School Hard
Encyclopedia
"School Hard" is episode three of season two of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The story for the episode was conceived by series creator and executive producer
Joss Whedon
and co-executive producer David Greenwalt
, with Greenwalt penning the teleplay. It was directed by John T. Kretchmer
, the second and final episode he directed for the show. The narrative intertwines two stories, one of Spike and Drusilla, legendary vampires from Angel's past, coming to Sunnydale
and Buffy Summers
's attempts to keep her mother
and Principal Snyder
from meeting at Parent-Teacher night, which she has to organize. Unfortunately for her, this is when Spike chooses to attack.
assigns Buffy
and Sheila Martini (Alexandra Johnes) to prepare the school lounge for parent-teacher night on Thursday. Whoever does the better job will not be expelled. Sheila's continued indifference puts even more pressure on Buffy, who already has a tough time balancing slaying with a social life.
That night, a new pair of vampires arrive in town, Spike and Drusilla, who interrupt a gathering by the Anointed One
(Andrew J. Ferchland
) to discuss The Master's (Mark Metcalf
) departure. Spike promises to kill Buffy as he has killed two Slayers already. Drusilla is quite ill, having been injured by an angry mob in Prague
.
While the Scoobies are busy preparing for the parents, Giles
(Anthony Stewart Head
) and Jenny Calendar
(Robia LaMorte
) show up to inform Buffy that Saturday will be the Night of Saint Vigeous, named after the leader of a vampire crusade, and that during that night, the natural abilities of vampires will be enhanced. Buffy is unimpressed.
Buffy tries to combine school and social life by studying French at the Bronze. Spike is there, too, and sends one of his minions to attack someone, prompting Buffy to fight the minion. He watches while Buffy kills his minion, then steps out of the shadows and tells her that he will kill her on Saturday. He later brings Sheila, who is enthralled by his bad boy charms, to the weak Drusilla as food.
Giles does not recognize Spike from Buffy's description. Angel walks in on the meeting and tells them that Spike is a large problem, and then leaves. Later, Giles finds a reference to Spike as "William the Bloody," and discovers that he has indeed killed two slayers already.
On Thursday night, the Scoobies are making weapons in the library while Buffy is preparing the buffet. She eventually fails to keep Snyder from her mother
. Afterwards, a stern Joyce orders Buffy home just as Spike and the other vampires crash through the window, too impatient to wait for Saturday. In the ensuing fight, Buffy leads the adults to safety in the science room while Xander
(Nicholas Brendon
), Giles, and Ms. Calendar barricade themselves in the library. Willow
(Alyson Hannigan
) and Cordelia
(Charisma Carpenter
) hide in a utility closet. Xander is sent out to get Angel. Buffy takes command of the incredulous adults, tells them to stay put and climbs through the air ducts to reach the library and her weapons.
Buffy's location in the ceiling is discovered when Spike hears noises, and she has to avoid strikes made by the vampires to knock her down. After taking out the vampires trying to break into the classroom where the adults are, she runs into Sheila, who has been turned by Drusilla. At first, Buffy doesn't realize this, but she is able to stop Sheila's attempt to ambush her; however, Sheila escapes.
Xander returns to the school with Angel, who pretends to be his former evil self, Angelus. Though Spike first welcomes Angelus as a long-lost friend, he sees through the ruse and Xander and Angel are forced to flee but not before Xander hears Spike call Angelus his "sire" and "Yoda
."
Buffy and Spike finally meet in the hall, and Buffy is almost bested when her mother shows up and hits Spike over the head with the flat of an axe. With the curse "Women!", he retreats. Joyce tells Buffy that she trusts Buffy to take care of herself, whatever Snyder may say.
Snyder tells the police chief to say that the trouble was caused by a gang on PCP
. When the chief wonders if people will believe it, Snyder asks if the chief would rather that he tell the truth. Spike returns to the vampire lair, where the Anointed One demands penance for attacking too early. After starting to go through the motions, Spike simply throws the boy in a cage and pulls it into the sun, killing him. "From now on," he says, "we're gonna have a little less ritual and a little more fun around here."
