Back at the farm. Willow says, "Brother?" enunciating slowly as if she's never heard the word before. Tara introduces Willow to Gee Dub and the rest of the gang as "m-m-m-my friends." "What, uh, all of you hang out?" warbles Gee Dub. Well, yes, that is one of the aspects of a friend. God's sack, doesn't anyone here speak English anymore? Tara starts to ask how Gee Dub "found" her, but quickly amends that to, "How come you came?" "Well duh, birthday girl. We came down in the camper." Which is the cue for Papa and Cousin McChoad to enter. Tara doesn't so much give her father a hug as submit to a half-hearted hug from him, and stutters her introductions once more. Papa McChoad gives off generic creepy vibes as he suggests to Tara that they have dinner later that evening. He apologizes for rushing off, but the camper is double-parked. Willow tries to make some small talk, but Tara obviously doesn't want to discuss her family and suggests they get "into research mode."

"Honey, I'm home," Buffy calls out as she comes through her front door. Riley bounds down the stairs to give Buffy a kiss and mentions that he's put away the rest of Buffy's things. Then there's some talk of "favors" being owed and repaid. I'm okay up until Buffy bandies about the idea of "outfits," and with that we've crossed the line into TMI. I see enough of SMG's bony little shoulders as it is. I don't need the visual that Riley's words provide. "Oh. Be still my heart," says Riley as he leans in for a kiss. Ugh. Be still my stomach. Thankfully, Dawn interrupts on her way out the door to "Melinda's for dinner." Buffy quickly nixes the idea with a series of plausible reasons that include, "I don't like you hanging out with someone that...short." Remind me why Buffy doesn't want to tell the rest of the gang about Dawn again? Because they'll act conspicuous around her? Oh. Just checking. Dawn stomps off, and Riley sticks up for her, saying, "Yeah, a lot of young people nowadays are experimenting with shortness. You gotta nip that in the bud." Buffy protests that she's worried about the Abimbonation, but Riley feels that there's more to it. He deftly passive-aggressifies, "Every time I think I'm getting closer to you," and then stands to leave. Buffy runs after him, reassuring him that she does indeed want his help, but Riley cuts her off with, "I know you got a lot on your mind. You decide you want to let me in on any of it, you let me know. I'll come running." Sigh. Bitter Riley is only slightly more tolerable than usual.