Charlie Weber Movies
For those who don't know the name and legacy of John Wayne Gacy, the movie is based on the true story of one of the nation's most prolific serial killers (33 murder convictions). Gacy depicts the methods upstanding citizen and neighborhood party clown Gacy (Mark Holton) used to seduce young men, slaughter them and then hide their bodies in the crawl space under the house he shared with his wife (Joleen Lutz) and children. ~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mark Holton, Charlie Weber, (more)
The legacy of a deceased high school misfit lives on as his tormentors slowly falls prey to a vengeful spirit from beyond the grave in this fright feature from veteran television director Chuck Bowman. Jeff Lucas (Josh Hammond) is already an outcast, but when he makes a horror film instead of a documentary for a class project, the ridicule his classmates inflict upon him soon turns to outright abuse. After being forced into an auto race with one of his more sadistic classmates, Jeff's car careens over a cliff and the troubled student is presumed to be dead. When a new family moves into the home previously inhabited by Jeff and his family, a series of bizarre occurrences lead the family's high-school-age son to believe that Jeff has returned to inflict revenge upon those who wronged him in life. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lisa Ann Hadley, Keri Lynn Pratt, (more)
- 2001
The impact of Joyce's death (see "The Body") continues as Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and friends endure her funeral and its aftermath. The Slayer's dad doesn't even bother to call, but her vampire ex, Angel (David Boreanaz), arrives after sundown to comfort and reassure her that she'll get through this ordeal. Spike (James Marsters) even pays his respects with some flowers, reflecting his strange but longstanding bond with his ex-enemy's mother. A newly thoughtful Anya (Emma Caulfield) urgently makes love with Xander (Nicholas Brendon) and ruminates on the nature of mortality. Meanwhile, Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg), convinced by Buffy's steely exterior that her sister doesn't even care that Joyce is gone, sullenly insists on spending the night with surrogate siblings Willow (Alyson Hannigan) and Tara (Amber Benson). There, she announces her desire to raise her mother from the grave, an undertaking that the Wiccan lovers sternly warn her can lead to no good. Nonetheless, Dawn "borrows" magical tomes from both Tara and the magic shop, then recruits Spike to assist in her sorcery. The pair receive instructions from a creepy "doctor" (Joel Grey) who warns them that Joyce may not come back as she was. Just as Dawn is completing her spell, Tara and Willow contact Buffy with the news that their necromancy references are missing. The Slayer rushes home and has it out with Dawn, revealing her own hidden emotional devastation, which convinces Dawn to cancel her enchantment the instant before Joyce's reanimated corpse would have walked into the family's home. In the end only two Summers women are left, but they're both on the floor crying and comforting one another. Originally broadcast April 17, 2001, on the WB network, "Forever" marked episode 95 of the cult-favorite series. The character of Doc would appear again in the season finale (see "The Gift"), while Willow would revise her thinking on resurrection the following season (see "Bargaining, Part 1"). ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2001
As the gang digest the implications of Glory (Clare Kramer) being a hell-god rather than a garden-variety demon, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) lays another whopper on them. She reveals that Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) is "The Key" that Glory so desperately seeks. Although Dawn herself caught snippets of that knowledge two episodes earlier (see "Triangle"), she doesn't grasp its implications until Spike (James Marsters) helps her sneak into the magic shop and read up on her origins. Horrified to learn that she is not truly human but rather an ancient mystical force given mortal form and memories mere months ago, the distraught teen experiences a meltdown in the midst of Buffy's 20th birthday party. The Scoobies are unsure how to comfort her, so the Slayer goes into research mode while Willow (Alyson Hannigan) works on a sort of supernatural burglar alarm to protect Dawn. As Glory is off decimating the ranks of the Knights of Byzantium, Dawn continues to act out her feelings of alienation. She sneaks out to the hospital to commune with the unfortunates who have been driven mad by Glory's soul-draining touch and are therefore capable of seeing what Dawn truly is. Dawn soon runs into Ben (Charlie Weber), the handsome doctor who recently treated her mother and who unwillingly