The Prom

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"The Prom" is the twentieth episode of the third season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and is the fifty-fourth episode in the series. It was written by Marti Noxon and directed by David Solomon. It was originally broadcast on May 11, 1999.

Angel decides to do the right thing and break up with Buffy. Heartbroken, Buffy tries to make sure the rest of her friends can enjoy their senior prom without the interference of a pack of Hellhounds.

Synopsis

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The Scoobies discuss their prom plans.

Buffy wakes up in Angel's bed at the mansion after the two fell asleep after patrol. Buffy talks about bringing some of her stuff over, "like couples do", and casually mentions going to the prom.

At school, Anya, still a mortal human being, asks Xander to the prom. Both of them are dateless and desperate, so he says yes. Later, Buffy, Willow, Oz, and Xander discuss prom plans and dresses. Joyce visits Angel at the mansion and tells him she's worried about the effect he's having on her daughter. She tells him that he can't get in the way of her future, and if Buffy can't see that, he'll have to do something about it.

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Joyce confronts Angel about his relationship with Buffy.

Buffy and Willow are talking prom dresses while Giles is continuing research for the Ascension. Using the pages that Willow ripped out of the Books of Ascension, it's been determined that, upon Graduation Day, the Mayor will transform into a demon. However, what kind of demon he will transform into is still unknown, and there's no further information at this point. As a result, the discussion moves onto the prom. Giles and Wesley will both be chaperoning, which Buffy says is going to be the one and possibly last night of fun they'll have in Sunnydale. Meanwhile, in a small house, someone plays a video for a caged dog-beast that causes it to freak out.

Buffy and Angel are in a church getting married. As they exit the church, Angel is fearful of the sun, but it is Buffy that burns up and dies - not him - when the sun shines on them. Angel awakes from the dream, worried.

While patrolling, Buffy and Angel head into a sewer in pursuit of a vampire as Buffy asks him what he's planning to wear to the prom. However, Angel isn't interested, and snaps that there's more important things to worry about. 

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Angel breaks up with Buffy.

Angel is still disturbed by his dream, the visit from Joyce, and the Mayor's words to the couple; after Buffy talks about how the prom and graduation are part of growing up, he finally tells Buffy that they need to talk. He tells her that it's unfair for her to be in a relationship with him because of all the things he can't give her. In order to make her realize how serious he is, he breaks up with her and tells her he doesn't want to be with her. Buffy refuses to accept this at first; she asks him how she's expected to keep away from him, and Angel tells her than he's going to leave Sunnydale after the Ascension.

Buffy goes to Willow for comfort and she realizes that Angel was right; the two of them really can't be together. Despite the realization, the heartbreak begins to set in, and she cries on Willow's shoulder.

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Buffy: I'm going to give you all a nice, fun, normal evening if I have to kill every single person on the face of the earth to do it.

At April Fools, a store where Cordelia is working, Xander spots her through the window. He goes in to tease Cordelia about taking too long to choose a prom dress. However, he's stopped short when an assistant chides Cordelia for speaking to a friend while on the clock. Cordelia then reveals that because of her father's twelve year long tax fraud, she's now working there to save up for a prom dress on layaway. Her family has no money, nowhere to live, and she can't afford to go to any of the colleges that accepted her. Xander is lost for words, while Cordelia says, dejectedly, that he can now go tell everyone that he now has a one-up on her. However, their argument is cut short as one of the beasts, now free from its cage, jumps through the window. It initially attacks Xander, but it spots a guy wearing a tux. It quickly attacks the tuxedo-wearing man, and leaves.

At the library, the gang study the video of the attack as Buffy mopes in the background, distracted by her recent breakup. Wesley asks what Cordelia was doing in the store with Xander, and as Cordy struggles for a response, Xander covers by simply claiming they were sniping at each other as usual. Cordelia notices that the beast has a preference for people in formal wear, and Giles and Wesley recognize it as a Hellhound, a vicious demon foot soldier bred for war. Suddenly, someone who appears to be controlling the Hellhound is spotted on the tape. It turns out that the person is Tucker Wells, who Oz knew from a chemistry class. Tucker has plans to ruin prom night by sending a hellhound into the prom, trained to attack people in formal wear. Willow, Xander, and Oz all bemoan the fact that they're going to have to skip the prom, and this snaps Buffy out of her funk. She declares that she won't let one jerk ruin the prom for her friends, and she will do whatever it takes to preserve her class's special night. Buffy then issues orders for everyone to split up and search for clues. She ends up finding an address at the butcher, a place Tucker frequents to get food for his hounds. She runs into Angel, and the two have a post-breakup argument. As Cordelia leaves work, upset that she wasn't able to cover the cost of the dress, her co-worker tells her it's already been paid for.

Buffy and Angel dance at the Prom.

