Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Why A Third Slayer Wasn’t Called After "The Gift" – Screen Rant

Buffy the Vampire Slayer's titular character notably died twice in canon, affecting the Slayer line permanentlywhy wasn't a third Slayer called?

One of the often-discussed mysteries of Joss Whedon's cult classic TV show,Buffy the Vampire Slayer, is how the Slayer line works. For example, a point of contention for some fans is why, exactly, a third Slayer wasn't called after Buffy died in the season 5 finale, "The Gift". Though it might seem like a plot hole in some regards, that's actually not the case.

Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) was known for saving the world... a lot. The Chosen One, gifted with once in every generationpowers from a rich legacy that dates all the way back to the prehistoric era, Buffy's calling is to fight vampires, demons, and the forces of darkness. While the concept of the Slayer is meant to seem like a long-held mantle, the lifespan of a Slayer is notoriously short. Given they must put themselves in harm's way and often die saving the world, the torch is continually passed from young woman to young woman, with the next in line activating upon her predecessor's death. In season 1, Buffy dies for the first time at the hands of The Master, fulfilling a prophecy that she tried, initially, to avoid.

Related: Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Whedonverse Universal Slayer Theory Explained

Though Buffy is quickly resuscitated, even the temporary death was enough to call the next Slayer in line, Kendra Young (Bianca Lawson). Kendra was from Jamaica, and had a very different outlook to being a Slayer than Buffy. Although Buffy took her duties seriously, and was dedicated to her training, she was equally focused on living a relatively normal life, complete with school activities, friends, and even a vampire boyfriend, Angel (David Boreanaz). Kendra was militant in her training, absolutely dedicated to the cause in a way that placed nearly everything else on the back burner; even so, she met a quick death at the hands of the vampire Drusilla (Juliet Landau) in season 2.After Kendra's death, the Slayer line didn't just revert back to Buffya new Slayer was called. Due to this progression, Buffy's second death in season 5 makes more sense than one might think.

Faith Lehane (Eliza Dushku) made her first appearance in season 3, episode 3, "Faith, Hope, and Trick". Eventually known as the "dark" or "rogue" Slayer, she was incredibly different than both Buffy and Kendra, showcasing just how diverse the Slayer line is. Prior to season 7, it was largely unknown what constituted someone as worthy of being called as a Slayer. The Potential Slayers, or young women who were waiting in line to be called upon the current Slayer's death, all came from different walks of life, had very different personalities, and some of them almost seemed like they wouldn't be strong enough to carry out the duties, should they be next. Faith's rough and tumble attitude, enjoyment for fighting and killing, and reckless lifestyle choices made her an obvious foil for Buffy; the two had a complicated and violent rivalry, but eventually worked toward patching things up in season 7.

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Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Why A Third Slayer Wasn't Called After "The Gift" - Screen Rant

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero