The Scooby gang are back, one year later and a whole lot of life changes under their belt. But normality and peace was never going to be in the books for these devoted warriors, so when a case comes calling that puts both the present and future in danger, it’s up to Buffy and the rest to make things right before the world is thrown into chaos. Ah, adulthood in the Slayer world.
Note: This recap may contain spoilers!
There was a lot of time-hopping in the issue, but that’s because it was central to the plot. From the 23rd century to the 21st and back again, Buffy, the gang, and their foes put in plenty of miles in their battles. Up for the fight this time around was Melaka’s twin brother, Harth, and he was determined to come out the victor simply for the fact he already knew how it would all play out before it happened. I really like how he got started on the issue’s journey as well, with his gaining the upper hand and leading the Lurks to take on the supposed sorcerer leader. Don’t mess with Harth, because he’s going to use your arrogance against you.
His main foe is back in the 21st century — Buffy Summers. And her life seems like it’s been in standstill while her friends and family mature and achieve life goals. Dawn and Xander had a daughter together and they named her Joyce. Giles is back to being an adult again. Willow’s running the Center now. And Buffy…well, she’s basically been stuck in neutral. The one big change was that she and Spike amicably split, since they claimed they didn’t have much in common when the world wasn’t in danger. I find that sad and disappointing. Do I want them back together? Of course I do! Do I think that will happen? I live in hope, especially since the world is yet again in danger. Threatened lives could lead to some happily ever afters, if given enough time.
Joining the Scooby Gang in their attempts to defeat Harth before he could do much damage were Angel and Illyria, who was a little too honest with their updated relationship status, and Faith, who just wants to fight the bad guys. Harth wasn’t alone in his mission, though. He had joined up with the old partners from Wolfram and Hart, as well as former mayor Dick Wilkins — surprise, he didn’t stay dead! When that battle got to be a little too much for Buffy and the others, however, they wisely retreated back to an old records room and then get whisked back to Xander and Dawn’s house when the latter opened a portal for them to escape through. It pays to have a powered-up Key on your side.
So, if they can’t defeat Harth in the present, they will need some knowledge from the future. Melaka had all the Watcher knowledge in a library in the 23rd century, so it seems only logical to time jump there and get their learning on. Between Illyria, Willow, and Dawn, that turns out to be surprisingly easy. Well, the travel was, but not the arrival. Instead of being welcomed with opened arms, they’re instead faced with threats from the Fray sisters — Melaka and Future!Buffy. Ah, what troubles arise when past, present, and future collide. Looking forward to seeing where this leads them.
Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
