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

[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."

[mikeygs.livejournal.com]

You do realize that is entirely fanwank, don't you?

[aycheb.livejournal.com]

Yes, as is any comment on an arc that isn't due to start until September. But at least it's fanwank that's read the available text. Offering a retirement *package* is very different from offering retirement, it's only the latter which implies that Giles has final say over whether Faith does Slayer work or not.

[mikeygs.livejournal.com]

And the point is conceded as a (possible) misread.

However the resultant paragraph is nothing but speculation to support said theory, which may or may not be an accurate interpretation. And yes, I'm aware that mine is not any more than that, either. Of course it is impossible to argue points yet to made, which is why I don't see the point in it.

[elisi]

Offering a retirement *package* is very different from offering retirement, it's only the latter which implies that Giles has final say over whether Faith does Slayer work or not.
Well this is what it said:

Faith has accepted Giles’s offer of an early retirement package for this gig

We do not know what that package entails... what worries me is Faith's acceptance.

Of course it is all hopelessly vague, so all we can do is speculate. And I'm tired of that.

[stormwreath.livejournal.com]

Which parts of what I said do you disagree with, exactly? Which parts do you think are unsupported by any evidence?

[mikeygs.livejournal.com]

I think perhaps that came off as more sharply than intended.

Anyway, I'm not saying it's not a possibility, but what evidence is there of Slayers doing work in the field of world saving wouldn't be compensated for it? The Slayers in the squads would of course be given housing, clothing and an allowance, but I don't really think Giles and company (certainly not Buffy, but it's unclear just how much of a role she plays in that area) wouldn't pay now that they control the purse. Everything else is based on that, which may or may not be the storyline. Since we don't *know* much and things are almost always misleading in teasers/previews, to argue is only shadowboxing, right?

[elisi]

I like to think that Faith has changed just a *tad* since 'Five by Five'...

Also who says she has to be a 'loyal little worker'? The Slayers are in *charge* now, isn't that the point? I sincerely doubt Buffy is going to let Giles hold anyone hostage in that sense - if Faith wants solo missions, then I'm sure that could be done.

There is of course the matter of her criminal record, which is a far better motivator - 'cause I just can't see Faith becoming a hired killer. Again. Would she call Giles 'Daddy'?

[stormwreath.livejournal.com]

From the Dark Horse website's preview of #6:
The fugitive Slayer is given the assignment that could change her life... if Giles's specialized training doesn't make her want to end it first.
It seems the fact that she's still a fugitive will indeed be relevant.

As for the "Slayers being in charge", it's pretty clear from 'The Long Way Home' that Buffy is in charge of the Slayers. Sure, Faith might now have some insight herself into what that means, and sympathise with Buffy's position; doesn't mean she'll be happy taking orders the way Satsu, Leah and Rowena have to. Or that she'll necessarily be happy spending her entire life fighting and killing. Like you said, she's not the same person she was in 'Five By Five': she doesn't have a blatant deathwish any more, for starters.

I just can't see Faith becoming a hired killer. Again.
So if Giles told her that this English heiress was about to end the world unless stopped, and Faith was the best person to try and stop her - you think Faith would turn her back on him and say "I don't kill people any more"?

[elisi]

if Giles's specialized training doesn't make her want to end it first.
It's Pygmalion for the comic book generation!!!!

It seems the fact that she's still a fugitive will indeed be relevant.
That sounds good.

doesn't mean she'll be happy taking orders the way Satsu, Leah and Rowena have to.
Judging by the Buffy/Faith interaction in 'End of Days' I can't imagine Buffy giving Faith orders...

you think Faith would turn her back on him and say "I don't kill people any more"?
Of course not. It's the retirement thing that worries me.

[spikendru.livejournal.com]

Would she call Giles 'Daddy'?

Only if they were indulging in some kinky sex games that no one else knows about. After all, by her own statement, she has had experience with horny cheerleader and sexy nurse fantasies. And let's not forget the bullwhip! *g*

[speakr2customrs.livejournal.com]

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,

4) Spend ten minutes practising with a tennis racquet, win a couple of amateur tournaments to gain entry into the professional ranks, win the French Open, the American Open, and Wimbledon...

[elisi]

Ha! That's excellent! :)