"Homecoming"

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Episode 5 of Season 3

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"I just thought, Homecoming Queen, I could open a yearbook someday and say, 'I was there, I went to high school and had friends and for just one minute I got to live in the world.' And there'd be proof. Proof I was chosen for something other than this."

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Original airdate: November 3rd, 1998

Rewatched: November 6th, 2021

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• Writer: David Greenwalt

• Director: David Greenwalt

• Guests: K. Todd Freeman, Jeremy Ratchford, Fab Filippo, Ian Abercrombie, Harry Groener, Eliza Dushku

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This episode has a lot going on with three storylines colliding. Buffy's life is complicated by Angel's return, which she continues to keep secret, Scott Hope breaking up with her, and homecoming approaching. The Mayor is introduced in this episode as the second storyline, and while he seems wholesome, viewers know he's bad news. Finally, Mr. Trick puts on Slayer Fest 1998, recruiting some tech-savvy Germans, a demon and the remaining Gorch brother to hunt Buffy and Faith. Of course, Buffy and Faith survive (although Faith doesn't actually fight in Slayer Fest as Cordelia is mistaken for her), and the episode ends with the Germans, the demon, and Lyle Gorch's new wife dead, and Mr. Trick getting a job offer from the Mayor. As action-packed as this episode is, its central theme is actually Buffy's role in her school.

 

While Buffy has saved many a classmate over the course of her time at Sunnydale, in this episode she misses yearbook photos, tries and fails to become homecoming queen, and her favorite teacher who changed her life doesn't recognize her. Buffy is feeling very left out, which mirrors previous episodes like "What's My Line? Part One" and "What's My Line? Part Two" from season 2. As Buffy tells Cordelia, all she does is slay and she wants to be more than that, or at least be someone who matters, and in this episode, Buffy very much feels like she doesn't matter. The episode "The Prom" at the end of this season will prove to Buffy that she was actually someone who mattered to her classmates and, hopefully, gives her the chance to make it into the yearbook (in my high school, those who were voted into the hall of fame, as we called it, were included in the yearbook with an extra picture). But this episode focuses on Buffy's central struggle. Even though she has accepted her role (at least more than she had in season 1), she still struggles with slaying being her main role in life. 

 

Next, Cordelia deserves a mention in this episode. While she tells Buffy she doesn't want to be in Buffy's life, she wants her own life, this episode lays some groundwork for her journey on Angel, which is very similar to Buffy's. While Cordelia may not want to be Buffy, when Buffy and Giles are knocked out, Cordelia is able to face off with Lyle Gorch and convince him with words to run away. A strong moment for her and proof that she is also more than just a cheerleader and prom queen. 

 

On a final note, Xander and Willow kiss while trying on homecoming outfits. Willow, of course, has long been attracted to Xander, so her slip is more understandable. Xander has been adamant that he doesn't feel that way towards Willow (although in season 2's "When She Was Bad", these two characters nearly kissed). Either way, as both are seeing other people, this kiss just opens up a can of worms. It also seems a bit out of character. Xander is dating Cordy and has never been particularly interested in Willow. Willow dating Oz seems to have cured her of her crush on Xander. Also, Willow is a lesbian (and probably, deep down, knows this, although she hasn't yet admitted it to herself or others). It just doesn't really make sense for formal wear to provoke kisses. 

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So, despite the extra drama, overall an episode that really explores a theme central to Buffy's identity, shows Cordelia's growth, and introduces the Mayor, one of my favorite big bads ('cause he just underlines how outward wholesomeness can be hiding inner evil). 

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I love Slayer Fest 1998.

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"Band Candy"

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Episode 6 of Season 3

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"I need help ... I need grown-ups."

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Original US airdate: November 10th, 1998

Rewatched: November 13th, 2021

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• Writer: Jane Espenson

• Director: Michael Lange

• Guests: Kristine Sutherland, K. Todd Freeman, Robin Sachs, Harry Groener, Armin Shimerman

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The theme is adulthood. Buffy wants to be treated like an adult, and while she clearly is responsible in many ways (she does save the world fairly regularly), she is still a teenager who doesn't always make the right decisions (like keeping Angel's return a secret). Willow and Xander also provide an example of poor teenage judgement, as they continue to be attracted to each other despite their other relationships. This is not to say that adults are always perfect and never make mistakes, but teenagers are new to this responsibility and tend to make more poor decisions.

