Older and Far Away

Don't get me started on the pairs skating. GAhh. Now, back to business. *sigh* Gotta have some pleasure to my evening.

My bit of Summary for "Older and Far Away". I'll try to flesh out what's been posted already...

I've also made a few comments at the end.

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The ep starts with Dawn and Buffy in the living room. Dawn stands with her arms folded- her knee twitching, and her hands fluttering a bit.

Buffy is hurriedly packing a bag with various weapons. She apologises for not being able to finish supper with Dawn and tells her to finish her homework and not stay up too late. Dawn tries to get a little time with her by suggesting that they prepare for the party together, but Buffy says that Willow has it handled.

Buffy leaves and Dawn stands alone in the room, posture unchanged.

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Out on patrol, Buffy encounters a large demon who seems to cut in and out of the air. She fights it briefly, then stabs it through he chest. Energy blasts from the sword, knocking her down. She doesn't see the demon shimmer and ooze into the sword.

Buffy gets up. "Run off hunh?" She comments. "Afraid to face a true warrior?"

The sword is sticks in the ground nearby. In a bad voiceover reminiscent of 'Gone', Buffy says "Ooh shiny.", then grabs the sword for her collection- swings it around.

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Credits.

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Willow, Xander, and Anya are in the Magic Box. They talk a bit about 'Essence of Slug' candles (Life Serial). Anya's having a hard time reconciling her demon aesthetics with good inventory selection.

Xander asks Willow if it is okay that Tara come to Buffy's birthday party. At first Willow looks uncertain- then brightens. She thinks its a good idea.

Dawn enters the shop and asks the three if they would like to come shopping for Buffy's present with her. She has left the house after Buffy went patrolling.

All decline because they have various commitments already. Willow has "Spell casters' Anonymous" (looks embarrassed and says they are looking for a better name). Anya has to do book-keeping for the shop. Xander has to complete the shift schedule for his crew by morning.

Dawn looks peevish. She leaves the shop saying that she'd manage on her own.

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Later, Dawn comes home to find the house empty. She goes to her room and deposits various stolen items from her pockets onto the bed. She takes off her coat, revealing a leather jacket. She moves to her closet and stands in front of the mirror- hugging herself tightly.

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Dawn again. She's in class- the teacher is handed a note. The teacher says Dawn's name (she looks spooked) and asks her to go to the Guidance Office.

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In the Guidance office, the counsellor, (Halfrek) tells Dawn that she's there to follow-up on her 'loss'. After a bit of coaxing, Dawn admits that she's had a lot of people go away. She wishes that people would stop leaving her.

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Anya and Xander are in Buffy's kitchen, preparing snacks for the party.

Buffy tells then that she's invited Sophie, a co-worker, to the party. Anya tells Buffy that they have invited a guy from Xander's work. Anya then goes on in typical fashion, and explains how she believes Buffy and the guy will hit it off- and will be able to join she and Xander on double dates. (I liked this part. Anya, though overdoing it, expresses a need for another couple to be around- to share and talk about stuff. She's excited.)

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Tara arrives. Buffy's very happy to see her. They hug, and talk a bit at the front door. "So is- um" Tara pauses, looks around. "Spike coming?" "No." Buffy looks thoughtful, almost fond(?). "He may be a chip-head, but he still doesn't play too well with others." She smiles a little. "Besides, I'm definitely not ready to, to-" "Come out." Tara finishes. "Yeah." Buffy has a small smile, but her face is closed to expression, "I'm all stay-inny."

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Shot to Willow fussing over her clothes while in her room. She's wearing a creme lace blouse.

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"How are you doing?" Buffy asks. "The word 'gulp' comes to mind." Tara replies, looking tense. "Just remember," Buffy replies, "we're all here to-. She's interrupted by Willow coming down the stairs. Buffy begs off, making a few noises, and runs into the kitchen.

"Hey." Willow says, wringing her fingers. "Hey." Tara clasps her hands in front of her- equally nervous. "Hey. How are you?" Willow asks. "Fine, thanks." Tara "Fine. How are you?" "I'm great." Willow gushes. "I mean- I'm fine." She hesitates. I'm finey-McFine, fine." The two have a very awkward, but friendly exchange- complementing each other. Then, having enough of the awkwardness, Tara nods her head to the kitchen, then retreats, saying that she is going to get a drink. Willow, still tittering, hugs herself and stays at the door.

