New Moon Rising / The Yoko Factor

In "New Moon Rising", as the gang gathers to discuss the growing number of demons in The Initiative's cells, an old friend returns - Oz. He's traveled the world and come home during a full moon to show Willow his newfound control over the wolf. As Buffy takes Riley's demon-prejudice personally, Willow is caught in-between her last love and her new one. Kristen and Mike compare Oz's transformation to Willow's, and discuss why this episode was so crucial at this point in the series.

In "The Yoko Factor", Adam enlists Spike to help him separate Buffy from her greatest strength - her friends. But with the chip in his head, Spike can't simply kill them - he'll have to manipulate them into splitting up. Spike preys upon their conflicts and insecurities - the gang's acceptance of Tara and Willow's relationship, Giles' unemployment and age, Xander's aimlessness, and Riley's reaction to Angel. Kristen and Mike develop ways to improve the character of Adam, and dissect Riley's extreme jealousy. 

PLUS! We answer Erika's question: Would you want to see a sequel, reboot or remake of Buffy or Angel?

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Superstar / Where The Wild Things Are

In "Superstar", when Buffy is faced with a nest of 6 vampires, she knows there's no way she can take them all on her own. Luckily, Jonathan is willing to lend the second-rate Slayer a hand... Wait, what? When a demon starts attacking girls and Jonathan refuses to hunt it - Buffy's suspicions are raised. But how will Buffy - an incapable noob - solve this mystery without Jonathan's help? Chris from Hey, Do You Remember...? sits in on this episode to help us answer that. We discuss the malicious nature of Jonathan's spell, the writers' and designers' attention to detail, and the motivation behind Jonathan's change of heart.

In "Where The Wild Things Are", now that Buffy and Riley have gotten past the whole "sleeping with Faith" thing, they're ready to explore their physical relationship... often. As they sneak off for some action during a frat party, the celebrations take on a more sex-shaming tone. Unable to stop the Slayer's boinkfest, the Scoobies realize some magical force is causing the odd behavior. They unearth a dark story in the frat house's past. We discuss the Spike/Anya pairing, Xander's double standards, and the mixed bag that is this episode.

PLUS!  We answer Ash's question: How would you recast Buffy today? 

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Field Trip #2: Scooby-Doo

Hop in your mystery machine, and tie your ascot tight! The Sunnydale Stacks is headed to Spooky Island to investigate the case of the Spring Break Body Snatchers!

In this 2002 adaptation of the classic children's cartoon, two years after the members of Mystery Inc call it quits, they're each called to the popular Spooky Island by the mysterious Emile Montavarious. His resort-goers are transforming from run-of-the-mill partiers to zombie-like pod-people given to violent outbursts. Will the gang overcome their differences to solve the mystery? 

Kristen and Mike discuss the choice to mix nostalgic call-backs with meta references to the world outside the show. And we debate the ever-controversial topic: Scrappy Doo.

PLUS!  We answer Stacker Megan's question: What role would you play in the Buffy-verse?

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This Year's Girl / Who Are You?

In This Year's Girl, Faith wakes from her coma to find the Mayor dead and Buffy with a new beau. While Buffy worries about Adam and the Initiative, Faith inherits a gizmo that allows her to switch bodies with someone via a magical high-five. When Buffy tries to prevent Faith from harming her mom, Faith usurps her nemesis' life. Kristen and Mike discuss the Mayor's video will, and write a backstory for that shady Watcher's Council nurse. 

In Who Are You?, the slayers have switched bodies, and things aren't looking great for Buffy. As she's arrested, Faith hijack's Buffy's mom, friends, supernatural calling, and boyfriend. But it seems that pretending to be a good girl confuses the ne'er-do-well. When Adam convinces a group of vamps to take a church congregation hostage, both Slayers hear the call to action. Kristen and Mike review the actresses' ability to portray each other. We exonerate Faith, and condemn Adam. 

PLUS! We answer Red's question - what drink would each character be? And reveal the dark origin behind how Kristen and Mike met... 

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The I in Team / Goodbye Iowa

In "The I in Team", Buffy has been welcomed into the Initiative with open arms! Well, by Riley at least. Professor Walsh (and Forrest) are not too keen on the Slayer learning their secrets and taking up their favorite commando's time. While Buffy ignores the Scoobies' warnings against blindly trusting the secret government agency, Walsh develops a plan to get rid of the pesky blonde. Kristen and Mike discuss the reveal of Adam, and propose alternate ways this season could have developed.

In "Goodbye Iowa", the Scoobies, worried that Walsh will send the Initiative to silence them, hide in Xander's basement. Meanwhile, Adam escapes the Initiative and murders a young boy. As Riley becomes sicker and more erratic, Buffy and Xander infiltrate the Initiative. We try to understand Walsh's plans for Adam, and Kristen has a lot to say about Sunnydale fashion.  

PLUS! We find a better title than Goodbye Iowa. 

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