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
Joss Whedon
Joss Whedon
Joseph Hill "Joss" Whedon is an American screenwriter, executive producer, director, comic book writer, occasional composer and actor, founder of Mutant Enemy Productions and co-creator of Bellwether Pictures...
and co-executive producer David Greenwalt
David Greenwalt
David Greenwalt is an American screenwriter, director and producer.He was the co-executive producer of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and co-creator of its spinoff, Angel. He is also co-creator of the short-lived cult television show Profit...
, with Greenwalt penning the teleplay. It was directed by John T. Kretchmer
John T. Kretchmer
John T. Kretchmer is an American film and television director.Throughout his career he has amassed a number of television credits namely Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Charmed, The Twilight Zone, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Special Unit 2 , Dark Angel, Psych, Burn Notice, Veronica Mars,...
, the second and final episode he directed for the show. The narrative intertwines two stories, one of Spike and Drusilla, legendary vampires from Angel's past, coming to Sunnydale
Sunnydale
Sunnydale, California is the fictional setting for the U.S. television drama Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Series creator Joss Whedon conceived the town as a representation of a generic California city, as well as a narrative parody of the all-too-serene towns typical in traditional horror...
and Buffy Summers
Buffy 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...
's attempts to keep her mother
Joyce Summers
Joyce 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...
and Principal Snyder
Principal Snyder
Principal R. Snyder is a fictional character in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, played by Armin Shimerman. Shimerman originally auditioned for the role of Flutie, but lost that role to Ken Lerner...
from meeting at Parent-Teacher night, which she has to organize. Unfortunately for her, this is when Spike chooses to attack.
Plot synopsis
Principal SnyderPrincipal Snyder
Principal R. Snyder is a fictional character in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, played by Armin Shimerman. Shimerman originally auditioned for the role of Flutie, but lost that role to Ken Lerner...
assigns Buffy
Buffy 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...
and Sheila Martini (Alexandra Johnes) to prepare the school lounge for parent-teacher night on Thursday. Whoever does the better job will not be expelled. Sheila's continued indifference puts even more pressure on Buffy, who already has a tough time balancing slaying with a social life.
That night, a new pair of vampires arrive in town, Spike and Drusilla, who interrupt a gathering by the Anointed One
Anointed One (Buffyverse)
The Anointed One is a fictional character in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The character is played by Andrew J. Ferchland.-Character history:...
(Andrew J. Ferchland
Andrew J. Ferchland
Andrew Ferchland is an American actor. He began his career as a child actor in 1992-93. He is known for his 1997 role of Collin, the Anointed One, in the popular television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer....
) to discuss The Master's (Mark Metcalf
Mark Metcalf
Mark Howes Metcalf is an American actor in both television and film.-Early life:Metcalf attended Westfield High School in Westfield, New Jersey.-Film and television work:...
) departure. Spike promises to kill Buffy as he has killed two Slayers already. Drusilla is quite ill, having been injured by an angry mob in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
.
While the Scoobies are busy preparing for the parents, Giles
Rupert Giles
Rupert Giles is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The character is portrayed by Anthony Stewart Head. He serves as Buffy Summers' mentor and surrogate father figure...
(Anthony Stewart Head
Anthony Head
Anthony Stewart Head , usually credited as Anthony Head, is an English actor and musician. He rose to fame in the UK following his role in television advertisements for Nescafé Gold Blend , and is known for his roles as Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and as Uther Pendragon in...
) and Jenny Calendar
Jenny Calendar
Jenny Calendar is a fictional character in the fantasy television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer . Played by Robia LaMorte, Jenny is the computer teacher at Sunnydale High School...
(Robia LaMorte
Robia LaMorte
Robia Brett LaMorte, sometimes credited as Robia La Morte, is an American actress and former dancer. She is best known as a dancer and spokesperson for the musician Prince, and for her role as Jenny Calendar in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.-Early life:LaMorte was born in the New...
) show up to inform Buffy that Saturday will be the Night of Saint Vigeous, named after the leader of a vampire crusade, and that during that night, the natural abilities of vampires will be enhanced. Buffy is unimpressed.
Buffy tries to combine school and social life by studying French at the Bronze. Spike is there, too, and sends one of his minions to attack someone, prompting Buffy to fight the minion. He watches while Buffy kills his minion, then steps out of the shadows and tells her that he will kill her on Saturday. He later brings Sheila, who is enthralled by his bad boy charms, to the weak Drusilla as food.
