Synopsis
Includes:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Bargaining, Part 2 (2001)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Bargaining, Part 1 (2001)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: After Life (2001)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Life Serial (2001)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Flooded (2001)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Smashed (2001)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tabula Rasa (2001)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Once More, With Feeling (2001)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Wrecked (2001)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: All the Way (2001)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Grave (2002)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Hell's Bells (2002)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: As You Were (2002)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Doublemeat Palace (2002)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Older and Far Away (2002)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Two To Go (2002)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Gone (2002)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Normal Again (2002)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Entropy (2002)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Seeing Red (2002)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Villains (2002)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Dead Things (2002)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Bargaining, Part 2
As the newly resurrected Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) horrifically digs herself out of her grave, her friends scatter, unaware that their necromancy actually worked before it was interrupted by a demon biker gang. Meanwhile, those same demons continue to pillage Sunnydale, overjoyed that the only Slayer now standing in their way is the ineffectual Buffy-bot. Spike (James Marsters) valiantly protects Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) from the carnage, while Xander (Nicholas Brendon) and the others do what they can to battle the leather-clad fiends. Meanwhile, a near-catatonic Buffy wanders the town and witnesses her robot double being dismantled by the bikers. Ultimately, she must face off with the demons in an alley while her nearby friends slowly realize she's the real Slayer and not the 'bot. Elsewhere, Dawn learns of her sister's return from the mutilated robot and rushes off to find Buffy, who, still speechless, has fled from the Scoobies. The Summers sisters find one another atop the rickety tower from which Buffy fell to her supernatural death some months earlier. Dawn can't seem to believe it when Buffy asks her if this is Hell and seems on the verge of taking a second plunge. Hysterical, the girl tells Buffy she can't live without her. The pair barely make it to the ground before the tower collapses, but Buffy doesn't look nearly as happy about her return from the dead as Dawn does. Originally broadcast October 2, 2001, on the UPN network as part of a two-hour block with the previous installment, "Bargaining, Part 2" marked episode 102 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Bargaining, Part 1
Months after the death of the titular vampire slayer (see "The Gift"), her friends finally seem to be adjusting to life after Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar). Willow (Alyson Hannigan) and Tara (Amber Benson) are living with and caring for Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg). Spike (James Marsters), Xander (Nicholas Brendon), and the others are carrying out routine patrol duty with assistance from the Buffy-bot, whose presence gives the illusion that the Slayer is still alive. Anya (Emma Caulfield) works at the magic shop and longs for Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) to return to England and leave her in charge. Buffy's former watcher finally departs on the very day that Willow finishes her secret preparations to resurrect Buffy. Xander expresses misgivings about this supernatural enterprise, but his Wiccan friend convinces him that Buffy may be suffering unspeakably in some unknown hell dimension. Joined by the Scoobies in the woods outside town, Willow calls on the darkest of magicks to implore the god Osiris to bring back her friend. Unfortunately, at that very moment, a demon biker gang arrives, having bested the Buffy-bot in combat and learned that it isn't really the Slayer. Willow's spell thus disrupted, she and her devastated friends flee, convinced that their chance to bring Buffy back has been wasted. Six feet under a nearby tombstone, however, Buffy's decomposing corpse suddenly reanimates. Originally broadcast October 2, 2001, on the UPN network, "Bargaining, Part 1" marked episode 101 of the cult-favorite series. A new beginning in more ways than one, this resurrection-themed episode also marked the program's move to UPN from the rival WB network. It was originally shown in a two-hour block with "Bargaining, Part 2." ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: After Life
