TOUGH
LOVE
Buffy drops out of college, notifying one of her professors about the decision
and regretting the need to make the decision. Ben finds himself fired from his
job at the hospital because Glory has been monopolizing the human form they
share. Glory takes a bath while she demands that her blindfolded minions tell
her everything they know about the Key. Dawn and Buffy are called into Dawn's
principal's office where Dawn's poor grades are discussed. At the magic shop,
Anya talks about patriotism and how money ties into that.
Buffy seeks Giles's advice about being Dawn's mother figure then takes her
sister home, attempting an authortive role with Dawn. Glory's minions provide
her with enough information to conclude who the Key is and Glory leads the way
to gather it. Tara and Willow discuss their relationship and Willow's powers as
a witch, but the discussion ends up angering Willow when Tara expresses her
fear that Willow may eventually decide that being a lesbian is not what she
wants.
Buffy talks with Dawn about how Dawn's situation needs to improve in school or
Buffy could possibly loose guardianship of Dawn. Depressed over her first major
fight with Willow, Tara goes to a cultural fair, but finds herself sitting next
to Glory on a park bench. Giles finds one of Glory's minions at the shop and
questions him about Glory's plans. Willow goes after Tara who is Glory's grasps
but can't get to Tara before it's too late. Glory finds that Tara isn't the
Key, but when Tara won't tell who is, she drains Tara's mind of sanity.
At the hospital, doctors look after Tara while Willow plans her vengeance
against the evil god, Glory. Buffy arranges for Dawn to be kept safe by Spike
in some underground caves while she takes care of the issues involving Tara.
Dawn worries that she is evil and feels guilty, but Spike tries to convince her
otherwise. Buffy thinks she's talked Willow out of any attempts to go after
Glory, but Spike and Dawn later convince her that one can't be talked out of
something like that. Willow rages, going to the magic shop to gather dangerous
magic supplies in preparation for her attack on Glory.
At Glory's place, Willow makes an unexpected, but grand appearance, casting
spells wildly, all in attempts to attack and destroy Glory. Unfortunately, the
god is far more powerful than the witch, and Willow is almost seriously
wounded, but Buffy is there to stop it. Buffy and Glory battle ferociously,
until one of Willow's force fields allows Willow and Buffy to escape. The next
day, Willow, Tara, Buffy and Dawn eat while discussing the responsibilities
that Willow and Buffy have now. Glory suddenly appears as one of the walls
surrounding them is violently destroyed. Glory smiles evilly as a crazy Tara
points and reveals that Dawn is the Key.