
THE FIRST- +2
WILLY- +2
LARRY- +2
JONATHAN- +1
SNYDER-+1
ANGELUS- +1
HARMONY- -2
TRAVERS- -3

OVERALL COUNT-

BUFFY- +260
WILLOW- +222
XANDER- +187
GILES- +146
CORDELIA- +115
ANGEL- +96
OZ- +75
SPIKE- +62
JOYCE- +38
ANGELUS- +24
THE MAYOR- +23
WESLEY- +15
THE MASTER- +9
FAITH- +9
TRICK- +7
ANNE-  +3
ANYA- +3
THE FIRST- +2
WILLY- +2
LARRY- +2
JONATHAN- +1
TRAVERS- -3
HARMONY- -3
SNYDER- -9

EPISODE THOUGHTS-
A very strong episode. We get to watch what seems to be a basic supernatural episode about Buffy gaining the power of telepathy turn into a mystery full of twists and laughs. Buffy is great as she reads people’s thoughts than gets overwhelmed by the power before ending with a very powerful scene with Jonathan as she talks him out of suicide. Xander and Angel stand out from the other characters with Xander providing quite a bit of humour and Angel showing Buffy his undying love. The plot of the episode turned out to be a really strong one, I like that we take a apparently funny idea such as telepathy and then use it to hit a stronger dramatic and emotional arc. It’s also good to see Jonathan get some solid screen time. It’s one of Buffy’s stonger dramatic, mystery-type episodes.

97.5/100

B317- Enemies

Written by: Douglas Petrie
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Anthony Stewart Head, David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter, Seth Green,Kristine Sutherland, Harry Groener, Alexis Denisof & Eliza Dushku.

Buffy and Angel went to see a movie, but it was very steamy and both are worked up. To prove that he isn’t going to lose control, Angel kisses her, but their sweet moment is cut short when Faith shows up for patrol. While out hunting for the bad guys, the two slayers run into a demon (named Skyler in the script, though his name is not spoken) who offers them a set of books about ascension in exchange for five grand. Apparently, these books would be very useful for the Mayor and when he finds out, he asks Faith to kill the demon and take the books.

At the library, the Scooby Gang discusses “ascension” but they know very little about it until Willow suggests checking in a book which Giles was trying to hide from her due to its magical content. Cordelia arrives and makes a date with Wesley. Faith finds the demon, who’s desperate to get out of Sunnydale before the Mayor’s ascension, and kills him. She goes to Angel, upset over what she’s become and seeks comfort from him. Angel refuses to give her what she wants, but Faith manages to sneak a kiss on the cheek which Buffy happens to walk in and see. She was trying to take away his soul with happiness but since Angel’s mind is focused on Buffy, the Mayor decides that he’ll have to take it in the ‘most painful way imaginable.’

Buffy reports in to Giles and Wesley, but having just seen Faith with Angel, a little upset and reluctant to do anything with Faith. After Xander gets the address for the demon from Willy, Buffy goes to find him, and Faith arrives just in time to tag along. When the two reach the demon’s apartment, they find him dead and Buffy is worried by Faith’s strange behavior about it. The Mayor talks to a cloaked man, a sorcerer of some sort, about taking Angel’s soul away from him. Buffy tells Willow about how she saw Faith and Angel together, and Willow encourages, rather forces Buffy to talk to Angel about it.

Faith finds Angel first at the mansion and apologizes for her behavior the night before, and then she pours blood onto his shirt. The cloaked man steps out of the shadows, chants a spell, lights flash, Angel yells, and then Angelus is back. He pulls Faith to him and they kiss before Angel starts beating her up. The two fight and Faith ends up on top, holding a stake to his heart. A truce is made as Angel agrees to meet the Mayor and the two kiss.

The Scooby gang meets again, and makes plans for the night. Willow reveals that she was unable to find anything in the Mayor’s computer files since the files were emptied before she could get through to them. Unable to find both Faith and Angel, Buffy leaves to find out what’s going on with the Mayor while Wesley takes a very eager Cordelia and the rest of the group, minus Xander, to the Hall of Records to find information on the Mayor.

Faith takes Angel to meet with the Mayor, and Angel tries to kill him, but discovers that the Mayor can’t be killed. He tells the Mayor of his plans to torture and kill Buffy. The two walk the streets of Sunnydale on the way to Buffy’s house, and encounter Xander who Angel punches and knocks to the ground. After flirting mildly with Joyce, Angel and Faith find Buffy in her room and lure her away to the mansion hinting slightly at their changed behavior making Buffy worried as she follows them. Once there, Angel and Faith reveal that they’re fighting for the other side now, and Angel knocks Buffy out cold.

Angel chains Buffy to a wall, where she wakes up finding Angel and Faith planning to torture her. Faith goes on about her painful childhood with a mother who drank too much, and her life as the Slayer living in Buffy’s shadow. She reveals what she knows about the Mayor’s master plans, which will culminate with the ascension taking place on Graduation Day. Finally, Faith says with a smile, boasting her ability to deceive the Scoobies: “What can I say? I’m the world’s best actor.” Angel responds: “Second best.” Faith then realizes that SHE was the one who was duped — Angel was only pretending to be Angelus again, when in reality he still retained his soul, and Buffy slips out of her chains. The two of them had been pretending so that they could find out as much about the ascension as possible. The rest of the Scooby gang arrive as Buffy and Faith fight and end up with knives at each other’s throats. Telling Buffy that she can’t kill her without becoming her, Faith breaks away and runs off.

At the library, Giles thanks and bids good-bye to the cloaked man, revealing that the fake spell was the paying off of a debt the man owed Giles for introducing him to his wife. Wesley is very upset that Giles did all this behind his back, and plans to tell the council about it. Now that everyone is fully aware of Faith’s switch to Team Evil, they have to prepare to fight her as well. Faith is upset over the whole ordeal, but the Mayor tells her not to worry because after the ascension, they’d all be dead.

Buffy goes to Angel, and both are having a hard time dealing with what they had to do. Angel feels horrible that he had to do and say the things he did, and how far he let it go. Buffy needs some time, but as she leaves, he asks, “You still my girl?” and she responds, “Always.”

From: Wikipedia

BUFFY- (+3)

• +1/ Taking Angel to a foreign film which turns out to be very sexy-
  Buffy: That was very … artistic.
  Angel: Yeah.
  Buffy: Wasn’t what I expected. I’ve never actually seen… Well, from the title I thought it was about food.
  Angel: Well there was food.
  Buffy: Right. The, the scene with the, the food. So, feel like getting some hot chocolate? Or some cold shower?
  Angel: I’m sorry. I wanted to take you out somewhere fun. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to the movies. They changed.
  Buffy: A little scary. And a little not, which is also scary. I’m sorry. I just, I don’t like getting you worked up like that. We can’t actually do any of those things. You’d lose your soul. Besides, I don’t even own a kimono.
• +2/ Her part in the huge sting on Faith. It must’ve been hard for Buffy to watch Angel act like Angelus and be chanined to a wall as he pretends to work with Faith. But what hurt Buffy most of all was watching Angel kiss Faith. That will be something that Buffy will obsess about for a while. Anyway, it’s a strong plan and works like clockwork (see Faith point 5).

XANDER- (+2)

• +1/ Bribing Willy so they could find their demon-
• Xander: Found your demon.
  Wesley stares in amazement at Xander’s comment.
  Buffy: Fashion tip, Wes. Mouth looks better closed.
  Xander: Got the address. I beat it out of Willy the snitch personally.
  Buffy: You beat up Willy?
  Xander: Sure! Well, actually, let’s just say I applied some pressure. Or more accurately, that I asked politely, and then, uh, okay, I bribed him.
  Buffy: How much?
  Xander: Twenty-eight bucks. (to Giles) Does the Council reimburse for that kind of stuff?
  Giles: Did you get a receipt?
  Xander: Damn.
• +1/ Complaining about Wesley and Cordy’s attraction to him-
  “I love when you talk, Wesley. I love when you sing, Wesley. Can you say the words jailbait, Wesley? Limey bastard.”

WILLOW- (+3)

• +2/ Discussing Faith and Angel with Buffy. Willow provides comfort and reminds Buffy that Angel is only in love with her, not Faith. We also see Willow’s intense dislike of Faith-
  Buffy: I went to Angel’s last night and Faith was there. They looked sort of intimate.
  Willow: No way. I know what you’re thinking and no way!
  Buffy: You’re right. Faith would never do that.
  Willow: Faith would totally do that. Faith was built to do that. She’s the do that girl.
  Buffy: Comfort, remember comfort, here?
  Willow: I mean, please, does Angel come up to Faith’s standards for a guy? Let’s see, is he breathing?
  Buffy: Actually, no.
  Willow: But Buffy, Angel. There’s no way he would ever do that. I mean, you’re the only thing in the world to him.
  Buffy: Sometimes I wonder. Angel and Faith have a lot in common. And there’s so much he doesn’t tell me.
  Willow: But it’s so clear the way he feels about you. Buffy, I too know the love of a taciturn man and you have to look at their actions.
• +1/ I like that Willow thinks of Buffy first when told about Angel and Faith together. She doesn’t think about the destructive possibilities but rather of how hurt her best friend must feel.

