List of Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes

The following is a list of episodes for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The series began on March 10, 1997 and ran for seven years until May 20, 2003. In that time, 144 episodes of the series aired.

Season 1

No.	Image	Title	Air date
01		"Welcome to the Hellmouth"	March 10, 1997
		Writer: Joss Whedon	Director: Charles Martin Smith
		Buffy Summers and her mom move to Sunnydale, California, for a fresh start, unaware of the evil lurking in this quiet suburb. Somewhat reluctant in her role as the slayer, Buffy quickly makes friends and enemies at her new school. While also meeting her new "Watcher," Giles, the staid school librarian, her newly assembled team encounters the ever-abundant unearthly creatures in Sunnydale.
02		"The Harvest"	March 10, 1997
		Writer: Joss Whedon	Director: John T. Kretchmer
		Second part of the series premiere.
03		"Witch"	March 17, 1997
		Writer: Dana Reston	Director: Stephen Cragg
		When students start dropping out of cheerleading tryouts by spontaneously combusting, going blind and losing the power of speech, Buffy and her posse suspect a powerful witch is in their midst. Buffy herself soon becomes the target of a deadly spell as they discover the witch's true identity. Meanwhile, Xander finally musters up the nerve to ask Buffy out on a date but in the throes of a witch's spell, Buffy's response isn't exactly as he'd hoped.
04		"Teacher's Pet"	March 25, 1997
		Writer: David Greenwalt	Director: Bruce Seth Green
		A substitute teacher's infatuation with Xander is flattering to the lovesick teen, but alarming to Buffy.
05		"Never Kill a Boy on the First Date"	March 31, 1997
		Writers: Rob Des Hotel, Dean Batali	Director: David Semel
		Buffy tries to maintain some semblance of a normal teenage social life by opting for a hot date instead of helping Giles protect Sunnydale from a violent vampire prophecy. As she's blinded by love, Buffy ignores the signs of the dark forces aligning against her. Meanwhile, while Buffy's being romanced, The Master is plotting her demise by invoking the wrath of the "Anointed One," a great warrior vampire who is The Master's most powerful weapon against the slayer.
06		"The Pack"	April 7, 1997
		Writers: Matt Kiene, Joe Reinkemeyer	Director: Bruce Seth Green
		When Buffy and the rest of Sunnydale High endure the annual field trip to the zoo, Xander and some other kids sneak into the quarantined hyena exhibit, but leave in an altered state. It's up to Buffy, Giles and Willow to discover the cause behind Xander's bizarre behavior and reverse the transformation before it's too late. Meanwhile, Xander's new aggressive demeanor doesn't play well with his old friends.
07		"Angel"	April 14, 1997
		Writer: David Greenwalt	Director: Scott Brazil
		While Buffy grows more and more annoyed with Angel's mysterious disappearing act, she can't deny her growing obsession with him. Meanwhile, it's killing Xander that Buffy doesn't have a clue how he feels about her and, as he vents his frustrations to Willow, she knows all too well how he feels. And in the underworld, The Master is incensed that Buffy has taken the lives of so many members of his family, and he summons warrior vampires to annihilate her.
08		"I Robot, You Jane"	April 28, 1997
		Writers: Ashley Gable, Thomas A. Swyden	Director: Stephen Posey
		Buffy and Giles face a demon spirit who has been trapped since the Dark Ages and is unleashed into cyberspace. Meanwhile, Willow has fallen for a cyber-beau whom she met online and Xander and Buffy are wary of who this anonymous wooer may turn out to be.
09		"The Puppet Show"	May 5, 1997
		Writers: Rob Des Hotel, Dean Batali	Director: Ellen S. Pressman
		Sunnydale High School's annual talent show serves as a backdrop for murder when Buffy must catch a knife-wielding stealer of human organs. Meanwhile, the new principal is a discipline-loving brute who forces Giles to run the talent show and orders Buffy, Xander, and Willow to perform.
10		"Nightmares"	May 12, 1997
		Writers: Joss Whedon, David Greenwalt	Director: Bruce Seth Green
		The world of nightmares and reality become one when everyone in Sunnydale is living out their worst fears. While Xander comes to school in his underwear and Giles is unable to read, Buffy must unravel the mystery before reality folds completely into the world of nightmares.
11		"Out of Mind, Out of Sight"	May 19, 1997
		Writers: Joss Whedon, Ashley Gable, Thomas A. Swyden	Director: Reza Badiyi
		Buffy and Cordelia become unlikely allies to combat an invisible spirit that has targeted Cordelia and everyone around her. Meanwhile, Angel goes to Giles to warn him that Buffy could be in grave danger.
12		"Prophecy Girl"	June 2, 1997
		Writer: Joss Whedon	Director: Joss Whedon
		Buffy wants to resign from her life of slaying when Giles uncovers an ancient prophesy that spells out her deadly fate, as the Master's ascension from the Hellmouth is at hand. As the earth begins to crack open, Xander, Willow and Cordelia face an army of demons and the prophetic end of the world. Meanwhile, Xander finally asks Buffy to the prom with equally disastrous consequences.