shares his body with Glory. Ben intuits that Dawn is The Key, but then Glory takes over his body and, failing to make the same realization, tries to pump Dawn for information. Buffy shows up and brawls with Glory, who is vanquished only when Willow and Tara (Amber Benson) slap her with a teleportation spell. Unfortunately, though, Dawn's memory of Ben transforming into Glory seems to have been erased, opening a vulnerability the hell-god will exploit in the subsequent episode "Spiral." Originally broadcast February 6, 2001, on the WB network, "Blood Ties" marked episode 91 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Quentin Travers (Harris Yulin) and several other members of the Council arrive in Sunnydale with information about Glory (Clare Kramer) and begin ordering Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) around. They promise to share their data if Buffy and her friends will submit to tests and interviews, but they warn that without cooperation they'll shut down the magic shop and have Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) deported. Everyone reluctantly goes along with the Council's directives until a pair of close calls shifts the balance of power. First, Glory herself shows up at Buffy's house and threatens to kill Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) and Joyce (Kristine Sutherland) if the Slayer doesn't reveal the location of "The Key." Then, a bunch of medieval warriors called the Knights of Byzantium show up, declaring that Buffy is their enemy as long as she harbors The Key. Unflappable even in the face of these twin threats, Buffy turns the tables on Travers. Announcing that she's the one with all the actual power, she gets the Council members to cough up their info. They reveal the subtle but profound distinction that Glory is a god, not a demon. Originally broadcast January 23, 2001, on the WB network, "Checkpoint" marked episode 90 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2001
After the previous episode's romantic tug-of-war (see "Crush"), love is once again in the air. Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) nearly goes on a date with cute doctor Ben (Charlie Weber), unaware that he actually time-shares his mortal shell with the malevolent Glory (Clare Kramer). Meanwhile, a disturbingly perky woman named April (Shonda Farr) arrives on the scene looking around frantically for her boyfriend, Warren (Adam Busch). She responds violently, and with great strength, to the vulgar flirtations of Spike (James Marsters), who's only hitting on her to assuage his hurt feelings over Buffy's rejection. The Scoobies figure out that the blank, cheerful, determined April is actually a robot. In fact, she's a sex-bot created by the nerdy Warren, who has since ditched his creation to enjoy a relationship with an actual human being named Katrina (Amelinda Embry). When Buffy confronts Warren about the mess he left behind, an incensed Katrina dumps him. Soon, the human girlfriend almost falls victim to the robot one, who's still searching for the man she was constructed to love. Buffy intervenes, saves Katrina, and comforts April as her batteries run down into oblivion. Saddened by the seemingly inane but actually thought-provoking wisdom she's received from the dying robot, Buffy breaks her date with Ben just as he's transforming into Glory. Spike, however, is less easily dissuaded from his infatuations. He turns to Warren for another sex-bot, this time in Buffy's image. Originally broadcast February 20, 2001, on the WB network, "I Was Made To Love You" marked episode 93 of the cult-favorite series. The character of Warren would reappear throughout the subsequent sixth season, slowly morphing from a misguided nerd into a villain capable of killing a member of the Scooby Gang. Pop sensation Britney Spears was in talks to play sex-bot April, but the part eventually went to Shonda Farr. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2001
The obsessive love Spike (James Marsters) feels for Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) reaches a crossroads when Drusilla (Juliet Landau) arrives back in Sunnydale looking to rekindle their centuries-long love affair. By the time the mad predator shows up, a train full of corpses in her wake, Spike has slowly wormed his way into the position of annoying but useful ally to the Slayer. Troubled Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) has even taken to hanging out in the crypt of her sister's former nemesis, leading Buffy to conclude that the girl has a crush on Spike. The Slayer is shocked, then appalled, when Dawn tells her it's Spike who's in love -- with Buffy. The Slayer warns Spike not to even think about trying to start a romance, sending the hurt bloodsucker into the waiting arms of his ex. Dru convinces Spike to try to overcome the blinding