There�s much to enjoy in this episode, from the terrific pre-credits scene in the cemetery ("I'm going with 'B' - we haven't had 'B' in forever") to the sly final exchange (Buffy�s "At least I got to the two of you before you actually did something").

Band Candy is an episode with really crackling dialogue and a strong, linear plot, probably the result of the appointment of new Executive Story Editor � and this episode's writer - Jane Espenson, who can certainly be forgiven for a rather hackneyed core plot idea. The key storyline reintroduces Ethan Rayne, who has devised an overly elaborate plan to divert attention from his mission to steal infants from the hospital.

It's a plot that develops steadily, subtly building hints that the adults are slowly regressing. The episode even finds room to develop the storyline involving the recovering Angel, who has recently been sidelined, and physically separated from the rest of the gang.

The icing on the cake is a trio of terrific performances from Armin Shimerman, Anthony Stewart Head and Kristine Sutherland, all revealing aspects to their characters which have previously only been hinted at: Giles the tearaway, Joyce the flirt and Snyder the excitable nerd.