Buffy the Vampire Slayer Episode Guide

The following is a list of episodes for Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The series began its first season on March 3, 1997 and continued to air for seven seasons until its finale on May 20, 2003. In that time, 144 episodes of the series were aired.

Seasons one to five of the series ran on the WB, and in 2001, it transferred to the United Paramount Network for its final two seasons.

Season 1 (1997)
1 "Welcome to the Hellmouth" Directed by: Charles Martin Smith Written by: Joss Whedon aired: March 10, 1997
Buffy arrives in Sunnydale and is not happy to meet her new Watcher, Rupert Giles. A mysterious "friend" offers guidance, but Buffy resists her destiny until Willow and Jesse are abducted. Buffy saves Willow from an ordinary vampire, but loses track of Jesse in a confrontation with Luke, the Master's vampire vessel.

2 "The Harvest" Directed by: John T. Kretchmer Joss Whedon March 10, 1997
After escaping from Luk e, Buffy goes in search of Jesse, with a little help from Giles and Willow, from her mystery friend, Angel, and from Xander, who braves the dank, dark sewers with her. The Master plots the Harvest, a ritual designed to imbue him with strength enough to open the Hellmouth, but Buffy defeats his minions in a showdown at The Bronze.

3 "Witch" Directed by: Stephen Cragg Dana Reston March 17, 1997
Buffy tries out for Sunnydale High's cheer leading squad. The Scoobies at first suspect that Amy is causing all the havoc but discover that her mother, also a practicing witch, has swapped bodies with her.

4 "Teacher's Pet" Directed by: Bruce Seth Green David Greenwalt March 24, 1997
Xander is smitten by the substitute biology teacher, Ms French, who turns out to be a giant praying mantis terrifying enough to make vampires run for cover. Angel's warning gives Buffy a vital clue and she rescues the virgin male students—including Xander—chosen to fertilize the creature's eggs.

5"Never Kill a Boy on the First Date" Directed by: David Semel Rob Des Hotel & Dean Batali March 31, 1997
Buffy's love life is looking up when she goes on a date with the normal Owen, but when Owen nearly gets killed during Buffy's battle to save Giles and the others from the Master's vampires, she decides that "normal" dating might be too dangerous after all.

6"The Pack" Directed by: Bruce Seth Green Matt Kiene & Joe Reinkemeyer April 7, 1997
At the zoo, Xander and four other students sneak into the off-limits hyena habitat and become infected by an evil demon spirit. Xander and his pack grow more and more feral until Buffy, Giles and Willow reverse the spell.

7 "Angel" Directed by: Scott Brazil David Greenwalt April 14, 1997
Sharing their first kiss, Buffy is horrified to discover that Angel is a vampire. Bent on Slaying him, Buffy learns that Angel's soul was restored by a Gypsy curse, making him unique—and reviled—among his fellow undead. Angel stakes Darla, the vampire who made him, as she attempts to assassinate Buffy for the Master.

8"I, Robot... You, Jane" Directed by: Stephen Posey Ashley Gable & Thomas A. Swyden April 28, 1997
Willow meets a boy on the Internet, but "Malcolm" is really Moloch, an ancient demon released from bondage after Willow scanned his "book" into the school's computer. With help from Ms Calendar, Sunnydale High's computer teacher, Buffy foils Moloch's plan to upload himself into a giant robot.

9"The Puppet Show" Directed by: Ellen S. Pressman Rob Des Hotel & Dean Batali May 5, 1997
After Principal Flutie's death, the new sheriff in Sunnydale High, Principal Snyder, forces Buffy and her friends to participate in the school talent show. When a girl's heart is harvested, Buffy suspects a fellow student and his strangely talkative dummy.

10 "Nightmares" Directed by: Bruce Seth Green Story: Joss Whedon Teleplay: David Greenwalt May 12, 1997
Sunnydale residents find their worst nightmares coming true and Buffy learns that a little boy in a coma is the cause. To solve the problem, the gang must wake him up and help him confront his fears.

11"Out of Mind, Out of Sight" Directed by: Reza Badiyi Story: Joss Whedon Teleplay: Ashley Gable & Thomas A. Swyden May 19, 1997
Ignored by students and teachers alike, Marcie literally becomes invisible, then uses her affliction to terrorize Cordelia and her friends. Sympathetic at first, Buffy nevertheless stops Marcie when she goes too far. Men in black come to take Marcie away.

12"Prophecy Girl" Directed by: Joss Whedon Joss Whedon June 2, 1997
Buffy quits Slaying when a prophecy predicts she will die in battle against the Master and the Anointed One, but soon puts aside her fear and enters the fray on her own timetable and terms. In fulfillment of prophecy, the Master indeed kills the Slayer and opens the Hellmouth, but learns too late that Buffy is resilient, unpredictable—and lethal.


Season 2 (1997 – 1998)
1 "When She Was Bad" Directed by: Joss Whedon Joss Whedon September 15, 1997
Buffy suffers a vision in which the Master, undead, kills her once again. The Anointed One plans to resurrect the slain Master in a ritual using his exhumed skeleton, with kidnapped Scooby Gang members as blood sacrifices. Buffy rescues her friends, then deals with her residual fear and anger by obliterating the Master entirely.

2 "Some Assembly Required" Directed by: Bruce Seth Green Ty King September 22, 1997
Bodies of girls killed in traffic accidents are being dug from their graves. The culprits are two science students, Chris and Eric, using pieces of the girls to create a bride for Chris' monstrous brother, Daryl. The only thing the young monsters need now is Cordy's head—can the Scooby Gang members arrive in time to save her?

