Older and Far Away (Buffy episode)
Encyclopedia
"Older and Far Away" is the 14th episode of season 6 of the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
apologizes to Dawn
for having to leave and hunt down a dangerous demon, promising that they'll soon spend time together. In the cemetery, Buffy fights the demon and stabs it with its own sword; it appears to be sucked into the blade and she takes it with her. At the magic shop, the gang talk about Buffy's upcoming birthday party. Dawn goes shopping for a birthday gift at the mall, and returns with a brand new leather jacket hidden underneath her own coat. The next day at school, Dawn is called to see a guidance counselor, who tries to get her to reveal her problems. Dawn says she wishes that people would stop leaving her.
While Anya
finishes preparing food for the birthday party, Buffy lets Tara in and the two talk secretly. Buffy explains that Spike
wasn't invited because he wouldn't behave around her friends, however, having heard about the party from Willow, Spike shows up with beer and Clem, the loose skinned demon with whom he plays kitten poker. Before Buffy can address Spike's presence, Xander introduces Richard, a friend from work, who he and Anya invited to the party for Buffy.
Buffy opens her birthday presents, which include a portable back massager from Willow and the shoplifted leather jacket from Dawn. Buffy spots the tell-tale security tag still attached, but as Dawn nervously tries to explain, Xander and Anya's gift - a custom weapons chest - is wheeled into the room and distracts Buffy. Sophie, a young friend of Buffy's from work, arrives at the party, further taking Buffy's attention from her disgruntled sister who angrily closes the door. As the door closes, the guidance counselor steps out of the shadows and reveals herself as the vengeance demon Halfrek
saying, "Wish granted."
The party continues into the following morning, and the partygoers gradually realize realize they're physically unable to leave the Summers house. The gang discuss the dilemma, anxious about missing classes and work. Dawn snaps at them all, hurt and angry that they all want to leave. Suspicious, the Scooby Gang asks Dawn if she has anything to do with the situation, which she angrily denies. Magic is suggested to fix the problem, but Tara, who doesn't have any supplies with her, is the only one who can do it. Willow reveals that she still has a few items that she kept following the cleansing; a displeased Tara requests the materials but makes it clear that Willow must keep her distance from the spellcasting.
Tara performs a spell intended to release them from the house, but instead it releases the demon from the sword Buffy brought home. It attacks the group and Richard takes a cut to the chest before the demon retreats into the walls. While the wound is tended, noises can be heard in the walls and Anya begins to show signs of claustrophobia
. Xander comforts her, then is also attacked. Buffy and Spike fight the demon back into hiding; Xander, though injured, shows more concern for Anya's state of shock than his own physical harm. Buffy and Dawn finally talk.
It appears that only Willow's magical skill can save the day. Xander and Anya both press her to act, but Tara is opposed, and Willow expresses her fear that if she starts using magic again, she may not be able to stop. Upset that no one is willing to do anything productive, Anya goes upstairs to find her own solution to their problem. Dawn reveals to her sister that she recently talked to a guidance counselor and may have made a wish to the woman. In Dawn's room, Anya, convinced that the girl has something to do with their entrapment, searches her belongings. Dawn enters the room with her sister and is freaked out by the invasion of her privacy, but Anya uncovers Dawn's secret stash of stolen jewelry and objects from the Magic Shop, which stuns everyone.
Dawn tries to bolt, but Anya delivers her a stern lecture on theft, particularly upset that Dawn has stolen from the Magic Shop. Buffy tries to place the blame on the guidance counselor and Anya puts the pieces together. Realizing Halfrek
is responsible, Anya summons her because only Halfrek can lift the spell. Halfrek appears, but is stabbed by the demon and falls. Spike, Anya, and Buffy battle the intruder, and Buffy plunges the sword straight through the wall into the demon, trapping it in the sword again, then breaks the sword over her knee. With it gone, the only problem left is destroying Halfrek's pendant so they can be freed.
Halfrek, only slighrtly harmed, explains that vengeance demons aren't limited by the type of vengeance wished for, though some tend to "specialize" in certain types of vengeance (Anya's was exacting vengeance for scorned women; Halfrek's is "bad parents"). She informs the Scooby Gang that Dawn's pain and silent but desperate plea for attention was something she hadn't seen so severe in a long time, and the gang was completely oblivious to it. According to her, the whole gang deserve to be cursed and confined to the house together for all eternity. Halfrek tries to leave, but falls victim to her own curse and is forced to lift it in order to escape.
As Tara clears up the remains from her spell, she and Willow talk. Tara understands why Willow kept some magical supplies and is proud that she didn't fall for the temptation of using magic even in a desperate situation, but makes it clear that Willow has to make it without the safety net from now on. Richard is escorted outside and to the hospital while most of the remaining gang depart for freedom from the house. Dawn stays behind, but is both surprised and overjoyed when instead of leaving like the others, Buffy shuts the door and stays in the house.
