Ep 1. Lessons

In the first episode of the seventh and final season of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, entitled "Lessons" we find Buffy back in the town of Sunnydale, where she began her journey as a vampire slayer. She has returned after spending the summer in Los Angeles with her friend, the vampire Spike. It quickly becomes apparent, however, that Buffy's hiatus from slaying has left her rusty, and is struggling to keep up with the ever-evolving world of demons and vampires.

The episode follows Buffy and her friends as they navigate the newfound power vacuum in Sunnydale, after the destruction of the town's infamous Hellmouth. While Buffy honed her slaying skills in Los Angeles, Sunnydale has seen a spate of new arrivals, including a group of teenage girls who possess mysterious powers, and have caught the attention of the demonic underworld.

As Buffy and her friends try to maintain order, they begin to realize the enormous task ahead of them. With the arrival of a new, more powerful breed of vampires, they are faced with the biggest challenge yet.

Throughout the episode, we see Buffy struggling to find her footing and feeling a sense of detachment from her friends. She is haunted by dreams of The First Evil, a powerful force that has returned to wreak havoc on her life and the lives of those around her. Meanwhile, her friends are grappling with their own inner demons, as they come to terms with the loss of such a fundamental aspect of their lives, the Hellmouth.

The episode also introduces several new characters who will play a significant role in the final season, including Principal Wood, who has been brought in to fill the void left by Buffy's mother, Joyce. Wood is automatically distrustful of Buffy, and she must work to earn his respect and trust.

As the episode builds to its climax, Buffy must confront a powerful new vampire, who has been wreaking havoc on the town. Though she ultimately prevails, it is clear that the risks are now higher than ever before, and the line between good and evil is beginning to blur.

Overall, "Lessons" sets the tone for the final season of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, one in which the stakes are higher than ever before. As Buffy and her friends attempt to navigate the treacherous waters of the supernatural world, they are forced to confront their own fears and insecurities, and to question the very nature of good and evil.