3"School Hard" Directed by: John T. Kretchmer Story: Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt
Teleplay: David Greenwalt September 29, 1997
The Night of St. Vigeous is fast approaching, when the power of all vampires will be at its peak. Spike and Drusilla blast into town and learn that Sunnydale has its very own Slayer. Impatient to add a third notch to his tally of Slayer-kills, Spike attacks Buffy at Sunnydale High on Parent Teacher Night—with disastrous results.

4 "Inca Mummy Girl" Directed by: Ellen S. Pressman Matt Kiene & Joe Reinkemeyer October 6, 1997
After the seal of protection lying in her sarcophagus is broken, a mummified Incan girl in a museum exhibit is revivified when she sucks the life-force from a touring student. An unsuspecting Xander falls head over heels for the Latin beauty, Ampata, and must save Willow when his mistake threatens to cost her life.

5 "Reptile Boy" Directed by: David Greenwalt David Greenwalt October 13, 1997
Upset again at Angel, Buffy lies to Giles and goes to a frat party with Cordelia, where their dates drug them and chain them in the basement. The house brothers worship a snake demon and sacrifice girls to it annually in exchange for wealth and power. Giles, Angel and Willow compare notes and meet up with Xander just in time to help Buffy break up the cabal.

6 "Halloween" Directed by: Bruce Seth Green Carl Ellsworth October 27, 1997
Costume shop owner Ethan Rayne casts a spell that transforms kids into their costume personae. Angel and Cordelia try to help as Willow becomes a ghost, Xander a soldier and Buffy a brainless, helpless 18th-century noblewoman. Spike joins the fun and tries to take advantage of the Slayer's predicament, but Giles breaks Ethan's spell at a critical moment.

7 "Lie to Me" Directed by: Joss Whedon Joss Whedon November 3, 1997
Out patrolling, Buffy spies Angel with a demonstrative Drusilla, then catches him in a lie later. Billy "Ford" Fordham, Buffy's long-time LA school chum, transfers to Sunnydale High, but nobody suspects he is negotiating a deal with Spike—and offering the Slayer as trade goods. Angel discreetly enlists Willow's help.

8 "The Dark Age" Directed by: Bruce Seth Green Dean Batali & Rob Des Hotel November 10, 1997
Haunted by his dark past when he was known as Ripper, Giles confronts his old crony Ethan Rayne in an attempt to save Jenny from the lethal consequences of possession by the demon Eyghon. With Giles and the Slayer slated as its next victims, demon-ridden Angel forces Eyghon to possess him instead.

9 "What's My Line: Part One" Directed by: David Solomon Howard Gordon & Marti Noxon November 17, 1997
To get help killing Buffy while he intensifies his search for Dru's cure, Spike calls upon the Order of Taraka. Buffy is attacked by a series of assassins, including her heir "Kendra, the Vampire Slayer," who was called when Buffy died at the end of Season 1 and initially mistakes Buffy for a vampire. Kendra, having seen "vampire" Buffy kissing vampire Angel, has already taken Angel out of the picture.

10"What's My Line: Part Two" Directed by: David Semel Marti Noxon November 24, 1997 While Career Week drags on at Sunnydale High, Buffy and Kendra form an uneasy alliance to stop Spike from sacrificing Angel, whose blood, ritually spilled when the moon is full, is Drusilla's only cure. The Slayers bring Spike's plan, to host a massive killing spree for Dru's "coming out party," down around his ears.

11 "Ted" Directed by: Bruce Seth Green David Greenwalt & Joss Whedon December 8, 1997
Buffy returns home one evening to find her mother kissing a stranger in the kitchen. Joyce's date, Ted, turns abusive with Buffy, who accidentally kills him in self-defense. Believing herself guilty of manslaughter, the Slayer is hardily relieved to learn that Ted is a serial killer android targeting Joyce as his next wife/victim.

12 "Bad Eggs" Directed by: David Greenwalt Marti Noxon January 12, 1998
For Health class, students unknowingly adopt "eggs" of a Bezoar demon growing under the school. Its arachnoid "babies" are able to directly control a person's central nervous system. Dealing with a pair of outlaw vampire brothers in addition to slaying the enormous Bezoar before its progeny take over Sunnydale, Buffy gets ultra-grounded for her trouble.

13 "Surprise" Directed by: Michael Lange Marti Noxon January 19, 1998
Buffy turns 17 and the Scoobies plan a surprise party. Drusilla plans her own celebration as Spike collects her presents: the disassembled pieces of The Judge, an ancient demon called to cleanse the world of humanity. Stymied at every turn, Buffy and Angel go back to his place to regroup, where they confess their deepest feelings and make love for the first time.

14 "Innocence" Directed by: Joss Whedon Joss Whedon January 20, 1998
Because he finds even "one moment of true happiness" in Buffy's arms, Angel's curse is nullified; he loses his soul and reverts to the vicious killer, Angelus. Jenny Calendar turns out to be a Gypsy spy. Devastated by these betrayals, Buffy still takes out the reputedly indestructible Judge using her birthday present from Xander—a stolen rocket launcher.

15 "Phases" Directed by: Bruce Seth Green Rob Des Hotel & Dean Batali January 27, 1998
There's a werewolf at large in Sunnydale and the Scoobies discover that it's Oz. Buffy tries to protect Sunnydale residents from the beast's savagery, and protect the savage beast from a bounty hunter who doesn't care that his target is human 25 days out of 28. Angelus stirs up trouble. Willow convinces Oz she still wants to see him, despite everything.