As depression and a shadowy demon haunt Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar), the Slayer and her friends must deal with the consequences of her resurrection in both personal and supernatural terms. Returning to the Summers house with Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) on the night of her rebirth, Buffy hides from bright lights and expresses confusion over the changes in her home. The Scoobies turn up, excited to be reunited with their friend, but she's uncommunicative and wants to do nothing but sleep. Though overjoyed that his unattainable beloved has returned, Spike (James Marsters) blows up at Willow (Alyson Hannigan) and the others for risking such perilous magicks to resurrect Buffy -- and for keeping him in the dark about their plans. Soon, though, more pressing problems arise in the form of a phantom presence that haunts and possesses the gang one by one. Eventually, research reveals that Willow's necromancy has unleashed an immaterial fiend that seeks to steal Buffy's new life and corporeal form for itself. The Slayer eventually defeats her foe, but not the dark cloud that seems to hang over her. Buffy feigns gratitude toward her friends for bringing her back, but she confesses to Spike that she was actually in a place very much like Heaven after she died. It's only now that she's been ripped back onto the mortal plane, with all of its trials and responsibilities, that she like she's descended into Hell. Originally broadcast October 9, 2001, on the UPN network, "After Life" marked episode 103 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Life Serial
Skirmishes between Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and the three dorky would-be villains who have targeted her continue as the Slayer attempts to hit the books and find gainful employment. While auditing classes back at U.C. Sunnydale, Buffy literally brushes up against Warren (Adam Busch), with confusing results. The dorky inventor plants on her a device that speeds time up, resulting in lost hours and missed appointments for the Slayer. Just as she figures out what's going on, the tiny troublemaker self-destructs. The next day, Buffy reports to work at the construction site where Xander (Nicholas Brendon) has agreed to hire her. First her gender and then her super-strength and over-efficiency annoy her burly co-worker's, but Buffy doesn't last long at the new job, anyway; once again, Warren and his sidekicks send demons to attack her, and in protecting her fellow workers she causes thousands of dollars in damages. Soon Buffy finds herself working for Anya (Emma Caulfield) as a salesgirl at the magic shop; this time, the nerds pull a Groundhog Day on her, looping her through this particularly annoying afternoon until she is finally able to restore time to its normal flow by making her first sale. Later, during a drunken escapade with Spike (James Marsters), Buffy comes face to face with Jonathan (Danny Strong) in battle but doesn't even know it: the diminutive would-be arch-fiend is disguised as a much larger demon. He, Warren, and Andrew (Tom Lenk) make their getaway, having successfully taken stock of the Slayer's abilities. Originally broadcast October 23, 2001, on the UPN network, "Life Serial" marked episode 105 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Flooded
Despite the return of her beloved former watcher, domestic and financial issues compound the dark depression in which the Slayer has wallowed since her return from the dead. A flooded basement sends Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) scrounging for a loan when she learns that her mother's insurance money has long since been exhausted. Just as she's being turned down by the loan officer, Buffy witnesses a demon attacking the bank. During the confusion, the fiend's unseen accomplice makes off with a wad of cash. Angry about losing out on her loan and letting the demon escape, the exhausted Slayer heads to the training room to let off some steam. Soon Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) appears, fresh off the plane from England and full of reassuring wisdom. Worried that Buffy doesn't seem quite herself, he chastises an unrepentant Willow (Alyson Hannigan) for her foolhardy trafficking in dark magic. Elsewhere, three other former Sunnydale High misfits make use of the black arts: nerdy inventor Warren (Adam Busch, see "I Was Made to Love You"); class dork Jonathan (Danny Strong, see "Superstar"); and Andrew (Tom Lenk), the science fiction-obsessed younger brother of Tucker, the villain of "The Prom." These three hapless self-styled super-villains plan to use their ill-gotten gains from their earlier bank robbery to take over the entire town. The demon who assisted in their larceny tries to take out the Slayer, but Buffy vanquishes it -- without learning a thing about the creature's three very human accomplices. Originally broadcast October 16, 2001, on the UPN network, "Flooded" marked episode 104 of the cult-favorite series. Andrew, Jonathan, and Warren would appear throughout the rest of season six as both comic relief and the year's unlikely "big bad" villains. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Smashed
