Faith's Replacement

[white avenger]

I don't believe that this has been brought up before, so...

The gang ousted Buffy as leader after the events at the vineyard, replacing her with Faith. Faith became incapacitated in the battle at the arsenal. Now, assuming that Buffy and Spike had, for whatever reason, not returned, who do you think would have been the third leader? Giles would seem to be the most logical candidate, but he seemed, to me at least, more inclined toward being the "chief counselor" rather than the actual man in charge. That would leave the Scoobies. Willow has a tendency to step up when the need requires, and does a pretty good fill in job, but she doesn't strike me as the full time leader. Xander as leader would be a completely out of his depth

So, considering the above, my guess would probably be Willow, with Giles whispering advice in her ear at every opportunity.

So, who, and why, would you choose?

 

[Skanky Vamp]

Actually as far as 'leadership' goes, the only one that has shown that capacity in the past (granted only with students) would be Wood. I can see him being the 'take charge' kinda cat.

 

[Lindsey McDonald]

Definately Willow. No doubt. She wouldn't have wanted to be a full time leader, but she would have understood that it had to be her. Xander just couldn't have dealt with the responsibility or the choices he had to make. Willow had the inner strength to deal with that. It would have dramatically changed her as a person, however.

People would have wanted her as the leader too. The scoobies voted her Leader at the start of Season 6, after all. Giles would have accepted the responsibility if he had been asked, but I see him doing his job through Willow.

 

[BuffyElevated]

I think Willow would have had to step up.... She's done it before, back at the beginning of Season 6, remember? And she did a pretty kick-ass job back then, so I'm sure she would have been voted the leader again.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

But I do not think Willow was in any sort of mental state too lead. She was not very sure of herself at all, and she remember where her 'leading skillz' in Season 6 got them. She lacked the confidence and conviction to lead. Giles was worthless after Buffy emasculated him and Xander was still pretty much a bumbling fool (for the most part)

 

[Lindsey McDonald]

But I do not think Willow was in any sort of mental state too lead. She was not very sure of herself at all, and she remember where her 'leading skillz' in Season 6 got them. She lacked the confidence and conviction to lead. Giles was worthless after Buffy emasculated him and Xander was still pretty much a bumbling fool (for the most part)

I still think she'd have been forced into the position. Like when they got her to use magic. She wouldn't have said no.

 

[BuffyElevated]

But I do not think Willow was in any sort of mental state too lead. She was not very sure of herself at all, and she remember where her 'leading skillz' in Season 6 got them. She lacked the confidence and conviction to lead. Giles was worthless after Buffy emasculated him and Xander was still pretty much a bumbling fool (for the most part)

Maybe she wasn't in the mental mindset to lead, but I still think they would have pushed her into the leadership role. Who else do you think could have done it? I know Giles probably would have attempted to step up, but God knows Dawn couldn't have done it, and I doubt they would have listened to Anya.

 

[Lyri]

I agree with the majority that Willow would have been the one to step up to the plate, but I don't think she would have welcomed the promotion, and it might have got her into trouble. In her mind state in early to mid S7, she was nervous, unsure of herself and her powers. Being thrust into leadership like this, I think, would have knocked her confidence, and set her back to that frame of mind. She'd be constantly seconding guessing herself, wondering if she was doing the right thing. Giles would have been there to offer advice, obviously, but I still think she'd struggle in that position.

And just to bring up something people might not have thought about, but has anyone ever wondered, had White Avenger's scenario taken place, what Kennedy would have done in this situation? The Slayers were out of action, and she was, according to most, the longest serving Potential of those to make it to Sunnydale. Would she have fought for control? Would she have gotten it? And how would the Scoobies, and the other girls, reacted to her as leader? It's been clear since the moment she arrived at Revello Drive that she considered herself to at least be the Potential with the highest standing. She might have gone futher, with Faith and Buffy gone, and decide she was the person to lead.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

She might have gone futher, with Faith and Buffy gone, and decide she was the person to lead.

Nay; I do not think so. She would have been the one pushing Willow the most. How many times did she say 'she is the most powerful here' she just wanted her lil Red to rise to the occasion. Then Red could command her into battle as her own personal slayer etc etc

 

[Lyri]

I saw it as pushing Willow as an instrument, more than a leader. I can imagine Kennedy coming up with the 'She might be the most powerful one here, but she doesn't know what it is to be a Slayer'. I know Kennedy was all loved up with Willow, but I'm not sure how she would react to someone who's not a Slayer being in charge of what is basically a Slayer Army. I can see her using that as an excuse to try and take control. Maybe even joint leadership with Willow.

Maybe this is just my incredible Anti-Kennedy-ness coming through, but I do think she might attempt something like this.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

Maybe this is just my incredible Anti-Kennedy-ness coming through, but I do think she might attempt something like this.

Aye; I think it is your hatred that is blinding you to Kennedygoodness! Hate leads to the dark side, the dark side leads to Spuffy. Let go of the hatred, Lyri, before The Spuffy consumes you.

Seriously, I never saw it like that at all. Since day one all she did was try to elevate Willow, I do not know why it would be any different.

 

[InsaneMystic]

I think Will would have (been forced to) step up, but with her insecurities over the Darth Rosenberg thing, she would have mostly been a "figurehead ruler", with Giles and Kennedy rivaling each other in pulling her strings... Venetian politics at Revello Drive that would have made for an even more crowded and convoluted latter half of the season than we ended up with anyway.

 

[Five]

Definitely Willow. I can imagine all the Potential training : who will make the prettiest "Boss of us" plaque for Willow ?

(Anyone who only thinks "Kennedy" will be considered as having understood nothing about Life and its conceps.)

 

[Atren]

About others:

Anya -- she may be my favorite, but as a leader no. She is good at generating ideas usually, but the problem is she is not really someone others would follow due to her personality (and she has no real power to overcome that). So no go as leader, but good advisor. Not convinced about her researching ability, she seems to have more patience for it in season 7 altough.

Giles -- he can lead or be advisor. Potentials would listen to him, scoobies would listen to him. I think Spike even would listen to him if Buffy had for example died instead of what happened. Also great researcher.

Willow -- i suppose he could lead if she gives up fear of magic. Her leadership would be based on power of her magic opposed to charm (altough she does have charm, just not as much as Giles imo) and wisdom of Giles. She would be great researcher and implementing plans concerning magics.

Xander -- while i suppose there is some charm, but i do not see others following him. He is more of observer than leader. He is good at crafting tools for the job, for example the crossbows they used might been made by him. Also a competent researcher and not bad at keeping spirits high i think.

Dawn -- Another good researcher potentially and that is about it i think. He is too young and inexperienced to be accepted as leader.

Kennedy -- She has remote chance of being leader (Giles and Willow miles ahead of her), but not sure how that would work out. Too little known to make assestment really. Personal feeling is she lacks field experience.

Other potentials -- just no, no way, never ever.

 

[Blaze]

I thinks Giles is the best suited for the job of leader. Even though he did lost some importance trought out the seasons, he still was Buffy's watcher. So technicaly, every move that Buffy was teaching the potential were thaught to her by Giles so he would defilnetly be the best one to show the girls on how to fight.

After Giles, I totally think that Andrew would have totally been the best leader!!!:lmao: (and yes I am just jocking)