Buffy (and Oz) vs Wes

[Kana]

I actually thought I posted this thread in this forum but apparently not.

My question is:

In relation to the episode 'Choices' who do you tend to side with? Buffy or Wes?

OK in Choices, as you most likely know, Willow is kidnapped by the Mayor and Buffy thinks they should trade the Box of Gavrok for her. Wesley however believes the box should be destroyed. Buffy says that trading the box is the only choice and calls Wes insensitive however Wes responds that he is not saying that they should give up Willow's life but they will find another way to help her but thousands of lives depend on getting rid of the box.
Who do you agree with more, Buffy(and Oz) or Wes? Please keep in mind that we are judging this based upon the ep itself not on what we know will happen after the ep.

I'll post more to expand but in short, who do you side with? Buffy thinking about her friend or Wesley thinking about the town?

 

[brinkster130]

I understand Buffy and Oz's initial thought to trade the box right away, Willow is her best friend/Oz's girl and Buffy is aware that the Mayor is capable of killing Willow. But Wes does have a good point, that they should consider their options and come up with a plan before acting. At this point Buffy doesn't really know Wes all that well and isn't very fond of him so I that clouds her judgment a bit. Not that I don't understand where Buffy and Oz are coming from but I would say that I side with Wes on this one.

 

[PrincessBuffy16]

Hmm, well, I don't think I can answer this question. If I put myself in the position Buffy and Oz were in, I would trade the box for Willow anytime.. and if I were in Wesley's position, I would try to find another way, because my attachment to Willow is not that deep.. I guess I can understand both sides..

 

[caitaintdead]

I can understand both sides as well. If someone I cared despot about (for me that's my boyfriend or parents) then yeah, screw the town, screw the world, I want them back to help me, and support me in finding a way to save the town.

I think that Wesley was in the right though. One persons death for the world? It just doesn't sound fair. I guess in a way, they had no way of knowing that Willow wouldn't die anyway from swapping her life for the box. If you think smartly then you would think that Willow would die regardless of the choice made, so yes. Technically wes made the correct decision.

Did Giles make the correct choice sacrificing Ben for the slight chance that Glory might come back? Yes. Same story, different page.

 

[Kean]

If it was someone I loved? I'd be on Buffy's side, although I would (secretly) consider the Wes option too. Perhaps demand he give me an alternative by a certain time or I'm going in.

What I find most interesting is that I think by the time both shows end Buffy and Wes would have swapped stances. I think Buffy would make the "better for the world" call while Wes would be more concerned with saving the loved one.

I'm not sure is that a sign of Buffy's devolution and Wes's evolution, and vice versa.

 

[Kana]

Ok just putting across some points:

Buffy does tend to think of her friends/lovers first. She seemed more motivated by saving Angel than generally stopping Spike in What's My Line but is this necessarily wrong? Should we look at lives numerically?

One thing is for sure, Buffy's plan is not the only plan as she dogmatically insists.

Ok just to make you guys think a little I've thought up a few arguments on both sides.

Trade

Buffy is focusing on the inherent value of human life and why shouldn't she? Buffy was willing to risk the town but to save Willow who could potentially help the save the town anyway. Wes wasn't exactly very bright for trying to appeal to Buffy's selfish nature saying it's her chance to get out. Buffy cares about her friends, that's who she is and that's what has got her this far.

Don't Trade

Wes was trying to save Willow and the town. If they trade then the town is at risk and Willow is in the town so it risks her anyway. Buffy was being too sentimental and not at all logical.