Warren (Adam Busch), Jonathan (Danny Strong), and Andrew (Tom Lenk) proceed with their quest to make their names as super-villains by using a ray gun to freeze a museum guard and steal a valuable artifact. As Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and her friends investigate the crime, the Slayer continues to fend off the affections of Spike (James Marsters). When the quarrel turns physical, however, the love-sick vampire learns that he's now capable of hitting the Slayer without experiencing excruciating pain. To his dismay, he realizes that the anti-violence chip in his skull still works fine on everyone else; he can hit only Buffy -- apparently because she came back from the dead less than human. Elsewhere, Tara (Amber Benson) assures Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) that she'll always be there for her even though Tara's relationship with Willow (Alyson Hannigan) is over. As for Willow, she begins her new post-Tara life by finally figuring out how to turn Wiccan pal Amy (Elizabeth Anne Allen) from a rat (see "Gingerbread") back into a human. Amy and Willow embark on a night on the town, turning the Bronze into their own private magical playground. Meanwhile, Spike confronts Buffy about her seeming inhumanity. They fight ferociously, but somehow the battle turns into a tryst of super-heroic proportions. After two years of yearning, Spike finally makes love with Buffy -- savagely, as an abandoned building crumbles around them. Originally broadcast November 20, 2001, on UPN, "Smashed" marked episode 109 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tabula Rasa
The fallout from the musical episode (see "Once More, With Feeling") brings two characters together but tears most of the others apart. Spike (James Marsters) tries talking to Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) about the kiss they shared but she refuses to discuss it. Meanwhile, the Scoobies express their horror at learning they wrenched Buffy from paradise when they brought her back to life. Tara (Amber Benson) confronts Willow (Alyson Hannigan) about messing with her memories and using magic to solve all of life's problems. Willow agrees to quit magic cold turkey for a week to prove she can live without it. But then she casts a spell to make Buffy and Tara forget all of the suffering they've endured. Just as Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) is announcing his departure to England to force Buffy to stand on her own, Willow's enchantment backfires. All of the Scoobies are rendered amnesiacs, and they come to various wrong-headed conclusions about their identities and relationships. Unfortunately, into this comic befuddlement comes a shark-headed demon (Raymond O'Connor) with a grudge against Spike. The fiend and his vampire minions terrorize the gang until Willow's spell is accidentally broken. Tara leaves Willow, Giles leaves for England...and Buffy once again finds herself locking lips with Spike. Originally broadcast November 13, 2001, on UPN, "Tabula Rasa" marked episode 108 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Once More, With Feeling
Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and the gang find themselves singing out their feelings in this musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The weirdness begins when Buffy interrupts her patrol to sing about post-resurrection angst. The next day, she learns that all of Sunnydale has become a great big Broadway musical. She and her friends float out various theories, but it turns out a musical demon named Sweet (Hinton Battle) has cast a nefarious spell over the town. As the enchantment forces various unfortunates to sing and dance until they burst into flames, the main characters find themselves expressing their deepest emotions. Tara (Amber Benson) sings a tender love song to Willow (Alyson Hannigan). Xander (Nicholas Brendon) and Anya (Emma Caulfield) share a comical duet about their marriage misgivings. Spike (James Marsters) belts out a heavy metal number about his love/hate relationship with Buffy. Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) croons pensively about Buffy's need for independence. And Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) dances a ballet of loneliness. Dawn also accidentally reveals that Willow cast a spell of forgetfulness over Tara (see "All the Way"). Soon, Tara and Giles are harmonizing about the need to leave Willow and Buffy for their own good. Just when it seems that these tangled emotions will cause the Scoobies to combust, however, Sweet arrives to make Dawn his underworld bride. While rescuing her sister, Buffy reveals the truth she's been hiding from her friends -- when they brought her back to life, they wrenched her not from Hell, but from Heaven. The anguished Slayer then almost dances herself into fiery oblivion -- until Spike intercedes and begs her to live. Once Sweet is vanquished, the entire cast sings an uncertain song about what the future may hold. Then Spike and the Slayer sneak out and share an unexpected kiss. Originally broadcast November 6, 2001, on UPN, "Once More, With Feeling" marked episode 107 of the cult-favorite series. Several minutes longer than a typical hour-long Buffy episode, the musical had to be trimmed for subsequent airings and syndication. A cast album was also released. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Wrecked
Following their respective big nights out (see "Smashed"), Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) recoils from her liaison with Spike (James Marsters) while Willow (Alyson Hannigan) suffers a colossal hangover from doing too many spells with Amy (Elizabeth Anne Allen). Anya (Emma Caulfield) and Xander (Nicholas Brendon) continue to worry about Willow's descent into magic, while Tara (Amber Benson) grows despondent that her fears about Willow were well-founded. The next night, Willow again meets up with Amy, this time to visit a mystically hidden hang-out where a sorcerer named Rack (Jeff Kober) doles out powerful magicks that function like drugs. Although her blissful spell/trip ends badly, Willow heads back to Rack's the next day -- this time with Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) involuntarily in tow. Buffy catches Amy stealing magical supplies from Willow's room and learns about the witches' activities together. She enlists Spike's help in tracking down Willow and Dawn but warns her vampire suitor that their tryst meant absolutely nothing and won't be repeated. Meanwhile, Willow drags an angry Dawn away from Rack's abode, and they end up in a desperate flight from a demon whom Willow accidentally summoned while under the influence. The demon is vanquished, but Dawn suffers serious injuries and Willow is left a gibbering, guilty wreck. That night, Willow suffers from Wiccan withdrawal as Buffy watches over her attempt to kick the magical habit. Originally broadcast November 27, 2001, on UPN, "Wrecked" marked episode 110 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: All the Way
Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) follows in the footsteps of undead-lovin' big sister Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) when she ends up in the arms of a cute teen vamp. Her adventures take place on Halloween -- the same day Xander (Nicholas Brendon) finally announces his engagement to Anya (Emma Caulfield). During the festivities, Tara (Amber Benson) confronts Willow (Alyson Hannigan) about her over-reliance on magic to solve life's problems. Meanwhile, Dawn deals with her own teen angst by shoplifting from the magic shop and sneaking out with a friend for a midnight rendezvous with some handsome young lads. When her date sprouts fangs, however, Dawn is forced to dust him -- shades of Buffy and Angel (see "Becoming, Part 2"). Giles (Anthony Stewart Head), Spike (James Marsters), and Buffy eventually rescue Dawn and her friend from the mess they're in. But the Slayer leaves it up to her Watcher to mete out punishment. Elsewhere, Willow seeks to escape further scoldings by casting a spell to make Tara forget their fight. Originally broadcast October 30, 2001, on UPN, "All the Way" marked episode 106 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Grave
Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) arrives at the Magic Box and mystically shackles the grief-mad Willow (Alyson Hannigan), then hears from Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) about everything that's gone down since his departure (see "Tabula Rasa"). Their joyful reunion is interrupted, though, when Willow mystically compels Anya (Emma Caulfield) to free her. Luckily, Giles has come to end the Wiccan's rampage, and he's armed with the magicks of an entire coven. They battle epically, but soon Willow drains Giles of his powers and leaves him near-dead. Elsewhere, Xander (Nicholas Brendon) and Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) are on the run with surviving super-nerds Jonathan (Danny Strong) and Andrew (Tom Lenk). Willow dispatches the magical equivalent of a guided missile to kill the villains and their reluctant protectors. Buffy manages to save her friends, but in the confusion, Jonathan and Andrew escape; Buffy and Dawn end up in a cavern full of zombies. As for Willow, the influx of Giles' power puts her magically in touch with the pain and suffering of the entire planet; she resolves to burn the Earth to a cinder. Anya warns Xander of the impending apocalypse and he rushes to the rocky bluff where Willow is raising the malign temple of an ancient doomsday cult. Despite Willow's vicious attacks, Xander showers her with love and acceptance, which eventually drains her of black magic and restores her humanity. Meanwhile, after battling side by side with her sister, Buffy finally realizes that she's glad to be alive again. And in a dark cave somewhere in Africa, Spike (James Marsters) completes his quest to be returned to his former self. But his demon taskmaster doesn't remove the chip in Spike's head -- he returns the vampire's soul. Originally broadcast May 21, 2002, on UPN, "Grave" marked episode 122 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Hell's Bells
