Episode Guide


Episode 17: Reptile Boy

Overall Rating: 5.3
Matt: 3.6
Eric: 7.0

Written & Directed by: David Greenwalt

Cast : Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers, Nicholas Brendon as Xander Harris, Alyson Hannigan as Willow Rosenberg, Charisma Carpenter as Cordelia Chase, Anthony Stewart Head as Rupert Giles, and David Boreanaz as Angel.

Original broadcast date: Oct. 13, 1997.

Buffy, Willow and Xander are bored. There have been few vamp or demon sightings for a while, so they pass the time watching ŒBollywoodı movies instead.

Elsewhere, a teenage girl smashes a window on the first floor of a building, and leaps out. She runs, terrified, across the lawns, pursued by several robed and hooded young men. She scales a wall into the graveyard, where she is recaptured after a struggle. One of the robed figures removes his hood. He calls her ŒCallyı, and tells her she cannot escapeŠ

At school the next morning, Cordelia has a new book that tells her how to captivate men. She practices laughing sincerely, as the book says she must make eye contact with a man, listen to what he says, and laugh often! Buffy and Willow discuss smoochy dreams that the slayer is having about Angel. Cordy brags to Xander that she is dating a college guy now ­ a delta zeta kappa to be exact. He is unimpressed! Buffy arrives late for a meeting with Giles, and he gets mad. Just because Sunnydale is quiet, doesnıt mean she can slack off. He tells her she should take this time to train harder, but Buffy says sheıd rather get a life!

At the end of the school day, a shiny red sports car pulls up beside Cordy. The driver is her new boyfriend, Richard, who also happens to be the robed guy that caught Cally! He asks Cordelia to come to a party at his frat house the following night. His friend seems smitten by Buffy, and asks to be introduced. Despite her protestations, Cordy drags her over, and Tom manages to charm Buffy ­ much to Xanderıs disgust! He appears to be quite sweet, and invites her to the party, but she declines. At that point an angry Giles shouts her name. Buffy is late again!

In the library, Giles tests her defenses by trying to attack her. The slayer easily disarms him, and he sends her patrolling instead.

In the graveyard, Buffy finds a broken bracelet. Angel appears, and says it smells of blood. Buffy says it would be nice to see him when it doesnıt involve blood, but when he asks if she means a date she gets embarrassed and says no. He points out the difference in their ages, and says a relationship would get out of control.

The next day at school, Cordelia tells Buffy that the college boys want her at the party. If the slayer doesnıt go, then Cordy is not invited either. Depressed and feeling the pressure, she agrees to go.

In the basement of the DZK House, an initiation ceremony is taking place. The new guy pledges his life to the group, and to ŒMachida ­ whom we serveı. The frat boys begin to party, while Cally is chained to the wallŠ

Buffy tells a surprised Willow that she is going to the party that night. She gives Giles the bracelet, but when he tells her to investigate she says sheıs not free. Her watcher starts on about duty, and Buffy tells him her mother is sick. Giles then agrees that she should take the evening off.

Outside in the corridor, Xander and Willow chide her for lying. Buffy says she sees no harm in having a little fun once in a while.

Later, Cordelia tells Buffy that this evening is not about fun! She is there to help Cordy meet boys, and that is all. After giving her a list of what not to wear, or say, or do, she tells Buffy it is imperative to lie to her Mom! Mothers are rarely keen on their daughters going to frat parties.

Willow and Xander talk about Buffy lying to Giles. Xander says he is going to go to the party to make sure Buff is okay ­ and hopefully catch an orgyŠ

When Buffy and Cordelia arrive Richard greets them with a drink, which Buffy declines. He and Cordy go off, leaving Buffy alone. Xander climbs in through a window, and tries to blend in. An extremely drunk frat boy tries to grab Buffy, but Tom saves her just in time. They slow dance, and she says that she shouldnıt have come, explaining that she has responsibilities.

