Oh, I think I do...Rupert

[white avenger]

Do you think Spike was right in "touched" when he said that Giles "couldn't handle it" that Buffy no longer unquestioningly deferred to him in the difficult decision making? Certainly, he argued when she took the Potentials to the vineyard, and they argued about what he saw as an unhealthy relationship between Spike and Buffy to the point of plotting his death.

 

[palabravampiress]

I don't remember the exact dialogue.

In general, though, I don't think it was so much a matter of Giles not being able to "handle" something as it was the natural effect of a grown "daughter" doing things her own way -- and choosing her own partners -- rather than deferring to her "father" (figure). This is a perfectly natural process. They grow apart and clash while the daughter asserts her independence until, eventually, an equilibrium is reached. Fathers and daughters do this. At least, my father and I did this.

I'm not surprised that it was Spike who said this. No offense to you male Buffy fans, but I have observed that you men have this weird primal code thing when it comes to fathers and their daughters' suitors. You do this weird dominance thing. My mom and I used to snicker about it all the time back when my dad and my (now) husband and I were doing that little dance. That Buffy and Giles should clash over leadership (life) decisions and men doesn't surprise me in the least.

Makes me sort of nostalgic for all of those uncomfortable moments that are only funny in hindsight. 🙂

 

[Kean]

I agree with what Pal said but I also think the Scoobies doubted Buffy and her actions a lot. Especially in season seven. I mean just look at Xander, one minute he says that Buffy has earned everyone's trust and the next he's kicking her out. Maybe her relationship with Spike and Angel for that matter were not right but she always got the job done. She deserved more respect from them than they gave.

 

[Lou]

Not only is there that competition between Fathers and their daughter's partners. I think they can SMELL weakness.. Especially, the Suitors! Or, more to the point, the Father's are better at staying quiet...or perhaps talking to their wives about it.
The younger "whipper-snappers" have a habit of spelling out the weakness of the fathers a lot more often. It's like watching a young male lion prowl for territory. It can be rather amusing to watch.