David Solomon Movies

Ed Deline (James Caan), smooth-talking and fast-acting head of security at the Montecito Resort & Casino, continues commandeering his highly efficient staff of subordinates throughout season two of the NBC dramatic series Las Vegas. Things get under way with a happy reunion, as team member Danny McCoy (Josh Duhamel) returns after a year's military service in the Iraq war -- but happiness turns to concern and doubt on the part of Danny's lover, Mary Connell (Nikki Cox), and very close friend Sam Marquez (Vanessa Marcil) due to his erratic behavior. In addition, Sam is on the outs with Ed's daughter, Delinda (Molly Sims), who in turn has developed a more than professional interest with new security-team member Leo (Eric Dane) -- who, incidentally, may not last the season. Also, Nessa Holt (Marsha Thomason) once again finds herself the reluctant object of suicidal billionaire Fred Puterbaugh's (Jon Lovitz) attention, and later receives word that her father might be alive and that Ed has known this all along. Ed himself is framed for murder early on, with Danny and Mike Cannon (James Lesure) working overtime to clear himself; and when in a later episode Ed is kidnapped, it's the same two guys to the rescue again. Geoff Stults shows up as the childhood sweetheart of Delinda, who claims to have terminal cancer -- and whose "dying wish" is to sleep with his former flame. Sam, Nessa, Delinda, and Mary become roommates, a situation fraught with imminent disaster. And Danny is stuck with caring for the infant daughter of a fellow Marine.

Plus, when Danny and Mary slip off for a weekend vacation, rumors fly that they've become man and wife. Sam sets her sights on a handsome billionaire (Dean Cain) -- only to find out that her dream lover is her highly unreliable "ex." To keep his staff from getting too big for their britches, Ed switches everyone's jobs around so that they can see what it's like to walk in someone else's designer shoes. Sam is scrutinized by the FBI when she becomes innocently involved in a drug cartel. And in a crossover episode with the NBC "procedural" drama Crossing Jordan, Jordan Cavanaugh (Jill Hennessy) and Woody Hoyt (Jerry O'Connell) arrive in Vegas to investigate a gambler's murder. Given the series' locale, it is no surprise that there is a full complement of guest stars during season two. Among these are Clint Black, Michael Bublé, Snoop Dogg, Duran Duran, Paul Anka, Sylvester Stallone, Joe Rogan, Don Knotts, Ashanti, Jon Bon Jovi, and John Elway. The second season of Vegas ends as the Montecito is purchased by a new, mysterious owner -- an event that promises a major shakeup of personnel (and, possibly, the series' premise) when season three rolls around. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

John Woo directs the sci-fi action thriller Paycheck, based on a story written by Philip K. Dick in 1953. Waking up with his short-term memory erased, engineer Michael Jennings (Ben Affleck) learns that he has been doing highly secretive work for the last three years in exchange for billions of dollars. But when he tries to get paid, he finds out that he himself had previously exchanged the money for an envelope of random clues to his life. Chased by an FBI agent (Michael C. Hall) and his old boss Rethrick (Aaron Eckhart), Michael uses the clues to find out his identity and prove his innocence. Uma Thurman appears as his love interest and partner, Rachel. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) brings the potential slayers to the desert so they can experience the same vision quest Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) once did (see "Intervention"). Meanwhile, Xander (Nicholas Brendon) fears Giles is The First in disguise. As the Scoobies rush to the desert to save the slayerettes -- a fruitless effort, given that Giles turns out to be very much himself -- Willow (Alyson Hannigan) grows closer to potential slayer Kennedy (Iyari Limon), who has feigned an illness to get out of the field trip. Openly lesbian, Kennedy makes the moves on Willow, who resists, expressing her continuing love for the slain Tara. When she finally does open up and allow Kennedy to kiss her, Willow suddenly transforms into Warren (Adam Busch) -- Tara's killer and the victim of Willow's own murderous vengeance. Dumbfounded, Willow turns to the Wiccan group at U.C. Sunnydale for help in transforming back to her normal self -- especially since her personality seems to be shifting to Warren's along with her appearance. Amy (Elizabeth Anne Allen), Willow's old partner in black-magical hijinks, has joined the group, but Kennedy realizes that Amy's offers of assistance are only a cover for the fact that it's her own vengeful enchantment that plagues Willow. As guilt over killing Warren and anxiety about moving on from Tara threaten to consume Willow, only Kennedy can save the day. Meanwhile, Spike (James Marsters) suffers blinding headaches from the malfunctioning chip in his head, so Buffy turns to The Initiative's covert-ops successors for help in ridding her vampire ally of his technological tether. Originally broadcast Feb. 4, 2003, on UPN, "The Killer in Me" marked episode 135 of the cult-favorite series. This episode marks the first season-seven appearance of recurring character Amy, who first appeared in season one and played a pivotal role in season six. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

