Season Three

The episode reviews on this page are from the official Buffy page and do not belong to me

"Anne"
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"
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 & Trick"
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"
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"
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"
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"
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.


"Lovers Walk"
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"
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 alteBLACK 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"
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"
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 murdeBLACK 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 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"
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.


"Doppelgängland"
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 (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 sacBLACK 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"
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"
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-inspiBLACK 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"
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"
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 itÕs 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"
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.