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In the kitchen, Buffy is pouring a drink, which Tara grabs up on entering- gulps it down. Buffy and Tara are surprised as the door opens and Spike enters. He's carrying a case of beer under his arm. Spike's wearing "Yeah. Willow mentioned the shindig." He says, pointing to Tara(?!). "Figured we're all part of the team. Thought I'd swing by." Clem enters behind him. Buffy's eyes go wide when she sees Clem. "Wait, what kind of team is this?" Clem raises his hand in greeting. "Hi. We met once before." "Yes- yes we did. Buffy smiles tightly. "Yeah. More the merrier. That whole thing." Spike grunts.

Clem introduces himself as Clement, and Tara waves, just as Xander comes in with Richard. Xander introduces him directly to Buffy- and pushes Richard toward her- so that Buffy may show him where to park his car.

Buffy looks at Spike, who give a inquiring sort of look (the black eye makes his expression more difficult to read than usual). Tara stands with her drink as Buffy escorts Richard out of the kitchen. She chews on her lip and gazes down at the floor (in a mischievous way). Richard inquires about Clem and Buffy explains that its a skin condition.

"Stupid git." Spike spits out. He's glaring after Richard and Buffy. He moves to close the door. "I don't know- he seemed cute." Tara nods, considering. Spike turns and stares at her. She back-pedals a bit. "W-Was he cute?" She continues to nod. "I mean, I'm not a very good judge- but he seemed cute." Spike stares. Clem, nodding, says, "I think he seemed cute- yeah." Spike looks at him sharply, frowning more.

- Short scene with Dawn, Anya, and Xander. Dawn wants Buffy to come and open her presents, but Anya tells her its not time yet. When Dawn insists, Anya tells her that Buffy is busy meeting her new 'grown-up' friend. Dawn's not impressed- Anya treats her like a five year old.

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Spike catches Buffy in the hallway. They move into the area beside the stairs. "You want to slip away for a minute, Luv? He asks softly. Buffy's not in the mood for this. "I'll let you blow out my candles-" Spike leers. "Here?" "Now?" "I don't think so." Buffy's busy- can't believe he's doing this now. "What?" "Are you worried about Richard?" He eyes the living room entrance. "You don't want to make your new boyfriend jealous, eh?" "Shut up." She rolls her eyes a bit. Smiles. "He's sweet." "Shut up." Spike mocks softly, "He's sweet." "Maybe he's not the jealous one." She says, tilting her head. She walks around him and away. "You think he'll take you out on his ten-speed, Pet?" Spike calls after her, then muttering- "Maybe he'll let you ride in the little basket up front." He looks around at he floor, then in a self-deprecating tone, says "Jealous. My ass." He sighs, looks after where she's gone.

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Buffy is opening presents in the living room. Spike is standing in the entryway. Buffy is sitting on the couch between Willow and Dawn.

Willow extols the virtues of the battery-operated back massager she's given her. "It's battery operated, so you can take it with you on patrol." Buffy nods, impressed, and Willow continues. "It's like instant gratification for all your little achys." Buffy looks up, catches Spikes eye. He smirks, lifts his eyebrow at her. Buffy put the present down, looks away form Spike. "Great! Thanks- ah what's next?" Willow looks a little put out at the rapid change- but moves on.

Dawn pulls out a gift. "Here's mine." Spike glances around the room. He looks happy. Clem is paying rapt attention to the gift exchange. Buffy opens Dawn's gift to find a leather coat- complete with security tag. Dawn covers, says that she can't believe that the store didn't take it off.

Dawn is interrupted by Xander, Anya, and Richard- who roll a beautiful wooden chest into the room. Buffy puts the leather coat on Dawn's lap and rushes over to the chest. Dawn sits, abandoned on the couch as Buffy examines the chest.

In the background, the doorbell rings. Tara announces that Sophie, Buffy's co-worker, has arrived. Sophie is awkward and uncomfortable. It appears that this is the first party she's been to in some time. Anya is unimpressed- tells Buffy that 'their friend' (Richard) is better. Clem waves to Sophie happily. Spike stays leaning at the entryway, looking pensive. Dawn, looking lonely, stands at the front door and closes it.

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Cut to Halfrek in human form. She is outside, walking along the porch. She morphs into demon face, and announces, "Wish granted."

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The party is moving. Clem dances with Sophie. Willow and Xander chat. Anya sways and moves her hands to the music. Dawn surveys the scene somewhat happily.