pain his microchip-implanted brain inflicts on him whenever he tries to harm a human. He complies, assisting her in feeding on a happy couple at The Bronze. Back in Spike's crypt, just as the disgusted Buffy discovers the vampire's shrine to her, Dru arrives and knocks the Slayer out with a cattle prod. Spike leaps to Buffy's defense and before they know it both women find themselves strung upside down together. With Buffy repelled by Spike's advances and Dru revolted by his apparent love for the Slayer, a free-for-all breaks out. To complicate matters, airheaded vamp Harmony (Mercedes McNab) shows up, furious that Spike has once again used and discarded her. Somehow the beleaguered vampire gigolo survives all three women's fury, but he's dismayed when Buffy solidifies her rejection by having Willow (Alyson Hannigan) mystically revoke his ability to enter the Summers house uninvited. Originally broadcast February 13, 2001, on the WB network, "Crush" marked episode 92 of the cult-favorite series. Drusilla's visit to Sunnydale and sudden yearning for the comfort of her relationship with Spike follows her fiery near-death in the spin-off episode of Angel, "Redefinition." ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Evil goddess Glory (Clare Kramer) finally knows that The Key she needs to unleash hell on earth has been incarnated as the Slayer's very own sister. Thus, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and her gang are forced to flee Sunnydale in a desperate attempt to save Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) -- and the world -- from the apocalypse. Unfortunately, their unlikely escape vehicle -- a Winnebago -- proves vulnerable to attack by the Knights of Byzantium, ancient warriors who have sworn to destroy The Key before Glory can use it. Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) suffers grievous wounds, forcing the gang to take refuge in an abandoned gas station. Resident Wiccan Willow (Alyson Hannigan) erects a mystical barrier, but, thanks to the relentless knights, a stalemate ensues. The misguided but honorable Byzantine leader allows Buffy to send for medical assistance. She calls Ben (Charlie Weber), the handsome young doctor she's been flirting with for several episodes. Unbeknownst to the Scoobies, Ben is the unwilling human host for Glory's earthly manifestation. Once inside the barrier, Ben patches Giles up but then loses his constant battle with Glory for control of their shared body. The triumphant hell-goddess makes off with Dawn and slaughters the Knights of Byzantium, leaving Buffy a catatonic shell of her normal self. Originally broadcast May 8, 2001, on the WB network, "Spiral" marked episode 98 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) abruptly drops out of college when she learns that her sister, Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg), has been cutting class and acting up. In order to keep the budding delinquent out of foster care, the Slayer steels herself to become more of a parent than a sibling. Unfortunately, though, Buffy succeeds only in further alienating Dawn, whose typical teenaged rebellion has been bolstered by the recent death of her mother and the revelation that she is actually the human incarnation of an ancient mystical energy. Meanwhile, mad hell-god Glory (Clare Kramer) continues her search for that very same magical force. Glory becomes convinced that it must be Tara (Amber Benson), the newest member of Buffy's gang. A quarrel between Tara and her lover, Willow (Alyson Hannigan), over Willow's growing mastery of the dark arts leaves Tara vulnerable to Glory's attack. Cornering the shy Wiccan, Glory quickly realizes that Tara isn't The Key, then demands that she reveal who actually is. Tara refuses, so Glory feeds on her mind and leaves her a gibbering madwoman. A grief-stricken Willow sets out for vengeance, but Buffy intervenes in the ensuing battle. Later, Glory catches up with the Scooby gang and finally learns from the brain-drained Tara that Dawn is The Key. Originally broadcast May 1, 2001, on the WB network, "Tough Love" marked episode 97 of the cult-favorite series. The repercussions of this episode would lead directly to the climactic season finale (see "The Gift"), while Willow's reliance on the dark arts and the resulting conflict with Tara would reverberate throughout subsequent seasons. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2001
