This season, the likeable but brutally capable Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar), is joined by her 14 year-old sister, Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg). Where Dawn has been buried up to this point is painstakingly revealed, tormenting Buffy like a freshly hung victim in a noose, kicking for dear life. Luckily, Buffy lands a new boyfriend, Riley Finn. First year college disorientation is followed by a dreaded sophomore slump with more grown-up ghastliness and bizarre encounters. To help overcome new difficulties, Buffy's gang gains two spectacular spectres, Spike, a surly English vampire and Anya, Xander's jealous 1100 year-old, and long-time-dead former ghoulfriend.