"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" The Pack (1997)

Director:

Bruce Seth Green

Writers:

Joss Whedon (creator)
Matt Kiene (written by) ...

TV Series:

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1997)

Original Air Date:

7 April 1997 (Season 1, Episode 6)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Fantasy

Plot:

After an altercation in the hyena enclosure of the local zoo, Buffy and Willow notice Xander start to hang with a new group of friends, and take on a slightly more primal attitude, including a liking for rare meat.

Plot Keywords:

Female Protagonist | Library | Heroine | Demon | High School

Cast

Sarah Michelle Gellar	...	Buffy Summers
Nicholas Brendon	...	Xander Harris
Alyson Hannigan	...	Willow Rosenberg
Charisma Carpenter	...	Cordelia Chase (credit only)
Anthony Head	...	Rupert Giles (as Anthony Stewart Head)
Ken Lerner	...	Principal Bob Flutie
Eion Bailey	...	Kyle DuFours
Michael McCraine	...	Rhonda Kelley (as Michael McRaine)
Brian Gross	...	Tor Hauer
Jennifer Sky	...	Heidi Barrie
Jeff Maynard	...	Lance
James Stephens	...	Dr. Weirick
David Brisbin	...	Mr. Anderson
Barbara Whinnery	...	Mrs. Anderson (as Barbara K. Whinnery)
Gregory White	...	Coach Herrold

Runtime:

45 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:TV-PG

Company:

Mutant Enemy

Goofs:

Continuity: When Buffy returns to the library dragging an unconscious Xander, a deadbolt can be seen on the right-hand library door. It was not there when she left (or at any time before this).

Quotes:

Xander: Why don't you pick on someone your own species?

Movie Connections:

References The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Soundtrack:

All I Want

Xander becomes the leader of The Pack.

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

The third non-vampire episode of Buffy is one of the best in the entire series. Xander is possessed by the spirit of an animal, leading him to dis Willow, attempt to rape Buffy, eat the principal, and terrorize a family of four in their own car. This was the first episode that really showed just how nasty this show could be when it wanted to. This was the end for Ken Lerner's touchy feely Principal Flutie. This is also the first of many times that regulars walk on the wild side. Nickolas Brendon has a lot of fun, but the best one of his scenes may be after he is normal again. He feigns memory loss so that Willow and Buffy never have to speak of what happened again. The lovely Jennifer Sky has a cameo as one of the students who gets in touch with her inner beast. A fast and fun look at the jungle that is high school.

9 out of 10. Grr Argh.