Ep 12. Checkpoint

Buffy The Vampire Slayer season 5 episode 12, named Checkpoint, follows Buffy and the gang as they face a new threat. The Watchers Council, the organization responsible for training and overseeing slayers, has arrived in Sunnydale to evaluate Buffy's skills and determine if she is fit to continue her role as the chosen one.

As Buffy and her friends prepare to meet with the council, tensions run high. They have had a rocky relationship in the past, and Buffy is not eager to hand over her autonomy to a group of stuffy, old-fashioned operatives. Meanwhile, Glory, the season's main antagonist and a hell-god trying to return to her dimension, has been growing stronger, and the stakes are higher than ever.

The episode starts with Buffy discussing her concerns with Giles, her former Watcher, about the upcoming meeting. Giles has also had a complicated history with the council, and the two share their reluctance to trust the organization. Buffy's friends, including Willow, Xander, and Anya, are also wary about the council's involvement, but they offer their support to Buffy.

The council members arrive in Sunnydale, led by Quentin Travers, a haughty and unyielding figure who has clashed with Buffy in the past. The council's assessment of Buffy's abilities includes written and physical tests, as well as interviews with her friends and acquaintances. The tests are designed to challenge Buffy's fighting skills, critical thinking, and judgment.

As the council observes Buffy's performance, they become increasingly impressed with her abilities and her leadership skills. They acknowledge that she has faced challenges that other slayers would never have encountered, and they understand that her non-traditional approach is necessary to succeed in a world where the rules are constantly changing.

However, the council's arrival in Sunnydale is not just a routine evaluation. They reveal to Buffy that they have discovered Glory's identity and that she is in fact a hell-god, not just another demon. The council believes that Buffy's role is crucial in stopping Glory's ultimate plan, and they offer her their full support.

Buffy and her friends are relieved to have the council's help, but they remain cautious. They know that the council has a history of putting their agenda ahead of the good of humanity, and they worry that they will be used as pawns. Nonetheless, they accept the council's offer and work together to devise a plan to stop Glory.

The episode's climax is a thrilling battle between Buffy and her friends and Glory and her minions. The fight is intense and bloody, and lives are lost on both sides. In the end, Buffy emerges victorious, but she is left shaken and traumatized by the experience.

The episode ends with Buffy and Giles discussing the council's involvement in their lives. They acknowledge that the council is often misguided and has a lot of political baggage, but they recognize that they need all the help they can get in the fight against evil. The episode's conclusion hints at a possible partnership between Buffy and the council, which could lead to interesting developments in future episodes.

Overall, Checkpoint is a tense and action-packed episode that showcases the complex relationships between the main characters and the wider world of the supernatural. The show's exploration of themes such as power, trust, and morality make it a standout in the genre, and its characters remain some of the most beloved in television history.