Living Dead Boy said:None of the above. The hand. The heart. The spirit. The mind. One wouldn't survive without the other. The Core Four were all important.
What about Giles in season 6 and 7? Xander in seasons 5-7? Both characters essentially became background props and the Scoobies relationship was broken in the last 2 seasons
Neither of them wouldn't have even made it to the sixth or seventh season without each other.
What does that mean?
I'm saying that in seasons 5-7 Xander didn't do anything, he stood in the back and made jokes. Giles left the show in season 6, and in season 7 he stood around and got insulted by Buffy. Buffy and Willow were the only Scoobies who contributed in all 7 seasons
I don't see it that way. People, or groups of friends, find their own ways in life, especially if you're coming of age. What happened in the later seasons was sad, granted, but I find that very realistic, in my experiences anyway. They all were still important because growing up, they've helped each other find themselves, lifted them up, and gave them a newfound purpose in life. They came a long way since season one, and I don't think that they would be the same without each other.
The Scooby relationship didn't benefit them all, Giles had a rough life after season 3. He was constantly bouncing from jobs and stayed unemployed, Buffy no longer valued him (when she says she has nothing else to learn from him), in season 8 he dies and he doesn't fix his relationship with Buffy and ends up leaving his stuff for Faith. What satisfaction did he get from the Scoobies? None.
Xander lived a pretty normal life, and from season 5-7 he didn't spend as much time them. He spent most of his time with Anya. I agree they helped him find his purpose in life, but he didn't contribute much except on one or two occasions.
Well I just don't see it that way. Agree to disagree. Especially about the comics, which I don't even count, even if they are considered canon. 😛 It's clear you're an Angel fan. 😀