The Talent Show

Why does Snyder tell them to do it? I agree with the people here who have said that he is just a jerk who doesn't like kids and feels self-important, has connections that make him think he can get away with whatever, and so he just does what he wants.

Why do Buffy and the others go along with it? I think for all of them, they might not realize that there is a limit to his power - note how hard they eventually did have to work to get Buffy back in in s3, even though there was no reason to keep her out. Then, i think Willow is not accustomed to disobeying - not just adults, but even Cordelia, and she was initially willing to obey Buffy (she asks "do you want me to move?" when they first meet), etc.

I think for Buffy there is an additional factor - she previously got kicked out of school, forcing her mother to have to move and settle down in a new town and start a new business, and her mom has said to her prior to the puppet show episode how important it is that they settle nicely into sunnydale and that Buffy doesn't get into trouble there, so that they don't have to start all over again, again. So i think Buffy is particularly motivated not to get into trouble with the principal, to avoid worrying her mom or worse.
 
Why does Snyder tell them to do it? I agree with the people here who have said that he is just a jerk who doesn't like kids and feels self-important, has connections that make him think he can get away with whatever, and so he just does what he wants.

Because he wants Sunnydale to become the best school despite its repuation of students dying. He wanted to it around and look like a complete God to everyone. He thought he was above it all and could do and manipulate anyone he wanted to have his vision come true. Well thats how I saw it.

Buffy and her class mates have no other choice but to fall in line or they'll be expelled. Which we see happen in season 2 when Buffy defies his order and she gets kicked out. The talent show is his way of being a git and showing he's not Mr Flutie at all, its what the show wanted someone totally opposite. Down to earth in the sense that some Principals can be like this but of course they add a bit extra as it is Buffy.
 
I would have cut that principal into pieces if he talked to that like me.
I don't take shit from other people, especially school authority.
 
Just to add to what clemsgirlfriend said, at the age they are in season 1 I dont think they have the understanding that they can refuse someone of that authority. I remember at school, in first year there was a clear divide between teachers and students and you did as you were told no questions asked. Towards college, here in the UK (which is round the time kids in America finish high school) teachers are on a more equal footing with students.
 
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Does it bother anyone else that Snyder made it mandatory for Buffy and the gang to participate? I've never heard of a faculty member having the power to force someone into something other than the required classes. Buffy could have just said no.

I know her joining the talent show was necessary to the plot, but they should have found another way.

Technically you are right, Buffy and the scoobs COULD have said no. But that was not the only time Snyder forced them into doing something they did not want to. He also made it mandatory that they escort the children in trick-or-treating in "Halloween" and wasn't it Snyder who forced Buffy to help with the preparation of parent-teacher night in "School Hard"? Snyder's abuse of power was a bit annoying, but if it came down to it they could have said no.
 
C
CotA
Good to see you on here, miss Guerrerro ;P
I didn't think much of it because I just always kinda thought that him forcing people to participate was just snyder being snyder.
It's something that everyone can agree on to make them think snyder is a hiorrible little dateless man.
 
How many of us actually stood up to our teachers at that age? If my principal told me to do something, I generally had to say yes. Until I turned into a bit of a Sheila, that is :hehe:
 
How many of us actually stood up to our teachers at that age? If my principal told me to do something, I generally had to say yes. Until I turned into a bit of a Sheila, that is :hehe:

Yeah really though lol
I hate it when teachers put students on the spot like that, I know that if they need me to do something it's not like I can say no.

Haha I'm watching "School Hard" right now.
Shelia is pretty extreme lol
 
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