Season 4, Episode 6 | Aired: 9 November 1999 | Written by: Marti Noxon | Directed by: David Grossman
Oz and a female werewolf named Veruca (Paige Moss) transform together and are found the next morning without clothes. The implications are not good. Oz, trying to protect Willow from Veruca, locks Veruca in his cage; Veruca frees herself, attacks Willow, and is killed by Oz mid-transformation. Oz leaves. He can’t control the wolf, and being near Willow puts her in danger. Seth Green plays it with tremendous restraint.
What Happens
Veruca is a werewolf who doesn’t fight her nature — she hunts during the full moon and feels no guilt. She recognises Oz as the same. The episode constructs a triangle and resolves it with a death and a departure. Oz’s goodbye to Willow is the episode’s centre: he loves her, he can’t stay, he’s choosing to go because staying is dangerous to her.
Key Moments
The goodbye scene. Brief, honest, not trying to make either of them wrong. Oz gets in his van and leaves. Willow sits on the floor of his empty room. Buffy finds her and holds her without saying anything.
Monster / Villain
Veruca — not quite a villain, more a mirror for what Oz is afraid he is.
Notable Quote
“It feels like the wolf is the real thing, and I’m the disguise.” — Oz.
Where It Fits
Wild at Heart ends the Oz/Willow relationship and clears the way for Willow and Tara. Seth Green wanted to leave the show; the writers gave him an exit that respects the character completely.