Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1996–2003): Season 5, Episode 17 - Forever - full transcript

What are you doing?

Previously on
Buffy the vampire slayer...

Your mother's dead.

She just wouldn't
believe me.

Oh, god.

At least,
I don't think she does.

I'm not real.

You're the key.

Go! Before she finds you.

She's here.

Buffy, you're here.



- You all right?
- Yeah.

Did you find
something?

This one.

It's a fine choice.

It speaks of your
deep feeling for the deceased.

You don't like it?

No. It's not that.

It's just...

What if mom...

What if she'd like
something else better?

Dawn. I mean, how do
we know for sure?

She's the one who
has to be in it forever.

Dawn, maybe it wasn't such a
good idea, you coming along.

It's fine.



It's just...

I'm serious. You shouldn't
have to deal with this stuff.

If you'd like a few
more minutes to decide...

No. It's done.
It's fine.

Okay?

Okay.

The prices
of different florists...

And the funeral home seems
to be fairly competitive.

Let's just go with that.
It's simpler. Sure.

What color flowers?

Uh, white. They're nice. Yeah.

What about an announcement?

People are gonna be expecting a wake after
the burial unless we say something.

Um, well, we could put
a line in the program...

Expressing your mother's
preference not to have one.

- There's no wake?
- Mom didn't like them.

She said that potlucks are
depressing enough as it is.

She said that? When?

Uh, right before she went
in for the operation.

We had a talk about what
she wanted, in case...

She never said
anything to me.

I'm sure she just didn't
want to upset you, dawnster.

Now, you better get workin' on that dinner.
You barely touched it.

You really should
eat something.

Why should I? You're not.

This isn't about...

I'm all phoned out.
Will you?

Oh, unless it's my dad.
Of course.

Hello?

Yes. Yes, they did.
Thank you.

Um, the funeral is
at 3:00 tomorrow.

Do you know the brown
brothers mortuary?

I can't believe
he still hasn't called.

Your dad's
still awol, huh?

The number he left for us
in Spain is no good,

and I've left messages
everywhere.

How 'bout a line that just says, "following
the burial, there'll be no wake"...

Or gathering?

"At the request of Joyce,
there will be no gathering"?

That sounds lame.

What are we gonna do?
After, I mean.

Are we just gonna
come back here?

I don't know.
I guess so.

Um, how about, "at the request of
the family, there will be no wake."

- Good. Yeah. It's got flow.
- I don't want to be here.

Where does it go? Do you put it at the
top, or, like, a small line at the bottom?

- Can I go to your place tomorrow?
- Tomorrow?

- After everything?
- Um, well, maybe you and Buffy should...

I-I don't mind.
Can I?

- Huh?
- Can I go to Willow's tomorrow after the service?

Uh,
if you want to.

I guess so.

I'll get my sleeping bag
out of the attic.

You goin' home? I'm gonna
stop by my mom's first.

Been doing that
a lot lately.

Yeah. Actually, I might
stop by your mom's, too.

Well, I'm not going to my place.
Those people are scary.

Speaking of...

You have got to be kidding.

I'm not going in.

And you're not
leaving those.

You actually think you're gonna
score points with Buffy this way?

- This isn't about Buffy.
- Bull.

We're all hip to
your doomed obsession.

They're for Joyce. Like
you care about her.

Guys. Guys,
not here.

Care? Joyce was the only one of the
lot of you that I could stand.

And she's the only one with a daughter
you wanted to shag. I'm touched.

I liked the lady.

You understand, monkey boy?
She was decent.

She didn't
put on airs.

She also had
a nice cuppa for me.

And she never
treated me like a freak.

Her mistake.

- Think what you want.
- Unbelievable.

The guy thinks he can put on a big show
and con Buffy into being his sex monkey.

Xander...

He didn't leave
a card.

We commend to almighty god...

Our sister, Joyce summers.

And we commit her body
to the ground.

Earth to earth...

Ashes to ashes...

And dust to dust.

The lord bless her
and keep her.

The lord makes his face to shine
upon her and be gracious to her.

The lord lift up
his countenance upon her...

And give her peace.

Hey. Um, dawn's
kind of ready to go.

