Fans of the rogue slayer, Faith, were rewarded with a special treat by 20th Century Fox
Home Video January 2001: Buffy: The Slayer Chronicles. This three video set covers the
introduction of Faith as Buffy’s new slaying pal during the show’s third season.
What a brilliant concept for Executive Producer Joss Whedon to introduce. He shows
through Faith how fun, twisted, and powerful being a slayer can really be. Where Buffy is
cautious, Faith is reckless, where Buffy is conservative, Faith is a tramp. You get the
picture.
The three video set takes us through Faith’s friendship with Buffy as the “zesty new
slayer.” It chronicles their friendship, gradual estrangement and Faith’s betrayal.
Here’s what you have to look forward to:
“Bad Girls:” Buffy has fun walking on the wild side chasing demons and cute boys with
Faith. However, Buffy’s new “slaying with abandon” attitude lands her in trouble when
Faith accidentally kills the Mayor’s assistant. The question I always had in the back of
my mind since I started watching B:TVS was answered. “Do Slayers ever make mistakes?” I
mean it’s not always easy to tell the difference between a human and a vampire, especially
if the vamps aren’t vamped out (meaning bumpy forehead). Uh oh.
Buffy: It's the job, what else can we do?
Faith: Whatever we want. We're Slayers, girlfriend, the chosen two. Why should we let him
take all the fun out of it?
Buffy: That'd be tragic, taking the fun out of slaying, stabbing, beheading.
“Consequences:” Faith goes over the edge in this episode. Her perennial challenge of
feeling like the outsider, the girl from the wrong side of the tracks, reaches a crisis
point when she feels like she messed up once again. However, she hides her pain with
bravado and edges closer to evil attempting to frame Buffy for the murder.
Faith: Something made us different, we're warriors. We were built to kill.
Buffy: To kill demons. That does not mean we get to pass judgment on people like we're
better than everybody.
Faith: We are better. That's right- better. People need us to survive. In the balance,
nobody's gonna cry over some random bystander who got caught in the crossfire.
Buffy: I am.
“Enemies:” The Mayor and Faith scheme to obtain the Books of Ascension (what every
human/demon hybrid needs to become a fully actualized monster) and to turn Angel back to
the evil side. Buffy feels like the outsider knowing that Angel and Faith share a bond
with their struggle over their dark sides. Faith thinks she has things wired. Boy, is she
in for a surprise in this episode that has some of the best dialogue and pathos of the
series.
Faith: Do you think you're better than me? Do you? Say it. You think you're better than
me.
Buffy: I am. Always have been.
Faith: Maybe you didn't notice, Angel's with me.
Buffy: And how'd you get him Faith? Magic? You cast some sort of spell? Because in the
real world, Angel would never touch you and we both know it. You had to tie me up to beat
me. There's a word for people like you Faith- Loser!
“Earshot:” Buffy gets splashed with demon’s blood. Then Buffy develops a new ability to
read minds. This episode is worth it alone for the trip Buffy takes through Oz’s mind.
What does that cryptic, one-word-per hour man really think about? All I can say is, “hold
on.”
Willow: So you're feeling better about Angel?
Buffy: Well, we talked. And he ripped out the heart of a demon and fed it to me. And then
we talked some more.
Willow: See, that's how it should work.
“Graduation Day – Part 1 & Part 2:” The Mayor gets his wish to become that self-actualized
demon snake he always dreamed of. Buffy and the Scooby Gang rush against time to stop his
destruction of Sunnydale. Faith plays her part keeping Buffy distracted by going after
Angel forcing Buffy to give Angel the thing he probably always wanted. The two girls have
a show down which will have you singing the praises of stunt people everywhere.
Giles: Faith has you at a disadvantage, Buffy.
Buffy: Because I'm not crazy or because I don't kill people.
Giles: Both actually.
Buffy: I hear you.
On a scale of 1 to 5: *** stars!
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"The Slayer Chronicles"