GILES- (+3)

• +1/ Making a joke about modern demons and their lack of standards-
  Wesley: And you say this demon wanted cash? That’s very unusual.
  Giles: Demons after money. Whatever happened to the still beatingheart of a virgin? No one has any standards anymore.
• +2/ Giles appears to be a major orchestrator of the Faith sting. He organises the light show for Angel’s loss of soul by calling in a favour from a warlock of some kind, mainly because he introduced him to his wife, which I find funny.

ANGEL- (+9)

• +2/ Going with Buffy to see a sexy foreign film. Angel comments on how films have changed since the last time he’d seen them and then reassures Buffy that he can handle himself and his sexual feelings-
  Angel: Buffy, you don’t have to worry about me.
  Buffy: Just don’t like to rub your nose in it. Suddenly wondering where that expression comes from.
  Angel: Look, I don’t need to see movies to get worked up. Just being around you does that just fine. Doesn’t mean that I’m gonna lose control, that I’m going to be frustrated around you. It feels nice, just to feel.
  Buffy: It doesn’t drive you crazy, when we’re close?
  Angel: Watch this. (long kiss) See? Safe as houses.
• +2/ Managing to comfort Faith but remain faithful to Buffy, even when she really tries to seduce him. I like that he has that sort of strength.
• +2/ Starting to act as Angelus for the sting. It’s a nice scene because it’s cool to see Angelus again, even if it’s only acting. His interactions with Faith are classic Angelus-
  Angel: Thanks, so much. (slaps Faith away) It’s good to have the taste of a Slayer back in my mouth. It’s like cigarettes, you know, just when I thought I’d quit. (kicks Faith in the side) No, don’t get up. It’s good to be back in Sunnydale. Nice climate, plenty to eat, no tortured humanity to hold me down. (Faith flips herself up.) But you know what bothers me? (Angel grabs her by the neck) You don’t seem to be getting the big picture here, Faith. Now I don’t know why you turned me, but I’m just glad you did.
  Faith breaks free and kicks him away. She pulls out a stake.
  Faith: I’ve got my reasons.
  Angel: Let me guess. You summoned back the true Angelus because you need a new boy toy. Doesn’t work that way.
  They exchange blows. They stand, Angel holding Faith’s stake arm up.
  Faith: You wanna be smart? You listen to me.
  Angel: Funny thing about vampires, Faith. We don’t establish meaningful dialogue with Slayers.
  Faith: Not how Buffy tells it.
  Faith kicks him in the knee, driving him to the ground, and jumps astride him, threatening him with the stake.
  Angel: (chuckles) I should have known you’d like it on top.
  Faith: You want to listen or you want to die?
  Angel: As long as you’re there, I mostly want you to wriggle. But I’m listening.
• +1/ Meeting the Mayor for the first time. Which gets some invaluable information for the Scoobies about what he can do, it’s a nice conversation as well (see The Mayor point 3).
• +2/ Finally letting the cat out of the bag and showing Faith that the whole Angelus thing was just an act, which he did really well.

CORDELIA- (+3)

• +1/ Asking out Wesley-
  Cordelia: I have something important to ask you.
  Xander: Important? Let’s start calculating those odds, people.
  Cordelia: What are you doing Friday night?
  Wesley: Uh, I, uh, as always my sacred duty as a Watcher prevents me from, ah… Why?
  Cordelia: I have a paper to write for English and you’re English, so I thought … (sees the looks from Buffy and Xander) What? Is it so wrong to be getting an insider’s perspective? (to Wesley) I study best in a good restaurant, around eightish? Think it over?
• +1/ Swooning over Wesley as he delivers a speech to the Scoobies-
  Wesley: Our enemy has us at a disadvantage. We seem to be consistently one step behind him. Now he has the Books of Ascenscion. We must take definitive action.
  Cordelia: You have the greatest voice. Have you ever thought about doing books on tape?
  Xander: Way to focus CC.
• +1/ Wanting to be in Wesley’s group when they go to do some research at the Hall of Records-
  Giles: Wesley, why don’t you take the group and start looking?
  Wesley: Right.
  Cordelia: (pops up) I’m in Wesley’s group.
  Giles: There is just the one group.
  Cordelia: Yes! And I am in it.
  Xander: Anyone mind if I skip the trip? I’m gonna cruise town, keep my ear to the ground, and I think five’s a crowd.
  Cordelia: It really is.

OZ- (+2)

• +2/ Coming up with two breakthroughs in their research. First, he suggests they go to the Hall of Records for information. Then, he finds out that the Mayor has been in Sunnydale for over a hundred years. He can’t always be a funny-line machine.

FAITH- (+2)

• +1/ Discussing the Books of Ascension with The Mayor. She tries to focus on what’s going on while he keeps on talking about her hair and milk (see The Mayor point 1).
• -1/ Killing the friendly demon who held the Books of Ascension which shows that Faith has really gone deep, now killing without remorse.
• +1/ Trying to seduce Angel into losing his soul. He’s too strong and much to in love with Buffy for that though.
• +1/ Giving us some insight into how she feels as a Slayer. I think it’s important because it gives us a reason why she turned-
  Buffy: Why, Faith? What’s in it for you?
  Faith: What isn’t? You know, I come to Sunnydale. I’m the Slayer. I do my job kicking ass better than anyone. What do I hear about everywhere I go? Buffy. So I slay, I behave, I do the good little girl routine. And who’s everybody thank? Buffy.
  Buffy: It’s not my fault.
  Faith: Everybody always asks, why can’t you be more like Buffy? But did anyone ever ask if you could be more like me?
  Angel: I know I didn’t.
  Faith: You get the Watcher. You get the mom. You get the little Scooby gang. What do I get? Jack squat. This is supposed to be my town!
  Buffy: Faith, listen to me!
  Faith: Why? So you can impart some special Buffy wisdom, that it? Do you think you’re better than me? Do you? Say it, you think you’re better than me.
  Buffy: I am. Always have been.
  Faith: Um, maybe you didn’t notice. Angel’s with me.
  Buffy: And how did you get him, Faith? Magic? Cast some sort of spell? Cause in the real world, Angel would never touch you and we both know it. You had to tie me up to beat me. There’s a word for people like you, Faith. Loser.
  Faith: Uh huh. You’re just trying to make me mad so I’ll kill you. I’m too smart for that. Stick around.

THE MAYOR- (+7)

• +2/ Talking about Faith’s hair and keeping her calcium levels up, he’s definitely turning into a dad-
  Mayor: Hmm. You know what I wish? I wish you’d pull your hair back. I know, I know, fashion’s not exactly my thing, but, gosh darn it, you know, you’ve got such a nice face. I can’t understand why you hide it.
  Faith: Yeah, sure. Whatever. It’s just a matter of time before this demon guy is gonna spill. Then Buffy and the superfriends are gonna…
  Mayor: You know, you worry too much for a girl for your age. That’s unnecessary stress. Luckily, I’ve got just the thing.
  The Mayor pours a glass of milk and hands it to Faith.
  Mayor: There you go. Now, first you load up on calcium. Then find this demon, kill the heck out of him, and bring the books to me.
  Faith looks at the milk and sets the glass down, untouched.
  Faith: And if Buffy gets to him first?
  Mayor: Oh, well. Frankly I don’t like to think about that. I like good, positive, up thoughts. If you fail me in that way. Well, you know, replacing Mr. Trick was chore enough. (chuckles) Oh, come on, don’t worry. Drink up. There’s nothing uncool about healthy teeth and bones.
• +1/ Not being very upset that Faith couldn’t seduce Angel-
  Mayor: Hey, come on, don’t be discouraged. You’re a bright, young, energetic girl with a whole life ahead of her. And I won’t tolerate brooding. So you couldn’t give him that one moment of true happiness.
  Faith: I was thinking more along the lines of a long weekend, but okay.
  Mayor: And he spurns your advances. So be it. There’s more than one way to skin a cat. And I happen to know that’s factually true. We want to take Angel’s soul away. If we can’t do it by giving him happiness, well, by golly, we’ll just have to do it in the most painful way imaginable.
• +2/ Meeting Angelus-
  Mayor: You see, I’m what you might call impervious. Can’t be killed, or harmed in any way.  And that’s just a cornerstone in my plans for this great town of ours.
  Angel: Mmmm. Can’t be killed, but you don’t like germs?
  Mayor: Uck, eew, awful things, unsanitary. But my question is, now that Faith has brought you back, what are your intentions?
  Angel: Well, gee, sir, I thought I’d find that Slayer that’s given you so much trouble and torture, maim, and kill her.
  Mayor: Fine! You know it’s nice to see you’re not one of those slacker types running around town today. Torture Buffy. Killing her’s fine, just make it a slow one.
  Angel: My favorite kind.
  Mayor: Wonderful, wonderful. We don’t want a replacement Slayer anytime soon. They can’t all turn out like my girl Faith. (Faith smiles) Have fun.
  Faith: Let’s do it.
  Mayor: Uh, try to have her home by eleven.
  Angel and Faith leave.
  Mayor: She’s not a little girl anymore.
• +2/ Trying to cheer up Faith after the sting-
  Mayor: Well, you win some, you lose some. From where I’m sitting, it’s batting average that counts. So you lost some friends.
  Faith: I wouldn’t exactly call them friends.
  Mayor: Well, what are you worried about? Chin up! You don’t see me looking disappointed. Heck, no. You know why? Because I know you’ll always have me, Faith. I’m the best, the most important friend you’ll ever have. Besides, you know, once the Ascension starts, the ‘in’ crowd you’re so concerned about? Whoo! They’ll be lucky if there’s enough left of them to fill a pothole. Promise. Still unhappy? Okey doke. I’ve got two words that are going to make all the pain go away. Miniature golf. (grins)

