Welcome to Rewatching Buffy, the part of the blog where I rewatch Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Each Tuesday evening, you’re invited to join me as I attempt to rediscover what made me love this show so many years ago.

Selfless

• Willow is getting ready to go back to college.
• Xander is considering calling Anya, not because he wants to be back with her, but because he’s worried about her.
• Though he does think she’s coming around on the whole being evil thing, since she turned worm guy back to normal.
• Cut to Anya, covered in blood, obviously traumatized by the numerous dead bodies lying all around her.
• We get a flashback to when Anya was human the first time.
• Her name was once Aud and she was living with Olaf, the guy she would eventually turn into a troll.
• When Olaf mentions going to the bar, a jealous streak rears its head.
• But nothing comes of it yet.
• In the school basement, Spike talks to Buffy.
• He tells her he’s been seeing things and that he’s in trouble.
• She tells him she can help him.
• She’s being way too comforting…
• Because it’s not really Buffy.
• The real Buffy walks in and tells Spike that the basement is killing him.
• But he tells her he has nowhere else to go.
• Willow’s re-enrolling at UC Sunnydale and notices Anya on campus… walking out of a fraternity house…
• But she also notices some blood on Anya’s hand that she missed when she was cleaning up.
• Willow’s no fool, so she checks out the frat house.
• Doesn’t take long to spot the blood all over the place.
• She hears a girl hiding in a closet, crying and whimpering that she wants to take it back.
• Her frat boyfriend broke up with her as a joke, and she wished they could all feel what it’s like to have their hearts ripped out.
• And Anya granted her wish by bringing forth a huge demon spider that would literally rip out the fraternity brothers’ hearts.
• Only… the spider’s still in the house…
• Willow is able to use magic to stop the spider from killing her and throws it out the window.
• Flashback time again!
• Olaf has been transformed into the troll we all came to know and love back in Season 5.
• This transformation spell is what got D’Hoffryn’s attention and he turned her into the vengeance demon known as Anyanka.
• As far as evil characters go, I’ve always liked D’Hoffryn.
• Willow calls Buffy to warn her about the giant spider demon.
• Halfrek is visiting Anya and singing her praises about how good that last wish turned out.
• But Anya really doesn’t feel good about it.
• Willow shows up and demands that Hallie leave.
• Anya tries to defend her actions, but her defense is kinda flimsy.
• Willow wants to help Anya, but Anya’s dealing with a whole “pot calling the kettle black” situation.
• Buffy and Xander come across a heartless body in the woods.
• Buffy’s heart is nearly Temple of Doomed by the giant spider, but she gets the upper hand and kills it.
• Back at the house, Willow tells Buffy and Xander about Anya’s involvement.
• Buffy’s conclusion: she has to kill Anya.
• In a flashback to the Russian Revolution, Anya and Halfrek discuss the vengeance game.
• Turns out, Anya is slightly responsible for the revolution.
• Xander can’t conceive of killing Anya.
• He still loves Anya.
• He points out that they didn’t kill Willow.
• Buffy explains that Willow is human, Anya is a demon… and she’s chosen to become a demon twice.
• When Xander still can’t see that this is what has to be done, Buffy points out that she killed Angel.
• Nice callback to Becoming when Xander lied about Willow’s message, telling Buffy to “kick his ass.”
• Willow protests that she never said that!
• Xander storms off… Buffy prepares for a fight.
• And Willow finds D’Hoffryn’s amulet that he gave her way back in Season 4 when Oz cheated and left town.
• He’s glad Willow contacted him, thinking she’s ready to join vengeance game.
• He tells her that the flaying of Warren Mears was inspired…
• But that’s not what Willow’s called him for.
• Xander finds Anya at the frat house and Anya is ready to face Buffy.
• “I’ve got a job to do. So does Buffy.”
• Pretty sure Anya wants Buffy to kill her.
• I mean, she’s putting up a good fight, but the guilt she’s feeling is overwhelming her.
• Buffy manages to plunge a sword into Anya’s chest.
• Then we get a flashback to Once More, With Feeling and a scene that didn’t make the cut in Season 6.
• Anya sings a bonus song about how she’s looking forward to getting married.
• But she’s cut off as we rejoin current events…
• That sword to the chest?
• Not so much with the slaying where a vengeance demon is concerned.
• Xander stops Buffy from running her through again.
• And then D’Hoffryn pops in for a visit.
• He tells them that Willow wants Anya out of the vengeance fold, he can see what Buffy wants, and is aware that Xander can only see things through the eyes of someone in love.
• But what does Anyanka want?
• She begins to cry and tells D’Hoffryn she wants to take it back.
• Twelve dead men… not easily undone.
• The scales must balance… the fates require a sacrifice… the life and soul of a vengeance demon.
• Anya says for him to do it, willing to give herself up.
• D’Hoffryn claps, bringing forth Halfrek, who is immediately incinerated.
• He wants to hurt Anya… she’s human again.
• D’Hoffryn utters the season’s catchphrase: “From beneath you, it devours.”
• Then he vanishes…
• Anya leaves and Xander follows, giving them a nice moment together, but Anya is still left unsure of who she is going forward.
• Body count: Humans – 1 (plus 10-12 frat guys never mind); Spider Demons – 1