Buffy returns from her searching and orders everyone else to attend the prom while she takes care of the hounds. She tells Giles that Angel is leaving town, and while she's upset her main focus now is stopping the Hellhound. She finds Tucker in his basement and confronts him. Tucker refuses to divulge his reasons for his vicious plan, though it's revealed in a flashback that he was rejected by the girl he asked. Buffy ties him up before he can release the hound, but soon finds out that there are more dogs, three of which are en route to the school. Buffy rushes to Sunnydale High and, after a few close calls, manages to kill all of the dogs. Buffy changes into her prom dress and shows up for the dance. Cordelia clings to Wesley, while Anya tells Xander of her history of cursing men, much to Xander's discomfort. Willow and Oz just enjoy the evening.

When class awards are given out, Xander is snubbed for Class Clown. Jonathan goes up to the microphone and asks if Buffy is present. Everyone turns towards Buffy as a spotlight shines on her at the punch bowl; it takes her a moment to realize that the attention is for her. Jonathan reads a speech in which the Prom Committee acknowledges that they know a lot on unusual and weird stuff goes on at the school, and they also know that Buffy was always trying to protect them from it. They know that she's protected and saved almost all of the people present at the dance, contributing to the 1999 graduating class's record breaking low mortality rate in Sunnydale High history. He then announces that the senior class wishes to offer its thanks by awarding Buffy the first ever Class Protector Award, complete with a "trophy." Buffy, stunned beyond belief, walks through all the cheering crowd, and happily accepts the award. She realizes that this is her own "perfect high school moment."

Afterwards, the students enjoy the rest of the dance. Anya dances with Xander and finds herself not minding a bit, while Giles tells Wesley to stop worrying and ask Cordelia to dance. Buffy walks over to Giles, and he congratulates her on her work on getting rid of the Hellhounds. He also expresses his surprise that the class could be so gracious. Buffy tells him that people can surprise you sometimes. Looking toward the door, Giles sees something, and takes Buffy's award from her. She turns and sees Angel standing there in a tux. He tells her he understands that it's an important night for her, but it doesn't change anything between them. Buffy accepts this, and the two dance.Template:Clear

Continuity

• This episode marks the end of Buffy and Angel's relationship. He would leave Sunnydale after the season finale, and start the spin-off Angel.

• Buffy achieves the high school moment she dreamed of ("Homecoming") and was floored to be recognized by her peers for her work.

• We learn in this episode that Cordelia's father was guilty of tax fraud of some sort, reducing her family to near poverty. This change eventually leads to her migration to LA, where she will team up with Angel in "City Of".

• When Anya asks Xander to the prom, she references the events of "Lovers Walk" and "The Wish".

• Anya tells Xander that she "took on the guise of a twelfth grader to tempt [Cordelia] with the wish", "got stuck in this persona" and now has "all these 'feelings'."

• Tucker Wells has an even more obscure brother, Andrew, who will become prevalent in the series, starting in season six.

• Because "Earshot"'s premiere was delayed out of respect for the Columbine massacre victims and their families, viewers at the time were unaware of Buffy stopping Jonathan from committing suicide. The fact that Buffy saved his life makes his presentation of the Class Protector Award to her even more significant.

• Up until this point, it was normal for civilians in the series to not mention the supernatural events that they experience. Giles explained this as the ability of people to "rationalize what they can and forget what they can't" ("The Harvest"). This episode is the first time that the students of Sunnydale High openly show awareness of the supernatural events at their school. While Buffy is presented with the Class Protector Award, students shout out "Zombies" ("Dead Man's Party") and "Hyena People" ("The Pack") as examples.

Body Count

• One vampire, dusted by Buffy
• Tux Boy, killed by a Hellhound
• One Hellhound, killed by Buffy with a crossbow
• One Hellhound, killed by Buffy with a knife
• One Hellhound, neck snapped by Buffy

Behind the Scenes

Production

• In the scene where Angel breaks up with Buffy, Sarah Michelle Gellar has admitted that she "could not stop crying," and the set was closed for 25 minutes to allow her to recover.

• Jessica Johnson, the winner of the "A Buffy Christmas" sweepstakes, participated in this episode.
• Buffy's prom dress was designed by Pamela Dennis, while Vera Wang designed her wedding dress. Incidentally, Wang also designed Sarah Michelle Gellar's wedding dress when she tied the knot with Freddie Prinze, Jr.

Deleted Scenes

• This exchange was cut due to length:

Giles: "Fine. You're all suffering from a touch of spring madness, if you ask me."

Oz: "Mine is more space madness. But I'll feel better once I get used to the weightlessness."

Willow: "Promise me you'll never be linear."

Oz: "On my trout."

Pop Culture References

• The movies Tucker Wells uses to train the Hellhounds to attack the prom include: Carrie, Prom Night, Prom Night IV: Deliver us from Evil, Pump up the Volume, Pretty in Pink, and The Club (1994).

• Xander's "Sock Puppet of Love" routine is reminiscent of Señor Wences, a ventriloquist who would draw a face on his hand and speak through it with a funny voice.

Goofs, Bloopers & Continuity Errors

• At the prom, when Giles and Wesley are at the snack table, Wesley is holding a red napkin. When it cuts to Cordelia walking in, Wesley chokes and says "the salsa is hot." In this shot, the napkin is now yellow.
• Buffy states that Angel is 243 years old. Since he became a vampire in 1753, by 1999 he would have been a vampire for 246 years. She also doesn't account for his 26 years of life before becoming a vampire, making him 272.

