School Hard (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Episode)

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"School Hard" is episode three of season two of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The story for the episode was conceived by series creator and executive producer Joss Whedon and co-executive producer David Greenwalt, with Greenwalt penning the teleplay. It was directed by John T. Kretchmer, the second and final episode he directed for the show. The narrative intertwines two stories, one of Spike and Drusilla, legendary vampires from Angel's past, coming to Sunnydale and Buffy Summers's attempts to keep her mother and Principal Snyder from meeting at Parent-Teacher night, which she has to organize. Unfortunately for her, this is when Spike chooses to attack.

Plot synopsis

Principal Snyder assigns Buffy and Sheila Martini (Alexandra Johnes) to prepare the school lounge for parent-teacher night on Thursday. Whoever does the better job will not be expelled. Sheila's continued indifference puts even more pressure on Buffy, who already has a tough time balancing slaying with a social life.

That night, a new pair of vampires arrive in town, Spike and Drusilla, who interrupt a gathering by the Anointed One (Andrew J. Ferchland) to discuss The Master's (Mark Metcalf) departure. Spike promises to kill Buffy as he has killed two Slayers already. Drusilla is quite ill, having been injured by an angry mob in Prague.

While the Scoobies are busy preparing for the parents, Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) and Jenny Calendar (Robia LaMorte) show up to inform Buffy that Saturday will be the Night of Saint Vigeous, named after the leader of a vampire crusade, and that during that night, the natural abilities of vampires will be enhanced. Buffy is unimpressed.

Buffy tries to combine school and social life by studying French at the Bronze. Spike is there, too, and sends one of his minions to attack someone, prompting Buffy to fight the minion. He watches while Buffy kills his minion, then steps out of the shadows and tells her that he will kill her on Saturday. He later brings Sheila, who is enthralled by his bad boy charms, to the weak Drusilla as food.

Giles does not recognize Spike from Buffy's description. Angel walks in on the meeting and tells them that Spike is a large problem, and then leaves. Later, Giles finds a reference to Spike as "William the Bloody," and discovers that he has indeed killed two slayers already.

On Thursday night, the Scoobies are making weapons in the library while Buffy is preparing the buffet. She eventually fails to keep Snyder from her mother. Afterwards, a stern Joyce orders Buffy home just as Spike and the other vampires crash through the window, too impatient to wait for Saturday. In the ensuing fight, Buffy leads the adults to safety in the science room while Xander (Nicholas Brendon), Giles, and Ms. Calendar barricade themselves in the library. Willow (Alyson Hannigan) and Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) hide in a utility closet. Xander is sent out to get Angel. Buffy takes command of the incredulous adults, tells them to stay put and climbs through the air ducts to reach the library and her weapons.

Buffy's location in the ceiling is discovered when Spike hears noises, and she has to avoid strikes made by the vampires to knock her down. After taking out the vampires trying to break into the classroom where the adults are, she runs into Sheila, who has been turned by Drusilla. At first, Buffy doesn't realize this, but she is able to stop Sheila's attempt to ambush her; however, Sheila escapes.

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