The big day has finally arrived: Xander (Nicholas Brendon) and Anya (Emma Caulfield) are getting married. The obstacles on their path to wedded bliss include atrocious bridesmaid's dresses, a stubborn cumberbund, and bitter sniping from the alcoholic Harris clan about the "circus freaks" (aka demons) who make up Anya's half of the wedding party. During the preparations, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) has a wistful encounter with Spike (James Marsters), whose cheap floozie of a wedding date causes pangs of jealousy even as the Slayer resolves to keep their relationship in the past tense. As for Anya, her dreams of wedded bliss soon also recede into memory when Xander disappears from the chapel. It seems the prospective groom has received a visit from his time-traveling, elderly self, who shows Xander a vision of the future in which his marriage ends in bitterness and murder. Later, when old-man Xander turns out to be a disguised enemy of Anya seeking revenge against the former vengeance demon, Xander still can't overcome his conviction that he isn't ready to get married. The guests riot, the absentee groom checks into a hotel, and the jilted bride turns to D'Hoffryn (Andy Umberger), her former demon master, for comfort. Originally broadcast March 5, 2002, on UPN, "Hell's Bells" marked episode 116 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and the Scoobies hole up in the Summers' house and imprison Spike (James Marsters) in hopes of learning more about the unseen adversary who's been manipulating him. On a trip to pick up animal blood for the captive to drink, Willow (Alyson Hannigan) encounters incognito super-nerd Andrew (Tom Lenk), who appears to be the pawn of the same shape-shifting fiend as Spike. Soon, ex-lovers Xander (Nicholas Brendon) and Anya (Emma Caulfield) are joyfully interrogating the geek. The terrified Andrew is more than forthcoming about his encounters with the spirit of Warren (Adam Busch) and his murder of equally dorky former ally Jonathan (Danny Strong). But Spike reveals very little -- until another visit from the big bad turns him into a mindless, vamped-out threat. Ultimately, Buffy shackles Spike down in the basement but refuses his pained entreaties for a merciful death. Touched by Spike's true confessions about the tribulations he endured to win back his soul (and, less successfully, her heart), Buffy tells Spike that she can see the better man deep inside him. Just then, robed warriors attack the house. Buffy assists her friends in staving them off upstairs, but it's all a diversion: they make off with Spike, whose own spilled blood soon fuels the spell that Jonathan's murder was incapable of completing. Elsewhere, a zonked-out Principal Wood (D.B. Woodside) buries Jonathan's body, and the headquarters of the Watcher's Council blows up spectacularly. Originally broadcast November 26, 2002, on the UPN network, "Never Leave Me" marked episode 131 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) follows in the footsteps of undead-lovin' big sister Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) when she ends up in the arms of a cute teen vamp. Her adventures take place on Halloween -- the same day Xander (Nicholas Brendon) finally announces his engagement to Anya (Emma Caulfield). During the festivities, Tara (Amber Benson) confronts Willow (Alyson Hannigan) about her over-reliance on magic to solve life's problems. Meanwhile, Dawn deals with her own teen angst by shoplifting from the magic shop and sneaking out with a friend for a midnight rendezvous with some handsome young lads. When her date sprouts fangs, however, Dawn is forced to dust him -- shades of Buffy and Angel (see "Becoming, Part 2"). Giles (Anthony Stewart Head), Spike (James Marsters), and Buffy eventually rescue Dawn and her friend from the mess they're in. But the Slayer leaves it up to her Watcher to mete out punishment. Elsewhere, Willow seeks to escape further scoldings by casting a spell to make Tara forget their fight. Originally broadcast October 30, 2001, on UPN, "All the Way" marked episode 106 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