International Titles

• French: Les chiens de l'enfer (The Hellhounds)
• German: Der Höllenhund (The Hellhound)

Music

• Christophe Beck - "Class Protector"
• Christophe Beck - "Deadly Beloved"
• Christophe Beck - "The Beginning of the End"
• Cracker - "The Good Life"
• Fatboy Slim - "Praise You"
• Kool & The Gang - "Celebration"
• Prince - "1999"
• Sister Sledge - "We Are Family"
• The Lassie Foundation - "El Rey"
• The Sundays - "Wild Horses" (included on Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Album)

Other

• One of the videos Tucker uses to brainwash the hellhounds is Pretty in Pink, in which Kristy Swanson, Buffy in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie, plays a minor character.
• A photo of Buffy and Angel in their wedding attire from Angel's dream sequence appeared in the US TV Guide magazine, creating rumors in the fan community.
• This episode is included in The Slayer Collection: Cordelia DVD.

Quotes

Anya: "You know, you can laugh, but I have witnessed a millennium of treachery and oppression from the males of the species. And I have nothing but contempt for the whole libidinous lot of them."

Xander: "Then why are you talking to me?"

Anya: "I don't have a date for the prom."

Xander: "Well, gosh. I wonder why not? It couldn't have anything to do with your sales pitch."

Anya: "Men are evil. Will you go with me?"

Xander: "One of us is very confused, and I honestly don't know which."

Giles: "I will be wearing pink taffeta as the chenille does nothing for my complexion and can we please talk about the Ascension?"

Joyce: "I don't have to tell you that you and Buffy come from different worlds."

Angel: "No, you don't."

Joyce: "She's had to deal with a lot, grow up fast. Sometimes even I forget that she's still just a girl."

Angel: "And I'm old enough to be her ancestor."

Joyce: "She's just starting out in life."

Angel: "I know. I think about it more now that she's staying in Sunnydale."

Joyce: "Good. Because when it comes to you, Angel, she's just like any other young woman in love. You're all she can see of tomorrow. But I think we both know that there are some hard choices ahead. If she can't make them, you're gonna have to. I know you care about her. I just hope you care enough."

Oz: "Once again, the Hellmouth puts the "special" in "special occasion"."

Wesley: "Mr. Giles. I'd like your opinion. While the last thing I want to do is model bad behaviour in front of impressionable youth, I wonder if asking Miss Chase to dance would-"

Giles: "For God's sake, man, she's eighteen. And you have the emotional maturity of a blueberry scone. Just have at it, would you, and stop fluttering about."

Wesley: "Right, then. Thanks for that."

Xander: "You work here?"

Cordelia: (sighs) "Yes. Yes, I work here."

Xander: "But, uh, why?"

Cordelia: "I’m trying to buy a dress."

Xander: "But don’t you already have all the dresses?"

Cordelia: "I have nothing, okay? No dresses, no cell phone, no car. Everything’s been taken away because Daddy made a little mistake on his taxes... for the last twelve years. Satisfied? Are you a happy Xander now? I’m broke. I can’t go to any of the colleges that accepted me. And I can’t stay home because we no longer have one."

Xander: "Uh, wow."

Cordelia: "Yeah, neato. Now you can run along and tell all of your friends how Cordy finally got hers. How she has to work part time just to get a lousy Prom dress on layaway. And, how she has to wear a name tag! Ooh, I’m a name tag person. Don’t leave that out; the story just wouldn’t have the same punch!"

Jonathan: "We have one more award to give out. Is Buffy Summers here tonight? Did she, um... [the crowd turns and finds her; she looks surprised at the attention] This is actually a new category. First time ever. I guess there were a lot of write-in ballots, and, um, well, t-the prom committee asked me to read this. "We're not good friends. Most of us never found the time to get to know you, but that doesn't mean we haven't noticed you. We don't talk about it much, but it's no secret that Sunnydale High isn't really like other high schools. A lot of weird stuff happens here."

Student #1: "Zombies!"

Student #2: "Hyena people!"

Student #3: "Snyder!" [people chuckle]

Jonathan: "But whenever there was a problem or something creepy happened, you seemed to show up and stop it. Most of the people here have been saved by you or helped by you at one time or another. We're proud to say that the class of '99 has the lowest mortality rate of any graduating class in Sunnydale history, and we know at least part of that is because of you. So the senior class offers its thanks and gives you, uh, uh, this." [he produces a gold, glittering, miniature umbrella with a small metal plaque attached to the shaft] It's from all of us, and it has written here, "Buffy Summers, Class Protector"."

Wesley: "Well I must say this is all rather odd to me."

Giles: "Truely is. Being at an all-male preparatory, we didn't go in for this sort of thing."

Wesley: "Ah. Course not. Unless you count the nights you made the lower classmen get up as girls and watch them-" [Giles glares at Wesley] "Dip is tasty, isn't it?"