Season 5, Episode 3 | Aired: 10 October 2000 | Written by: Jane Espenson | Directed by: James A. Contner
A demon named Toth splits Xander into two versions — one with all his confidence and competence, one with all his doubt and insecurity. The competent Xander gets an apartment and impresses Anya. The insecure Xander hides in a drainage pipe. The episode is an affectionate character study that concludes with both Xanders declaring that the other one is the real one, and Willow pointing out that this means they’re both the real Xander — that he contains both versions simultaneously, like everyone does. It is a gentle and accurate observation.
What Happens
Toth (Michael Bailey Smith) is attempting to split the Slayer into a weak and a strong version; he hits Xander instead. Buffy and the Scoobies, not realising what’s happened, initially assume one Xander is a demon. Both Xanders are restored when Willow restores the split. They briefly share an apartment in the interim. Anya is confused but ultimately pleased by the situation, which says something about her and about Xander.
Key Moments
The conversation between the two Xanders, in the basement — the confident one trying to convince the insecure one that he matters, that their differences are the same person. Nicholas Brendon’s dual performance is the episode’s most technically demanding moment and he handles it well.
Monster / Villain
Toth — competent, single-minded, ultimately beside the point. The episode is about what he reveals, not what he does.
Notable Quote
“The amazing thing is, not one of your ideas has ever, not once, worked.” — Anya, to Xander, fondly. She means this as neutral observation.
Where It Fits
The Replacement is mid-season character maintenance — Xander getting an episode that reminds the audience he’s worth caring about, and doing it through the show’s preferred method of supernatural literalisation of an interior truth.