Faith The Vampire-Slayer

[gite63]

Let's imagine that Season 11 (if it happens) will be the last one; the Buffyverse will be over for good.

In Season 10, Faith is turned vampire by Dru, and becomes a powerful enemy the Scoobies, Angel and his associates Nadira, Fred/Illyria and Koh have to face.

In the beginning of Season 11, Angel has a new quest: to restore Faith to her former self – or, at least, to restore her soul. It has been done twice: by a curse (Angel himself) and by a helpful hand of a demon in a cave in Africa (Spike).

The definition of a curse - the expression of a wish that misfortune, evil or doom befall a person - it's not something good in itself, so it would be better if Faith's soul could be restored using something more positive. But evil vampire Faith doesn't want to fight for her soul – so the demon at the African cave is not an option.

After searching all over the world for all kind of stuff, Angel reaches a point where all seems without hope – Faith is lost forever.

Then, the Battle of Starbucks, mentioned in Fray, happens, and is the last battle for Buffy – and Angel. They fight the same final enemy; Buffy goes down in a blaze of glory (with Spike by her side, of course), and Angel, having a pivotal role in the Apocalypse, is rewarded with humanity (the Shanshu Prophecy) – and he gives it up in favor of Faith.

Buffyverse is done forever. Is it? Well, Buffy always can be brought back; the Shanshu Prophecy would have been fulfilled, Faith would be restored to her former self, and everything could go on for another ten years. With Angel and Spike bickering about Buffy, and we bickering about Bangel, Spuffy and Fuffy forever.

 

[Samuel Reyes]

No. By making Faith evil again they would ruin what is perhaps (next to Wesley) the greatest example of character development in the Buffyverse. Just... NO.

 

[thetopher]

Why ruin the best redemption arc in the 'verse with another (not very compelling) 'going evil' plot? Plus we've already had Angel not giving upon Faith despite everybody else considering her a monster, not to mention 'Angel on a quest to undo some badness' type events.


Here's something fresh they could do with Season 11. At the end of Season 10 things end badly for the Buffy/Scoobies, somebody is badly hurt/dies, Spike breaks up with Buffy because their relationship 'isn't real' and Buffy just snaps. A culmination of the 'Everyone has a tendancy to get destroyed by my life/people leave because something is wrong with me' theme that has been circulating for most of this season.

So Buffy leaves/disappears to be by herself- a preemtive strike to safeguard everyone because she's heartbroken (again)- she's completely on her own because her family/friends are better off. Since Buffy has very actually been utterly alone (except for offscreen in those months between Seasons 2 and 3) it would give the writers a chance to explore her character for a few issues/maybe an arc.

In those circumstances they could reintroduce the Buffy/Faith friendship as Faith tracks the other slayer down and tries to reach her/reason with her- all as the slayers get caught up in the beginnings of some Big Bad plot. It would be a good way of rebuilding their freindship, Buffy reprioritizing the things in her life and gaining some perspective. Meanwhile Faith could tell Buffy what she's been doing/what she's learned from the other slayer- that there are worse things in the world than to be surrounded by friends family who love you and are there by choice.

 

[SB4thewannabes]

Maybe even have Buffy as the Big Bad and needing Faith back to help bring her down (in the most humane and non-killy way available) *appologies if this has already happened, my comic knowledge is not the best*.

 

[Samuel Reyes]

Meanwhile Faith could tell Buffy what she's been doing/what she's learned from the other slayer- that there are worse things in the world than to be surrounded by friends family who love you and are there by choice.

And then Faith can use her undying love for Buffy to pull her back from the brink... 😀

 

[white avenger]

Why ruin the best redemption arc in the 'verse with another (not very compelling) 'going evil' plot? Plus we've already had Angel not giving upon Faith despite everybody else considering her a monster, not to mention 'Angel on a quest to undo some badness' type events.


Here's something fresh they could do with Season 11. At the end of Season 10 things end badly for the Buffy/Scoobies, somebody is badly hurt/dies, Spike breaks up with Buffy because their relationship 'isn't real' and Buffy just snaps. A culmination of the 'Everyone has a tendancy to get destroyed by my life/people leave because something is wrong with me' theme that has been circulating for most of this season.

So Buffy leaves/disappears to be by herself- a preemtive strike to safeguard everyone because she's heartbroken (again)- she's completely on her own because her family/friends are better off. Since Buffy has very actually been utterly alone (except for offscreen in those months between Seasons 2 and 3) it would give the writers a chance to explore her character for a few issues/maybe an arc.

In those circumstances they could reintroduce the Buffy/Faith friendship as Faith tracks the other slayer down and tries to reach her/reason with her- all as the slayers get caught up in the beginnings of some Big Bad plot. It would be a good way of rebuilding their freindship, Buffy reprioritizing the things in her life and gaining some perspective. Meanwhile Faith could tell Buffy what she's been doing/what she's learned from the other slayer- that there are worse things in the world than to be surrounded by friends family who love you and are there by choice.