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Ethan Rayne returns to Sunnydale, fulfilling a contract for Mr. Trick, who is now working for the Mayor, who needs to sacrifice babies to Lurconis, a demon living in the sewers. Ethan curses chocolate bars being sold to raise money for the band, causing all Sunnydale adults to become teenagers again, leaving Buffy with no adult support. She still manages to save the babies and kill Lurconis, but Ethan and Mr. Trick escape.

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One interesting aspect of this episode is while it is claimed the candy makes everyone act like teenagers who eats it, Sunnydale's adults become the most irresponsible teenagers ever. The nurses at the hospital watch TV rather than watch the babies, something that rubs me a bit wrong as I started babysitting in my early teen years, and while not up to every challenge, was definitely able to watch kids, not TV, and would have stopped anyone trying to take my charges. However, if one accepts the metaphor for what it is, despite the issues, the candy does make all the adults lose any sense of responsibility and causes them to chase their desires. So perhaps the candy not only reverted the adults to adolescence, but also to the worst examples of adolescence. This giving in to all desires regardless of the consequences makes Buffy realize she still needs adults in her life to guide her and that she is not yet done baking (to steal a metaphor from season 7). This is, really, a very universal issue. Kids always feel that they are older and more capable than they are, and Buffy's slaying must really make her feel much more adult than she is. But growing up takes time and Buffy is not there yet, which she can only realize when all adult supervision is taken from her. 

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This episode is an interesting counterweight to the many episodes that underline Buffy's responsibility as this one underlines her continued need for guidance on her journey to adulthood. 

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A few final notes: This episode revisits Joyce's fear about Buffy running away again. It also shows Angel doing Tai Chi and Buffy driving (and crashing) her mother's car. Buffy takes her SATs, and Giles and Joyce have sex, making their relationship a bit awkward. 

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"Revelations"

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Episode 7 of Season 3

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"I'm on my side and that's enough."

"Not always."

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Original US airdate: November 17th, 1998

Rewatched: November 20th, 2021

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• Writer: Douglas Petrie

• Director: James A. Contner

• Guests: Serena Scott Thomas, Eliza Dushku

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This episode's themes seem to center on relationships and trust (again!). A minor role is played by Willow and Xander's continued secret kissing, while the main focus is on Faith, and Buffy and Angel. 

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Faith's new Watcher arrives. She manages to gain Faith's trust through her undivided attention and tough love, her and Faith's outsider status in the Scooby Gang, and a bit of flattery (comparing Faith's mode of living to the Spartans). While it does not seem like Faith trusts easily (she still doesn't fully trust Buffy and the Scoobies, although on that front, she may have been sensing Buffy's big Angel secret the whole time) and there is some evidence that Faith's inability to trust pre-dates being a Slayer and seeing her Watcher die, Faith does fall for Mrs. Gwendolyn Post. Unfortunately, Mrs. Post is no longer a Watcher and is only in Sunnydale to find the Glove of Myhnegon. To be honest, Mrs. Post is a skilled con artist. She knows exactly how to win Faith over and also how to throw Giles off by criticizing his tactics and mentioning she was there to report back on the whole operation (in episode 3 of this season, viewers found out that Giles is not a beloved Watcher, lending some credence to Mrs. Post's claims. Later events in this season, which end with Giles expelled from the Council, also make Mrs. Post's claims believable). Thus, she skillfully manipulated everyone to her own ends. Unfortunately, she also made it impossible for Faith to trust anyone in Sunnydale again. Faith and Buffy have their first real fight when Faith tries to kill Angel, who Faith assumes is trying to harness the glove. It should be noted that while Buffy stops Faith from slaying Angel, it is Faith who starts the fight with Buffy. While they come to an uneasy peace at the end of the episode, Faith's assertion that she only needs herself on her side foreshadows her turn away from the Scoobies and slaying later in this season. 

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Which is not to say that Faith is to blame. If indeed her trust issues stem from her childhood, the Scoobies had their work cut out for them. Giles, being spread between Buffy and Faith, could not devote the time to Faith that she perhaps needed. And Buffy, harboring her own pain and secrets was not able to be the big sister Slayer Faith had come looking for. Additionally, it really seems Faith could sense, or at least she could tell that Buffy was not being fully open and honest with her, Once you add in Mrs. Price's betrayal and Faith's killing of a human in "Bad Girls" (episode 14 of this season), her turn to the very fatherly Mayor Wilkins's side makes a lot of sense and it is really a failing on many sides (Faith, Buffy, Giles and the Council).

