Are there communications between England and America?

[patriot1123]

I just finished my first rewatch of season 6, and am just starting my first rewatch of season 7. Here is something that occurred to me - two related things.

First, in Grave. Giles talks as if he, Buffy, and the Scoobies have had NO communication since he left Sunnydale. This is a bit strange, since (for example) when he told Willow in Buffy vs. Dracula that he was leaving he said they could keep in touch by phone, and when he did leave in Bargaining Pt. 1 he told Dawn that he was just a phone call away.

So, seriously? Nobody called him? Buffy didn't tell him that she was working at the Doublemeat? She didn't call to ask advice about Dawn's kleptomania? She didn't call to ask advice about Willow's abuse of magicks? Most importantly -- nobody told him about Tara's death? Might he have wanted to return for the funeral?

And then in Beneath You, when Willow was scared that her friends wouldn't "take her back." Seriously? They didn't email, or call, to encourage her through her recovery?

I know that both of these vacuums were necessary to develop particular plot points (Giles's delightful laughter in response to the events of s6, for example; and the angst surrounding Willow's return); and I don't quarrel with the writers for allowing this plot hole to exist.

But it *is* a plot hole.

Thoughts?

 

[caritas08]

It is strange that they had had no communication but it was only supposed to be about four or five months right? I frequently go that long or longer without communicating with former teacher, mentors, family or friends who live far away. I wish that wasn't the case but maybe they just sent brief non-informative emails or phone calls.

 

[BuffyElevated]

Ok, well... At that time, the internet was still pretty "new". Not everyone had internet in their houses, and if what we saw in the beginning of Season 7 was any indication of the life that Giles led in England, I highly doubt he could, like, check his email as he was riding horseback through the meadows of England, you know? LOL And phone calls from the US to the UK aren't exactly cheap... So maybe that's why there wasn't much communication between them. That's my thought, anyway. 😀

 

[spikecakes]

Well, when Willow went mental (for lack of a better word), she went to England for recovery. One assumes that in recovery a great deal of communication would affect that process. Maybe Buffy and Xander sent their love now and again, but I'm pretty sure they wouldn't want to bother Willow. Or maybe they just had no idea what to say to her. Sticky situation, after all.

As for Giles though, I'm not sure why there wasn't much communication there. He was probably too busy drinking tea and riding on horses and that.

 

[Willow My Love]

So, seriously? Nobody called him? Buffy didn't tell him that she was working at the Doublemeat? She didn't call to ask advice about Dawn's kleptomania? She didn't call to ask advice about Willow's abuse of magicks? Most importantly -- nobody told him about Tara's death? Might he have wanted to return for the funeral?

I'm sure they called him. Maybe he couldn't afford to come back for the funeral. But Giles left because he wanted Buffy to deal with things on her own. If she called him for advice, maybe she thought he'd turn her away or she felt like she was intruding. Plus, she obviously couldn't remember that Giles lived 8 hours in the future from her. And, I don't know about you, but I have relatives in another state. I don't tell my twin everything that happens. Some things, yeah, but I forget he's not in the thick of it, so I don't remember to tell him all of the big things going on.

I think Buffy wanted to seem like she had things under control, also. Giles wanted her to be more of an adult and not to depend on him for everything, and she was trying not to. But when she saw him, everything just poured out. I go back to what I said about my twin. Joe's not here, so he doesn't have to deal with everything here and vice versa. I'm sure Giles didn't tell Buffy everything that happened in England.

And then in Beneath You, when Willow was scared that her friends wouldn't "take her back." Seriously? They didn't email, or call, to encourage her through her recovery?

I don't think she meant because they hadn't talked to her. Talking to someone and seeing them is completely different. I think she was worried that they would react differently when she was physically there and something they had to deal with.

But it *is* a plot hole.

I don't see it that way. I see it as something that happens, just off screen.

 

[ILLYRIAN]

As far as I remember Willow was taken to England by Giles. She was taken there to be taught by the coven. I dare say they didn't want her having any distractions. Hence, she would not have been allowed her computer.
Considering Giles's attitude to that dread machine, the chances are he didn't have an internet connection.
The scoobies may have tried phoning Giles for an update about Willow, but they wouldn't have got through if no one wanted them to get through.
As I remember though, Giles did give Buffy a bit of an update, when Willow was about to return.
Willow caused herself to be unseen, by thought. So, the chances are she knew of her need to focus on getting better.
The plant, where did that come from? Was it from England? Or is there a communication?

---------- Post added at 06:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:46 PM ----------

Willow My Love,
Yes, the plant. According to Giles it is the flora kua ulaya. A native of Paraguay.
Season 7 episode one, near the start.