7.1: Lessons (Original Airdate 24th September 2002)

Writer: Joss Whedon

Director: David Solomon

 

When Sunnydale High is rebuilt, Buffy accompanies Dawn to school for her first day of classes...only to encounter evil spirits living in the basement.

Writer: Douglas Petrie

Director: Nick Marck

 

Buffy and her friends come to the aid of a woman being pursued by a gigantic worm-like creature...only to learn that its appearance in Sunnydale is linked to Anya.

Writer: Jane Espenson

Director: James A Contner

 

Willow's return to Sunnydale proved problematic when she is literally unable to see her friends, and vice-versa - and is inadvertently left behind with a creature that paralyzes its victims and flays them alive.

Writer: Rebecca Rand Kirshner

Director: Rick Rosenthal

 

As Buffy begins her job as school counsellor, a student grows convinced she's about to die.

Writer: Drew Goddard

Director: David Solomon

 

When Anya summons forth a giant spider demon to kill a large group of fraternity brothers, Buffy realises she must kill Anya before she strikes again.

Writers: Jane Espenson & Drew Goddard

Director: Nick Marck

 

Buffy strikes up a conversation with a vampire who was once an acquaintance in High School; when Joyce materializes in the living room, Dawn defends her from a menacing creature; Andew and Jonathan return to Sunnydale on a mission to save the town.

Writers: David Fury & Jane Espenson

Director: Alan J Levi

 

Buffy and her friends fear Spike may be to blame when a number of people around town mysteriously disappear.

Writer: Drew Goddard

Director: David Solomon

 

As the First and his minions launch an attack against the Watcher's Council, Buffy hopes to learn more about what she's up against by taking Spike prisoner; Xander and Anya interrogate Andrew after Willow discovers him buying blood at a butcher shop.

Writers: Marti Noxon & Douglas Petrie

Director: David Grossman

 

As Christmas approaches, Giles returns to Sunnydale with three potential slayers, whom Buffy must protect from the First - setting in motion a colossal battle between Buffy and a seemingly indestructible Uber-Vampire.

Writer: David Fury

Director: Michael Grossman

 

Buffy teaches the Potential Slayers a valuable lesson as she faces off against the Uber-Vampire; Giles and Anya enter another dimension to consult a demon about defeating the First.

Writer: Douglas Petrie

Director: Douglas Petrie

 

Buffy continues tutoring the Potential Slayers by bringing them to a demon bar and a crypt, where Buffy squares off against vampires; meanwhile Dawn discovers that she's a Potential Slayer.

Writer: Drew Z Greenberg

Director: David Solomon

 

Willow changes into Warren after she and Kennedy kiss; Buffy searches for answers when the behaviour modification chip causes Spike to suffer; the gang suspects that Giles may really be the First.

Writer: Jane Espenson

Director: David Grossman

 

Buffy goes out on a date with Principal Wood, who reveals his true identity; Xander gets a date with a cute girl who's more than meets the eye; the First attempts to convince Andrew to murder the Potential Slayers.

Writer: Douglas Petrie

Director: Douglas Petrie

 

When shadow puppets open a dimensional portal, Buffy finds herself face-to-face with the men who created the original Slayer; meanwhile, Spike and the others attempt to defeat a ferocious demon in the hopes of returning Buffy to our world.

Writer: Jane Espenson

Director: Marita Grabiak

 

Andrew uses a video camera to make a record of Buffy's exploits for the benefit of future generations, but his status as detached observer changes when Buffy and the others connect him to the Seal of Danthalzar.

Writers: David Fury & Drew Goddard

Director: David Fury

 

Buffy and her friends attempt to unravel the secret behind the First's control over Spike, and later, Wood seeks Giles' cooperation in destroying Spike for the good of everyone.

Writer: Drew Goddard

Director: Michael Gershman

 

Despite Giles' deep misgivings, Buffy leads the Potential Slayers into battle against a powerful preacher who has joined forces with the First.

Writer: Drew Z Greenberg

Director: James A Contner

 

Devastated by the humiliating defeat at the vineyard, the Potential Slayers turn against Buffy; Spike and Andrew question a priest about Caleb; Faith battles police officers bent on returning her to prison.

Writer: Rebecca Rand Kirshner

Director: David Solomon

 

After interrogating one of the Bringers, Faith and the Potential Slayers search for a subterranean arsenal; Buffy confronts Caleb at the vineyard; things heat up between Willow and Kennedy.

Writers: Douglas Petrie & Jane Espenson

Director: Marita Grabiak

 

The Potentials face their deadliest challenge when the Ubervamps launch an attack; after the First fills Caleb with its awesome power, Caleb and Buffy battle it out...and an old friend of Buffy's makes an unexpected appearance.

Writer: Joss Whedon

Director: Joss Whedon

 

After being struck by an ingenious idea, Buffy and the Potential Slayers launch an all-out war on Caleb, the First, and the army of Ubervamps amassing beneath the High School.