I still dispute that there was anything casual about it. She didn’t kill anyone during her initial encounter with the Knights. She did kill at least one during the Winnebago Seige (axe to the chest IIRC) and it was her previously-stated aversion to killing humans that made this so utterly shocking. I don’t think it’s something Buffy took lightly and it supports beautifully her devotion to protecting Dawn at all costs.
It was casual in the sense that she did it instantly, without hesitation; and that she never, ever displayed an ounce of remorse for having done it - even later on in Season Seven where, when Giles asked her if she’d sacrifice Dawn to save the world then, she replied that she would. It was also casual in the sense that the guy was nowhere near her, and posed no immediate threat to anyone, and yet was dispatched for expediency’s sake.
It is also likely she killed more than one - the Knights quoted losses were at least 10, and while Giles is pretty deadly behind the wheel of the Winnebago, the probable neck injuries of Knights tossed from the top of the vehicle are more certainly deadly than anything we see Giles’s driving do.
And yet, she can still get sanctimonious with Willow at the end of Season Six.
Both of which are reasons that season 6 and 7 were unworthy - they broke the central metaphor of the show, and refused to either acknowledge or attempt to repair it, and when that didn’t work, opted to first justify, then glorify it. arrgh.
I think we’re going to have to agree to disagree on this one. And also on the definition of “nowhere near” and “immediate threat.” Somebody on the roof of a motor home (or on the ladder) can’t help IMHO but be “near” and if he’s carrying sharp pointy weapons he’s an immediate threat.
Her going after Willow in S6 for killing Warren is perfectly in synch with this. Buffy killed to defend Dawn and the rest of her friends while under concerted assault from multiple fronts. Willow killed Warren for revenge. The former is in Buffy’s mind obviously justified and she shouldn’t be remorseful about it (beyond the remorse anyone who “has to” kill another should feel; certainly she shouldn’t feel guilty about it. The latter isn’t.
There’s obviously something that was supposed to be going on with Giles that never had a chance to come out in the actual series. It might have in “Ripper”… but that never happened either.
Giles not only brutually kills Ben (and doesn’t seem to mention it to anyone), but there are a couple of very odd moments, like when little glory-scum demon won’t talk, the camera pans away briefly, Giles does something off camera, and it’s instantly compliant and willing to talk. Giles is also a bit wacky in Season 7, but again, nothing pans out. Of course, that’s true for virtually EVERYTHING in season 7, but whatever.
Ultimate Evil:
MY GRAND TRICKSY MASTER PLAN THAT I’VE BEEN DEVIOUSLY HINTING AT AND TEASING YOU ABOUT SINCE THE START OF THE SEASON IS TO… ATTACK YOU WITH A VAST ARMY OF KICKASS VAMPIRES AFTER GIVNG YOU LOTS AND LOTS OF WARNING!!!
I suppose we will. We’ve seen her take out similarly-powered foes who were more immediate threats by using disabling attacks, though. And she didn’t even try to disable this guy.
I suppose there’s a justification for her Season-3 attack on Faith with the intent to feed her to Angel, too? Essentially, destroying a (modified) human’s life to preserve the half-life of a demonic (albeit ensouled) corpse?
No offense, Jenny, but boy am I glad I didn’t listen to you.
I really enjoyed season 6, and am just starting season 7. 6 was waaaay better than 5 in consistant writing and theme. The trio was so much more fun to watch than Glory in that they actually schemed, and had a new idea each appearance, rather than whining “where’s my key” all the time. And Warren’s descent from laughable evil to true and real evil was very well done. And I even liked the handling of what I was dreading in the spoiler above.
I very much enjoyed the delving into what makes a person versus a monster. With Spike’s story (and Anya/Xander’s) trying to “human” paralleling the Trio and Willow’s descent into inhumanity. (And of course, Once More with feeling was genius)
I agree with Otto on this one, there was no reason for Buffy to not take Faith out. If I’d been her, I would have gutted the bitch and whistled Dixie while I dragged her ass home.
Of course, if I was Buffy, Dawn would have been a splotch on the pavement before I let Glory get her, so we clearly go about things differently.
Too many times the hero balks with the attitude that “killing is too good for you”.
:rolleyes: Or the villain accidentally ends up impaled or goes for his gun and the hero is forced to shoot. :rolleyes: This time it was “You killed my boyfriend and you’re gonna pay, bitch.”