"You killed a human!"

[white avenger]

Did anyone besides me get the impression that Giles was more put off by Faith's trying to blame the Vice Mayor's death on Buffy than the actual death? There was never any clear statement of the Council's policy on the taking of human life by a Slayer, certainly they had at least their own "wet team" that they sent after Faith, and lord knows that Ripper had no hesitation about the taking of human life when it became necessary, even to the point of suggesting rather vehemently that they seriously consider killing Dawn (despite her being the Key, she was still, in effect, a young girl, fully human, whom he obviously had quite a bit of affection for), and he didn't hesitate in killing Ben in that same season.

 

[Tueuse de Vampires]

Giles probably knew the whole ViceMayor killing was just a slaying accident. I guess that's why he didn't act all shaken up about that.
And he was probably well aware of the fact that when he was too harsh on either of them for that accident, he would drive Faith away to the dark side for good, which would be by far more dangerous than just killing a human once by accident.

Sorry for my English, rereading the text I realized I don't have any linguistic energy today to express myself more clearly.

 

[Kana]

Ok there is several parts to this. For one, the killing of the Allan Finch was an accident, trying to blame Buffy was a premeditated act, which is why it may be considered more reprehensible.

Giles does seem to have adopted some of the WC's traits of 'big picture thinking' much like Wesley, although to a lesser extent. For him killing Dawn and killing Ben were options for that greater good.

Interestingly enough Faith gives a similar justification for her own actions in Consequences (I think): One death amongst many saved is a more than a fair trade even if the death in itself is not a good thing.

Giles comment to Buffy about accidents happening seemed cavalier perhaps but it was the truth. It's a dangerous business and people can be caught in the crossfire. It's better to know that than not. I suppose much like if a Police officer killed a civilian, in the line of duty, I suppose an investigation would be made although the WC would be less diplomatic, I suppose.

 

[Jules]

Also, even though Finch was human he was working for the Mayor. He was an evil doer, despite the fact that he seemed impossibly timid. He was a bad guy. Fair enough he didn't seem strong enough (not just physically but emotionally as well) to get himself out of the situation he was in with the Mayor, he did everything he was told.

 

[Kana]

Also, even though Finch was human he was working for the Mayor. He was an evil doer, despite the fact that he seemed impossibly timid. He was a bad guy. Fair enough he didn't seem strong enough (not just physically but emotionally as well) to get himself out of the situation he was in with the Mayor, he did everything he was told.

It's kind of Faith's rationalization but it wasn't one she really believed and so she went into denial. She couldn't shake the possibility he may have actually been going to them for help or that he may have been about to turn against the Mayor. Even if he was mixed up and made some bad choices (we don't know the background of that) does that mean he should be killed or his life isn't important?

 

[Sunnydale Siren]

that BLOBBY BUTT demon was annoying, like The Master.

Faith usually goes off half cocked and not thinking, this time a HUMAN died as a result. The Mayor and Mr. Trick are quite the interesting duo.


not liking the new watcher at all, hope a DIRTNAP is in his immediate future.

 

[Revolver]

Haha, I love Wes. That dude is awesome.

 

[Jules]

It's kind of Faith's rationalization but it wasn't one she really believed and so she went into denial. She couldn't shake the possibility he may have actually been going to them for help or that he may have been about to turn against the Mayor. Even if he was mixed up and made some bad choices (we don't know the background of that) does that mean he should be killed or his life isn't important?

I kind of disagree with that. Faith was a warrior by nature, her training and personality would have made her act first then ask questions later (and maybe not even ask at all knowing Faith). On a battle field, as a Slayer, Faith wouldn't have had time to hesitate and question anyones motives for being there. Its kill or be killed in her line of work. So I doubt she would have worried over why he was there.

I'm not saything that his life was unimportant, but if your going to get involved with demons (whether it was his fault or not) your going to need to be head smart, and walking round Sunnydale on your own is not a smart move. I'm with Giles on this one were the greater good is better service despite the casulties.

 

[caitaintdead]

I think the bigger question about Faiths sanity is - Did she really think that Giles would believe her over Buffy? Buffy and Giles clearly had a better bond, and he cared about Buffy a lot more.

 

[Willowsgirl]

I don't know if Giles was so much indifferent to the murder of a human, as much as he was taken aback by the fact that Faith was lying to him. At this point I think he still liked Faith and didn't think that she would lie about something like killing a human. The breaking of the trust that he thought he and Faith shared was the bigger issue for Giles. I don't think it was because he was cold to the death of the human, but there where bigger issues than that. As he says later "A rogue slayer, I can't imagine anything more dangerous." Faiths lie was the more important part.

 

[Fusions2]

I agree with most Giles was pretty much thinking ahead of what road Faith was going to go down because of her actions. I think in a way he knew right from the get go that Faith being a slayer was risky, he even pointed out at the beginning she was a "plucky fighter". The worst thing to have happen was Faith accidentally killing and going down the dark path.

I do believe Faith believed Giles believed her lie, but I also think she didn't care too much just as long she pointed the blame elsewhere everything else would be fine. The only thing was Giles saw right through it and knew if it had been Buffy she would have been totally different about it. Look at the guilt she had and she hadn't even killed, she just couldn't handle that kind of pressure.

 

[Willowsgirl]

I think Giles may have suspected that she could be a danger, but he was still going to give her the benefit of the doubt. Faith's lie just confirmed that he was right to have his doubts. Once again, this idea far out weighed the need to be concern with the lost of the human life. I agree with you completely Fusion that Faith thought her lie worked. After all she had no idea what Buffy went through with Tom, aka The Robot Man! That is how think of him.

 

[Fusions2]

I think Giles may have suspected that she could be a danger, but he was still going to give her the benefit of the doubt. Faith's lie just confirmed that he was right to have his doubts. Once again, this idea far out weighed the need to be concern with the lost of the human life. I agree with you completely Fusion that Faith thought her lie worked. After all she had no idea what Buffy went through with Tom, aka The Robot Man! That is how think of him.

I completely agree back with you on that and do you mean Ted? Actually that makes me question Buffy and her reasons to eventually hate and even despise Faith. I know Faith messed with her life and basically spat all over it but I do wished Buffy was a little more understanding of Faith. Buffy had a slight experience with the whole slayer killing a human when she thought Ted was human. I don't recall her ever saying that to Faith even before she told Buffy she didn't care she had killed.

Maybe after Buffy just pushed it all to one side and realised than when killing a human does actually happen and you slowly start going towards the dark side theres just no coming back from it. I think Giles was probably more understanding than anyone (minus Angel) when it came to Faith killing, he tried to think it all through logically and knew suffocating Faith with care would only drive her further away and that she needed to be approached cautiously.

 

[Willowsgirl]

Oh your right his name is Ted! Sorry, I don't know why I was thinking Tom. I think Buffy did try help her. She took Faith to Angel so he could help understand what she did and deal with it. Faith was very resistant, but I think Angel would have eventually gotten through to her if it hadn't been for the Watchers Council interfering. After all, she did go to Angel in LA, after the experience inside Buffy's body and started to redeem herself there.

After she got away from the Watchers, it seemed like everyone gave up on her until she went back to Angel.

 

[fly on the wall]

Did anyone besides me get the impression that Giles was more put off by Faith's trying to blame the Vice Mayor's death on Buffy than the actual death?

I think the reason for this is that the death was an accident. Accidental deaths happen when you're a Slayer, as he goes on to explain to Buffy. So I'm sure the fact that Faith was slipping into denial/shirking responsibility/going rogue was more of a concern to him than the actual murder.