Each dream acts as a character study, exploring the fears and future of the dreamer. Willow, Xander, and Giles are stalked by a shadowy figure, then killed within their dreams. The way in which each is killed is directly related to the role they had assumed when melding with Buffy in the previous episode—that role is indicated by the Tarot-like card used to symbolize the character's essence. Willow's card had been "Spiritus", representing her magical powers; she is killed by having her spirit sucked out of her. Xander's card had been "Animus", representing his heart; he is killed by having his heart ripped out. Giles had been represented by the card "Sophus", a symbol of his intellect and role as teacher; he is killed by being scalped. Buffy's card, "Manus", was representative of her physical strength. In her dream the stalker is revealed as the primitive, first slayer, who confronts her aggressively. The two fight, but the First Slayer is defeated when Buffy realizes a key difference between them: the First Slayer was alone and isolated, while Buffy is unique among Slayers in that she has friends and a life beyond slaying, factors which make her the greatest Slayer ever.