Can we take her with us? Yeah.

She should probably
get out of here.

What about you? We can
wait if you want.

I'm fine.
Thank you.

I'm sorry. I couldn't
come sooner.

Oh, dawn. I wish
I could help more.

The only thing is
it'll get better, I promise.

You don't know that.
Sure she does.

We're witches.
We know stuff.

What?

Life goes on,
and I forget mom?

Is that what
you're saying?

Not forget. No. You...

You make a place
for her in your heart.

It's sort of like she
becomes a part of you.

Does that make sense?

Dawn?

Hey, we don't have to
talk about this now.

You could just
go to sleep.

No.
I don't want to sleep.

Okay. We can just sit
or whatever you want.

Good, because I know
what I want to do now.

Great.
What are you up for?

You guys are witches,

and you do magic
and stuff.

You want us to
teach you something,

uh, like a glamour?

Or I could make
a stuffed animal dance.

I want to do a spell.

I want to
bring mom back.

Mmm.

That was different.

Yeah,
it was more intense.

- It's because of Joyce.
- Right...

Huh?
Well, she got me thinking...

About how people
die all the time,

and how they get born too,

and how you kind of need one
so you can have the other.

When I think
about it that way,

it makes death
a little less sad...

Sex a little
more exciting.

Again, I say, huh?

Well, I just think
I understand sex more now.

It's not just about
two bodies smooshing together.

It's about life.

It's about making life.

Right. When two people
are much older...

And way richer
and far less stupid.

Breathe.
You're turning colors.

I'm not ready
to make life with you,

but I could.

We could.

Life could come out of
our love and our smooshing,

and that's beautiful.

It all makes me feel like we're
a part of something bigger,

like I'm more awake
somehow.

You know?

Yeah, I do.

Of course you want to
bring your mother back,

and I wish we could,
but it's not possible.

Why?

You guys do magic
for all kinds of things.

We do, but...
This is different.

Magic can't be used to alter
the natural order of things.

But all you do is mess with
the natural order of things.

You make things float
and disappear and...

But we don't mess
with life and death.

- Dawn, I know how bad you hurt.
- You don't.

They put her
in the ground.

They did, and it's
awful and unfair,

but this
isn't the way.

I'm not even sure
it's possible, dawn.

I mean, I've seen things
on resurrection but...

There's books and stuff.

I guess the spells...
Backfire?

That's not the point.
That's not the point.

The point is
it's bad, because...

Because witches can't be allowed to alter
the fabric of life for selfish reasons.

Wiccans took an oath a long
time ago to honor that.

So it's possible...
To bring someone back.

They wouldn't have taken an oath if
they didn't know they could do it.

Maybe they could,
but we can't.

She's right, dawn.
It's too dangerous.

You said you wanted
to help me.

Dawn.

The funeral was...

It was brutal.

But it's tomorrow
that I'm worried about.

What's tomorrow?

That's exactly
what I don't know.

Up until now,
I've had a road map,

things to do
every minute,

having to do
with mom.

Tomorrow, the stuff
of everyday living resumes.

And everybody expects me
to know how to do it...

Because I'm "so strong."

You just need
some time.

I'm sure everybody
understands that.

Time's not the issue.

I can stick wood
in vampires,

but mom was the strong
one in real life.

She always knew how
to make things better,

just what to say.

You'll find your way.

I mean,
not all at once, but...

I don't know.

I keep thinking
about it...

When I found her.

If I had just gotten there
10 minutes earlier.

You said they told you it
wouldn't have made a difference.

They said probably...

It wouldn't have
made a difference.

The exact thing they
said was "probably."

I haven't told that
to anyone.

Doesn't make it
your fault.

Couldn't have done
anything different.

I didn't even start c.P.R.
Until they told me.

I fell apart.

That's how good I am
at being a grown-up.

Buffy...

And it'd be okay if it was just
me I had to worry about...

But dawn...
It's okay.

You don't feel like it now,
but you are strong, Buffy.

You're gonna
figure this out,

and you have
people to help you.

You don't have to
do this alone.

It's gonna be
light soon.

I can stay in town
as long as you want me.

How's forever?

Does forever
work for you?

