Buffy is back, but all is not well. She’s not allowed back at school, and her friends are... distant.

Her mother has put a Nigerian mask in her room. They find a dead stray cat, bury it, but it rises again. It’s Buffy’s birthday, but at the party she feels very alone and begins to pack again. Willow sees and confronts her, as does Joyce and Xander. Just as she thinks things can’t get worse, a pack of zombies burst in and attack. They’re after the mask - if one of them puts it on, they’ll become a demon incarnate. Giles arrives and as the Slayerettes battle, Pat, a touchy-feely friend of Joyce’s, puts the mask on. Buffy slays her. Giles/Ripper intimidates Snyder into letting Buffy back into school, and Buffy and Willow make up.

Review:
An awkward episode that fails to satisfy. The concerted verbal attack on Buffy is painful to watch, but clears the air nicely. Willow is well on the way to becoming a proper witch, too.

Best line: Xanderism: “Generally speaking, when scary things get scared - not good.”

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Trivia: Victim Johnny spotted! He’s the guy with the dip. Go Johnny!

This episode was shown at Christmas time in America, and the Mutant Enemy logo wore a Santa hat while jingle bells tinkle in the background. Aww.

Giles knows how to hotwire a car - good ol’ Ripper