Damn.

[elisi]

So, yesterday I linked to the cover for issue 7 of S8, because it featured a very handsome Giles. I was however v. tired and didn't actually read the summary. (Didn't realise that it was supposed to be Faith next to him either...)

As you probably know, I've been clinging to the Faith-arc, because there was no way Joss could mess *her* up, right?

Faith’s out to kill a Slayer.

Lady Genevieve Savidge is one of the most dangerous women on the planet. If she’s left unstopped, the British heiress will usher in the apocalypse. Faith has accepted Giles’s offer of an early retirement package for this gig — but the wetworks will have to wait till she’s infiltrated Savidge’s mystically protected estate.

THE HELL?? Unless that is some very clever misdirection (which is possible of course and is the one straw I'm clinging to), then I honestly don't know what happened to the character I love. Faith has a PROBLEM with killing people - there was this whole 'going evil and then seeking redemption' thing, right? But I could cope with that - just - if she was doing it 'for the common good'... rogue Slayers are dangerous, Faith knows that better than anyone. There could be interesting things done with that. But doing it 'for early retirement'???? What Faith would that be? The one who loved knitting and dreamt of having a house full of rug rats?

I am so baffled that... well I don't have the words. Maybe it's my cue to just walk away althogether. Sorry S8 lovers, but there's only so much I can put up with.

Maybe Joss got brainsucked by Glory?

*deep sigh*

At least Doctor Who has suddenly become awesome and brilliant and full of layers and themes and stuff, exploring all sorts of fascinating issues. *goes back to SHINY show and CANON Buffy*

ETA: Ok, so maybe it will be more like follows:

Giles: I need a Slayer dead. Faith, I trust you can do it, you have killed before. Also you already have a criminal record.
Faith: 'Scuse me?
Giles: I have prepared a generous retirement package for you, as a thank you for services rendered. If however you decide to decline, the police might just discover where you've been hiding out...

Or, you know, something along those lines. Stupid comics.

Comments

[shapinglight]

Well, I'm willing to give the Faith arc a go, if only on the principle that it couldn't possibly be as bad as the first arc, but I agree the story as precied there has a hell of a lot wrong with it. It'd be unfair to judge it without reading, though. Comics summaries are often a bit sensationalist.

Wish I could join you in the DW love but - nah. It's just a kids' program.

[elisi]

if only on the principle that it couldn't possibly be as bad as the first arc
Heh. :)

Comics summaries are often a bit sensationalist.
That's true. But I'm just tired of the whole thing really - it takes time and effort and I'm just not sure it's worth it.

Wish I could join you in the DW love but - nah.
And I have written just over 5000 words so far of my meta... DW is SHINY!

[stormwreath.livejournal.com]

Didn't realise that it was supposed to be Faith next to him either...

Really? I recognised her straight away, despite the fact that she's obviously meant to be "in disguise" in that picture. As for the blurb - well, it's a blurb. It's a long-established tradition that they only bear a passing resemblance to the actual content of the story.

I mean, the blurb for 'Asylum' made it sound as if Spike genuinely wants to be healed of his aggressive tendencies and so checks into a legitimate rehab centre, but the other patients there want to be the one to kill him, and so - we assume - the story will consist of him begrudgingly having to return to his violent former ways in order to defeat the other patients...

As for what's going to happen in the Faith arc, I'm not going to speculate on a story that we won't actually be able to read for several months yet. I'll just say that the Faith who was discovering what it's like to take on responsibility and have a community behind her in season 7, and who was warily interested in Wood's offer to show her a different side to life than the one she'd always known, might well have developed, matured and grown just a little in the 18 months since we saw her last...

[elisi]

Really? I recognised her straight away, despite the fact that she's obviously meant to be "in disguise" in that picture.
Mostly I thought that Giles was obviously a very lucky man...

