History Recap / BuffyTheVampireSlayerS5E10IntoTheWoods

* LaserGuidedKarma: Spike [[BreakThemByTalking breaks Riley by talking]] about how nothing can be worse than being physically intimate with Buffy, yet not having the key to her heart. In Season 6 Spike finds out exactly what that's like. Also, Riley scares him by staking him with a fake-wood staff.

* VillainHasAPoint: Spike revealing Riley's affairs to Buffy were out of line and meant to hurt both of them. He's also right when telling Riley that he couldn't have kept it up forever and it wasn't fair to Buffy.

* HellBentForLeather: Buffy changes into the Brown Leather Pants and BadassLongcoat of Women Scorned.

* ManipulativeBastard: Spike.

** Later on, Buffy calls the vampires who bit Riley 'whores' and the whole argument does sound like a conversation where a wife has found out her husband is cheating on her with prostitutes.

* LaserGuidedKarma: Spike [[BreakThemByTalking breaks Riley by talking]] about how nothing can be worse than being physically intimate with Buffy, yet not having the key to her heart. In Season 6 Spike finds out exactly what that's like.

* AmbiguouslyEvil: Giles points out that, as the vamp whores don't kill their clients and it a consensual act, they are not considered evil--or at least, not evil enough to be worth the Slayer's time.

[[caption-width-right:350:Riley's secret]]

* KissOfTheVampire[=/=]HemoErotic: Humans are paying for vampires to suck their blood, both for sado-masochistic pleasure and for the adrenaline rush of putting their lives in danger.

* NeverGiveTheCaptainAStraightAnswer: Justified; Spike doesn't explain why he wants Buffy to go with him, as she'd likely throw him out the window as promised.

* PoliticalCorrectnessGoneMad: A large banner in the Magic Shop reminds everyone that Christmas, Winter Solstice, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa & [[FamousFamousFictional Gurnenthar's Ascendance]] are coming.

* NiceGuy: Despite having every reason to do so, Riley doesn't kill Spike, who taunts him for not being dark enough. Riley does say he'll kill Spike for real if he ever touches Buffy. [[spoiler:In Season 6, Riley returns to Sunnydale and ''catches the two of them in bed together''. Despite being armed with a very large gun at the time, ''and'' authorized by his superiors to kill Spike, Riley refuses to do so without Buffy's approval.]]

[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/btvs_s5_ep10_intothewoods.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Riley's secret]]

Buffy spends the day with her mother in the hospital discussing Joyce's wig options and Buffy's relationship with Riley. Spike wakes Buffy from sleep that night to show her what Riley has been doing. Buffy is shocked to find him in the arms of a female vampire, being fed upon. Graham has persuaded his commanding officer to seek Riley's help in destroying demons for the government. They offer Riley a position in the government's new anti-demon organization, assuring him that they are nothing like the Initiative and exist only to stop demons, not study them. At the Magic Box, Buffy storms in and demands information about humans paying vampires to bite them. Giles (who had seen these kind of 'brothels' back in his days as Ripper) and Anya confirm that humans will pay vampires to bite them, getting off on the rush of the experience and the danger the vampire might go too far. Buffy is angry that Giles didn't tell her that this kind of place exists, but Giles explains he didn't know this was going on in Sunnydale and even if he did he may not have told her, feeling that the 'victims' are willing and she should remain focused on more imminent threats like Glory. Buffy refuses to back down, and gets even more agitated when Xander suggests waiting for Riley.

Arriving at the nest, Buffy and the others find the building empty, the vampires worried that Buffy would return. Giles suggests the vampires will now be lying low, but Buffy is determined to find them and sets the building on fire, leaving everyone certain something is wrong. Riley is furious that Spike allowed Buffy to see the truth and after throwing the vampire around a bit, he stakes him. Fortunately for Spike, the stake is plastic and Riley's actions were only a warning. Spike maintains that Riley has no future with Buffy, and the two rivals eventually share a drink, discussing how they both love her, but she doesn't return the feelings for either of them. Spike tells Riley that he is generally jealous of his position of intimacy with Buffy, although sometimes he wonders if Riley's situation is worse, being so close to Buffy while not actually having her. However, he ultimately declares that Riley has the better deal. Riley asks Spike if he really thinks he has a shot with Buffy. Spike responds in the negative, but says that a fellow's got to try - he's got to do what he can.

