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Buffy vs. Dracula Date: Sept. 26, 2000
Written by: Marti Noxon Story: The gang is on red alert after Buffy reports a surprise encounter with Dracula (Rudolf Martin). Riley wants to tackle him immediately, even though the caped one's metamorphoses into a bat and a mist reveal he is more powerful than the average vamp. But Buffy suggests they avoid him until they have more info, and Riley thinks Buffy is starstruck by the famous - and famously sexy - count. However, it's Xander who falls under his spell. And as the Slayer tries to bring the curtain down on Dracula, a new day dawns at home. This episode also marks the entrance of Buffy's sister Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg), whose sudden appearance will be explained throughout the season. My Thoughts: Anyone else think Dracula is going to come back in season 6? |
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Real Me Date: Oct. 3, 2000
Written by: David Fury Story: Buffy's slaying is hampered by sibling rivalry when she's forced to take Dawn with her and Giles to the magic shop, where they find the owner dead from multiple puncture wounds. The evidence points to a new vampire gang. When they learn the leader of the pack is Spike's ex-girlfriend Harmony (Mercedes McNab), nobody takes them seriously until Dawn mistakenly invites Harmony into the house. |
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The Replacement Date: Oct. 10, 2000
Written by: Jane Espenson Story: Xander is frantic when he wakes up from a demon attack and finds a Xander double (Kelly Donovan - Nicolas Brendon's real life twin) taking over his job, apartment and girlfriend (Emma Caulfield), not to mention his place in the Scooby Gang. |
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Out of My Mind Date: Oct. 17, 2000
Written by: Rebecca Rand Kirshner Story: Buffy learns that Initiative experiments left Riley with super strength, a high tolerance for pain and an abnormally fast heartbeat that could lead to a heart attack unless he gets help. But only the Initiative can help him, and they no longer exist. Meanwhile, Harmony fears Buffy is still after her and seeks refuge with Spike. This episode also marks Spike's first feelings of lust for Buffy |
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No Place Like Home Date: Oct. 24, 2000
Written by: Douglas Petrie Story: This chilling story sheds light on Buffy's kid sister, Dawn. When a night watchman mistakes Buffy for a wannabe raver, he tells her to scoot and take her glowing orb with her. She pockets the orb for later study, but is sidetracked when her mom falls ill. While at the hospital pharmacy to get a prescription, Buffy sees the watchman again. Only now he's stark raving mad. Buffy comes to find out that Dawn is a mysterious Key, and not her real sister. |
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Family Date: Nov. 7, 2000 Written and directed by: Joss Whedon Story: Tara's birthday arrives and with it the requisite surprise in the form of her brother Donny (Kevin Rankin). Meanwhile, Glory (Clare Kramer) recruits a demon in a new plan to take down the Slayer, who moves back home to keep an eye on Dawn. And a disgruntled Riley goes out drinking alone on the wrong side of town. |
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Fool for Love Date: Nov. 14, 2000
Written by: Douglas Petrie Story: Buffy forces Spike to explain how he killed two Slayers, and his flashbacks reveal the first time he met Drusilla (Juliet Landau), as well as their collaboration with fellow bloodsuckers Angel (David Boreanaz) and Darla (Julie Benz). My Thoughts: A wonderful episode that goes deep into the history of Spike, Angel, Darla and Drusilla. One of my favorites so far. |
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Shadow Date: Nov. 21, 2000
Written by: David Fury Story: While Buffy waits for Joyce's tests at the hospital, Giles inadvertently sells Glory evil transmogrification artifacts. The Slayer must then rush to stop the creation of a cobra monster, but Glory beats her to the punch. |
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Listening to Fear Date: Nov. 28, 2000
Written by: Rebecca Rand Kirshner Story: As the Scoobies investigate a murderous, meteorite-born creature, Buffy stays with Joyce, whose brain tumor is affecting her personality. Meanwhile, Riley fraternizes with questionable company. |
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Into the Woods Date: Dec. 19, 2000 Written and directed by: Marti Noxon Story: The communication breakdown in Buffy and Riley's relationship goes into meltdown in a confrontational and heartrending episode. Riley's dirty little secret finally hits the fan when a doting Spike reveals to Buffy that her beau's been sneaking out to pay vamps for their blood-sucking services. Reeling from shock, the overwhelmed Slayer avoids discussion of the discovery with her friends, and becomes hell-bent on destroying the den with which Riley was associated - only to find the undead denizens missing from their lair. As Buffy's rage gets the best of her, a supremely miffed Riley pays a visit to Spike. This marks the final episode for Riley. My Thoughts: Thank god. I was never a big fan of Riley and thought the character just slowed down the pacing of the show. |
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Triangle Date: Jan. 9, 2001
Written by: Jane Espenson Story: Buffy's post-Riley emotional turmoil is interrupted by a malevolent troll accidentally set loose on Sunnydale by Anya and Willow as a result of their bickering. The Scoobies team up to take him down, but the monster's magic hammer packs a mean wallop. |
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Checkpoint Date: Jan. 31, 2001
Written by: Jane Espenson Story: Buffy and company get a visit from the Council of Watchers, who possess insight into who (or what) Glory is. Unfortunately, they're less than forthcoming with the crucial information. As the bureaucracy takes over, a short-on-time Glory is as determined as ever to obtain the Key. This episode also reveals that Glory is not just another run-of-the-mill foe for the gang, she is in fact, a God. |
