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The world is safe, but Candy is dead, and Zak’s hand was on the knife that killed her. Where do they go from here? (Air Date: 22 May, 2007)

Regulars:

• Candy
• Cynth
• Zak
• Brian
• CC

Other Characters:

Episode Synopsis:

Everyone reels from the death of Candy. Cynth attacks Zak in a fury; Zak crumples but doesn't resist. Brian tries to resuscitate Candy, while Meryll wails and holds her body. Cass keeps it together and talks with Alison, setting things in motion to take Candy's body to the surface. Nick watches, silent. Cynth kicks the blade into the pit, and Cass has to come back to her before she will go to the surface.

Nick walks away into the forest. Cynth can't talk to anyone. Bonny is overwhelmed. Candy is taken to the Stephens-Knight home where she is laid on her bed. Brian goes to Alison - there must be a way to bring her back! Alison doesn't try to talk him out of it. And then the police arrive.

It transpires that Nick has told the police Zak killed Candy. Zak is repeatedly interrogated. Brian focuses on conducting a seance, to contact Candy and give everyone peace of mind. This has an unexpected outcome - Ms Preston, possessed again (as she was at the end of episode 8), saying that Candy isn't there. She entered the realm of the dead - but then she was taken...

The trail leads to Evie, the little girl who Cynth babysat in season three, now thirteen and a rebel. She has a connection to the mysterious otherworld of the Red Queen (previously visited at the end of season 3). Zak takes Cass, Cynth and Brian into the dreamworld. Dream-Terence leads them through a horrible burning schoolyard into the deeper dreaming, a great forest filled with thorns. At its centre the Red Queen herself appears. She allows passage to Cass and Cynth but forbids Zak and Brian as Cass and Cynth will not vouch for them.

Within the grove, Candy's spirit is locked in a battle with herself. Cass and Cynth talk to Candy, and bring her back to herself. She invites Brian and Zak into the glade, and finds out what has transpired. She thanks and forgives Zak, and asks the Red Queen if she can go back. Zak takes her hand - with his magic, he can guide her home. They emerge from the dream, and Candy appears on the doorstep, bedraggled, and welcomed by amazed hugs and tears.

A few months later, the gang excitedly prepare for the homecoming dance. Cass is going with Max, and the other two girls are paired up with Troy and Alastair! Lolly and Zak are an item as well, and Zak invites Lolly to go to LA with him after school is over. Cass has been invited by Alison to become a watcher trainee. Nick, sadly, has not been seen since Christmas day. As they all head out to the limo, a van comes screeching to a halt, with the newest vampire in town in the front... his reign of terror might not be very long...

Trivia and Notes:

• And with this episode, the season - and perhaps the series? - comes to a rousing end. Somehow, it's a happy one, despite the gloom of Terence's death and Nick's departure. This episode completes the process of wiping clear the slate - no more R'Thilliach, no more Lex Madsen, no more spooky Langborn estate, no more looming prophecy of doom... From here on, everything is up in the air.
• So many wonderful moments in this episode. Cass explaining to Bonny that everyone has some responsibility for the battle against darkness. Cynth telling Candy that is isn't okay. Zak singing in his room for Lolly, and for himself and for Candy. Brian and Candy embracing. Candy saying she wants to come home. And many more...
• 'Nightwatched' is the name Bonny used when commenting on Candy's livejournal. It is also a callback to the very first episode title, 'Nightwatch'.
• The final sequence, with the vampire stopping his vehicle before hitting Candy, Cass and Cynth as they cross the road, is a callback to the end of the precredits sequence for the first episode.
• Millicent Blackhurst and Mr Escher, both mentioned in this episode, are characters in UK-based Buffy spin-off The Watch House produced by Craig Oxbrow.