16 "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" Directed by: James A. Contner Marti Noxon February 10, 1998 Valentine's Day has everyone on edge. With secret reluctance, Cordelia dumps Xander to appease her friends. Crushed, Xander coerces Amy to cast a love spell, but it goes awry and every woman in Sunnydale, except Cordy, becomes pathologically attracted to him. A smitten Dru saves Xander from Angelus, but who will save him from the screaming mob?

17 "Passion" Directed by: Michael E. Gershman Ty King February 24, 1998
Angelus kicks his terror campaign against Buffy and her friends into high gear, leading them to believe Joyce is his next target. Jenny makes progress rediscovering the gypsy Ritual of Restoration and, with Buffy's terse blessing, gets back together with Giles. Jenny and Giles also work with Buffy and Willow to ritually revoke Angel's invitations into their various homes.

18 "Killed by Death" Directed by: Deran Sarafian Rob Des Hotel & Dean Batali March 3, 1998
After flu lands Buffy in the hospital, she rescues fevered children from Der Kindestod, a nightmare demon invisible to healthy people. When getting well means losing her ability to fight the demon, Buffy reinfects herself. In saving the other children, she also avenges her young cousin and puts her own hospital phobia to rest.

19 "I Only Have Eyes for You" Directed by: James Whitmore, Jr. Marti Noxon April 28, 1998
The tortured ghost of a former Sunnydale High student re-enacts a murder-suicide on the night of the school's Sadie Hawkins dance. Bespelled to play the parts, Buffy and Angelus change the tragic outcome just enough for the lovers' spirits to find peace, and for Buffy to learn the meaning of forgiveness.

20 "Go Fish" Directed by: David Semel David Fury & Elin Hampton May 5, 1998
Xander goes undercover on the Sunnydale swim team after members begin turning up dead. Apparently, the swim-team coach gives fish/steroid cocktails to the swim team to get them to perform, but it turns them into sea monsters.

21"Becoming: Part One" Directed by: Joss Whedon Joss Whedon May 12, 1998
Kendra's Watcher sends her back to Sunnydale because a dark power is rising: Angelus has found a demon called Acathla and plans to perform the ritual that will allow Acathla to suck every living thing on the planet into hell.

22 "Becoming: Part Two" Directed by: Joss Whedon Joss Whedon May 19, 1998
With Kendra murdered by Drusilla, Willow in the hospital with head trauma and Giles kidnapped by Angelus, Buffy must decode Whistler's cryptic clues and accept help from an unexpected source to be able to prevent the world from being sucked into Acathla's hell dimension.


Season 3 (1998 – 1999)
1 "Anne" Directed by: Joss Whedon Joss Whedon September 29, 1998
Still not knowing where Buffy is, the rest of the gang returns to school. When Buffy, who is living under an assumed identity, is recognized in a diner, she begins her fight to return home from the Netherworld she has fallen into.

2 "Dead Man's Party" Directed by: James Whitmore, Jr. Marti Noxon October 6, 1998
Buffy struggles to fit back into Sunnydale life. She feels her friends and family have grown distant while she was away. Battling an army of zombies called forth by a Nigerian demon mask brings everyone back together.

3 "Faith, Hope & Trick" Directed by: James A. Contner David Greenwalt October 13, 1998
Another Slayer, Faith, arrives in Sunnydale, closely tracked by two vampires, thoroughly modern Mr. Trick and incredibly ancient Kakistos. With Buffy's encouragement, Faith finally stakes the formidable Kakistos. Buffy, finally, accepts Scott Hope's invitation to date, not knowing that Angel has magically returned.

4 "Beauty and the Beasts" Directed by: James Whitmore, Jr. Marti Noxon October 20, 1998
After Oz escapes from his cage, everyone suspects that he committed last night's brutal murders. Only Buffy knows that Angel is a suspect as well. The Scoobies discover that the murderer is their Jekyll/Hyde classmate, Pete.

5 "Homecoming" Directed by: David Greenwalt David Greenwalt November 3, 1998
Buffy and Cordelia compete for Homecoming Queen while Mr. Trick organizes SlayerFest '98. Willow and Xander kiss, although each is seeing someone else. Unknown to SlayerFest personnel, Cordelia changes places with Faith. Buffy and Cordy reconcile while defeating Mr. Trick's contestants.

6 "Band Candy" Directed by: Michael Lange Jane Espenson November 10, 1998
A candy created by Ethan Rayne causes Sunnydale's adults to behave like teenagers. Buffy confronts Rayne and foils a plan to sacrifice Sunnydale newborns to a monster in the sewers.

7 "Revelations" Directed by: James A. Contner Douglas Petrie November 17, 1998
Faith's new Watcher, Gwendolyn Post, turns out to be an impostor. Xander discovers Buffy's secret and manipulates Faith into attempting to slay Angel.

8 "Lovers Walk" Directed by: David Semel Dan Vebber November 24, 1998
A lovelorn Spike returns and kidnaps Willow to cast a love spell on Drusilla. Stashing Willow and a wounded Xander at the factory, Spike soon concocts a new plan and leaves Sunnydale as abruptly as he came, unaware that wedges have been driven into every relationship around him.

9 "The Wish" Directed by: David Greenwalt Marti Noxon December 8, 1998
Cordelia's pain over Xander's betrayal summons Anyanka, a demon who grants wishes to scorned women. Cordelia wishes that Buffy had never come to Sunnydale, and constructs an alternate reality where the Master rose at the Harvest and took over Sunnydale. Giles discovers this in the alternate reality and realises he is able to reverse events by destroying Anyanka's power center.

10 "Amends" Directed by: Joss Whedon Joss Whedon December 15, 1998
The First Evil is driving Angel insane, appearing as victims of his past crimes, priming him to kill Buffy. Instead, he tries to kill himself by waiting outside for the sunrise, but the sun doesn't shine that unexpectedly wintry day in southern California.