WESLEY- (+2)

• +1/ Leading the Scoobies in research, possibly the only time when he has any authority as a Watcher.
• +1/ Getting upset about Giles and Buffy’s secret plan to bring out Faith’s turn to evil. He’s funny angry-
  “Well, I for one protest. You pitted Slayer against Slayer in a dangerous charade that could’ve gotten them both killed, without informing me! I’m telling the Council! “

SEASON COUNT-

BUFFY- +89
WILLOW- +84
GILES- +53
XANDER- +49
OZ- +40
ANGEL- +40
CORDELIA- +35
THE MAYOR- +23
SPIKE- +18
JOYCE-+16
WESLEY- +13
FAITH- +9
TRICK- +7
ANNE- +4
THE MASTER- +3
ANYA- +3
THE FIRST- +2
WILLY- +2
SNYDER-+1
LARRY- +1
ANGELUS- +1
HARMONY- -2
TRAVERS- -3

OVERALL COUNT-

BUFFY- +247
WILLOW- +218
XANDER- +180
GILES- +145
CORDELIA- +112
ANGEL- +90
OZ- +71
SPIKE- +62
JOYCE- +36
ANGELUS- +24
THE MAYOR- +23
WESLEY- +13
THE MASTER- +9
FAITH- +9
TRICK- +7
ANNE-  +3
ANYA- +3
THE FIRST- +2
WILLY- +2
LARRY- +1
TRAVERS- -3
HARMONY- -3
SNYDER- -9

EPISODE THOUGHTS-
I like this episode a lot because of the heap of character development we get. Faith is explored quite a bit, her relationship with the Mayor, her apparent attraction to Angel and her need to defeat Buffy to prove she is the better of the two. It’s all very interesting and makes the episode an important one for the season. Angel is also given a starring role as he acts like Angelus, which is good to see again. Buffy has some nice moments as she acts a little crazy about Angel and Faith. We also get a hilarious episode from the Mayor as he acts as Faith’s father and takes care of her. The other character’s also have a couple of nice moments but the focus is the Faith-Angel-Buffy dynamic. The episode is also very tight and well structured and constantly entertaining. Top-notch episode.

90/100

B316- Doppelgangland

Written by: Joss Whedon
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Anthony Stewart Head, David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter, Seth Green, Harry Groener, Alexis Denisof, Emma Caulfield, Ethan Erickson, Eliza Dushku, Armin Shimerman, Jason Hall & Andy Umberger.

In a local crypt, Anya, who is now a mere human being, begs the demon D’Hoffryn, her former boss whom she has summoned, to create a temporal fold in time and allow her to go back and retrieve her amulet. The demon denies her request, and Anya vows to get the amulet back with or without his help. At school, Willow practices floating a pencil while Buffy does sit-ups in preparation for Slayer testing. When Buffy mentions Faith, Willow loses her emotional control and the pencil goes flying into a tree.

Principal Snyder tells Willow that she is going to be tutoring one of the basketball team stars, Percy West, in History. Later at the library, Giles asks Willow to re-attempt breaking into the Mayor’s files. Faith and Wesley come in after training on the obstacle field; Wesley is a bit tired. Faith finds out about Willow searching through the Mayor’s files and informs him of it. The Mayor presents Faith with a brand new, fully-furnished apartment and then tells her that he plans to have some vampires kill Willow and make it look like a random attack so she is out of the way and unable to access his computer.

Back at school, Oz meets up with Willow and informs her about a gig his band had the other night that she didn’t know about. When Willow confronts Percy about tutoring him, he gives his own interpretation of events: that she is to do his work for him. Buffy and Xander pick the wrong moment to ask Willow if she recorded “Biography” for them the other night. Willow, offended at being labeled “Old Reliable,” storms away, threatening to do something irresponsible — change her look, cut class, or eat a snack between meals.

Anya finds Willow and asks her to help her with a spell, which she does. The spell involves chicken feet and the ritual pouring of sand over the representation of the object desired. The two perform the spell in an empty classroom, and as it’s working, several scary images from “The Wish” flash before their eyes. Shocked, Willow moves, accidentally spilling some of the ritual sand on herself. With the spell over, and apparently unsuccessful, Willow is still very frightened by what she saw and refuses to try the spell again. In an abandoned warehouse, the same one from “The Wish”, the vampire Willow from “The Wish” universe appears instead of the amulet.

Vampire Willow walks through Sunnydale and is very confused by this world where humans freely walk the streets at night. She enters the Bronze. Percy finds her and orders her to finish his paper; Evil Willow attacks him. Xander breaks up the fight and Evil Willow recognizes him from her world, only to be disappointed that he is “alive” (not a vampire). Buffy is surprised by Willow’s new leather look, and even more surprised when Willow snarls at her with vampire face.

Later that night, Evil Willow is attacked by two of the Mayor’s vampires who mistake her for the human Willow. She easily defeats them and “persuades” them to work for her. Buffy and Xander return to the library and tell Giles that Willow is dead. The three sit commiserating until the real Willow shows up. Xander tries to chase her away with a cross, and Willow merely looks puzzled; recognizing that this Willow at least is not a vampire, her friends simultaneously enfold her in a crushing embrace. Willow is dismayed to learn that there is a vampire walking around town looking exactly like her. When the gang turns to Giles for an explanation, his only response is “something strange is definitely going on.” Xander in turn expresses his amazement that the Watcher Council let him go.

Meanwhile, back at the Bronze, Anya tries to get a beer at the bar, claiming she’s 1120 years old, but settles for a Coke. Angel shows up looking for Buffy. Evil Willow and her new minions appear, taking control of the Bronze. Angel leaves to get Buffy and Oz watches as Evil Willow kills a girl. Anya, recognizing what has happened, approaches Evil Willow with the idea of restoring her to her own world (and Anya’s amulet to herself).

Angel goes to the library and announces that Willow is dead, before noticing Live Willow standing there. They all head for the Bronze, but Willow turns back to get something and is caught by the Evil Willow. The two banter back and forth before finally Willow shoots her evil double with the dart gun (first seen in “Phases”) and locks her up in the library cage. At Buffy’s suggestion, Willow swaps clothes with her sleeping double. Uncomfortable in the leather attire (partly because it is tight enough to constrict her breathing), Willow does her best to pose as the Evil Willow while the rest of the Scooby Gang waits outside the Bronze.

Cordelia arrives at the library, dressed up to impress Wesley, and finds Evil Willow – wearing Willow’s fuzzy pink sweater – locked in the cage. Before releasing Willow, Cordelia takes the opportunity to lecture her on the ethics of stealing boyfriends. Bored out of her mind, Evil Willow apologizes to get Cordelia to shut up, and Cordelia lets her out. Evil Willow shows her vampire face and pursues Cordelia, cornering her in a restroom. Wesley, hearing Cordelia scream, intervenes and forces Evil Willow to depart. Cordelia hugs him and asks what he’s doing that night.

After Willow’s not-so-convincing act at the Bronze, Anya points out to the other vampires that their leader is a fake. Willow screams – a prearranged signal for Buffy, Angel and Giles to enter. As they fight the vampires, Willow retreats to the stage with Oz. Evil Willow then returns, throws Oz out of the way and starts choking Willow. Buffy breaks it up, but Willow shouts for her not to stake Evil Willow (just as Buffy had shouted, too late, to stop Faith from staking Allen Finch). Despite fully knowing what her evil doppelganger is and does, Willow cannot bear to have her staked. She convinces the others to send her back, arguing that Evil Willow should have the chance to survive in her own world, a suggestion which the homesick doppelganger accepts. With Anya’s help they do so; Evil Willow is transported back to the middle of the brawl shown at the end of “The Wish”. She has just enough time to smile at being returned to her reality before Oz grabs her and shoves her against a protruding piece of wood from the humans’ cage. Evil Willow has just enough time to snarl “Oh fu**” before she turns to dust.

The next day, Buffy asks Willow if she’d like to go out that night, but she can’t because of all the homework she has. Percy shows up, and before Willow can apologize for not doing his work, he presents her with papers on both Presidents Roosevelt- he wasn’t sure which one the report was supposed to be on, and he didn’t feel like risking Willow’s wrath again. Because of this side effect of Percy’s encounter with Willow’s vampire double, her schedule is freed up.

From: Wikipedia

BUFFY- (+5)

• +1/ Being completely speechless when seeing Vamp Willow for the first time, especially funny since she thinks it’s just normal Willow getting all leathery.
• +1/ In disbelief after seeing Vamp Willow, Buffy blames it on herself, of course.
• +2/ Finding out Willow is alive (see Willow point 8).
• +1/ Showing outstanding reflexes when she avoids staking Vamp Willow after Willow screams for her not to. It’s important because it shows that Buffy has sharper mental and physical reflexes than Faith.

