Empty Places

Empty Places is the 19th episode of season 7 of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Plot synopsis
The citizens of Sunnydale flee en masse and Sunnydale becomes a ghost town. Willow uses magic to get information from the police on Caleb, and Spike and Andrew leave to pursue a lead. They discover an engraving on a plaque that states that the power they are searching for is to be wielded by "her" alone. At the deserted school Buffy is confronted by Caleb, who beats her unconscious. After a brief "nap", Buffy returns home to discover that Faith has taken Dawn and the Potentials to the Bronze for a night of relaxation. After they run into trouble with the law, Buffy confronts the group and demands that they make better choices, and reveals her plans for another attack. At this point (before Spike and Andrew return) the Potentials as well as including Dawn, Willow, Xander, Anya and Giles, pass a vote of no confidence in Buffy. At Dawn's request, Buffy leaves the house and Faith reluctantly becomes the new leader.

Quotes and trivia

 * This episode marks the final apperance of The Bronze, which has been a recurring element of the show since the very first episode.


 * As a special in-joke to mark the Bronze's sendoff, the band performing is Nerf Herder, the same band that performs the show's theme song.


 * This episode marks the final apperance of the character Clem, who leaves Sunnydale with the other residents.


 * The football helmet that Andrew wears while riding behind Spike on Spike's motorcycle is remiscent of "Easy Rider," when the only protective headgear that Jack Nicholson could come up with when he hits the road with Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper was his high school football helmet.


 * Both Buffy, and The First appearing to Caleb as Buffy, have a hoarse voice in this episode. No explanation is given.