Season Three
Season Three
The ratings from each
of us are next to each episode name and if you click on the episode name,
you can read a full summary and quotes from each episode. Summaries
on these pages came from the old Official
Buffy the Vampire Slayer site.
Anne
(5.5/10)-Anna
WHERE NOBODY KNOWS YOUR
NAME - Trying to escape who she is, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) finds
herself in a city far from home where she is forced to once again face
her destiny to battle a demonic force threatening inner-city kids living
on the streets. Back in Sunnydale at the onset of senior year, Willow (Alyson
Hannigan), Xander (Nicholas Brendon), Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) and
Oz (Seth Green) try to keep the vampire population in check without getting
themselves killed, while Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) searches for leads
on Buffy's whereabouts. Joss Whedon wrote and directed the episode.
Dead Man's Party
(5/10)-Anna
NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD
- After months of being away, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) finds life
back in Sunnydale less than welcoming with Xander (Nicholas Brendon) and
Willow (Alyson Hannigan) involved in their own romantic twosomes and Principal
Snyder (recurring guest star Armin Shimerman) sticking to his guns about
expelling her from school. Despite the awkward reunion, the gang must try
to come together to face a new undead threat. Charisma Carpenter,
Seth Green and Anthony Stewart Head also star. James Whitmore Jr. directed
the episode written by Marti Noxon.
Faith, Hope, and Trick
(7/10)-Anna
NEW KIDS IN TOWN - Just
as Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) tries to return to her normal life of
going to school, hanging out with friends and saving the world, she is
faced with the arrival of an ancient, cloven-hoofed villain (guest star
Jeremy Roberts) and his blood-sucking sidekick, Mr. Trick (guest star K.
Todd Freeman). Another new Sunnydale arrival, Faith (guest star Eliza Dushku),
helps Buffy in her battle against the unspeakable demons and ingratiates herself into
every aspect of Buffy's life. Nicholas Brendan, Anthony Stewart Head, Alyson
Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter, David Boreanaz and Seth Green also star.
James A. Contner directed the episode written by David Greenwalt.
Beauty and the Beasts
(7.5/10)-Anna
ALL MEN ARE BEASTS -
When a Sunnydale High student is found savagely mauled in the woods, Willow
(Alyson Hannigan) fears that Oz (Seth Green) in werewolf mode might somehow
be responsible for the violent murder. Meanwhile, Buffy (Sarah Michelle
Gellar) secretly discovers that Angel (David Boreanaz) has returned after
100 years of hellish torture, and she suspects that he is the murderous
culprit, Nicholas Brendon, Charisma Carpenter and Anthony Stewart Head
also star, James Whitmore Jr. directed the episode written by Marti Noxon.
Homecoming
(7.5/10)-Anna
THE THRILL OF THE HUNT
- With Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) flaunting her sure win in the race
for Homecoming Queen, she awakens the Prom Queen from within Buffy (Sarah
Michelle Gellar), who tries to enlist the entire gang to help her show
Cordy how it's done, but some of their allegiances may be elsewhere. Meanwhile,
the blood-sucking Mr. Trick (guest star K. Todd Freeman) assembles a host
of killers in Sunnydale for a thrilling hunt to the death to bring down
the two slayers. Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, David Boreanaz, Seth
Green and Anthony Stewart Head also star. David Greenwalt wrote and directed
the episode.
Band Candy
(8/10)-Anna
AGE BEFORE DEMON - Buffy
(Sarah Michelle Gellar) is forced to grow up even faster when Mr. Trick
(guest star K. Todd Freeman) executes a devious plot to render the town
defenseless by causing Sunnydale's adult population to inexplicably behave
as irresponsible adolescents. Meanwhile, Buffy struggles to keep Angel's
(David Boreanaz) return and recovery a secret while her mom (Kristine Sutherland)
and Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) conspire to schedule her 24 hours a day.
Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter and Seth Green also
star. Michael Lange directed the episode written by Jane Espenson.
Revelations
(8/10)-Anna
TOUGH LOVE - Tempers
run hot when the gang learns of Angel's (David Boreanaz) return and Buffy's
(Sarah Michelle Gellar) harboring this vicious killer, but they all must
band together to fight a demon who has arrived in Sunnydale in search of
a highly powerful weapon. Meanwhile, Faith (guest star Eliza Dushku) meets
her new watcher (guest star Serena Scott Thomas), a brisk Englishwoman
who is disdainful of Giles' (Anthony Stewart Head) haphazard operations.
Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter and Seth Green also
star. James A. Contner directed the episode written by Douglas Petrie.
Lover's Walk (8.5/10)-Anna
SPIKE'S BACK - Just as
Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) enjoys a minute to revel in her S.A.T. scores
and ponder her bright future, the underworld version of Sid Vicious, Spike
(guest star James Marsters), returns to Sunnydale a fallen man, a pathetic
shell of his former self who has been left in the dust by his love Drusilla
and is back to punish every one who is to blame, especially Angel (David
Boreanaz). Meanwhile, Willow (Alyson Hannigan) prepares a de-lusting spell
to keep her and Xander's (Nicholas Brendon) hormones in check during a
double bowling date with Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) and Oz (Seth Green).
Anthony Stewart Head also stars. David Semel directed the episode written
by Dan Vebber.
The Wish (10/10)-Anna
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH
FOR - Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned-Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter),
wanting to be rid of all things Xander (Nicholas Brendon) and his spooky
entourage, decides that all of her troubles started when Buffy (Sarah Michelle
Gellar) moved to Sunnydale and wishes that historic event never actually
happened. Not knowing that a an evil genie would grant her fateful wish,
Cordelia is transported into an altered reality in which the Hellmouth
is open and The Master (guest star Mark Metcalf) is alive and ruling, with
Willow (Alyson Hannigan) and Xander as his undead minions. Anthony Stewart
Head, David Boreanaz and Seth Green also star. David Greenwalt directed
the episode written by Marti Noxon.
