The Puppet Show

Giles faces the task of running the annual Sunnydale High Talent Show at the instruction of Principal Synder. The gang teases Giles about this, until Principal Synder forces them to be in it, leaving the gang in despair.

Meanwhile, one of the show's entrants, Emily, is found dead with her heart cut out. Since there were no signs of demonic presence the gang suspects a serial killer. Giles learns about the Brotherhood of Seven, a group of demons who must obtain the heart and brain of a youth every seven years to remain in their human form. This causes some unrest in the gang as they scramble to find the killer before another person dies.

Everyone suspects it's Morgan, a genius that seems to be talking with the wooden dummy he is using in the talent show. He is also suffering from headaches, which rises more suspicion. This is until Buffy finds Morgan dead on the floor with his brain ripped out. Buffy then suspects Morgan's dummy Sid, who attacks her.

It turns out the Sid is a demon hunter, like Buffy. He has been imprisoned in a dummy's body and is hunting down the Brotherhood of Seven. He thought Buffy was the demon when he attacked her. They both team up to track down the demon, who is still in need of a brain.

It turns out that Morgan had brain cancer so his brain is useless to the demon. Meanwhile one a student who is being a magician asks Giles to try out his latest trick. He straps Giles into a guillotine, the demonic student is trying to chop of Giles head to he can get a brain.

Buffy comes just in time to save Giles from the demon, whom is killed by Sid. Just at that moment the curtain opens revealing the gang in their present situation. " I don't get it," a confused Principal Synder comments.

Closing Credit skit:

Later on, Buffy, Willow, and Xander are acting out their dramatic scene in the show. They are horrible at acting and the skit really bombs when Willow runs of the stage in fright. Buffy and Xander fill the gap where their friend stood and continue on as if nothing happened.