As hell-god Glory (Clare Kramer) prepares for the precise moment when she can cut Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) open and unleash pan-dimensional Armageddon, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and the Scoobies prepare for the fight of their lives. Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) advocates killing Dawn if it will prevent the Apocalypse, arguing that she isn't even really Buffy's sister. But the Slayer vows to save both the world and Dawn, who was fashioned from Buffy's own flesh and blood as the human incarnation of the ancient key that Glory needs to open the doorway back to her own dimension. Meanwhile, facing certain death, Xander (Nicholas Brendon) proposes to girlfriend Anya (Emma Caulfield) even as enchantress Willow (Alyson Hannigan) comes up with a way restore the shattered mind of her own lover, Tara (Amber Benson). Spike (James Marsters) and Buffy gather up weapons and share a tender moment. Then it's time to let poor, mad Tara lead the way to the patchwork tower of steel girders that Glory's other brain-drained victims have constructed as the stage for their mistress' descent back to hell. Arriving on the scene, Willow casts her spell, draining Tara's mind from Glory and back into Tara. Glory thus befuddled, Buffy throws everything she's got at the hell-goddess: serious punches, a mystical troll's hammer, and even a robot decoy. By the time Xander weighs in with a wrecking ball, Glory's had it. She reverts to the form of her human host, Ben (Charlie Weber), whom Giles quietly smothers in order to end Glory's threat. But atop the tower, despite the best efforts of Spike, one of Glory's minions manages to spill Dawn's blood and begin the convergence of hell and earth. As an interdimensional vortex begins to grow, unleashing demons in its wake, Dawn prepares to leap into the void and put an end to the destruction. But her sister stops her, announcing the she finally knows what the spirit of the First Slayer meant when she told Buffy her greatest gift was death. Because Dawn and Buffy share the same blood, Buffy too can close the portal. Promising Dawn she'll always love her, Buffy plunges into the vortex, which short-circuits -- dropping the Slayer's corpse onto the ground below. Buffy's tombstone serves as a solemn reminder: "Buffy Anne Summers...1981-2001...She saved the world. A lot." Originally broadcast May 22, 2001, on the WB network, "The Gift" marked episode 100 of the cult-favorite series. It was also the last new episode to premiere on the WB; beginning with the season six opener, "Bargaining, Part 1," the program moved to the rival UPN network for two additional seasons. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2001
As Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) awaits her role as sacrificial victim for monstrous hell-god Glory (Clare Kramer), her slayer sister (Sarah Michelle Gellar) withdraws deeply into herself. Devastated by the shame of having allowed Dawn to be kidnapped (see "Spiral"), Buffy retreats into the safety of an illusory childhood in which she's safe with her long-estranged father, her now-deceased mother, and her mystically incarnated baby sister. Meanwhile, Glory battles for control with Ben (Charlie Weber), her unwilling host body. Ben's conscience and memories keep leaking into Glory's consciousness, leading her to pontificate about the misery of the human condition to the captive Dawn. Ben briefly manages to wrest full control from his demonic sibling. He attempts to free Dawn, but Glory promises him immortality if he'll stop fighting. He acquiesces, earning Dawn's disgust. Meanwhile, a firm but patient Willow (Alyson Hannigan) uses her magicks to wrench her way into Buffy's subconscious and give the Slayer a good talking-to. Buffy awakens from her catatonia, ready to save the day. That's when Giles (Anthony Stewart Head), recovering from his injuries, reveals that Glory's plan to break down the barrier between dimensions requires that Dawn's blood be spilled at a certain place and time; the barrier will remain open until all of Dawn's blood is spent. Originally broadcast May 15, 2001, on the WB network, "The Weight of the World" marked episode 99 of the cult-favorite series. This episode marked the first of several posthumous appearances by Buffy's mother, Joyce, played by Kristine Sutherland. The recently deceased Summers matriarch would feature in another of her daughter's hallucinations (see "Normal Again") and pop by for a beyond-the-grave chat with Dawn (see "Conversations With Dead People"). ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Series regular Rose McGowan plays a dual role in this episode. Trying out her conjuring skills, Paige (McGowan) brings to life a medieval prince (Charlie Weber) -- who immediately declares his love for her. It turns out that the prince is in the thrall of an evil enchantress...whom Paige had been in a previous life. Naturally, Rose McGowan also appears as the enchantress, and her performance should lay to rest any doubts that she was worthy of replacing former Charmed star Shannen Doherty. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Krause, Julian McMahon, (more)
- 2000
