The best episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 5

Season 5 only — ranked by viewer rating, highs first. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.

  1. 01

    S05E16 · February 27, 2001 · 1h

    The Body8.9

    Buffy, Dawn, and their friends deal with the aftermath of Joyce's death.

  2. 02

    S05E22 · May 22, 2001 · 1h

    The Gift8.9

    As Glory prepares Dawn for a bloodletting ritual that will open a portal to another dimension, Buffy and her friends prepare for battle.

  3. 03

    S05E07 · November 14, 2000 · 1h

    Fool for Love8.7

    After being bested in a fight by an ordinary vampire, Buffy asks Spike to explain how he killed two Slayers many years earlier.

  4. 04

    S05E06 · November 7, 2000 · 1h

    Family8.2

    When relatives arrive in Sunnydale, to celebrate her birthday, Tara uses a magic spell on her friends to keep them from learning her "secret." Meanwhile, Glory unleashes a hoard of demons to hunt down Buffy.

  5. 05

    S05E17 · April 17, 2001 · 1h

    Forever8.2

    With some help from Spike, Dawn attempts to bring Joyce back from the dead.

  6. 06

    S05E19 · May 1, 2001 · 1h

    Tough Love8.2

    When Tara falls victim to Glory's incredible power, Willow embraces dark magic and launches a counterattack.

  7. 07

    S05E05 · October 24, 2000 · 1h

    No Place Like Home8.1

    Buffy learns more about Dawn after she discovers a mysterious orb linked to a group of monks being pursued by an incredibly powerful force.

  8. 08

    S05E12 · January 23, 2001 · 1h

    Checkpoint8.1

    The Watcher Council travels to Sunnydale to review Buffy's skills as a Slayer; meanwhile, Glory puts her search for the Key into high gear.

  9. 09

    S05E18 · April 24, 2001 · 1h

    Intervention8.1

    A weary Buffy seeks to regain her focus by embarking on a quest with the Primitive; Spike cavorts with his very own "Buffybot"; and Glory instructs her minions to spy on Buffy's friends in the hopes of ascertaining the Key's true identity.

  10. 10

    S05E13 · February 6, 2001 · 1h

    Blood Ties8.0

    When Dawn learns her true identity, she runs away - only to encounter Glory.

  11. 11

    S05E14 · February 13, 2001 · 1h

    Crush7.8

    Buffy learns that Spike has a crush on her - a situation made all the more dangerous by Drusilla's return to Sunnydale.

  12. 12

    S05E20 · May 8, 2001 · 1h

    Spiral7.8

    Buffy and her friends flee Sunnydale when Glory closes in on Dawn.

  13. 13

    S05E08 · November 21, 2000 · 1h

    Shadow7.6

    Glory transforms a snake into a terrifying monster in her quest to find the Key; Joyce is hospitalized after being diagnosed with an illness.

  14. 14

    S05E21 · May 15, 2001 · 1h

    The Weight of the World7.6

    When Buffy lapses into a catatonic state, Willow uses magic to find out why; a tug-of-war erupts between Glory and Ben over Dawn's ultimate fate.

  15. 15

    S05E10 · December 19, 2000 · 1h

    Into the Woods7.5

    After Buffy catches Riley in the clutches of a vampire-junkie, Riley makes an important decision regarding their relationship.

  16. 16

    S05E01 · September 26, 2000 · 1h

    Buffy vs. Dracula7.4

    Buffy finds herself pitted against the legendary Prince of Darkness, Count Dracula.

  17. 17

    S05E02 · October 3, 2000 · 1h

    Real Me7.4

    As Harmony and her vampire gang plot Buffy's demise, Dawn adjusts to life with a Slayer.

  18. 18

    S05E04 · October 17, 2000 · 1h

    Out of My Mind7.4

    While Riley's health begins to deteriorate, Spike and Harmony force a surgeon to remove the behavior modification chip embedded in Spike's brain.

  19. 19

    S05E03 · October 10, 2000 · 1h

    The Replacement7.2

    When a demon creates a Xander double, the real Xander must convince his friends of his true identity.

  20. 20

    S05E09 · November 28, 2000 · 1h

    Listening to Fear7.2

    Buffy and her friends investigate when a meteorite transports a deadly creature to earth.

  21. 21

    S05E15 · February 20, 2001 · 1h

    I Was Made to Love You7.1

    Buffy and her friends encounter an incredibly strong female robot with only one thing on its mind - love.

  22. 22

    S05E11 · January 9, 2001 · 1h

    Triangle6.8

    While Giles is in England meeting with the Watcher Council, a bickering Anya and Willow mind the magic store and inadvertently conjure up a fearsome troll.

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