Jonathan was at his most villainous when he was in the Trio, but Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 4 gave us a sneak peek into how dark he could be. First appearing in Buffy season 2, episode 4, "Inca Mummy Girl", Jonathan Levinson is introduced as a geeky teen who is frequently bullied by the popular kids at Sunnydale High. He often existed on the fringes, until season 3's "Earshot", in which Buffy stops him from taking his own life. This results in a sweet moment at the prom, when Jonathan presents Buffy with the Class Protector Award.

However, Jonathan heads down a dark path when he links up with Warren and Andrew to form the Trio in season 6. Initially, the Trio is portrayed in a comedic light as bumbling nerds who fancy themselves "supervillains" but do little more than hang out in a basement all day. For this reason, many consider Warren's darker plans cause tension with Jonathan, who's the most virtuous member of the group — though he has his own crimes to answer for.

Jonathan Showed He Was Abusive To Women In Buffy's Season 4 "Superstar" Episode

He Brutally Violates Consent With His Spell

Between fighting alongside the Scoobies at high school graduation and ing the Trio, Jonathan makes another appearance in Buffy season 4, episode 17, "Superstar". In the episode, Jonathan casts an augmentation spell so that the entire world ires him and thinks he's the coolest guy ever, particularly the Scooby Gang. This has inevitable consequences that almost turn lethal, but Buffy saves the day, breaking Jonathan's spell and reverting him back to his friendless, unpopular self.

Everyone understandably feels violated by Jonathan bewitching them without their consent, and the Scoobies basically freeze him out. Jonathan is extremely remorseful for what he did to them, but one disturbing detail is completely glossed over. In addition to making himself the leader of the gang, Jonathan gets himself two bedmates in the form of attractive Swedish twins Inga and Ilsa. They're seen roaming his mansion in their underwear, and presumably, Jonathan is having a sexual relationship with both of them.

...he's a lonely person who just wants to be liked, but there's no excuse for what he did to everyone — especially the twins.

The horrifying nature of what he's doing completely went over my head the first time I saw the episode, but on a rewatch, it made my blood run cold. Jonathan is deceiving these women by lying about who he is, taking away their ability to properly consent to sex. When the spell is broken, they're never seen again, and all that's spoken of them is that "The twins moved out." I can sympathize with Jonathan's motivations, as he's a lonely person who just wants to be liked, but there's no excuse for what he did to everyone — especially the twins.

Jonathan's Misogyny Is Amplified When He s The Trio

He Learned Nothing From "Superstar"

Though the Trio initially presents themselves to be a mere annoyance for the Slayer, they actually show early on how nefarious and misogynistic they are. Their ultimate plan is to "take over Sunnydale" and the keep a to-do list on a whiteboard in Warren's mom's basement. Among other items, the Trio hopes to score "chicks, chicks, chicks."

Having an intense desire for the opposite sex isn't wrong in and of itself, and in a world where Jonathan, Warren and Andrew really did impress women with their supervillainy, that's one thing. But later in the episode, Warren and Andrew discuss what to do about Buffy, and come up with the idea to hypnotize her into being their "willing sex bunny." Jonathan is very excited about this plan, and adds it to their list. Essentially, this proves he learned nothing from his actions in "Superstar", as he's just as eager to abuse women as he was then.

It Takes The Assault On Katrina For Jonathan To Wake Up

She Tells The Trio They're Abusing Women

The Trio ups their misogyny game tenfold in Buffy season 6, episode 13, "Dead Things," when they take it out of the basement and into the world. Their latest scheme is to create a "cerebral dampener" to hypnotize women into being their willing sex objects. Warren takes the artifact to a bar to try it out, and spots his ex-girlfriend Katrina, whom he targets. Cut to the Trio back in the basement with Katrina dressed as a French maid, serving them champagne, and they're giddy as schoolboys.

It's only at this moment that he realizes what he's been doing is despicable, and that Katrina is right.

However, the effects of the dampener wear off on Katrina just before Warren is about to assault her, and she is restored to her right mind. She is, of course, horrified and disgusted with what's been done to her, and she berates the Trio calling out what they're doing for what it actually is — rape. Jonathan's face falls at the accusation, and it's only at this moment that he realizes what he's been doing is despicable, and that Katrina is right.

The assault on Katrina also doesn't stop there, as Warren accidentally kills her with the champagne bottle after she tries to leave and go to the police. No matter the regret Jonathan may feel about what he's done, there's no denying that her blood is on his hands.

Jonathan Seeks Redemption In The End, But It's Not Enough To Save Him

He Dies Trying To Do Good

I'll give credit where it's due in that Katrina's words are enough to sober Jonathan up to the fact that what he was doing is wrong. It's really gross that it takes a woman dying for Jonathan to change his ways, but he still does, and this causes a permanent divide between him and other of the Trio. irably, Jonathan even plans to turn himself in for his crimes, though he does end up fleeing because of Dark Willow.

Jonathan continues his redemption arc in season 7, returning to Sunnydale with Andrew to help stop the rise of the First Evil. Unfortunately, the First had already gotten to Andrew, and it manipulates him into killing Jonathan. Just moments before his death, we see Jonathan at peace for the first time in his life, ready to do good and save people, even if nobody cares about him or gives him credit for it. In that regard, I'm happy for him, but his abuse of women throughout the show forever mars his Buffy the Vampire Slayer legacy.