Following their respective big nights out (see "Smashed"), Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) recoils from her liaison with Spike (James Marsters) while Willow (Alyson Hannigan) suffers a colossal hangover from doing too many spells with Amy (Elizabeth Anne Allen). Anya (Emma Caulfield) and Xander (Nicholas Brendon) continue to worry about Willow's descent into magic, while Tara (Amber Benson) grows despondent that her fears about Willow were well-founded. The next night, Willow again meets up with Amy, this time to visit a mystically hidden hang-out where a sorcerer named Rack (Jeff Kober) doles out powerful magicks that function like drugs. Although her blissful spell/trip ends badly, Willow heads back to Rack's the next day -- this time with Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) involuntarily in tow. Buffy catches Amy stealing magical supplies from Willow's room and learns about the witches' activities together. She enlists Spike's help in tracking down Willow and Dawn but warns her vampire suitor that their tryst meant absolutely nothing and won't be repeated. Meanwhile, Willow drags an angry Dawn away from Rack's abode, and they end up in a desperate flight from a demon whom Willow accidentally summoned while under the influence. The demon is vanquished, but Dawn suffers serious injuries and Willow is left a gibbering, guilty wreck. That night, Willow suffers from Wiccan withdrawal as Buffy watches over her attempt to kick the magical habit. Originally broadcast November 27, 2001, on UPN, "Wrecked" marked episode 110 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) is busy staking vamps when she is interrupted by a tall, pale vampire with long black hair admiring her slayer skills -- Dracula (Rudolph Martin). Buffy, "having fought more than a couple of pimply, overweight vamps that called themselves Lestat," is initially suspicious. Quickly, exiting via bat wings, his Dracula-ness is verified. Anya (Emma Caulfield) even claims to have hung out with him when she was a vengeance demon. Apparently in Sunnydale, to woo the slayer over to the darkside, Buffy and friends must separate fact from fiction to slay the dark prince. Meanwhile, Giles (Anthony Head) announces he is planning to return to England -- not before he gets in some heroic necking with a few of Dracula's sexy "brides." As if the appearance of the bloody prince isn't enough for this season opener, we also meet Buffy's cute little sister, Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg). ~ Matt Collar, Rovi

Riley (Marc Blucas) is acting strangely around Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and catching her with Spike (James Marsters) -- or Hostile 17 -- makes him even more antagonistic. Meanwhile, Adam (George Hertzberg) kills Dr. Walsh (Lindsay Crouse) and leaves the Initiative compound. Later, Buffy is confronted by Riley with the news of Dr. Walsh's death. Then, while searching for Adam, Buffy, and Xander (Nicholas Brendon) sneak into the Initiative compound and discover that drugs were being secretly given to the commandos and Riley's in withdrawal. Riley confronts Adam who seriously wounds him. Elsewhere, Willow (Alyson Hannigan) attempts to perform a spell with Tara (Amber Benson) to magically locate all of the demons in Sunnydale. Tara sabotages the spell while Willow's eyes are closed. ~ Matt Collar, Rovi

A mystery emerges when Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) randomly comes into possession of a shiny, mystical orb. Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) is too busy with the grand opening of his magic shop to research Buffy's discovery. Dismayed by his lack of customers, Giles reluctantly agrees to hire avaricious Anya (Emma Caulfield) as his shopkeeper. At home, Buffy and Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) both grow concerned as Joyce (Kristine Sutherland) continues to suffer from migraines. With help from sorceress Willow (Alyson Hannigan), Buffy tries to discover whether there's dark magic afoot. She finds no clues about her mother's condition, but she does discover that Dawn is continually fading in and out of reality. Buffy realizes that Dawn isn't her sister and fears that the girl may be there to harm Joyce -- a suspicion that seems to gain credence from Giles' revelation that the orb Buffy found is a talisman meant to protect its bearer from a specific and unspeakable evil. Buffy heads back to the spot where she discovered the sphere and finds a grievously wounded monk under attack from a gorgeous blonde who comes off like the world's most self-obsessed -- and supernaturally powerful -- bimbo. Buffy narrowly escapes getting her clock cleaned and learns from the dying monk that Dawn is actually "The Key," an ancient source of energy capable of unlocking something called "The Door" with disastrous results. To prevent the super-bimbo -- an ancient and malevolent entity known as Glory -- from finding and using The Key, the monks incarnated it in human form and wove it into the fabric of Buffy's life so the Slayer could protect it. Back at home, Buffy comes to terms with the fact that Dawn is human now -- and her responsibility. Meanwhile, Spike (James Marsters) deals with his newfound feelings for Buffy. Originally broadcast October 24, 2000, on the WB network, "No Place Like Home" marked episode 83 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

Having opted out of college, Xander (Nicholas Brendon) takes a job at the local student pub as a bartender. His first night is a humiliating one with snobby student Colm (Eric Matheny) antagonizing him "like a Bad Will Hunting." Colm and his buddies then proceed to guzzle case after case of Black Frost beer. Meanwhile, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar), still pining over Parker (Adam Kaufman), decides to come to the pub. She bumps into Riley (Marc Blucas), who disparages Parker's slimey behavior toward women. Feeling even worse, Buffy joins Colm and his friends in downing the Black Forest beer. Soon the group has reverted to their baser instincts, literally, as the beer was prepared by the pub owner using warlock magic. Soon, they've all gone Cro-Magnon, dragging girls into the Grotto -- the local student coffee bar -- with Buffy hunching away, grunting, "Parker, bad." ~ Matt Collar, Rovi

In this entry in the long-running mystery series, Perry Mason takes the case for a TV reporter falsely accused of killing the station's ego-maniacal anchorman. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi