Grave (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Plot

Dark Willow resists Giles's attack and rebuffs his attempts to help her. Giles binds her physically and magically, then informs Buffy and Anya that a powerful coven in England endowed him with magic to combat Willow. Buffy privately tells Giles about her past year: Xander left Anya at the altar, making her a vengeance demon again; she worked at the Doublemeat Palace to support Dawn amid financial problems; and she has been sleeping with Spike. Giles laughs, then apologizes for leaving her.

She assures him he was right, confessing her insecurities about being resurrected. Willow subordinates Anya telepathically, breaking Giles's binding spells, throws down Buffy, and resumes her magical duel with Giles. Xander and Dawn protect Jonathan and Andrew; Xander feels guilt over failing to act when Warren shot Buffy and murdered Tara. Willow overpowers Giles, drains his magical strength, and, overwhelmed by pain, announces she will end the world.

Buffy partially blocks the attack but is thrown underground with Dawn; Xander is knocked unconscious. Andrew and Jonathan flee, planning an escape to Mexico.

Cultural references

The transformation of a timid sidekick into a dangerous supervillain is compared to a Star Trek: The Next Generation episode. Both Willow and Barclay are initially shy and see themselves as sidekicks to more capable people. When they suddenly gain immense power, their friends worry about how far they will go. Each must eventually return to a weaker state and live with the harm they caused to those they love.