I think Theory #1 is really interesting, and makes a lot of sense.
But I love Theory #3. That's a train I can jump right on board, and I honestly think that theory #2 goes right along with it. "The Demon Essence" that powers The Slayer would certainly make her slightly more than human, and would account for the extra strength, the ability to recognize demons by something other than just their out-of-date fashion, the ability to just hop right on over the school gate, etc. Perhaps when Buffy drowned, the Essence left her and went to Faith, but left behind some strengths and abilities that Buffy was able to use along with her training for the next four years. Then when they brought her back, they returned the Essence to her, which split it, and backs up Theory 1.
So, Spike and his chip? He met many Slayers in his time, but he never met The Slayer while he had the chip in. If there was a palpable difference, he never would have had any reason to pay attention to it, until resurrected Buffy, who had at least half of the Essence.
And maybe dividing the Essence of the Slayer didn't weaken it, but instead made it stronger. A stronger Demon entity might have given The First a stronger connection to this world, do to its connection to the First Slayer.
Now I'm just voicing random thoughts as they come, and maybe I should mull over them a bit.
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But I love Theory #3. That's a train I can jump right on board, and I honestly think that theory #2 goes right along with it. "The Demon Essence" that powers The Slayer would certainly make her slightly more than human, and would account for the extra strength, the ability to recognize demons by something other than just their out-of-date fashion, the ability to just hop right on over the school gate, etc. Perhaps when Buffy drowned, the Essence left her and went to Faith, but left behind some strengths and abilities that Buffy was able to use along with her training for the next four years. Then when they brought her back, they returned the Essence to her, which split it, and backs up Theory 1.
So, Spike and his chip? He met many Slayers in his time, but he never met The Slayer while he had the chip in. If there was a palpable difference, he never would have had any reason to pay attention to it, until resurrected Buffy, who had at least half of the Essence.
And maybe dividing the Essence of the Slayer didn't weaken it, but instead made it stronger. A stronger Demon entity might have given The First a stronger connection to this world, do to its connection to the First Slayer.
Now I'm just voicing random thoughts as they come, and maybe I should mull over them a bit.