| Season Three Episode Guide Continued "Gingerbread" ** Picking the worst possible night for a surprise "mother-daughter bonding" visit with Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar), Joyce (Kristine Sutherland) is haunted by the discovery of two murdered children and feels compelled to take drastic action. When Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) suggests that the killings appear to be an occult sacrifice, Joyce rallies the entire adult population of Sunnydale behind a Salem-like witch hunt, leading the murderous mob directly to Willow (Alyson Hannigan) and Buffy. Nicholas Brendon, Charisma Carpenter, David Boreanaz and Seth Green also star. James Whitmore Jr. directed the episode, teleplay by Jane Esperson, story by Thania St. John & Jane Esperson. "Helpless" **** For her upcoming 18th birthday, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) eschews her friends' offer of a big party, hoping to celebrate with quiet reflection and a traditional trip to the ice showwith her father. But unbeknownst to Buffy, preparations are being made for a life-threatening rite of passage that drains the slayer of her powers and then entraps her with a powerful vampire foe that she must defeat in a defenseless state in order to pass the test. Nicholas Brendon, Anthony Stewart Head, Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter, David Boreanaz and Seth Green also star. James A. Contner directed the episode written by David Fury. "The Zeppo" **** Xander's (Nicholas Brendon) lack of slaying superpowers has him feeling painfully expendable, but his quest to prove he's cool leads him to an unforgettable night that finds him consorting with fast women, raising the dead and rolling with a dangerous crowd that could put Sunnydale in a world of hurt. Meanwhile, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar), Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) and the rest of the crew engage in a furious battle with an all-female apocalypse cult that intends to reopen the Hellmouth and bring about the end of the world. Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter, David Boreanaz and Seth Green also star. James Whitmore Jr. directed the episode written by Dan Vebber. "Bad Girls" *** A taste of the wild life leaves Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) wanting more, and while Sunnydale is being inhabited by a long-dead demon and his vampire minions, Buffy follows Faith (Eliza Dushku) into her irresponsible world of reckless slaying abandon. Meanwhile, Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) fights to maintain his sanity in the face of the pompous and stuffy new watcher (guest star Alexis Denisof), while Willow (Alyson Hannigan), Xander (Nicholas Brendon) and Oz (Seth Green) ponder their options for life after high school. Charisma Carpenter and David Boreanaz also star. Michael Lange directed the episode written by Douglas Petrie. "Consequences" **** Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) is haunted by the consequences of her and Faith's (Eliza Dushku) reckless behavior as she battles with Faith's apparent lack of remorse to keep her from continuing on her destructive path. Meanwhile, the new watcher Wesley (guest star Alexis Denisof) overrides Giles' (Anthony Stewart Head) objections and instructs Buffy and Faith to get to the bottom of the recent murder, while the Mayor (guest star Harry Groener) and Trick (guest star K. Todd Freeman) are thrilled by the possibility of imprisoning a slayer for the murder. Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter, David Boreanaz and Seth Green also star. Michael Gershman directed the episode written by Marti Noxon. "Doppelgangland" **** Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and the real Willow must save the day when from the bleak alternate universe in which vampires rule Sunnydale, Willow's (Alyson Hannigan) blood-sucking doppelganger is brought forth into this world and wreaks havoc and confusion on Sunnydale. Meanwhile, Buffy goes into full training mode so she can ace out Faith (Eliza Dushku) on the Watchers Council tests, while Faith's unholy new alliance is already paying handsome dividends. Nicholas Brendon, Anthony Stewart Head, Charisma Carpenter, David Boreanaz and Seth Green also star. Joss Whedon wrote and directed the episode. "Enemies" **** Faith and the Mayor's (guest star Harry Groener) secret alliance continues to blossom into a full blown evil force. The devious plot builds against Buffy when they conspire to rob Angel of his recently returned soul. Meanwhile, Giles has unofficially resumed his role as Watcher, as Wesley (guest star Alexis Denisof) is distracted from his sacred duties by a flirtatious Cordelia. "Earshot" **** After Buffy defeats a telepathic demon, she acquires the ability to read minds and "overhears" someone's plan to kill everyone in the school. But she is soon overwhelmed by her new power. "Choices" **** With all the demon-fighting to be done, it looks like Buffy may never make it to college. She's got her hands full in the School of Hard Knocks, launching an all-out offensive against the mayor and Faith and their plan for "Ascension." With universities courting her left and right, Willow has a tough time deciding which campus is the one for her. Xander prepares to hit the road for a Kerouac-inspired adventure. While Buffy is happy for the great things happening to everyone else, she's growing lonelier by the minute. Even Angel is no solace -- their life together is one impossible challenge after another. "The Prom" **** Nothing is simple when it comes to relationships at Sunnydale High. Prom becomes a proving ground for friends and foes alike. Xander's stuck with a date from hell, but at least Cordelia is actually speaking to him again. Not for Buffy the simple milestones of high-school life -- she's busy fighting off a villain who wants to crash the dance. When she's not chopping and kicking, she's coming one step closer to the realization that she and Angel will never be together. Just one moment of true happiness will destroy Angel forever, and Buffy's not about to make the same mistake twice. "Graduation Day" - Part 1 **** Big plans are brewing in Sunnydale: Buffy prepares for graduation, while the mayor prepares for the Ascension and ultimate demonhood. The class of 1999 could get a commencement message unlike any other, if the mayor has his way. Faith is ready to prove once and for all that she's better than Buffy, and Buffy is equally ready to stop her. Angel is weakened by a lethal poison; Buffy's weakness for Angel aid could spell her doom. "Graduation Day" - Part 2 **** Having disposed of Faith in Part 1, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) now learns that there is only one cure for the poisoned Angel ? her own blood. At the same time, the slayer must find a way to defeat the Mayor (Harry Groener), whose massive and hideous transformation threatens the Class of '99 during an explosive but entertaining graduation ceremony. Ultimately, she discovers that all she needs is a little... faith. Written and directed by Joss Whedon |
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