Season 6, Episode 10 | Aired: 27 November 2001 | Written by: Marti Noxon | Directed by: David Solomon
Willow visits Rack and burns through his supply of magical narcotics. She takes Dawn with her, high. A demon attacks them. Dawn is injured. Willow has to perform magic while barely functional to save them. The episode is the show drawing the parallel between magical addiction and substance abuse with slightly more directness than it usually allows itself, but the Dawn-in-danger scene is effective and Hannigan’s performance throughout is very good.
What Happens
Willow goes to Rack, gets high, loses track of time, and takes Dawn when Dawn finds her. A monster from Rack’s space pursues them through Sunnydale. Willow drives a car badly and crashes; Dawn’s arm is broken. Buffy finds them. Willow promises to stop. The episode ends with Willow in her bed, withdrawing, telling Buffy she wants the magic but she can’t. Amy has gone back to Rack’s.
Key Moments
The car crash — staged practically, not for spectacle. Dawn’s injury, which is not minimised. And Willow’s conversation with Buffy afterward, which doesn’t offer resolution: just someone saying “I know this is bad and I don’t know how to stop.”
Monster / Villain
Rack’s conjured demon. Rack himself (Jeff Kober), who supplies power without responsibility.
Notable Quote
“I just feel like… everything I had has just been ripped from me.” — Willow. She means the magic. She also means Tara.
Where It Fits
Wrecked is the season’s most direct addiction episode and the one that makes Willow’s arc uncomfortable in the way it’s supposed to be. Her cold turkey runs through the next several episodes before the Tara reconciliation.