Although only around halfway through the second season, this particular episode is easily a significant turning point for the show in general. Thus far, that is. Buffy's love story with Angel, obviously, is rooted in the first season and has been developing ever since. The level of trust they have gained for each other has never been as high as it now is, in this episode. They do love each other, but there are certain barriers keeping them at a distance. Those barriers have not been this weak yet. That is a good thing because it helps Buffy cope with how crazy her way of life has to be. The regular school life takes a lot of time and effort, her secret identity as the vampire slayer, of course, does the same. Then there are her friends and her mother. All of these take time and strength. Buffy doesn't have much time left to do what she'd like to and to be who she'd like to be. She has to spend most of her time doing what the environment wants from her. With Angel, however, she can be in a comfort zone, and it gives her the strength she needs to persevere. But the comfort cannot last long because the new danger isn't just relaxing out there somewhere. They've been busy for a good chunk of time now, and the evil plan is about to be realized. Not that they haven't done enough damage already, but what they're up to right now could be much more.