XANDER- (+7)

• +1/ Getting all the different ‘Old’ things mixed up which upsets Willow-
  Xander: Willow, did you remember to tape Biography last Friday?
  Willow: (absently) Uh-huh.
  Buffy: (to Xander, proudly) See, I told you. Old Reliable.
  Willow: (sourly) Oh, thanks.
  Buffy: (taken aback) What?
  Willow: ‘Old Reliable’? Yeah, great. *There’s* a sexy nickname.
  Buffy: Well, I-I didn’t mean it as…
  Willow: No, it’s fine. I’m ‘Old Reliable’.
  Xander: She just means, you know, the geyser. You’re like a geyser of fun that goes off at regular intervals.
  Willow: (disgustedly) That’s Old Faithful.
  Xander: Isn’t that the dog that, that the guy had to shoot…
  Willow: (incensed) That’s Old Yeller.
• +1/ Reacting to the quite feely Vamp Willow-
  “Uh… Will, this is verging on naughty touching here. (her hands go further down) Don’t wanna fall back on bad habits. (her hands reach his butt) (jumps, surprised) Hands! Hands in new places!”
• +1/ Thinking he’s lost his best friend (see Giles point 1).
• +2/ Finding out that Willow is really alive (see Willow point 8).
• +1/ Showing some good teamwork with Giles during the Bronze battle.
• +1/ Wanting to know about the Vamp version of himself-
  Xander: So, um, in your reality, I’m like this bad-ass vampire, huh? People afraid of me?
  Vamp Willow just looks askance at him, then rolls her eyes and turns away.
  Xander: (steps away, chortling gleefully) Oh, yeah. I’m bad.

WILLOW- (+28}

• +1/ Making a funny pun-
  Buffy: I’m gonna pass. Hit the pool and do some laps.
  Willow: (bewildered) How come the sudden calisthenics? Aren’t you sort of naturally buff, Buff? (smiles and giggles) Buff buff.
• +1/ Not exactly getting Snyder’s meaning when he orders her to ‘match up’ with Percy-
  Snyder: As far as I’m concerned, this is a marriage made in heaven. Willow Rosenberg, despite her unsavory associations, represents the pinnacle of academic achievement at Sunnydale High. Percy West represents a devastating fast break and 50% from behind the three-point line.
  Willow: (confused) I-I’m not sure I understand the marriage part. (glances at Percy)
  Snyder: (indicates Willow) You’ve got the brains, (indicates Percy) he’s got the fast break. (brings his hands together) It’s a perfect match.
  Willow: (very confused) Match? (double-takes at Percy) You want us to breed?
• +1/ Getting upset at being called reliable (see Xander point 1).
• +1/ Storming off in a fairly hilarious manner after her reliable conversation with Buffy.
• +1/ Meeting Anya for the first time-
  Anya: Uh, Willow?
  Willow: (turns around) Uh, hi. (doesn’t recognize)
  Anya: (gestures at herself) Anya. (smiles) I’m sort of new here. (hopefully) Um, I know Cordelia?
  Willow: (smiles thinly) Oh, fun.
  Anya: Yeah. Um, listen, (steps up closer to her) I have this little project I’m working on, and I heard you were the person to ask if…
  Willow: (interrupts, ironically) Yeah, that’s me. Reliable-Dog-Geyser Person. What do you need?
  Anya: Oh, it’s nothing big. (secretively) Just a little spell I’m working on.
  Willow: (suddenly interested, steps down to her) A spell? (nonchalantly) Oh. I like the black arts.
  Anya: I just need a secondary to create a temporal fold. I heard you were a pretty powerful wicca, so… (shrugs again)
  Willow: (smiles excitedly) You heard right, mister! I-I-I’m always ready to work some dark mojo. (hopefully) So, tell me, is it dangerous?
  Anya: (dismissively) Oh, no. (shakes her head)
  Willow: (disappointed) Well, could we pretend it is?
• +1/ Vamp Willow beating Percy up a bit, teach him for being a obnoxious jock.
• +1/ Vamp Willow showing that she’s more than you’re average vampire. managing to take down two vamp goons and make them hers.
• +3/ Coming into the library and reacting to Buffy, Giles and Xander’s relief at seeing her alive, it’s my favourite scene from this episode and one of the funniest moments in the show’s history-
  Willow: (curiously) What’s going on?
  They all look up surprised. Xander lifts his cross in defense. Willow notices their sad faces and is amazed at their expressions.
  Willow: Jeez, who died?  (almost panicked) Oh, God! Who died?
  Xander jumps up and gets in Willow’s face with the cross.
  Xander: Back! Get back, demon!
  She doesn’t cower from it, but instead shows deep concern for him. Xander shakes the cross as though it were broken and puts it back in her face. Buffy and Giles notice that she’s not frightened of the cross, and slowly approach.
  Buffy: (breathlessly) Willow, you’re alive?
  Willow: (puzzled) Aren’t I usually?
  Buffy runs and hugs Willow. Willow is surprised, and lets out a little groan from the tightness of the embrace. An instant later Xander is also hugging her for all he’s worth.
  Willow: (wonderingly) I love you guys, too?
  The hug goes on for a long moment before it gets too intense for Willow.
  Willow: Okay. Oxygen becoming an issue.
  They both let go, smiling at her with tears in their eyes. She smiles back, but still doesn’t know what to make of it all.
  Willow: Giles, what’s going on with these…
  Before she can finish she finds herself being warmly embraced again by the normally reserved Watcher.
  Willow: Oh!
  Again she groans from the tightness of the hug, and Giles quickly releases her, a bit embarrassed at his emotional display.
  Giles: Oh. Sorry. (backs away)
  Willow: (still wondering) It’s really nice that you guys missed me. Say, you all didn’t happen to do a bunch of drugs, did ya?
  Xander: (breathless) Will, we saw you at the Bronze. A vampire.
  Willow: (startled, then insulted) I’m not a *vampire*.
  Buffy: You are. (gets a look from Willow) I-I mean, you, you were. (very confused) Giles, planning on jumping in with an explanation any time soon?
  Giles: (very unsure) Well, uh… something… something, um, very strange is happening.
  Xander: (facetiously) Can you believe the Watcher’s Council let this guy go?
• +1/ Discussing the concept of a vampire who looks like Willow-
  Willow: This is creepy. I don’t like the thought that there’s a vampire out there that looks like me.
  Xander: Not looks like. Is.
  Buffy: It was exactly you, Will, every detail. Except for your not being a dominatrix. (uneasily) As far as we know.
  Willow: (rolls her eyes, grins sardonically) Oh, right. Me and Oz play Mistress of Pain’ every night.
  Xander: Did anyone else just go to a scary visual place?
  Buffy: Oh, yeah.
• +4/ Willow’s first meeting with her Vampire self. A great bit of acting by Alyson Hannigan-
  Willow: What do I want with you? (catches herself) Uh…
  Vamp Willow: (grimly) Your little school friend Anya said that you’re the one that brought me here. She said that you could get me back to my world.
  Willow: Oh. (gets it) Oh! Oops!
  Vamp Willow: But I don’t know… (smiles wickedly) I kinda *like* the idea of the two of us. We could be quite a team, if you came around to *my* way of thinking.
  Willow: (uncertainly) Would that mean we have to snuggle?
• +1/ A slight bit of foreshadow when Willow comments on the looks of Vamp Willow (see Angel point 2).
• +1/ Having to dress up in Vamp Willow’s leather outfit-
  Buffy: Are you okay in that?
  Willow: It’s a little binding. I guess vampires really don’t have to breathe. (notices her cleavage) Gosh, look at those.
• +3/ Willow pretending to be Vamp Willow in the Bronze. Incredibly funny acting by Alyson Hannigan and just a brilliant scene. She tries to be all menacing which she just can’t manage. Meanwhile, she’s trying to clear the Bronze of vamps by telling them she hears things outside. There’s so many funny lines in this long scene so I picked my favourite-
  Alfonse: Did you find the girl?
  Willow: (tries to sound authoritative) Yep. I did.
  Anya: (mystified) Where is she?
  Willow: I killed her. And sucked her blood, as we vampires do.
• +1/ Waving at Oz during her Vamp Willow act, the most cute thing she could’ve done.
• +2/ Vamp Willow pretending to be normal Willow, once again showing the brilliance of Alyson Hannigan-
  Vamp Willow: Hey, you.
  Cordelia: (faces her) ‘Hey me’? (insulted) ‘Hey me’ what? I have a name, you know.
  Vamp Willow: (thinks) Uh, Cordelia.
  Cordelia: What did you do? Lock yourself in the book cage?
  Vamp Willow: (cunningly goes along with it) Yeah. Lemme out… ‘Cause I’m so helpless.
  Cordelia: Okay. I think Giles keeps a spare. How’d you manage to lock yourself in, anyway?
  Vamp Willow: Uh, I was looking at books. I like… books…’cause I’m shy.
  Cordelia: (sarcastically) Yeah, right. The famous shy girl act all the boys fall for.
• +1/ During her Vamp Willow act, Will tries to show her sultriness by playing with another girl’s hair, which she gets her hand stuck in.
• +1/ Vamp Willow trying to kill Cordy which is just fun to see.
• +1/ Normal Willow hitting Anya after her secret of being human comes out-
  “Ow! Ow! Ow! Happy, but ow!“
• +2/ Will saying goodbye to her Vampire counterpart, so she gives her a hug, which leads to some naughty touching from the naughty version.