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Buffy encounters Richard in the hall. He complements her on the party. Says that he can't tear himself away- and offers to get her a drink. Richard likes her- gives the impression that he'd like to talk with her more. Buffy's likes him, but is disinterested. Spike, exits the living room, appears behind Richard in time to hear some of the exchange. "Oh-oo, Buffy, can I get you a soda pop?" Spike teases as Richard leaves. He snakes his way towards her. "I think I'm in love." Spike takes her hands- but she tosses his down in exasperation. "Stop it.- Someone's going to see." She walks away. Spike stops her, puts his hand against the wall beside her. "Unh un." He leers, gets close and grabs her hand. Moves in. Buffy pulls her hand away as Tara comes into the hallway. Buffy walks away. Spike looks at Buffy walking away, then turns toward Tara, grins. "I had- er, a muscle cramp." He smoothes the grin away. "Buffy was helping." Tara nods, looks serious. "A muscle cramp?" She looks away, maintains her seriousness (barely). Looks down at Spike's jeans. Looks away again. "In your- pants." "What?" Spike says shortly. "It's a thing." Tara nods, smirks. "Right." She walks away, a knowing grin plastered across her face. Spike stands in the hall for a moment. Watches her walk away.

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Xander, Anya, Sophie, and Willow sit at the kitchen table. They're arguing over who will go for a beer run. Willow volunteers, then abruptly falls asleep, her head falls to the table.

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Richard, Buffy, Anya, and Dawn are playing Monopoly. Spike, Clem, Xander, and Tara are playing poker. The talk at the monopoly table is turns to slumber parties. It's late and no one wants to leave. Buffy relents, "I guess- as long as everyone's staying up anyway." At the poker table, Spike is looking at his cards. "Must be some late-night activity to keep us busy 'till morning." He eyes Buffy. "How's that cramp, Spike?" Tara looks at her cards, then eyes Spike. "Still bothering you?" "What?" He covers, "Er- yeah." "Maybe you, uh, wanna put some ice on it." Tara looks at him, grins. Spike's not sure what to do- he looks at his cards.

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Morning. Wide and high shot of the living room. Sophie and Willow are asleep on opposite sides of the couch. Xander sits on the floor with Dawn and Clem- there's cartoons. Spike and Buffy sit on the floor playing cards. Richard breaks the moment- telling Xander that they have to be at work in a few minutes.

Spike tries to give Richard some encouragement. "You should definitely go." Spike gestures to the door. "You find your coat and get on your merry way." "Spike." Buffy warns. Richard is still standing still. "I don't know why I'm not leaving." "Me either. - Besides, Ritchie, you can't skip breakfast- growing boy like you." Spike looks up at Richard. "Me, I used to love breakfast. In the old days, I probably would have eaten by now." "Of course, with that new diet of yours, you have to be careful what you try putting in your mouth now- Spikey." Buffy glares at him. "Yeah? Dunno- my tummy's making all sorts of gurglies. Maybe I ought to feed on whatever's around- even if it doesn't go down well." He eyes Richard up and down "You work out?" "Oooky doky." Buffy gets up quickly, pulls Spike into the hallway.

"Hey. Mister Passive-Aggressive-Guy." Buffy confronts Spike. "Seriously. Wanna take it down a notch or two in there?" "What?" Spike taunts, "Poor dainty Richard can't take a joke?" "We do not joke about eating people in this house." Buffy protests. "What are you going to do- *beat* me up again?" He tilts his head, narrows his eyes. "I should have thrown you out the second you got here." Buffy doesn't seem so much angry as frustrated with him, continues, "I was insane to ever think that you could hang out with my friends." Spike looks to the ceiling. "And I was insane to think-." He stops what he was going to say- gets snarky. "No, wait, you were right. You're insane."

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Cut to Tara in the kitchen. Willow walks in on her making breakfast. They talk about having things to do- but not being able to bring themselves to leave.

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Cut to Spike and Buffy still arguing. "I think it's time for you to go." Buffy says. "Yeah, well, can't." Spike gestures to the sun streaming in the window. "Daylight." "Then I'll go." Buffy offers. "And I'll get the door." Spike retorts. "Fine." "Fine." "I'm actually trying to move right now." Buffy says softly. "Yeah- me too." Spike says, realizing. "Well- this can't be good." Buffy sighs. Spike shakes his head.

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Everyone is in the living room. Everyone tries to leave- and can't. Clem and Sophie (who has a shift at the Doublemeat) are okay where they are- but everyone else has somewhere they need to be. Dawn gets her back up- convinces herself that everyone wants to leave her. She runs upstairs.

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The gang (Xander, Anya, Willow, Tara, Buffy, and Spike) follow Dawn to her room. They confront her- her feelings along with their current situation is too much of a coincidence. After much discussion, Dawn screams at them, and they retreat.

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In the living room, the gang tries to work out a solution. Tara is enlisted to work a spell- but there are no magic supplies to do it. Willow reveals that she has held back a few things- in case of emergency. While everyone is happy that Tara will be able to do the spell, they aren't impressed with Willow.

