Choices (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

"Choices"
Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode
Faith receives a special knife from the Mayor
Episode no.	Season 3 Episode 19
Directed by	James A. Contner
Written by	David Fury
Production code	3ABB19
Original air date	May 4, 1999
Guest appearance(s)
Kristine Sutherland as Joyce Summers Harry Groener as Mayor Richard Wilkins Alexis Denisof as Wesley Wyndam-Pryce Eliza Dushku as Faith Lehane Armin Shimerman as Principal Snyder Keith Brunsmann as Vamp-Lackey Jimmie F. Skaggs as Courier JR Reed as Vamp-Guard Bonita Friedericy as Manager Michael Schoenfeld as Security Guard #1 Seth Coltan as Security Guard #2 Brett Moses as Student
Episode chronology
← Previous "Earshot" Next → "The Prom"
List of Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes

"Choices" is the nineteenth episode of season three of the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It was written by David Fury, directed by James A. Contner, and first broadcast on May 4, 1999.

The Box of Gavrok is due to arrive by courier at the airport; the Mayor offers Faith a knife in return for intercepting it. Buffy tells Wesley and Giles that she wants out of Sunnydale. She offers a deal: if she takes the offensive against the Mayor, defeats him, and stops the ascension, they could afford to be Slayerless for long enough for her to go away to college.

That night, Faith kills the courier, and separates him from the box by taking off his hand. Watching from the bushes, Buffy sees Faith deliver the box to the Mayor. After the coast is clear, Buffy forces the driver to disclose information about the box before staking him.

The gang plan an attack on City Hall to steal the Box of Gavrok. First, Willow will remove the magic protecting the box so Buffy and Angel can take it. Then, Xander and Oz will prepare the ritual Willow will use to destroy the box.

Wesley and Giles drop off Buffy, Willow and Angel at City Hall. Everything goes fine until Buffy's guy rope sticks and an alarm goes off. As two vampires enter, Angel drops to Buffy's rescue. After a fight, they escape with the box. The Mayor's anger and the gang's relief reverse when it is discovered that Faith has captured Willow.

A library discussion ensues: is Willow's life worth those of the many thousands who would be saved if the box is destroyed? Oz settles the matter by smashing the pot containing the potion needed for the ritual. Buffy tells Giles to set up a meeting to exchange Willow for the Box of Gavrok.

At City Hall, Willow escapes from the room she is imprisoned in and examines the Mayor's office. She is reading the Books of Ascension when Faith finds her. Giles's call comes in time to stop Faith from killing her.

The meeting is in the school cafeteria where the Mayor tells Buffy and Angel that they have no future together. They make the trade, but are disrupted by Principal Snyder and his security guards, bent on drug-busting. One of the guards opens the box and a large beetle-like creature jumps out and kills him. Another beetle breaks free and the two attack the Mayor and Buffy. Both beetles are killed.