Season 2

No.	Image	Title	Air date
01		"When She Was Bad"	September 15, 1997
		Writer: Joss Whedon	Director: Joss Whedon
		When Buffy returns home to Sunnydale after a spending the summer away, Xander and Willow become concerned with her disturbingly cold and distant behavior. Meanwhile, Cordelia and Sunnydale High teacher Ms. Calendar are kidnapped and Buffy is convinced that the fight to protect them and the world from the undead is hers alone. Still reluctant to risk getting close to Angel, Buffy turns him away before either one can express his or her true feelings.
02		"Some Assembly Required"	September 22, 1997
		Writer: Ty King	Director: Bruce Seth Green
		When the body parts of dead girls are discovered missing from their graves, Buffy and her posse discover that the parts are being used to create the perfect woman, with the final touch being Cordelia's head. Meanwhile, Giles finally musters the nerve to ask fellow teacher Ms. Calendar out on a date and Angel admits his jealousy over the amount of time Buffy spends with Xander.
03		"School Hard"	September 29, 1997
		Writers: David Greenwalt, Joss Whedon	Director: John T. Kretchmer
		When parent-teacher night is interrupted by uninvited guests, Buffy must protect her fellow students, the principal and her mother while keeping her secret. Meanwhile, Angel's old friends, Spike and Drusilla visit Sunnydale for The Night of Saint Vigeous — the holy night of attack.
04		"Inca Mummy Girl"	October 6, 1997
		Writers: Matt Kiene, Joe Reinkemeyer	Director: Ellen S. Pressman
		Buffy and Giles are suspicious of Ampata, a Peruvian exchange student staying at Buffy's house, when a fellow student goes missing during a school field trip to the Natural History Museum and a broken Peruvian pictogram-cover plate is found in his place. Meanwhile, after Xander falls head over heels for Ampata, he faces certain death when his love interest is revealed to be an ancient mummy who must kill to stay alive.
05		"Reptile Boy"	October 13, 1997
		Writer: David Greenwalt	Director: David Greenwalt
		Buffy and Cordelia become unlikely party pals when at a fraternity bash they are offered as human sacrifices to Machida, a horrible half-man, half-snake creature.
06		"Halloween"	October 27, 1997
		Writer: Carl Ellsworth	Director: Bruce Seth Green
		Buffy, Willow and Xander are recruited by Principal Snyder to trick-or-treat with the neighborhood kids, but the night doesn't turn out as they had planned when Buffy's costume causes her to lose her slaying ability and the other kids transform into their costume characters. Meanwhile, when Giles begins to paste together the night's events, he learns that it's his past that is making this a very haunted Halloween.
07		"Lie to Me"	November 3, 1997
		Writer: Joss Whedon	Director: Joss Whedon
		Buffy's fifth grade flame, Billy "Ford" Fordham, unexpectedly arrives in Sunnydale with one motive: to deliver Buffy to Spike in exchange for the immortal life of a vampire. Meanwhile, Buffy and Angel confront their feelings for each other and Angel owns up to his past relationship with Drusilla.
08		"The Dark Age"	November 10, 1997
		Writers: Dean Batali, Rob Des Hotel	Director: Bruce Seth Green
		Giles' quiet existence in Sunnydale is jeopardized when a murder victim, who is found to be linked to Giles' past, is discovered on the steps of the school library. Meanwhile, when the Mark of Eyghon — a demon that takes possession of a dead host — takes over Ms. Calendar, Buffy and Angel discover the one way to save her soul.
09		"What's My Line? Part One"	November 17, 1997
		Writers: Howard Gordon, Marti Noxon	Director: David Solomon
		In part one of a two-part episode, Buffy and Angel finally go out on their first date; Angel sets out to hunt down his rival, Spike, however, unbeknownst to Angel, Spike and his new recruits are determined to capture him in hopes of helping the frail Drusilla; and Buffy encounters her new ally, Kendra.
10		"What's My Line? Part Two"	November 24, 1997
		Writer: Marti Noxon	Director: David Semel
		In this conclusion of a two-part episode, Buffy reluctantly confronts Kendra the new vampire slayer, only to find that the two are polar opposites in every way. Much to Buffy's chagrin, she must join forces with Kendra to save the man who means the most to her — Angel. Meanwhile, with Buffy on the hunt, Xander and Cordelia are left to wait at Buffy's home where they have a close encounter of their own kind.
11		"Ted"	December 8, 1997
		Writers: David Greenwalt, Joss Whedon	Director: Bruce Seth Green
		The whole gang falls for Buffy's mom's new boyfriend, Ted — everyone, that is, except Buffy, who suspects there may be more to him than meets the eye. Meanwhile, Giles tries to repair his relationship with Ms. Calendar after her near-death experience with a demon; and still reluctant to let anyone know about their romantic involvement, Xander and Cordelia continue to hide their rendezvous from their friends.
