Episode 75, #19 of Season 4
This is it, sports fans. After first being treated to a sound bite fest of the rise and disintegration of Willow and Oz's relationship we are treated to Willow and Tara, walking in the sunlight and discussing Tara getting a cat and making her place more "Willow-friendly". When two women start talking about getting a cat together you just know you've left the subtext zone, hit the maintext zone and are about to stress out the corporate sponsors. Anyway, Tara is excited about the Scooby meeting and being a part of Willow's group of friends and the two head off to Giles' hand in hand.
Willow's group of friends is discussing slaying. Buffy says slaying is down but Riley says Initiative capture is high. End of meeting. (This is what Tara has been looking forward to?) Anya jinxes things by saying that she's bored so un-bore knocks at the door.
No one should be surprised that it is Oz. Oz, his usually taciturn self, says hey to everyone but pretty much focuses on Willow, saying that he needs to talk to her tonight. Willow is, for some reason, zoned by this. Oz leaves and Tara makes a lame study group excuse to take off as well. Willow asks her to stay but Tara says that Willow needs her friends. Willow babbles a bit, one confused chick.
That night on patrol the ever perceptive Riley asks what the heck he was missing and Buffy tells him about Oz being a werewolf. Riley, the ever conclusion-jumper, lumps Oz into the "dangerous creatures that the Initiative was created to combat" and is amazed as Willow doesn't seem to him to be the type to go for dangerous guys. This seems to strike a nerve in Buffy for some reason. Buffy, the ever tactful, calls Riley a bigot and that Oz isn't bad, merely that he has had bad things happen to him. And that when two people are in love things like logic, fur and pointy teeth fly out the window.
Speaking of fur, Oz and Willow have a talk. Turns out that Oz went to Tibet, got in touch with his inner self, took some herbs and doesn't wolf out on full moons anymore. Willow is happy but something is bugging her. Oz has talked to Xander and knows that Willow doesn't have a 'new guy'. Willow agrees hesitantly to that observation. The two of them return to her room and talk all night. That morning Tara shows up at the door, sees Oz there, jumps to a conclusion and flees. When Willow returns from the Little Wicca Room Oz tells her that Tara had stopped by and seemed upset.
Meanwhile, in the woods, Graham's Initiative team was jumped and mauled by something that looks like a werewolf.
Next morning Buffy and Riley wake up in his room. Buffy is pissed though and picks a fight. Or maybe she's feeling guilty about withholding the information about Angel from Riley. Buffy says that all demons aren't automatically evil, there are some good demons and even good vampires. Riley asks her to name one good vampire but, before she can confess all, Forest runs in to tell Riley about the team that was attacked. Buffy and Riley depart on less than happy terms.
Willow tells Buffy that Oz is in control of the wolf. Buffy says that is nice so why aren't you happy. Willow says that it is complicated because of Tara. Buffy is a bit slow ("Tara has a crush on Oz?) but then the light bulb goes off ("No. OH!). Buffy is having two conversations now; one with Willow and one with herself trying to decide if all those sleepovers and hand holding and "I kinda love you" meant something different to Willow than they did to Buffy. Buffy, rather unconvincingly, tells Willow that she's glad she told her and did she tell Oz. Willow says no as she still has feeling toward Oz and she doesn't want to hurt him. Buffy, master of the understatement, says that either way someone will get hurt. But being dishonest is only going to make it worse.
Willow goes to Tara's to explain that nothing happened between her and Oz and that they had just talked. Tara does the noble thing, telling Willow that she always knew that if Oz came back Willow would return to him and that they would still be friends. Willow breaks down, telling Tara that her life was getting better; that she was happy and that Tara was a big part of it. But Oz is back, what she thought she always wanted, and now she doesn't know what to do. Again Tara does the noble thing. "Do what is in your heart." They embrace, Willow crying and Tara looking pretty darn sad. Which is how you feel when you do the noble thing.
Subplot time (and you thought it was a one plot show?). Adam recruits Spike, promising to remove the chip if Spike aids him. Spike agrees. (Well, essentially it is a one plot show.)
On campus Oz smells Willow, turns and finds Tara. They try to have a polite little chat but the fact that Tara is wearing Willow's sweater, is evasive about said sweater and that Willow's scent is all over Tara is rather distracting to Oz. Oz begins to get excited, suspecting something in Tara's evasiveness and asks if they are involved, if Willow is in love with her. He begins to wolf out, telling Tara to run. She does, Oz chasing her to the old psych lecture set where the Riley and a team of Initiative Commandos capture him. Riley and the boys storm off before Tara can explain. Tara is upset and goes to find Willow. Willow is upset and goes to find Buffy at Giles. They plan on breaking into the Initiative (good thing they already had a plan from last time they did break in and the time before that when they wanted to but didn't). Willow insists on going along. They are debating the best way to get into the complex when Spike shows up offering to show them a back door in return for some pay back revenge. The enemies of my enemies are my friends, kind of thing.
Meanwhile, in the complex Oz and Riley are fairly unhappy campers. Oz because they have him strapped to a bed and are performing experiments on him and Riley because they have Oz strapped to a bed and are performing experiments on him. Riley tries to break him out but is caught and thrown into a cell as well. Riley is offered a second chance by the Colonel in charge if he volunteers to take out the Slayer and her merry gang of freaks.
The Scooby Rescue Party arrive. There is no electricity in the complex, indeed all of Sunnydale has been blacked out by an overenthusiastic Giles and Anya (with an unknown assist from "Be Prepared" Adam). Buffy, Xander and Willow capture the Colonel and use him as a hostage to get to Oz. Except he thinks they're here for Riley. Not one to look a gift boyfriend in the face the Scooby Gang rescues both Riley and Oz. Riley hands in his resignation to the Initiative. Hook to the jaws his resignation to be accurate.
Dénouement time. Riley is camping out at the ruined high school. He apologizes to Buffy, he has finally seen that love *does* make you do the whacky. With Riley a little more mellow Buffy again is ready to talk about Angel. (Not that she does on camera. That's for next episode I guess<eg>)
Willow and Oz say goodbye. Oz still loves Willow, Willow still cares for Oz but, as Oz says, "Now is not our time." Once again Oz drives off into the unknown.
The final scene is the capper though. As it should be. (This is from memory, be kind)
Willow goes to Tara's place which is still blacked out. Willow has a single candle and Tara is sitting in the dark.
Willow: (nervous) No candles? I brought one. Extra flamey.
(pause) Tara, I just wanted to tell you...
Tara: I understand. You have to be with the person you love.
Willow: I am.
Tara: You mean?
Willow: I mean. (doubtful) Ok?
Tara: Oh, yes!
Willow: I'm sorry for what I put you through but I'm going to make
it up to you. Starting right now.
Tara: Right now?
Willow: (nods yes with a smile)
Tara: (blows out candle)
Random thoughts