11 "Gingerbread" Directed by: James Whitmore, Jr. Teleplay: Jane Espenson Story: Thania St. John & Jane Espenson January 12, 1999
After two children are mysteriously killed, apparently as part of a cult sacrifice, Joyce leads the town in a witch hunt - but all is not quite as it seems. Buffy, Willow and Amy are tied to stakes and Giles and Cordelia rescue them. Amy turns herself into a rat to escape the angry mob.

12 "Helpless" Directed by: James A. Contner David Fury January 19, 1999
Giles secretly prepares Buffy for the Cruciamentum, an ordeal the Watchers' Council requires every Slayer endure on her eighteenth birthday. Giles helps Buffy, thereby failing his own secret test, and is dismissed from his job as Watcher because he "feels a father's love" for his Slayer.

13 "The Zeppo" Directed by: James Whitmore Jr. Dan Vebber January 26, 1999
Xander tries to be cool and hangs out with Jack O'Toole, who resurrects three of his former buddies. Xander saves the world by defeating Jack in a contest of wills. His quiet victory gives the others the chance they need to prevent the Sisterhood of Jhe from reopening the Hellmouth.

14 "Bad Girls" Directed by: Michael Lange Douglas Petrie February 9, 1999
The Slayers get a new Watcher, Wesley Wyndam-Pryce. The girls are having a wild night at The Bronze, where Angel brings info on the whereabouts of the demon, Balthazar. While on the hunt, Faith accidentally kills the Deputy Mayor, a human. Buffy wants to come forward, but Faith claims she "doesn't care".

15 "Consequences" Directed by: Michael Gershman Marti Noxon
Faith tells Giles that Buffy is the one who slew the Deputy Mayor, but Giles guesses the truth. Angel apprehends Faith, but Wesley thwarts his intervention and allows Faith to escape. She plans to leave town on the next freighter, but secretly enters the Mayor's employ, after dusting his assassin, Mr. Trick.

16 "Doppelgangland" Directed by: Joss Whedon Joss Whedon February 23, 1999
Wanting to be a vengeance demon again, Anya tricks Willow into helping with a spell to retrieve her power center, the amulet Giles destroyed in an alternate reality ("The Wish"). Instead of the amulet, however, the spell transports Willow's vampire version to an unsuspecting Sunnydale.

17 "Enemies" Directed by: David Grossman Douglas Petrie March 16, 1999
The Mayor and Faith plot to steal Angel's soul and let Angelus remove Buffy from the picture. An overconfident Faith reveals she's gone rogue, as well as details about the Mayor's Ascension, before Buffy and Angel tell her that it's all been a sting. Afterwards, Buffy tells Angel she needs some time apart.

18 "Earshot" Directed by: Regis Kimble Jane Espenson September 21, 1999
Buffy is infected by a demon's blood and gains the ability to read minds. At Sunnydale High, Buffy overhears someone through mind-reading making a violent death threat to the whole school. As she goes insane hearing everyone's thoughts all at once, Angel, Giles and Wesley struggle to save her. She and Xander try to stop a potential sniper and a mass murder.

19 "Choices" Directed by: James A. Contner David Fury May 4, 1999
Buffy launches an offensive to shut down the Mayor's plans for Ascension. Willow chooses among colleges while Xander plans a road trip. Buffy and Angel cannot see a way around the obstacles to a successful life together.

20 "The Prom" Directed by: David Solomon Marti Noxon May 11, 1999
Angel decides to do the right thing and break up with Buffy. Buffy saves the prom from Hellhounds with a fetish for formal wear. Angel shows up for the last dance.

21 "Graduation Day: Part One" Directed by: Joss Whedon Joss Whedon May 18, 1999
While the Mayor prepares for his Ascension, Buffy battles Faith to save Angel's life, needing her Slayer blood as antidote. She stabs Faith, but Faith jumps off of the balcony and lands on a moving flatbed truck.

22 "Graduation Day: Part Two" Directed by: Joss Whedon Joss Whedon July 13, 1999
Buffy forces Angel to feed on her to save his life and he must rush her to the hospital to save hers. The Mayor Ascends, and the Class of '99 blows him and the school away. Meanwhile, Faith remains in a coma, from which the doctors don't expect her to ever wake. Angel leaves Sunnydale for LA, where the spinoff series Angel takes place.


Season 4 (1999 – 2000)
1 "The Freshman" Directed by: Joss Whedon Joss Whedon October 5, 1999
While Willow blossoms in the college environment, Buffy has a difficult time adjusting - getting lost, getting kicked out of a class for talking, meeting her Celine Dion-loving roommate Kathy - and her Slaying suffers because of it.

2 "Living Conditions" Directed by: David Grossman Marti Noxon October 12, 1999
Buffy becomes convinced that her annoying roommate is evil, but her friends think she is crazy. Buffy steals Kathy's toenail clippings to prove that Kathy is a demon and they get into a fight.

3 "The Harsh Light of Day" Directed by: James A. Contner Jane Espenson October 19, 1999
Spike returns to Sunnydale for a gem that will make him invincible. He finds it, but Buffy gets it away from him and decides to send it to Angel. Buffy returns to dating but ends up being let down and hurt.

4 "Fear, Itself" Directed by: Tucker Gates David Fury October 26, 1999
The gang find themselves in a real-life house of horrors while at a Halloween frat party, in which a fear demon feeds on their individual fears. Meanwhile, Anya needs Giles to help her save Xander when she realizes something is amiss.