Or, as an alternative, they could do something more simple, like Buffy and Faith together somewhere, anything from a tropical island to another planet, or a hell dimension, take your pick. It's just the two of them, in a "cooperate or die" type situation. Little or no hope of outside help. They have to begin to rebuild the partnership/friendship that was forming back in the early days of Season 3 in order to just survive.

They could wind up as comrades in arms, close friends, or even lovers before they finally get back to their own world, depending on how far you want to take it.

 

[gite63]

Here's something fresh they could do with Season 11. At the end of Season 10 things end badly for the Buffy/Scoobies, somebody is badly hurt/dies, Spike breaks up with Buffy because their relationship 'isn't real' and Buffy just snaps. A culmination of the 'Everyone has a tendancy to get destroyed by my life/people leave because something is wrong with me' theme that has been circulating for most of this season.

No way, I don't think Buffy deserves another blow; besides, that already happened in Season 8.

So Buffy leaves/disappears to be by herself- a preemtive strike to safeguard everyone because she's heartbroken (again)- she's completely on her own because her family/friends are better off. Since Buffy has very actually been utterly alone (except for offscreen in those months between Seasons 2 and 3) it would give the writers a chance to explore her character for a few issues/maybe an arc.

It already been done and it sucked - a whole arc would be really uninteresting. Buffy has to be with the Scoobies.

 

[SB4thewannabes]

Or, as an alternative, they could do something more simple, like Buffy and Faith together somewhere, anything from a tropical island to another planet, or a hell dimension, take your pick. It's just the two of them, in a "cooperate or die" type situation. Little or no hope of outside help. They have to begin to rebuild the partnership/friendship that was forming back in the early days of Season 3 in order to just survive.

They could wind up as comrades in arms, close friends, or even lovers before they finally get back to their own world, depending on how far you want to take it.

There are already a few fanfics with this as the premise. The last one I read had them with a pet monkey 😱. It could be done, but it feels a little contrived (not that any of my ideas are any less so...).

 

[thetopher]

No way, I don't think Buffy deserves another blow; besides, that already happened in Season 8.

It's not about deserves- when do people in Buffy get what they deserve? What has that got to do with anything? You give your protagonists what they want and then take it away to cause drama. We're talking about drama/freshness, not karma.

Season 8 Buffy screwed up and the whole Bangel thing was a disaster. Buffy (seemingly) hasn't done anything wrong this season- but if somebody gets hurt then she could decide that some distance would be best for everybody- she leaves them, not them leaving her- that's an important distinction.

It's not like it hasn't been something heavily emphasized this season- first there was Dowling, then the thing with Spike first rejecting her advances, then Buffy's Dad last issue. If it happens I wouldn't be surprised.

It already been done and it sucked - a whole arc would be really uninteresting. Buffy has to be with the Scoobies.

No it hasn't. Buffy has never been ALONE. She was with Spike in Season 9, and that was why it sucked. The whole boring pregnancy screw-up. Uegh.
And Buffy doesn't have have to be with the Scoobies ALL the time. Some slayer/chosen two time would actually be interesting because it hasn't been done yet- Faith has changed a lot in some ways and that could give Buffy some much-needed perspective.
 

Or, as an alternative, they could do something more simple, like Buffy and Faith together somewhere, anything from a tropical island to another planet, or a hell dimension, take your pick.

As long as it wasn't too contrived that could work really well. Nothing makes you appreciate the good life more than going through some sort of hell. Buffy and Faith could come out of it in a better place. Not a romance though- that wouild need some serious groundwork to be believable these days (unless they got me to write the flashback issue that explained it all! 😀) but some sort of friendship/partnership would be great- and it would be new.

 

[gite63]

No it hasn't. Buffy has never been ALONE. She was with Spike in Season 9, and that was why it sucked. The whole boring pregnancy screw-up. Uegh.

I was thinking of Anne; and Season 9 was just great!

And Buffy doesn't have have to be with the Scoobies ALL the time.

Yes, she does. For one episode, or two, OK, she can be by herself - but that's it. It's curious how other characters can have their own arcs and even titles: Spike, Willow, Angel & Faith, Lorne (!) - but not Buffy, no, I don't think so.

 

[thetopher]

I was thinking of Anne; and Season 9 was just great!

Heh. It was the worst season since Season 6. Flat, unfunny, boring, terrible twist. Good ending though.

Yes, she does. For one episode, or two, OK, she can be by herself - but that's it.

And yet wa had 'On Your Own' arc in Season 9 without much Willow, Xander or Dawn or anything. In fact half of S9 was Buffy without the Scoobies- that was the whole point of fit.

 

[Puffy]

Dont destroy my "Faith" 😉

 

[Skanky Vamp]

I would not mind seeing Buffy face off against Faith in a to-the-death fight. Faith would not necessarily even have to be 'bad' for it to happen. It could be treated as something akin to the Highlander where there can be only one. End the comics the way Rocky 3 ended. I would not be opposed to that.

