5/15-21 Episode Discussion Led by HisMrs

[BuffyElevated]

Faith is one of the most complex characters in the series. She is embattled with so many personal demons and emotions, yet she tries so hard to keep them buried and it only causes her torment and unhappiness.
Let's look at the scenes we have seen in which Faith interacts with Buffy and her home life in Season 3. Do you think if Joyce had taken Faith in and allowed her to live with them, she might have turned out differently? Why or why not?

 

[Taake]

Do you think if Joyce had taken Faith in and allowed her to live with them, she might have turned out differently? Why or why not?

As much as I'd like to say yes, I'm gonna say no. I don't think things would've turned differently. As a foster child myself I can only say that at that age being taken into a safer environment is little more than a band-aid.

It would have technically given Faith a better ground to stand on but I think she would have been incredibly uncomfortable in that new position, probably would have felt somewhat 'unworthy' of it as well and at the same time incredibly stifled by the new confines it would've enforced on her. Basically I think she would have ended up acting up and rebelling in more or less the same way.

Also if she had been taken in by Joyce I think her comparing herself to Buffy would've worsened. I don't think she could've helped it, I just think she was so insecure in herself at that point that she wouldn't have been able to stop 🙂

 

[BuffyElevated]

You raise a lot of really interesting points... I tend to agree with you. A big part of me has imagined many times that if Joyce would have taken Faith in, she would have had a much better life and maybe even found some closure over the issues she had, but I think ultimately you're very right, especially about her feeling restricted by the new rules and confines of living with a family again.

 

[Taake]

A big part of me has imagined many times that if Joyce would have taken Faith in, she would have had a much better life and maybe even found some closure over the issues she had

I think that if Joyce would have taken Faith in it would've given Faith the chance of a better/more normal/stable (whichever you want to choose ;P) life in the future... cause at that point I don't think she's ready to slow down so to speak (I mean.. she was a teenager 🙂) but having someone truly care for her would have made a difference and getting a personal experience of what a stable home-life could've been like would've had a deep internal impact on her even if the effect would've been delayed.

So I don't think you're wrong, I think Joyce could've helped Faith and getting over her issues 🙂 (let's face it, the girl needed a big ol' hug just as bad as Connor did)

 

[Scarlett Blade]

Let's look at the scenes we have seen in which Faith interacts with Buffy and her home life in Season 3. Do you think if Joyce had taken Faith in and allowed her to live with them, she might have turned out differently? Why or why not?

I definately think Faith could have done well living with Joyce and Buffy if certain conditions were in place. Firstly, it would have to have been Buffy's idea and not Joyce's, because if it wasn't, there would have been too much amniosity between Faith and Buffy, and Faith would continue to feel unwanted. But if Buffy had truly wanted Faith to live with them, I think it could have worked out quite well. Faith would have gotten some sembalance of family, and it probably would have been alot easier for her to work through some of her issues.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

Do you think if Joyce had taken Faith in and allowed her to live with them, she might have turned out differently? Why or why not?

I think Faith would have turned out worse; the only thing keeping from the being the real big bad is the constant thought of a 'normal' life. Which is why she was envious of Buffy. For her to be put in that situation living with Buffy and Joyce she could not keep the mask she wore while at dinner, like her stealing the fries when no one was looking. She did not trust people and always was looking for an angle. She would feel even more isolated and alone; even more like she did not belong. She would have tasted the 'normal' that she wanted and found she did not like it. I think she would have went all out then to be the best big bad.

If that world held nothing for her, you would not see her look back the way she did when the posse left the cafeteria with the spiderthings. She would have been worse if she lived with Joyce and Buffy, not better.

 

[VisionGirl]

I really like this idea, but I'm not sure if it would've made a difference. I think the damage had been done. That doesn't mean that she wasn't able to change, obviously she was. I think she deserved a chance at a happy family like that, but I think there would always be that competitive factor between she & Buffy, maybe even moreso if she was living with her. I do cringe at Faith's treatment of Joyce in season 4's This Year's Girl. Joyce had been nothing but kind to her. 🙁

 

[BuffyElevated]

I do cringe at Faith's treatment of Joyce in season 4's This Year's Girl. Joyce had been nothing but kind to her. 🙁

I agree with you on that... That scene always really bothers me 'cause she didn't have to be mean to Joyce. There was no reason to drag her into her problems with Buffy.