After Life

"After Life" is the third episode of season 6 of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and the 103rd episode of the series. It was written by Jane Espenson and directed by David Solomon, and aired on October 9, 2001 on UPN. Plot The Scooby Gang rushes to find Buffy and figures she is at her house. The bikers are on the run now that Razor has been destroyed. At the house, Buffy is confused, and Dawn tells her Giles has left. Spike arrives, angry and looking for Dawn. When he realizes Buffy is back, he softens and helps clean her wounded hands. When the Scooby Gang arrives, Spike slips out. Unable to stand all the concern, Buffy goes upstairs while Xander and Anya leave for food. Outside, the two find a hurt Spike who is furious that he was not told about the resurrection plans despite having helped the gang all summer. He warns Xander of the consequences they will have to face with magic. After notifying Giles of Buffy's return, Willow and Tara go to bed and talk about the spell and changes in Buffy. In her room, Buffy looks at the pictures surrounding her and they briefly turn to pictures of skulls. During the night, Willow and Tara are visited in their room by a Buffy who yells at them and hints at Willow killing the deer for the ritual. When the girls get up to investigate, Buffy is asleep in her room and neither knows the source of the incident. A moving lump appears in the ceiling, motivating Willow to call Xander. While Xander talks, Anya enters the room with a knife and smokey eyes, slitting her cheek before collapsing.