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Phases is the fifteenth episode of the second season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and the twenty-seventh episode overall.

Starring: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase), David Boreanaz (Angel)

And: Anthony Stewart Head (Giles)

Guest Starring: Seth Green (Oz), Camilla Griggs (Gym Teacher), Jack Conley (Cain)

Co-Starring: Larry Bagby III (Larry), Megahn Perry (Theresa), Keith Campbell (Werewolf)

Contents 1 Plot Overview 2 Notes 2.1 Monster of the Week 2.2 Body Count 2.3 Music 3 Arc Advancement 3.1 Happenings 3.2 Characters 3.3 Referbacks 4 Trivia 4.1 The Show 4.2 Behind the Scenes 4.3 Allusions and References 4.4 Memorable Moments 5 Quotes

[edit] Plot Overview

[edit] Notes

[edit] Monster of the Week

The werewolf or wolfman, yet another Universal classic movie monster, is reimagined somewhat for the monster of this episode. Most notably, the hypothesis that a man only transforms into the werewolf on the exact night of a full moon is toyed with. Xander and Cordelia are attacked by one such creature on the night before the full moon and, according to Giles, are "potent, extreme representation of our inborn, animalistic traits." The traits emerge for three consecutive nights (two night prior to, and one night including, the full moon).

The characteristics of a werewolf are fairly traditional, however Cain brings up the fact that they are attracted to sexual heat and act completely on instinct. The silver bullet weakness is present, although Giles does not consider it an option because it would also kill the human afflicted. Cain, on the other hand, has no problem with shooting for the kill. He claims that werewolf pelts fetch a great deal of money in Sri Lanka.

[edit] Body Count

#	Whom	By Whom	How	Where
1	Theresa	Angelus	Vamped	Truck Depot
2	Theresa	Xander	Staked	Funeral Home

[edit] Music

[edit] Arc Advancement

[edit] Happenings

[edit] Characters

• Oz: Oz discovers that he's a werewolf after being bitten by his cousin Jordy. In the future, he'll be forced to get locked up for the three days in which he transforms so that he won't hurt anyone. Despite this, he and Willow share their first kiss, signifying the beginning of their romantic relationship.

[edit] Referbacks

• 1x03 - The Witch: In the opening scene of the episode, Oz comments that the cheerleading statue seems to follow him wherever he goes. When Amy was released from her mother's spell, she transferred her into the body of the cheerleader statue and didn't tell anyone what she had done.

Oz: This cheerleading statue, it's like its eyes follow you everywhere you go.

• 1x06 - The Pack: Xander was influenced by the spirit of a Hyena demon while on a trip to the Sunnydale Zoo. He, along with a group of predatory bullies took on the personality traits of hyenas when they entered the exhibit. Among their exploits until they were returned to normal were eating Principal Flutie and boorishly hitting on Willow and Buffy. After reverting, Xander claimed that he didn't remember anything, which was a lie that is unraveled in this episode.

Willow: On a count of once you were a hyena?

• 1x08 - I Robot, You Jane: A charismatic demon who contacted Willow through the internet thanks to a scanning mishap also convinced two misfit computer geeks to build him a robotic body so that he'd have an Earthly anchor. It was willing to spare Willow, but turned violent when she rejected him.

Xander: Willow would be Robbie the Robot's love slave...

• 1x04 - Teacher's Pet: Xander was very nearly the mate for a praying mantis-like demon which would have snatched off Xander's head in the act of intercourse, like the insects do.

Xander: ...I wouldn't even have a head...

[edit] Trivia

[edit] The Show

• Trilogy: This episode is viewed as the first part in a three part Willow/Oz character arc. The other episodes involved are Wild at Heart and New Moon Rising.

[edit] Behind the Scenes

• International: Buffy the Vampire Slayer has been dubbed into many different languages and the title translated for each different international version. Some international translations of this episode's title are:
  • French: "Pleine Lune" ("Full Moon")
  • Italian: "Notte di luna piena" ("Full Moon Night")
  • German: "Der Werwolfjäger" ("The Werewolf Hunter")
  • Japanese: "狼たちの夜" ("Ōkami-Tachi no Yoru" - "Night of the Wolves")
• Censored: Buffy's reference to Cain as "mein Furrier," a pun on "mein Führer" or Adolf Hitler, is censored on the German DVDs. Instead, the line is translated to "Wir müssen nur dort sein, bevor unser Trapper dort aufkreutzt", or "We just have to be there before our trapper shows up."

[edit] Allusions and References

• Robby the Robot: Robby the Robot is a science fiction character who first appeared in the 1956 MGM film Forbidden Planet and, after a great deal of popularity, also appeared in other films and television shows like The Twilight Zone and Lost in Space.

[edit] Memorable Moments

[edit] Quotes