Remembering the wish: This episode is a sequel to The Wish, so it's not surprising that there are several references back to that episode, including Vampire Willow recognising Oz � even with his black hair! � as a "white hat", a reference to Larry, Nancy, Oz and Giles� white knight activities.

Swimming story: Principal Snyder�s "We need a winning year, especially after last year's debacle with the swim team" is a reference to the events in Go Fish.

Sad doggy tales: Xander and Willow refer to Old Yeller, a 1957 Disney movie about farm life in Texas in 1869. The film, about an adopted stray dog, has a notoriously sad ending, which was also referenced in the Friends episode The One Where Old Yeller Dies. (Oops, did we give away the plot?)