History Recap / BuffyTheVampireSlayerS6E11Gone

* RantInducingSlight: Buffy griping about Spike throwing her out. It's supposed to be the other way round!

* AdultFear: The possibility of Buffy losing guardianship of Dawn is discussed several times, but it comes to a head when a social worker comes at absolutely the worst time, everyone says absolutely the wrong things, and ends up with the following:
-->'''Ms. Kroeger''': I think I've seen enough.
-->'''Buffy''': No, actually, I really don't think that you have. It's just...it's been kind of, kind of a, a bad time.
-->'''Ms. Kroeger''': It's been a bad time now for a while, hasn't it, Ms. Summers? [...]
-->'''Buffy''': But there—there are good reasons.
-->'''Ms. Kroeger''': Oh, I'm sure there are. But my interest is in Dawn's welfare. And the stability of her home life, something I'm just not convinced that an unemployed young woman like yourself can provide.
-->'''Buffy''': I can. I, I do!
-->'''Ms. Kroeger''': Well, we'll just have to see about that then, won't we? Oh, and I'm, uh, going to recommend immediate probation in my report.
-->'''Buffy''': What does that mean?
-->'''Ms. Kroeger''': It means that I'll be monitoring you very closely, Ms. Summers. And if I don't see that things are improving, well, I'll be forced to recommend that you be stripped of your sister's guardianship.
-->'''Buffy''': You can't do that.
-->'''Ms. Kroeger''': I do what is in Dawn's best interest ... as should you. Have a nice day.

* AbsenteeActor: Tara doesn't appear in this episode.

* CarpetOfVirility: Buffy grabs one of the Invisible Trio who complains of her grabbing his hair. When he's turned visible...
-->'''Buffy:''' Jonathan? [beat] You have chest hair?

Buffy feels that life is unraveling since Willow's incident involving Dawn, a car, and Willow "high" on magic. Dawn is barely speaking to Willow or Buffy — Willow because of her irresponsibility with Dawn, and Buffy because she let it happen by not being around enough, so she is only talking to Xander. Spike arrives under a blanket looking for his lighter and Buffy denies seeing it. Willow is contrite about her misdeeds, and Buffy apologizes for being too self-involved with her own problems to notice Willow hurting. A social worker named Doris Kroeger comes to the Summers residence to check on how Buffy's doing as Dawn's legal guardian, but Buffy thought it was the next day and hadn't prepared for it. It's the worst possible time: as Buffy opens the door, Dawn makes a comment about the car accident; her arm is in a cast; and Xander is taking her late to school. The living room is scattered with Willow's old spell ingredients and objects, making a mess and also looking like drugs. Buffy tries to explain, saying "It's ''magic'' weed". Doris sees Spike and gets the impression that Buffy has a punk boyfriend who is sleeping over with her, since he has a blanket, and Spike makes things worse by assuring her Buffy put a stop to Dawn going to his crypt. Doris also appears to disapprove of Buffy living with another woman, one who is sleeping during the daytime. Doris tells Buffy that her case does not look good and she will recommend immediate probation, and Buffy might lose custody of Dawn later on. After she leaves, Spikes gets his lighter back from Buffy who had put it in her pocket and as he leaves he calls Buffy "Goldilocks," a nickname she says she hates, and he tells her how much he likes her hair. In a state of depression, Buffy cuts a lot of her hair off, and then she goes to a hair salon and asks the hairdresser to make her look different.

Buffy drives to Doris' workplace. Using her invisibility to its full advantage, she tricks the social worker into behaving in a bizarre manner and replaces the Summers report with pages consisting entirely of repetitions of "All work and no play makes Doris a dull girl." Doris tells her supervisor that, "There was a voice. It made my coffee dance". The woman's supervisor believes that she is having a mental break with reality and sends her home, saying that he will send someone else to re-inspect the Summers home the next day.

* DisproportionateRetribution: Buffy getting herself assigned a new social worker by making Doris and her boss think she's having a nervous breakdown has been called this by fans, since Doris was largely just legitimately doing her job reporting that Buffy's living situation looked like a mess, although she did seem prejudiced about Willow living with Buffy and being gay, given the tone in which she said, "You live with another woman?".

* {{Gaslighting}}: An accidentally invisible Buffy does this to a social worker (moving her coffee mug and whispering, "kill, kill...") who was probably about to have Dawn taken away. Kind of mean, since the social worker wasn't being unreasonable, she just happened to visit the Summers' house on a really bad day... which is probably every day around there...

