22 Episodes · Premiered October 5, 1999 · Ended May 23, 2000
Buffy and Willow enroll at UC Sunnydale while Xander joins the workforce. The vampire Spike, having left Drusilla, returns to Sunnydale and is abducted by The Initiative, a top-secret military installation based beneath the UC Sunnydale campus, led by Maggie Walsh. They implant a microchip in his head which prevents him from harming humans. He reluctantly helps the Scooby Gang throughout the season and eventually begins to fight on their side after learning that he can harm other demons. But Buffy and her friends don't trust him except Willow who opts to give him a chance to redeem himself, which they eventually do.
As Buffy adjusts to college life, she notices that classmates are mysteriously disappearing.
Buffy finds herself at odds with her new roommate and is troubled by a series of disturbing dreams involving a soul-sucking demon.
As Buffy gets to know a charming student named Parker, Spike searches for a ring that, according to legend, makes the wearer invincible.
On Halloween, Buffy and her friends find themselves trapped inside a haunted frat house complete with real bats, zombies, and a terrifying demon.
Xander finds employment as a bartender at a pub where some of Buffy's friends turn into terrifying Cro-Magnon creatures.
Oz finds himself unable to control his attraction to Veruca, a sexy singer who just happens to be a werewolf.
Spike finds himself targeted by a group of commandos after he escapes from a military lab underneath the Sunnydale campus.
On Thanksgiving, Buffy encounters the spirit of a Native American warrior whose people were wiped out by settlers. Meanwhile Angel silently returns to Sunnydale after Doyle's vision of Buffy in danger.
One of Willow's spells causes her statements to become reality, with consequences both entertaining and life-threatening.
A group of murderous creatures called 'The Gentlemen' straight out of a fairytale steal the voices of Sunnydale.
As Riley comes to terms with Buffy's revelation, a trio of demons attempts to reopen the Hellmouth.
Ethan Rayne returns to town and transforms Giles into a demon. Spike is the only one who can help.
Buffy joins the Initiative, but her self-reliant and curious attitude doesn't mesh well with the military's chain of command.
Tension erupts between Buffy and an ailing Riley as they pursue Professor Maggie Walsh's killer.
Faith awakens from her coma and seeks revenge against Buffy.
Having switched bodies with Buffy, Faith enjoys freedom. Meanwhile, Buffy finds herself at the mercy of the Watcher's Council.
Buffy senses that something is amiss when Jonathan becomes a hero to everyone in Sunnydale.
Buffy and Riley's passionate lovemaking energizes supernatural elements inside a frat house.
Oz's return to Sunnydale leads to his incarceration by the Initiative and complicates the relationship between Willow and Tara.
After joining forces with Adam, Spike drives a wedge between Buffy and her friends. Meanwhile, Angel's return to Sunnydale leads to a violent confrontation with Riley.
Having gained control of Riley's mind, Adam sets in motion his plot to create an army of unstoppable soldiers and destroy the Initiative.
Buffy, Willow, Xander, and Giles experience dreams in which they are pursued by a mysterious figure.
