Original Air Date: September 29, 1997
Story by Joss Whedon &
David Greenwalt
Teleplay by David Greenwalkt
Directed by John T. Kretchmer
Summary
The leaves are changing color, the air is cooler, it must
be time for... the Night of St. Vigius. Once again Buffy's
life is in danger as the Master's minions seek to gain extra
power by killing Buffy during a sacred holiday. But Buffy's
mind is not on slaying. She and Sheila, a perpetually bad
student, have been threatened with expulsion by Principal
Snyder. The only chance they have of staying in school is to
help organize Parent Teacher Night.
While Buffy plans this evening, a new demon is in town --
Spike, a 200-year-old vampire who has actually killed two
slayers over the past century. Giles urges Buffy to take this
challenge seriously, but she is preoccupied with her school
project and trying to cover for the never-present Sheila.
When Parent Teacher Night arrives, Buffy unsuccessfully
tries to keep her mother away from Principal Snyder. But
things become a bit more serious when Spike and some other
vampires crash the event. The faculty, and Buffy's mom, think
these are just some gang kids on angel dust. Buffy convinces
her mother to stay hidden while she faces the vampires. Giles
tries to help Buffy, whose biggest worry is about her
mother's safety. No-show Sheila finally arrives and --
surprise! -- she's a vampire too. Angel tries to help by
pretending he's on Spike's side and offering up Xander's neck
for a snack. Spike isn't fooled and becomes enraged. Buffy
continues to battle Spike until her mom's maternal instincts
overtake her fear and she whacks Spike with an axe. Spike
flees. Much to Buffy's relief, Mom is not angry about
Principal Snyder's assessment-- she's proud that Buffy is so
resourceful and thoughtful of others in a crisis.
When Spike returns to the lair without having killed
Buffy, the Anointed One is angry. Spike throws the child into
a cage and raises it up to the light. Suddenly the cage is
empty and we see only a puff of smoke, as Spike and his main
squeeze Drusilla go off to watch TV.
Miscellaneous Info
-Spike's car in the original script was
intended to be a Cadillac. I nreality, it is a Desoto
Sportsman, California license-plate number HIA 873.
Quote of the Week
Spike: If every vampire who said he was at
the Crucifixion was actually there, it would've been like
Woodstock.
My Rating
5/5
Cast