Xander witnesses the slaying and confronts Buffy, not willing to let her hide from her problems. He shows her the truth that she's been ignoring: that Riley has given her everything, and risked everything for her, while she has treated him as a rebound guy after Angel's departure from Sunnydale, and how she's treated him as 'convenient', expecting him to be there when she needs him and to disappear when she doesn't. She tries to change the subject by accusing Xander of treating Anya as a mere convenience, but Xander stays on point, telling her that Riley is the kind of guy that comes around once in a lifetime, and that she has to decide if she's really willing to lose him for good. Xander gets through to Buffy, and she takes off. Although she runs as fast as she can, Buffy is unable to get to the airport in time to stop Riley from leaving. The helicopter takes off with Buffy on the landing pad, calling after Riley. He stares in the other direction, leaving without knowing that she had tried to reach him.

After his talk with Buffy, Xander realizes that he needs to tell Anya how much he loves her and he does. Still shocked, Buffy returns home while Riley leaves Sunnydale, not looking back.

!Tropes:

* AllGirlsWantBadBoys: Averted when Riley's attempt to become DarkerAndEdgier backfires. Spike of course insists that it's just because he's not dark enough. "The girl [[EvilIsSexy needs some monster in her man]]. And that's not you, no matter how low you try to go."
* AmbiguouslyEvil: Giles points out that, as the vamp whores don't kill their clients and it a consensual act, they are not considered evil.

* BadLiar: Xander telling Dawn that Buffy/Riley just want to 'relax' together.

* BlatantLies: Buffy-in-the-buff refuses to get out of bed until Spike turns his back.
-->'''Spike:''' Oh please! Like I'd give a bloody damn!
-->''Turns around -- cue [[LustObject lustful look]].''
** And later Spike to Riley
-->'''Spike:''' We only came because we care about you, friend. You need help.

* CasualKink: Buffy suggests Joyce cover her surgery scar with various wigs.
-->"You know, you can be, like, Sixties Mom, ActionMom, (wiggles her hips, suggestively) {{French Maid|Outfit}} Mom..."
** That "funny thing with the vaulting horse" Anya/Xander enjoy doing.
* CornerOfWoe: The episode ends with Buffy sitting alone on the staircase, and Riley sitting in the helicopter -- both staring forlornly off into space.

* CutApart: As Buffy runs through the woods to intercept Riley's helicopter before it takes off, Riley suddenly looks up with a hopeful expression -- but the woods in front of him remain empty.

-->'''Buffy:''' I thought [Riley] was ... dependable.\\

'''Xander:''' Yeah. I think you mean convenient.
* DarkAndTroubledPast: Giles says that the hazards of the underworld can be addictive to...[[LastSecondWordSwap some people]]. As he then mentions his [[FormerTeenRebel Ripper days]], it's clear how Giles got first hand experience of the vampire prostitution scene.
* [[DoesNotKnowHisOwnStrength Does Not Know Her Own Strength]]: Dr. Kriegel's ribs creak when Buffy hugs him a bit too enthusiastically.
* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: When Spike first shows Buffy the vampire bite den, it looks very much like a Hollywood representation of a crack den. He also says to her (before she sees Riley) not to start slaying - "That's not what we're here for" - which is very much what one police officer would say to another if they were looking for information and didn't want to start arresting people.

* EverythingsBetterWithMonkeys: Anya wants to watch a movie about monkeys playing hockey because "The ice is so slippery and monkeys are all irrational".
* ExtremeMeleeRevenge: Buffy against the vampire whores

-->'''Riley:''' You actually think you've got a shot with her?
-->'''Spike:''' No I don't. Fellow's got to try though. Got to do what he can.

* {{Foreshadowing}}: Anya expresses her annoyance of Willow (and Xander taking her side) presaging their dispute in the next episode.
* FromTheMouthsOfBabes: Dawn knows perfectly well she's been packed off to Xander's place so Buffy/Riley can have a boinkfest.

