While the gang prepares for their Christmas vacation, Angel is haunted by visions of his unhappy past. A mysterious force called the First Evil takes the form of Jenny Calendar and tries to convince him to lose his soul in Buffy and become evil again. Believing that he isn't strong enough to fight the demon within, Angel waits on the top of a hill for the sun to rise. Buffy finds him and tells him to fight back, that he can do real good in this world, but just as she is giving up it begins to snow, preventing Angel from beinghuged by the sunlight. Meanwhile, Willow goes to great seductive lengths to win Oz back.
Buffy Summer's journey as the Vampire Slayer begins when she moves to Sunnydale, a small Californian town that, unbeknownst to most residents, sits atop a Hellmouth - a portal to supernatural forces. She is discovered by Rupert Giles, the school librarian and her Watcher, whose role is to guide and train her as the Slayer. Alongside Giles, Buffy forms an eclectic group of friends, her "Scooby Gang", including Willow Rosenberg, a shy but highly intelligent witch; Xander Harris, Buffy's best friend and comic relief; and Cordelia Chase, a popular girl who becomes a reluctant ally.
Buffy's relationships with those around her, particularly romantic entanglements, are a major focus of the series. Her most notable love interests are Angel, a vampire with a soul, and Spike, who, despite being a villain, develops a complex and evolving bond with Buffy. The complexities of her relationships, particularly her love life, highlight the emotional weight of Buffy's duties as the Slayer and her desire for connection, love, and a sense of normalcy.