Conversations with Dead People / Sleeper
In "Conversations with Dead People", the Scooby gals are each visited by strangely chatty corpses. When Buffy's slated foe turns out to be a former classmate, patroling turns into a therapy session. Willow is visited by an intermediary with a message from Tara. And Dawn saves her mother's spirit from a violent demon... or so she thinks. Kristen and Mike discuss the decision to reintroduce Cassie, and Buffy's decision to open up to Holden.
In "Sleeper", reeling from Holden's news that Spike is feeding again, Buffy enlists the Scoobies to find hard evidence. When spying on him doesn't work, Buffy confronts him outright. And while he's adamant that he'd remember the taste of human blood, Spike decides to look for evidence of his own. When his memories lead them to a basement full of dead bodies, that's all the proof they need. We discuss reasons to not let a random dude push you into a dark alley, Spike's sleeping habits, and the duration of Dawn's mistrust.
PLUS! The Stackers' updated trigger songs.
Bonus Episode: 12 Days of Buffmas
Selfless / Him
In "Selfless", while Anya's return to the vengeance fold has earned praise from her peers, her conscience can't keep up. When she sends a giant spider to settle the score with an entire fraternity, Buffy sees no choice but to slay her former friend. Kristen and Mike compare Anya's two death scenes this season, and interpret the origin of her bunny fear.
In "Him", Dawn falls in love with RJ and loses all sense of self control and rationality. Is it normal teenage hormones or a wacky love spell? When Buffy goes gaga for the same meat-head, it becomes clear to everyone except the sisters that they're victims of some mystical mojo. Can the boys find the source before the lovesick girls do some real harm? Kristen and Mike discuss how to make the first half as entertaining as the second, and compare this episode's sense of humor to The Zeppo's.
PLUS! The Stackers' favorite Anya moments!
Same Time, Same Place / Help
In "Same Time Same Place", Willow returns to Sunnydale, but can't find her friends. Or the Scoobies are worried when Willow doesn't arrive in Sunnydale. Even though they're at the same place at the same time (see what I did there?), they can't see each other. But when everyone ends up investigating the same murder, the reason becomes more clear. Kristen and Mike discuss what makes Gnarl so memorable, the horror of his methodology, and the bureaucracy of demon-ing.
In "Help", Buffy starts her new job as student adviser. When Cassie tells her that she's going to die on Friday, the Slayer enlists the Scoobies to prevent the prophecy. Is it the drunken dad? The friend-zoned boy? Or the greedy demon-worshiping cult? Tricky. Kristen and Mike examine possible color symbolism this season, and Spike's redeeming moment!
PLUS! Did the Stackers want an eighth season?