That's a bad idea.

I'm seriously
needy right now.

Let me worry about the neediness.
I can handle it.

I told you.

You better go.

I'm sorry.
No.

I'm so grateful
that you came, angel.

I didn't think I was gonna be able
to make it through the night.

We still have a few more
minutes until I have to go.

Good.

Good.

Tell my sister I'm sick of
running into her jawa rejects.

She bade me come to you.

The news of your relationship
with the slayer...

We don't have
a relationship.

But you attempted to
court her, did you not?

You're more fun
when I hit you.

It's just, glory would
like to encourage...

This interest of yours
in the slayer.

It might lead to more
information about the key.

And why would I share that
with "the most unstable one"?

Time is running short, sir.

Every moment you fight glory, you're
only fighting yourself, you see?

Fine. Let
the best me win.

Let glory understand this... I
won't help her find the key.

I would never do that to an
innocent... "an innocent"?

The key? That's an
interesting choice of words.

No. That's not what i...
I understand, sir.

I'm sorry to have bothered you.
I'll take my leave.

You understand what? When
I said, it's innocent,

I didn't mean that the key
is... it's not a person.

Of course not. You're gonna
run and tell her, aren't you?

Do you understand what's going
to happen if she finds the key?

How many people are going to die?
Please. I heard nothing.

I can't let that happen.
Don't you see?

I can't.

We're heading down
to breakfast.

- I'm not hungry.
- Oh. Okay.

It's just, we have
class after that,

and I didn't know if
you want to go home or...

I was gonna
sleep some more.

Giles said he'd
pick me up whenever.

Oh. Okay. Great.

Sure, uh, hang out.

I have a break around lunchtime.
I can come back.

I might not be here.

Well, I'll try my luck.

Take care, dawn.

"Age of levitation."

"War of the warlocks."

"Resurrection...
A controversy born."

You don't have to do that, dawn.
Just-just relax.

Yes. Sit down.

We have some very amusing
chicken feet you can play with.

That's okay. Don't you
watch television?

I thought all children despise
effort and enjoy cartoons.

Um, I like being useful.

It keeps my mind
off things.

Then useful
you shall be.

I could always
use a hand.

But you have a hand...
A paid hand.

- A hand that isn't the hand of the illegal child labor.
- Anya.

But, of course, it's wonderful
that you find doing my job...

So distracting.

I am unthreatened.
Proceed.

Yes. Carry on, dawn.

Is there anything
I should know,

like, um, off-limits stuff?

Willow told me that some of the books
and things are kind of dangerous.

Quite right.

They're all labeled
and kept off the floor.

Most of our more potent texts
and potions are all up there.

Anyone asks you about anything in
that area, just come and get me.

Okay.
Anything else?

Um, well, if you like, I could teach
you how to work the cash register.

You can ring up sales.
Cool.

Ring up sales?
With the money?

She gets to
fondle the money?

Customer!
Hello, customer.

- I'll just be a moment.
- I'll help you.

No problem.

Dawn.
Uh-huh.

Do you want to come watch this
transaction that Anya's doing?

- Then I'll let you try.
- You got it.

I hope it's just
dirt you're after.

If the spell calls for
anything more than that,

you're into zombie territory,
and that's bad news.

Spike, I wasn't...

I know good and well
what you're up to.

That book you've got
is infamous.

Please.
Don't tell Buffy.

I just... I have to
get her back.

I have to.

I'm not gonna tell,
little bit.

I'm gonna help.

♪ And you touch
the distant beaches ♪

♪ With tales of brave Ulysses ♪

♪ How his naked ears
were tortured ♪

♪ By the sirens
sweetly singing ♪

♪ For the sparkling waves
are calling you ♪

♪ To kiss
their white laced lips ♪

♪♪

I've never used this bloke's
services myself, but there's talk.

Word is he knows everything there is
to know about resurrection spells.

Come on, now.
No worries.

You don't have to be all nice to me.
I know why you're doing this.

Do you now?
Enlighten me.

Spike,
I'm not stupid.

You're, like,
stalking my sister.

You'd do anything
to get in good with her.

Buffy never hears
about this, okay?

