Checkpoint (23 Jan. 2001)

The Watcher Council travels to Sunnydale to review Buffy's skills as a Slayer; meanwhile, Glory puts her search for the Key into high gear.

Director:

Nick Marck

Writers:

Joss Whedon (creator), Douglas Petrie,

Stars:

Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Sarah Michelle Gellar	...	Buffy Summers
Nicholas Brendon	...	Xander Harris
Alyson Hannigan	...	Willow Rosenberg
Emma Caulfield	...	Anya
Michelle Trachtenberg	...	Dawn Summers
James Marsters	...	Spike
Anthony Head	...	Rupert Giles (as Anthony Stewart Head)
Clare Kramer	...	Glory
Charlie Weber	...	Ben
Cynthia Lamontagne	...	Lydia (as Cynthia LaMontagne)
Oliver Muirhead	...	Philip
Kris Iyer	...	Nigel
Kevin Weisman	...	Dreg
Troy Blendell	...	Jinx (as Troy T. Blendell)
Amber Benson	...	Tara Maclay

Storyline

Giles informs Buffy and the Scooby gang that the Council of Watchers led by Quentin Travers will come to Sunnydale with information about Glory. When the arrogant team arrives, they blackmail Buffy and her friends, threatening to send Giles back to England. Buffy and her friends agree to submit to the Council's review. However, Glory comes to Buffy's home and threatens her family and friends and later, Buffy is attacked by the Knights of Byzanthium. She arrives to the review with a different attitude and refuses to submit to the Council's will.

---

Plot Keywords:

heroine | sister sister relationship | female protagonist | lesbian

---

Genres:

Action | Drama | Fantasy

---

Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 January 2001 (USA)

Filming Locations:

1800 Stewart St., Santa Monica, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mutant Enemy, Kuzui Enterprises, Sandollar Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

In this episode, Buffy throws a sword at a Watcher who interrupts her. In the wide-screen version of the episode you can see that she never lets go of the sword.

---

Quotes

Quentin Travers: You used to respect us, Giles. You used to be one of us.
Giles: You used to pay me.

---

Connections

References Masterpiece (1971)

User Reviews

A Matter of Power

Giles informs Buffy and the Scooby gang that the Council of Watchers leaded by Quentin Travers will come to Sunnydale with information about Glory. When the arrogant team arrives, they blackmail Buffy and her friends, threatening Giles to send him back to England. Buffy and her friends accept to be submitted to the review leaded by Quentin. However, when Glory comes to Buffy's home and threatens her family and friends and Buffy is attacked by the Knights of Byzanthium, she changes her attitude in a matter of power.

In this episode, I believe this is the first time that Buffy has a mature attitude and realizes how powerful and important she is in a world crowded of vampires and demons. I was irritated with the position of Quentin Travers and his team, but the conclusion with Buffy assuming the leadership was unforgettable. The revelation that Glory is a god is a great twist in the series as well as the new enemies of Buffy, the Knights of Byzanthium. Spike, as usual, is hilarious and Anya, Tara and Willow are also great with their replies along the interviews. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "O Grande Teste" ("The Great Test")