'When She Was Bad' Story Code '5V01' by Joss Whedon

Willow and Xander are wondering when Buffy will return from her summer vacation with her dad; they are just about to kiss when a vampire attacks them. Luckily it is staked from behind - announcing Buffy’s return to Sunnydale. To Giles's surprise Buffy insists that they recommence her training immediately, and she throws herself into it. That night, Buffy experiences a nightmare in which the Master, wearing Giles's face, attempts to strangle her while her friends look on, unconcerned. When she wakes Angel is in her room; he has come to warn her that the Anointed One has been gathering vampires, but Buffy is dismisses his advice. Back at school, Buffy is bitchy towards Cordelia, and then treats Willow coldly. Later that evening, while at ‘The Bronze’, Buffy dances suggestively with Xander, which re-awakens his lust for her - but she is only doing this to make Angel jealous. Meanwhile, the Anointed One is trying to bring the Master back to life; to do so he needs the four people closest to the Master when he died. Giles also discovers this fact, but he and the others interpret the text incorrectly, believing Buffy to be at risk. Vampires kidnap Cordelia and Jenny, and Buffy is told to go to ‘The Bronze’ to rescue them. She leaves the others in the library, but realises too late that it is actually a trap to allow the abduction of Giles and Willow. After Xander finally tells Buffy that everyone is sick of her attitude, they join up with Angel and set off to rescue the others. Before they can be killed, Buffy rescues Willow, Cordelia, Giles and Ms. Calendar; then, in order to finish off the Master, she crushes the remains of his bones into powder. After this final act, Buffy is purged of her fear and anger and starts sobbing as Angel holds her. The next day at school, she apologises to Giles for behaving so badly, and wonders if her friends will accept her; she need not have worried, as once she gets to class, Xander and Willow are quick to forgive her.

Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase), David Boreanaz (Angel), Anthony Stewart Head (Rupert Giles), Kristine Sutherland (Joyce Summers), Robia LaMorte (Ms. Calendar), Andrew J. Ferchland (The Anointed One), Dean Butler (Hank Summers), Armin Shimerman (Principal Snyder), Brent Jennings (Absalom), Tamara Braun (Tara)
Directed by Joss Whedon

TX (US): 15th September 1997
TX (UK - Sky One): 25th March 1998
TX (UK - BBC): 8th April 1999

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