Slayer Syndrome

For this blog, since we weren't given a particular topic to write about, I decided to focus on Giles and his relationship with Buffy as the Slayer and his relationship with Buffy as a person. We've already seen Giles growing attachment for Buffy as he tries to understand her thoughts and desires. He describes her as very complex and sees immediately that she is truly and extraordinary individual. He often seems to lose faith in her powers. This is exemplified in the numerous times that he makes the decision to go fight in Buffy's stead when she loses faith in herself and decides to "quit" the slaying "business". Of the episodes that we have watched, however, the Halloween is the only one in which Giles actually gets to show the audience what he is capable of. He is able to take charge only when Buffy, herself, is unable to complete her task (being stuck in the body of a colonial woman), and when the spell was broken Buffy lived up to her calling. So, it is evident that, though Giles often feels the need to protect Buffy from her daunting fate, he maintains a great deal of confidence in his slayer.

What's My Line? Part 1 and 2 also show Giles' care for Buffy as his slayer as well as Buffy's desire to achieve and maintain Giles' partiality. When Kendra comes along, Buffy is jealous because of the things that Kendra and Giles can share, such as stories about the codes, rules, and histories of previous slayers that they both have studied intently. Buffy's jealousy is voiced to Willow who responds by reassuring Buffy that "[she] will always be [Giles'] slayer", insinuating that Kendra would never take Buffy's place. Based upon the ever-growing connection between Giles and Buffy, I'd venture to say Willow is right on the mark.