"Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" is classic BTVS. Not only is it one of the funniest episodes of the season, but it accomplishes a lot. It moves Xander and Cordy's relationship along, it contributes to the bigger story arc, it begins Jenny and Giles reconciliation, it shows us a glimpse of Willow's dark side, it references Spike's love of poetry for the first time, and it reintroduces Amy and Harmony, who will play larger roles later on. It will also be cited in future episodes, (for example, season seven's "Him.") Honestly, it's got a little bit of everything and you really shouldn't skip it if you're watching on DVD.
The episode revolves around Valentine's Day in Sunnydale. Angelus, whose past Valentine's exploits have included nailing puppies to things, is more determined than ever to destroy Buffy. He enlists Dru to help him, while Spike grows more and more furious at being excluded. Meanwhile, Harmony discovers that Xander and Cordy are dating and begins to ridicule of her former friend. Cordelia panics at the idea of social death and quickly dumps Xander. Xander, hurt and angry, turns to Amy for help. She's a witch and together they cast a love spell to try and win Cordy back. As usual, though, magic in Sunnydale goes a bit wonky. Pretty soon every woman BUT Cordy is in love with Xander. Amy, Buffy, Jenny, Harmony, Willow, Joyce, even Dru... They're all after him. Buffy comes on to Xander, fulfilling one of his deepest wishes. And breaking his heart at the same time, because she's only saying that she loves him because she's under a spell. Willow begins chasing Xander with an ax when he rejects her, giving us a indication of the darker Will lurking beneath the surface. Giles is annoyed when Jenny begins flirting with Xander, building their way towards each other again. Buffy gets transformed into a rat by a jealous Amy, and Oz has to spend most of the episode trying to find her again. Harmony and the rest of the school turn on Cordy for dumping Xander so easily, inadvertently showing her how wrong she's been. All in all, it's a great episode.
There are so many wonderful parts to "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered." I especially love Dru and Angelus attacking Xander at Buffy's house. One second, Xander's being dragged through the window, the next Drusilla is rubbing her hands all over him and declaring that she loves him, now. Xander's terror, Angelus's annoyance and Dru's fawning are all fabulous. Angelus, Dru and Spike's relationship also continues to get more complicated. Spike doesn't understand the hold up with killing Buffy. Angelus dismisses the idea of ripping Buffy's lungs out because it lacks poetry and Spike sarcastically replies, "It doesn't have to. What rhymes with lungs?" It's a very cool conversation when you consider Spike's past, which comes into better focus in season five. I also like the scene where Cordy's hiding the necklace that Xander gave her. It's very sweet. And Amy and Buffy's fight over Xander in the library is hilarious. It also sets up the running Amy/rat joke that will go into season six and beyond.
I don't have any real complaints about the episode. I wish that Spike had been in it more, but I always wish for more Spike. I really think that he's making some good points about Angelus not killing Buffy. Teasing and tormenting her is just going to lead to trouble. Angelus should know better. Also, I think Giles would have done research on Angelus before now. He should have looked into Angel's past when he first started dating Buffy. As a precaution if nothing else. As it is it seems like he's only beginning to investigate Angel's past, which doesn't make a lot of sense.
My favorite part of the episode: Angelus' disbelief as Drusilla insists that she now loves Xander. "I don't know what you're up to, Dru, but it doesn't amuse."