As for the blurb - well, it's a blurb.
I know, I know. Red herrings and all that. I just didn't think it was *possible* to make me not interested in Faith, but they did it. *sigh* I think what I'll do is wait for the whole arc to be finished before I read it.

might well have developed, matured and grown just a little in the 18 months since we saw her last...
I have read various fics where Faith retired - including a rather clever AU one where she got Spike to kill (and revive) her, so another Slayer would be called and she would be free. The idea never rang 100% true though... I think she'd be bored out of her mind living a 'normal life', and - unlike Buffy, who is very capable of deceiving herself - she'd know it and thus not try.

[spikendru.livejournal.com]

Really? I recognised her straight away, despite the fact that she's obviously meant to be "in disguise" in that picture.

Well, if there was any lingering doubt in anyone's mind regarding just how "comically challenged" I am, it's now put to rest. I assumed it was Lady Genevieve Savidge in the picture and never eve thought of Faith.

[mikeygs.livejournal.com]

I was actually going to comment on that in the last post but figured I was alone in the WTF!?ness of it. That happens sometimes.

Faith wants early retirement? Umm... OK. But more to the point, we're to believe from the earlier issues that none of the Slayers are forced to help, that doesn't apply to Faith? Giles has to "relieve" her? Again WTF? Even if she feels some kind of obligation to the cause because of her part in the spell or maybe residual guilt for her evilness, how does getting the approval from Giles change anything?

I was actually warming to the others. Now...

I HATE Faith, so if it's got me scoffing, I can't help but think something is up somewhere.

[elisi]

but figured I was alone in the WTF!?ness of it. That happens sometimes.
Oh no, not alone. beer_good_foamy was the one who made me go read the summary.

Giles has to "relieve" her? Again WTF?
Yes! My thoughts *exactly*! All I can think is that the blurb is misleading to the point of blatant lying...

I was actually warming to the others. Now...
Oh no. You'll make aycheb cry...

I HATE Faith, so if it's got me scoffing, I can't help but think something is up somewhere.
How can you hate Faith? I mean, good point.

Personally I'm looking forward to the next issue of 'Shadow Puppets' and am praying that S6 will be brilliant! *is hopeful*

::goes back to Doctor Who meta::

[stormwreath.livejournal.com]

none of the Slayers are forced to help, that doesn't apply to Faith? Giles has to "relieve" her? Again WTF? Even if she feels some kind of obligation to the cause because of her part in the spell or maybe residual guilt for her evilness, how does getting the approval from Giles change anything?

Where does it say she needs Giles' approval to do anything? What the blurb actually says is that Giles has offered her "an early retirement package" - in other words, money. And the fact that Faith is dirt-poor has been a common theme all through the series. I imagine that the Slayers who actually work for Buffy's new organisation get paid, or at least have their living expenses met; but I can't imagine that the ones who choose to do their own thing get any money or support.

So for Faith, the options are 1) Become a loyal little worker in Buffy's team ("Screw that", as I imagine Faith would say) 2) Get a minimum-wage job flipping burgers 3) Accept Giles' offer of enough money to retire on, if she accepts an incredibly dangerous final mission. Given that the story seems to involve her pretending to be incredibly wealthy in order to infiltrate her target's mansion, I can imagine the hook is "We'll give you the money, the dresses, the breast enhancement surgerymagic, the car, etc to let you do the job - and if you succeed, you can keep them."

[beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com]

Agree with stormwreath that this is just a blurb and may be completely off-target, and I'll definitely give it a read, but still...

Last time we saw Faith, she was deeply sorry for what she'd done and deeply committed to atoning for it. IE: she wanted to do LESS bad and MORE good.

ANGEL: Faith, listen to me. You saw me drink. It doesn't get much lower than that. And I thought I could make up for it by disappearing.
FAITH: I did my time.
ANGEL: Our time is never up, Faith. We pay for everything.
FAITH: It hurts.
ANGEL: I know. I know.

