Should Joyce have helped the scoobies?

[MarieVampSlayer]

Hi all,

I was wondering what do you think of Joyce helping her daughter with the slaying? I know Joss didn't propably didn't want her in the scoobie picture but don't you think it is odd that she never offered to help out? Not necessarily with the fighting but maybe research or find new ways or weapons that would make Buffy safer? Or do you think she never really got involved because deep inside she never reallly accepted that Buffy was the Slayer? Or would you say she did help out because she brought home the money and paid for everything until she died?

So many questions, feel free to add more if you have some!

Let's discuss!

 

[Ethan Reigns]

As the head of MOO (Mothers Opposed to the Occult) in "Gingerbread", maybe she should just stay on the sidelines. Yes, there was a spell involved, but it felt natural for Joyce to be the antagonist rather than the ally. "Dead Man's Party" is a good example of what happens when she gets involved. She almost solved a lot of problems when she took an axe to Spike but that was just her being a mama bear. So let's just say she was the provider for the family which is as far as her involvement should have gone. In "Restless", she was happy to live in a wall and that is where she psychically was the most comfortable - someone with a viewport to Buffy's world but perfectly happy to stay out of it.

 

[MarieVampSlayer]

As the head of MOO (Mothers Opposed to the Occult) in "Gingerbread", maybe she should just stay on the sidelines. Yes, there was a spell involved, but it felt natural for Joyce to be the antagonist rather than the ally. "Dead Man's Party" is a good example of what happens when she gets involved. She almost solved a lot of problems when she took an axe to Spike but that was just her being a mama bear. So let's just say she was the provider for the family which is as far as her involvement should have gone. In "Restless", she was happy to live in a wall and that is where she psychically was the most comfortable - someone with a viewport to Buffy's world but perfectly happy to stay out of it.

Oh I never saw the wall metaphor from Restless but it does make a lot of sense, I love it!

 

[thrasherpix]

I'd have personally appreciated a scene of Joyce stopping by Giles while Spike was bound in the tub...and I bet she wouldn't care for it, for which Spike would milk for all it's worth. It could've been a fun scene.

 

[Anyanka Bunny Slayer]

Joyce was too busy banging robots and librarians. Oh, and guzzling booze.

 

[AlphaFoxtrot]

From a story perspective, it was made very clear early on that non-slayers shouldn’t patrol with the Slayer, as it turns hunting the undead into an “Escort Mission.” Sure, that rule always had an exception for Giles, but even the Scoobies were 50/50 with being helpful versus being a hindrance, until season 4. Joyce was in no position to do research. So really, all Joyce could do is let Buffy call her when suffering from homesickness, just like Buffy called Hank to receive notice of ATM Deposits or called her sister to store items with Dawn’s delivery service.

 

[brinkster130]

I think she would have been a distraction to Buffy and Giles. Not because she couldn't have been useful but because both of them would have been extra worried, cautious, and overprotective of her.

That being said is was odd that once she found out about Buffy being the Slayer that she didn't ask more questions or do research about it on her own....even if it was only to understand Buffy more.

 

[nightshade]

I think in her way she did help out, she talks to Giles about Buffy's Slayer schedule at the beginning of Band Candy, she lets them use the house as a base. Apart from Gingerbread so doesn't go against Buffy, she's willing to talk with them all about it.

 

[MarieVampSlayer]

That being said is was odd that once she found out about Buffy being the Slayer that she didn't ask more questions or do research about it on her own....even if it was only to understand Buffy more.

Yeah it's that part that I would've liked to see more. Joyce didn't feel invested in Buffy's slayer life which kind made it seem like she wasn't 100% cool with that. Kinda when some parents learn that they kid is gay and don't want them to talk about their love life anymore.

 

[DeadlyDuo]

I'd have personally appreciated a scene of Joyce stopping by Giles while Spike was bound in the tub...and I bet she wouldn't care for it, for which Spike would milk for all it's worth. It could've been a fun scene.

That would've been a great scene.

Joyce being more active amongst the scoobies in some capacity would also explain why the rest of the scoobies were so upset about her death. As it stands, you could see them being upset about her death but not punch a hole in a wall upset.