Buffy may not be worried about the various creatures of the night but starting college is intimidating. Willow takes to college life as this is where she has always been waiting to be and Oz seems to know everybody thanks to his band. Her other friends have left Sunnydale. Buffy feels out of her depth; unsure what courses to take, not knowing where to go and being generally awkward. One night she meets a boy and has a brief chat but he promptly vanishes. A note suggests he just left but Buffy fears it is vampires. She seeks help but it looks as if she will have to deals with things on her own; till an old friend returns.
This was a good start to the fourth season and more importantly to the next stage in Buffy's life. After a humorous prologue most of the episode is about Buffy's introduction to college life; this impressively captures the shock for most new students who are suddenly strangers in a large new world after years of the familiar world of school. The vampires she faces are quite funny but still present a genuine threat. The story plays out well and ends with hints of things that are likely to be important in later episodes. The cast does a solid job; particularly Sarah Michelle Gellar who really impresses as Buffy, making us really feel for her characters sense of not belonging and abandonment. Guest star Katharine Towne was a lot of fun as Sunday, head of the local vampire gang. While there are downbeat aspects to this episode there is also a good amount of humour, solid action and a feel good ending. Overall a welcome return for Buffy and friends.