Found out what I was doing, she'd
drive a redwood through my chest.

Then, if you don't want credit,
why are you helping me?

I just don't like to see summers women
take it so hard on the chin is all.

And I'm dead serious. You breathe
a word of this to Buffy,

I'll see to it that you
end up in the ground.

- You got it?
- Yeah.

Got it.

Where is he? He should
have been back hours ago.

I'm sure jinx
is on his way,

your new and improvedness.

- He's most loyal to...
- Hey! He better be loyal.

Jinxy?

Oh, no, no!

Mind the rug, honeys.
Blood's a bitch.

Was this the slayer?
I'll pull her wings off!

It was Ben.

Ben?

Ben? Oh, god!

You pointless,
stupid lump!

Oh, I hate you,
I hate you, I hate you!

The key.
He told me.

The key?
What about the key?

He indicated that
it was a person,

most... highest you.

The key's in human form?

I believe so...
Good one.

Ahh! Jinx, you robed
stud, you're my man!

I'm even gonna let you slide
on the lame toadying,

on account of your
dying and stuff.

Ah, so, the key's
all secreted away...

In a flesh wrapper,
huh?

This narrows the search
from now on in a serious way.

I mean, we didn't have a clue. It could
have been a log or a bicycle pump...

Or whatever... am I right?

Oh. Get him fixed,
would ya?

I want to hear
the whole story again,

without all that
annoying moaning.

This place belongs
to a magic guy?

It smells like grandpa.
Hey!

Anybody home?

- I know you.
- I don't think so, mate.

No, no. You're that guy.

That guy hangs round
down at the corner mart.

- Big into Dominos, aren't you?
- Can't say as I am.

Look, we came here
because...

That's crazy, isn't it?
I mean,

I-I'd swear
you were that guy.

I mean, your hair's a different
color, and you're a vampire,

but o-other than that...

Maybe we should just go.

No. Now, just because
the lights are dim,

doesn't mean
the juice is all gone.

What can I do for you?

This one's mum
kicked it a few days back.

Oh. I'm so sorry.

We were wondering
what's to be done about it.

Heard you were
the one to ask.

Oh. No.
No, that's, uh...

You don't wanna
mess with that.

I know some tonics.

You know, make
the grieving fly by.

I don't want any tonics.

Either one of you
witches?

Got any experience with
spells of this magnitude?

Didn't think so.

Ow!

Your mother's a good candidate, at least.
Strong d.N.A.

Right.

♪♪

♪♪

I've gathered
some ingredients,

but the spell
I found...

There's things in it
I don't understand.

We've got the Ghora demon
standing between you and success.

That's the translation
you were missing.

Ghora. I've heard of those.
They local?

Yeah, they like to stick close
to the hellmouth.

Egg of the ghora gives life.
It's key to the spell.

Can you buy it?
This egg, or...

If it was as easy as making an
omelet, everyone would try it.

No. You have to steal
the egg...

From the nest of the demon.

And the ghora
won't be happy about it.

Where do we find
this demon?

First things first. We'll
need an image of your mother.

- A photo, a painting...
- No problem.

Once you get
all the ingredients together,

put them in the center
of a sacred circle,

with the photo
of your mother.

Then,

say this incantation
three times.

She won't appear,
you know, poof.

It'll take a while.

But she will come to you.

Got it?

- Got it.
- Oh. Anything goes wrong,

the only way
to reverse the spell...

Is to destroy the image
of your mother, understand?

I'll do it right.

It's a tricky spell, girl.

I can't say for sure your mother
will come back exactly like she was.

Sometimes these things
get a little off.

But she'll still
be my mother. Won't she?

More or less.

Good. Good.

And the ghora?

Oh, right. Sorry. Um,

go in the sewer entrance
near Tracy street.

The opening's
on the left.

Can't miss it.
Just follow that down.

No, no.
Keep your money.

Oh. Thank you.

You just
keep in touch now.

Let me know how it goes.

I-I will.

It's here.
Just like he said.

So, at least we know the old
coot isn't completely daft.

Look, you'd better let me snatch
this egg thing on my own.

No way. I'm going.

No. You are not.

I've got no idea
what's down there.

