While searching for The Trio's hideout, Buffy is attacked by a monster and stabbed. Inbetween her regular life, she keeps getting flashes of another reality in which she is an asylum patient, her parents alive and her Sunnydale life a horrific nightmare. Given the option, though, which version of reality will she settle for?

My only real problem with this story is that it bears too much resemblance to other recent Sci-Fi shows (such as the series finale of First Wave) which featured a similar 'our heroes in an asylum but not really' premise. It's unusual for Buffy to make off with plots wholesale, and this shows some unoriginality. Thankfully, the end result isn't what you'd expect as all of Buffy's traumas from the year make her come to the decision that the fantasy world is the one she'd rather be in.

Showing what would happen if Buffy turned on all her friends (and she takes them out terrifyingly quickly and very easily), it's a pretty scary story in which for the first time in a long time, the danger comes from within. You feel for the character as she's taking out everyone she is close to as well, as we know how difficult it's been for Buffy to cope with everything this season, from dealing with Dawn solo to arising from the dead and her affair with Spike. Just as she seemed to be getting back together, this is the episode that finally sees her breaking down but eventually shaking off some of her demons and coming back stronger.

It's also worth mentioning a great idea in the return of Joyce and Buffy's father, perfectly played as a loving couple concerned about their only daughter. Meanwhile, Xander gets some of his strongest material for a while as he confronts his despair about the events at his wedding and wonders if he can sort things out. There's still a worry in the back of my mind, though, that there's not a vast amount of space in which to develop his character from here on in. Lastly, it's good to see Willow and Tara getting back together, although I already know their reunion is set to be short-lived, sadly.

****

Would you like to go to the Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season Six guide, head back to the main TV reviews page, read older reviews in the Reviews Archive or return to the front page?