Now, according to the blurb, she's being offered to do LESS good and the only thing she has to do is to do a little MORE bad first? I gotta say, as motivations go, "you'll get to kill people AND run away again! Yay!" doesn't seem to be at the top of her list. But hey, we'll have to see how correct that blurb is I guess...

And it would be a good chance for some Dark!Giles, I guess. The few glimpses of him that we've gotten so far seems to suggest that he's still the one making the hard - almost Wesley-like - decisions behind the scenes (and Buffy's back?)

[elisi]

this is just a blurb and may be completely off-target, and I'll definitely give it a read, but still...
As I said, it managed to turn my excitement into dread. Again proving that the less I think about S8 the happier I am.

Now, according to the blurb, she's being offered to do LESS good and the only thing she has to do is to do a little MORE bad first? I gotta say, as motivations go, "you'll get to kill people AND run away again! Yay!" doesn't seem to be at the top of her list.
You're very good at the nut-shell stuff!

And it would be a good chance for some Dark!Giles, I guess.
Oh yes! Ripper is always welcome. :)

[tessarin.livejournal.com]

God I hope the blurb is wrong as it would be the final straw for me as far as the comics go. Running away is precisely what Faith wouldn't do on her path to redemption its what she spent he whole life up to now doing. The blurb is basically character assasination of both Giles and Faith imho that Giles could be so callous to Faith after grooming her and being sympathetic in S7.

I agree the motivations politely suck and if true just confirm opinion that Joss' ego has gone of the deep end for all that BKV is writing this.

[adoxerella.livejournal.com]

*steps out of lurkdom*
I'm intrigued by the whole thing, and also, I wonder if something in the previous issue (the first one of the Faith arc) sparks this need for early retirement. Heck in the spirit of all the other speculation going on, maybe she wants to retire from the Council not from being good. She might have gotten wind of how they treated her very good friend and mentor Angel. Especially since a part of her has to wonder if they'd do the same thing to her.
*pets her wankish speculation. Gives the plot bunnies in the corner a dirty look*
Or maybe I just need more coffee.

[elisi]

*steps out of lurkdom*
*waves happily* It's good to see you! :)

maybe she wants to retire from the Council not from being good.
Also a possibility.

Or maybe Joss just wants to do a 'Faith as My Fair Lady' story...

[empresspatti.livejournal.com]

Given Faith's arc - wouldn't it be awesome if she was the one to reach out and help redeem a rogue slayer? Since when did killing humans (wetworks - feh) become a solution?

I haven't seen the comics - I've been relying on your analysis - but I think I will just stick to fan fiction and meta.

[elisi]

wouldn't it be awesome if she was the one to reach out and help redeem a rogue slayer?
Oh it would. To borrow from 'Billy':

"Please - I used to be you! But with worse shoes..."

Heh.

Since when did killing humans (wetworks - feh) become a solution?
Indeed.

And I think I'll wait until the whole arc has been published before reading. Might make it easier. And fanfic is more fun. :)

[prophecygirrl.livejournal.com]

I'm also hoping it's a misdirect, and the arc will be about Faith attempting to redeem this slayer as she was redeemed. But, then, I've always made up my own pretty little S8 world....

[elisi]

the arc will be about Faith attempting to redeem this slayer as she was redeemed.
There's always hope... and I like your S8 world. :)

[aycheb.livejournal.com]

OK so last I remember it was all “woe is Buffy,” stuck in castle McSlayage instead of getting time off to shop and sex her way around Rome. Now it’s all “woe is Faith” being offered the cash to do exactly the same or anything else she wants. Suddenly her possibilities are as infinite as the varieties of ‘normal’ life” and that’s a bad thing?

As far as I remember Faith was atoning for her sins by doing time not by more killing. She was only persuaded into leaving jail a few decades early by the threat of Angelus and then of the First. Once that was over she was the one to raise the whole living like a person issue to Buffy. Surely there are lots of ways to live like a good person that don’t involve constantly killing things with your bare hands.

