We get the story of Thessaly in this issue, as well as an introduction to an old-new ally. Buffy’s life is very complicated as the last Slayer, and it’s about to get even more difficult.
Note: This recap may contain spoilers!
As the issue begins, we learn that Thessaly is Tara’s birth daughter. Her parents got married when they were older, and when Thessaly was 8, so that she could take part in the ceremony. Their life together seemed idyllic, with Thessaly showing control over her magic at a very young age. While her parents worried over her powers and wanted to figure out a way to keep her protected, it seemed to be going well. Willow gave her a protection necklace, like the rings Willow and Tara wore, when she was young and they taught her different levels of magic.
But two years ago, their life went off-track. Her parents were trying to find information on a clock and Thessaly got possessed, with the spirit speaking through her. While those with lesser powers may have been overwhelmed, Thessaly was able to fight it off using very old magic. This hinted at the fact that Thessaly might be more special than they first thought. Willow and Tara did a ritual, which confirmed their daughter was the Chosen One. Unfortunately, Willow and Tara are no longer alive to help her through this transition. They were working with their coven to heal the sun and someone attacked them. Now Thessaly is seeking out the only person who can help guide her, even if Buffy is a reluctant participant.
Buffy doesn’t think Willow and Tara would want the Slayer life for their daughter, and she certainly doesn’t want to be tasked as her new guardian. Instead, Buffy will take Thessaly to the see Grace and the Council tomorrow. They will help her, where Buffy cannot. But things do not go so smoothly for them overnight. A vampire breaks into their window in the middle of the night and attacks Buffy. The Slayer tells Thessaly to turn on one of her lamps, which is a special light that kills the vampire. It’s Thessaly’s first kill and when the adrenaline wears off, she throws up before the duo get back to sleep.
The next morning, Buffy is with Anya, training and complaining about Thessaly. She left the child sleeping at her place, which perhaps was not the best idea, but Buffy doesn’t want to be Thessaly’s keeper. She wants to just get rid of the child, make her the Council’s problem. However, Anya thinks that’s a bad idea because she heard a rumor that some of the Council are demons. And she is very frustrated over Buffy’s reluctance to keep Thessaly, which she thinks is rooted in Buffy constantly thinking how life is unfair for her rather than looking at how much the world has changed for everyone. But that’s not it at all. In actuality, Buffy doesn’t think it’s fair for Thessaly to be thrust into a life with her and all the problems that come with it. Honorable, but life often doesn’t give you what you want.
Meanwhile, Thessaly is rocking out at Buffy’s apartment, waiting for her to return. She doesn’t like the familiarity she sees in Giles’ picture, so she tosses it under the bed, where she discovers other hidden things. Going through a box of mementos, after Buffy specifically told her not to snoop through her stuff, Thessaly finds a wedding dress and marriage license between Buffy and Angel. Unfortunately, Buffy comes home and catches her red-handed.
The Slayer tells her to pack and Thessaly keeps apologizing as they walk down the street. Finally, the girl convinces Buffy to stop at a pizza joint to eat and they talk things through. Buffy still thinks the Council is the best place for her, and Thessaly agrees to go, but upon their arrival things change. When she touches the door handle, she sees the thing that killed her parents and is very unsettled. Buffy does not believe her when she says the Council killed her moms, so Thessaly shows her what she sees. Grace, who Buffy trusted, is a vampire with demon colleagues. They have wrought so much damage to others and now they want to end Buffy and Thessaly as well.
Buffy fights the group off, then escapes with Thessaly, but Grace and the Watchers soon follow. Another face-off begins, but this time there are others joining the fight. Prior, we were privy to a glimpse of a mysterious group who were training to take out the Watchers and could track Buffy’s movements as well. They arrive to the scene and take out the Watcher group, much to Buffy’s confusion. Things become perhaps a bit clearer and definitely a whole lot more interesting when the group’s leader is revealed. It’s Spike!
This series continues to hold my interest and makes me excited for the next issue. Then again, anytime Spike shows up, my interest increases exponentially.
Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
