Season 6, Episode 1 | Aired: 2 October 2001 | Written by: Marti Noxon | Directed by: David Grossman
Four months after Buffy’s death. The Buffybot is patrolling, keeping Sunnydale’s demons from realising the Slayer is gone. The Scoobies have been managing — Dawn in school, Spike as muscle, Willow running the household with magic. Willow has been preparing a resurrection spell, and in the episode’s final act she performs it with the Scoobies’ help. A demon gang destroys the Buffybot mid-ritual. The spell fires. The Hellmouth shakes. The episode ends.
What Happens
The season opens in media res — Giles is preparing to return to England, having concluded he’s become unnecessary; Dawn is grieving in private; the Buffybot is keeping Sunnydale operational. Willow’s plan involves the Urn of Osiris and a complex ritual in the cemetery. Razor’s demon gang (the Hellions) arrive on motorbikes and destroy the Buffybot. The ritual is interrupted but fires anyway. In the cemetery, the grass above Buffy’s grave begins to move.
Key Moments
Giles watching the Buffybot perform Buffy’s function and recognising that the Scoobies have adapted — without him, without her. His departure and the Scoobies’ casual acceptance of the resurrection plan as a reasonable course of action. The grass moving.
Monster / Villain
Razor (Franc Ross) and the Hellions — demon bikers who’ve heard the Slayer is dead and come to celebrate. Also: Willow’s willingness to perform a resurrection without full understanding of what she’s undoing.
Notable Quote
“She could be in a dimension of suffering.” — Willow, justifying the resurrection. She believes this. She’s wrong.
Where It Fits
Bargaining Part 1 is the season premiere’s first half and does its structural work efficiently. The second half is where the cost arrives.