Flooded (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

"Flooded" is the fourth episode of season 6 of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Plot synopsis

Buffy attempts to repair a leaky pipe in her basement only to have it burst and flood the basement. At breakfast, the gang discusses the damage while Xander and a plumber examine the damage caused by the pipes. The plumber advises Buffy that a full re-piping is necessary and hands her a very large bill. The size of the cost leads to Buffy finding that with hospital bills and funeral costs, the Summers girls are pretty much broke. Anya suggests charging for slaying which leads to an argument with Xander about telling the others that they are engaged, but Buffy manages to keep her cool and is determined to find a way around the problem.

Buffy goes to a bank to consult with a loan director, which is hardly a positive experience as Buffy finds that without a job and with no real collateral, she can't get a loan. A demon breaks through the office window, interrupting the meeting, and Buffy fights it despite her conservative clothing. While money is stolen from the bank, a security guard tries to intervene in the fight, but is unable to help the situation. The demon escapes and Buffy returns to the loan officer to discuss the possibility of getting paid for saving his life.

Later that night, Willow tries to upset Buffy purposely in order to get her to express some real anger but Buffy doesn't fall for it. Anya continues to try to force Xander to announce their engagement and he's ready to but not until everyone has arrived. Dawn wants to help with research, but Tara thinks she's too young and that fact is proven when Dawn looks at a picture in one of the books. Buffy isn't pleased that Dawn is researching with the gang but Dawn is able to identify the bank-robbing demon that Buffy encountered earlier. Giles returns to have a happy reunion and intense discussion with Buffy before meeting up with the rest of the gang.

The bank robbing demon, a M'Fashnik, throws a fit in front of his "controllers," Jonathan, Warren and Andrew (brother of Tucker from "The Prom") complaining that the Slayer still lives even though they got the money from the bank. The three men argue with both the demon and each other, then Jonathan, Warren and Andrew think up a way to accommodate the demon without killing Buffy. Giles takes the couch at the Summers home and talks with Buffy, telling her he'll help her take care of the financial problems in the morning. The three guys discuss their mission - taking over Sunnydale - and somewhat agree unanimously that none of them wants to kill Buffy, but Warren secretly provides Buffy's address to the M'Fashnik demon so he can kill her.

Later that night, Giles asks Willow for specifics regarding the spell she cast to bring Buffy back to life. Willow, seeking Giles' praise, begins to boast about how scary the spell was, but Giles quickly takes the wind out of her sails by reminding her why such spells aren't practiced, including the possible consequences. He notes that he left her in charge of the group because he thought she was the most responsible, which he now sees is clearly not the case. Although he maintains a stereotypically British calm through most of his speech, Giles ultimately loses control and thunders that Willow is lucky to be alive after casting such a spell, calling her a "rank, arrogant amateur." Failing to see that Giles' anger is at least partially motivated by his deep affection for her, Willow stands up for herself, even threatening Giles, however he reminds her that the gang still has no idea where Buffy has been or what she has been through. Spike finds Buffy on the back porch and the two exchange small talk about life and money. Giles and Dawn both have trouble sleeping and go for a snack. The M'Fashnik crashes their late night cereal party, but Buffy catches him. A fight ensues with Buffy and Spike working together against the M'Fashnik.

The fight ends up in the basement where the demon latches on to one of the pipes and Buffy immediately attacks as the expensive pipes are threatened. The "supervillain" guys consider their future plans and agree that hypnotizing and making Buffy their willing love slave is a priority. The Scooby Gang regroups after the demon is taken care of and hopelessly attempts to save the furniture that was destroyed in battle. A phone call off camera reveals that Angel (currently in Los Angeles) needs to meet with Buffy and she needs the same so she leaves to meet him at an intermediate location.

Cultural references

• When Anya asks Xander to confirm her assertion that Spider-Man charges money for rescuing people, Xander responds by quoting from the lyrics to the theme song of the classic Spider-Man cartoon series: "Action is his reward."

Continuity

• Buffy wrestles a gun from a bank security guard saying, "These things, never helpful," a remark that she will repeat to Riley later in the season.

Arc significance

• Crossover with Angel: The episode ends with Buffy receiving a phone call from Angel. Having learned about her resurrection, he wishes to speak with her, and so Buffy leaves to meet up with him. While this meeting is the subject of Jane Espenson's Buffy/Angel comic, Reunion, the details of the meeting are never revealed, the comics only depicting speculations made by the Scooby Gang.
• Crossover with Angel: Anya's idea of Buffy charging for slaying is not dissimilar to the concept of Angel Investigations in Angel. Unlike Angel and Doyle's reaction to Cordelia making such a suggestion in season 1 of Angel, the 'Scoobies' scorn such an idea. Nor do they or Giles suggest getting the Watchers' Council to pay the Slayer a stipend as they do for their Watchers.
• Warren, Andrew, and Jonathan are introduced as the Trio, part of this season's Big Bad.
• Buffy and Spike's relationship develops further in this episode.
• Giles returns from England, having moved back before Buffy's resurrection in "Bargaining, Part One."
• Willow's worrying attitude towards her power, a main theme of the season, is shown in her argument with Giles. Giles calls Willow a "rank, arrogant amateur" during their argument in this episode, and Dark Willow references his comment when they battle in "Grave."
• Warren's attitude with the M'Fashnik demon establishes that he is easily the most amoral of the trio.
• After receiving the phone call from Angel, Buffy turns down Giles' request that they look over the bills before she goes, beginning the process of Buffy continually pushing more of her adult responsibility onto Giles through Season Six. Ultimately, this will lead to Giles's departure later on in the season.

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to: Flooded

• "Flooded" at the Internet Movie Database
• "Flooded" at TV.com