Season 6, Episode 13 | Aired: 5 February 2002 | Written by: Steven S. DeKnight | Directed by: James A. Contner
Warren accidentally kills his ex-girlfriend Katrina (Amanda Fuller) using the Trio’s cerebral dampener, and frames Buffy for the murder by planting a body and manipulating evidence. Buffy believes, briefly, that she is responsible — that she came back wrong, that she’s capable of killing humans. She goes to the police station and tries to confess. Tara talks her down. This is one of the season’s most morally serious episodes and one of its best.
What Happens
The Trio use their dampener to create a private “fantasy” with Katrina, who breaks free and accuses them of rape. Warren kills her. They frame Buffy. Buffy finds the body and believes she did it during a fight with Spike. She is prepared to confess. Tara, who runs tests on her, tells her: you didn’t come back wrong. You’re human. You’re fully yourself. The murder is revealed as Warren’s work. He escapes. Buffy and Spike’s relationship is shown in a light that is significantly less romantic than before.
Key Moments
Tara’s assessment of Buffy — the conversation where Tara gives her the medical and magical all-clear, and then listens to Buffy say things about herself and Spike that suggest the relationship is hurting her. Tara keeps the confidence. She doesn’t intervene, but she’s clearly troubled. And Warren killing Katrina — staged plainly, the show acknowledging that he has graduated from annoyance to genuine threat.
Monster / Villain
Warren — who has crossed the line that makes him the season’s real villain. The Trio was always the most dangerous when Warren was in charge.
Notable Quote
“You’re not a thing. Okay? You are flesh and blood and love and — just like the rest of us.” — Tara, to Buffy. Amber Benson delivers it without sentimentality.
Where It Fits
Dead Things is the episode where Season 6 earns its darkness — where the consequences of Buffy’s choices and Warren’s choices arrive in the same moment. The Buffy/Spike relationship is examined honestly and found damaging. The season’s back half accelerates from here.