Spiral (Buffy episode)
Encyclopedia
"Spiral" is the 20th episode of season 5 of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
is the Key, Buffy and Dawn run for their lives, escaping thanks to Willow
's magic and a large semi-truck slamming into Glory out on the street after which she transforms into Ben, ending the chase. The gang gathers in Xander
's apartment to discuss possible plans of action, where Buffy surprises everyone by declaring that they will never be able to defeat Glory and the only way to stay alive is to leave Sunnydale
, to which the gang reluctantly agrees. Spike
solves their transportation problem by providing a sun-protected Winnebago
, and Buffy allows him to accompany them. Though Giles
and Xander are anything but pleased by this, Buffy informs them that she and Spike are the only ones who stand a chance at protecting Dawn in the event that Glory catches up to them, and makes it clear that the topic is not open for discussion.
Ben talks to one of Glory's minions, who reveals that he is just a human body encasing Glory's god form and that upon her full rejuvenation, he will die; Ben, knowing this, states that he will do anything in his power to keep his life, even destroying the Key. The Knights of Byzantium retrieve their crazy member from the hospital, who babbles that the Key is the Slayer's sister; their General orders the Knights to assemble for battle. Giles
, driving the RV, talks with a motion-sick Xander about Buffy's state of mind. Depressed and worried about their future plans, Buffy is comforted by Dawn until the Knights attack. A sword through the roof nearly kills Buffy, but Spike stops it with his bare hands. While Buffy battles the Knights from the top of the RV, one knight impales Giles with a flying spear, causing the RV to crash onto its side.
The Scoobies rush to an abandoned gas station, where Buffy fends off the attacking Knights until Willow erects a barrier spell. Meanwhile at the hospital, all those left crazy by Glory repeatedly mutter, "It's time."
Spike suggests to Xander that they run, but Buffy refuses to let anyone die. Buffy captures the General, who reveals Glory's plan to use Dawn's blood to open a portal and return to the dimension from which she was banished. Buffy is initially incredulous that Glory's plan is to simply return home, however the General explains that opening the portal will dissolve the boundaries between dimensions and destroy the universe. He also says that Glory shares her body with that of a mortal man, whose identity has never been discovered. In this lies Glory's only weakness; if the man is killed then Glory will also be destroyed. Buffy promises Dawn that she'll protect her.
Realizing that Giles is seriously injured, Buffy arranges a deal with the Knights to allow Ben to safely pass; he stabilizes Giles, and then is left alone with the General, who suspects Ben is an outsider and tempts him with the idea of killing Dawn. Ben realizes that Glory is about to take over his body, but before he can get outside the forcefield, Glory comes forth. She kills the General, fights off the Scooby Gang to take Dawn, and bursts through the forcefield. By the time Willow releases the field, Glory has disposed of all the Knights and disappeared with Dawn. Knowing they have to move fast, everyone heads for Ben's car to chase after Glory. Having lost Dawn to Glory after going through so much to protect her, Buffy suffers an emotional breakdown and collapses.
Plot synopsis
With Glory now possessing knowledge that DawnDawn Summers
Dawn Summers is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon and introduced by Marti Noxon and David Fury on the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, portrayed by Michelle Trachtenberg. She made her debut in the premiere episode of the show's fifth season, and subsequently appeared in every...
is the Key, Buffy and Dawn run for their lives, escaping thanks to Willow
Willow Rosenberg
Willow Rosenberg is a fictional character created for the fantasy television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer . She was developed by Joss Whedon and portrayed throughout the TV series by Alyson Hannigan...
's magic and a large semi-truck slamming into Glory out on the street after which she transforms into Ben, ending the chase. The gang gathers in Xander
Xander Harris
Alexander LaVelle "Xander" Harris is a fictional character in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as well as in numerous items in the series Expanded Universe, such as comic books, tie-in novels and video games...
's apartment to discuss possible plans of action, where Buffy surprises everyone by declaring that they will never be able to defeat Glory and the only way to stay alive is to leave Sunnydale
Sunnydale
Sunnydale, California is the fictional setting for the U.S. television drama Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Series creator Joss Whedon conceived the town as a representation of a generic California city, as well as a narrative parody of the all-too-serene towns typical in traditional horror...
