aired on: February 20, 2001

written by: Jane Espenson

directed by: James A. Contner

Buffy comforts a brokenhearted woman about the loss of love and it hits home for Buffy too as she deals with her feelings about the Riley thing.

It turns out the poor melancholy maiden, April, is a crazy Franken-like creation who was manufactured to be the perfect girlfriend. Oh yeah, and she was also designed with destruction in mind. When Spike whispers an improper suggestion in her ear (in the hopes of making Buffy jealous because he saw her talking to Ben) the gal throws him through a double-plated glass window. The Scoobies realize they have another job on their hands. Buffy beats the crap out of her and then consoled her about boyfriend. Seems that April was a lover and a fighter and her mission, in a creepy even-toned voice, is to find her creator and "boyfriend" Warren. Seems the lonely dude — a former Sunnydale High student — couldn't find anyone to love him completely so he did the next best thing and built the perfect girl. He figures out that having someone love you no matter what you do is predictable and boring and he didn't love her back. Then Katrina, someone with opinions and a spirit (not to mention flesh and blood), comes along and Warren falls in love for real, leaving the robotic girl behind. Eventually, April's batteries wear down and Warren tries to apologize to Katrina.

Dealing with her own issues, Buffy has a heart-to-heart with Xander and comes to the conclusion that she doesn't need to be with someone now… she needs some Buffy alone time. After that brave move, the Slayer returns home to find mom sprawled on the couch with eyes open and unmoving. What happened to Joyce?

Spike makes an attempt to ingratiate himself with the rest of the gang and Giles steps in with the fatherly rebuff. He tells Spike that they are not friends and should not be used as a way to Buffy — there is no way to Buffy. Later, Spike appears at Warren's house with all of his Buffy artifacts and demands one of the mad scientist's creations.