27 Years Ago Today, Buffy Answered the Darkest Slayer Question With a Shocking Plot Twist

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As a fan, I always thought Season 3 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer was something special. It really delved into some seriously tough stuff for Buffy, making it one of the show’s most emotionally challenging seasons, but also one where I felt her character really grew. The show had never shied away from the difficulties of being the Slayer – we’d seen Buffy ‘die’ multiple times, even come back from heaven, and once she was seemingly in a mental hospital – though that turned out to be a dream, or maybe not! But through everything, even when things were incredibly hard, Buffy always tried to do the right thing and be the hero we needed. It wasn’t easy, but she always fought, and that’s what made her so inspiring.

In contrast, Buffy the Vampire Slayer introduced Faith Lehane as a dark reflection of Buffy herself. The Season 3 episode “Consequences” really explored this idea, asking what would happen if a Slayer turned evil. This followed an episode where Faith unintentionally killed someone – the Deputy Mayor, of all people. “Consequences” focuses on the fallout from that event, and introduces a surprising twist: Faith doesn’t just commit the act, she actually accepts and embraces it.

Faith Was A Perfect Dark Mirror To Buffy – And Had A Great Redemption Arc

In “Consequences,” Faith fully embraces her involvement in a murder, becoming increasingly detached and eventually aligning herself with the Mayor, who takes on a dark, father-figure role similar to Giles and Buffy. The episode highlights what Buffy might have become without the support of her friends – Faith, driven by fear, anger, and a desire for acceptance, descends into darkness. While it appears she’s choosing evil, she’s actually searching for someone to accept her for who she is and what she believes she needs.

This episode offers a compelling glimpse into a darker path for Buffy, showing how easily she could have joined forces with the Mayor and even nearly killed Xander. It highlights the precarious balance between good and evil for Slayers, as they’re individuals granted immense power and placed outside of normal rules and limitations.

Buffy’s journey often explores the idea that with great power comes great responsibility. Being the Slayer isn’t just about fighting monsters, it’s a moral weight – she constantly has to choose the right path. While Buffy feels a strong sense of duty, her counterpart, Faith, is driven by her own desires. Faith enjoys having power and will use it however she wants, regardless of the consequences, because it’s the only thing that makes her feel secure and in control.

This highlights Buffy’s incredible heroism and Faith’s deep sadness. Though Faith initially fought with the Mayor throughout Season 3, her return in Season 4 began her journey toward making amends. The body swap episode, “Who Are You?”, was a turning point, forcing Faith to confront her self-loathing and recognize how much she craved the love and support Buffy enjoyed. Further development, especially through Angel, solidified Faith as one of the most nuanced and compelling characters in the Buffy universe – a character who, under slightly different circumstances, could have easily been like Buffy.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is available to stream on Disney+.

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2026-02-16 22:15