Willow & Tara Living At Buffy's house

[chasesummers]

This always got me wondering (during Season 6).
After Buffy came back, she found herself without money to pay loads of bills (correct me if I'm wrong) therefore she goes looking for a job... to pay the bills... and to support herself, Dawn, Willow and Tara.

Willow and Tara took care of Dawn while Buffy was gone but they also had a rood on top of their heads and apparently didn't do anything much on the house, only taking over it and making it theirs. Not trying to sound negative.

I understand that both Willow and Tara are students but they had dorms in University, couldn't they support Buffy by going back there instead of shoving the bills on her face?

Am I missing anything? What do you think about this?

 

[Still a Scoobie]

I always sort of assumed they would occasionally help out at the Magic Box and got a little money from Anya for that (just a little though). Plus, off the top of my head I don't remember if this is the case but they may well have given up their college dorm when they moved into Dawn's house (as it would have been at that time). I don't know a lot about College in the US but certainly that's how it would work here in the UK, they'd have given up their room(s) in Halls and used the money they would have spent on that room/those rooms to contribute to the Summers household.

 

[EVIL UU]

I think that between school, taking care of Dawn not to mention fighting evil Willow and Tara are a bit too busy to get a job. Seriously. Unlike Buffy they actually need to sleep for those 7 or 8 hours. They need to work out to stay fit and healthy and their injuries don't just heal in a matter of hours.

And honestly, how much did Buffy pay Willow and Tara for taking care of Dawn? How much did she pay for their absolutely invaluable help? How much did she pay for a new life? Yeah. It's Buffy who owes them. They helped her so much and they are supposed to what, help her pay the bills too?

Buffy has superpowers for goodness' sake. If she needs some cash she can just win the nearest marathon or whatever. But that wouldn't be painful enough, would it?

 

[Buffyverse Fan]

For me, it's probably the main suspension of disbelief of the 'verse. It's funny because they first addressed this question in regards to Spike in the newest issue of BS10. That aside, are we to assume that soulful-Angel & Spike were criminals in order to buy their blood, etc?

Also, why on earth wouldn't the Watcher's Council fund Buffy's lifestyle so she wouldn't have to split her time demon fighting with flipping veggie burgers?

 

[white avenger]

For me, it's probably the main suspension of disbelief of the 'verse. It's funny because they first addressed this question in regards to Spike in the newest issue of BS10. That aside, are we to assume that soulful-Angel & Spike were criminals in order to buy their blood, etc?

Also, why on earth wouldn't the Watcher's Council fund Buffy's lifestyle so she wouldn't have to split her time demon fighting with flipping veggie burgers?

By Season 5, neither Buffy nor Giles were actually working for the Council, despite the fact that she was doing the job that the actual Slayer (Faith) should have been doing, so they wouldn't have been receiving any pay from them. (Faith, herself, being in prison, obviously wasn't being paid either, since she wasn't doing the job that she was supposed to be doing)

As for Angel and Spike, almost certainly over the decades and centuries, they had both managed to stash some money away for emergencies, at least enough to pay for a few gallons of pig's blood.

 

[Still a Scoobie]

By Season 5, neither Buffy nor Giles were actually working for the Council, despite the fact that she was doing the job that the actual Slayer (Faith) should have been doing, so they wouldn't have been receiving any pay from them. (Faith, herself, being in prison, obviously wasn't being paid either, since she wasn't doing the job that she was supposed to be doing)

As for Angel and Spike, almost certainly over the decades and centuries, they had both managed to stash some money away for emergencies, at least enough to pay for a few gallons of pig's blood.

But in season 5 Buffy allowed the council to work with her again, in return for the info she needed on Glory. So in season 6, the period of time this thread addresses, they should really have been helping her out, imo.

 

[Lyri]

To the Council, the Slayer is nothing more than a weapon, a tool they use to fight the war they're waging. And you don't pay your tools for doing the job they were designed to do.

As far as we know, Buffy is the first Slayer to fight back, to be a free-spirit and her own person, probably because she was never a Potential, was never identified until she was Called, so she wasn't 'indoctrinated' like some of the others. Even Kennedy was a 'yes girl' up until a certain point. I imagine that the Slayers before Buffy were a lot like Kendra - obedient, did as she was told, didn't question anything, probably lived with her Watcher and therefore had her needs taken care of. But, of course, that would have made for a boring TV show, lol.

 

[white avenger]

But in season 5 Buffy allowed the council to work with her again, in return for the info she needed on Glory. So in season 6, the period of time this thread addresses, they should really have been helping her out, imo.