Plot synopsis
BuffyBuffy Summers
Buffy Summers is a fictional character from Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise. She first appeared in the 1992 film Buffy the Vampire Slayer before going on to appear in the television series and subsequent comic book of the same name...
apologizes to Dawn
Dawn Summers
Dawn Summers is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon and introduced by Marti Noxon and David Fury on the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, portrayed by Michelle Trachtenberg. She made her debut in the premiere episode of the show's fifth season, and subsequently appeared in every...
for having to leave and hunt down a dangerous demon, promising that they'll soon spend time together. In the cemetery, Buffy fights the demon and stabs it with its own sword; it appears to be sucked into the blade and she takes it with her. At the magic shop, the gang talk about Buffy's upcoming birthday party. Dawn goes shopping for a birthday gift at the mall, and returns with a brand new leather jacket hidden underneath her own coat. The next day at school, Dawn is called to see a guidance counselor, who tries to get her to reveal her problems. Dawn says she wishes that people would stop leaving her.
While Anya
Anya Jenkins
Anya is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She also appears in the comic book series based on the television show. Portrayed by Emma Caulfield, the character appears as a guest star in the third and fourth seasons of the show before...
finishes preparing food for the birthday party, Buffy lets Tara in and the two talk secretly. Buffy explains that Spike
Spike (Buffyverse)
Spike, played by James Marsters, is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. Spike is a vampire and played various roles on the shows, ranging from villain to anti-hero. For Marsters, the role as Spike began a career in science...
wasn't invited because he wouldn't behave around her friends, however, having heard about the party from Willow, Spike shows up with beer and Clem, the loose skinned demon with whom he plays kitten poker. Before Buffy can address Spike's presence, Xander introduces Richard, a friend from work, who he and Anya invited to the party for Buffy.
Buffy opens her birthday presents, which include a portable back massager from Willow and the shoplifted leather jacket from Dawn. Buffy spots the tell-tale security tag still attached, but as Dawn nervously tries to explain, Xander and Anya's gift - a custom weapons chest - is wheeled into the room and distracts Buffy. Sophie, a young friend of Buffy's from work, arrives at the party, further taking Buffy's attention from her disgruntled sister who angrily closes the door. As the door closes, the guidance counselor steps out of the shadows and reveals herself as the vengeance demon Halfrek
Halfrek
Halfrek or Hallie is a recurring fictional character on the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She appears as a vengeance demon in seasons 6 and 7, and has previously appeared as Cecily in season 5. She is played by actress Kali Rocha....
saying, "Wish granted."
The party continues into the following morning, and the partygoers gradually realize realize they're physically unable to leave the Summers house. The gang discuss the dilemma, anxious about missing classes and work. Dawn snaps at them all, hurt and angry that they all want to leave. Suspicious, the Scooby Gang asks Dawn if she has anything to do with the situation, which she angrily denies. Magic is suggested to fix the problem, but Tara, who doesn't have any supplies with her, is the only one who can do it. Willow reveals that she still has a few items that she kept following the cleansing; a displeased Tara requests the materials but makes it clear that Willow must keep her distance from the spellcasting.
Tara performs a spell intended to release them from the house, but instead it releases the demon from the sword Buffy brought home. It attacks the group and Richard takes a cut to the chest before the demon retreats into the walls. While the wound is tended, noises can be heard in the walls and Anya begins to show signs of claustrophobia
Claustrophobia
Claustrophobia is the fear of having no escape and being closed in small spaces or rooms...
. Xander comforts her, then is also attacked. Buffy and Spike fight the demon back into hiding; Xander, though injured, shows more concern for Anya's state of shock than his own physical harm. Buffy and Dawn finally talk.
It appears that only Willow's magical skill can save the day. Xander and Anya both press her to act, but Tara is opposed, and Willow expresses her fear that if she starts using magic again, she may not be able to stop. Upset that no one is willing to do anything productive, Anya goes upstairs to find her own solution to their problem. Dawn reveals to her sister that she recently talked to a guidance counselor and may have made a wish to the woman. In Dawn's room, Anya, convinced that the girl has something to do with their entrapment, searches her belongings. Dawn enters the room with her sister and is freaked out by the invasion of her privacy, but Anya uncovers Dawn's secret stash of stolen jewelry and objects from the Magic Shop, which stuns everyone.
Dawn tries to bolt, but Anya delivers her a stern lecture on theft, particularly upset that Dawn has stolen from the Magic Shop. Buffy tries to place the blame on the guidance counselor and Anya puts the pieces together. Realizing Halfrek
Halfrek
Halfrek or Hallie is a recurring fictional character on the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She appears as a vengeance demon in seasons 6 and 7, and has previously appeared as Cecily in season 5. She is played by actress Kali Rocha....
is responsible, Anya summons her because only Halfrek can lift the spell. Halfrek appears, but is stabbed by the demon and falls. Spike, Anya, and Buffy battle the intruder, and Buffy plunges the sword straight through the wall into the demon, trapping it in the sword again, then breaks the sword over her knee. With it gone, the only problem left is destroying Halfrek's pendant so they can be freed.