Giles does not recognize Spike from Buffy's description. Angel walks in on the meeting and tells them that Spike is a large problem, and then leaves. Later, Giles finds a reference to Spike as "William the Bloody," and discovers that he has indeed killed two slayers already.
On Thursday night, the Scoobies are making weapons in the library while Buffy is preparing the buffet. She eventually fails to keep Snyder from her mother
Joyce Summers
Joyce 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...
. Afterwards, a stern Joyce orders Buffy home just as Spike and the other vampires crash through the window, too impatient to wait for Saturday. In the ensuing fight, Buffy leads the adults to safety in the science room while Xander
Xander Harris
Alexander LaVelle "Xander" Harris is a fictional character in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as well as in numerous items in the series Expanded Universe, such as comic books, tie-in novels and video games...
(Nicholas Brendon
Nicholas Brendon
Nicholas Brendon , is an actor best known for his character Xander Harris in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer .-Early life:...
), Giles, and Ms. Calendar barricade themselves in the library. Willow
Willow Rosenberg
Willow Rosenberg is a fictional character created for the fantasy television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer . She was developed by Joss Whedon and portrayed throughout the TV series by Alyson Hannigan...
(Alyson Hannigan
Alyson Hannigan
Alyson Lee Hannigan is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Willow Rosenberg in the cult classic television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Michelle Flaherty in three American Pie films, and Lily Aldrin on the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother.-Early life:Hannigan was born in...
) and Cordelia
Cordelia Chase
Cordelia Chase is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer; she also appeared on Buffy's spin-off series Angel...
(Charisma Carpenter
Charisma Carpenter
Charisma Lee Carpenter is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Cordelia Chase in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off Angel, for which she was nominated for four Saturn Awards. In her most recent film she starred opposite Sylvester Stallone and Jason...
) hide in a utility closet. Xander is sent out to get Angel. Buffy takes command of the incredulous adults, tells them to stay put and climbs through the air ducts to reach the library and her weapons.
Buffy's location in the ceiling is discovered when Spike hears noises, and she has to avoid strikes made by the vampires to knock her down. After taking out the vampires trying to break into the classroom where the adults are, she runs into Sheila, who has been turned by Drusilla. At first, Buffy doesn't realize this, but she is able to stop Sheila's attempt to ambush her; however, Sheila escapes.
Xander returns to the school with Angel, who pretends to be his former evil self, Angelus. Though Spike first welcomes Angelus as a long-lost friend, he sees through the ruse and Xander and Angel are forced to flee but not before Xander hears Spike call Angelus his "sire" and "Yoda
Yoda
Yoda is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe, appearing in the second and third original films, as well as all three prequel trilogy films. A renowned Jedi master, Yoda made his first on-screen appearance in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back where he is responsible for...
."
Buffy and Spike finally meet in the hall, and Buffy is almost bested when her mother shows up and hits Spike over the head with the flat of an axe. With the curse "Women!", he retreats. Joyce tells Buffy that she trusts Buffy to take care of herself, whatever Snyder may say.
Snyder tells the police chief to say that the trouble was caused by a gang on PCP
Phencyclidine
Phencyclidine , commonly initialized as PCP and known colloquially as angel dust, is a recreational dissociative drug...
. When the chief wonders if people will believe it, Snyder asks if the chief would rather that he tell the truth. Spike returns to the vampire lair, where the Anointed One demands penance for attacking too early. After starting to go through the motions, Spike simply throws the boy in a cage and pulls it into the sun, killing him. "From now on," he says, "we're gonna have a little less ritual and a little more fun around here."
Cultural references
- The title of the episode is adapted from Die HardDie HardDie Hard is a 1988 American action film and the first in the Die Hard film series. The film was directed by John McTiernan and written by Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza. It is based on a 1979 novel by Roderick Thorp titled Nothing Lasts Forever, itself a sequel to the book The Detective, which...
, along with some plot elements such as Buffy crawling through the vents. - Star WarsStar WarsStar Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
– Spike refers to Angel's having been his "YodaYodaYoda is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe, appearing in the second and third original films, as well as all three prequel trilogy films. A renowned Jedi master, Yoda made his first on-screen appearance in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back where he is responsible for...