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Tara's mixes a concoction in the kitchen- while Willow, Spike, and Anya stand at the door. They're all tensed up like for a sprint.

Richard finally clues in.

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Cut to Tara completing the spell. Pink mist swirls into the living room form the kitchen- enveloping the sword Buffy brought home the night before. Tara instructs those at the door to attempt to get through. Spike looks like he *really* wants to get out. He clenches and unclenches his fist. His face is determined. But it's not working.

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In the living room, the demon take his sword in hand.

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Freaky demon fight. Richard is hurt. Spike is not on his game. Buffy promises that they will find a solution soon.

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Cut to night. No solution yet. Sophie looks out the window, freaking. Spike suggests to Buffy that she not celebrate her birthday. Buffy asks him to keep an eye on Sophie. Dawn hears noises in the walls. Spike moves to check it out (His eye is getting better.).

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Tara and Willow stand in their Willow's bedroom. Tara is trying to care for Richard. He's lying on the bed, writhing in pain. The walls of the house are groaning.

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Buffy walks through the hall, big knife in hand. She's eying the walls warily. Clem comes around a corner, surprising her- and him. He seems harmless. The house continues to groan.

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Anya and Xander sit on the floor upstairs. Anya is wigging. She's feeling confined, helpless. She doesn't like not being able to do anything. Xander consoles her- and goes to get a glass of water for her.

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Xander goes downstairs. The demon appears and attacks him. Spike tries to pull the demon off, but is unsuccessful- he gets thrown off repeatedly. Buffy fights well, though- until the demon disappears into the walls again. Xander, in the meantime has been hurt. It's not bad- but it's enough to scare everyone anew. Xander and Anya share a short moment. She's terrified for him.

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Buffy checks on Dawn to see if she's okay. Dawn's being a bitch. She and Dawn end up talking. Dawn explains how she has been feeling. That she is alone- and that no one understands.

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Willow, Anya, Xander, and Spike are in the dining room. They discuss options. Tara believes she has tried everything she can.

Anya gets angry- she believes that Willow needs to try something magical. "Well, that's not completely true, is it?" Anya says. She's alone at the table, moving uneaten birthday cake around with a fork. "I mean, not everything." She looks up at Tara and then Willow. "Not exactly." Willow looks pained, moves her eyes away. "We're sitting here with an incredibly powerful witch.- Much more powerful than you, Tara- I'm sorry." Anya's voice is level and determined. "Only no one seems willing to say it." "I can't" Willow says, looking at Anya, her eyes are wide and frightened. "No, see," Anya continues, "that's not exactly true either.- Not can't. Won't." "You don't know how much I hate this." Willow pleads, softly. "I don't know if there's even anything- anything I could do." "Yes," Anya is seething. "and a good way to find out is to sit around and try nothing." She pauses. "That was sarcasm, by the way." "Look-." Spike says, stepping toward Anya. Seems he's about to defend Willow. "It's dangerous." Willow says softly. "And so is all of us dying." Anya interrupts. Xander steps in. He's only been listening until now. "Will, look, I don't want to gang up on you, but Anya kinda has a point. We brought you back from it once- we're all here. It's just one little spell- whatever happens, we can bring you back again." Spike is shaking his head in disagreement, but remains silent. "No." Willow says determinedly. "If I start, I might not be able to stop." "And whose fault is that?" Anya stands. She's really pissed now- steps forward and starts to get into Willow's face. "If you hadn't gotten so much of it in your system in the first place-." Tara steps between them. "Hey!" She glares Anya down. "You're going to back off. She said no, and you're not going to make her do anything she doesn't want to." Tara crosses her arms. "And if you try, you're gonna have to go through me.- Understand?" Anya is fuming. "Fine," she snarls, "if you all aren't willing to get us out of this, then I will do it myself." Anya brushes by Tara and Willow then exits into the hall and goes upstairs.

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Buffy and Dawn are still talking in Buffy's room. Dawn reveals that she has a guidance counsellor. This is the first Buffy' heard of this- she's suspicious. Asks whether Dawn made any wishes. (I don't know how she'd come to this conclusion.)

Buffy and Dawn are interrupted by sounds in the Dawn's room. Anya is rummaging through bookshelves. Xander is trying to get her to calm down. Buffy is about to explain that the situation is not Dawn's fault- when Anya opens the box Dawn has been using to hide stolen goods.

Dawn runs downstairs. They follow her.

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Anya grabs Dawn, asks her how she could steal from her. Anya looks very hurt. Dawn is on overload- she doesn't know what to do. Buffy starts to say what she'd been saying upstairs- and that it couldn't be Dawn, when her eye goes to the leather jacket. She knows.