The big day has finally arrived: Xander (Nicholas Brendon) and Anya (Emma Caulfield) are getting married. The obstacles on their path to wedded bliss include atrocious bridesmaid's dresses, a stubborn cumberbund, and bitter sniping from the alcoholic Harris clan about the "circus freaks" (aka demons) who make up Anya's half of the wedding party. During the preparations, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) has a wistful encounter with Spike (James Marsters), whose cheap floozie of a wedding date causes pangs of jealousy even as the Slayer resolves to keep their relationship in the past tense. As for Anya, her dreams of wedded bliss soon also recede into memory when Xander disappears from the chapel. It seems the prospective groom has received a visit from his time-traveling, elderly self, who shows Xander a vision of the future in which his marriage ends in bitterness and murder. Later, when old-man Xander turns out to be a disguised enemy of Anya seeking revenge against the former vengeance demon, Xander still can't overcome his conviction that he isn't ready to get married. The guests riot, the absentee groom checks into a hotel, and the jilted bride turns to D'Hoffryn (Andy Umberger), her former demon master, for comfort. Originally broadcast March 5, 2002, on UPN, "Hell's Bells" marked episode 116 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: As You Were
Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) finds her continued sexual hijinks with Spike (James Marsters) and her dead-end job at the Doublemeat Palace interrupted by an unexpected visitor: ex-boyfriend Riley Finn (Marc Blucas). Last seen heading off to fight demons in Belize (see "Into the Woods"), Riley seeks Buffy's help in tracking a Savolti demon, whose lightning-fast breeding cycle makes it particularly nasty. During the mission that follows, the old flames each get a rude surprise: Buffy, when she meets Sam (Ivana Milicevic), Riley's fellow soldier and wife; and Riley, when he stumbles onto Buffy and Spike in bed together. Although it's her insecurity at Riley's apparently quick recovery from their breakup that sends Buffy back to Spike's boudoir in the first place, she's horrified to have her ex learn about her own latest liaison. Ever the standup guy, though, Riley assures Buffy that no matter what's going on with her job or her love life, she's still the strongest woman he knows. Riley's visit doesn't turn out quite so comforting for a certain bleach-blond vampire. Not only does the do-gooder reveal Spike to be the mastermind behind the Savolti-breeding scheme, he also inadvertently spurs Buffy to break things off with Spike. Avowing that she could never love Spike and has just been using him, Buffy apologizes to her dumbstruck lover and walks out on him. Originally broadcast February 26, 2002, on UPN, "As You Were" marked episode 115 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Doublemeat Palace
Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) interrupts a recap of the latest attack from the super-nerd troika (see "Gone") with a startling announcement -- to make ends meet, she's taken a job...at a burger joint! Clad in an embarrassing orange uniform, the Slayer bravely confronts her first shift at the Doublemeat Palace, a fast-food restaurant where the workers all seem lifeless and morose -- when they show up to work at all. Depressed by her own minimum-wage lot in life, the Slayer continues her sweaty liaison with Spike (James Marsters). But when she's not busy having sex behind the dumpster on her dinner break, she grows disturbed by the company's rampant absenteeism and by rumors of a sinister mystery ingredient in the burgers. Buffy's worst fears are confirmed when human body parts show up near the meat grinder. Fired rather than rewarded for her grisly discovery, Buffy turns to the Scoobies for help. Willow (Alyson Hannigan), who's been fending off the forcible companionship of fellow magic junkie Amy (Elizabeth Anne Allen), uses some old-fashioned science to analyze the meat. As it turns out, though, the body parts and disappearances are the work of a particularly loyal customer who happens to be a demon. Vanquishing the beast, Buffy uses Willow's research into the Palace's secret recipe to secure renewed employment for herself. Elsewhere, Anya (Emma Caulfield) hooks up with Halfrek (Kali Rocha), an old vengeance-demon friend who questions the wisdom of Anya's upcoming nuptials to Xander (Nicholas Brendon). Originally broadcast January 29, 2002, on UPN, "Doublemeat Palace" marked episode 112 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Older and Far Away
