From this episode and onward, it's a whole new series This is the episode that defines the greatness of this series. We had clues, like in the first season (Prophecy girl, I think) when we understand the true meaning behind this series, but it took "School hard" to show us the series is really evolving into what is to become by the end of this very second season, one of the best shows ever aired, maybe even the best ever. While the first season was a mid-season filler, and as good as it was, looked like one, the second season opens with a certain declaration of intentions. "When she was bad" takes Buffy's character to new places, showing she is less one dimensional than she was up until now (first season Buffy I mean). While the first season Buffy was mostly just the one dimensional girl-fighting-vampires-an d-wisecracking-at-the-same-time, the Buffy of the last episode of the first season and first episode of second season is a round character. but what about the plot? The introduction of Spike and Drew gives us something to look for. they obviously are much more than your usual evil vampire. More like the upcoming Angelus than the former Master. a truly fun, emotional, totally evil, character. the fact that we find that the principal knows what happens and cover for it, paves the way to the third season. in conclusion, this is the chapter that started the perfection. the season's finale finalized it as the best series ever.