The Initiative
- Episode aired Nov 16, 1999
- TV-14
- 43m
Spike finds himself targeted by a group of commandos after he escapes from a military lab underneath the Sunnydale campus.Spike finds himself targeted by a group of commandos after he escapes from a military lab underneath the Sunnydale campus.Spike finds himself targeted by a group of commandos after he escapes from a military lab underneath the Sunnydale campus.
- Rupert Giles
- (as Anthony Stewart Head)
- Lab Tech
- (uncredited)
- Student
- (uncredited)
- Lab Demon
- (uncredited)
- Lab Tech
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaSeth Green has been removed from the opening credits, with James Marsters promoted to the main cast and takes his place, a position he will maintain for the remainder of the series. This is also the first time in the series a cast change occurs mid-season.
- GoofsAlthough his chip is supposedly operative since before his escape from the Initiative, Spike manages to harm several humans between then and the end of the show. During his escape and again during the fight in the dorm hallway, Spike chokes people, throws them into walls, and hits one in the head with a fire extinguisher, none of which appears to activate his chip. The only time it's shown to work at all is when he attempts to bite someone, which distinctly contrasts with the chip's functioning in all subsequent shows.
- Quotes
Spike: I don't understand... This sort of thing's never happened to me b-before.
Willow Rosenberg: Maybe you were nervous.
Spike: I felt all right when I started... Let's try again.
[he leaps on her and draws back in pain]
Spike: Ow! Oh!
[he tries again]
Spike: Ow...! *Damn it*!
Willow Rosenberg: Maybe you're trying too hard... Doesn't this happen to every vampire?
Spike: Not to me, it doesn't.
Willow Rosenberg: It's me, isn't it?
Spike: What are you talking about?
Willow Rosenberg: Well, you came looking for Buffy, then settled. I-I... You didn't wanna bite me. I just happened to be around.
Spike: Piffle!
Willow Rosenberg: I know I'm not the kind of girl vamps like to sink their teeth into... It's always like, "Ooh, you're like a sister to me" or, "Oh, you're such a good friend."
Spike: Don't be ridiculous. I'd bite you in a heartbeat.
Willow Rosenberg: Really?
Spike: Thought about it.
Willow Rosenberg: [slightly flattered] When?
Spike: Remember last year, you had on that, uh, fuzzy pink number with the lilac underneath?
Willow Rosenberg: I never woulda guessed. You played the blood-lust kinda cool.
Spike: Mmm. I hate being obvious. All fangy and "Rrrr!" Takes the mystery out.
Willow Rosenberg: But if you could...
Spike: *If* I could, yeah.
Willow Rosenberg: You know, this doesn't make you any less terrifying.
Spike: [sighs] Don't patronize me.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Gift (2001)
This episode was rather fun; there was action, character development as well as a fair amount of humour. The highlight though is the return of Spike as a main character; he may be evil but he is also strangely likeable. James Marsters is great in the role; the scenes between him and the always excellent Alyson Hannigan, as Willow, was priceless; first scary, then funny. The way The Initiative was introduced was handled well; not too much was said about them so it is unclear whether their motives are good or evil at this point. Another hilarious highlight was a delightfully feeble fight between Nicholas Brendon's Xander and Mercedes McNab's Harmony. The plot thread involving Riley was fun enough; whether he and Buffy will become an item remains to be seen but his awkwardness around her felt real as he struggled to think what to say. Overall I really enjoyed this episode which was more about setting up future plotlines than providing resolutions.
- Tweekums
- Apr 22, 2019