Buffy drives to Doris' workplace. Using her invisibility to its full advantage, she tricks the social worker into behaving in a bizarre manner and replaces the Summers report with pages consisting entirely of repetitions of "All work and no play makes Doris a dull girl." Doris tells her supervisor that, "There was a voice. It made my coffee dance". The woman's supervisor believes that she is having a mental break with reality and sends her home, saying that he will send someone else to re-inspect the Summers' home the next day.

** FridgeBrilliance: [[NotSoDifferent Buffy]] is the [[Recap/BuffyTheVampireSlayerS4E3TheHarshLightOfDay Parker]] in the "relationship"

-->'''Ms. Kroger''': I think I've seen enough.

-->'''Ms. Kroger''': It's been a bad time now for a while, hasn't it, Ms. Summers? [...]

-->'''Ms. Kroger''': Oh, I'm sure there are. But my interest is in Dawn's welfare. And the stability of her home life, something I'm just not convinced that an unemployed young woman like yourself can provide.

-->'''Ms. Kroger''': Well, we'll just have to see about that then, won't we? Oh, and I'm, uh, going to recommend immediate probation in my report.

-->'''Ms. Kroger''': It means that I'll be monitoring you very closely, Ms. Summers. And if I don't see that things are improving, well, I'll be forced to recommend that you be stripped of your sister's guardianship.

-->'''Ms. Kroger''': I do what is in Dawn's best interest ... as should you. Have a nice day.

* CringeComedy: This episode is particularly full of it. The two prime examples are Buffy's entire first meeting with Mrs. Keller, and Xander walking in on Spike and Invisible Buffy having sex. Made worse by Spike's excuse of doing pushups, which he then demonstrates--punctuated by Buffy gasping.

** Ms Kroger questions whether an 'unemployed' young woman can properly support Dawn. Buffy will get a job in the next episode.

* GetOut: Buffy collapses against the door after Ms Kroger leaves, only to find Spike is standing before her offering sympathy and support. As Buffy regards Spike as yet another reason why her life is screwed up, she yells at him to get out. Spike slams his hand next to Buffy's head and uses the other to rummage in her jeans (causing Buffy to moan in anticipation), grabs his lighter from her pocket and storms off.

* HearingVoices: The murderous mug of Ms. Kroger.

-->'''Ms. Kroger:''' Um, Miss Summers, if you and your boyfriend would like to--\\

* MistakenForGay: Buffy receives a visit from a social worker about Dawn. Buffy's forgetfulness of a certain redhead leads to the following exchange. Worth noting is that it's hard to say if Ms. Kroger really believed Buffy.

-->'''Ms. Kroger''': Oh, so you live with another woman.

* NotHelpingYourCase: Everything that Ms Kroger from Social Services sees when she turns up for an inspection -- Dawn's arm in a sling, the house in a mess from packing Willow's stuff, baggies of "magic weed", and Buffy's odd not-boyfriend who dresses like Billy Idol.

* NotWhatItLooksLike: Mrs Kroger finding a baggie of sage.

* ProtagonistCenteredMorality: Ms. Kroger sees legitimately suspicious activity. Buffy, who has turned invisible, sets things up to make it look like the social worker is insane in a way that could easily get her fired or sent to a mental institution. This is portrayed as a comedy routine and we are apparently supposed to feel sympathy with Buffy harassing an innocent person merely because she's frustrating a main character.

* SecurityBlanket: How Buffy tries to explain to Ms Kroger the blanket Spike uses to shield himself from the sun.

* TalkAboutThatThing: Buffy getting Spike away from Ms Kroger.

* DisproportionateRetribution: Buffy's revenge on the social worker by making her and her boss think she's having a nervous breakdown has been called this by fans, since Doris was largely just legitimately doing her job reporting that Buffy's living situation looked like a mess, although she did seem prejudiced about Willow living with Buffy and being gay, given the tone in which she said, "You live with another woman?".

* IdiotBall: Buffy is made invisible, and goes to have kinky sex with Spike. Xander walks in and unquestioningly accepts that Spike was doing push-ups, despite that Buffy still makes audible noises throughout the whole scene, and Xander already knows about the invisibility.]

* InvisibleStreaker: Averted as Buffy was wearing clothes when she was zapped.

