Checkpoint

The Scooby Gang gather at Buffy's house to discuss the Council's plans to come to Sunnydale, which Buffy is very upset about. Glory is at her place, panting and in pain until Dreg and another demon bring a mailman for her to drain the sanity from. She gets up, refreshed and the mailman leaves disoriented. The other demon warns her that she has even less time now to use the key, but Glory isn't worried as long as Buffy is the only obstacle.

Quentin Travers and a team of watchers arrive at the shop and critique the merchandise harshly and close the shop down for as long as the council is in town conducting a review. Quentin announces that they have information on Glory, but won't reveal it until Buffy's skills have been tested and she proves she can handle the information. In class, Buffy challenges the professor, but he only makes her feel bad about what she shares. That night, Buffy complains about class to a vampire she's fighting until Spike arrives and stakes the vampire for her. He expects gratification, but he doesn't get it and the two verbally attack each other.

Jinx confronts Ben at the hospital and relays a message from Glory, requesting Ben's assistance in getting Buffy out of the way. Ben sends Glory his own message of refusal by beating up the demon. Quentin informs Buffy and Giles that she must pass the review or he will shut down the shop and deport Giles. Buffy and Giles realize that Buffy has no choice but to do what the Council asks, because they can do everything they've threatened and much more. Buffy worries that she may fail and she'll someone very close to her, Giles or Dawn.

Council members interview the rest of the Scooby Gang, including Spike, for information about the Slayer. With the exception of Spike, they all try not to incriminate Buffy to the council, and explain their importance to her. In the training room, Buffy is blindfolded and tested of her fighting skills against one of the council members, but she doesn't pass the test. Upon returning home, Buffy finds Glory in her house, and becomes very worried when Dawn appears in the room. Glory threatens Buffy's family and it worries Buffy enough to resort to asking Spike to protect her mother and sister at his crypt for a while.

On her way to the shop to meet with the council, several well-armed men wearing masks attack Buffy. Buffy takes them out and discovers from the last conscious one that they are the Knights of Byzantium and are in town to get the Key. Buffy returns to the shop and informs Mr. Travers that she's not going to deal with the review anymore because she holds the power and the council needs her. She demands that Giles receive retroactive pay, her friends stay involved and the council work with her and not against her.

Quentin reluctantly agrees then informs Buffy that Glory isn't a demon. She's a god.