You need me, spike.

Somebody's got to get the egg
while you distract the ghora.

Now, come on.

Well, what do you know?

Bitty Buffy.

Doesn't look so bad.

Wait till it wakes up.

That's usually
when the bad starts.

I can't get to the eggs
unless it moves. No way.

I'll make it move.
You just be ready.

Hey! Ghora!
Heads up.

Right. Heads it is.

Over here, triptip,
that's the best you got?

Dawn! Hey,
get away from her.

Ha! Missed me.
Spike, come on!

C'mon, bastard!

- Leave it, dawn.
- I can't. Mom.

It's too dangerous, and I
haven't got... a weapon!

Dawn! Hey, get away
from her.

Hey!

Ha! Missed me.

Come on, bastard!

Spike!

Sorry! Did you get it?
Don't be sorry then.

Osiris,
giver of darkness...

Taker of life,
god of gods...

Accept my offering.

Bone, flesh, breath...

Yours, eternally.

Bone, flesh, breath...

I beg of you,
return to me.

What did I have for breakfast this morning?
Do you remember?

Huh?
I want to say bagel,

but I think
that was yesterday.

You had two eggs,
sunny-side up.

I remember because
they were wiggling at me...

Like little boobs.

Sassy eggs.

Wil, what are you writing
this for?

My journal.

That's new.

Yeah, I figured life
goes by so fast.

If you don't write stuff
down, it just gets lost.

And I wanna
remember.

Down to every last bagel.

Down to every last
everything I do with you.

Huh.

What?

What happened
to history of witchcraft?

I... uh,
it isn't there?

Dawn must have taken it.

No, she didn't.
Did she?

This is bad.
This is really bad.

But it's just
a history book.

It might answer
some of her questions.

I don't think she could do any
harm with that stuff, could she?

Well, it's not a "how to" guide,
but it refers to specific...

Resurrection spells
and potions.

But I didn't... I mean...
Hey! How'd she know that?

I don't know, but... god,
what else did she take?

Nothing...
I-i think.

I think she took
nothing else.

But maybe she did,

and we should probably look
because who knows? I don't.

No, no. We can't
waste time on that now.

We don't know
what she's up to.

We have to call Buffy. Now.

Hello?

Bone, flesh, breath...
Yours, eternally.

Bone, flesh, breath.

I beg of you,
return to me.

Dawn...

What have you done?

What have you done?

She's coming.
She's coming home.

Dawn! Dawn!

You have no idea
what you're messing with!

Who knows what you
actually raised...

What's gonna come through that door.
No, I know.

It'll be her.
No.

Tara told me that these
spells go bad all the time.

People come back wrong.

She won't.
He told me her d.N.A...

Who told you? Who helped you?
Nobody! Let me go!

You have to stop it,
reverse it... no!

Dawn, you know
this is wrong.

You know you can't let this happen.
Not to mom.

But I need her.

I don't care if she...

I'm not like you, Buffy.
I don't have anybody.

What? Of course you do.
You have me.

No, I don't. You won't
even look at me.

It's so obvious you
don't want me around.

That's not true.

Yes, it is.

Mom died, and it's like
you don't even care.

Of course I care.

How can you even think that?

How can I not?

You haven't even cried. You've
just been running around...

Like it's been some big
chore or something.

Cleaning up
after mom's mess.

Oh, my god.
Dawn,

I've been working.

I've been busy
because I have to...

No! You've been
avoiding me.

I'm not!

I have to do
these things 'cause...

'cause when I stop,
then she's really gone.

And I'm trying...
Dawn, I am...

I am really trying
to take care of things,

but I don't even know
what I'm doing.

Mom always knew.

Nobody's asking you
to be mom.

Well, who's gonna be
if I'm not?

Huh, dawn? Have you even
thought about that?

Who's gonna
make things better?

Who's gonna take care of us?

- Buffy...
- I didn't mean to push you away. I didn't.

I just...
I couldn't let you see me...

Oh, god, dawnie.

I don't know
what we're gonna do.

I'm scared.
Buffy...

Mommy?

Buffy...

Mom.

Dawn...

It's okay.

It's okay.

Grr! Arrgh!