Amends (9.5/10)-Anna
THE GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS
PAST - As Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and her friends make plans for
a quiet Christmas vacation, Angel (David Boreanaz) is haunted by visions
of his violent, demonic past, including the ghost of Jenny Calendar (guest
star Robia LaMorte). Meanwhile, Willow (Alyson Hannigan) goes to great,
seductive lengths to try to convince Oz (Seth Green) that he is the one
for her; and Xander (Nicholas Brendon) painfully adjusts to his life without
Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter). Joss Whedon wrote and directed the episode.
Gingerbread
(8.5/10)-Anna
THE SUNNYDALE WITCH HUNT
- 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
(8.5/10)-Anna
COMING OF AGE - 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 show with 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
(9/10)-Anna
ODD MAN OUT - 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
(8/10)-Anna
TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD
SIDE - 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
(8/10)-Anna
KEEP THE FAITH - 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
(9.5/10)-Anna
A VAMPIRE WILLOW PREYS
ON SUNNYDALE - 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
(7.5/10)-Anna
DARK ANGEL - Faith (Eliza
Dushku) and the Mayor's (guest star Harry Groener) secret alliance becomes
an all-powerful triumvirate of evil against Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar)
when they conspire to rob Angel (David Boreanaz) of his soul. Meanwhile,
Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) has unofficially resumed his role as Watcher,
as Wesley (guest star Alexis Denisof) is distracted from his sacred duties
by Cordelia's (Charisma Carpenter) amorous attention. Nicholas Brendon,
Alyson Hannigan and Seth Green also star. David Grossman directed the episode
written by Douglas Petrie.
Earshot
(9.5/10)-Anna
PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS
- A near-fatal run-in with a pair of oozy, mouthless demons unexpectedly
leaves Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) with the awesome ability to hear other
people's thoughts, but this newfound power ultimately threatens to overwhelm
and destroy her as the cacophony of thoughts isolates her from the rest
of the world and drives her to the brink of insanity. When Buffy's clairvoyance
unearths a potential mass murder plan at the school, Giles (Anthony
Stewart Head), Willow (Alyson Hannigan) and the rest of the gang spring
into action to locate the would-be killer and thwart a schoolyard massacre,
while Angel (David Boreanaz) endeavors to keep Buffy from spiraling into
telepathy-induced madness. Nicholas Brendon, Charisma Carpenter and Seth
Green also star. Regis Kimble directed the episode written by Jane Espenson.
Choices
(7/10)-Anna
THERE'S NO TIME LIKE
THE PRESENT - Since Faith's (Eliza Dushku) turn to the dark side seems
to have put the proverbial kibosh on Buffy's (Sarah Michelle Gellar) chances
of ever getting out of Sunnydale to go away to college, Buffy decides to
launch an offensive and shut down the Mayor's (recurring guest star Harry
Groener) plans for "Ascension." Meanwhile, plans for the future are the
order of the day, as Willow (Alyson Hannigan) tries to choose among a bevy
of college acceptances, Xander (Nicholas Brendon) prepares to hit the road
on a Kerouac-inspired adventure and Buffy and Angel (David Boreanaz) refuse
to face the insurmountable obstacles to a successful life together. Anthony
Stewart Head, Charisma Carpenter and Seth Green also star. James A. Contner
directed the episode written by David Fury.
The Prom
(9.5/10)-Anna
DEVIL IN A PROM DRESS
- Spring has definitely sprung in Sunnydale as talk turns to all things
Prom, and while Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Angel grapple (David
Boreanaz) with the impossibility of a future together, she is determined
on keeping a villain intent on crashing the Prom from ruining her friends'
perfect high school moment. Meanwhile, a chance encounter between Xander
(Nicholas Brendon) and Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) may have reopened their lines
of communication, but he is saddled with a demonic Prom date (recurring
guest star Emma Caulfield, "Beverly Hills, 90210"), while Cordy only has
eyes for the new watcher Wesley (recurring guest star Alexis Denisof).
Anthony Stewart Head, Alyson Hannigan and Seth Green also star. David Solomon
directed the episode written by Marti Noxon.
Graduation Day (Part 1)
(8.5/10)-Anna
AN ELECTRIFYING TWO-PART
SEASON FINALE - As Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar), Willow (Alyson Hannigan),
Xander (Nicholas Brendon), Oz (Seth Green) and Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter)
ready for their long-awaited graduation day, the Mayor (recurring guest
star Harry Groener) makes preparations for his Ascension and transformation
into pure demon at the climax of his commencement address to the Class
of 1999. With the fate of the world in true peril, Buffy is distracted
from her purpose when Angel (David Boreanaz) is weakened with a lethal
poison, and it's slayer against slayer when Buffy faces Faith (Eliza
Dushku) for what may be the last time. Anthony Stewart Head also stars.
Joss Whedon wrote and directed the episode.
Graduation Day (Part 2)
(9.5/10)-Anna
ASCENSION IS AT HAND
IN THIS GRIPPING CONCLUSION - As the hours tick away to the fateful graduation
of Sunnydale High School's Class of 1999, the impending doom of the Mayor's
(recurring guest star Harry Groener) ascension and transformation into
pure demon hangs heavy with Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar). With Angel (David
Boreanaz) near death, Buffy must risk her own life and defy the orders
of the Watchers Council in order lead a campaign to save the world. Nicholas
Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Anthony Stewart Head, Charisma Carpenter and
Seth Green also star. Joss Whedon wrote and directed the episode.