* RememberTheNewGuy: Spoofed -- As Willow turns the Trio visible again, Buffy is surprised to see Jonathan, Warren, and... "Who are you?" Andrew says he's the guy who sent the flying monkeys to attack the school play. [[NoodleIncident As that episode never happened on screen]] [[LeaningOnTheFourthWall Buffy and Willow still don't remember him]] until they're told he's Tucker Wells' brother.

Buffy feels that life is unraveling since Willow's incident involving Dawn, a car, and Willow "high" on magic. Dawn is barely speaking to Willow or Buffy — Willow because of her irresponsibility with Dawn, and Buffy because she let it happen by not being around enough, so she is only talking to Xander. Spike arrives under a blanket looking for his lighter and Buffy denies seeing it. Willow is contrite about her misdeeds, and Buffy apologizes for being too self-involved with her own problems to notice Willow hurting. A social worker named Doris Kroeger comes to the Summers residence to check on how Buffy's doing as Dawn's legal guardian, but Buffy thought it was the next day and hadn't prepared for it. It's the worst possible time: as Buffy opens the door, Dawn makes a comment about the car accident; her arm is in a cast; and Xander is taking her late to school. The living room is scattered with Willow's old spell ingredients and objects, making a mess and also looking like drugs. Buffy tries to explain, saying "It's magic weed". Doris sees Spike and gets the impression that Buffy has a punk boyfriend who is sleeping over with her, since he has a blanket. Doris also appears to disapprove of Buffy living with another woman, one who is sleeping during the daytime. Doris tells Buffy that her case does not look good and she will recommend immediate probation, and Buffy might lose custody of Dawn later on. After she leaves, Spikes gets his lighter back from Buffy who had put it in her pocket and as he leaves he calls Buffy "Goldilocks," a nickname she says she hates, and he tells her how much he likes her hair. In a state of depression, Buffy cuts a lot of her hair off, and then she goes to a hair salon and asks the hairdresser to make her look different.

* DisproportionateRetribution: Buffy's revenge on the social worker has been called this by fans, since she was nothing but professional the whole time, and was just doing her job responsibly.

* NotHelpingYourCase: Everything that Ms Kroger from Social Services sees when she turns up for an inspection -- Dawn's arm in a sling, the house in a mess from packing Willow's stuff, baggies of 'magic weed', and Buffy's odd not-boyfriend.

* AcceptableHobbyTargets: InUniverse. After freaking out a girl with a studded cap, she comes across a couple of joggers. She immediately dismisses them as "too easy" and moves on.

-->'''MS. KROGER''': I think I've seen enough.
-->'''BUFFY''': No, actually, I really don't think that you have. It's just ... it's been kind of, kind of a, a bad time.
-->'''MS. KROGER''': It's been a bad time now for a while, hasn't it, Ms. Summers? [...]
-->'''BUFFY''': But there—there are good reasons.
-->'''MS. KROGER''': Oh, I'm sure there are. But my interest is in Dawn's welfare. And the stability of her home life, something I'm just not convinced that an unemployed young woman like yourself can provide.
-->'''BUFFY''': I can. I, I do!
-->'''MS. KROGER''': Well, we'll just have to see about that then, won't we? Oh, and I'm, uh, going to recommend immediate probation in my report.
-->'''BUFFY''': What does that mean?
-->'''MS. KROGER''': It means that I'll be monitoring you very closely, Ms. Summers. And if I don't see that things are improving, well, I'll be forced to recommend that you be stripped of your sister's guardianship.
-->'''BUFFY''': You can't do that.
-->'''MS. KROGER''': I do what is in Dawn's best interest ... as should you. Have a nice day.

-->'''Buffy''': Oh! Oh, it's not a, a gay thing, you know, I mean, well... she's gay, but, but we don't ... gay.

* NotSoDire: The Trio appear to be going to commit another robbery, but they actually intend to perve on a bikini waxing.

* ProtagonistCenteredMorality: A social worker sent to look after Dawn sees legitimately suspicious activity. Buffy, who has turned invisible, sets things up to make it look like the social worker is insane in a way that could easily get her fired or sent to a mental institution. This is portrayed as a comedy routine and we are apparently supposed to feel sympathy with Buffy harassing an innocent person merely because she's frustrating a main character.

