Maybe you should get out more: Even Xander is unnerved by the size of creepy Eric's pornography collection.

Freaky favourites: Only Willow would have the coroner's office website bookmarked as a favourite.

Previously on Buffy: This is the first episode of Buffy to feature Tony Head's voice on the opening teaser, rather than a generic portentous network voice.

Eric-stein's monster : The plot of Some Assembly Required is drawn from classic Frankenstein B movies, especially the 1935 Bride of Frankenstein (tagline - Warning! The Monster demands a Mate!) starring Boris Karloff.

The book which introduced Frankenstein's monster, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelly's Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus was first published in 1818. It's usually credited as the very beginning of science fiction, so it's entirely worthy of this Buffy homage.

Weirder Science: Another source this episode draws on is the 1985 film Weird Science, where two bright but nerdy teenagers create the perfect woman, played by Kelly LeBrock. Unlike Chris and Eric, there's a happy ending for the two social inadequates in the film, as their creation teaches them the value of friendship, honesty and normal girls wearing far too much pink blusher.

Age shall not wither him : We find out that Angel is 241 years old when he confesses to Buffy that he's been feeling jealous of Xander. The fact of a 225 year age gap doesn't seem to phase her for a moment though.

Wimpy jocks : Giles is understandably bemused by the whole idea of American Football. "I just think it's rather odd that a nation which prides itself on its virility should feel compelled to strap on forty pounds of protective gear just in order to play rugby," he remarks to Jenny Calendar. Good point.