[elisi]

Now it’s all “woe is Faith” being offered the cash to do exactly the same or anything else she wants.
Heh. I think my point isn't the 'what', it's the 'why'. I *still* don't know why Buffy chose to go live in that castle. And I find it near impossible to imagine a scenario in which Faith would be happy to 'retire'.

Surely there are lots of ways to live like a good person that don’t involve constantly killing things with your bare hands.
Oh absolutely. But Faith always embraced her calling with far more gusto than Buffy. I get that her experiences might have changed her, but...

It all just rubs me up the wrong way. And Faith as My Fair Lady? Guess we'll see...

[fangfaceandrea.livejournal.com]

What Faith would that be? The one who loved knitting and dreamt of having a house full of rug rats?

::snerk::
Hey if anything the S8 is helping us to develop even more sarcasm skills.

I still say I'd be fun to actually see ED as Faith in a dress acting up all elegantand uncomfortable, I don't find it that amusing on a cartoon though. But I'm gonna give it a shot at least until the underground Slayer arc is Up.

[elisi]

Hey if anything the S8 is helping us to develop even more sarcasm skills.
Bwah! :D

I don't find it that amusing on a cartoon though.
Well that is of course presuming we'll be able to recognise her...

But I'm gonna give it a shot at least until the underground Slayer arc is Up.
Comes out in August I think...

[ruuger]

yeah, my excitement also pretty much died when I read the blurb... Personally, I'm more annoyed by the Faith infiltrating high society bit than her retiring. I seriously hope we don't get funny ha-ha scenes of Faith having to learn to behave a proper lady a la Miss Congeniality.

But what really makes me feel uncomfortable is the bit about her being sent to kill a slayer. Please let it be just misdirection in the blurb or a storyline about Giles & co going too far and Faith turning against them, because when exactly did it became alright for them to kill humans?

I have to say that boob-job and rib-removal aside, I think Jo Chen's Faith looks a lot more like Eliza Dushku than Jeanty's. And shoulder's don't work that way, Georges!

[elisi]

Personally, I'm more annoyed by the Faith infiltrating high society bit than her retiring.
Funny what turns us off...

Please let it be just misdirection in the blurb or a storyline about Giles & co going too far and Faith turning against them
Amen.

I think Jo Chen's Faith looks a lot more like Eliza Dushku than Jeanty's.
I still think they're both v. nice looking OCs.

[mrs-underhill.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I wouldn't make judgements until we see the real thing. And I wouldn't take this ad literally (but I admit that if it is literal and if all there's to this arc is to have fun with My Fair Faith, I'll be very disappointed).

But I hope it won't be that simple. I'm looking forward to Dark!Giles who retreated to the special ops Watcher M.O., because he definitely started on that path in B7 and continued even further in A5. Use of the word "wetworks" (remember - it was Watcher's term for their special ops) and the look of Giles on the cover suggests it for me.
Buffy's no longer looking up to him and for all we know their bond might never have been fully repaired after LMPTM. He might find Faith more vulnerable and lost, therefore more subject to manipulation. Just like Robin Wood did.
I know it was more to this and more geniune for Wood but I did see him manipulating Buffy in a pretty creepy way, and wasn't too convinced of his sudden sweetness towards Faith. I wonder - if he learns of Faith's bond with Angel, would he think her a whore too? Sorry, I know that some people can't stand Andrew - I can't stand Wood in about the same way, and the only thing which would make me to throw this arc away in disgust would be seeing Robin freaking Wood in there leaving happily with Faith and Faith getting this retirement package to start a happy family with him. BLEARGH! OK, I got it out of my system. :)

But what we can see is a variation of Faith coming of age, kind of Faith version of LMPTM/Checkpoint with some angsty consequences for Giles. And that I would love to see. Because Faith never really had that - she defied authority, but in a bad, immature way. Never in a grown-up way yet. She was humble and ready to listen to the elders after her ordeal, and Giles might find it too tempting to use it.