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Blood Ties Date: Feb. 6, 2001
Written by: Steven S. DeKnight Story: Dawn's entire world crumbles around her after she learns that she is the Key - and dealing with the truth proves to be even harder than anyone had anticipated when she runs away. Glory discovers that the Knights of Byzantium, her competitors for the Key, are in town. |
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Crush Date: Feb. 13, 2001
Written by: David Fury Story: Buffy and Dawn carry on what is fast becoming a rather ill-fated tradition for the Summers girls - getting involved with the most problematic men available. After being scolded by her big sister for having a crush on Spike, Dawn sheds light on the identity of the true object of the neutered vamp's affection - Buffy. With his frustrating Slayer fixation finally out of the closet, Spike swallows his pride and professes his love to her face, only to be rebuffed by the supremely creeped-out Buffster. Angry and humiliated, a sulky Spike returns home to find Drusilla (Juliet Landau) waiting... and she's ready to take him back. |
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I was Made to Love You Date: Feb. 20, 2001
Written by: Jane Espenson Story: The bizarre mannerisms and superhuman strength of April (Shonda Farr), who's searching Sunnydale for her boyfriend, lead the gang to believe she's really a robot. Meanwhile, Buffy decides to go out on a date with Ben (Charlie Weber), but the Slayer has no idea how close he is to Glory. Buffy arrives home at episodes end to find her mother unconscious. |
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The Body Date: Feb. 27, 2001 Written and directed by: Joss Whedon Story: Death gets remarkably personal in this haunting, well-scripted episode, which was written and directed by series creator Joss Whedon. After months of fighting and ostensibly overcoming a brain tumor, Joyce (Kristine Sutherland) dies unexpectedly and in a manner seldom seen on Buffy - peacefully and quietly. Reeling from the shock of discovering her mother's lifeless body on the living-room sofa, Buffy manages to pull herself together enough to deliver the news to an already emotionally fragile Dawn - whose overwhelming denial makes fighting the boundless forces of evil look like child's play. My Thoughts: Another outstanding and heart-wrenching episode that was as touching as it was shocking. |
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Forever Date: Apr. 17, 2001 Written and directed by: Marti Noxon Story: In the aftermath of Joyce's funeral, the Summers girls attempt to cope with their loss in entirely different ways: While the Slayer withdraws into numbness, Dawn acts on her fears. Buffy finds comfort by confiding in a visiting Angel, but her sister's inability to accept their mother's death isn't as easily alleviated. Denial leads Dawn to a supernatural remedy for grief - a magical recipe for resurrection. Willow and Tara refuse to assist with the dangerous spell, but Spike has no such qualms about helping to bring Joyce back. More Dawn-centered danger brews when Ben lets a crucial Key-related clue slip to Glory. |
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Intervention Date: Apr. 24, 2001
Written by: Jane Espenson Story: After Buffy and Giles leave town for some Slayer soul-searching, the Scoobies mistake Spike's custom-made romance with his Buffybot for the real thing. Then, Glory's minions kidnap Spike in the belief that he is the coveted Key. Meanwhile, Buffy has a reunion with the first Slayer (Sharon Ferguson) out in the desert. |
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Tough Love Date: May 1, 2001
Written by: Rebecca Rand Kirshner Story: While Buffy is preoccupied with the pressure of being her obstinate sister's keeper, Glory and her minions set out to grab the person whom they believe to be the Key - Tara. Unfortunately, Tara is more vulnerable than usual, as both she and Willow are stunned from the effects of their first big fight. Tara finally comes front and center in an episode, only to have her mind taken from her by Glory. Poor kid. |
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Spiral Date: May 8, 2001
Written by: Steven S. DeKnight Story: Buffy and the Scoobies - including Tara, sadly rendered mentally disabled by Glory's brain drain - hightail it out of Sunnydale to escape the hellgod, who now knows the truth about Dawn. Spike's RV provides transportation but not much defense against the legion of Knights of Byzantium out to destroy the Key. At the end of the episode, Dawn is kidnapped by Glory. |
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Weight of the World Date: May. 15, 2001
Written by: Douglas Petrie Story: Willow psychically enters Buffy's troubled subconscious in an effort to somehow reach the Slayer, who has been rendered catatonic by Glory's abduction of Dawn. Meanwhile, Glory vents her frustrations on the limitations of being part human to a frightened Dawn; and Spike, Xander and Giles work on undermining the hell god's nefarious plans. |
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The Gift Date: May. 22, 2001 Written and directed by: Joss Whedon Story: Glory trumped the good guys when she stole the Slayer's little sis out from under her nose. In a race against time, Buffy and pals must now execute a risky plan to rescue Dawn before her blood is spilled - which would open a portal to Glory's demonic dimension, creating a literal hell on Earth. My Thoughts: This episode marks the last show on the WB network, before moving over to UPN for season 6. It also has Buffy dead and buried after sacrificing her own life for Dawn's. How will all this be resolved? Only time will tell…. |
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