 

On the other front is Buffy and Angel. They are not together but want to be, and almost kiss and then do kiss. Unfortunately, Xander spots Angel, follows him home and sees Buffy kissing him. Xander tells the Scoobies, who are not happy. Seen from Buffy's point of view (she loves Angel and knows he has his soul again), it seems they overreact by trying to have an intervention, but as Angel killed Miss Calendar less than a year ago, tortured Giles at the end of season 2 and targeted Buffy's friends more than herself, it is understandable that they are upset she kept this a secret and seems to be involved with him romantically. By the end of the episode, the Scoobies will have come to accept Angel's return, more or less, as Angel helps save the day, showing he is the Angel of old. It will take Giles a bit longer to fully come to terms with Angel's return. 

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So, relationships are difficult all around and trust issues abound. Some relationships will weather the storm, others will not. 

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On a final note, it seems that the Council isn't good at communicating, as they did not seem to communicate to other Watchers that Mrs. Post had been kicked out. It is also interesting that they never seemed to have told Giles about Kendra or Faith (although both seemed to know about Buffy) and Faith's Watcher's death was not really noticed or acted on. 

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In the fun facts category, we learn that Sunnydale has 12 cemeteries and Angel casts a spell (the first time we see him do this). 

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"Lovers Walk"

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Episode 8 of Season 3

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"You're not friends. You'll never be friends. You'll be in love till it kills you both. You'll fight, and you'll shag, and you'll hate each other till it makes you quiver but you'll never be friends. Love isn't brains, children, it's blood; blood screaming inside you to work its will. I may be love's bitch, but at least I'm man enough to admit it."

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Original US airdate: November 24th, 1998

Rewatched: November 26th, 2021

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• Writer: Dan Vebber

• Director: David Semmel

• Guests: Kristine Sutherland, Harry Groener, James Marsters 

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For fans, probably the most important aspect of this episode is Spike's return to Sunnydale, although this is short lived, as he departs again at the end of the episode. The two main themes of this episode are Buffy's future and relationships (again! I really should have kept a tally of how often this theme comes up). 

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With SAT scores in and Buffy's amazing 1430 score, it seems Buffy could go to college anywhere. Joyce is pushing her to leave, Giles does not discourage Buffy, mentioning that Faith could stay and slay in Sunnydale while Buffy was elsewhere, and even Angel encourages Buffy to go, although he may be the main reason Buffy is not excited by the prospect. While Buffy's unwillingness to leave in this episode is related to the theme of relationships, this is still another episode where Buffy's non-Slayer potential collides with her Slayer reality. Unlike many high school seniors, Buffy cannot go anywhere and do anything. She will always be the Slayer. Later in the season, when Faith goes to the dark side, Buffy will be forced to stay in Sunnydale. 

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On a side note, it is never entirely clear why Buffy has to stay in Sunnydale. Although Sunnydale has a Hellmouth, it seems Buffy is Sunnydale's first Slayer, so the town survived without a Slayer before and could do so again. Other cities have Hellmouths (we will learn Cleveland does in the next episode), so Buffy could slay at another Hellmouth with a (good) university. Or generally, Slayers seem to be able to fight evil anywhere. So, Buffy not being able to leave Sunnydale seems more based on the demands of the series than the demands of the Slayer. But I digress.

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The second theme of this episode is relationships. Willow and Xander continue to have lust, despite being in happy relationships with Oz and Cordelia. In this episode, Willow will try to perform a de-lusting spell (which scares Xander as it reminds him of Amy's love spell in "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" and which foreshadows Willow's later addiction to magic, as this is an early example of her turning to magic to solve her problems). The spell is interrupted by Spike, who kidnaps both so Willow can perform a love spell to get Drusilla back. Trapped in the burned-out factory, Willow and Xander kiss at the same moment Oz and Cordelia arrive to save them. Oz and Cordelia set aside their shock and anger to get Willow and Xander out, but Cordelia falls and impales herself on rebar. At the end of the episode, Oz, Willow, Xander and Cordelia are alone. 

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The second relationship is Drusilla and Spike. Drusilla has left Spike, causing him to return to Sunnydale. Spike has a plan to get her back somehow, but is mostly drunk and mopey, crying his heart out to Willow and then Joyce, only to discover by the end of the episode that he needed a good fight and a new plan to get Drusilla back by force. 

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The final relationship is Buffy and Angel, who are trying to be friends, but as Spike points out, they never will be. They both still love each other. Afraid of where their love might leave, Buffy ends the episode by cutting off contact to Angel:

Angel: "Hey. I was wondering when you were coming."