Meanwhile, Richard and his friends have spotted Xander. Chanting ŒNew pledge!ı they drag him awayŠ

Buffy goes outside for some air, and notices broken glass beneath a boarded up window. Itıs the one that Cally tried to escape from. As she glances toward the graveyard wall, Richard and Tom arrive beside her. Richard hands her another drink, and this time she takes it.

Back in the library, Willow and Giles are working on the bracelet. The broken part bears the letters ENT, and Wil is trying to find a match on the computer. Suddenly she remembers where she has seen ones like it before. Kent Prep School ­ hence the ENT. She looks up the school newspaper on the net, and finds an article about Cally going missing.

Xander is not having fun! Wearing a wig, womenıs clothing and make-up, the frat boys are making him dance! In the background, Buffy is feeling unwell. Her drink was obviously drugged, and she staggers toward the stairs. She climbs them, looking for Tom, and collapses on a bed in one of the rooms. As she passes out, Richard comes in and starts to touch herŠ Tom enters the room, and angrily pulls him away. "Sheıs here for the pleasure of the one we serve." He reminds his friend. Beside the bed, on the floor, lies an unconscious Cordelia.

Giles studies the newsletter and reads that Cally has been missing for a week. Willow discovers that other high school girls have gone missing before ­ always around this date. Giles needs to know where the bracelet was found, and Willow suggests he call Angel.

The party is over, and Xander is thrown out. He asks about Buffy, but they slam the door in his face.

In the basement, the robed guys have gathered. Richard pulls a sword from the fire and carves a symbol into Tomıs back. Tom is stripped to the waist, and his body is already heavily scarred. Behind them, Buffy, Cordelia and Cally are chained to the wall. Cally tells them to watch out for Tom, as he is the leader! Tom takes three stones ­ one for each girl ­ and washes them with a goblet of water. He places them by what appears to be a wellŠ

Angel tells Giles where the bracelet was found, and Willow realizes that itıs right next to the frat house. She tells them that Buffy and Cordy are there. She blames Angel for never finding any time to spend with Buffy, and Giles for constantly putting her under pressure. Having made them both feel ashamed, she suggests they go help!

Xander finds Cordeliaıs car outside. His friends obviously didnıt leaveŠ

In the basement, the ritual has begun. An offering of three girls is made to Machida every year, and in return he gives his followers wealth and power. There is a loud rumbling noise, and a demon erupts from the well! His upper half is humanoid, with the body of a snake. Machida is huge! The robed guys kneel as he writhes above them, and Buffy struggles with her chains.

Giles, Willow and Angel arrive at DZK. A robed figure steps out behind them ­ it is Xander! Willow tells him about the disappearances, and Xander says the girls are still inside. He saw the college boys go down to the basement, stole a robe, and was about to sneak in. Realizing that Buffyıs in danger, Angel vamps out.

Machida heads for Cally, but Buffy yells at him to try her instead. Tom slaps her face, and threatens to cut her throat if she speaks again!

A robed Xander knocks on the door, and is let in. He, Angel and Giles attackŠ

Hearing the disturbance, Richard sends more guys upstairs. Buffy manages to free herself, and starts to pummel Machida and his crew.

Willow peers down into the basement, and tells the others about the big snake! They finish fighting the frat boys, and run down the stairs.

Tom attacks Buffy with the sword, but she disarms him and uses it to kill the demon. The defeated sect are lead away, and Buffy apologizes to Giles for the lie. He admits that he shouldnıt have pushed her so hard.

At the Bronze, Jonathon fetches a coffee and muffin for Cordelia. He gets the order slightly wrong, and she sends him back. From now on she is only dating young men she can push around! Xander reads a newspaper article to Buffy and Willow. All of Machidaıs followers have been given life sentences in jail. Bones of girls dating back fifty years have been found beneath the frat house, and people who used to go to DZK are finding their fortunes reversed! Angel arrives and asks Buffy if she would like to get a coffee sometime. She says sheıll let him know, and walks off smiling.