 

[GwenRaiden]

 

[Samuel Reyes]

Just felt like posting this for some reason 😀

 

[gite63]

I would not mind seeing Buffy face off against Faith in a to-the-death fight. Faith would not necessarily even have to be 'bad' for it to happen. It could be treated as something akin to the Highlander where there can be only one. End the comics the way Rocky 3 ended. I would not be opposed to that.

I don't see anything that serious happening in the future for those two be in a situation of maximum confrontation.

Unless Faith falls in love with Angel, and Buffy then would want to teach her a lesson... just kidding. Faith can do whatever she wants with Angel. 😀

But it would be cool to watch both of them in a fight. I know I miss Buffy and Spike fighting – they could have sparring sessions at least.

I don't know how Rocky 3 ended; in Highlander, Duncan beheaded Connor...

 

[Ethan Reigns]

I don't know how Rocky 3 ended; in Highlander, Duncan beheaded Connor...

Somebody should have taken the hint and done the same with Connor in Angel. Life would have been simpler but the dramatic angst would have been gone.

We saw Buffy and Faith fighting for the Glove of Mynhegon in "Revelations 3ABB07" and Gwendolyn Post utters one of the best lines of the season:

Gwendolyn Post: Faith, a word of advice. You're an idiot.

And that would be the problem with a "Faith the Vampire Slayer" spinoff. Ms. Post may have been evil but she was right. How do you build a show around someone so perpetually misguided? You would have to have the equivalent of a watcher who could get the rambunctious Faith to think clearly - and we see no signs of this then or at any time later. Faith is caught up in her own world of PTSD from abuse and the murder of her watcher plus the unjustified killings she performed for the Mayor. Any attempt to build a show around her character would look like an episode of "Jackass". Faith is not the brightest bulb in the string and you can't make a sympathetic character out of her.

 

[thetopher]

And that would be the problem with a "Faith the Vampire Slayer" spinoff. Ms. Post may have been evil but she was right. How do you build a show around someone so perpetually misguided?

Faith the Vampire Slayer was proposed after S7. I think by that time Faith had grown up a lot. She still had issues to work out regarding trust and her reckless streak but overall I wouldn't call her misguided at that point. Hell she seemed pretty together both in Angel capturing Angelus and attempting to lead the Potentials.

Any attempt to build a show around her character would look like an episode of "Jackass". Faith is not the brightest bulb in the string and you can't make a sympathetic character out of her.

I never thought of Faith as stupid, just uneducated. Both Buffy and Xander stays many more stupid things than her and they've actually finished high school.

You do realize that we're talking about the comics right? As in now? I think the comics have shown that Faith has pretty much turned herself in a heroine worthy of her own comic (if they choose to take her away from Angel) and certainly somebody worth rooting for.
She's actually improving herself, which is why I find the proposed plot the very essence of counter-productive. Another Twilight or whatever to undo character growth and add more 'angst' where it isn't needed. We saw from her encounter with Riley that her past actions still drive a lot of what Faith is about, rather than shrugging her shoulders and doing what she wants.

 

[gite63]

And that would be the problem with a "Faith the Vampire Slayer" spinoff. Ms. Post may have been evil but she was right. How do you build a show around someone so perpetually misguided? You would have to have the equivalent of a watcher who could get the rambunctious Faith to think clearly - and we see no signs of this then or at any time later. Faith is caught up in her own world of PTSD from abuse and the murder of her watcher plus the unjustified killings she performed for the Mayor. Any attempt to build a show around her character would look like an episode of "Jackass". Faith is not the brightest bulb in the string and you can't make a sympathetic character out of her.

Yeak, I agree that, as far as S7, Faith couldn't be a leader and carry a TV show.

Faith the Vampire Slayer was proposed after S7. I think by that time Faith had grown up a lot.

But it didn't happen because they may have seen that she couldn't be The Vampire Slayer.

For the comics, they fixed her pretty well - I can account that as "maturing" (and I do), but if you think about that, for her to be in the title Angel & Faith, they really went great lengths to change her into a more stable and likeable character - I myself like her very much in the comics, and not so much in the show.

 

[thetopher]

But it didn't happen because they may have seen that she couldn't be The Vampire Slayer.

No, it didn't happen simply because Joss couldn't guarantee his involvement to Eliza. Tim Minear was onboard and Eliza said that she would if Joss was up for it- but he couldn't commit (they had a close relationship at the time) so she opted for Tru Calling.

It's a shame but there it is.

For the comics, they fixed her pretty well - I can account that as "maturing" (and I do), but if you think about that, for her to be in the title Angel & Faith, they really went great lengths to change her into a more stable and likeable character

I completely disagree. Faith regressed some in Season 8, the writers made that happen and it was a compelling storyline- but then, with some help from Giles, she got better, more stable and returned to form.
But Season 7 to 9? No problem- Faith is helping slayers and being a mentor-type, helping out Angel and stuff- basically the same damn thing only not in the middle of an apocalypse. I don't see the big leap, really I don't.

I love Faith on the show AND in the comics. She's come very far.