". - When Angel claims he has been pretending to be good in order to get closer to the Slayer, Spike remarks with a laugh that "people still fall for that Anne RiceAnne RiceAnne Rice is a best-selling Southern American author of metaphysical gothic fiction, Christian literature and erotica from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her books have sold nearly 100 million copies, making her one of the most widely read authors in modern history...
routine."
Continuity
- Spike's past friendship/rivalry with Angelus/Angel is elaborated upon in future episodes of both Buffy and its spinoff series Angel. "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...
" and "DarlaDarla (Angel episode)"Darla" is episode 7 of season 2 in the television show Angel. Written and directed by Tim Minear, it was originally broadcast on November 14, 2000 on the WB television network. In this episode, Angel tries to rescue Darla from the clutches of Wolfram & Hart and Lindsey's affections, as she...
" reveal that, after being sired by Drusilla in 1880, Spike traveled Europe with Angelus, Drusilla, and Darla for eighteen years, wreaking havoc wherever they went. Although Angel left the group after being ensouled in 1898 ("Five by FiveFive by Five (Angel episode)"Five by Five" is episode 18 of season 1 in the television show Angel. Written by Jim Kouf and directed by James A. Contner, it was originally broadcast on April 25, 2000 on the WB network...
"), he rejoined them in 1900 China, where Spike killed his first Slayer (as seen in "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...
"), but quickly parted company with them again ("DarlaDarla (Angel episode)"Darla" is episode 7 of season 2 in the television show Angel. Written and directed by Tim Minear, it was originally broadcast on November 14, 2000 on the WB television network. In this episode, Angel tries to rescue Darla from the clutches of Wolfram & Hart and Lindsey's affections, as she...
"); neither Spike nor Drusilla seem to have found Angelus' two-year absence worthy of comment at the time, perhaps because, for immortal vampires, such a timespan is comparatively brief. Per "Why We FightWhy We Fight (Angel episode)"Why We Fight" is episode 13 of season 5 in the television show Angel. Sam Lawson, a mysterious man from Angel's past, arrives at Wolfram & Hart and takes Wesley, Fred and Gunn hostage. In a flashback to 1943, it is revealed that Angel was forcibly recruited by the Demon Research Initiative to...
," Spike and Angel last saw each other in 1943, fifty-four years prior to the events of "School Hard." Even almost a century after the fact, Spike does not initially know that Angel possesses a soul, since he clearly expects Angel to join him in his mayhem. - Spike refers to Angelus as his "sire", a fact later retconned when it is revealed that Drusilla is in fact Spike's sire, making Angelus his grandsire. Joss Whedon has said, however, that they both mean the same thing and that he always intended for Drusilla to be Spike's sire. Plus, as clarified in "DestinyDestiny (Angel episode)"Destiny" is episode 8 of season 5 in the television show Angel. Co-written by David Fury and Steven S. DeKnight and directed by Skip Schoolnik, it was originally broadcast on November 19, 2003 on the WB network...
," while Drusilla turned Spike into a vampire, Angelus is the one who taught him how to be a vampire. - Despite Xander's earlier refusal to leave until he knew Buffy and Willow were ok, Willow and Cordelia are still in the janitor's closet after everyone has left.
Arc significance
- Spike and Drusilla are introduced. Spike will become a major character in Seasons Four to Seven of Buffy and Season Five of AngelAngel (TV series)Angel is an American television series, a spin-off of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The series was created by Buffys creator, Joss Whedon, in collaboration with David Greenwalt, and first aired on October 5, 1999...
. - Spike kills the leaderAnointed One (Buffyverse)The Anointed One is a fictional character in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The character is played by Andrew J. Ferchland.-Character history:...
of Sunnydale's vampires, saying, "From now on, we're going to have a little less ritual, and a little more fun around here!" The remnant of the Master's Order of AureliusOrder of AureliusThe Order of Aurelius is a fictional cult of vampires, seen primarily in the first season of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the first episodes of the show's second season.-The select, the elite:...
is thus dissolved, leaving Sunnydale's vampires with no overall hierarchy. - This episode reveals the fact that Spike has killed two Slayers in the past. These events are expanded on in later episodes: "Fool for Love", "First Date" and "Lies My Parents Told Me".
- This episode contains the first hint that Snyder and the police force are aware of the supernatural occurrences in Sunnydale.