"One Is The Loneliest Number"

Generally speaking, a popular belief is that there is strength in numbers. The Buffy series depicts how well this idea works. Throughout the show it is beneficial to Buffy and the salvation of the world that Buffy is accompanied by Giles, her friends, and other slayers. The last episode of season 2 and the first few episodes of season 3 do a wonderful job of contrasting the idea of an army verses an individual. In Buffy's case, in particular, she struggles a great deal with handling things on her own. In the beginning of the series she values the help of her friends both in her teenage life and her slaying life. When Kendra comes along she learns to accept the help of another slayer though she realizes this does not relieve her of her own slaying duties. Things change for Buffy in the season 2 finale as she kills Angel and leaves town without a word to anyone. This sets up the stage for the premier of season 3. In "Anne" Buffy is happy with her solitude. But by the end of the episode she realizes she can not function properly without her friends and family. This is a bit uncanny for a slayer. As Kendra pointed out, the slayer must maintain a secret identity and, thus, remove her self from the distractions of friends and family. Buffy truly is an exceptional case, though. Her friends and family seem to be her source of power and strength. They appear to give Buffy a purpose for her duties. When she was without them she was not fulfilling her calling. Unlike other slayers, Buffy does not kill vampires because she enjoys it or because she realizes it as her duty. It seems as though she has a more personal reason for slaying. Like a mother protecting her young or a shepherd protecting his flock, Buffy slays to protect those whom she loves. When Buffy allows her friends to stand behind her and empower her, she is a stronger individual.