'''Warren:''' We're your arch-nemesises ... ses. (Buffy and Willow look confused) You may have beaten us this time, Slayer, but next time ... um ... uh, next time...\\

-->'''Buffy:''' No. Maybe because for the first time since... I'm free. Free of rules and reports... Free of this life.

* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: Spike tries to throw Buffy out of his crypt, then suddenly looks down at his crotch.
-->"Get your clothes if you can find them and push off, because if I can't have all of you then I'd rather...Hey that's cheating!" ''(SmashCut to "Espresso Pump Dealer" on the back of a shirt)''
** Buffy gasping whenever Spike puts his (off-camera) hand down the front of her jeans.
** Buffy's gasp can be heard again when Spike demonstrates his 'push ups' for Xander.

* OrAreYouJustHappyToSeeMe? That ''is'' Spike's lighter in Buffy's pocket, which means she's definitely glad to see him.

* BlackComedyRape: Buffy, while invisible, throws Spike against the wall and strips him before he figures out who she is and she performs oral sex on him after he tells her to leave. We cut away before we can really figure it out. Note that, later that same season, Spike attempts to violently rape Buffy and is treated as a CompleteMonster for it. Of course, this ''is'' Spike and Buffy we're talking about...

* DoubleStandardRapeFemaleOnMale: Buffy, while invisible, throws Spike against the wall and strips him before he figures out who she is and she performs oral sex on him after he tells her to leave. We cut away before we can really figure it out. Note that, later that same season, Spike attempts to violently rape Buffy and is treated as a complete monster for it. Of course, this ''is'' Spike and Buffy we're talking about...

* DoubleStandardRapeFemaleOnMale: Some fans thought that Buffy's behaviour with Spike verged on this.

* FriendlyTickleTorture: Invisible Buffy tickles Spike and gnaws on his earlobe while he's talking to Xander. As Xander has already walked in on him doing '[[GettingCrapPastTheRadar naked pushups]]' in bed, Spike twitching and giggling for no apparent reason convinces Xander that Spike [[YouNeedToGetLaid needs to get a girlfriend pronto]].

-->"Get your clothes if you can find them and push off, because if I can't have all of you then I'd rather,,, hey that's cheating!" ''(SmashCut to "Espresso Pump Dealer" on the back of a shirt)''

* HeIsNotMyBoyfriend

* SceneryCensor / {{Fanservice}}: Spike's groin always manages to be behind the bed or just off camera range.

* [[IHaveYourWife We Have Your Best Friend]] / ComeAlone
* WeWillMeetAgain / FailedAttemptAtDrama

The Trio accidentally turn Buffy invisible. She takes advantage to escape from the problems in her life.

* AbsenteeActor: Tara doens't appear in this episode.

* BlackComedyRape: Buffy, while invisible, "forces" oral sex on Spike, who has just told her to get dressed and get out. His reaction is a simple "Hey, that's cheatin'!".

** CallBack: The last time Buffy had short hair was she came back from her summer vacation in "When She Was Bad". On that occasion she was also feeling bad about herself due to unresolved trauma after coming BackFromTheDead.

* {{Gaslighting}}: Buffy to the social worker.

* IdiotBall: Xander completely buys Spike's story about doing nude push-ups in bed, despite Buffy audibly squealing as he demonstrates. Maybe it could work if he didn't know Buffy was invisible, but since he does, it just comes off as him being as much in denial as a random [[SunnydaleSyndrome Sunnydale citizen]].

* InvisibleJerkass: Buffy plays practical jokes on random people, [[ProtagonistCenteredMorality makes a social worker who was only doing her job look insane]], and acts irresponsible to an extent that even Spike calls her on it.

* MistakenForGay / NotThatTheresAnythingWrongWithThat
-->'''Willow''': Buffy, I'm not feeling hot, so uh, I'm gonna take a quick nap, okay?
-->'''Buffy''': Okay, Will! That's Willow. She, uh, she kind of lives here too, actually.

-->'''Buffy''': [[BuffySpeak Oh! Oh, it's not a, a gay thing, you know, I mean, well... she's gay, but, but we don't ... gay.]] Not that there's anything wrong with that...

-->'''Spike:''' Free of life. Got another name for that -- dead.

* RealLifeWritesThePlot: Creator/SarahMichelleGellar had requested her hair be cut shorter.

* UnusualEuphemism: "You penis!" An averted trope?

* InvisibleMainCharacter