What is this "Guardianship" business in Intervention?

[NoShip]

In the episode "Intetvention" as Giles walks Buffy through the desert he tells her that he has to transfer his "guardianship" of her to "The Guide" "temporarily, of course".

WHAT???!!!!!!!

Since when did Giles ever have guardianship of Buffy? She is extremely distraught over the death of her mother but she is not insane or a danger to herself or others or otherwise legally incompetent.

This seems to be some kind of arrogant watcher bs. Or maybe a freudian slip of how Giles wants their relationship to be.

I can't figure out anything that makes any sense.

What do y'all think?

 

[NotASlayer]

I translated that as "Watcherhood." I presumed Giles was giving up his obligation as her Watcher temporarily.

 

[BaskingINBangel]

Like @NotASlayer pointed out, he's referring to his duties as her watcher.

Outside of referring to the legal term guardian, the word guardianship has another meaning.

As her watcher, Giles has been her mentor/defender of specific beliefs/duties or slayer responsibilities through life up to this point, so now he is temporarily turning that role over to the guide who will intervene, and expound on these things to alter her path. An "intervention" of sorts.

 

[AlphaFoxtrot]

Well, Giles and Buffy do have a master pupil relationship at this time.

But, this is a spirit. Just summoning one may have required Giles to have been initiated into some sort of Watcher Mystery Cult, and requires secret knowledge, propitiations and rituals. He may have called it that, but it may been closer to "transfer the call."

 

[thetopher]

It's not literal 'guardianship' in the legal sense. It's all metaphorical and spiritual an' stuff.

I mean, he had to do the Hokey-Pokey dance to start the ritual, does that have any legal standing?

 

[NoShip]

Thank you all. Your answers were very informative. 😀