This episode, and its second part, "Grave", were shown, back-to-back, as a two-hour feature on its original airing in both the United States and United Kingdom – consequently, the presentation of this episode on DVD includes credits such as "Grave" Written by... Joss Whedon wanted to keep Anthony Stewart Head's appearance in this episode a surprise, and thus left him off of the main cast list; Head is listed as a 'special guest' in the closing credits.
Whedon also does this in Angel for Julie Benz in "To Shanshu in L.A.", Eliza Dushku in "Judgment", Juliet Landau in "The Trial" and Alyson Hannigan in "There's No Place Like Plrtz Glrb".
While Spike continues to pass trials in his quest in Africa, Buffy, Xander, and Anya try to pursue Willow, who has killed Warren to avenge his murder of Tara and now plans to execute his two jailed accomplices.
Dawn and Clem decide to go to the dark magician Rack's lair, expecting Willow to try to deal with him to recharge her powers.
Xander admits to Anya that he might have been able to stop Warren before he fired on Buffy and Tara, but was afraid to intervene, unarmed.
She suggests there's nobody in the world with the power to stop her rampage just before a bolt of mystical energy smashes her to the ground.