The break-up is impending, the friendships are faltering, and D’Hoffryn is about to assert his ultimate power. Things are not looking good for the Scooby Gang. But hopefully there will be a light at the end of this long, dark tunnel.
Note: This recap may contain spoilers!
We pick up the issue during Buffy and Spike’s conversation over a potential break-up. Buffy is notably upset that Spike is suggesting this, but he explains how their problems are compounding the current issues and they need to take time apart in order to work through them. Sounds sensible enough, even if I don’t want it to happen. Well, looks like Buffy doesn’t want it to happen either. She rejects the conversation entirely and instead focuses on D’Hoffryn. She needs Spike with her to help defeat him, so relationship talk will just have to be put on hold.
Meanwhile, the other members of the team aren’t doing much better. Willow has her security clearance revoked, for the part she played in powering up D’Hoffryn, and Lake is not coming to her aid. Over in Oakland, Andrew is meeting up with Clive. He says he’s tired of his friends talking bad about him, so he’s going to go be a beach bum. But Clive talks about how Andrew’s always focusing on the bad things, instead of what’s good about himself. He’s got some things to think about, as does the rest of the Earth-bound group. And over on the other planes, Xander and Dawn are jumping through dimensions, fighting the inhabitants and working their way towards hopefully a jump home. Though Dawn would be more powerful if she stayed in one of the dimensions, or made her own, she wants to get back to her friends and family. So far, so good, as she now has the Amulet of Revelation, which shows her where the portals lead.
Back to the Spuffy conversation, Buffy finally agrees that it would be easier to break up now. However, just because it’s easier doesn’t make it right. They both have the instinct to run, but they have to fight it and be stronger together. Buffy’s willing to fight for her relationship, and Spike admits that he went into it loving a symbol, but he’s over that now and is ready to fight for what they have. Hurrah! They can hopefully work toward a lasting, healthy relationship!
Things are looking up when they get back to the apartment, too. Buffy and Spike come home to find Willow and Giles eating ice cream, sad over their own disintegrated relationships, but Buffy shares her all-new plan with them that might actually turn the tide toward victory. Plus, soon they are joined by Andrew, to lend a hand, and then Xander and Dawn pop in through the portal. Now that the gang’s back together, they have a chance to succeed. We’ve got to wait and see what they have in store for D’Hoffryn, as the plan thus far is unknown to us.
Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