5 "Beer Bad" Directed by: David Solomon Tracey Forbes November 2, 1999
Xander gets a job bartending at the college pub; Buffy drinks with upperclassmen at that pub. It turns out that the bar manager is spiking the beer with some supernatural mojo, causing the targets to revert to caveman mentality.

6 "Wild at Heart" Directed by: David Grossman Marti Noxon November 9, 1999
Oz meets another werewolf (Veruca) and locks her in his cage to prevent her from attacking people. Willow comes to the cage the next morning to find them naked together. Veruca tries to kill Willow, Oz-wolf kills Veruca, and Buffy stops him from attacking Willow.

7 "The Initiative" Directed by: James A. Contner Douglas Petrie November 16, 1999
Spike, who was captured by the commandos, is being held hostage by them in a hi-tech facility underneath the University. Spike manages to escape and heads to find Buffy, who he assumes is behind this; Riley realizes he has a crush on Buffy.

8 "Pangs" Directed by: Michael Lange Jane Espenson November 23, 1999
Xander accidentally releases Hus, a Native American vengeance spirit. Angel secretly arrives in Sunnydale to protect Buffy (who is attempting a perfect Thanksgiving) from the spirit.

9 "Something Blue" Directed by: Nick Marck Tracey Forbes November 30, 1999
A spell by Willow goes awry, blinding Giles, making Xander a literal demon-magnet, and causing Buffy and Spike to fall in love and get engaged. Once Willow realises her mistake, she goes about reversing it.

10 "Hush" Directed by: Joss Whedon Joss Whedon December 14, 1999
The Gentlemen steal the voices of the population of Sunnydale, rendering everyone in the town (including the Scooby Gang) unable to speak. Giles reveals that the only thing that can defeat The Gentleman is a real human scream. This episode is mostly silent (aside from music) from the point The Gentlemen steal Sunnydale's voices.

11 "Doomed" Directed by: James A. Contner Marti Noxon, David Fury & Jane Espenson January 18, 2000
An earthquake occurs in Sunnydale, which signifies the Hellmouth is opening. The gang must return to the remains of Sunnydale High to stop it; Buffy and Riley struggle with each other's secrets.

12 "A New Man" Directed by: Michael Gershman Jane Espenson January 25, 2000
Giles, feeling left out, goes out for drinks with Ethan Rayne. He wakes up in the morning as a Fyarl demon, and hires Spike to help him. Mistaking him for a Fyarl demon, The Initiative and Buffy try to hunt him down.

13 "The I in Team" Directed by: James A. Contner David Fury February 8, 2000
When Professor Walsh decides Buffy is a threat to The Initiative, she decides to kill her by sending her on a dangerous mission. Riley discovers that Professor Walsh has tried to kill Buffy and begins to think seriously of leaving the organization.

14 "Goodbye Iowa" Directed by: David Solomon Marti Noxon February 15, 2000
Buffy discovers The Initiative's secret weapon; Riley becomes unstable due to the death of Professor Walsh and drug withdrawal; Adam reveals some information about himself, while trying to learn about people by investigating their insides.

15 "This Year's Girl" Directed by: Michael Gershman Douglas Petrie February 22, 2000
Faith wakes up from her eight month coma and seeks revenge against Buffy. After failing to attack her, she switches bodies with Buffy using a gift left to her by Richard Wilkins III, the now-dead mayor.

16 "Who Are You" Directed by: Joss Whedon Joss Whedon February 29, 2000
Buffy (in Faith's body) is abducted by the Council's team, while Faith (in Buffy's body) has ruthless fun at the expense of Buffy. After Faith and Buffy (as each other) rescue a group of people in a church that has been attacked by vampires, they switch their bodies back. Faith begins to feel remorse, and heads to L.A.

17 "Superstar" Directed by: David Grossman Jane Espenson April 4, 2000
Jonathan casts a spell to cause all of Sunnydale to believe that he is the titular "superstar". However, the spell comes with a price - it conjures up a monster which endangers the town.

18 "Where the Wild Things Are" Directed by: David Solomon Tracey Forbes April 25, 2000
When Buffy and Riley rouse a supernatural force at the fraternity party house, they are held hostage by ghost children who were abused by a Christian fundamentalist and now seek revenge. Willow, Tara and Giles perform a spell to stop the spirits.

19 "New Moon Rising"Directed by: James A. Contner Marti Noxon May 2, 2000
Oz returns to Sunnydale after learning to control his werewolf instincts. However, he loses control when he suspects Tara and Willow's relationship, and is subsequently caught by the Initiative.

20 "The Yoko Factor" Directed by: David Grossman Doug Petrie May 9, 2000
Riley spars with Angel when Angel visits Sunnydale; Adam convinces Spike that he will take his chip out if he helps him get Buffy where he wants, Spike agrees and sets out to distance the Scoobies from each other.

21 "Primeval" Directed by: James A. Contner David Fury May 16, 2000
The Scoobies reveal Adam's plan of releasing an army of hybrid cyborg monsters. Buffy, transforming into a hybrid version of herself, Willow, Xander and Giles with the help of the gang's magic, manages to kill Adam after an intense fight.

22"Restless" Joss Whedon Joss Whedon May 23, 2000
A primordial spirit haunts Buffy, Giles, Willow, and Xander in their individual, cryptic nightmares involving the First Slayer as a result of the magic done in the previous episode.


Season 5 (2000 – 2001)
1 "Buffy vs. Dracula" David Solomon Marti Noxon September 26, 2000
Buffy faces Count Dracula who has come to Sunnydale to make her one of his concubines. Dracula turns Xander into a Renfield of sorts, before being defeated but not killed.

