Original Air Date: December 8, 1997

Written by David Greenwalt & Joss Whedon
Directed bu Bruce Seth Green

Summary

Buffy's mom Joyce's new beau, Ted seems too good to be true. He cooks and he's a computer specialist -- making him an instant hit with both Xander and Willow. At school, Giles awkwardly chats with Jenny Calendar, but she says his concern about her well-being (since she's recovered from being a demon) is getting on her nerves. Ted continues to charm the gang, until he talks to Buffy alone at the mini-golf course and reveals a decidedly dark side. Buffy puts on her Angela Lansbury hat and checks out Ted's place of business. She finds out from a co-worker that he's engaged. She asks Joyce and Ted at dinner if this is true, and Ted denies it -- but he's certainly hoping to ask Joyce to marry him if all goes well. Buffy leaves and returns through her window as usual, only to find Ted snooping through her things. He sees her slayer journal, and threatens to show it to Joyce if Buffy doesn't toe the line. She talks back to him, and he pummels her. A fight ensues and one of her blows knocks him down the steps -- killing him.

Buffy goes to school in a daze -- she's never killed someone who wasn't already undead. Knowing Buffy wouldn't have tangled with someone just because he was dating her mom, Xander, Willow and Cordelia try to figure out what Ted was up to. Xander's extremely concerned, but suddenly says, "Don't sweat it." This is a big, honking clue to Willow, and she realizes what's caused Xander's change of attitude -- he's eating one of Ted's homebaked cookies. Analyzation shows the cookies contain a tranquilizer. Then Cordelia investigates further and finds out Ted has had four wives. Meanwhile, at the cemetery, Jenny apologizes to Giles for being short with him, but their warm fuzzy moment is interrupted by a vampire who attacks Giles. Jenny tries to shoot the demon with Giles' crossbow, but hits Giles by accident. Giles removes the bow and kills the demon. Buffy discovers the dead Ted in her room, looking remarkably healthy. She stabs him with a nail file and discovers he's a robot. Xander, Willow and Cordelia continue their sleuthing and stumble upon what's left of Ted's ex-wives in his closet. Back at the Buffy's, Ted approaches Joyce, who is freaked to see him, then glad to see him, then completely wigged when he starts short-circuiting and revealing his intent to dominate her. Buffy whacks him with a frying pan, exposing his robot face and killing him (although on this show you never know...). At school, it's just another ordinary post-slaying day at Sunnydale, until the gang discover Giles and Jenny making out.

Miscellaneous Info

-In the finale scene between Buffy and Ted, both Sarah Michelle Gellar and special guest star John Ritter were sick. Sarah had the flu, and John had food poisoning from the night before.

-Jeff Pruitt (stunt choreographer) appears as the vamp in the cemetery who gets assaulted from a garbage can attack from Buffy.

Quote of the Week

Buffy: Vampires are creeps.
Giles: Yes, that's why one slays them.

My Rating

5/5

Cast