Buffy got information from the Council about Glory. That doesn't put her back in their good graces or in any way mean that they are going to pay her. And I realize that this thread addresses Season 6, not Season 5, but the Council and Buffy parted ways in Season 5 and she never actually worked for, or drew a salary from, the Watchers again, though, in fact, I don't believe that Buffy, or any Slayer for that matter, actually drew any sort of salary from the Watchers' Council. The Slayer's Watcher drew a salary, part of which would have gone to the support and training of their Slayer, but Buffy lived with her mother, not Giles, until her mother died, and, after that, at least for the remainder of Season 5, she lived on any inheritance and insurance money she might have collected. I don't think that Giles ever gave Buffy any money before Season 6, and that was his own money, not from the Council.

I agree, the Watchers' Council SHOULD have paid Buffy for doing what she did, especially since, from the moment that Kendra was Called, it technically wasn't her job anymore. But since the Watchers seem to consider their Slayers to be nothing more than tools, to be used and discarded, I seriously doubt that the idea was even considered.

 

[Still a Scoobie]

Buffy got information from the Council about Glory. That doesn't put her back in their good graces or in any way mean that they are going to pay her. And I realize that this thread addresses Season 6, not Season 5, but the Council and Buffy parted ways in Season 5 and she never actually worked for, or drew a salary from, the Watchers again, though, in fact, I don't believe that Buffy, or any Slayer for that matter, actually drew any sort of salary from the Watchers' Council. The Slayer's Watcher drew a salary, part of which would have gone to the support and training of their Slayer, but Buffy lived with her mother, not Giles, until her mother died, and, after that, at least for the remainder of Season 5, she lived on any inheritance and insurance money she might have collected. I don't think that Giles ever gave Buffy any money before Season 6, and that was his own money, not from the Council.

I agree, the Watchers' Council SHOULD have paid Buffy for doing what she did, especially since, from the moment that Kendra was Called, it technically wasn't her job anymore. But since the Watchers seem to consider their Slayers to be nothing more than tools, to be used and discarded, I seriously doubt that the idea was even considered.

No, it doesn't put her back in their good graces but it was made pretty clear that she had power over them and had deigned to co-operate with them to give them that sense of purpose they were so clearly after. She hadn't made herself any sort of council flunky of course but her exchange with Travers made it pretty clear they were re-entering a working relationship.

Buffy's situation was sort of unique and while the council never had to pay a slayer before, they would almost certainly have had to house them (usually with their Watcher, I'm guessing) and so, when Buffy's in need of money for stuff like that, they should have been there. The money that would have been Giles' salary could have gone towards keeping Buffy since he was staying with her/at his place in England. Of course, they wouldn't have subsidised Willow and Tara living with Buffy and probably wouldn't have let her stay in her old house but they could/should have gotten her a small apartment. This wouldn't really have worked for the show, setting-wise, but it would have made sense.

 

[Ethan Reigns]

I always sort of assumed they would occasionally help out at the Magic Box and got a little money from Anya for that (just a little though). Plus, off the top of my head I don't remember if this is the case but they may well have given up their college dorm when they moved into Dawn's house (as it would have been at that time). I don't know a lot about College in the US but certainly that's how it would work here in the UK, they'd have given up their room(s) in Halls and used the money they would have spent on that room/those rooms to contribute to the Summers household.

It doesn't necessarily work that way in university. They may have had a dorm room but they do not get money back for not staying in it. After all, with all students staying somewhere, if a dorm opens up, it will probably remain unoccupied, so a refund would make no sense for the school and the school calls the shots.

 

[Still a Scoobie]

It doesn't necessarily work that way in university. They may have had a dorm room but they do not get money back for not staying in it. After all, with all students staying somewhere, if a dorm opens up, it will probably remain unoccupied, so a refund would make no sense for the school and the school calls the shots.

I'm assuming they'd pay per school year though (again, not big with the US college knowledge but that would make sense), and since Buffy died during the summer, they wouldn't need to even take a room for that next year, right? 'cos they'd already have moved in with Dawn when the time came? So it wouldn't be a case of refund, just a case of the money that would have gone on the dorm went towards the house instead.

 

[chasesummers]

And honestly, how much did Buffy pay Willow and Tara for taking care of Dawn? How much did she pay for their absolutely invaluable help?

How much did she pay for a new life? Yeah. It's Buffy who owes them. They helped her so much and they are supposed to what, help her pay the bills too?

You're making it sound like Buffy didn't do anything at all.
May I remind you that she sacrificed her life for not only Dawn, but for everybody. What did anybody do to repay her? Nothing!
Why? Because it was her decision, because the only thing you could do is be grateful to have the opportuity to experience another day.