GILES- (+4)

• +1/ Finding out that Willow has turned vampy and grieving with Xander and Buffy-
  Xander: This isn’t real.
  Buffy: (numbly) I can’t feel anything. Arms, legs, anything.
  Giles: She was truly the finest of all of us.
  Xander: Way better than me.
  Giles: (nods decisively) Much, much better.
• +2/ Finding out that Willow is actually alive when she walks into his library, he even hugs her! (see Willow point 8).
• +1/ Showing some nice teamwork with Xander during the big Bronze battle.

ANGEL- (+3)

• +2/ Thinking Willow has died and goes to Buffy and the others to tell them the bad news-
  Angel: (very upset) Buffy, I… I just… Something’s happened that…
  He pauses waiting for looks from Buffy and Xander.
  Angel: (blurts it out) Willow’s dead.
  Buffy and Xander nod knowingly. Willow straightens up from leaning against the door frame. Angel notices her.
  Angel: (distractedly) Hey, Willow.
  He looks back at Buffy and Xander. Xander raises his eyebrows at him. Suddenly it clicks in Angel’s mind, and he does a double take at Willow.
  Angel: (very confused) Wait a second.
• +1/ Providing some vampire insight when Willow makes the comment about her vamp’s personality-
  Giles: (dumbfounded) It’s extraordinary.
  Willow: (appalled) It’s horrible! That’s me as a vampire? I’m so evil and… skanky. (aside to Buffy, worried) And I think I’m kinda gay.
  Buffy: (reassuringly) Willow, just remember, a vampire’s personality has nothing to do with the person it was.
  Angel: (without thinking) Well, actually… (gets a look from Buffy) That’s a good point.

CORDELIA- (+2)

• +1/ Deciding to talk to Willow while she’s locked up in the book cage, not knowing it’s actually Vamp Willow-
  Cordelia: Wait. (briskly) It occurs to me that we’ve never really had the opportunity to talk. You know, woman to woman… with you locked up.
  Vamp Willow: (impatient) Don’t wanna talk. Hungry.
  Cordelia: (pretends to think) What could we talk about? Oh! Hey! How about the ethics of boyfriend stealing?
• +1/ Having to escape from Vamp Willow-
  “(desperately) I didn’t mean all that stuff I said before. I want you to have Xander. My blessings on you both!”

OZ- (+1)

• +1/ Discussing the band with Devon-
  Devon: Man, we need a roadie. Other bands have roadies.
  Oz: Well, other bands know more than three chords. Your professional bands can play up to six, sometimes seven *completely* different chords.
  Devon: That’s just, like, fruity jazz bands.

FAITH- (+2)

• +2/ She’s now officially evil, only the Scoobies don’t know it. Faith even gets a apartment from her new boss. You can already see their relationship growing into a more parent-daughter type dynamic (see The Mayor point 1).

THE MAYOR- (+2)

• +2/ Since losing Trick he’s acquired the much cooler Faith. He begins to dote on her, first by giving her a brand new apartment. He takes on a fatherly role which will be expanded on in future episodes. He still as cheerful as ever though-
  Faith: (smiling sultrily) Thanks, Sugar Daddy.
  Mayor Wilkins: (admonishingly) Now, Faith, I don’t find that sort of thing amusing. I’m a family man. Now, let’s kill your little friend.
  Faith gives him an uneasy look.
  Mayor Wilkins: (reassuringly) Don’t worry. I wouldn’t ask you to do it. Not this early in the relationship. Besides, I think a vampire attack would be less suspicious anyway. In the meantime, let’s take a look at the rest of the apartment, huh?  If I’m not mistaken, some lucky girl has herself a PlayStation.
  Faith: (grins broadly) No way.
  Mayor Wilkins: (grins back proudly) Yes way! (chuckles happily)

WESLEY- (+4)

• +1/ Having to take the Slayers onto some obstacle courses to test their physical attributes, this of course wears him out-
  Giles: (to Wesley) How did it go?
  Wesley: (panting heavily) Faith, uh… (pants) did quite well on the obstacle field. (pants) Still a little sloppy, though.
  Faith shoots him an incredulous look.
  Giles: Do you feel up to, uh, taking Buffy out, or shall I?
  Wesley: (pants) Oh, no, no, no. (pants) I’ll be fine. (pants) Just give me a minute. (pants) And some defibrillators, if it’s (pants) not too much trouble.
• +3/ Managing to save Cordelia from Vamp Willow, he’s scream after Cordy startles him is pure hilarity-
  Wesley: (commandingly) Back! Creature of the night! Leave this place!
  Vamp Willow: Don’t wanna.
  Wesley quickly but nervously reaches into his jacket and pulls out a vial of holy water. Evil Willow sighs. He holds it up, threatening to throw it on her.
  Vamp Willow: (sighs heavily) Whatever.
  She turns and leaves. Wesley slowly relaxes, heaving a sigh of relief and lowering the cross and the vial. Cordelia walks up behind him and lightly touches him on the shoulder. He freaks out, screams and spins around, thrusting the cross and holy water right into Cordelia’s face. He lowers them when he recognizes her, and tries to catch his breath.
  Cordelia: (whines apologetically) I’m sorry.
  Wesley: (puts the water away) No, no. (breathes deeply) A little on edge. (bravely) You know, men in combat. (makes a tough face) Grr. (concerned) Are you all right?
  Cordelia: (awed) You saved my life. Thank you!
  She flings herself worshipfully at him and throws her arms around him, hugging him tightly.
  Wesley: (awkwardly) Oh, yes. Uh… Yes.

ANYA- (+2)

• +1/ Trying to plead for her job as Vengeance Demon back-
  “(dramatically) For a thousand years I wielded the powers of The Wish. I brought ruin to the heads of unfaithful men. I brought forth destruction and chaos for the pleasure of the lower beings. I was feared and worshipped across the mortal globe. (disgustedly) And now I’m stuck at Sunnydale High. (despondently) Mortal. Child. And I’m flunking math.”
• +1/ Wanting a beer at the Bronze, but due to her age now, she is refused-
  Anya: (wearily) What a day. (to the bartender) Gimme a beer.
  Bartender: I.D.
  She gives him an incredulous look.
  Bartender: I.D.
  Anya: (loses it, thumps her fists on the bar) I’m eleven hundred and twenty years old! Just gimme a friggin’ beer!
  Bartender: (unimpressed) I.D.
  Anya: (sighs, defeated) Gimme a Coke.

PRINCIPAL SNYDER- (-1)

• -1/ Snyder can’t help but be a bully. He forces Willow to tutor Percy just because he’s good at sports.

PERCY- (0)

• -1/ Being mean to Willow when she tries to work out their tutoring times, he’s your typical jock.
• +1/ Bringing Willow all his work and an apple after Vamp Willow gave him a bit of a beating.

SEASON COUNT-

BUFFY- +86
WILLOW- +81
GILES- +50
XANDER- +47
OZ- +38
CORDELIA- +32
ANGEL- +31
SPIKE- +18
JOYCE-+16
THE MAYOR- +16
WESLEY- +11
TRICK- +7
FAITH- +7
ANNE- +4
THE MASTER- +3
ANYA- +3
THE FIRST- +2
WILLY- +2
SNYDER-+1
LARRY- +1
ANGELUS- +1
HARMONY- -2
TRAVERS- -3

OVERALL COUNT-

BUFFY- +244
WILLOW- +215 ( 2nd to Double Century in 50 episodes)
XANDER- +178
GILES- +142
CORDELIA- +109
ANGEL- +81
OZ- +69
SPIKE- +62
JOYCE- +36
ANGELUS- +24
THE MAYOR- +16
WESLEY- +11
THE MASTER- +9
TRICK- +7
FAITH- +7
ANNE-  +3
ANYA- +3
THE FIRST- +2
WILLY- +2
LARRY- +1
TRAVERS- -3
HARMONY- -3
SNYDER- -9

EPISODE THOUGHTS-

I love this episode and not only because I’m a big Willow fan, but because it’s such a strong, funny and entertaining episode. Every scene serves a plot or funny purpose with no throwaway scenes. As I said, the actors are brilliant, especially Alyson Hannigan who has to play 2 parts who at times pretend to be their opposite persona’s. She is both incredibly funny with many hilarious scenes and interactions with all the different characters as well as her vampself. I also love the character of Vamp Willow, she is sexy and entertaining all the way through. Buffy, Xander and Giles all play a strong part, especially when they try to cope with the situation. Anya is also involved and is still trying to do evil even though she is bound to the mortal coil. We also are treated to some Faith and Mayor interaction as he dotes on her as a father. The plot is surprisingly strong for a comedic episode and is paced incredibly well. It’s a great episode and my favourite from this season.

100/100

B315- Consequences

Written by: Marti Noxon
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Anthony Stewart Head, David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter, Kristine Sutherland, Harry Groener, K. Todd Freeman, Alexis Denisof & Eliza Dushku.