2 "Real Me" David Grossman David Fury October 3, 2000
Buffy is having trouble getting along with her sister Dawn, who is kidnapped by Harmony's gang. Harmony makes two inept attempts on Buffy's life, but fails each time and Dawn is saved.

3 "The Replacement" James A. Contner Jane Espenson October 10, 2000
Xander is split into two people by a demon, one strong, the other weak. The lame Xander is unhappy that the cool Xander lives his life better than he can, getting an apartment and a date with Anya.

4 "Out of My Mind" David Grossman Rebecca Rand Kirshner October 17, 2000
Riley is risking his health to be able to fight with Buffy. His super soldier enhancement is destroying his heart. Buffy enlists Spike to take Riley to the doctor, but instead Spike kidnaps the doctor to remove his chip.

5 "No Place Like Home" David Solomon Douglas Petrie October 24, 2000
The new Bad Girl (Glory), is looking for "The Key." Buffy meets Glory, who kicks her ass, and a monk, who explains to her that she doesn't actually have a sister — Dawn is The Key, sent to Buffy for protection.

6 "Family" Joss Whedon Joss Whedon November 7, 2000
Tara is about to celebrate her 20th birthday, and her family comes to abduct her before she becomes a demon. Glory sends demons after the Slayer, and Tara accidentally helps them.

7 "Fool for Love" Nick Marck Douglas Petrie November 14, 2000
After a close call, Buffy asks Spike about the slayers he's killed; he reveals he exploited their death wish. Buffy rebuffs Spike's advances, and while he originally is angry, he comforts her after she finds out about her mother's health condition.

8 "Shadow" Daniel Attias David Fury November 21, 2000
Joyce Summers has a brain tumor, and Buffy worries about how Dawn will take it. In addition, Buffy must keep her sister safe from Glory and her magic snake.

9 "Listening to Fear" David Solomon Rebecca Rand Kirshner November 28, 2000
As Buffy and Dawn help their mother prepare for surgery, an extraterrestrial preys on Sunnydale's mental patients and follows Joyce home. The alien was summoned by Ben to clean up Glory's mess, and Buffy kills it.

10 "Into the Woods" Marti Noxon Marti Noxon December 19, 2000
Buffy learns Riley has been going to a vampire brothel to have his blood sucked for pleasure. She confronts him, and he says he's going away with the military if she doesn't give him a reason to stay. She wants him to stay, but doesn't tell him in time.

11 "Triangle" Christopher Hibler Jane Espenson January 9, 2001
Emotions between Willow and Anya come to a boil over Xander, and they summon a troll (Olaf). The troll was Anya's ex-husband whom she called vengeance upon. He tries to make Xander choose between the women, but Buffy sends him packing.

12 "Checkpoint" Nick Marck Douglas Petrie & Jane Espenson January 23, 2001
The Watcher's Council withholds information about Glory from Buffy and make her go through a series of tests. Glory and the Knights of Byzantium target Buffy, and she realizes it's because she has power over them. She orders Quentin to give her the scoop on Glory, and it turns out she's not a demon - she's a god.

13 "Blood Ties" Michael Gershman Steven S. DeKnight February 6, 2001
Dawn discovers that she is the Key, becomes depressed, and runs away. She tells her tale to Ben, who morphs into Glory. Glory, not remembering Ben's thoughts, decides Dawn doesn't know the Key's location, and Willow and Tara teleport Glory elsewhere.

14 "Crush" Daniel Attias David Fury February 13, 2001
Spike's profession of love for Buffy is spurned when Drusilla returns. He offers to kill Dru, but Buffy is unimpressed. He saves Buffy from Dru, but has his invitation to the Summers' home revoked.

15 "I Was Made to Love You" James A. Contner Jane Espenson February 20, 2001
A robot girlfriend, April, is abandoned by her creator, Warren. When April tries to kill Warren's current girlfriend, Buffy intervenes. Spike secretly coerces Warren into making him a robot of Buffy.

16 "The Body" Joss Whedon Joss Whedon February 27, 2001
Buffy and the gang are crushed by the death of Joyce. Dawn goes to the morgue to see the body and is attacked by a vampire. Buffy saves her and watches as Dawn reaches to touch Joyce.

17 "Forever" Marti Noxon Marti Noxon April 17, 2001
Buffy is comforted by Angel following her mother's death, although he can't stay. Dawn attempts to resurrect Joyce with the help of Spike and Doc, but stops part way through the ceremony after Buffy convinces her.

18 "Intervention" Michael Gershman Jane Espenson April 24, 2001
The Scoobies discovers Spike's new robot toy; Glory's minions kidnap Spike, thinking he is the Key, and when they realise he isn't they torture him for information. Buffy and Giles go on a discovery quest about the origin of the Slayer. Buffy is told ominously that "Death is your gift".

19 "Tough Love" David Grossman Rebecca Rand Kirshner May 1, 2001
Willow and Tara get into an argument, leaving Tara vulnerable to be attacked by Glory, who thinks she is the Key. After discovering her error, Tara's brain is sucked out and Willow swears revenge.

20 "Spiral" James A. Contner Steven S. DeKnight May 8, 2001
Glory discovers the real Key, and Buffy and company must flee from her, and the Knights of Byzantium who are trying to destroy the Key. The gang race from Sunnydale in a caravan.

21 "The Weight of the World" David Solomon Douglas Petrie May 15, 2001
Willow tries to reach the Slayer, who has been rendered catatonic by Dawn's abduction.

22 (100th episode) "The Gift" Joss Whedon Joss Whedon May 22, 2001
Buffy faces Glory as the ritual commences. Buffy finally realises the true meaning of "Death is your gift".