Buffy: "I'm not coming back. We're not friends. We never were. And I can fool Giles, and I can fool my friends, but I can't fool myself. Or Spike, for some reason. What I want from you I can never have. You don't need me to take care of you anymore. So, I'm gonna go.

Angel: "I don't accept that."

Buffy: "You have to."

Angel: "How can... There's gotta be some way we can still see each other."

Buffy: "There is: Tell me that you don't love me."

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This episode's relationship theme is more focused on how they end. Willow and Xander's failure to control their lust and make a clear decision to invest in relationships that are clearly fulfilling comes back to bite them in the behind and leave them with no relationship (as this episode also marks the end of Willow and Xander's lust for each other as well). Spike is dealing with the consequences of teaming up with Buffy against Angel and Drusilla and the effect it had on his relationship. Although Spike and Drusilla will try to make it work once more, this, too, will end, leaving Spike single. Finally, Buffy and Angel must face their hard reality - their love is doomed and they can't keep hiding from that. Although their relationship will not actually end until the end of this season, their relationship will continually be overshadowed by what was and what cannot be. 

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In the end, love's a bitch and so is the responsibility of slaying. 

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"The Wish"

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Episode 9 of Season 3

 

"World is what it is. We fight. We die. Wishing doesn't change that."

"I have to believe in a better world."

"Go ahead. I have to live in this one."

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Original US airdate: December 8th, 1998

Rewatched: December 4th, 2021

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• Writer: Marti Noxon

• Director: David Greenwalt

• Guests: Mark Metcalf, Emma Caulfield, Larry Bagby III, Mercedes McNab

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Buffy, Willow and Xander are single again. Cordelia is ignoring Xander and trying to return to her old self, but is hurting both physically and emotionally. Buffy is not seeing Angel. Willow is hoping to get Oz back, waylaying him at school to try to talk to him. Ever more emotionally mature than most adults, Oz tells Willow "I'm sorry this is hard for you. But I told you what I need. So, I can't help feeling like the reason you want to talk is so you can feel better about yourself. That's not my problem." Of course, I know that the two will reconcile, but it is still sad to see both characters like this. 

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Then Anya appears. The theme of this episode is be careful what you wish for. Anya has sensed Cordelia's pain and come to grant her wish. After a run-in at the Bronze between Buffy and Cordelia, reminiscent of the one in "When She Was Bad", Cordelia decides Buffy is the root of her problems and wishes she never came to Sunnydale. This wish is granted and Cordelia is suddenly in a very different Sunnydale where the Master has escaped and vampires reign supreme once the sun sets. Willow and Xander are vampires who serve the Master (his main henchmen and, ironically, still together), Angel is held captive by the Master, and Oz and Larry, along with Giles, are White Hats, trying to defend Sunnydale. Buffy is in Cleveland, holding down the fort on the other Hellmouth. 

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Through Cordelia's somewhat confusing rants, the vampires are tipped off that the Slayer may be coming just before their blood factory opens, and Giles is tipped off that there may be a better, alternate reality and that Buffy may be needed in Sunnydale. Giles summons Buffy, who decides to take on the Master. In the fight at the factory, Angel is killed by Xander, Xander by Buffy, Willow by Larry and Oz, and Buffy by the Master. Giles, however, is able to summon Anya and destroy her power center, reversing the spell. 

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So, love hurts, but you can't wish that hurt away. You have to go through it. The easy way out may not be the best. In the alternate reality, Cordelia is not any happier and indeed ends up with Xander and Willow sucking her blood in the school library (which is probably a big fat metaphor). So, the moral is deal with your pain. 

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Additionally, this episode gives us a glimpse of Buffy without friends. We see how the real Buffy is actually, despite her grumblings, a well-adjusted Slayer. She has light in her life. She has school, friends, her mother, a close bond with her Watcher. She has emotional support and support in her fight against evil. Buffy of the alternate universe is missing these things. She is much more like Kendra or Faith, but perhaps even more jaded, as she's been slaying alone for about three years. This episode really drives home how much Buffy gains from her circle of friends (and how much Buffy has helped Sunnydale).

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Finally, this episode raises two questions. If Buffy didn't come to Sunnydale, why are Luke and Darla no longer serving the Master? And secondly, if vampires can enter any public building but need an invitation for a private residence, why do the White Hats meet in the library? It would be much safer to meet at Giles's apartment (and Cordelia would have lived). This is in general a question raised in several Buffy episodes, but in this one, where the vampires have such a power in night-time Sunnydale, it makes little sense.