Buffy accepts a dinner invitation from Principal Wood, and tries to figure out his true intentions. Xander goes out with a girl from the hardware store. The First tries to convince Andrew to murder the potential Slayers. Giles returns from China with a new Potential, but struggles with the language barrier.

Buffy introduces Principal Wood to the rest of the team. He brings an artifact that transports Buffy to see the origin of the Slayer, but the others must face a powerful demon to bring her back.

Faith returns to Sunnydale just as a new villain, Caleb, arrives and sends Buffy a message in the form of a badly beaten Potential. Buffy leads the rest of the girls to Caleb and The First's lair, with devastating consequences.

After their horrifying loss at the vineyard, the gang turn against Buffy and begin to follow Faith instead. Meanwhile, Spike and Andrew travel to an old church to question a priest about Caleb.

After being ousted from the group, Buffy tries to figure out how to move forward. Faith and the Potentials plan to interrogate a Bringer for information on Caleb and the First. Many people turn to each other for comfort in the face of the impending apocalypse.

Buffy has a powerful new weapon, but the gang cannot find any information about the origins of the mysterious scythe. Eventually the Slayer goes herself in search of knowledge, and finds a new ally, an old friend, and great danger.