Spoiler Slayer

Thoughts On 'Showtime'

Sadly, as expected, 'Showtime' wasn't as good as I would have hoped. The problem has nothing to do with the episode itself, the only fault is that it's a rehash of the events in 'Bring On The Night', with a slightly different outcome. Which means that instead of focusing on the events of the episode, I want to take some time to cover the main plot point covered in the episode, that of the Slayer and the Slayer lineage.

It's always pretty much been a given that the line of succession should lie through Faith at this point. Buffy has died at least once since her first death (and possibly twice), so if the power was still passing from her, then there should be at least one other Slayer in the mix at this point. But even the SIT's aren't clear about this, and perhaps Eve/First let slip a piece of info that would explain it's plans. Perhaps Faith, for one reason or another, is no longer the source of Slayer succession. The plan could very well be to run through all of the SIT's until none of them are left.

I know there's been a bit of discussion going on about what 'The First' meant when he told the Ubervamp not to kill 'her'. I'm nearly 100% certain that it's referring to Buffy, as the UberVamp already had one chance earlier to finish Buffy and didn't.

Obviously, one of the two 'Slayers' is crucial to The First's plans. Since spoilers have indicated that there will be an attempt on Faith's life over on Angel, it lends credence to the theory that Faith's death won't bring about another Slayer. Otherwise, all it would do is activate one of the SIT's in Sunnydale.

If 'The First' wants to kill all the SIT's and Faith, that would leave Buffy as the last and final Slayer. While the reason might not be clear at the moment, I think it will be revealed near the end of Sweeps.

But there are holes in that theory. If that is the case, then why did 'The First' want Spike to attack and kill Buffy in episode 8.

Before I get any more email on the above. I haven't gone back to see if 'The First' wanted Spike to kill or weaken Buffy as many have written. No matter what it's true intent was, I think it was a poor choice to either A) Trust that Spike wouldn't kill her or B) Draw her into a situation where her survival would be put at risk in any way. I also think that the Bringers are certainly not pulling their punches either. The point is that if Buffy is the key to The First's plan, it's being perhaps a bit too careless

Why, if 'The First' is neverending, is it speaking of getting tired and leaving the mortal coil? 'The First' obviously has power already, and the balance between good and evil will always remain, so wiping out the Slayers seems like a minor victory in the scheme of things.

The problem seems to be a lack of information at this point. If Buffy's resurrection is the reason 'The First' is acting now, then it needs her alive while all other SIT's and Faith are killed. Then again, it could be something entirely different. Perhaps the reason 'The First' is acting is not completely because of the Slayer, but with what she's done to Spike. The last time we saw 'The First', it was trying to gain control of Angel. Perhaps it's the same plan, it just needed another souled vampire to bring it to fruition. Spike did go to find a soul because of Buffy. But Beljoxa's Eye was somewhat specific that the problem is the mystical forces that surround the Slayer. But all the pieces from Season Three are still present at the moment, even more so once Faith arrives in town. Two Slayer and One Souled Vampire could be just what 'The First' needs to pull off it's plan. 'The First' obviously has in interest in Spike, if the only thing it needed to do was kill off the SIT's and Faith, then why has it been spending half of the season mucking around with Spike.

It's enough to make your head hurt, but that's also why it makes for such good television.