12		"Bad Eggs"	January 12, 1998
		Writer: Marti Noxon	Director: David Greenwalt
		Buffy and the gang are introduced to parenting through a school assignment that takes a very rotten turn. Meanwhile, two wild west vampires come to town hunting for Buffy. At the same time, romance is in the air when Buffy and Angel continue to rendenzvous and Xander and Cordelia keep their liaison in the closet.
13		"Surprise"	January 19, 1998
		Writer: Marti Noxon	Director: Michael Lange
		The fate of the world is at stake when Spike and Drusilla gather the dismembered body parts of The Judge — a demon with a deadly touch — from the ends of the earth as their ultimate weapon to extinguish The Slayer. Meanwhile, Angel's ability to feel human emotion is in jeopardy when he and Buffy share an intimate moment which threatens to destroy his soul.
14		"Innocence"	January 20, 1998
		Writer: Joss Whedon	Director: Joss Whedon
		After Buffy shares an intimate moment with Angel which extinguishes his human soul, she is left with the realization that she must destroy the now-evil Angel who has transformed into his previous persona of Angelus. Meanwhile, Giles' relationship with Jenny Calendar takes on a new twist when he discovers that she is a member of the gypsy family who gave Angel his human soul, and Willow's hopes of a relationship with Xander are dashed when she discovers Xander and Cordelia's secret romance.
15		"Phases"	January 27, 1998
		Writers: Rob Des Hotel, Dean Batali	Director: Bruce Seth Green
		When a werewolf descends upon the city of Sunnydale, it is up to Buffy and the gang to protect the mostly-human being from an evil poacher who is hunting the animal for sport. Meanwhile, much to Xander's dismay, Willow turns her romantic interests to Oz, unaware of the danger she is about to face.
16		"Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered"	February 10, 1998
		Writer: Marti Noxon	Director: James A. Contner
		When Cordelia succumbs to peer pressure and breaks off her tryst with Xander, on Valentine's Day, he convinces a witch to put a spell on Cordelia which will make her fall in love with him. But when the spell backfires, the women in Sunnydale, except Cordelia, and including Buffy and Drusilla begin to see Xander in a whole new light.
17		"Passion"	February 24, 1998
		Writer: Ty King	Director: Michael E. Gershman
		Angel's obsession with tormenting Buffy takes a dangerous turn when he starts edging closer to her heart — and home, forcing Buffy to have a serious talk with her mom. Meanwhile, Jenny is doing everything in her power to right her wrongs, especially the one with Giles.
18		"Killed by Death"	March 3, 1998
		Writers: Rob Des Hotel, Dean Batali	Director: Deran Sarafian
		Buffy is admitted to the hospital with a raging fever where she encounters a young child who brings with him nightmares of Buffy's past and present. Meanwhile, a jealous Cordelia looks on as Xander protects a weakened Buffy from Angel's fury.
19		"I Only Have Eyes for You"	April 28, 1998
		Writer: Marti Noxon	Director: James Whitmore Jr.
		Buffy encounters a tortured spirit haunting the halls of Sunnydale High and recruits her friends to help the bitter spirit in its quest for peace. Meanwhile, Giles is filled with anguish when he believes the spiritual being is Jenny trapped and trying to impart a final message to him from the beyond.
20		"Go Fish"	May 5, 1998
		Writers: Elin Hampton, David Fury	Director: David Semel
		When a monster starts preying on members of the high school swim team, Buffy takes it upon herself to become the protector of the star players. Meanwhile, Xander goes undercover to discover the truth about the missing teammates and ends up revealing a rarely seen side of himself.
21		"Becoming, Part One"	May 12, 1998
		Writer: Joss Whedon	Director: Joss Whedon
		Buffy determines the time has come to destroy Angel and must ascertain if she is ready to sacrifice all she knows to be true to do so, but her decision is further entangled when Willow uncovers the secret that may restore Buffy's former beloved. Elsewhere, Angel chooses to unearth an evil demon that could swallow the earth and all of the beings, rather than return to the arms of his former lover.
22		"Becoming, Part Two"	May 19, 1998
		Writer: Joss Whedon	Director: Joss Whedon
		The suspense continues as hell prepares to swallow the world and Buffy is left alone to stop it. With Giles in the hands of the enemy and Angel primed for destruction, our slayer is forced into some treacherous alliances and faced with life-changing decisions.

