Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 2 Episode 15: Phases

What's up ladies and Gentlemen, todays episode is a game changer, not in the heart wrenching way that the last two were, after all, we need a bit of a breather after that gut punch, but in a more fun way that alters the dynamics of the Scoobies moving forward. 

This episode was written by Rob Des Hotel and Dean Batali 

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and directed by Bruce Seth Green. Ironically enough, it's a very Seth Green heavy episode. 

The episode starts off with Oz (Seth Green) weirding out looking at a cheerleading trophy, he believes that it's eyes are watching him. That's a callback to the season one episode the witch. He tells Willow about it and she thinks nothing of it. Which is fair because no one knows what happened to Amy's mother after her spell backfired. 

Willow and Oz have their awkward flirting which is fun to watch. They are so cute together, what it is less cute is brutish Larry and his over sexualization of women. Oz blows him off while Willow complains to Buffy that Oz isn't making any moves. We also learn that Willow is still bitter about Xander dating Cordelia. 

Instead of making out with Cordelia, he is complaining about Willow dating Oz. Cordy is not happy about it, she just wants to make out, in her father's car under the full moon. Which is perfect for when we get our first view of a werewolf in the Buffyverse. Xander and Cody don't notice it. They are too busy doing what teenagers do when they are along in the middle of nowhere. Xander stops kissing to ask Cordy if she heard anything, she gets annoyed telling him that his mind just isn't into it, that is until the wolf breaks through the roof.  

Giles tells the gang that there has been reports of a number of animals have been attacked all over town. We also learn that the Buffyverse mythos for Werewolves is that they turn on the night before the full moon, the night of and the night after. 

Xander has this whole weird jealousy thing going on, it's a bit weird. He has no interest in Willow and has his own girlfriend, but teenagers are weird. We learn that Larry, the womanizer had been bit by a dog last month. We also learn that Oz was bit by his little cousin. The class is having a self defense class and Larry is paired up with Buffy, she is pretending to be weak, so as to not give away her secret, but when he grabs her ass, she lets loose and flips him over. 

Buffy's bitterness towards men starts to come out. It doesn't last long, but can you blame her? The whole ordeal with Angel must have been so painful for her. Xander asks how they kill it, but Giles orders that they don't kill it, they capture it. Most of the month they are a human just like everyone else. 

That night Buffy and Giles go out looking for the werewolf when Buffy gets caught in a net by a werewolf hunter. He doesn't care that they are human most of the month. He makes money off of their deaths and that is what is important to him. 

Elsewhere in town, one of Buffy's classmates is walking alone when we she her being stalked, we think it's the werewolf, but instead it's Angelus. At the same time, Cordelia and Willow are bonding over being annoyed at Xander and Oz. Boys, just can't do anything with them. Seems to be the main point of this episode. Their conversation at the Bronze is interrupted by the attack of the werewolf, luckily Buffy shows up in time to stop it. It manages to escape. 

The hunter talks shit to Buffy, telling her that since she is a woman, she can't do this. He tells her that if it hurts anyone it's her fault. The wolf stumbles across Angelus, who had just murdered the classmate. Buffy and Giles hear on the radio that the girl is dead and Buffy blames herself. She let the werewolf get away, she could have saved this poor girl. If only she knew the truth. 

This is about the time we learn the truth as the sun comes up and we see the werewolf turn back into . . . Oz. Turns out his cousin is a werewolf. He just calls up his aunt and asks her, she tells him. It's all played as if it's no big deal. He goes to the library to tell the gang what he found out, only to hear that Buffy says she should have killed it. He also learns that he might have killed someone the night before. Oz is scared. 

Xander wants to hunt down the werewolf, he points out he has experience in what it's like. Until Buffy points out he said that he told her he couldn't remember. He then changes his tactics and says he knows who it is. Oz gets worried, until Xander says it's Larry. Willow invites Oz to help her, stay up all night researching stuff, but he blows her off and runs off. Hurting poor Willow. Little does she know his real reasons. 

Xander confronts Larry, who gets pissed. He offers to pay Xander off. Xander tells him that he has been through what he is going through. Larry doesn't want to own up to, but Xander keeps pushing, only to learn that Larry isn't the werewolf, he's gay. Xander starts backtracking, pointing out he isn't gay, but Larry tells Xander he just brings it out in him. Larry promises not to tell anyone Xander's secret. While this is happening, Willow looks up who else could be the werewolf, the only other one who fits the profile is Buffy. 

Buffy talks Willow into going to speak to Oz. Xander reports back that Larry is not their guy and also worries a bit about how close Cordelia and Willow are getting. While Xander and Buffy are talking, she starts thinking about the girl who was killed. They go and check out her body, learning she wasn't killed by a werewolf, but instead killed by Angelus. The girl comes back as a vampire and attacks them. She tells Buffy that Angelus gives her love and it distracts Buffy, giving the vampire the advantage. Xander saves the day and points out that Angelus is not Angel. That's not her fault. They almost kiss, but Buffy pulls away. 

Oz is getting ready chains, which he plans to tie himself up. Makes me wonder where his parents are at that they wouldn't notice all night. Willow bangs on his door, he tries to get her to leave, but she doesn't want to listen. Just as she starts to notice something is wrong he starts to go through the change. He chases Willow though the house and out the back door. 

The hunter spots Oz. Giles and Buffy get the dart gun ready. They still want to take the werewolf alive. The werewolf who corners Willow. Just as it's about to go in for the kill it smells something and turns and leaves. Willow makes it to the library and tells Giles and Buffy. 

It's now a race against time. They have to get to Oz before the hunter, who has already tracked him down. Buffy stops the hunter just in time, fighting him off. Oz joins into the fight and Buffy has to battle him as well. Giles knocks the werewolf out and Buffy sends the hunter on his way. 

The next day as Buffy and Xander talk about Oz, we see that Larry is acting like a human being for once. He thanks Xander for everything, but Xander won't tell Buffy. Xander worries about Willow being safe with Oz, but Buffy puts him in his place. Willow and Oz have a heart to heart. He offers to leave her alone, but Willow tells him that she doesn't want him too. This is the start of a beautiful relationship that involves no biting, as per the rules they set out. 

I love this episode, Willow and Oz are one of my favorite couples on this show. They are just so cute together. I hope you guys enjoyed it as well!