Buffy Summers arrives in Sunndydale, California to forget about her appointment as the "Chosen One". She tries to balance a regular teenager's life with the demands of vampire slaying, aided by the watcher, Giles, and new friends, Xander and Willow. Unfortunately, Sunnydale rests above a Hellmouth from which a master vampire is about to emerge.
Buffy copes with her responsibility as slayer and, with the team, faces off against the Master's followers to prevent the Harvest, a ritual which will free the Master from the sewers.
Buffy and the gang suspect a witchcraft-practicing cheerleader-hopeful may be responsible for the spontaneous combustion of several competing hopefuls.
Sunnydale's male students, especially Xander, fall for a substitute teacher. Angel tries to warn Buffy about a claw-handed vampire.
Buffy goes on a date rather than assist Giles in preventing the arrival of a warrior vampire who is coming to help The Master. When Giles works alone and finds himself stuck in a dangerous spot, it is up to Buffy to rescue him.
When Xander and a bunch of students sneak into the hyena exhibit during a zoo class trip, they begin acting strangely, which leads Buffy to believe they have taken on the animal's spirit.
Angel reveals to Buffy his secret identity as Angelus, a destructive vampire over two centuries old, as their relationship intensifies. Meanwhile, the Master calls for more warriors to help in the efforts to destroy Buffy.
Willow meets a boy in an online chat room. The gang must contend with a demon unleashed within the school's computer network.
Buffy, Xander, and Willow are forced to perform at Sunnydale High's annual talent show, but the show grows increasingly dangerous after one of the performers is found dead and missing a heart.
The residents of Sunnydale find themselves experiencing their nightmares in reality.
An evil spirit plans to take revenge on Cordelia. Angel warns Giles of danger in store for Buffy.
Buffy's desire to live a normal life is impeded when an army of demons breaks through a crack in the Earth.