Writer:	Joe Reinkemeyer, Matt Kiene
Director:	Bruce Seth Green
Star:	Anthony Stewart Head (Rupert Giles),  Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase),  Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg),  Nicholas Brendon (Alexander 'Xander' Harris),  Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Anne Summers)
Guest Star:	James Stephens (Dr. Wierick),  Jeff Maynard (Lance),  Jennifer Sky (Heidi),  Brian Gross (Tor),  Michael McCraine (Rhonda),  Eion Bailey (Kyle),  Ken Lerner (Principal Flutie),  David Brisbin (Mr. Anderson),  Barbara K. Whinnery (Mrs. Anderson),  Gregory White (Coach Herrold),  Justin Jon Ross (Joey),  Jeffrey Steven Smith (Adam),  Patrese Borem (Young woman)

This episode is first in Joss Whedon's list of his top ten favorite episodes according to the letter given with the Australian Chosen Collection Box-set. The episodes on this top ten list are not ranked, but are put in order of which episode aired first. (edit) Featured Music:

At the Bronze, as Xander starts to change -- All You Want by Dashboard Prophets

Kyle and his friends enter the Bronze -- Reluctant Man by Sprung Monkey

Xander and the Pack are walking -- Job's Eyes by Far (edit) Sarah said on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno that she was going to pull down Nicholas's pants during the dodgeball scene because he was acting really dumb. At the last minute she gave up and Alyson said that she would do it. She got so excited that she pulled his underwear down too. It happened in front of a lot of extras. (edit) The filming location for the zoo scenes in this episode is a source of some debate. Many sources (such as IMDB and Keith Topping's book Slayer) claim that the scenes were shot in the San Diego Zoo. Most sources however, including the official Watcher's Guide, list the site as the Santa Ana Zoo. (edit) This episode marks the last appearance of Principal Flutie. (edit)

Xander: I'm feeling that you're not in field trip spirit here.
Buffy: Well, it would... It's nothing. I... We do the same zoo trip at my old school every year. Same ol' same ol'.
Xander: Buffy, this isn't just about looking at a bunch of animals. This is about not being in class!
Buffy: You know, you're right! Suddenly the animals look shiny and new. (edit) Buffy: I didn't notice anything. Of course I'm not as hyper-aware of him as, oh, for example, you...
Willow: Hyper-aware?
Buffy: Well, I'm not constantly monitoring his moods, his health, his blood pressure...
Willow: 130 over 80.
Buffy: You got it bad, girl.
Willow: He makes my head go tingly. (edit) Willow: Oh, my God, Xander! What happened?
Buffy: I hit him.
Willow: With what?
Buffy: A desk. (edit) Giles: I've been reading up on my animal possession, and I cannot find anything anywhere about memory loss afterwards.
Xander: Did you tell them that?
Giles: Your secret dies with me.
Xander: Shoot me, stuff me, mount me. (edit) Willow: Why couldn't Xander be possessed by a puppy, or some ducks? (edit)

The scenes on the computer that show Hyenas and the scenes of the "pack" show them laughing while attacking and eating their prey but in reality Hyenas are silent when feeding. (edit) Lance is standing in front of the chimps when the four bullies walk up. When they say his name, "Lance", one of the chimps reacts by turning around suddenly, as if that is his name. This references to "Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp", an early 70's show that spoofed the spy genre. The show featured chimps in clothes with lines dubbed in by humans. (edit) The Sunnydale Zoo seems to have questionable quarantine practices. Buffy and the others can enter the "Hyena House" at any time despite it being closed for quarantine.
In reality, new animals are physically isolated and access is restricted to essential personnel only. (edit) This species of hyena only exists in the Buffyverse. In the real world there are only three species of hyena: the Spotted, Striped, and Brown. There is also the closely related Aardwolf. (edit) The zookeepers' use of the term "breed" to refer to the type of hyena is wrong. Breed is used when referring to domestic animals(such as a breed of dog). He should have said "species". (edit)

Buffy: No. That still doesn't explain why he's hanging out with the dode patrol.

Play of words on the "Dome Patrol", a nickname for the fast-moving, hard-hitting New Orleans Saints linebacking corps made up of Rickey Jackson, Vaughan Johnson, Sam Mills and Pat Swilling (late 80s/early 90s). (edit) Buffy: But it's safe to say that in his animal state his idea of wooing doesn't involve a Yanni CD and a bottle of Chianti.

Playing music from the New Age musician Yanni and serving the wine Chianti are certainly much more socially acceptable forms of attracting a mate than Xander's "felony sexual assault" attempt. (edit) Buffy: I cannot believe that you of all people are trying to Scully me.

The character Dana Scully in the television show The X-Files is constantly attempting to find a scientific explanation for paranormal occurrences. (edit) Girl: Shouldn't you be hovering over the stadium with Goodyear written on you?

The "fat kid" is compared to the Goodyear blimp, commonly seen at sporting events. (edit) Buffy: Oh great, it's the winged monkeys.

Buffy compares the school bullies with the evil winged monkeys from the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz. (edit)