Her alienation and angst having grown all season, Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) finally makes Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) aware of her isolation in a most unexpected time and manner: magically, at her big sister's birthday party. The night of the soiree, Xander (Nicholas Brendon) and Anya (Emma Caulfield) bring a cute romantic prospect for the Slayer. Tara (Amber Benson) also attends, giving her the chance to witness Buffy's clandestine relationship with Spike (James Marsters) firsthand. Conversation between Tara and Willow (Alyson Hannigan) proves stilted, but the ex-lovers get the opportunity to bond when a mysterious spell makes everyone prisoners of the Summers house. Attempting to break the spell with magicks of her own, Tara accidentally unleashes a demon who wounds Buffy's blind date and causes general mayhem. Anya demands that recovering magic addict Willow cast an enchantment to free everyone, but Tara vigorously defends Willow's right to abstain. Eventually, the spell's author turns out to be Halfrek (Kali Rocha), an old vengeance-demon friend of Anya who's been posing as Dawn's guidance counselor. Dawn's innocent wish that none of her friends or family ever leave her again has now manifested itself as an impenetrable barrier around the house. Luckily, after Anya summons her, Halfrek falls victim to her own curse and has no choice but to break it. The guests go home, but Dawn's not off the hook; during her imprisonment, Anya discovered the hoard of jewelry and talismans that Dawn has been pilfering from the magic shop. Originally broadcast February 12, 2002, on UPN, "Older and Far Away" marked episode 114 of the cult-favorite series. A throwaway joke in this episode suggests that Halfrek is none other than Cecily, the Victorian lass Spike ineffectually romanced when he was human (see "Fool for Love"); both characters were portrayed by Kali Rocha. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Two To Go
Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar), Anya (Emma Caulfield), and Xander (Nicholas Brendon) rush through the woods, aghast that power-mad Willow (Alyson Hannigan) has just murdered Warren (see "Villains"). Certain that the grief-stricken Wiccan is on her way to kill Andrew (Tom Lenk) and Jonathan (Danny Strong), Anya teleports to their jail cell to save the surviving super-nerds. Willow arrives, decimating both the cops and the police station, but the geeks escape in a police car with Buffy and the Scoobies. A high-speed chase ensues as Willow commandeers a semi-truck, riding it like a magical chariot. Eventually, though, her powers fizzle out and the others escape. As Buffy, the gang, and the nerds hole up at the Magic Box, Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) convinces Clem (James C. Leary), her demonic babysitter, to accompany her to the magical den of iniquity run by the sinister Rack (Jeff Kober -- see "Wrecked"). They arrive just as Willow is draining the supernatural pusher of his powers, leaving him dead and Willow once again super-powerful. Dawn touts her own love of Tara to the slain Wiccan's lover, momentarily sidelining Willow's rage. But the witch lashes out at her young friend -- and at Buffy, who arrives ready to fight. Willow transports the entire melee to the magic shop, where only Anya's chanting protects Jonathan and Andrew from Willow's wrath. As Buffy and her best friend duke it out, the nerds escape under Xander's supervision. Just as it appears that Willow will totally demolish Buffy, Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) arrives and floors Willow with a single incantation. Meanwhile, in Africa, Spike (James Marsters) completes the first in a series of mystical trials in order to become "like he was" and give Buffy "what she deserves." Originally broadcast May 21, 2002, on UPN, "Two to Go" marked episode 121 of the cult-favorite series. The season finale, "Grave," aired immediately afterward. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Gone
Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) denies being attracted to Spike (James Marsters), both to herself and to the bad-boy vamp. But when he catches her holding on to a memento from their tryst, she grows furious and chops off a great deal of her hair. The Slayer soon gets an even more radical makeover when she's hit by an invisibility ray -- nerdy villains Warren (Adam Busch), Andrew (Tom Lenk), and Jonathan (Danny Strong) are at it again with the super-weapons. This time, the Slayer's happy for the change. Merrily pulling pranks on people around town -- including the social service worker who's been critiquing her parenting skills -- Buffy soon makes her way to Spike's crypt for some X-rated fun. Meanwhile, Xander (Nicholas Brendon) offends Willow (Alyson Hannigan) by accusing her of turning Buffy invisible. Miffed, the recovering magic addict sets about finding the real culprit -- without supernatural help. Thanks to Willow's exhaustive detective work, Anya (Emma Caulfield) discovers that anything hit by the ray gun soon turns to invisible mush. Looking to warn Buffy of the impending danger, Xander interrupts Spike and the Slayer's lovemaking. With Buffy invisible, though, Spike is able to pretend he's merely exercising. As Buffy continues her escapade, unaware that she's about to turn to pudding, the super-nerd troika kidnaps Willow. During the battle that follows, Buffy regains her visibility and finally comes face to face with the dorks who've been persecuting her. The geeks escape, but her near-jellification at their hands finally convinces Buffy to be grateful that she's back from the dead. Originally broadcast January 8, 2002, on UPN, "Gone" marked episode 111 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Normal Again
When Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) nearly stumbles on the lair of the super-nerd troika, Warren (Adam Busch) and his cronies sic a demon on her. The fiend manages to stab the Slayer with its talon, sending her in and out of an alternate reality where her life as a demon-hunter is nothing but the delusions of an insane, institutionalized young woman. As she wanders through her day, jumping back and forth between realities, Buffy finds her alternate life terrifying but alluring. She's overjoyed to see her mother (Kristine Sutherland) alive and her parents still married, but the non-Slayer Buffy is still just a hopeless basket case in a straitjacket. Elsewhere, Willow (Alyson Hannigan) seeks to reignite her relationship with Tara (Amber Benson) and learns that Xander (Nicholas Brendon) still loves Anya (Emma Caulfield), despite having left her at the alter. Later, while Xander and Spike (James Marsters) capture the creature who has infected Buffy, Willow listens to the Slayer's musings about the depression that has plagued her since her resurrection. Ultimately, when Willow brews up a cure for the demon's spell, Buffy dumps it out, preferring to retreat into the comfort of padded walls in a world where Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) doesn't expect her to be a parent and Spike isn't threatening to reveal their illicit tryst. Only Tara's surprise intervention keeps the comatose Slayer from "exorcising" her friends as if they were figments of a troubled imagination. Bidding farewell to her parents, Buffy jumps back into her Slayer self. Back in the alternate reality of Buffy's vision, her folks cry over the shell of their brain-dead daughter. Originally broadcast March 12, 2002, on UPN, "Normal Again" marked episode 117 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Entropy
As Tara (Amber Benson) and Willow (Alyson Hannigan) tentatively reignite their romance, Anya (Emma Caulfield) seeks to dull the pain of her own failed relationship. Newly returned to the vengeance-demon fold, Anya seeks payback against Xander (Nicholas Brendon) for leaving her at the altar (see "Hell's Bells"). When her attempts to elicit potentially deadly wishes from his unsuspecting friends fizzle, she turns to Spike (James Marsters), hoping the vampire's dislike of Xander will make him amenable to revenge. Spike, however, is at the Magic Box, busily trying to cast a spell of his own to numb his pain at being dumped by Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar). Bitterness and booze soon lead the lovelorn pair to find solace the horizontal way. Unfortunately, their tryst is captured by the hidden cameras of the super-nerd troika -- at the exact moment Willow (Alyson Hannigan) is hacking into the villains' computer system. Despite the grainy Internet footage, Buffy, Xander, Willow, and Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) witness everything. Xander's first response is to acquaint Spike with the pointy end of a stake, but Buffy interrupts her friend's hotheaded attack. As all four exes square off, Buffy reluctantly admits her former relationship with Spike to Xander. Hurt and confused, Xander storms off, giving Anya a taste of vengeance, though not in the way she was hoping for. Originally broadcast April 30, 2002, on UPN, "Entropy" marked episode 118 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Seeing Red