Also, I did recognize Faith on the cover, and I think it's great that she looks so different - she's supposed to. And I bet we wouldn't recognize Elisa Dushku either if she was made over like this. :)

[mrs-underhill.livejournal.com]

Oops, supposed to be "living happily" and "Giles might find it too tempting not to use it".

Also, the more I think of it, the more likely it seems that we'll get a LMPTM-like twist. Parallels with Faith own story are too obvious: she was once the most dangerous woman in Sunnydale, and she had Council's wetworks after her to kill her. It took Buffy, Angel, Giles, and later Angel and Wes to pull her back from that brink and save her. Now she is put in exactly the same situation, but on the opposite side - now she is the wetworks. The angst and depth potential here is too big not to use it. Also they say that BVK is a great writer - I'm sure he set up this perfect mirror situation for a reason.
Also the name of the arc: "No future for you". Angsty, and may mean both Faith and her dark counterpart. But we'll see. I'm not jumping with excitement, but I'm looking forward for it with optimism.

[toysdream.livejournal.com]

Joss Whedon may be overseeing the Season 8 series in general, but at least we get a different writer for this storyline--Brian K. Vaughan, who's pretty darned good, and likely to turn out something better than the potted synopsis makes it sound. At any rate, "early retirement package" is such an incredibly vague turn of phrase that it could mean anything at all, so I wouldn't necessarily assume they're talking about money.

I've gotta say, though, that I didn't recognize Faith on that cover either. This is probably why comic-book characters normally wear distinctive costumes--it's hard to get a bunch of different artists to draw a character's face the same way, let alone when they're modeled on real people. At least Jo Chen can do a convincing Giles, which is almost unprecedented in Buffy comics history. :-)

[elisi]

at least we get a different writer for this storyline--Brian K. Vaughan, who's pretty darned good, and likely to turn out something better than the potted synopsis makes it sound.
That is true. *clings to straw*

I've gotta say, though, that I didn't recognize Faith on that cover either.
Thank you! I still can barely tell it's her. But then with Giles looking awesome, I don't much care. ;)

[(Anonymous)]

See, much as I don't get the comic love, this just confirms my opinion that Joss Whedon should be banned from getting involved with the buffyverse characters from now on. *shakes head* I don't think he knows them anymore...

Or he just wants to piss everyone off. Good job...

[hobbituk.livejournal.com]

Oh for goodness sake!! *points up* That was me. Stupid LJ and it's logging out without asking you thing...

[tessarin.livejournal.com]

God that prospective storyline sucks. I had intended to stick around for the end of the Faith arc thinking it would continue her redemption arc and adapting to a world of possibilties both personally, slaying and romantic rather than writing her out effectively according to this blurb.

And early retirement for the slayer who loves slaying please sell me another one. Does Joss even know who his characters are any more. The first arc was pretty poor.

The Eliza doolittle portion with Giles doesn't upset me as it could be fun.

As for the cover well Giles is great, Faith is really awful. I only knew it was Faith due to hair colour and pre knowledge. Really bad likeness.

[elisi]

according to this blurb.
Of course that is what it all hinges on - how much of it is true? And I can't see Joss writing her out like that... Still it just sounds annoying. Grr.

The Eliza doolittle portion with Giles doesn't upset me as it could be fun.
It is something that has the potential to be *brilliant* - if it was on screen. In a comic I fear it'll be somewhat flat... Oh who cares anyway? ::is fed up with S8::

As for the cover well Giles is great, Faith is really awful.
Amen. I can tell that it is Faith - just - because I know it's her. Still looks like an OC to me...

[kitmarlowescot2.livejournal.com]

Maybe we will get lesbian captured sex with Faith and Lady Genevieve Savidge.

[elisi]

That is by far the best idea I've heard so far! :)

[lusciousxander.livejournal.com]

I honestly think it's interesting, we'll wait and see. :)

[elisi]

Good for you! I *wish* I could be positive... mostly though right now I'm going 'Doctor Who SHINY'! :) Once the Faith arc is done I'll catch up I think.