Season 6 (2001 – 2002)
1 "Bargaining: Part One" David Grossman Marti Noxon October 2, 2001
Giles leaves town after wondering whether he still has a place in Sunnydale without Buffy. Meanwhile, a vampire discovers that the Slayer has been replaced by a robot. The Scoobies manage to raise Buffy from the dead with a powerful spell.

2 "Bargaining: Part Two" David Grossman David Fury October 2, 2001
Sunnydale is invaded by a gang of biker demons who, having learned that the Slayer is a robot, wreak havoc on the town. Meanwhile, the Scoobies attempt to flee from the demons while the real Buffy, having been resurrected from the dead, returns to the place of her death for an emotional confrontation with her younger sister.

3 "After Life" David Solomon Jane Espenson October 9, 2001
Spike warns that the resurrection spell could have serious consequences, and his assessment proves to be correct as members of the gang are possessed by an unseen force.

4 "Flooded" Douglas Petrie Jane Espenson & Douglas Petrie October 16, 2001
Buffy faces financial problems while Warren, Andrew, and Jonathan team up in order to take over Sunnydale. They manage to send an M'Fashnik demon to kill Buffy, whom they believe to be their biggest threat.

5 "Life Serial" Nick Marck David Fury & Jane Espenson October 23, 2001
Buffy is in serious need of money to support herself and Dawn, and she tries to focus on bringing in some money. However, her attempts fail as Jonathan, Warren and Andrew are creating a number of obstacles to test her ability.

6 "All the Way" David Solomon Steven S. DeKnight October 30, 2001
Xander finally announces his engagement to Anya, and the Scoobies go back to Buffy's house to celebrate. Dawn sneaks out on Halloween by lying to Buffy but finds the boy she is falling for is a vampire, despite the fact he shouldn't be out on Halloween. Willow and Tara argue about Willow's overactive use of magic.

7 "Once More, with Feeling" Joss Whedon Joss Whedon November 6, 2001
A mysterious force compels Sunnydale residents to break out into song and dance numbers that reveal their true feelings, and a new demon in town, Sweet, seems to be responsible for it. Buffy and Spike share a kiss.

8 "Tabula Rasa" David Grossman Rebecca Rand Kirshner November 13, 2001
Willow and Tara argue over an amnesia spell, and Tara insists that Willow is dependent on magic. Willow promises to go a week without using magic but breaches the promise, causing the gang to forget who they are. Buffy and Spike kiss again. Giles goes back to London. Tara and Willow break up.

9 "Smashed" Turi Meyer Drew Z. Greenberg November 20, 2001 (2001-11-20) 6ABB09
Willow finds herself alone without Tara and discovers she's now powerful enough to turn the metamorphosed Amy from a rat back into human. They go out partying while Spike discovers that he can hurt Buffy.

10 "Wrecked" David Solomon Marti Noxon November 27, 2001 (2001-11-27) 6ABB10
Buffy is shaken by her previous meeting with Spike the night before, where they slept together and caused the building around them to collapse. Amy takes Willow to a sorcerer called Rack whose power gets her hooked. However, it ends with devastating consequences.

11 "Gone" David Fury David Fury January 8, 2002 (2002-01-08)
A social services worker threatens to take Dawn away from Buffy. Jonathan, Warren and Andrew attempt to make themselves invisible, but the beam accidentally hits Buffy.

12 "Doublemeat Palace" Nick Marck Jane Espenson January 29, 2002
Buffy gets a job at the Doublemeat Palace, but soon becomes paranoid about the mysterious secret ingredient in the food. Anya is visited by her old friend, Halfrek, who questions her relationship with Xander.

13 "Dead Things" James A. Contner Steven S. DeKnight February 5, 2002
Warren, Andrew and Jonathan try to make Warren's ex-girlfriend Katrina their sex slave using magic, but when she fights back Warren kills her. They decide to make Buffy think that she has killed Katrina, using magical and demonic forces.

14 "Older and Far Away" Michael Gershman Drew Z. Greenberg February 12, 2002
Dawn, feeling that nobody wants to spend time with her, makes a wish in front of a vengeance demon that everyone would stay with her. Fulfilling her wish, the demon causes everyone at Buffy's birthday party to be unable to leave.

15 "As You Were" Douglas Petrie Douglas Petrie February 26, 2002
Riley returns to town - newly married - and enlists Buffy's help to track down a demon. Her encounter with Riley causes Buffy to end her relationship with Spike.

16 "Hell's Bells" David Soloman Rebecca Rand Kirshner March 5, 2002
Before Xander and Anya's wedding, Xander's future self suddenly appears, and warns him that his marriage to Anya will be the beginning of a life of disgrace and pain. Xander is shown flashes of the future, convincing him to call it off, but later it is discovered it is only a demon at work avenging Anyanka from her demon days. Nevertheless, the wedding doesn't go ahead and Anya and Xander break up.

17 "Normal Again" Rick Rosenthal Diego Gutierrez March 12, 2002
Warren, Jonathan and Andrew unleash a demon whose powers make Buffy believe that her friends are figments of her imagination. Buffy attempts to attack her friends, locks them in her basement and unleashes the same demon on them. Tara eventually finds the trio and Buffy recovers from the demon's poison by drinking an antidote. By the end of the episode however, it is unclear which world is reality.

18 "Entropy" James A. Contner Drew Z. Greenberg April 30, 2002
Anya seeks vengeance on Xander and when looking for someone who wants the same, she finds comfort with Spike. Xander sees their impulsive behavior through a camera and tries to stake Spike. Willow and Tara arrange a date, which ends with the two of them kissing.

