Review by Bryant Griffin

From Turkey to England and back to the haunted bowels of a newly restored and modernized Sunnydale High School, mysteries abound and a powerful unseen force is rising that even the Old Ones fear. So begins the seventh season of Joss Whedon's engaging series, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

After a dark and brooding season last year, the seventh season premiere "Lessons," penned by Whedon and directed by David Solomon, briskly steers the show back to its freshman roots. A distinct and welcome tone pervades the episode, mirroring the early years' fun and gun style.

Ghosts terrorize Sunnydale High and Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) is determined to protect her sister Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) from falling victim. Along the way, Buffy enounters the new school's principal and snags a part-time job assisting students. He openly admits his awareness of Buffy's past. How much? We'll have to wait and see.

Buffy's confrontation with the ghosts escalates into another flashy fight scene featuring a whirling purse stuffed with bricks. But is something setting these vengeful spirits against everyone?

Not since the Season 2 opener, "When She Was Bad," has a premiere seemed so successful and fulfilling. Unlike that episode though, "Lessons" sets the stage for a variety of intriguing paths ripe with dangers.

Willow (Alyson Hannigan) spends the episode in England under the watchful care of Giles (Anthony Stewart Head). She struggles with the aftermath of her dark turn in Season 6. Can she contain her power? Will Giles' teachings of a gentler, earthbound magic bear fruit? Possibly. However, Willow is soon distracted by a growing sensation that Sunnydale's Hellmouth is birthing a serious threat.

Meanwhioe, Anya (Emma Caulfield) faces pressure from her demon peers to perform her vengeance responsibilities or face grave consequences. Again, a growing Sunnydale danger is alluded to and Anya is urged to pick sides.

Spike (James Marsters), now gifted with a soul, takes up residence beneath Sunnydale High. He's a shattered wreck with little of his spitfire personality intact. Perhaps we are witnessing the same timid disposition he displayed in the rocking Season 5 episode "Fool For Love."

Buffy is clearly perplexed, but events prevent her from pondering his condition.

On track for a successful career in construction, Xander (Nicholas Brendon) seems matured and finally at peace after the turmoil of his aborted wedding to Anya. Like last season's final episode "Graves," he provides crucial support to the story's climax.

Many more episode points warrant the spotlight. Buffy is clearly preparing Dawn for more combat chores. Could Dawn be the next Slayer if Gellar pursues a movie career? Or is Faith (Eliza Dushku) going to slip into that role late in the season? Both possibilities appeal to me.

Who was the girl killed in Istanbul? Another slayer in training? If so, how is another slayer in training going to receive her power?

Faith is supposedly the only one who can pass that gift along.

And Spike's final encounter before the credits: a mind-blowing gem for fans!

The question always remains what we can expect from all this? Don't ask.

Predictability is a trait escaping Team Whedon's vocabulary. It's just nice having a writing staff who makes the simple question, "Can I borrow a pencil?" a wickedly entertaining surprise.

Writing: A
Directing: A-
Acting: A
Story: A

Overall: A