Buffy explains about the guidance counsellor- and Anya ties it together. She calls out to Halfrek. Halfrek appears in puff of smoke- and immediately, the demon with the sword appears behind her- thrusting the sword through Halfrek.

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Buffy and Anya (with greater effect than Spike had previously) fight the demon. Spike joins in, and does better than earlier. Buffy stabs the demon with the sword, which again causes the demon to ooze into it. She breaks the sword, killing the demon.

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Halfrek lies motionless on the floor. Anya jumps to get her pendant, but Halfrek is faking it. Halfrek jumps up, driving Anya into the couch. Halfrek laughs when she sees that everyone is surprised to see that she is fine after taking a sword in the chest- then berates Anya for forgetting that much.

Turns out, this is Halfrek's business in town.

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Spike saunters into the room. Halfrek does a double-take. "William?" She whispers. Spike looks at her a moment, "Hey- wait a minute-." He says, not sure what it is, but he recognizes her. "You guys know each other?" Buffy asks, confused. The other in the room move to get closer to the two- curious. "Uh. No." Halfrek covers, hold her neck and coughs delicately- starts preening. "No." Spike just looks confused- like he can't place her. "Not really." Buffy looks on equally confused.

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Tara inquires about Vengeance Demons- don't they only punish men who'd wronged women? Halfrek explains that most vengeance demons are more "well-rounded" and that they prefer the term "Justice Demon". "Well rounded hunh?" Anya asks, affronted. "Is that how you explain your thing for bad parents?" "Oh, it's not a thing." Halfrek insists. "The children need me." Anya humnhs, then coughs: "Daddy issues."

Halfrek then explains that she'd felt Dawn's pain anywhere she'd gone in town. She lectures the group- saying that all they have is time and each other.

Halfrek attempts to disappear in a puff of smoke- only to have Anya remind her that the curse prevents her form leaving too.

Halfrek removes the curse, and then disappears in a huff.

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Tara and Willow talk. Willow explains the magic items in the house. It was a security blanket in case things got really bad- and she couldn't take the pressure. Tara, obviously proud of Willow, says that things really *did* get rough- and Willow was able to take it. She held fast.

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Xander and Anya take Richard downstairs- they're going to get him to the hospital. Anya warns Dawn that there is a price to pay for her thievery.

Spike tests the door- and they are all able to leave. Everyone happily exits- except Dawn and Buffy. Buffy looks at Dawn and closes the door- with the two of them inside the house. Dawn smiles.

-The End

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Some of my notes...

Spike is obviously still hurt. It's not just the bruises on his eye (though that is pretty bad). He doesn't fight very well- its like he's not up to it. By the end of the episode, he is tired, hungry, and in need of some solitude. Besides Anya and Richard, he is the most desperate to leave the house. Nothing solidly redemptionist for the episode - He does try to get along with the others- but his reason for being there is Buffy. His reason for playing nice is Buffy. His defence of Willow is nice.

Halfrek is Cecily- I'm sure of it. She has the 'you're beneath me' attitude written all over her. When she notices Spike, she is pleased- and so is he. Briefly. I also get the feeling that she is younger than Anya. Halfrek uses politically correct 'Justice Demon' rhetoric, while Anya rolls her eyes. Anya also appears to know more than Halfrek- outsmarting her in the end.

Buffy is there. Which *is* actually saying something. She interacts. She finally acknowledges that Dawn has problems. Her interaction with Spike is good- even when they are arguing- their spats have more of a boyfriend-girlfriend feel, than Slayer-Evil Blood Sucking Fiend feel.

Tara is ON for this episode. She glows. She is confident and happy (despite awkward Willow moments) and controls every situation she is in.

Anya is great. She's on the mark with most of her comments- and as always, while she is brutally honest (and yah- annoying), she is also confused by the illogical actions of the people around her. Plus BIG marks for pounding on the demon and 'taking out' Halfrek.

Xander actually shows his heart in this episode- consoling Anya when she is freaking out. He does spend a bit of time making sideways looks at her when she says something *off*, but he doesn't seem as horrible as he has been.

Willow. Well, I'm not good at deciphering Willow. She's ok. No change in the addict story-line.

Dawn is Frustrating. Annoying. Horrible. And Lonely. But I think I'm getting it (damn anvils). Dawn is Buffy without the Scoobs. She has no one to talk to about the freaky things she experiences- not without being treated like a child. The girl needs peers she can relate to.

Riley II, er.. Richard, is not much noticed besides his need to get to work, and as the object of Spike's jealousy.

Oh, and Clem? Clem rules.

-Cath

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