Willow and Tara had a choice, they took care of Dawn because they wanted to. If there is something they took back from taking care of Dawn is having a roof on top of their heads.

Buffy didn't get a ''new life'', she got her same old life back, the one she moved on from. Willow was worried about Buffy being stuck in a lower dimention but she had no proof of her being there. Being a witch, she could have probably invoked Buffy (being a spirit) before doing anything rushful. At the same time, they wanted the ''old Buffy'' back because slaying looked life an issue. I know Faith was probably in prison at that time but she was suppose to be the active one.

What Buffy did was dealing with the money issue herself, dealing with the usual slayage, did not complain about Willow & Tara staying over but was obvious that she was stuggling with money, she also had to lie about where she was because they would have gotten upset. Willow's ego grew with this spell btw.
Anyway, Buffy was always there in general, even if she never knew Willow, ''class protector remember?''

Buffy doesn't owe them anything.
The Scooby gang without a doubt helped support Buffy, she did the same.
If I was Willow or Tara, for sure I would have done something to support Buffy with her bills, even if it meant leaving the house. It's called love and respect.
We don't do positive things to get something out of them, to show how good we are. We do them because it's what we should be doing in the first place.

 

[Evil Angelus 95]

I think that between taking care of Dawn, keeping the Scoobies together, looking out for one another, fighting evil, and taking care of the house, Willow & Tara were both way too busy/had too much on their plate to go out and seek jobs. Plus, what kind of working experience would they have? I can imagine that they wouldn't be able to find something that could support the two of them, and Dawnie at the same time.

Plus, I believe Willow was still in college at this point, or at least some point during Season 6. That would have cut majorly into her time as well. I imagine Tara hadn't yet graduated by Season 6 as well, although she was more than likely very close to it.

 

[thetopher]

To be honest, out of every bad writing flub that happens in S6, this bothers me the least. 🙁

Two students would be of minimal help supporting a household, maybe they did do and it just didn't show it?

Of course then Tara walks out half a season later and its just Buffy and Willow. That's also a factor.

Also when it comes to the Council and pay, the Council are dicks. In fact that pretty much applies to eveything they do. 😉

---------- Post added at 07:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:44 AM ----------

I think that between school, taking care of Dawn not to mention fighting evil Willow and Tara are a bit too busy to get a job. Seriously. Unlike Buffy they actually need to sleep for those 7 or 8 hours. They need to work out to stay fit and healthy and their injuries don't just heal in a matter of hours.

And honestly, how much did Buffy pay Willow and Tara for taking care of Dawn? How much did she pay for their absolutely invaluable help? How much did she pay for a new life? Yeah. It's Buffy who owes them. They helped her so much and they are supposed to what, help her pay the bills too?

Buffy has superpowers for goodness' sake. If she needs some cash she can just win the nearest marathon or whatever. But that wouldn't be painful enough, would it?

Willow and Tara and Dawn are family. There shouln't be a wage involved in looking after family.
But Buffy still needs their support with looking after the household.

This isn't a quid pro quo thing, as in 'what do I get'.

But then I forgot, Buffy can't do anything right in some people's eyes. 🙁

 

[EVIL UU]

[MENTION=12446]chasesummers[/MENTION]
First of all, Willow and Tara are human beings, Buffy is not. I refuse to judge Buffy and her actions in the same way I would judge actions of humans because humans do not have the capabilities nor the potential Buffy has. Heroism is easy when you get superpowers for free and free from nasty side effects. So yeah, next to humans she did nothing.

May I remind you that she sacrificed her life for not only Dawn, but for everybody. What did anybody do to repay her? Nothing!

Willow brought her back from the dead. That's a big something in my opinion, I mean, what else is she supposed to do when a life's not good enough? What is going to be good enough? You know what, Buffy's ungratefulness kinda pisses me off. Heaven or not, Willow took her body, dressed it in a burial gown, buried it, spend a couple of months working hard on figuring how to do this thing, then went through a brutal ritual and actually brought her back. She gave her a life and it's like everybody, Buffy included, takes it for granted, like it's big nothing. Wait a second, is a stupid, genuine thanks for bringing me back Will too much to ask for? Buff's actually shameless enough to lie about it. How does this chick even look into a mirror?

If I was Willow or Tara, for sure I would have done something to support Buffy with her bills, even if it meant leaving the house.

It's Buffy who should be paying Willow and Tara for staying with her. You know why? Because it puts their lives in danger. Do you know what Willow and Tara and Xander and Anya should have done? Freaking run. Resurrect Buffy and leave Sunnydale. Giles did just that and he's a watcher. Let me get this straight, you want Willow and Tara to study at the university, study magic and fight evil and save Buffy's ass whenever it needs to be done and take care of Dawn and have a happy relationship and have a job to help Buffy pay the bills because she has financial problems despite having superpowers. You want them to be perfect.