Faith’s plan to hide her accidental murder in the last episode fails when Finch’s body is quickly found. Wesley Wyndam-Price orders her and Buffy to investigate and see if anything supernatural was involved. Sneaking into City Hall, Buffy decides to try and find out what Finch was doing in the alleyway in the first place, but while all of Finch’s papers have been shredded, she and Faith do find out that the Mayor is in league with Mr. Trick. Privately, Faith asks if Buffy is going to turn her in, and Buffy isn’t sure. After some deep thinking she decides to tell Giles what happened, only to discover that Faith has already told him that Buffy was the killer. Luckily, Giles instantly sees through the lie, though he lets Faith think he believes her so the gang can keep closer tabs on her and get her off the slippery slope she’s on. During a meeting between the gang, Xander tells the others that he slept with Faith. While Buffy and Giles are shocked about this, Willow tries to play down her reaction but ends up crying alone in the bathroom. Xander tries to reason with Faith, only to have her try to kill him. He’s rescued by Angel, who tries his own brand of reasoning and seems to be making progress. Unfortunately, Wesley has also learned what happened and goes by the book, yanking Faith away for trial in England. She quickly escapes, and plans to hop a boat out of Sunnydale. Buffy finds her, but their meeting is interrupted by several vampires led by Mr. Trick. As he is about to bite Buffy, Faith stakes him and saves her. Buffy returns to the library, sure now that there is still good in Faith. However, in the final scene Faith offers her services to the Mayor.

From: Wikipedia

BUFFY- (+5)

• +1/ Actually protecting Faith from the police, which is a little strange but she probably thinks that Faith might not take well to a police raid.
• +2/ Trying to tell Faith about their responsibilities as Slayers-
  Faith: When are you gonna learn, B? It doesn’t matter what kind of vibe you get off a person. ‘Cause nine times out of ten, the face they’re showing you is not the real one.
  Buffy: I guess you know a lot about that.
  Faith: What is that supposed to mean?
  Buffy: It’s just, look at you, Faith. Less than twenty-four hours ago, you killed a man. A-and now it’s all zip-a-dee-doo-dah? It’s not *your* real face, and I know it. Look, I know what you’re feeling because I’m feeling it, too.
  Faith: Do you? So fill me in ’cause I’d like to hear this.
  Buffy: Dirty. Like something sick creeped inside you and you can’t get it out. And you keep hoping that it was just some nightmare, but it wasn’t. And we are gonna have to figure out…
  Faith: (interrupts) Is there gonna be an intermission in this?
  Buffy: Just let me talk to Giles, okay? I swear…
  Faith: No! We’re not bringing *anybody* else into this. You gotta keep your head, B. This is all gonna blow over in a few days.
  Buffy: And if it doesn’t?
  Faith: If it doesn’t, they got a freighter leaving the docks at least twice a day. It ain’t fancy, but it gets you gone.
  Buffy: (in disbelief) And that’s it? You just live with it? You see the dead guy in your head every day for the rest of your life?
  Faith: Buffy, I’m not gonna *see* anything. I missed the mark last night and I’m sorry about the guy. I really am! But it happens! Anyway, how many people do you think we’ve saved by now, thousands? And didn’t you stop the world from ending? Because in my book, that puts you and me in the plus column.
  Buffy: We help people! It doesn’t mean we can do whatever we want.
  Faith: Why not? The guy I offed was no Gandhi. I mean, we just saw he was mixed up in dirty dealings.
  Buffy: Maybe, but what if he was coming to us for help?
  Faith: What if he was? You’re still not seeing the big picture, B. Something made us different. We’re warriors. We’re built to kill.
  Buffy: To kill demons! But it does *not* mean that we get to pass judgment on people like we’re better than everybody else!
  Faith: We *are* better! That’s right, better. People need us to survive. In the balance, nobody’s gonna cry over some random bystander who got caught in the crossfire.
  Buffy: (sadly) I am.
  Faith: (disdainfully) Well, that’s your loss.
• +1/ Telling Xander that Faith doesn’t exactly respect the guys she sleeps with. She does it nicely though.
• +1/ Saving Faith from the falling box at the docks, injuring herself.

XANDER- (+2)

• +2/ Thinking he can help Faith since he was intimate with her, needless to say, that plan doesn’t exactly work-
  Xander: Can I come in? Just to talk. I promise.
  Faith: (skeptical) Like you could make something happen if I didn’t want it to?
  Xander: Hey, yeah. Got me there. Pretty much not gonna try to… take you under any circumstances. (holds out his arm) See, here, feel that. (points to his biceps) Probably like a wet noodle to you, huh?
  Faith: Five minutes.
  Xander: That’s all I need. (comes in) For talking and conversation. I’m, um, quick as a bunny.
  Faith: Clock is running.
  Xander: It’s just, uh… I heard about what happened, and I thought you might need a friend.
  Faith: So then, go talk to Buffy. She’s the one who killed a guy.
  Xander: Yeah. I heard that version.
  Faith: (not amused) Version?
  Xander: Either way, i-it sounds like it was an accident, and that’s the important part.
  Faith: (angrily) No, the important part is that Buffy is the (makes finger quotes) accidental murderer.
  Xander: Faith, you may not think so, but I sort of know you. And I’ve seen you post-battle. And I know firsthand that you’re, um… like a wild thing. And half the time, you don’t know what you’re doing.
  Faith: (snidely) And you’re living proof of that, aren’t you?

WILLOW- (+4)

• +3/ Trying to tell Buffy how she feels about her hanging with Faith, meanwhile, Buffy tries to tell Willow about what Faith has done. It’s a great scene because Willow tries to be assertive, and then Buffy cries, which makes Willow think she was too hard on her. It’s funny and and such a cute scene-
  Buffy: I need to talk to you.
  Willow: Good. ‘Cause I’ve been letting things fester. And I don’t like it. I wanna be fester-free.
  Buffy: (smiles weakly) Yeah. Me, too.
  Willow: I mean, don’t get me wrong. I-I completely understand why you and Faith have been doing the bonding thing. You guys work together. You… You should get along.
  Buffy: It’s more complicated than that.
  Willow: But, see, it’s that exact thing that-that’s just ticking me off! It’s this whole ‘Slayers only’ attitude. I mean, since when wouldn’t I understand? You, you talk to me about *everything*. I-it’s like all of a sudden I-I’m not cool enough for you because I can’t kill things with my bare hands.
  Buffy suddenly bursts into tears. Willow is aghast at this result.
  Willow: (regretfully) Oh! Oh, Buffy! Don’t cry. (hugs her close) I’m sorry. I-I was too hard on you. Sometimes I unleash. I-I don’t know my own strength. I-i-it’s bad. I-I-I’m bad. I’m a bad, bad, bad person. (looks for forgiveness)
  Buffy: (tearfully) Will, I’m in trouble.
• +1/ Realizing before Buffy or Giles that Xander had slept with Faith. You can see how hurt she is by that which even leads her to cry alone in the bathroom. Faith has managed to take her best friend and her other best friend’s virginity. You can understand why Willow isn’t a big fan of Faith then.

GILES- (+2)

• +1/ Managing to pick Faith’s lying. Giles isn’t easily fooled.
• +1/ His reaction to the realization that Xander had slept with Faith, of course, the glasses came off.

ANGEL- (+2)

• +1/ Saving Xander from a strangulation by Faith.
• +1/ Starting to mentor Faith about her current path. It’s an important concept in Angel and connects Angel and Faith together-
  Angel: I know what’s goin’ on with you.
  Faith: Join the club. Everybody seems to have a theory.
  Angel: Hmm. But I know what it’s like to take a life. To feel a future, a world of possibilities, snuffed out by your own hand. I know the power in it. The exhilaration. It was like a drug for me.
  Faith: (sarcastically) Yeah? Sounds like you need some help. A professional maybe.
  Angel: Hmm. A professional couldn’t have helped me. It stopped when I got my soul back. My human heart.
  Faith: Goody for you. If we’re gonna party, let’s get on with it. (holds out her wrists) Otherwise, could you let me out of these things?
  Angel: Faith, you have a choice. You’ve tasted something few ever do. (stands up, paces) I mean, to kill without remorse is to feel like a god.
  Faith: (struggles angrily) Right now, all I feel is a cramp in my wrist, so let me go!
  Angel: (crouches) But you’re not a god. You’re not much more than a child. Going down this path will ruin you. You can’t imagine the price for true evil.
  Faith: Yeah? (sneering) I hope evil takes MasterCard.
  Angel: (smiles) You and me, Faith, we’re a lot alike. Time was, I thought humans existed just to hurt each other. But then I came here. And I found out that there are other types of people. People who genuinely wanted to do right. And they make mistakes. And they fall down. You know, but they keep caring. Keep trying. If you can trust us, Faith, this can all change. You don’t have to disappear into the darkness.

CORDELIA- (+1)

• +1/ Meeting Wesley for the first time. She becomes instantly attracted to him, which is extra funny if your an Angel fan (see Wesley point 1).

