Well, time to start recapping this episode. Yep, all set to go. But, um, my cat just hopped up next to me -- she looks like she needs some attention. Perhaps I'll just get her favorite toy and play with her for a little while. Can't be neglecting the cat, you know.

Okay, I'm back. All ready to start recapping. But it seems like I might have left a dirty mug in the sink. It's not too dirty -- I just used it for tea. But my roommate might be home soon and I wouldn't want to inconvenience her. I'll just pop into the kitchen and clean that up.

'Kay, that's done. Can't think why I'm having so many problems getting started on this recap. Except maybe because this episode, while artfully done, was incredibly affecting and sad. I'm not really looking forward to sitting through it again, let alone having to pause, rewind, pause, rewind on every single scene. I think I have some bills to pay and perhaps a little German homework to finish. I mean, I really can't be falling behind on my studies. Especially since we're covering the economic ramifications of reunification. You can't let that kind of stuff get away from you or it's just all over.

Procrastination time is over. I've now steeled myself to begin.

The beginning of the episode is the same as the last few moments of "I Was Made To Love You." Buffy enters the house and sees that Joyce has gotten flowers from a man she recently dated. Buffy smiles at the card enclosed with the flowers and calls for her mother. She enters the living room and sees her mother lying on the sofa with her eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling. "Mom? Mom? Mommy?"

Credits. The happiest, most carefree part of tonight's episode. Maybe I'll rewind and watch them a few times. Sigh.

We come back from commercial to all the Scoobies enjoying a Christmas dinner at the Summers's home. The dining room is decorated with candles and swags of greenery containing tiny lights. As Joyce and Buffy clear plates from the table, Xander makes an inappropriate joke about barfing from overeating, which Joyce chooses to take as a compliment. Giles takes his plate out to the kitchen, leaving Xander, Anya, Willow, Tara, and Dawn still sitting at the table. Queasy lookin' Willow complains she had "too much [egg] nog," and Tara, holding her hand, sympathizes, "Aw, baby, want me to rub your tummy? She likes it when I, uh -- stop explaining things." Tara then asks Dawn if she wrote a letter to Santa, but Dawn teenages that of course she doesn't believe in Jolly Saint Nick. "That's a myth," chimes in Anya. Dawn is pleased, thinking Anya is backing her up, but Anya clarifies, "It's a myth that it's a myth. There is a Santa Claus." But this being Sunnydale, the Santa Claus Anya is referring to is actually a demon with reindeer who comes down chimneys to "disembowel children." Cheery.