Written by Jane Espenson &
Drew Goddard
Directed by Nick Marck
Meanwhile, Jonathan and Andrew return from Mexico after struggling with frightening dreams. The Vampire Buffy fights stops and remembers her from High School. Back at home Dawn sees a note not to eat pizza, but orders some anyway. She checks out Buffy's clothes and wrecks the house with Buffy's weapons. At the library Willow gets a surprise visit from dead girl Cassie (from 'Help').
Dawn starts hearing noises at home while watching TV. Suddenly, the door blows open form violent winds. She closes the door with a struggle and the previously muted TV turns back on, soon followed by music from the stereos. Dawn unplugs the TV but its still on. She quickly axes the TV and Stereos. Through the stereo in the kitchen, Dawn hears her mother.
Holden, the Vamp Buffy encountered tries to refreshes Buffy's memory. They talk about life in general, and their roles as Slayer and Vampire. Dawn tries calling Buffy, but she doesn't answer. Joyce's dead body appears behind her and the lights flash and blood appears on the walls. Dawn uses knockings to communicate with the monster to find its her mother, she's not ok and she's not alone. Then the house shakes violently.
Andrew and Jonathan sneaks into Sunnydale High to find something that could save Sunnydale and earn them a spot in the Scooby Gang. They split up and Andrew comes across Warren. Warren tells him his death was part of the plan and has to be calm until Jonathan has played his role.
Willow wonders why Tara didn't visit her instead of Cassie but Cassie says it's because Willow killed Warren. Willow talks to Tara through Cassie and tells Tara she misses her. Cassie tells her what Tara is saying, giving her hope. Holden continues talking to Buffy and realizes they have to keep on fighting, Holden talks to Buffy letting her open up, and her takes the advantage by attacking her while she's not prepared. He leans for the kill but she then fights back.
Dawn sees a monster holding her mother down on the couch. It hits Dawn and tells her to leave, but she refuses. Jonathan and Andrew search the basement and Andrew gets a hint from Warren. Jonathan supposedly can't see Warren. They start to dig in the ground. Buffy is about to stake Holden when he asks her a question that makes her stop. He finds out her last relationship was with a vampire.
Spike walks a woman home from the Bronze. Willow talks to Cassie about life after Tara's death. Cassie says not to use magic again, for she will kill everyone. Willow promises, but that's not enough. While digging, Andrew and Jonathan talk about High School and how no one cares for them, but Jonathan cares for them.
Dawn tries to cast a spell to cast the monster out but it fights her, cutting her, and all the windows shatter. Buffy mentions Spike's name to Holden and that catches his attention. Dawn finally casts the monster out and she collapses. An angelic feature of her mother appears.
Cassie tells Willow to either stop using magic, or to kill herself. Willow finds out Cassie isn't Tara. Holden tells Buffy that Spike sired him and Spike bites the woman in front of her house. Joyce tells Dawn that Buffy won't choose her when the time comes, and she won't protect her, Jonathan sees Warren behind Andrew before Andrew slices a knife through Jonathan's stomach, Cassie tells Willow that she is the thing promising to devour them and she disappears. Jonathan falls dead on the symbol they unburied, Spike drops the woman's body and Buffy stakes Holden.
Andrew
Andrew and Jonathan comes back to Sunnydale.
Spike starts biting again
The First comes to Dawn, Andrew and Willow.
It tells Dawn Buffy won't choose her when the time comes.
Jonathan dies.
Rating
5/5
Goofs
When Dawn unplugs the Television, she holds the plug up, and then she holds it down in the next shot.
Trivia
Nicholas Brendon did not appear in this episode. Neither did Emma Caulifield.
4 of the main writers contributed to this episode. Joss Whedon wrote the Holden/Buffy story, Marti Noxen wrote the Willow/Cassie happenings, Jane Espenson wrote the Dawn and Joyce part, and Drew Goddard wrote the Andrew/Jonathan/ First encounter.
Jesse, played by Eric Balfour was offered to appear as the First when Amber Benson refused, Insted of Willow, the scene was to have Xander.
Dawn says "Mom?... Mom?.. Mommy?" just like Buffy in the episode 'The Body.'
Cassie's first name is Cassandra. In Greek Mythology, Cassandra was a woman who could predict the future, but no one would believe her.