The Initiative
The new Cultural Centre at The UC Sunnydale needs expansion and a site is chosen. Xander is part of the team who will commence
digging (much to Anya's admiration of his manliness), and falls through the ground into an underground mission where
Native Americans were kept in slave conditions and exposed to disease. A vengeance spirit is released that starts to kill people
in authority with a sacred knife. Angel comes to Sunnydale and appears to Willow, Giles, Xander and Anya (at different times) explaining
that Doyle had a vision (see end of Angel ep "Bachelor Party") in which Buffy was in danger. He asks that Buffy not find out about his
presence in Sunnydale as it may distract her and risk her life. Xander becomes sick with all of the diseases the Native Americans were
exposed to in the mission including syphillis; making for some VERY funny dialogue. Through all this, Buffy insists on having THE Thanksgiving
Dinner and is essentially pre-occupied with this the entire episode...also very funny. Spike, in desparate need of some blood since the implant
is preventing him from killing people to feed, ends up on the doorstep of Giles' house in the midst of Buffy's Thanksgiving preparations.
The Scooby Gang (including a very sick Xander), after much convincing let him in, only to tie him up and listen to him whine that they'll get to
eat and he doesn't. He also asks if he could have a little blood from Xander since he's so close to death! The Vengeance Spirit arrives at Giles'
house with reinforcements that start to fire arrows in at the Gang, with many piercing Spike's body, a little too close to his heart. It seems
that the attackers can't be killed until Angel arrives and helps despatch them (without Buffy knowing about it). Buffy uses the Vengeance Spirit's knife
against him, turning him into a bear. May I say here, that the bear effects left a little to be desired but you can't have everything *g* The Spirit
is finally vanquished, Angel disappears believing Buffy didn't know he was there and the Gang sit down to a fine Thanksgiving Dinner. Little does anyone
know that all this time, Buffy has 'felt' Angel's presence (not quite believing it though) and her feelings are confirmed when the Gang agree, at the dinner
table, that it's been just like old times. Of course in true Xander style he slips out..."yeah, especially since Angel was here" and then..."Oops".
Very enjoyable episode and especially great because it was a great crossover, which will extend into the Angel episode 'I Will Remember You'.
Regular characters: Buffy, Xander, Willow, Giles, Spike, Riley, Anya. Special guest: David Boreanaz as Angel
Villain: Shushac Native American Vengeance Spirit