As Anya (Emma Caulfield) and Xander (Nicholas Brendon) deal with the fallout from their disastrous relationship, Spike (James Marsters) stages a desperate bid for the affections of his beloved Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) -- he nearly rapes her. Meanwhile, Tara (Amber Benson) and Willow (Alyson Hannigan) finally mend their troubled union. Tara moves back into Willow's room at the Summers house, sending Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) into paroxysms of joy. Elsewhere, however, trouble brews. Warren (Adam Busch), Andrew (Tom Lenk), and Jonathan (Danny Strong) plot to steal a set of magical talismans that will impart strength and invulnerability to whoever holds them. Once Warren is armed with the mystical orbs, he puts a serious hurting on Buffy. Dissension in the ranks, however, cuts the super-nerd's victory short; Jonathan, sick of being dumped on by his compatriots, lets slip to Buffy the secret to short-circuiting Warren's powers. Defeated, Warren zips off in a jet pack, leaving Andrew and Jonathan to be arrested. Back at home, Buffy talks to Xander in the backyard, while Willow and Tara chat inside. Soon, though, a vengeful Warren interrupts both conversations. His super-powers eradicated, he has turned to conventional weaponry: a gun. He merely wounds Buffy, but a second stray bullet flies through the window, killing Tara in mid-sentence. Originally broadcast May 7, 2002, on UPN, "Seeing Red" marked episode 119 of the cult-favorite series. This episode sees longtime guest star Amber Benson appearing in the opening credits for the first time -- a consolation prize for her character's death at the end of the program. Contract disputes kept the actress from returning the next season to Buffy, as the actors playing so many other dead characters would continue to do. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Villains
Mad with grief over the stray bullet that just killed Tara (Amber Benson) before her very eyes (see "Seeing Red"), Willow (Alyson Hannigan) forsakes all of her determination to avoid magic. She calls on the darkest powers to resurrect her lover, but to no avail; unlike Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar), Tara has died a natural death and cannot be revived. As Xander (Nicholas Brendon) accompanies the wounded Buffy to the hospital, Willow ransacks the Magic Box, imprisoning Anya (Emma Caulfield) and absorbing the blackest of magicks from the shop's most dangerous tomes. Her eyes and hair glazed black and her body crackling with supernatural power, Willow heals Buffy at the hospital, then heads off to have her revenge. Back at home, after Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) spends several grief-soaked hours cradling Tara's body, Buffy finds her, comforts her, and takes her to Spike's crypt for safekeeping. But Spike (James Marsters) is gone, having traveled to Africa to engage in a perilous quest to regain his former self. Meanwhile, when Xander turns to ex-fiancée Anya for a spell to locate his power-mad friend, Anya reveals that she's once again a vengeance demon. Nonetheless, she travels with Buffy and Xander to the cemetery, where Willow is in the process of torturing Warren (Adam Busch). As her friends watch in horror, Willow flays the villain alive, then destroys him in a burst of flame before vanishing. Originally broadcast May 14, 2002, on UPN, "Villains" marked episode 120 of the cult-favorite series. Astute fans will recognize Willow's final comment before flaying Warren -- "Bored now" -- as an echo of her vampire double's favorite saying (see "Doppelgangland"). ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Dead Things
Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) turns to Tara (Amber Benson) for information about why Spike's anti-violence chip no longer registers her as human. Meanwhile, her sexual relationship with Spike (James Marsters) grows deeper and more twisted as the ardent vampire tries to show Buffy her dark side. Elsewhere, Warren (Adam Busch) seeks perverse sexual thrills of his own. The villainous nerd plans to use his latest invention, a cerebral dampener, to turn some lucky lady into his bedroom slave. The first candidate is Warren's ex-girlfriend, Katrina (Amelinda Embry), who's still angry about his dalliance with a sex-bot (see "I Was Made to Love You"). Eliminating any such grudges with the flick of a switch, Warren prepares to sleep with Katrina and then give Andrew (Tom Lenk) and Jonathan (Danny Strong) a turn. The dampener wears off, however, and Katrina accuses Warren of attempted rape. He hits her with a beer bottle, accidentally killing her. Andrew and Jonathan want to go to the police, but Warren insists on framing Buffy for his crime. With the help of a time-shifting demon, the villains stage a hallucinatory battle in which Buffy becomes convinced that she accidentally killed an innocent girl. Distraught, she prepares to turn herself in -- much to the dismay of Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg), who becomes hysterical, and Spike, who gets the tar beat out of him trying to convince the Slayer not to throw her life away. At the last moment, though, Buffy learns the name of her supposed victim and realizes that Warren must be behind the entire episode. Nevertheless, she later breaks down in tears upon learning from Tara that she's still human after all; if she's still human, Buffy asks her astonished friend, then why is she allowing herself to do such perverted things with Spike? Originally broadcast February 5, 2002, on UPN, "Dead Things" marked episode 113 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
