Buffy is out on patrol as usual when she comes face to face with Angel, recently returned from Hell. But he's not the same man he was. Meanwhile, Oz is going through his 'time of the month', disturbingly coinciding with a series of savage attacks in the school. Is the werewolf responsible? And if not, who is?
A very clever episode is this, playing with what the audience knows. We know that Oz is a nice werewolf, but you can't shake the feeling with all the evidence against him that when he changes, his animal side is taking over and killing people. Likewise, you aren't sure what to expect from Angel. He is more feral here, seemingly unaware of just where he is and acting purely on instinct. On top of this, one of Scott's friends has a violent temper and is lashing out at his girlfriend.
Beauty and the Beasts is a perfect title for this episode, dealing as it does with the beast inside every man, and the gentleness of women. This is superb Buffy, making you think as well as providing a very disturbing and scary story where the supernatural trappings are just there to make a point. Plus, the beating of Scott's friend gives the tale some moral weight without having to hammer the point home. The tragic ending is completely unexpected, and therefore even more powerful and poignant, with the silent aftermath one of the most striking images to appear in the series. Superb.
*****
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