The Harsh Light of Day

This episode is centred on three couples; Buffy is getting closer to Parker Abrams; Anya wants Xander to sleep with her to help her get over the feelings she has for him and Harmony, who is now a vampire is in love with Spike... who is back in town and more interested in finding the 'Gem of Amara'. This is a vampire Holy Grail; possibly mythical but if it is real it makes the wearer immune to the usual ways of killing vampires. Since Harmony isn't the brightest of vampires she tells Buffy about Spikes search for the gem.

This was a solid episode; the obvious highlight being the return of Spike; the best antagonist in the series to date; James Marsters is great in the role. It did seem a surprise to see him with somebody as vacuous as Harmony but that led to some laughs and surprisingly sympathy for Harmony. Anya's seduction of Xander was as amusing as it was unsubtle; it will be interesting to see if it leads anywhere. Buffy's relationship with Parker appears to be the most likely to succeed but after spending the night together he seems to lose interest in her One couldn't help feeling sorry for her; at least Angel's betrayal was due to a curse, Parker is just a cad. The 'Gem of Amara' was an interesting concept that was handled well and lead to a good confrontation between Buffy and Spike... even if it was strange that there was nobody to witness the fight. Highlights of the episode, for me, were Harmony's meeting with Willow, where it is revealed she is a vampire; and Spike and Harmony bumping into Buffy and Parker at a party. Overall a good mix of emotional material, humour and action.

Spike returns with that airhead classmate of Buffy's. They have a carnal relationship. He is, of course, pure evil and is looking for a gem that will give him greater power. Buffy has hooked up with a guy who is handsome, articulate, and manipulative. He talks her into having sex with him and then he uses the same line on some other girl while Buffy is there. She is having trouble realizing what he is doing to her. Eventually, Buffy is the only one who can stop Spike who finds the gem and goes after her. He is so crass but she is up to the task. Xander and Anya hook up as a part of an experiment she is trying. Good episode. I would imagine Spike is not gone.

Buffy has a crush on Parker Abrams (Adam Kaufman) and makes love with him. Meanwhile, Spike (James Marsters) returns to Sunnydale with a former classmate of Buffy and presently his girlfriend, Harmony Kendall (Mercedes McNab), trying to find a powerful stone in an underground chamber. Anya (Emma Caufield) also returns wanting to have sex with Xander. On the next morning, the relationships are broken and Spike faces Buffy in the light of the day.

"The Harsh Light of Day " is only another reasonable episode of this season. In this show, three types of relationship are presented: Buffy expecting a commitment with Parker, who actually want to have some fun with her only; the silly and shallow Harmony in love with Spike and wanting to go to Paris being abused and dumped in the end by the vampire; and the cold Anya using Xander only to satisfy her primal instincts. It is amazing that during the fight between Buffy and Spike in the campus of the University of California Sunnydale there is absolutely no student or pedestrian to witness them. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "A Cruel Luz do Dia" ("The Cruel Light of Day")