History Recap / BuffyTheVampireSlayerS3E2DeadMansParty

** Joyce all but openly dismisses the fact that she kicked Buffy out of her home in the second season finale, which was instrumental in Buffy's decision to run away. She does admits that she reacted badly, but still blames Buffy for... believing her.

** Joyce all but openly dismisses the fact that her ultimatum to Buffy in the second season finale was instrumental in Buffy's decision to run away. However, unlike most other examples, she admits that she reacted badly, but still states that it didn't give Buffy the excuse to run.

* NeverMyFault: Joyce all but openly dismisses the fact that her ultimatum to Buffy in the second season finale was instrumental in Buffy's decision to run away. However, unlike most other examples, she admits that she reacted badly, but still states that it didn't give Buffy the excuse to run.

* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: Though normally one of Buffy's biggest fans, Xander is noticeably unenthusiastic about seeing her again, and his wisecracks have a nasty edge to them.

** Giles asks Buffy how he found her mother. "Well, I pretty much remembered the address."

** Snyder was always an asshole, but here he clearly shows he gets off on how much Buffy is hurting. [[{{Squick}} Possibly literally, depending on how one interprets that 'tingly feeling' he mentions getting a couple of times.]]

-->"Hey Pat!" ''(Ovu Mobani turns to look at Buffy and gets pitchfork in the eyes)'' "Made you look."

* GoForTheEye: Buffy stabs Ovu Mobani in the eyes with a pitchfork (after figuring out that's where its power lies). [[EyeScream Naturally]], it's a GoryDiscretionShot.

* InnocentlyInsensitive: Pat means truly well and just wants Buffy and Joyce to mend their relationship, but is obliviously insulting to Buffy's situation when trying to be helpful.

* NotSoStoic: After Buffy comes to his house, [[StiffUpperLip Giles keeps his demeanor]] until he leaves for the kitchen to get the Scoobies a SpotOfTea. While in the kitchen listening to them talk and laugh, Giles has to stop what he's doing and choke back ManlyTears.

* SpotOfTea: Naturally, the first thing Giles does is fetch tea and biscuits for his prodigal Slayer.

* NoSympathy: Buffy was tormented for ''months'' by Angelus, kicked out of the house, expelled from school, accused of murder, and had to sacrifice her boyfriend to save the world. So, it's only natural that she leaves Sunnydale. But none of the Scoobies, or even her ''own mother'', actually care about her emotional turmoil and spend most of their time ignoring her out of spite for running away, before openly calling her out on it during the party.

'''Cordelia:''' I'm just trying to help.

** Buffy feels she can't talk about Angel to her friends. When Angel comes BackFromTheDead she keeps this to herself, with serious consequences in "Revelations".
** Xander's resentment of Buffy abandoning them over her Angel grief inevitably raises his resentment over Buffy and Angel's relationship. In "Revelations", Xander quickly jumps to verbally attack Buffy over keeping Angel's return a secret, and does his best to get Angel killed, thinking her judgement is clouded again.

** Snyder says to Buffy, "I noticed that hot dog stand needs new employees. You'll look so cute in that hat." Fast-forward to Season 6's "Doublemeat Palace."