Buffy reaches a turning point with Spike, and all hell breaks loose on Buffy the Vampire Slayer in a May sweeps month that may feature another death -- the time a permanent one.

"There will be a great big fat climax this year with lots of jinx, both hi and low," says Marti Noxon, Buffy's executive producer.

Noxon says she can "neither confirm nor deny" persistent rumors that a major character will die, causing another Scooby to turn evil and exact revenge. "I can't say who's the driving force, but the Trio's very much involved; they're not going away," she insists.

"The villains this year have been the Trio, but they represent the theme of people making their own problems; the monsters are from within, and all of that is gonna come to a head during sweeps," Noxon promises.

Meanwhile, Buffy and Spike's relationship also comes to a head. "There's going to be a major development with the two of them toward the end of the season," Noxon teases. "We're going to address the relationship in a profound way, so there's a surprise there."All of the mayhem culminates in a two-hour finale May 21. "We are intending to recut what were two separate episodes and air them as one," Noxon notes.

But don't look for the same sort of cliff-hanger as last season's "Death of Buffy" stunner. "There's a lot more resolution this season. You won't have a dead Buffy". Noxon says with a laugh, "but there are going to be some elements
left up in the air."