WESLEY- (+2)

• +1/ Meeting Cordelia. He also becomes quite attracted to Cordy, until he finds out that she’s a student-
  Cordelia: (notices Wesley, smiles) Check out Giles: The Next Generation. What’s your deal?
  Wesley: (stammering nervously) Uh, I, uh… Well… (swallows) I’m a…
  Faith: New Watcher.
  Cordelia: Oh.
  Wesley: (turns to Buffy, irritated) Does everybody know about you?
  Buffy: She’s a friend.
  Cordelia: Let’s not exaggerate. So… (steps closer) You’re the new Watcher.
  Wesley: (summons his poise, holds out his hand) Wesley Wyndam-Pryce.
  Cordelia: (takes it) I like a man with two last names. I’m Cordelia.
  Wesley: (smiles) And you teach psychology.
  Cordelia: I *take* psychology.
  Giles: She’s a student.
  Wesley immediately drops Cordelia’s hand.
  Wesley: Oh, well. I, uh… (swallows) Yes. (squares his shoulders) In fact, I am… here to watch… girls. Uh, uh, Buffy and Faith, to be specific.
  Cordelia: (steps closer, smiling brightly) Well, it’s about time we got some fresh blood around here.
  Wesley: (laughs nervously) Well. Fresh. Yes.
• +1/ On the phone to the council, he just sounds so hilarious, he makes anything funny.

THE MAYOR- (+2)

• +2/ Having a peculiar way of grieving for Allan-
  Shredding Paper in a Shredding machine.
  Mayor Wilkins: It’s not working.
  Trick: It’s supposed to do something besides shred?
  Mayor Wilkins: It’s *supposed* to cheer me *up*. Usually using the shredder gives me a lift. It’s fun.
  Trick: And today you’re not getting the ya-yas.
  Mayor Wilkins: (morosely) No. Guess it’ll take more than this to turn my frown upside down. I just *don’t* understand why Allan would leave such a paper trail about our dealings. (considers) Do you think he was gonna betray me? Oh, now, that’s a horrible thought. And now he’s dead, I’ll never have the chance to scold him.

FAITH- (-3)

• +1/ Believing that she and Buffy are above the law due to their powers. It’s an interesting way of looking at it and she may have a point but it still doesn’t mean that she shouldn’t feel for Allan, which Buffy points out (see Buffy point 2).
• -2/ Double-crossing Buffy by telling Giles she killed Allan. Beginning to show how far she’s willing to go to get away from this.
• -1/ Strangling Xander, another way of exerting her now, out-of-control power.
• -1/ Saying that she hopes evil takes Mastercard, I hate that line so much.
• +1/ Saving Buffy from Trick, is their a chance for Faith yet?
• -1/ Siding with the Mayor, finally taking the evil route and completely decending into darkness.

TRICK- (+1)

• +1/ Trick nearly becomes infamous by killing Buffy. He beats her up, while she’s injured and gets within inches of sinking in his teeth when Faith stakes him from behind.

SEASON COUNT-

BUFFY- +81
WILLOW- +53
GILES- +46
XANDER- +40
OZ- +37
CORDELIA- +30
ANGEL- +28
SPIKE- +18
JOYCE-+16
THE MAYOR- +14
TRICK- +7
WESLEY- +7
FAITH- +5
ANNE- +4
THE MASTER- +3
SNYDER-+2
THE FIRST- +2
WILLY- +2
LARRY- +1
ANGELUS- +1
ANYA- +1
HARMONY- -2
TRAVERS- -3

OVERALL COUNT-

BUFFY- +239
WILLOW- +187
XANDER- +171
GILES- +138
CORDELIA- +107
ANGEL- +78
OZ- +68
SPIKE- +62
JOYCE- +36
ANGELUS- +24
THE MAYOR- +14
THE MASTER- +9
TRICK- +7
WESLEY- +7
FAITH- +5
ANNE-  +3
THE FIRST- +2
WILLY- +2
LARRY- +1
ANYA- +1
TRAVERS- -3
HARMONY- -3
SNYDER- -8

EPISODE THOUGHTS-

A strong episode that kicks off the main plot of this season. Faith and her spiral into darkness. A evil slayer is a great concept and a great thing to put up against Buffy. It’s in this episode it all starts. And while this episode is plot driven it’s chock full of character moments. Buffy has to deal with the consequences of her little ‘fling’ with Faith, Willow feels disconnected from both Buffy and Xander, Xander tries to connect with Faith and Angel begins his mentoring relationship to Faith which won’t come into effect until the first season of Angel. But this episode is all about Faith, letting her power take her over and losing trust in all the people that have tried to get to know her, especially Buffy. It’s that fall from grace that makes this episode so intriguing. If anything, the only thing this episode is missing is the grand sorta feeling you should get at a important episode like this.

77.5/100

B314- Bad Girls

Written by: Douglas Petrie
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Anthony Stewart Head, David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter, Seth Green, Kristine Sutherland, Harry Groener, K. Todd Freeman, Alexis Denisof & Eliza Dushku.

While patrolling, Faith asks Buffy if she’s ever had sex with Xander, and Buffy says they’re just friends. They slay a vampire wielding a short blade and long blade. The next day at school, the gang is looking into college and they discuss future plans. Wesley Wyndam-Price, Buffy’s stuffy new Watcher, annoys Giles in the library while both Slayers attempt to ignore him. Buffy is instructed to go retrieve an amulet that once belonged to a demon named Balthazar, who led a cult of swordsman vampires before he was killed. Faith expresses to Buffy her belief that as the Slayers, they can do what they want, and enjoy it. Buffy is skeptical, but Faith firmly believes Buffy gets off on slaying as much as she does.

That night, Buffy finds the amulet but a group of Balthazar’s vamps enter before she can take it. Faith arrives and the two slay some of the vamps before retrieving the amulet. After handing over the amulet to Wesley, Buffy leaves to take a necessary chemistry test, but she can’t stop talking through the whole test about the previous night and how much she ended up enjoying it. Faith shows up at the window and she and Buffy leave to destroy a vampire nest. The two go dancing afterwards at the Bronze where Buffy meets up with Angel. She’s acting very strange and he tries to ignore it and tells her that Balthazar isn’t dead and he’s looking for his amulet. When Wesley comes looking for Buffy, she takes the amulet from him and gives it to Angel.

Buffy and Faith go out and find Balthazar, an obese and ugly demon that must live in a large pool of water and constantly be kept wet. At a loss for weapons against a large group of vampires, they break into a sporting goods store and steal some. Faith continues to expound on her philosophy of being a Slayer to Buffy. “Life as a Slayer is very simple. Want, take, have.” The police arrive and arrest them, but in the car, the two Slayers kick down the metal gate separating them from the cops, causing the car to crash and the cops to be injured. The following morning, Buffy checks the local newspaper for any news regarding the accident, but finds nothing. The Mayor is attacked by one of Balthazar’s vampires, who is foiled by Mr. Trick and imprisoned.

Balthazar demands his minions bring him the Watchers and kill the Slayers. No matter the cost, he must have his amulet. The enemy who crippled him is about to gain ultimate power and he refuses to let this come to pass. Willow presents Buffy with a protection spell talisman and is ready to go slaying that night, but Buffy tells her that it’s too dangerous and that she’s going with Faith instead. This leaves Willow feeling hurt, with her amulet essentially rejected. The two run into several vampires and stake them, then Allan, the Mayor’s secretary walks out and Faith accidentally stakes him, too. He dies before anything can be done and both Slayers flee the scene of the crime in separate directions. Buffy runs into Angel and he tells her about Balthazar taking Giles while Faith returns to the scene where Allan is and just stares at the body.

With the two Watchers in his possession, Balthazar searches for answers as to who has his amulet. Wesley is cowardly willing to give up anything in exchange for his life, whereas Giles keeps his, admittedly cynical, calm. Angel shows up with Buffy, frees Giles and everyone fights. When Balthazar captures Angel, Buffy tosses a live wire into his tub of water, electrocuting him. With his dying breath, Balthazar warns them of his enemy. “When he rises, you’ll wish I’d killed you all.” In his office that night, the Mayor performs a ritual in front of Mr. Trick and the captured vampire. Once it is finished, the Mayor orders that the vampire has his weapon returned to him and be released. Mr. Trick is confused, but does as he’s told and releases the vampire. The vampire immediately attacks the Mayor by slicing his head in half…however the head promptly repairs itself with no ill effect on the Mayor and Mr. Trick stakes the surprised vampire. The Mayor tells his right-hand man that the hundred days before the Ascension has begun and that during that period he is completely invincible. Buffy confronts Faith about Allan’s death but Faith doesn’t want to talk about it.

Buffy is aghast. “Faith, you don’t get it, you killed a man.”

Faith’s reply: “No you don’t get it, I don’t care.”