This first episode of The Drew Carey Show's sixth season wastes no time plunging the title character in deep doo-doo yet once more. Under pressure to balance Winfred-Louder's budget, store manager Mr. Wick ($Craig Ferguson) orders his assistant Drew (Drew Carey) to fire someone. When Drew can't bring himself to do it, Wick diabolically arranges for the employees to demand that Drew himself be sacked--just as he has purchased an engagement ring for Kate (Christa Miller). Unable to find a decent job thanks to lies circulated by his traditional enemy Mimi (Kathy Kinney), Drew is reduced to working in the cafeteria at his former high school, a chore that proves to be as sloppy as it is humiliating. So how can we extract a happy ending out of THIS situation? Well, wait and see... ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
As the hospital-bound Joyce (Kristine Sutherland) continues to battle her brain cancer, she's unaware that several of her fellow patients are people driven insane by having their mental energy devoured by the ravenous Glory (Clare Kramer). One such unfortunate tells Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) that there's nobody inside of her, but Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) -- eager to protect her sister from the truth that she's actually the human incarnation of the mystical Key that Glory seeks -- reassures the girl that the patient's ramblings mean nothing. Soon, though, the sisters become concerned about their own mother's sanity when the cancer causes Joyce to experience bouts of dementia. Even more acute danger presents itself when an apparent UFO sighting by Willow (Alyson Hannigan) and Tara (Amber Benson) turns out to be the arrival of a demon whose breed feeds exclusively on the insane. Xander (Nicholas Brendon) suspects that Glory summoned the demon, but the truth turns out to be more surprising. Meanwhile, the mental patient who unnerved Dawn becomes the creature's first victim. Then Joyce, who has returned home to await surgery, almost falls victim to it in her own bedroom. Buffy defeats the beast with help from Dawn -- and from Spike (James Marsters), who just happens to be in the Summers' basement filching photographs of his beloved Slayer. After the dust settles, a less loopy Joyce tells Buffy that in her altered mental state, she was able to recognize the truth about Dawn. Nonetheless, she declares that Dawn is precious to the world and that Buffy must protect her -- especially if something happens to Joyce. As the Scoobies watch forlornly, Joyce heads into surgery. Meanwhile, Riley remains convinced he's being shut out of Buffy's life and continues his kinky vampire encounters. Originally broadcast November 28, 2000, on the WB network, "Listening To Fear" marked episode 87 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) learns that her mother is suffering from brain cancer and feels helpless to do anything about it. Anya (Emma Caulfield) and Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) counsel her and Willow (Alyson Hannigan) that a healing spell might make things worse because the magical and the medical aren't supposed to mix. Riley (Marc Blucas) comforts Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) and tries to do the same for Buffy, but she pushes him away. She's too busy seeking out the giant snake-demon that Glory (Clare Kramer) has dispatched to find the mystical Key that, unbeknownst to the vivacious demon, has actually been incarnated into human form as Dawn. Buffy is furious to discover that Glory procured the materials for her enchantment from Giles and Anya's shop -- walked right in and out under their noses. Nonetheless, after receiving another butt-kicking from Glory, the Slayer tracks down the she-demon's minion and savagely mutilates it, thereby saving Dawn and venting some of her own feelings of powerlessness. Back at the hospital, she affects steely determination, once again shutting Riley out. Of course, she has no clue that he's been getting his kicks by letting a vampire tart suck his neck and then staking her. Originally broadcast November 21, 2000, on the WB network, "Shadow" marked episode 86 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2000
As Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) strengthens her resolve to protect supernaturally incarnated sister Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) from malevolent über-demon Glory (Clare Kramer), Tara (Amber Benson) fears that her friends will discover her own otherworldly origin. The crisis begins when Tara's father, brother, and cousin arrive to escort her back home before her 20th birthday, at which time, they remind her, her demon heritage will manifest itself and make her a danger to those around her. Reluctant to let girlfriend Willow (Alyson Hannigan) and the others find out she's less than human, Tara casts a spell to prevent them from sensing any demons at all. Unfortunately, the enchantment prevents the gang from being able to see the minions Glory has dispatched to attack them. Only the reluctant intervention of smitten vampire Spike (James Marsters) -- acting on his newfound love for nemesis Buffy -- prevents a total massacre. Tara cancels her spell, her friends learn that she's part-demon, and then (again with help from Spike) everyone learns she's actually human after all. Overjoyed to find out that the demon legend was just a way to keep the women in her family subservient, Tara joyfully rejects her blood family and accepts her role as a member of the Scooby Gang. Originally broadcast November 7, 2000, on the WB network, "Family" marked episode 84 of the cult-favorite series. This episode also reveals that Ben (Charlie Weber), the handsome doctor Buffy keeps running into, somehow involuntarily shares his body with the fearsome Glory. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Spike (James Marsters) reveals his feelings for Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) when she comes to him for information on what it's like when a slayer dies. A brush with her own mortality ignites Buffy's curiosity and she realizes that only Spike, who has killed two previous slayers, will be able to sate it. When she offers the neutered vampire cash for his life story, he happily obliges: William, a terrible poet in the London of 1880, tries to court beautiful Cecily Addams (Kali Rocha) but finds acceptance only from Drusilla (Juliet Landau), the alluring but insane vampire who later sires him. Rampaging across the planet with Darla (Julie Benz), Angelus (David Boreanaz), and Dru, William comes into his own and renames himself Spike. His flamboyant carnage annoys the low-profile Angelus, who warns Spike that one day a slayer will get the best of him. Now fixated on slayers, Spike kills a Chinese Chosen One (Ming Liu) during the Boxer Rebellion, earning extravagant praise from Drusilla. A mere 75 years later, on a subway in New York, he finally bags his second slayer (April Weeden-Washington), this one a Foxy Brown-style heroine from whose corpse he collects his now-signature black leather trench coat. Dru remains his inamorata throughout these adventures, but in 1998 she leaves him, disgusted by his truce with Buffy (see "Becoming, Part 2"). In the present day, Spike counsels Buffy that he was able to kill both slayers only because their constant proximity to death left them eager, finally, to feel its peaceful embrace. He tells Buffy that when she's ready he will kill her, then he tries to kiss her. She recoils, tells him he's beneath her, and leaves him sobbing. Later, however, after learning her mother has once again been hospitalized, Buffy stiffly allows Spike to console her. Originally broadcast November 14, 2000, on the WB network, "Fool for Love" marked episode 85 of the cult-favorite series. The subsequent episode "Hell's Bells" would hint strongly that Halfrek, the vengeance demon played by Kali Rocha, is the same person as Cecily Addams, the human she portrays here. And although she would be played by a different actress, this episode's unnamed Blaxploitation slayer would resurface unexpectedly in "First Date." ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Joyce (Kristine Sutherland) gives Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) a bad scare when she suffers a mysterious fainting spell and ends up in the hospital. The Summers matriarch soon recovers, but not before her doctors discover that Buffy's boyfriend, Riley (Marc Blucas), faces a medical crisis of his own. The chemical enhancements he received as an unwitting dupe of the Initiative have robbed him of the ability to feel pain -- or to control his racing heart, which threatens to explode. Nonetheless, Riley resists undergoing an operation to return him to normal human strength for fear that Buffy will break things off if he loses the powers that enable him to fight by her side. Buffy convinces Riley she'd rather have a live boyfriend than a dead super-soldier. Unfortunately, Spike (James Marsters) almost prevents Riley's surgery when he kidnaps the Initiative's doctor in an attempt to get the behavior modification chip removed from his skull. The plan backfires, Riley makes a full recovery, and Spike makes a shocking realization: He's in love with his fiercest foe, the Slayer herself. Originally broadcast October 17, 2000, on the WB network, "Out of My Mind" marked episode 82 of the cult-favorite series. Ben (Charlie Weber), the handsome young intern who treats Joyce, seems to be a bit player but will later turn out to have a mysterious connection to Glory, the season's "Big Bad" villain. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2000
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, All Movie Guide
