DVD Caps
Quotes
Icons Faith, Hope & Trick 
Summary
This is our introduction to Faith, as the title suggests. It's actually our introduction to three new characters in the third season. THE Slayer (like it or not - Faith is the new 'Chosen One' - Buffy's still alive thanks to Xander). Scott Hope, Buffy's supposed 'new' boyfriend, and Mr. Trick - the hip, new, modern vampire, totally trendy and not really into 'the old ways'. Thankfully, despite it being an introduction to three characters, it's Faith that it centers on. Scott Hope is fairly well introduced but is a little one dimensional. Mr. Trick is on the outskirts, but never really 'delved' into. Mind you, being a vampire there's not too much to him. Although, his loyalty (or lack thereof) is surprising!
Faith captures your eye immediately in this episode. As the camera pans left to right, you want it to pan back to her. We're immediately intrigued. It's thanks to Cordelia's "Check the slut-O-rama and her disco Dave" that we get another glimpse. She owns the place! After a quip about KC and the Sunshine Band Buffy feels that Disco Dave "doesn't thrive on sunshine" and witnessing the mystery girl leaving with him, she pursues them both. An awkward moment with Scott (and annoyance for the audience who figure she's got to be dead by now because Buffy is talking to Scott for so long) prevents Buffy and company getting to the alley ASAP. 
However, we find the mystery girl has everything well and truly in hand. Slaying Mr. Disco with Buffy's Mr. Pointy, our mystery girl announces her name is Faith. Oz points out the obvious ("There's a new Slayer in town") and our heroes are left with mouths agape as Faith breezes past them seemingly overflowing with confidence. While handing the stake back to Buffy, much to Buffy's chagrin, she nicknames her 'B' (This is a wonderful introduction to the character and beautifully played by Eliza).
We learn from Faith that she likes sleeping naked under the stars (much to Xander's lusty delight), she's obviously from Boston and apparently, her Watcher is on retreat! Watcher-less and fancy free, Faith thought she'd come to Sunnydale and meet Buffy.
In the interim, Kakistos, a vampire so old his hands and feet are cloven, and his cohorts are in town to "kill the Slayer". Not Buffy though - Faith.
Story LineThe next day, Faith is given the grand tour of Sunnydale High. Although Buffy's friends (bar Cordelia) and Giles are completely won over by the 'zesty' Slayer, Buffy is not. In fact, she's jealous. She is far from impressed with her new nickname 'B'. Not to mention that Faith seems to be getting on better with her "Non boyfriend. . ." (Scott) than she is! It takes Willow to silently gesture to her friend to invite Faith back to her... (read more) |
BreakdownAs stated in the long version, several things are quite important in this episode. Establishing that Faith only says what she wants to say. She keeps her real motives and feelings to herself. For example, the reason she's in Sunnydale is because she needs Buffy's help. Lying (unlike Giles, I think telling fibs is something Faith does quite well) about her Watcher was a clever way to enlist Buffy to her cause. She's thought it out too! She knows about... (read more) |