After telling her friends just who Dawn is, Buffy attempts to concoct a plan to take on Glory, knowing that she alone can't do the job. However, Dawn has discovered her true nature and is on a self-destructive mission to find her place in the world.

An absolutely wonderful piece of television, this is Buffy at its best. Carefully unpeeling some of the layers of mystery behind Dawn's character while still leaving some questions tantalizingly unanswered, we start to learn the extent of what is happening in Sunnydale. The Scooby Gang being told what Dawn is had to happen soon, but Dawn finding out as well is unexpected and leads to some incredibly powerful scenes. Denouncing all those around her as 'not her real family' is hurtful to everyone involved, as they all believe her to be part of their lives and when she arrives home having cut herself to see if she bleeds real blood, the horror is greater than any demon seen to date.

When they meet again, it looks as if Dawn is about to tell Glory just who she is, but she's far cleverer than that, merely seeking to uncover the truth about what she is and asking careful questions to get the answers she wants. The whole sequence sits on a knife-edge as we wait for something to go wrong. The fight sequence in which Buffy and the gang throw everything they have at Glory is superb, with each character showing they have something to offer, Willow's spell showing just how far she's come and with Buffy and Spike demonstrating some fantastic moves. It all culminates in a wonderfully moving scene in which Buffy shows how much she cares for her sister and the pair make up. It's a sublimely tearful and joyous sight to see and Sarah Michelle Gellar and Michelle Trachtenberg play it flawlessly. In fact, full marks this episode to Trachtenberg, who holds the episode together with immense skill and runs through an impressive array of emotions.

Speaking of Spike, his feelings are further played on as Buffy visits him and he tells her the truth: that Dawn would have found out eventually. His sympathy, disguised under his irritation at being attacked again, is palpable, and he really comes through when he's needed, becoming part of the team at last and protecting Dawn, partly because he wants to steal stuff, but more, you feel, because he really cares deep inside.

So now we know some of it. Ben and Glory are siblings, but we don't know what hold they have on each other. The Knights are out of action but they'll be back; The Key's secret is out; there are Hellgods in Sunnydale. But there's much we don't know. It's going to be interesting to see where this is going and how it ties in with Buffy's Slayer heritage. I, at last, can't wait.

*****

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