Buffy Logo 'Prophecy Girl'
Story Code '4V12'

by Joss Whedon
Buffy

Xander finally plucks up the courage to ask the girl of his dreams - Buffy - to the school’s ‘Spring Fling’. Although she turns him down gently, Xander is still crushed; at the same time, Willow wonders why Xander cannot see that she would gladly go with him. Meanwhile, Giles manages to translate some text in an ancient codex and discovers a prophecy predicting the death of the Slayer; Jenny Calendar then tells him that the portents suggest that the Apocalypse is coming. Giles and Angel discuss the prophecy, saying that the Master's ascension is at hand and that Buffy will die trying to stop him. Unfortunately, Buffy overhears their conversation, and learning of her impending doom, irrationally declares that she doesn't want to be the Slayer any more. However, after Cordelia and Willow discover a room full of murdered students Buffy realises that she cannot escape her destiny. She goes alone to the Master's underground lair, and engages him in battle; but their fight is short-lived, and a triumphant Master throws Buffy’s unconscious body into a pool of water, drowning her. Meanwhile, Xander and Angel have gone in search of Buffy, as they are both worried for her safety; Xander realises that Buffy and Angel have feelings for each other, and that is why she turned him down. The two of them reach the Master’s lair and find Buffy's inert body floating in the pool; Xander is able to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and he revives her. As the Hellmouth begins to open, an army of vampires attacks Giles, Willow, Jenny and Cordelia at the library. Buffy faces the Master once more, but this time she is ready for him; she pushes the vampire through the library skylight and he falls to earth to be impaled on a piece of wood. Satisfied that the Hellmouth is now closed, Buffy and her friends head off to ‘The Bronze’ to celebrate their victory.

Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase), Anthony Stewart Head (Rupert Giles), Mark Metcalf (The Master), David Boreanaz (Angel), Kristine Sutherland (Joyce Summers), Robia LaMorte (Ms. Calendar), Andrew J. Ferchland (The Anointed One), Scott Gurney (Kevin)
Directed by Joss Whedon

TX (US): 2nd June 1997
TX (UK - Sky One): 21st March 1998
TX (UK - BBC 2): 31st March 1999

Notes:
*Featuring Buffy, Xander, Willow, Giles, Cordelia and Angel

*The first season only has 12 episodes, as Joss Whedon was unsure if it would be renewed for a second season