Buffy is invited to dinner by Principal Wood, and decides to use the opportunity to find out whose side he's on. Meanwhile, as Willow and the trainees attempt to find out more about it, the First tries to make Andrew do its bidding, and Xander goes on a date.

Aside from running three plots at once, there's a heck of a supporting cast building up this season, the biggest there's ever been. The fact that everyone gets at least a bit of a look-in here is testament to Jane Espenson's scripting work, refusing to let anyway get away without a decent bit of dialogue, even Dawn, who barely appears. You can tell where her loyalties lie, though: Jonathan, one of her favourite characters, is back, Anya spends most of the episode suffering mood swings of irritation, concern and pleasure in relation to Xander and the whole thing is that little bit snappier and funnier than the last couple of episodes. She really does have a handle on just how to pitch the comedy on the show, and how to change the tensions, moving what is essentially a light episode into something far darker towards the end. It's the dialogue that really works though, whether it's Wood's poor quality attempt to ask Buffy out, Andrew's paean to Captain Archer, Willow and Kennedy's hand-holding revelation, or Buffy claiming something is the best-tasting thing she's ever had in her mouth and then realizing what she's just said. Add in visual jokes like Giles's flash cards and the subtitled Slayer and there's just loads of comedy in this episode, which had me chuckling like a lunatic most of the way through, especially when Xander asks Willow to 'gay him up' at the end of the episode.

Of course, that's to ignore the plot linking all these elements. It's been a long time coming, but we're finally told just who Robin Wood is and how he fits into what's been going on. While I didn't think he was in some way evil, the revelation that he's actually the son of the Seventies Slayer is a fantastic little twist, especially considering how it plays into Spike's past, and his new free self, separated from the chip and making it a fair fight if Wood decides to take him on. On which note, some great fight work going on in this episode from Wood and Buffy when they take on a group of vampires. DB Woodside moves really well and kicks some major ass.

The return of Jonathan is very welcome, and Andrew is given his first real test and manages to fend off the First's attentions, nearly managing to trick it into saying things that will help destroy it. That said, as most people point out at some point, pissing off the first unstoppable evil may not be considered a clever plan in most circles. Then again, I suppose if it's going to get you killed, it'll do it anyway.

The weaker part of the story is Xander's with Lissa. While Ashanti is well cast, managing to be sweet and fun as well as sinister and scary later, there's not really much explanation of what's going on. We find out she's a demon, but exactly who is she, where did she come from, and why does she want to help the First? Should the place to resurrect the Turok-Han be blown up to save this happening ever again? I mean, one nearly gets out this time; why doesn't the First sort out an army's worth? Or is it not an inexhaustible supply?

While the comedy is still the high point here, there's some fantastic scripting for Spike, who's desperately trying to earn his new life, and Buffy, who has some touching scenes with him, and with Giles. Espenson has always had an exceptionally good handle on Giles, right from Band Candy way back in season three, and here he's dead on form. He calls Spike a berk, he has a very fatherly heart to heart with Buffy about Spike, and he explains just how dangerous the assembled company's situation is when everyone is laughing and joking, pointing out that the First's visit to the house shouldn't be underestimated. Anthony Stewart Head does gravitas exceptionally well, and once again the fact that he's available forces the writer to give him something to do. It works as a perfect wake-up call just as we, and the Scoobies, are starting to relax. My only real concern is in the First as a villain: it can't touch anything, so what's the plan? Here it seems that anyone strong enough can resist its lure, as all it can do is control gullible souls who aren't quite sure what they're dealing with. Not much of a threat really, is it?

****

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