Season 2, Episode 1 | Aired: 15 September 1997 | Written & Directed by: Joss Whedon
Buffy returns from her summer in Los Angeles a different person. She died. Xander revived her. The Master nearly won. None of that has been processed, and all of it is leaking out sideways — in cruelty to Xander, coldness to Angel, a provocative dance at The Bronze that weaponises the people who care about her. The episode is uncomfortable to watch in the best possible way.
What Happens
The Anointed One and what remains of the Master’s order plan to resurrect him using the bones of those who were present at the Harvest ritual — including the Scoobies. The plot is almost secondary. The episode’s real subject is Buffy’s trauma and the way she’s directing it at the people closest to her rather than processing it. She snaps at Willow, she’s dismissive of Xander, she performs confidence as armour.
When the gang is captured to be used in the resurrection ritual, Buffy destroys the Master’s bones in a cathartic, overdue moment of rage. Then she cries. Then it’s over. The crisis passed, she acknowledges — not quite apologises for — what she’s been doing. It’s imperfect and honest.
Key Moments
The dance scene at The Bronze is the episode’s most discussed moment: Buffy dancing with Xander in front of Angel in a way that is clearly weaponised, clearly not about either of them. SMG plays it as performance all the way down, which makes it more disturbing than straightforwardly seductive.
The moment Buffy smashes the Master’s bones and finally lets herself feel what happened — that’s the episode’s real climax. Physical, emotional, necessary.
Monster / Villain
The Anointed One (Andrew J. Ferchland) making his last significant play. He’s dispatched in the next episode, which is arguably too long to wait.
Notable Quote
“Did I ever thank you for saving my life?” — Buffy to Xander. She hadn’t. She does now.
Where It Fits
A season premiere that refuses to pretend the finale didn’t happen. The trauma is real, the damage is real, and the show insists on showing it before moving on. Sets the tone for a season that will ask much harder things of its characters than any of them are prepared for.