Joyce Summers is dead, but after the funeral Dawn is unwilling to let her mother go and sets out to perform a dangerous spell that will bring her back... in some form.

It's curious that this episode is so enjoyable, as when it reaches the end you're left wondering exactly where the plotting was. Dawn's spell, or at least her preparations towards making it, go on for quite a long time before the creepy climax in which Joyce returns, just in time for Dawn to rectify her mistake. Seeing the silhouette outlined on the curtains sends a shiver down the spine, and the breakdown of both Buffy and Dawn at the close is wonderfully emotional and exceedingly well played, especially by Sarah Michelle Gellar.

While the Dawn story is taking up most of the time, however, it's good to see some powerful short scenes that keep things rolling along. Xander and Anya continue to surprise as a wonderful romantic couple, and even Spike gets a rather touching scene when he brings Joyce flowers, as the only woman who didn't treat him as a freak. While the others may not understand it, the glimpse of his pre-vampire life sowed the seeds for this tender side to appear. The only relationship that doesn't come across well is Willow and Tara's. Willow is immensely irresponsible for pointing Dawn towards the right book for a resurrection, and Tara really should see through her poor defence.

Meanwhile, the Glory plot moves on a fraction as her greatness discovers that the Key is human in a funny but ultimately excisable scene and Spike gets to fight a crap rubber monster with several heads. Quite why the series has taken to using these creatures more often I don't know, as they really don't come off well. And then there's Angel. Considering David Boreanaz makes a guest appearance (albeit a minor one), you'd think he'd be better used than he is, turning up very briefly in a short scene. That said, however, it does demonstrate that he and Buffy are always meant to be together, and with chemistry like theirs, you really don't want to see the Slayer with anyone else. While Gellar and Blucas had some sparks, the feelings were nowhere near as intense as the smouldering passion of Gellar and Boreanaz, and it's a shame that we get but a tantalizing glimpse of it once again.

Overall, then, a hit. But a qualified one.

***

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