Checkpoint (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

"Checkpoint"
Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode
In the Summers house, Glory asks Buffy where the Key is, unaware that Dawn (standing behind her) is the Key.
Episode no.	Season 5 Episode 12
Directed by	Nick Marck
Written by	Doug Petrie Jane Espenson
Production code	5ABB12
Original air date	January 23, 2001
Guest appearance(s)
Clare Kramer as Glory Charlie Weber as Ben Cynthia Lamontagne as Lydia Oliver Muirhead as Phillip Kris Iyer as Nigel Kevin Weisman as Dreg Troy T. Blendell as Jinx Amber Benson as Tara Maclay Harris Yulin as Quentin Travers Kristine Sutherland as Joyce Summers Wesley Mask as Professor Roberts Justin Gorence as Orlando Peter Husmann as Mailman Jack Thomas as Council Member #4 John O'Leary as Council Member #5
Episode chronology
← Previous "Triangle" Next → "Blood Ties"
List of Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes

"Checkpoint" is the twelfth episode of season 5 of the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

The Scooby Gang gathers at Buffy's house to discuss the Watchers' Council's plans to come to Sunnydale, which Buffy is very upset about. She recalls that her two previous experiences with the Council put her life in mortal peril, and wishes that they would just give her the information she needs without making the trip to Sunnydale. (Buffy has met Quentin Travers only once before, in Helpless, but met other Council members in Who Are You.)

Glory is at her place, panting and in obvious pain. Dreg and another demon rush into the room, bringing a hysterical mailman. They carry her to the crying man and help her put her fingers to his temples to drain away his sanity. She gets up, refreshed, and the disoriented mailman wanders away. The other demon warns her that she has even less time now to use the key, but Glory isn't worried. She explains that if Buffy is the only obstacle between her and the key, that she won't need much time at all.

Quentin Travers and a large team of Watchers arrive at the Magic Box. They disrupt business, sending paying customers home, and criticize Giles's selection of merchandise. They announce that the Magic Box will be closed for the duration of the Council's stay in Sunnydale. Giles is frustrated and takes an antagonistic position, and then learns that the Council plans on conducting an extensive review of Buffy (her methods, skills, and abilities). Quentin announces that they have information on Glory, but won't reveal it until Buffy's skills have been comprehensively tested and she proves she can handle the information.

In Buffy's history class, the teacher is discussing how Rasputin was considered nearly impossible to kill. Buffy challenges the professor to look at history from another angle, but unfortunately, he turns out to be a bully who shoots her ideas down with scathing criticism and sarcasm, embarrassing her in front of the class. That night, Buffy complains about class to a vampire she's fighting until she is thrown off balance. Spike suddenly appears, flying over a tombstone to tackle and stake the vampire. He expects gratitude, but Buffy accuses him of getting in her way. The two then verbally attack each other.