Buffy's return from the grave seems to have become the least of her worries when she is presented with the news that she soon won't have any money left to pay the bills. Her mother left some but it went on hospital bills, so she's now somewhat bereft. Will she take Anya's advice and charge for slaying? And who is the new power in town sending a demon after her?

After the events so far this season, it's good to see things being brought down to Earth with a bang as Buffy has to deal with some real life for a change. It's the kind of idea that needed to be brought up at some point, but it does leave things open for a particularly comedic episode, which is always a good plan and has been too long absent from the series lately. Throw in the return of Giles, for now at least, and provide a look at the forces still seemingly working on Willow and there's a lot going on here, and plenty to enjoy.

Anthony Stewart Head seems to getting the best material he's had in a long time, as the writers seem keen to use him as much as possible when he's around. His conversation with Willow in which he berates her for the use of dark powers to bring Buffy back from the grave is one of his most powerful moments, and you get the impression that he's the only person who could have told her off in the way he does, being the only adult in her life who knows what she's been getting into and one of the few in Sunnydale who has learnt the hard way not to mess with dark magic. It's Willow's reaction that shocks, however, when she tells Giles in no uncertain terms that she is now more powerful than ever and not a person to piss off. She snaps back out of it quickly, but the hint of danger is still there. And while we're on Giles, it's worth noting the superb line, 'I know I'm back in America now I've been knocked unconscious.'

Meanwhile there's plenty of comedy. Xander not telling the others of his engagement leads to a couple of nice scenes between him and Anya, although this plotline is already starting to wear thin. It's good to see Anya refusing to be fooled by her boyfriend, however, showing her to have the intelligence we know her to possess. We also have a wonderful bank visit for Buffy as she attempts to get a loan, foiled when she has to battle demons and the introduction of the potential season villains. Her battle with the demon again in her house is hilarious as she attempts to stop any further damage to anything and wonders how her mother paid for all the breakages. And then, of course, there's her attempts to deal with her flooding problems.

Now, with rumours of Willow's change coming it's possible that this is merely a temporary diversion, but using a couple of familiar faces in the shape of Jonathan and robot-maker Warren from last season alongside the brother of the hell-hound training kid from season three's The Prom is a superb idea. The fact that they're so inept is wonderful, their geekiness is priceless and the way they decide they want to take over Sunnydale is marvellous. There's much comedy potential in these three and I hope they stay on the scene for a long time to come.

*****

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