Fear, Itself

"Fear, Itself"
Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode
Buffy looks at Gachnar, the fear demon, revealed to only be a few inches in height
Episode no.	Season 4 Episode 4
Directed by	Tucker Gates
Written by	David Fury
Production code	4ABB04
Original air date	October 26, 1999
Guest appearance(s)
Kristine Sutherland as Joyce Summers Marc Blucas as Riley Finn Emma Caulfield as Anya Adam Kaufman as Parker Abrams Lindsay Crouse as Maggie Walsh Marc Rose as Josh Sulo Williams as Chaz Walter Emanuel Jones as Edward Adam Bitterman as Gachnar Aldis Hodge as Masked Teen Darris Love as Hallmate Michele Nordin as Rachel Adam Grimes as Lobster Boy Larissa Reynolds as Present Girl
Episode chronology
← Previous "The Harsh Light of Day" Next → "Beer Bad"
List of Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes

"Fear, Itself" is the fourth episode of the fourth season of the horror television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003). Written by David Fury and directed by Tucker Gates, the episode originally aired on The WB Television Network in the United States on October 26, 1999. In this episode Gachnar, a demon with the ability to materialize terror, is accidentally conjured and wreaks havoc on a Halloween party, leading Buffy and her friends to confront their worst fears.

The fraternity house in the episode is known as the Alfred Rosenheim mansion located in Los Angeles, California. The mansion is a registered Cultural Monument, and was used as the setting for the first season of FX series American Horror Story, which used a studio stage for interior scenes.

While carving jack-o'-lanterns in Xander's basement, the gang discusses plans for Halloween; Buffy continues to mope over her situation with Parker. They decide to go to the Alpha-Delta house for a party. The next day at school, Buffy and Oz both express their concerns for Willow and her use of magic. Buffy spots Parker and immediately runs away. Willow follows her, explaining that she should get over it and have fun at the party that night, but Buffy thinks that Giles will want her to patrol. When Buffy goes to visit Giles, she's surprised to find him embracing the Halloween spirit. He discourages her from patrolling and encourages her to go party.

At the Alpha-Delta house, the members are getting ready for the party. One finds a symbol in an old book to paint on the floor. Anya goes to see Xander, wanting to know where their relationship is heading. He agrees that they're somewhat dating, inviting her to the party. Buffy, who skipped her psych class, visits the professor and asks for her assignment, but she receives a cold response. Riley, however, gives her the assignment, telling her to have fun on Halloween. Oz and Xander carry a sound system to the Alpha-Delta house, and Oz installs it while one guy paints the symbol from the book. Oz cuts his hand, spilling drops of his blood, which activates the ritual to summon Gachnar.