10 More Overlooked Buffy The Vampire Slayer Episodes That Are Secretly Classics
5. A New Man (Season 4, Episode 12)
Where some of the standalone episodes in the fourth season could have been swapped out in favour of focusing on The Initiative storyline - we're looking at you 'Superstar' - we have to admit that we'd be very sad if 'A New Man' got dropped. Purely due to it giving the sublime comedy duo of Giles and Spike a chance to really shine, with their martial-style bickering being one of season four's biggest highlights.
Feeling as if he no longer has a place in Buffy's life, Giles ends up drinking with the ever-untrustworthy Ethan Rayne, and wakes up with the hangover to end all hangovers when he discovers he has been turned into a Fyarl Demon.
It doesn't take long for Buffy and Riley to be hot on his trail, unaware of his real identity and lead to believe that Giles has been killed by such a creature. With few other options, the only person he can turn to for help is Spike but naturally, that's going to be at the detriment to Giles' wallet.
What follows is a series of farcical events that are wrapped up in a surprisingly sweet manner, which sees both Buffy and Giles reaffirm their undying bond with oneanother.