TV-Reviewed

This episode is one of the best episodes this season. It could be one of the best in its entire series run. It was put together very nicely and everything seemed to fit in. The acting was on point and the suspense level was unexpectedly high. This was one of those stand alone episodes where the storyline didn’t focus around the master. I believe this was the episode that made The WB (Now CW) realize what kind of gem they really had.

This episode begins with the gang on a field trip. They were taken to The Sunnydale Zoo where they were able to see many different foreign animals. These animals, well just the Hyenas, can possess a human and take control of their bodies. Unfortunately Xander didn’t know how to mind his business and got possessed by one of the hyenas. Not to worry; he wasn’t the only one. The school bullies also joined in on the fun and boy did they have a good time.

Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers

They enjoyed themselves by praying on the weak. The bullies ganged up on a nerd in gym class and even went as far as eating a pig, Xander included! Xander also had his fun playing games with Willow. He teased her a lot to the point where her heart was broken. Buffy didn’t like this and threatened Xander. She couldn’t pin point what was up with Xander’s attitude. She went to Giles for guidance and he was able to find out what could of happened to Xander and the others. I bet he wished he found out sooner because then the principal may have survived the episode instead of ending up as a human waste product!

Buffy was able to capture Xander before he could do anymore harm. It wasn’t hard; all she had to do was let Xander think he was capable of raping her! It wasn’t as bad as it sounds. She knocks him out and throws him in a cage. Giles orders to find the others while he searches for a way to reverse the possession. Willow is left to watch over Xander. Xander puts his charm on and tries to get Willow to release him but Willow isn’t stupid. She ignores him until his friends come to break him free. They chase her around the school before Giles and Buffy shows up to save her. She kicks their butts and they flee to find a weaker opponent. Willow and Giles goes back to the zoo to help Mr. Anderson with the reversal of the hyena possession.

Giles was able to learn a lot from Mr. Anderson. After all, he has studied them most of his life. That should have raised a red flag for Giles. He ended up turning out to be a bad guy that wanted to be possessed by the hyenas! He wasn’t happy that a bunch of kids beat him to the chase. Buffy was able to lore the pack back to the zoo only to find willow being held by Mr. Anderson with a knife to her throat! Once the pack arrives he reverses the possessions and sends all the bad spirits into himself. He briefly fights Buffy only to be knocked in the hyena pit. He gets eaten alive and gets exactly what he wanted. He finally was part of the hyena kingdom.

Everything is back to usually by episode’s end. The gang is back together laughing and joking and Giles is still pondering his thoughts about why he is still among them. This episode was a great way to show the media how creative they can be without going over the top. Despite the budget it was still well directed and the special effects were as good as it can get. This series only got better from here on.

Rating: 8.0