New Moon Rising (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

"New Moon Rising"
Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode
Willow brings a candle to Tara's dorm room due to the blackout, declaring she has chosen her
Episode no.	Season 4 Episode 19
Directed by	James A. Contner
Written by	Marti Noxon
Production code	4ABB19
Original air date	May 2, 2000
Guest appearance(s)
Seth Green as Oz Emma Caulfield as Anya Amber Benson as Tara Maclay Leonard Roberts as Forrest Gates Bailey Chase as Graham Miller Robert Patrick Benedict as Jape (scenes cut) Conor O'Farrell as Colonel McNamara George Hertzberg as Adam James Michael Connor as Scientist #1 Mark Daneri as Scientist #2 Dorron Keeman as Commando #2
Episode chronology
← Previous "Where the Wild Things Are" Next → "The Yoko Factor"
List of Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes

"New Moon Rising" is the 19th episode of season 4 of the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Oz returns to Sunnydale after learning to control his werewolf instincts. However, he loses control when he suspects Tara and Willow's relationship, and is subsequently caught by the Initiative.

Willow and Tara walk around the school grounds holding hands and talk about Tara getting a cat as a pet. At the Scooby Gang meeting, Buffy explains that there is little going on, but as usual, Giles knows that means trouble. As the meeting ends, Oz shows up in the doorway, shocking everyone into silence. Oz arranges to talk with Willow later, and after Oz leaves, Tara also leaves the incredibly uncomfortable situation. Buffy and Riley talk about how bad Willow and Oz's break-up really was, and Buffy accidentally mentions that Oz is a werewolf. Buffy goes off on him when he negatively comments on Willow dating a werewolf (he says that Willow seems smarter than to date a dangerous guy, unknowingly drawing a parallel between Willow and Oz and Buffy and Angel), accusing him of being a bigot and being unable to see past the 'humans versus demons' ideal he's been living.

Oz takes Willow for a walk outside during a full moon, showing her that he's not in werewolf mode. While in Tibet, with the help of herbs, charms, chanting, and meditation, he's learned to control the wolf inside. Oz wants to get back together with Willow, but she is reluctant. Graham patrols with a team and they are all attacked by a four-legged demon, closely resembling a werewolf. Willow and Oz talk all night about their lives while they were apart. Tara comes by in the morning while Willow is away, and upon having Oz answer the door she gets nervous and leaves.

Buffy wakes up at Riley's, but she's very distant from him. They talk about the night before in the graveyard and Riley's reaction to Oz, then Riley leaves after hearing news about Graham getting hurt. Willow shocks Buffy with the news about Oz being able to control the wolf. Buffy is even more shocked as Willow subtly explains that her relationship with Tara is now serious and that complicates things with Oz. Adam goes to Spike for his help in exchange for getting the chip out of Spike's head.