19 "Seeing Red" Michael Gershman Steven DeKnight May 7, 2002
Willow and Tara reconcile, and Tara tells Willow that Spike and Buffy have been sleeping together; Buffy stops The Trio when attempting a large-scale theft, but Warren manages to escape with a jetpack. He returns the next day and shoots Buffy and Tara.

20 "Villains" David Solomon Marti Noxon May 14, 2002
Willow's grief pushes her over the edge. After magically saving Buffy, a dark Willow hunts Warren down and eventually kills him in a gruesome manner.

21 "Two to Go" Bill L. Norton Douglas Petrie May 21, 2002
The Scoobies must protect Jonathan and Andrew from Willow.

22 "Grave" James A. Contner David Fury May 21, 2002
Giles returns armed with temporary magic, but Willow defeats him and decides to end her suffering and the world's by bringing on an apocalypse. An unlikely candidate stops Willow on her emotional rampage. After successfully completing a set of challenges set by a demon living in a cave in Africa, Spike wins back his soul.


Season 7 (2002 – 2003)
1 "Lessons" David Solomon Joss Whedon September 24, 2002
Dawn finds vengeful spirits in the new Sunnydale High; Giles is rehabilitating Willow in England. Spike is living in the high school basement and going insane after being filled with guilt upon the return of his soul.

2 "Beneath You" Nick Marck Douglas Petrie October 1, 2002
The gang deals with a giant underground demon; Willow prepares to return home. Spike reveals to Buffy that he has regained his soul.

3 "Same Time, Same Place" James A. Contner Jane Espenson October 8, 2002
Willow returns home but cannot find her friends in Sunnydale. At the same time, they cannot find her, but bodies are being found without skin, and the resemblance to Willow's murder of Warren alerts Buffy and Xander.

4 "Help" Rick Rosenthal Rebecca Rand Kirshner October 15, 2002
Buffy becomes a counselor at Sunnydale High and meets a girl who predicts her own death. Buffy learns that sometimes, whatever you do, you can't always stop the bad.

5 "Selfless" David Solomon Drew Goddard October 22, 2002
Buffy deals with Anyanka after she grants a lethal wish; Anya's background story is also revealed. The two end up fighting, with Xander unsure of where his loyalties lie.

6 "Him" Michael Gershman Drew Z. Greenberg November 5, 2002
The young women of Sunnydale are falling for the high school quarterback as a result of a 'magic' jacket; Xander and Spike become reluctant roommates, but try to sort out the confusion.

7 "Conversations with Dead People" Nick Marck Jane Espenson & Drew Goddard November 12, 2002
Buffy, Dawn, and Willow face individual encounters with familiar faces from their past. Also, Jonathan and Andrew return to Sunnydale to unearth a mysterious symbol.

8 "Sleeper" Alan J. Levi David Fury & Jane Espenson November 19, 2002
Buffy probes a series of grisly murders that may be the work of Spike.

9 "Never Leave Me" David Solomon Drew Goddard November 26, 2002
The Summers' home gains two captives: Spike and Andrew.

10 "Bring on the Night" David Grossman Marti Noxon & Douglas Petrie December 17, 2002
Giles arrives with three apprentice Slayers; the Scoobies research the First; Buffy fights an ancient vampire.

11 "Showtime" Michael Grossman David Fury January 7, 2003
Buffy must win the confidence of Potential Slayers and kill the Ubervamp.

12"Potential" James A. Contner Rebecca Rand Kirshner January 21, 2003
Buffy and Spike establish a boot camp to prepare the Potential Slayers for combat, while a spell from Willow reveals another Potential in Sunnydale. Dawn thinks it may be her for a short while, but then the true Potential is revealed.

13"The Killer in Me" David Solomon Drew Z. Greenberg February 4, 2003
Willow must face her own demons; Buffy gets in touch with the government.

14 "First Date" David Grossman Jane Espenson February 11, 2003
Buffy accepts a dinner invitation from Principal Wood; Anya is jealous when Xander has a date, but it turns out to not be so innocent.

15"Get It Done" Douglas Petrie Douglas Petrie February 18, 2003
Buffy learns more about the First Slayer and the source of power.

16 "Storyteller" Marita Grabiak Jane Espenson February 25, 2003
Andrew makes a documentary on the events in Sunnydale.

17 "Lies My Parents Told Me" David Fury David Fury & Drew Goddard March 25, 2003
The gang investigates Spike's trigger; Principal Wood and Giles team up without Buffy to defeat Spike.

18 "Dirty Girls" Michael Gershman Drew Goddard April 15, 2003
Faith returns to Sunnydale; Buffy leads the troops into battle.

19 "Empty Places" James A. Contner Drew Z. Greenberg April 29, 2003
As the residents of Sunnydale evacuate, and the Potentials suffer many casualties, Buffy loses the trust of the group and is forced out of the house. Faith becomes the leader.

20 "Touched" David Solomon Rebecca Rand Kirshner May 6, 2003
A depressed Buffy is comforted by Spike; Willow and Kennedy become intimate, as well as Faith and Principal Wood. Anya and Xander rekindle their spark. The Scoobies capture and interrogate a Bringer; Faith decides on a plan, but it doesn't go smoothly.

21 "End of Days" Marita Grabiak Jane Espenson & Douglas Petrie May 13, 2003
Buffy finds a scythe in the cave and faces off Caleb; an old ally returns to Sunnydale to help.

22 "Chosen" Joss Whedon Joss Whedon May 20, 2003
Buffy talks to Angel about the future. Buffy and her associates organize an attack on The First Evil. They all descend on the Hellmouth, as Willow uses a spell on the scythe to turn the Potentials into Slayers. Spike uses the amulet Angel brought from L.A. and brings about the end of Sunnydale, and the Hellmouth. This is the final episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.