Sorry, no human can do that. Not even a slayer, she's got it easier though.

 

[chasesummers]

[MENTION=11194]EVIL UU[/MENTION]
Buffy is a symbol of human empowerment, both masculine and feminine. Speaking of course through my perspective, she is a relatable human being unlike most famous super heroes. Judging Buffy differently because she's 'different' from the norm (not normal because there's no such thing) feels very wrong to me. It's like discrimination.

It's a nice idea to make use of her talents to get some money, similar to what Cordelia wanted through Angel Investigations (which Angel took a long time to agree with). Yes, you're correct, why not? But even though Buffy didn't take up that type of job she still got a job and worked, we're clear that she worked to support the house and the people in it, Willow and Tara did not (financially)

This seems to be fine with Buffy even though she was struggling. This is where my question came from. I respect everybody's point of views and I don't feel it's a negative thing that we're discussing it, I don't agree with how you're treating Buffy just because she's not like the most of the others, there's no equity but it doesnt mean I respect your view any less then the others.

Willow, Xander, Anya, Tara and mainly everybody is an individual, that means that they can make individual choices. It was their choice to be around Buffy, on the other hand Cordelia decided to leave... Individual choice. Giles left cause he could, like everybody.
Btw, you never mentioned Willow and Tara in need of saving, it's Buffy of course. Like I said, Willow and Tara had legs, they could have walked out whenever they wanted, Willow wasn't making her surroundings any safer when she started loosing it with magic, made things harder for Buffy and almost killed Dawn. This isn't about who's better, you only pointed out Buffy's messes (in your view) and I'm pointing your Willow's messes. Humans mess up, that's fine.

I don't recall me saying that I want them to be perfect, there's no such thing as perfect either. What I said is that (my view) they should help support Buffy, even by talking about it with her, it shows interest and care. Also, helping Buffy helps smooth Dawn's life too, just to let you know that this isn't solely about Buffy.

On your last post I felt that there is too much expectation on Buffy.
You're expecting Buffy to be happy for being back, just like Willow did. Let me give you an example from the Angel series:
Remember when Groo made that "special" drink for Cordy out of soil and what not? His intentions were to aid and support Cordy but his ignorance stopped him from acknowledging that this drink might not appeal to Cordelia. Of course, Cordy drank it and pretended its "good" so to speak.
Just because Groo loved that drink, doesn't mean Cordy will.
Just because Willow thought it was a good idea to get Buffy back, it doesn't mean it's what Buffy wants.

I just wanted to point it out, Buffy's actions were very understandable, so were of Willow.
Now back to the point! I made my point and just to remind everyone that this thread is about the money issue in the summers house.

 

[thetopher]

Buffy has a lot in common with Marvel superheroes, who tend to be imperfect people with abilities beyond the norm who struggle with them. I find that a lot more believable/realistic than DC, where in if you can fly then suddenly your life is perfect! 🙄
(Syplistic I know, most DC heroes are paragon-types to an extent, and most Marvel heroes are meant to be more relatable to normal people.)

And I don't get the whole 'she's been given superpowers so judge her by a different standard' thing, in many ways the appeal of BtVS is that Buffy is normal-ish, relatable, sympathetic. (It's why Joss picked SMG out of every girl who wanted the role.)
I mean, she's not the only relatable character, lots of them are, I appreciate how all the characters have a choice to either help their friend or run for the hills as you put it.

but I'm not there thinking, 'oh, Buffy's destined to die in her early twenties, she's so lucky that she has superpowers to help her with her nightly battle against evil.'
Buffy could also run for the hills, kick back and have fun or go all mercenary, do what she wants- she has plenty of choices. She chooses to help people, do something with the powers she never even wanted in the first place, it's kinda part of her character arc throughout the entire show.
It's the same with Faith, who chooses to break out of prison to do her slayer duty (after first helping a friend...) or Cordelia with the visions, who chooses to shoulder the burden she never asked for and help people with it. 🙂

Oh, and I've made my feelings about Willow and her selfish, self-absorbed ('look what I did, Giles! Aren't I great/powerful!') behaviour in regards to the whole ressurrection/bringing Buffy back thing clear on other threads.
Buffy lies to Willow to spare her feelings, and then when Willow finds out the truth she immediatly wants to 'fix' Buffy with magic rather than being there as a friend.

If I had been Buffy, I would've hit Willow in the face with a rock. 😡