Riley and Buffy confront one another about their secret demon-slaying lives. An earthquake hits Sunnydale, which spooks Buffy a little.

She uses it as a reason to stop Giles getting too close to the Initiative (and Riley): "The last time we had an earthquake, I died!" Spike is delighted to discover he can hurt demons without suffering from his implant. At a party where Willow meets ex-student of hers Percy (and overhears him comment on her lack of looks (bastard)), she finds a body drained of blood with runes carved on it's chest. It's the work of a group of powerful demons trying to reopen the Hellmouth and end the world (again). They also need the bones of a child (which they manage to get), 'the Word of Valios', which is a talisman Giles owns but has forgotten about, and the Sacrifice of Three. They find Giles alone, take the talisman from him and head to Sunnydale High, with Buffy, Willow, Xander and Spike in pursuit. Riley turns up too. The three demons ARE the sacrifice, dive into the Hellmouth, but Buffy follows and averts the Apocalypse. Again.

Review:
Too many writers spoil the broth, as the saying (nearly) goes. This episode confirms that Buffy has lost something of it's consistency and sparkle in season four. It may also have something to do with Joss Whedon's heavy involvement with Angel during this season. And the ease with which Armageddon is nearly caused cheapens it somewhat.

Best line: Spike: "C'mon! Vampires! Grrr! Let's annihilate them! For justice. And for the safety of... puppies. And Christmas. Right?"

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Trivia: In this episode, the American James Marsters plays a British character who puts on an American accent. Bizarre. But well done James.

Marc (Riley) Blucas makes it to the credit sequence. Congrats!