The Weight of the World
Written by Douglas Petrie ~ Directed by David Solomon
Glory prepares for the ritual to open the portal, talking to her minions and Dawn, who has no choice but to listen as she's tied up and gagged. Spike reports that he can't see Glory anywhere, but the gang has a new problem as Buffy has been reduced to a state of cationic. Spike tries to violently force Buffy back to normal, which only leads to a fight with Xander, and Willow forcing the two guys apart with magic. She takes over, giving orders to everyone, as Buffy is unable to do so. When mentioning Ben and Glory sharing a body, Spike realizes that some sort of Glory magic makes the humans forget that bit of information every time it's revealed to them.
Glory first attempts to comfort a frightened Dawn, but starts to loose her cool as she realizes she's feeling guilt. With Anya looking over Tara, Willow prepares herself for a spell that will allow her into the mind of the Slayer. Things go as planned and Willow finds herself talking to a young Buffy. Willow witnesses Buffy's memory of baby Dawn being brought home by Joyce and Hank.
At the hospital where Giles was getting care, Xander fills him in on Willow's plans. Spike returns after investigating Glory's apartment with little information on her whereabouts. Dawn reveals to Glory that she remembers the transformation from Ben and this really worries Glory as she realizes she and Ben is closer to the surface than before. She asks to have Ben taken out of her body, but it is the punishment she must face for her crime. In Buffy's mind, Willow watches Buffy at the magic shop and then the First Slayer tell Buffy of her future and her "gift."
Glory brags to Dawn about her superiority but Dawn knows there is one person who can beat the god: Buffy. At her house but in present time, Buffy calmly acknowledges that death is her gift, before going to Dawn's room and smothering the young girl with a pillow. Glory finds her body taken over by Ben and after some encouragement from Dawn, Ben takes her and runs. Willow watches as scenes from earlier begin to repeat and she watches baby Dawn be brought home again.
Spike and Xander go to visit Doc for information on Glory but quickly find that he's playing for the other team. With his super speed and long tongue, Doc has the guys at a disadvantage. Spike is able to recover a box Doc threw into the fireplace while Xander stabs the reptilian creature with a sword before they leave. Unfortunately, the sword doesn't kill Doc. Before Buffy can go to kill Dawn again, Willow stops her and asks her why.
A good distance away from Glory's hideout, Dawn breaks away from Ben and hits him with a chain. As she makes her escape though, she's again in the grasp of Glory. Ben and Glory battle for control of the body until Glory manages to convince Ben that he must cooperate with her. As he regains control, he takes hands Dawn over to some of Glory's minions. Buffy reveals to Willow that she gave up in her heart and that she thinks she is the reason Glory has Dawn and Dawn will soon die. Willow tells her that it's not over yet and she can still do something to stop it.
Buffy finally comes out of her state, crying and needing the support of Willow. As they return to the magic shop, Xander tells Buffy that Ben and Glory are one in the same. After reviewing the information Spike stole from Doc, Giles reveals that a bloodletting ceremony will occur to open the portal and there is only one way to stop it. Dawn must be killed.
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Last Updated: 5-15-01