, to which the gang reluctantly agrees. Spike
Spike (Buffyverse)
Spike, played by James Marsters, is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. Spike is a vampire and played various roles on the shows, ranging from villain to anti-hero. For Marsters, the role as Spike began a career in science...
solves their transportation problem by providing a sun-protected Winnebago
Winnebago Industries
Winnebago Industries Inc., , is a manufacturer of motor homes, a type of recreational vehicle or RV, in the United States. It is based in Forest City, Iowa.-Corporate history:...
, and Buffy allows him to accompany them. Though Giles
Rupert Giles
Rupert Giles is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The character is portrayed by Anthony Stewart Head. He serves as Buffy Summers' mentor and surrogate father figure...
and Xander are anything but pleased by this, Buffy informs them that she and Spike are the only ones who stand a chance at protecting Dawn in the event that Glory catches up to them, and makes it clear that the topic is not open for discussion.
Ben talks to one of Glory's minions, who reveals that he is just a human body encasing Glory's god form and that upon her full rejuvenation, he will die; Ben, knowing this, states that he will do anything in his power to keep his life, even destroying the Key. The Knights of Byzantium retrieve their crazy member from the hospital, who babbles that the Key is the Slayer's sister; their General orders the Knights to assemble for battle. Giles
Rupert Giles
Rupert Giles is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The character is portrayed by Anthony Stewart Head. He serves as Buffy Summers' mentor and surrogate father figure...
, driving the RV, talks with a motion-sick Xander about Buffy's state of mind. Depressed and worried about their future plans, Buffy is comforted by Dawn until the Knights attack. A sword through the roof nearly kills Buffy, but Spike stops it with his bare hands. While Buffy battles the Knights from the top of the RV, one knight impales Giles with a flying spear, causing the RV to crash onto its side.
The Scoobies rush to an abandoned gas station, where Buffy fends off the attacking Knights until Willow erects a barrier spell. Meanwhile at the hospital, all those left crazy by Glory repeatedly mutter, "It's time."
Spike suggests to Xander that they run, but Buffy refuses to let anyone die. Buffy captures the General, who reveals Glory's plan to use Dawn's blood to open a portal and return to the dimension from which she was banished. Buffy is initially incredulous that Glory's plan is to simply return home, however the General explains that opening the portal will dissolve the boundaries between dimensions and destroy the universe. He also says that Glory shares her body with that of a mortal man, whose identity has never been discovered. In this lies Glory's only weakness; if the man is killed then Glory will also be destroyed. Buffy promises Dawn that she'll protect her.
Realizing that Giles is seriously injured, Buffy arranges a deal with the Knights to allow Ben to safely pass; he stabilizes Giles, and then is left alone with the General, who suspects Ben is an outsider and tempts him with the idea of killing Dawn. Ben realizes that Glory is about to take over his body, but before he can get outside the forcefield, Glory comes forth. She kills the General, fights off the Scooby Gang to take Dawn, and bursts through the forcefield. By the time Willow releases the field, Glory has disposed of all the Knights and disappeared with Dawn. Knowing they have to move fast, everyone heads for Ben's car to chase after Glory. Having lost Dawn to Glory after going through so much to protect her, Buffy suffers an emotional breakdown and collapses.
Arc significance
- Glory captures Dawn.
- The General's exposition reveals all pertinent details about Glory that are necessary to eventually defeat her.
- The Key's purpose is also described in detail, outlining why Glory retrieving it is a danger to the world.
- Though not explicit, this episode hints that Glory's mental victims are still connected in some way.
Continuity discrepancies
- Inside the gas station, sunlight is shown hitting Spike quite often, though it does not appear to cause him pain at all.
- Spike's behavioral modification chip is seen to activate while fighting the Knights, confirming that they are human (not simply humanoid). In spite of this, Buffy kills several of the Knights in battle, directly or indirectly, including impaling one with an axe. This is contradictory to her explanations to Faith and others that being the Slayer does not grant her the freedom to kill humans, no matter the circumstances. Although self defence is a pretty good reason which is also very different to killing a human in vengeance.