Potentials

[OFAWB]

Whoa, whoa, whoa...I am NOT understanding the concept of a "Potential Slayer". Buffy didn't know she was going to be a Slayer, so how do these girls know? How do their Watchers know? How did Kendra's family know she was going to be a Slayer? (I remember her saying they prepared her for this her entire life.)

What am I missing?

 

[Blaze]

Basically some of the girls are tracked down by the council at a very young age. Obviously not all of them are found, like Buffy, but others are, like Kendra, and the ones that are found are recruited and trained as soon as they know they might become a slayer in the future (even if it's only a possibility). Just another way for the council to control their slayers. A watcher is immediately assigned for the role.

Also, I'm guessing they find out through a spell, in the episode Potential, they are shown that a spell can be used to track down the girls.

 

[white avenger]

As for Buffy, it was established in the movie and the "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" origin comic book that Merrick, Buffy's first Watcher, was late in notifying her about her Slayer status, not getting in touch with her until at least a few days after she was actually called.

As for the Potential Slayers, the Watchers' Council has some undisclosed method of identifying girls who for some reason might be Called as a Slayer at some time. What the process is that is used for location has never been revealed in any detail, but some girls, the ones believed to be the most likely to become a Slayer are contacted by a Watcher, who trains them in the proper techniques for slaying vampires and demons.

I don't that Kendra's parents had any idea what Kendra's Watcher wanted with her when they sold her, but of course we'll never know for sure.

 

[Black Eye Guy]

In the film, thought it wasn't carried over to the series, all slayers had a specific birthmark which allowed them to be identified.
In the show it establishes that potential slayers are different to normal people, and can be identified by a spell, so they can be tracked down.
It seems the watchers council dont have enough watchers for every slayer and some get missed like Buffy.

I don't that Kendra's parents had any idea what Kendra's Watcher wanted with her when they sold her, but of course we'll never know for sure.

I dont think it's ever mentioned that Kendras parents sold her, it's just referred to as her being given up for Slayer Training.

 

[white avenger]

In the film, thought it wasn't carried over to the series, all slayers had a specific birthmark which allowed them to be identified.
In the show it establishes that potential slayers are different to normal people, and can be identified by a spell, so they can be tracked down.
It seems the watchers council dont have enough watchers for every slayer and some get missed like Buffy.




I dont think it's ever mentioned that Kendras parents sold her, it's just referred to as her being given up for Slayer Training.

You're right, at least if this site is accurate.

http://buffy.wikia.com/wiki/Kendra_Young

I just made the assumption that they didn't "give her up" without some sort of consideration, probably financial.

And as anyone can tell you, when you make an assumption, you make an "ass" out of "u" and "umption."

Still seems like a safe bet, though. I find it hard to believe that a family would just "give up" their child for nothing, and I would imagine that the price would be pretty high for them to even consider such a thing. Hell, I barely know you, and I'd hold out for not a cent under $50. A daughter should bring thousands.

 

[Lyri]

But Kendra also says that 'the Calling is taken very seriously by my people'. Which makes me think that they somehow knew that Kendra was a Potential and considered it an honor that their family was chosen to bring a future Slayer into the world and gave Kendra to her Watcher willingly.

The comics make it clearer, showing that some girls are found before they're actually Called and some aren't. It's not an exact science, which magic rarely is. Willow used a spell to find Amanda, but the Council may have other methods, like seers, which could turn out to be unreliable, as we've seen how confusing visions can sometimes be.