In What's My Line Kendra mentions a Slayer Handbook, what do you think would have been in it that meant Giles wouldn't bother giving it to Buffy?
Slayer Handbook
- Thread starter nightshade
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My guess would be that it kind of outlined the duty of the Slayer and probably how they should go about it: training, isolation, routines/structure, the type of life they should lead etc. If it had anything to do with the original men who created the Slayer, or written by the Watchers Council, I imagine it would have been quite patriarchal and not something our Buffy would abide by.
That early in the show I think she would have instantly scoffed at it. I don't think it was until S7 (with some understanding in S5) until Buffy actually began to understand the mythology of the Slayer. At 16/17 years old, I don't think she would have even entertained the thought of reading it, let alone following it.
That early in the show I think she would have instantly scoffed at it. I don't think it was until S7 (with some understanding in S5) until Buffy actually began to understand the mythology of the Slayer. At 16/17 years old, I don't think she would have even entertained the thought of reading it, let alone following it.
K
kndizzle
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Seeing Red
Villain
Giles did give it to Buffy in Welcome to the Hellmouth, but she gave it back. After that I think both of them forgot about it.
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---------- Post added at 05:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:21 PM ----------
I believe that was the handbook.
nightshade
The Vampyr book?
Also why did she not get it from her first watcher, do you think he felt the same way as Giles, that there was no point in giving it to her?
BuffyElevated
Scooby
I agree. Buffy didn't get interested in learning about her Slayer roots until Season 5, when she asked Giles to become her Watcher again and teach her about what it truly meant to be a Slayer. I don't think she would ever have been interested in reading The Slayer Handbook up until that point in her life.
kndizzle
Fish of the Day
Do they ever mention the timeline between her becoming the Slayer and leaving Hemery? Maybe it was like what she attempted to do with Giles: he told her she was the Slayer, she didn't want to accept it, and realized he couldn't handle her. Maybe he tried to give her the book but because she didnt want to accept being the Slayer in the first place she never got the chance to have/read it.
She accepted being the Slayer in LA, she had to leave because she burnt down to school gym fighting vampires. The time is in the original film, but I can't remember exactly when is it right now
Abby27
Potential
Oh dang! I never thought of that! The Vampyr Book may have been the slayer handbook! And I mean, after the first couple of conversations Buffy and Giles had, it's not surprising she was never shown that book again. She definitely wasn't ready to deal with the depth of what it meant to be a slayer, plus, Buffy did things her own way. There's no way she would have wanted to read this old, patriarchal book telling her to keep the secret from her friends and care about nothing else besides training.
Chosen Enemy
Losing my soul
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Except.... Buffy was surprised there was such thing as a Slayer Handbook in What's My Line. She clearly did not know about the existence of the book. So I don't think that that was the book. Maybe it was simply about vampires.... vampyres, and the handbook wasn't ever shared with her.
The Vampyr book may well have still been the handbook. Buffy literally took one look and dismissed it which would result in her still having know idea about it by season two. She didn't look in it, ask what it was, nothing. It could also just have been another demonology book that Giles used to try and make a point.
Chosen Enemy
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Could be the same book. But about the existence of the handbook, she didn't know, for sure. Or else she wouldn't be so surprised such thing exists.
I have always believed the Vampyr book to be the Slayer Handbook. And I think that makes even more sense (MASSIVE Spoilers for S8 & S9)
given that the only thing Giles left Buffy in his will was that book. And we were told it has a major significance.
VisionGirl
Newly Human
I had always assumed the Slayer handbook was something separate from the Vampyre book, but I suppose season 9 will let us in more on that. And I always assumed that she & Merrick didn't have enough time together for him to show it to her (if he had it). I don't know the timeline, but I always base her story in LA from the Origin comic rather than the movie (because I think it's more true to Joss' original idea, plus it's been a long time since I've seen the movie).
ticonderouga
Potential
Also, judging by some of the things that Kendra says I don't see Merrick having any more hope then Giles that Buffy would take it seriously, and I think that the Vampyr book is one of the ones that they use for researching vamps who had become famous.
I've read these too and agree that they are much closer to what Joss had in mind for the movie, altered just enough so that it ties in with the show. It also shows what happens between Hemry and Sunnydale.
I've read these too and agree that they are much closer to what Joss had in mind for the movie, altered just enough so that it ties in with the show. It also shows what happens between Hemry and Sunnydale.