From: Wikipedia

BUFFY- (+5)

• +1/ Discussing Xander with Faith, who happens to inquire if Buffy had ever had some after hours grunting with him, Buffy reaction is priceless.
• +1/ Discussing college with the Scoobies, she likes being wooed.
• +1/ Meeting Wesley, her new Watcher and thinking he’s evil (see Wesley point 2).
• +1/ Having fun at Wes’ expense-
  Giles: A-and you don’t think that this, uh, amulet poses any threat?
  Wesley: Oh, no, not at all. Nonetheless, we may as well keep it from them. Buffy, you will go to the Gleaves family crypt tonight and fetch the amulet.
  Buffy: I will?
  Wesley: Are you not used to being given orders?
  Buffy: Whenever Giles sends me on a mission, he always says ‘please’. And afterwards I get a cookie.
• +2/ Fighting a bucketload of duelist vamps, she even fakes her own drowning to get the upperhand, which leads her to trying on Faith’s way of life.
• -2/ Turning into a party girl. First, talking constantly during a test than escaping class with Faith, very un-Buffy.
• +1/ Sexy dancing…
• -1/ Breaking into a sport’s store and that’s not cool, you can tell Buffy isn’t quite as into what they’re doing.
• +1/ Electrocuting the huge Balthazar.

XANDER- (+2)

• +1/ Discussing his bleak future with the Scoobies-
  “Harvard… Yale… Wesleyan… Some German Polytechnical Institute whose name I, uh… (tries to read it)  I can’t pronounce. Is anyone else intimidated? ‘Cause I’m just expecting thin slips of paper with the words ‘No Way’ written in crayon.”
• +1/ Having his eye twitch every time Faith is mentioned.

WILLOW- (+2)

• +1/ Getting awfully excited when college start to propose themselves on her-
  Willow: (smiling) I’m so overwhelmed! I-I got in! To actual colleges! And, a-and they’re wooing me! They’re pitching woo!
  Buffy: (smiles) The wooing stage is always fun.
  Willow: (sighs) But it’s weird. Now, rejection I can handle ’cause of the years of training, but this…
  Xander: I feel your pain, Will. Like right now, I’m torn between the fast-growing fields of appliance repair and motel management. Of course, I’m still waiting to hear back from the, uh, Corndog Emporium, so…
  Crosses fingers.
• +1/ Unfortunately for Will, Buffy’s growing friendship with faith leaves her out in the cold. Willow tries to connect with Buffy, offering to help patrol and produce protective magics but Faith keeps getting in the way. I like that Willow gets jealous and feels as if she’s losing her best friend. It’s an interesting dynamic.

GILES- (+4)

• +1/ Having to introduce Buffy’s new Watcher to her. It’s interesting how cool Giles seems in comparison to Wesley (see Wesley point 2).
• +1/ Cleaning his glasses at the same time as Wesley, showing signs of similarity between them.
• +1/ Showing some of his rebel side in front of Balthazar-
  Balthazar: Bring them closer. You know what I want.
  Giles: If it’s for me to scrub those hard-to-reach areas, I’d like to request you kill me now.
• +1/ Showing his sword fighting skill in the battle with the duelist vamps.

ANGEL- (+1)

• +1/ Not approving of Buffy’s new party-girl attitude. He doesn’t react to any of her advances and prefers her to not play games.

OZ- (+1)

• +1/ He gets a nice line in the college discussion-
  Buffy: Well, I think it’s great. Early admission. (to Willow) Now there’s nothing standing between you and a brilliant future.
  Oz: Well, if I may suggest, graduate. Gettin’ left back: not the thrill ride you’d expect.

FAITH- (+3)

• +1/ Asking Buffy if she had ever gotten a little sweaty with Xander since she had herself recently.
• +1/ Having a much brighter outlook on slaying than Buffy-
  Faith: You’re actually gonna take orders from him? (Wesley)
  Buffy: That’s the job. What else can we do?
  Faith: Whatever we want. We’re Slayers, girlfriend, the Chosen Two. Why should we let *him* take all the fun out of it?
  Buffy:  Oh, that would be tragic, taking the fun out of slaying, stabbing, beheading.
  Faith: Oh, like you don’t dig it.
  Buffy: (shrugs) I don’t.
  Faith: You’re a liar. I’ve *seen* you. Tell me staking a vamp doesn’t get you a little bit juiced. Come on, say it.
  She stops and folds her arms, waiting for Buffy’s answer. Buffy can’t help but smile, and looks down to hide it.
  Faith: (laughs) You can’t fool me. The look in your eyes right after a kill? You just get hungry for more.
  Buffy: (shakes her head) You’re way off base.
  Faith: Tell me that if you don’t get in a good slaying, after a while, you just start itching for some vamp to show up so you can give him a good (grunts and punches)!
  Buffy: Again with the grunting. You realize I’m not comfortable with this.
  Faith: Hey, slaying’s what we were built for. If you’re not enjoying it, you’re doing something wrong.
  
• +1/ Luring Buffy into the big vamp battle.
• +1/ Drawing the little Slayer picture on Buffy’s classroom window.
• +1/ Sexy dancing….
• -1/ Breaking and Entering a sports store, taking it a little too far me thinks.
• +1/ Teasing the cop-
  “I like him, he’s butch.”
• -2/ Now the big part. Faith accidently killed Allan Finch. This is where we see the separation between Buffy and Faith. Buffy would tell the police and turn herself in. Faith dumps the body and pretends it never happened. Buffy feels horrible and guilty, Faith pretends like she doesn’t care when really she’s guilt-ridden inside. This is the big step on Faith’s dark journey, a journey which will eventually lead her into a coma.

THE MAYOR- (+4)

• +2/ Discussing the funny pages with Trick and Allan, this is why I like the Mayor. He’s so cheery, even when on official demon business-
  Mayor Wilkins: (smiles up at Trick) Do you like Family Circus?
  Trick: (seriously) I like Marmaduke.
  Mayor Wilkins: (disgusted) Oh! (shivers) Eww! He’s always on the furniture. Unsanitary.
  Trick: Nobody can tell Marmaduke what to do. (grins) That’s my kinda dog.
• +1/ His ‘to do’ list having become invincible on it, how friggin awesome.
• +1/ After becoming invulnerable-
  “This officially commences the Hundred Days. Nothing can harm me until the Ascension. (smiles wide and laughs) Gosh, I’m feeling chipper! (keeps laughing) Who’s for a root beer?!”

TRICK- (+1)

• +1/ Trick likes Marmaduke, to the Mayor’s dislike (see Mayor point 1).

WESLEY- (+5)

• +2/ Discussing Watcher procedure with Giles-
  Wesley: Of course, training procedures have been updated quite a bit since your day. Much greater emphasis on field work.
  Giles: (very bored) Really?
  Wesley: Oh, yes. Not all books and theory nowadays. I have, in fact, faced two vampires myself. Under controlled circumstances, of course.
  Giles: Well, no danger of finding those here.
  Wesley: Vampires?
• +1/ Meeting Buffy for the first time-
  Buffy: (to Giles) New Watcher?
  Giles: New Watcher.
  Wesley takes a step toward her and holds out his hand in greeting.
  Wesley: Wesley Wyndam-Pryce.
  Buffy makes no move to return the gesture, but continues to eye him critically. A moment later he steps back again.
  Wesley: It’s very nice to meet you.
  Buffy steps over to Giles, never removing her eyes from Wesley.
  Buffy: Is he evil?
  Wesley: (perplexed) Evil?
  Buffy: The last one was evil.
  Wesley: (thoughtfully) Oh, yes. Gwendolyn Post. We all heard. No. Mr. Giles has checked my credentials rather thoroughly and phoned the Council, but I’m glad to see you’re on the ball as well. (takes a secretive step toward her) A good Slayer is a cautious Slayer. (steps back)
  Buffy: (to Giles) Is he evil?
  Giles: Not in the strictest sense.
• +1/ Cleaning his glasses at the same time as Giles.
• +1/ Telling Giles not to panic while panicking himself. He’s so hilarious.

JOYCE- (+1)

• +1/ Wanting to make waffles for Buffy, mainly because if she does she can eat them without feeling guilty.

SEASON COUNT-

BUFFY- +76
WILLOW- +49
GILES- +44
XANDER- +38
OZ- +37
CORDELIA- +29
ANGEL- +26
SPIKE- +18
JOYCE-+16
THE MAYOR- +12
FAITH- +8
TRICK- +6
WESLEY- +5
ANNE- +4
THE MASTER- +3
SNYDER-+2
THE FIRST- +2
WILLY- +2
LARRY- +1
ANGELUS- +1
ANYA- +1
HARMONY- -2
TRAVERS- -3

OVERALL COUNT-

BUFFY- +234
WILLOW- +183
XANDER- +169
GILES- +136
CORDELIA- +106
ANGEL- +76
OZ- +68
SPIKE- +62
JOYCE- +36
ANGELUS- +24
THE MASTER- +9
THE MAYOR- +12
FAITH- +8
TRICK- +6
WESLEY- +5
ANNE-  +3
THE FIRST- +2
WILLY- +2
LARRY- +1
ANYA- +1
TRAVERS- -3
HARMONY- -3
SNYDER- -8

EPISODE THOUGHTS-
I like this episode, it has some bad things but for the most part I think it’s essential to the character’s of Faith and Buffy. I like that Buffy takes the Faith philosophy, just for one episode. It was needed to show just how balanced Buffy is, and how unbalanced Faith is. I love the introduction of Wesley, he was needed to lighten up the show a little and bring some goofiness to the group, also makes Giles look a lot cooler. The Mayor also gets a bit more screen time. Balthazar is an OK villain but he is only ‘B’ story so it doesn’t really matter too much. The main plot, Faith’s decent into darkness is fantastic and it only gets better.

81.5/100