Sunnydale High School

Lore & Background

The school's destruction occurs during the graduation ceremony in the season three finale. Mayor Richard Wilkins III, after ascending into the giant snake-like demon Olvikan, eats Principal Snyder and kills several others and students. Buffy and her friends have organized the graduating students to fight back against Mayor Wilkins and his vampires. A solar eclipse allows Angel and other vampires to be out in daytime. Buffy confronts the demon, taunting him about Faith. She lures the provoked Mayor into the library which has many explosives. The explosion destroys Wilkins in his Olvikan form, as well as the school. Earlier in the season, Giles is fired from the Watchers' Council because he has developed a "father's love" for Buffy, and Buffy announces she will also no longer work for the Council. The school is also where Faith, after accidentally killing a human, becomes irrational and sides with Mayor Wilkins, whose charismatic behavior influences Faith's dark side.

In Their Own Story

At the climax of the season, Mayor Wilkins speaks at the graduation ceremony and ascension, as the time for his transformation has come and he finally morphs into the demon Olvikan. He eats Principal Snyder and kills several others and students; but Buffy and her friends have organized the graduating students to fight back against Mayor Wilkins and his vampires. (A solar eclipse allows Angel and other vampires to be out in daytime.) Buffy confronts the demon, taunting him about Faith. She lures the provoked Mayor into the library which has many explosives. The explosion destroys Wilkins in his Olvikan form, as well as the school.

Reader's Guide

The school is the site of the season three climax. The graduation ceremony is held outside, where Mayor Wilkins ascends into the demon Olvikan. The library is rigged with explosives by Buffy and her friends. The explosion destroys both the demon and the school building. Earlier in the season, the library serves as Giles's domain, where he researches threats. Principal Snyder, who refused to reinstate Buffy until told to do so by Giles, is eaten by Olvikan. The school also features in the episode "Earshot" (episode 18), which was delayed until September 21, 1999, shortly before the season 4 premiere, due to the Columbine High School massacre because of its content.

Did You Know?

• The school is destroyed in the season three finale when Buffy lures the demon Olvikan into the library and detonates explosives.
• Principal Snyder is eaten by the demon Olvikan during the graduation ceremony.
• Episode 18 'Earshot' was delayed until September 21, 1999, shortly before the season 4 premiere, due to the Columbine High School massacre.
• The season three finale aired on July 13, 1999, while 'Earshot' aired over two months later on September 21, 1999.
• A solar eclipse during the graduation ceremony allows Angel and other vampires to be out in daytime.