Season 3

Anne Dead Man's Party Faith, Hope & Trick Beauty and the Beasts Homecoming Band Candy Revelations Lovers Walk The Wish Amends Gingerbread

Helpless The Zeppo Bad Girls Consequences Doppelgangland Enemies Earshot Choices The Prom Graduation Day, Part One Graduation Day, Part Two

Season 4

The Freshman Living Conditions The Harsh Light of Day Fear, Itself Beer Bad Wild at Heart The Initiative Pangs Something Blue Hush Doomed

A New Man The I in Team Goodbye Iowa This Year's Girl Who Are You Superstar Where the Wild Things Are New Moon Rising The Yoko Factor Primeval Restless

Season 5

Buffy vs. Dracula Real Me The Replacement Out of My Mind No Place Like Home Family Fool for Love Shadow Listening to Fear Into the Woods Triangle

Checkpoint Blood Ties Crush I Was Made to Love You The Body Forever Intervention Tough Love Spiral The Weight of the World The Gift

Season 6

Bargaining, Part One Bargaining, Part Two After Life Flooded Life Serial All the Way Once More, with Feeling Tabula Rasa Smashed Wrecked Gone

Doublemeat Palace Dead Things Older and Far Away As You Were Hell's Bells Normal Again Entropy Seeing Red Villains Two to Go Grave

Season 7

Lessons Beneath You Same Time, Same Place Help Selfless Him Conversations with Dead People Sleeper Never Leave Me Bring on the Night Showtime

Potential The Killer in Me First Date Get It Done Storyteller Lies My Parents Told Me Dirty Girls Empty Places Touched End of Days Chosen

See also

• Buffy the Vampire Slayer (film)
• Unaired Buffy pilot
• List of Angel episodes
• Crossover episodes
• Chronology