A contingent from the Watcher's Council arrives to put Buffy through a series of tests in order for her to prove that she is worthy of the information they have for her about Glory. Meanwhile, Glory herself visits the Slayer in search of the Key.

We've been waiting most of the season for a really good Buffy episode that isn't just playing for time, and this one sets a lot of plotlines into motion once again as the Glory story takes centre stage. We already know she can trounce Buffy in a simple fight, so when she comes to the Summers household, it looks like war. When she just sits down to talk, it all seems quite pleasant, until she threatens Buffy's family and friends with death if the Slayer won't hand over the Key. With Dawn getting increasingly paranoid about things being discussed behind her back, there's a real danger of her being revealed.

This plot also serves to provide a point for Spike. Still trying to make Buffy appreciate him in his own inimitable way, Spike is given the chance to look after the rest of the Summers family as he's the only one strong enough to protect them from Glory's attentions. His bonding with Joyce to Dawn's worried expression is priceless, but it does show there's still some of the caring person he used to be deep inside.

The arrival of the Watcher's Council brings Giles into the forefront as well, as he has some wonderfully grown-up scenes with Buffy and tries to help her pass the increasingly ludicrous tests she is put through. Their affect on the rest of the Scooby Gang is also profound. Willow is accidentally more out than ever, Anya tries to hide the fact that she was a demon in case they want her dead, Spike meets a fan in a wonderful scene and Xander tries to justify himself without hindering Buffy.

It all leads to a superb final scene in which Buffy shows how much she's grown, getting everything she wants and more when she works out what the Council are trying to do and refuses to stand for it anymore. It's well-written, powerful, puts Giles back where he belongs and leads to cheers from the entire gang, and rightly so. Now it's just a question of how you fight a god...

****

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