15 Most Important Buffy The Vampire Slayer Episodes

Graduation Day, another two-part finale bursting with great twists and emotional pay-offs, signals the end of Buffy's first era. All season, the Scooby Gang have become steadily aware of just how dangerous new Big Bad Mayor Wilkins is, and have lost their brief friend and new Slayer Faith to his powerful influence.

In the first part of the season three finale, Buffy faces off with Faith in a fight to the death, with Buffy knowing Faith will kill her if she gets half a chance. It's an exhilarating fight, culminating in Faith being knocked into a coma. In the second part, Buffy leads the high school against the Mayor, in an epic battle that ends with the high school destroyed.

Graduation Day not only sets in motion Faith's striking, multi-season redemption arc, but also signals the last major appearance on the show of both Angel and Cordelia, who run off to LA for their own adventures. With old characters departing, the high school destroyed and some enemies still kicking, from here things would never be the same again.