"Really, we're just good friends." I'd disagree... Perhaps this is Buffy's way of trying to introduce the Scooby Gang to her relationship with Faith. Or maybe it's a way of putting them off the scent by joking about it. Either way, Faith doesn't seem to mind Buffy's arm around her. Plus, they're together, again - B chooses to be with Faith as opposed to her "bestest buds".

Mrs Post seems to recognise that there's something more than just Slayer solidarity between the Chosen Two, casually commenting on Buffy's meeting with her friends to foster resentment and hurt. She certainly is hurt that it seem B doesn't count her as a friend.

Her reaction when Xander tells her Angel's back in town is one of extreme jealousy. She's shocked and angry and determined to get him out of her way. Not because he's a vampire and a killer. There are plenty of vampire killers around in the Hellmouth, and she doesn't feel like that towards them. No, it's because she doesn't want Angel around as a rival for Buffy's attentions. Remember, B's just told her that the Angel issues are all still with her. She and Xander react in the exact same way, both attempting (and failing) to hide their real motives for getting rid of Angel. (Incidentally, has anyone noticed that Xander seems to have something going with every girl on the series? This episode, he's officially with Cordelia, carrying on a secret tryst with Willow, and is burningly jealous of Angel because he's Buffy's ex. Plus later he'll sleep with Faith. And then there'll be Anya.)

The fight is overflowing with sexual tension. And when they stop fighting, they don't let go - they hold each other. When Mrs Post has been killed, Buffy and Faith are the first to step in, from opposite sides of the room, and to my eyes they were the only people there.

The last scene is so crammed with subtext it's practically text. The whole thing is like a quarrel between lovers. B desperately trying to explain things - "I *know* I kept secrets," - she doesn't want Faith to feel that she keeps anything from her. She want to be let into Faith's heart. Faith in turn wants to let her but she's been hurt so much sh can't bring herself to. You can see the effort she makes in calling Buffy back, and it's so tragic when she immediately follows it with "Nothing". The expectant look on Buffy's face fades into disappointment. Watching them alone when they should be together is so sad. It's done exactly as it would be done if they were a couple who'd just broken up - in fact, it's almost identical to the ending of the next ep, Lover's Walk. (Willow and Oz alone and Xander and Cordy alone, both pairs wanting each other.) And Faith could have been about to say anything. Perhaps it was her love for the other Slayer.

Subtext:****1/4
Overall:****

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