Willow, Fred, Kaylee, Topher: In-Story Smartness

[vellavu]

They are supposed to be the "smart" ones in Whedonverse. If we don't count the so called "ability" to create plot devices out of nowhere (Willow's magic/hacking, Fred's science, Kaylee's repairing, Topher's inventions), who is smartest?

This is the highlights I can remember:

Willow

Highly insightful in bantering (but so are many others).
Misguided Cordy to delete her homework on the computer.
Easily recognized Aluwyn's trick.​

Fred

Using blood and water reflections to lure and calm down Angel
Figured out the purpose of the bug demon
Recognized the Jasmine blood-mix mechanism and how to apply to Angel.​

Kaylee

Not much?
​

Topher

Not much?​

 

[thetopher]

Topher;

Master of the arguements of Moral Relativism.
Very insightful into human nature for someone so lab-bound/young.


I would say that lots of other characters could be characterised as 'smart' (Giles and Wesley being the obvious ones) but Buffy in particular makes a point of distinguishing 'brain' smarts from 'intuitive' smarts.
Intuitive smarts belong to characters like Cordelia, Anya, Spike, Xander and Faith. People who are good at reading other people/emotions/situations.

Buffy and Angel (being the main characters) tend to have a bit of both when the need calls for it.