* ILied: Xander tells Buffy that if she doesn't want to hear his WhatTheHellHero lecture, she can leave. Buffy promptly goes to storm off, only to be blocked by Xander who hasn't finished talking. "I lied."

'''Buffy:''' I know that. Look, I told him to make plans with his friends because I wanted to have you all to myself, okay? Besides, I can see him any time. And I'm sure he'll come over later looking for a little ''(remembers that she is talking to her mother)''... Bible Study!\\
'''Joyce:''' ''(not buying it for a second)'' Well, good. I mean, just as long as the two of you are spending some quality time with... The Lord.\\

-->"I've gotta say something... 'Cause ... I don't think I've made it clear. I'm in love with you. Powerfully, painfully in love. The things you do ... the way you think ... the way you move ... I get excited every time I'm about to see you. You make me feel like I've never felt before in my life. Like a man. I just thought you might wanna know."

-->"OW BLOODY HELL! OH GOD! (realises he's not dust) Hey..."

-->'''Buffy:''' Spike. Every time you show up like this, [[FreudianThreat you risk all your parts]], you know that?
-->'''Spike:''' As usual I'm here to help you and...[[DistractedByTheSexy are you naked under there?]]
* MurderTheHypotenuse: Spike frankly admits he'd kill Riley if he didn't have his RestrainingBolt. He does the next best thing by [[ShippingTorpedo discrediting Riley in Buffy's eyes]].

* [[NeverGiveTheCaptainAStraightAnswer Never Give the Slayer a Straight Answer]]: Justified; Spike doesn't explain why he wants Buffy to go with him, as she'd likely throw him out the window as promised.
* NiceGuy: Despite having every reason to do so, Riley doesn't kill Spike, who taunts him for not being dark enough. Riley does say he'll kill Spike for real if he ever touched Buffy. [[spoiler:In Season 6, Riley returns to Sunnydale and ''catches the two of them in bed together''. Despite being armed with a very large gun at the time, ''and'' authorized by his superiors to kill Spike, Riley refuses to do so without Buffy's approval.]]

-->"You brought the ''Slayer'' here? No-one will come here now!"
* [[PutOnABus Put On A]] BlackHelicopter: Riley

* SoHappyTogether: The Creator/JossWhedon special

* SpeakNowOrForeverHoldYourPeace: Riley tells Buffy that the military wants him back, and the helicopter is leaving at midnight with him on it unless Buffy gives him a reason to stay. Buffy is furious at this ultimatum and says nothing -- it takes a WhatTheHellHero talk from Xander to put aside her pride and chase after Riley, but she arrives at the helipad too late.

* TemptingFate
-->'''Spike:''' Look, [[BlatantLies I'm not the one who got you into this]]. Don't [[ShootTheMessenger kill the messenger]].
-->''Riley shoves a stake into Spike's heart.''
-->'''Riley:''' Why the hell not?

* TrespassingToTalk: Riley enters his apartment, switches on the lights and without turning around says, "GetOut". Major Ellis and his men are standing behind him.

* WhatWereYouThinking: Buffy's reaction to Riley visiting vamps to bet bitten.

-->'''Xander:''' I was about to give you a hand, but it seemed like you grew a couple.

* SpeakNowOrForeverHoldYourPeace: Riley tells Buffy that the military wants him back, and the helicopter is leaving at midnight with him on it unless Buffy gives him a reason to stay. Buffy is furious at this ultimatum and says nothing -- it takes a WhatTheHellHero talk from Xander to put aside her pride and chase after Riley, but she arrives at the helipad too late.

All appears well as Joyce comes out of surgery unharmed, but then Buffy discovers Riley's night time activities.

->''I'm leaving tonight, Buffy. Unless you give me a reason to stay.''

-->'''Spike:''' Look, [[BlatantLies I'm not the one who got you into this]]. Don't KillTheMessenger.

* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: When Spike first shows Buffy the vampire nest, it looks very much like a Hollywood representation of a crack den. He also says to her (before she sees Riley) not to start slaying - "That's not what we're here for" - which is very much what one police officer would say to another if they were looking for information and didn't want to start arresting people.

* ExtremeMeleeRevenge

* KissOfTheVampire / HemoErotic: Humans are paying for vampires to suck their blood, both for sado-masochistic pleasure and for the adrenaline rush of putting their lives in danger.

* MajorInjuryUnderreaction: Spike after having a stake shoved into his heart.

* PersonAsVerb: Xander says Buffy went Rambo on the vampire nest.

* PunchedAcrossTheRoom: As Buffy flees the vampire nest, the vampire pimp tries to intercept her, but not in a threatening way, only for Buffy to send him flying across the room. He's pissed when he gets up, because he now realises who Buffy is.

* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: Buffy waits until the next day, then storms the vampire nest with the Scooby gang. When she doesn't find the vampires, [[RevengeBeforeReason she sets the building on fire]].

* SimpleStaff / BroomstickQuarterstaff: Despite her mockery of the quarterstaff in Season One, Buffy uses it here to lethal effect.

** The doctor tells the Scoobies that Joyce's operation was a complete success.

* TryNotToDie: As the Scoobies follow Buffy on her mission to destroy the vampire nest, Anya cheerfully waves them out. "Have a nice day. Don't get killed!"
* WhatWereYouThinking

* YourCheatingHeart
* YouWouldntLikeMeWhenImAngry: Buffy gives the vampire-pimp and his gang a chance to walk away. When they attack her, she vents her anger by [[BerserkerRage massacring the lot of them in seconds]].

* SoHappyTogether: The JossWhedon special

* SimpleStaff: Despite her mockery of the quarterstaff in Season One, Buffy uses it here to lethal effect.

->''I'm leaving tonight Buffy. Unless you give me a reason to stay.''

* AManIsAlwaysEager: Averted; Xander turns down sexcapades with Anya because he realises something is going on with Buffy/Riley. However he makes a point of telling Anya how much she turns him on afterward (see LoveConfession).

-->"You know, you can be, like, Sixties Mom, ActionMom, (wiggles her hips, suggestively) [[FrenchMaidOutfit French Maid]] Mom..."

* DoesNotKnowHerOwnStrength: Dr. Kriegel's ribs creak when Buffy hugs him a bit too enthusiastically.

* {{Kiss of the Vampire}} / HemoErotic: Humans are paying for vampires to suck their blood, both for sado-masochistic pleasure and for the adrenaline rush of putting their lives in danger.

* LaserGuidedKarma: Spike gives Riley a BreakingSpeech over how nothing can be worse than being physically intimate with Buffy, yet not having the key to her heart. In Season 6 Spike finds out exactly what that's like.

* ManipulativeBastard: Spike

* [[NeverGiveTheCaptainAStraightAnswer Never Give The Slayer A Straight Answer]]: Justified; Spike doesn't explain why he wants Buffy to go with him, as she'd likely throw him out the window as promised.

* {{Speak Now Or Forever Hold Your Peace}}: Riley tells Buffy that the military wants him back, and the helicopter is leaving at midnight with him on it unless Buffy gives him a reason to stay. Buffy is furious at this ultimatum and says nothing -- it takes a WhatTheHellHero talk from Xander to put aside her pride and chase after Riley, but she arrives at the helipad too late.

* ArmiesAreEvil: Averted; Major Ellis assures Riley that they're not like the Initiative. They've not interest in experimenting on demons, only fighting them.

* ShipperOnDeck: Xander says Riley is the kind of guy who comes along once in a lifetime.

** Buffy tells Finn how perfect this night is. The following night really sucks.

-->'''Buffy:''' Spike. Every time you show up like this, [[GroinAttack you risk all your parts]] -- you know that?

** Buffy tells Finn that how perfect this night is. The following night really sucks.

* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: After leading Buffy to her cheating boyfriend, Spike looks guilty after seeing the devastated look on her face.

* YourDoorWasOpen: Riley enters his apartment, switches on the lights and without turning around says, "GetOut". Major Ellis and his men are standing behind him.