One of the more notable plot elements of this season is the unexpected death of Tara Maclay in episode 6x19, "Seeing Red". This episode begat the "Dark Willow" storyline, which ran through the remaining episodes of the season. Amber Benson was added to the main title credits for this episode only.
Season six of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is most notable for it's change of broadcasting venue. Whereas seasons 1-5 were aired on the WB Network,
The season cliffhanger, which shows Spike regaining his soul becomes a major plot point in not only season seven, but also in season five of Angel as well.
This season comprised episodes 101-122.
Both the season premiere and the season finale aired as two-hour specials.
Actor James Marsters has gone on record saying that he has always disliked the scene from "Seeing Red" where Spike tries to rape Buffy and was very uncomfortable filming it.
"Villains" - Willow turns evil and flays Warren Meers.
"Grave" - Willow turns good again; Spike's soul is restored.
Plot threads[]
The Return of Buffy: The Scoobies try to keep up appearances that Buffy Summers is still alive and active after the finale of season five. They put the Buffybot into action as a poor substitute, while hunting down vampires on their own. Willow uses a spell to bring Buffy back to life, but something is wrong and even Spike notes, "You came back bad". Buffy eventually reveals to the group in "Once More, With Feeling", that by resurrecting her, they actually pulled her out of Heaven.
Dark Willow: The "Dark Willow" storyline began late in the season with the episode "Villains" and showed the character of Willow Rosenberg completely consumed by black magic after suffering the emotional shock of seeing her lover Tara Maclay brutally murdered at the hands of Warren Meers. Willow took her revenge by using her powers to strip the flesh from Warren's body. Ultimately, it was Xander Harris who managed to talk Willow down from the edge; with a little help from a returning friend - Rupert Giles.
Buffy Summers is the Chosen One - the Slayer. Relocating to Sunnydale from Los Angeles, she continues her ongoing battle against the vampires at Sunnydale High School which sits atop a Hellmouth. She befriends fellow students Xander Harris, Willow Rosenberg and Cordelia Chase while also entering into an intimate relationship with a vampire named Angel.
Willow Rosenberg
Willow Rosenberg was a nerdy high school student and the best friend of Buffy Summers. She began practicing witchcraft and became an invaluable part of the Scoobies. She dated a werewolf named Daniel Osbourne and later turned towards homosexuality, entering into a relationship with a girl named Tara Maclay. Willow briefly turned evil, but returned to normal with the help of her friend Xander Harris.
Xander Harris
Xander Harris is the good-hearted, yet nerdy friend of Buffy Summers who, although lacking in any supernatural powers or applicable skills, devotes himself towards aiding Buffy in her fight against the forces of evil. After a spell temporarily bequeathed him military combat skills, Xander became a more effective ally and managed to retain some of his combat skills even after the effect wore off.
Rupert Giles
Rupert Giles is a Watcher who worked as a librarian at Sunnydale High School and later took over ownership of a magic shop. He devotes his time training Buffy (and later, Buffy's replacement slayer, Faith) in how to fight up against the vampires and the other forces of darkness that have been loosed upon the world. Though he tended to stay out of the direct battles, Giles was not unwilling to get dirty and assisted the Scoobies on more than one occasion.
Spike
Also known as "William the Bloody", Spike is the ultimate vampire bad-boy. British-born and vampire-turned, he loves for nothing more than raising a little hell, and sampling the local cuisine. After a behavioral-altering bout with a chip implant, Spike eventually found the means to regain his soul. He has channeled his frustration and inner power towards fighting evil and is having a helluva good time while doing it.
