As reported in our last issue, two of Buffy's third season episodes were pulled from the air in reaction to school violence across the country (most notably the Littleton, Colorado shooting). Your friendly 11th Hour webmaster has managed to get a look at both episodes through a process involving begging, pleading and grovelling. The reviews below may contain minor spoilers for both episodes, though I've made an effort to keep anything too revealing to myself.

An encounter with a pair of strange demons rubs off on Buffy -- quite literally. Her contact with the creatures has granted her one of their traits: the ability to hear the thoughts of others. At first it's a great opportunity for comedy, but Buffy's free membership in the Psychic Friends Network doesn't take long to backfire; hearing everyone's thoughts soon overwhelms her, and in the lunchroom, just before she passes out, she hears a very ominous thought: someone in the room vows that by lunchtime tomorrow, the students will all be dead. With the Slayer incapacitated by the roar of voices in her head, the Scooby Gang sets to work figuring out who it is that wants to kill everyone. This storyline makes it obvious why the episode was pulled; it was slated to air just one day after the Littleton, Colorado shooting. But it is all very unfortunate, because this episode simply shines as one of Buffy's finest moments. Some especially heart-wrenching interaction comes between Buffy and recurring character Jonathan (Danny Strong), but the heavy themes of death are also lightened by some absolutely hilarious thoughts and revealing "interview" scenes as the Slayerettes try to unmask the killer. The episode ranges from light and goofy to extremely poignant, and touches once again on important issues like death, murder, suicide, depression, and general high school life (which really includes all of the above) in a way that is neither condescending nor preachy. Once again, Buffy manages to speak of the teenage situation with an honesty and clarity of mind unsurpassed by the competition.

As graduation draws closer, Buffy and pals mull over a serious question: just how do you stop your town Mayor from becoming a freakin' huge demon, anyway? Angel still lies near death (for real this time), poisoned by Faith, his only cure to drain a Slayer; and Faith lies in the hospital in a coma after being attacked by Buffy in part one. Part two draws it all together, once again with an episode that flits from light to dark with smooth skill. Buffy once again puts herself in peril for her undead lover, and the gang has to find a way to stop the Mayor's ascension before he makes a meal of the Sunnydale High 1999 graduating class. This episode also sets the stage for the departure of David Boreanaz, who moves on to star in his own spinoff, Angel, which will air right after Buffy on the WB. So of course for fans of the Buffy/Angel relationship, this episode is definitely a tear-jerker. The real question for most fans is who will survive: with the Mayor turning into a giant snake, backed up by a hoarde of vampires, the students don't seem to stand much chance, though we know (because of the preemption and the WB's statements on it) that the students will be ready: armed to the teeth underneath their graduation robes. There are a number of casualties on either side, and some spectacular fireworks, before the dust clears. This is also a stand-out episode of the series and a fine example of what Buffy really is, especially as our heroes (what's left of them, anyway), stand back and reflect not that they've survived yet another demon... but that they've survived high school. Personally, I think they're on the right track: I'd prefer demon-slayage to high school any day of the week.

For those not lucky enough to have seen the episodes yet, or too picky to view the RealVideo pirated versions (like me...I'll take VHS, thank you), the WB will finally be airing "Graduation Day part 2" on July 13th, 1999, at 8/7C. I've heard that "Earshot" will also be aired sometime before the fourth season premiere, but no date has been set.

-- Lisa Kohles