Buffy - S4E20

The Yoko Factor
First Aired: Tuesday May 9, 2000

After returning from Los Angeles, Buffy has to deal with Riley's new feelings towards Angel. Also, Spike has teamed up with Adam and tries to sabotage the rest of the Scoobies.

This episode revolves around how Spike tries to ruin the Scoobies bonds. Adam has "recruited" Spike, promising that he will remove the chip if Spike helps him. Spike talks about a plan where it would be best to split up the friends of Buffy. Riley, who is hiding out in the old high school, is told the full story about Angel from Xander, since Buffy left out the most important parts. While hiding out, Riley picks up a transmission about a group of the commandos being attacked. Riley goes to help out and finds Angel is the assiliant. They square off, with Angel putting the bigger beat down on Riley. They both retreat as the Initiative shows up. Elsewhere, Spike begins his plan. First, he puts Giles down for his ineffectiveness in helping Buffy. Then, he asks Xander why Buffy and Willow were joking about him joining the army. Finally, after retrieving some Initiative disks (really given by Adam), she comments to Willow about how Buffy said her "wicca" stuff was just a phase. Back at Buffy's room, Angel and Riley both show up. Buffy briefly speaks with Angel, who wishes to just apologize for the way her acted while she was in Los Angeles. Buffy then has to tell Riley about Forrest being killed by Adam and Riley leaves in a hurry. Buffy goes to Giles' home to work with the rest of the Scoobies, but they end up verbally sparing when they war over what Spike said to them. In the end, they all go their separate ways. The episode ends with Riley showing up at Adams stronghold, since he was expected by Adam.

This was a very good episode and was fun to watch Spike be manipulative. I am not really sure how much I like the very brief cameo by Angel. I understand the symbolism of him fighting, and beating up, Riley, but it still felt weird. I really enjoyed the fighting between the "core four" at the end, while Anya and Tara retreat to the bathroom. There were some funny lines ("Tara's your girlfriend?!" "Bloody Hell") to the serious. It really was like the Yoko Factor.

Score: 4 / 5