Halfrek, only slighrtly harmed, explains that vengeance demons aren't limited by the type of vengeance wished for, though some tend to "specialize" in certain types of vengeance (Anya's was exacting vengeance for scorned women; Halfrek's is "bad parents"). She informs the Scooby Gang that Dawn's pain and silent but desperate plea for attention was something she hadn't seen so severe in a long time, and the gang was completely oblivious to it. According to her, the whole gang deserve to be cursed and confined to the house together for all eternity. Halfrek tries to leave, but falls victim to her own curse and is forced to lift it in order to escape.
As Tara clears up the remains from her spell, she and Willow talk. Tara understands why Willow kept some magical supplies and is proud that she didn't fall for the temptation of using magic even in a desperate situation, but makes it clear that Willow has to make it without the safety net from now on. Richard is escorted outside and to the hospital while most of the remaining gang depart for freedom from the house. Dawn stays behind, but is both surprised and overjoyed when instead of leaving like the others, Buffy shuts the door and stays in the house.
Cultural references
- Xander alludes to The Twilight ZoneThe Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)The Twilight Zone is an American anthology television series created by Rod Serling, which ran for five seasons on CBS from 1959 to 1964. The series consisted of unrelated episodes depicting paranormal, futuristic, dystopian, or simply disturbing events; each show typically featured a surprising...
episode "It's a Good LifeIt's a Good Life (The Twilight Zone)"It's a Good Life" is an episode of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone. It is based on a 1953 short story of the same name by Jerome Bixby.-Synopsis:...
", in which a child with god-like powers isolates his small town from the rest of the world on a whim, and anyone who defies or annoys him is sent to a mystical cornfield. - The title is taken from J. G. BallardJ. G. BallardJames Graham Ballard was an English novelist, short story writer, and prominent member of the New Wave movement in science fiction...
's Empire of the SunEmpire of the SunEmpire of the Sun is a 1984 novel by J. G. Ballard which was awarded the James Tait Black Memorial Prize. Like Ballard's earlier short story, "The Dead Time" , it is essentially fiction but draws extensively on Ballard's experiences in World War II...
, where at the end of the story a young man comes to this realization about his current relationship with his family. The Empire of the Sun connection is further stressed in the scene before Dawn meets the "guidance counselor" as the teacher's line about "things Jim lost during his years in Shanghai and things he gained" implies that Dawn's class is studying the book. - Richard, with his red T-shirt, his wounding and his subsequent non-appearance, echoes the redshirtsRedshirt (character)A "redshirt" is a stock character in fiction who dies soon after being introduced. The term originates with fans of Star Trek , from the red shirts worn by Starfleet security officers who frequently die during episodes.-Star Trek:...
from Star TrekStar TrekStar Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
, disposable characters brought in to fall victim to perils in place of a main character. This is intentional.
Continuity
- Halfrek is obliquely revealed to be Cecily, who rejected Spike while he was human (shown in the episode "Fool for LoveFool for Love (Buffy episode)"Fool for Love" is episode 7 of season 5 of the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It is a companion to the Angel episode "Darla", which first aired later the same night on The WB network; both episodes include multiple flashbacks to the history of Spike and Darla, shown from their...
"), although neither is willing to acknowledge their past acquaintance. - Anya is seen trying to sell the slug scented candles that Buffy advises a shopper not to buy in "Life SerialLife Serial (Buffy episode)"Life Serial" is the 5th episode of season 6 of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.-Plot synopsis:Buffy returns from her visit with Angel, but doesn't want to talk about it. Instead, the Scoobies discuss Buffy's future plans...
"
Arc significance
- When Dawn screams for everyone to leave her room she does in the exact fashion from when she told BuffyBuffy SummersBuffy Summers is a fictional character from Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise. She first appeared in the 1992 film Buffy the Vampire Slayer before going on to appear in the television series and subsequent comic book of the same name...
and JoyceJoyce SummersJoyce Summers is a fictional character in the fantasy television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer . Played by Kristine Sutherland, Joyce is the mother of the main character, Buffy Summers . Joyce appears regularly from the first episode until the character's death in the fifth season episode "The...
to leave her room in episode 13 of Season Five ("Blood Ties"). - Dawn's kleptomaniaKleptomaniaKleptomania is an irresistible urge to steal items of trivial value. People with this disorder are compelled to steal things, generally, but not limited to, objects of little or no significant value, such as pens, paper clips, paper and tape...
and abandonment issues are revealed to the Scoobies at large. - This episode marks the last time that Buffy's birthday is celebrated in the series. Spike comments in the episode that because supernatural events have a history of occurring on Buffy's birthday she should probably stop celebrating them. It is possible that because of this history Buffy does not celebrate her birthday in Season Seven. Buffy traditionally celebrates her birthday around the 12th or 13th episode of each season: her birthday takes place in episode 13 of Season Two ("Surprise"), episode 12 of Season Three ("Helpless"), episode 12 of Season Four ("A New Man"), and episode 13 of Season Five ("Blood Ties"). Buffy's birthday is also not shown celebrated in Season One (it presumably occurred before the beginning of the half-long season).
Errors
- When Anya follows Dawn downstairs and into the living room after discovering the stolen magic box items, Spike can be seen walking up the stairs in the backround. In the next shot he's at the bottom of the stairs walking up it again.