Intervention

This was a nice episode. We are finding more and more that Spike has a heart. His love for Buffy is real but it will never be completed. So he gets that tech wunderkind to make an artificial Buffy that he can play with in every imaginable way. The Glory minions are instructed to find someone who is new to Buffy who may be the Key. They think it is Spike. Glory knows right away that he is a vampire and she suspects he knows who the Key is. He pretty much gives himself up too protect Buffy and Dawn. There are some really funny scenes as the imitation Buffy has conversation with the Scoobies. The way she is programmed is hilarious, especially her conversation with Willow. Clever writing.

Buffy is feeling that she is turning into stone, losing her ability to love and her humanity, and wants to take a break in her vampire slayer's duties. Giles persuades her to travel for a vision quest in a sacred place in the desert to bring her concentration back. Meanwhile, Spike gets the Buffy-robot from Warren and both the Scooby gang and Glory's minions believe that the robot is the real Buffy, and the minions assume that Spike is The Key. Buffy has a vision of the First Slayer, who tells her that death is her gift. Spike resists Glory's tortures and receives his reward in the end.

"Intervention" is one of the best episodes of the Fifth Season so far, alternating dramatic and hilarious moments. The reaction of Xander and Anya assuming that Buffy is having sex with Spike is extremely funny. The attitude of Buffy with Spike in the end of the episode is probably the greatest moment of this great show. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "A Intervenção" ("The Intervention")