New Moon Rising

"New Moon Rising" is the 19th episode of season 4 of the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Oz arrives back in Sunnydale, and seemingly can keep the wolf in check even during the full moon. Willow and Oz stay up all night talking; Oz reveals he traveled the world and found his salvation in Tibet, where he learned to control the wolf via chanting, herbs, charms, and the like. Willow goes to Tara that morning, expressing her confusion. Later, Oz runs into Tara on campus, and sensing Willow's scent all over Tara, draws the logical conclusion. He gets upset and wolfs out, chasing Tara, who's saved by Riley and the boys. They take Oz to Initiative Headquarters. The Scooby gang works out an infiltration plan, which benefits from Spike's help. Riley almost shoots Oz, but stops when the wolf becomes Oz again. Riley is made prisoner for trying to set Oz free. Oz and Riley are freed. Willow and Oz realize that they can't be together right now.

Quotes and trivia

 * Green made a decision to leave the series earlier in this season to focus on furthering his career in movies. Seth returned in this episode.


 * An action figure of Tara Maclay was produced, based on this episode.