One thing I never understood when watching the show was how much time passed between episodes, and sometimes even what season it was. What I know is that Buffy is dead for 147 days and Dawn is attending school at the time of her return, though apparently it is early enough for Parent/Teacher Day. What I am trying to figure out is the date Buffy comes back, at least the month, and which month she dies. Another thing I'm having trouble with is how much time passes between Joyce's death and Buffy jumping off the tower. Again, a date would be nice, but knowing if it's been months or a bare few weeks would be good. If no one knows for sure, I'll take a few good guesses!

I think, in general, you're right about most episodes taking place around the time they air. However, the last four episodes of season 5 all take place one right after another, in the span of one or two days. "Tough Love" aired on May 1st, so I'd say that Buffy's death occurred in early May, putting her resurrection in late September/early October, right around when "Bargaining" aired.

ETA: just noticed you asked about Joyce's death, as well. "The Body" aired on Feb. 27th, but "Forever," which shouldn't be more than a week later in Buffyverse time, didn't air until April 17th. I guess it's up to you, but it seems like a significant amount of time passed between "Forever" and "Intervention" (considering that they're pretty well-adjusted to things by "Intervention" ), so I'd put Joyce's death closer to late February than mid-April, making it about two months between Joyce's death and Buffy's death.

Just to further add confusion to the mix -- the first two episodes of season 6 were delayed, mainly because of the  September 11th attacks and the aftermath, when nearly all new television shows and season premieres were pushed back.

In Buffy's case it was particularly raw, because of the theme of the two episodes --  a hero -- who had died to save the world -- being brought back from the dead. 

And there was always a hiatus around Christmas time where Joss gauged popularity before he continued to write.  That's how I decide for my stories when the holidays fall.  I think that's how Spike survived the church to be truthful.  He was hurt on the show just before Christmas and he proved too popular to actually kill.

Episode transcripts: http://www.buffy-vs-angel.com/guide.shtml

And episode guide with airdates: http://www.buffyguide.com/episodes.shtml

CM