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HTK: Traditionally the episode threads are considered to contain spoilers from the start, be it speculation from web rumors, trailers, or people who have seen/read the Wildfeed. Just in case I'll add spoilers on any pre-airdate commentary though.

Tasha: Your leader is cool, but my leader RRK is cooler.

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If I had to sum this episode in one word it would definitely be "sinister." Each of the four major threads of the episode had some comedic moments along the way but the outcomes were definitely very dark. Just as Angel had their own "big omens" sort of week (no spoilage), it seems the big bad situation is really about to kick into gear now. Seeing as the threads diverged so much and were almost their own stories I'll try to break this one up....

-Dawn's haunting: The opening of this segment with Dawn Bueller parading around the house was too much fun. The anchovies song cracked me up especially. Unfortunately the no electricity house led to much spookiness in short order. Haunted houses really freak me out so this bit got under my skin, but it was great to see Dawn finally keep her cool. Plus the demon really screwed up when it tried to tell her "get out." You don't tug on Superman's cape and you don't try to use Dawn's own catchphrase against her.

The big question from this scene is of course whether or not Joyce was really Joyce. There was the whole spooky Lynchian glowing spirit part seems to differentiate her appearance from those of the others. Plus it would seem strange if Dawn had to fight the demon just to be manipulated by it.

-Jonathan and Andrew: The usual comedic moments came about with them (Mexicoan vs Klingon) but this really twisted both characters as well. Jonathan shows some very strong remorse towards his past and obviously has a desire to redeem himself. Meanwhile Andrew has definitely jumped to the dark side and is under the thumb of "Warren." It's frightening how trusting Jonathan was of Andrew and how callous Andrew has become.

-Buffy and Holden: Despite the whole being evil bit it's a shame that Holden couldn't stick around. It made sense that he would try to strike at Buffy through what he knew as well as outright trying to kill her. His total naievate about her role and how toasted he was came across as a bit cute everytime he cheerily proclaimed himself an "arch enemy." Of course there was his big revelation at the end, but I'll get to that bit later. Not too sure about them cribbing the nemeses bit from Mystery Men though.

*oops, tab+enter too early much? continuing via edit....*

Willow and Cassie: Pretty obviously this would have originally included Tara and probably would have been much more emotionally intense. Rather than focus on what it could have been, for now I'll focus on what was there. Obviously I was a pretty big fan of Help so seeing Cassie again, even pseduo-Cassie was great. Having the prophet, or in this case the false prophet, approach Willow was an interesting touch. It was really tough to see Willow get torn apart in this scene, especially as she realizes that someone or something had been manipulating her through her wounded heart.

The big question is why is the First Evil so desperate to stop Willow from using magic again? Is she the only one capable of stopping it eventually? Was it just trying to eliminate her completely? What will Giles and the magic superfriends across the sea have to say about it? This sets up an interesting scenario for Willow as she might have to redeem herself through the very act which could destroy her. Interesting that Buffy might be telling Willow she's the big gun again.

-Not talking to dead people: Well, Spike is dead but we didn't really get to hear anything he and his date were saying to each other. I had a pretty good idea she was dead meat from the start but it still caught me off-guard when Holden revealed his sire. Very wicked touch. I'm in disagreement with my sidekick (mwah) about this right now, but I'm 99.87% certain that was really Spike and not another manifestation of the First Evil. Perhaps the evil part of his mind is trying to lash out at the "good" soul, or perhaps the First Evil still has some sort of sway over him. Taking the Slayer's former lover and twisting him back to the dark side would obviously be a massive blow to her. Next week should be interesting for developments here.

-Xander and Anya: they've had a lot of focus so far this year so I didn't miss them too much this week. Neither character would've fit very well here so it was nice to give them a bit of downtime. But how sinister would it be if Xander is lying in the closet with some fangmarks right now?