Revision as of 00:27, 14 January 2008 editHobson (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users747 edits Undid revision 184150693 by 68.122.122.227 (talk) Nope. No character of that name.← Previous edit | Latest revision as of 16:21, 10 December 2024 edit undoNisf (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users45,109 editsNo edit summary | ||
(590 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|Character from Buffy the Vampire Slayer}} | |||
{{Infobox Buffyverse Character | |||
{{pp-move|small=yes}} | |||
|Image=]<br>] as Faith | |||
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2011}} | |||
|Title=Faith | |||
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Faith (''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'')}} | |||
|First="]" | |||
{{Infobox character | |||
|Creator=] | |||
| name = Faith Lehane | |||
|Kind=] | |||
| series = ] | |||
|Affiliation=]<br>]<br>]<br>] | |||
| image = Faith Lehane.jpg | |||
|Powers=], ], and ]es<br>]<br>] dreams | |||
| |
| caption = ] as Faith | ||
| first = "]" (1998) | |||
| last = "]" (2018) | |||
| creator = ]<br>] | |||
| portrayer = ] | |||
| affiliation = ]<br />Scooby Gang<br />]<br />] | |||
| lbl21 = Classification | |||
| data21 = ] | |||
| lbl22 = Notable powers | |||
| data22 = ], speed, stamina, agility, and reflexes<br />Rapid healing<br />] | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Faith''' is a |
'''Faith Lehane''' is a fictional character created by ] for the television series '']''. Played by actress ], Faith was introduced in the ] of ''Buffy'' and was a focus of that season's overarching plot. She returned for shorter ]s on ''Buffy'' and its spin-off, '']''. The character's story is continued in the comic book series '']'', and she also appears in ] material such as other comic books and novels. Faith was set to receive her own spin-off television series after the final season of ''Buffy'', but Eliza Dushku declined the offer, and the series was never made. The character later co-stars in the 25-issue comic book ''Angel & Faith'' beginning in August 2011 under the banner of '']'', the story taking place mostly in London and the surrounding area.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.cbr.com/wc11-exclusive-gage-is-touched-by-angel-faith/|title=WC11 EXCLUSIVE: Gage is Touched by "Angel & Faith"|work=Comic Book Resources|date=April 1, 2011|access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref> Seven years after the character's creation, Whedon granted her the surname '''Lehane''' for a ] and subsequent material. The last issue of ''Season Eight'' was the first source officially confirmed to be canon that referred to Faith by her full name. | ||
Faith is a ]: a |
Faith is a ]: a girl endowed with supernatural abilities and destined to battle evil creatures such as ] and ]. Created as a ] to the ], ], she is a Slayer who comes from a damaged background and often makes the wrong decision. Initially an ally to the main characters, events take a toll on Faith's sanity and she slips into a villainous role. Later storylines show her feeling remorse for her past crimes, and with the benevolent vampire ] help she eventually rejoins the side of good in the hopes of achieving redemption. | ||
==Appearances== | ==Appearances== | ||
===Television=== | ===Television=== | ||
<!--NOTE: THIS IS NOT A BIOGRAPHY OF FAITH'S FICTIONAL LIFE - INFORMATION SHOULD BE WRITTEN FROM AN OUT-OF-UNIVERSE PERSPECTIVE AND EXCESSIVE DETAIL IS |
<!--NOTE: THIS IS NOT A BIOGRAPHY OF FAITH'S FICTIONAL LIFE - INFORMATION SHOULD BE WRITTEN FROM AN OUT-OF-UNIVERSE PERSPECTIVE AND EXCESSIVE DETAIL IS UNNECESSARY. THANK YOU.--> | ||
In ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' season |
In ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' season 3, Faith arrives in ],<ref name=FHT>{{cite episode|title=Faith, Hope & Trick|episode-link=Faith, Hope & Trick|series=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|series-link=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits=], ], ]|network=]|airdate= 1998-10-13|season=3|number=3}}</ref> having been activated as the Slayer by the death of ] (]) (who was activated by Buffy's temporary death in the first season) in the episode "]".<ref name=Becoming1>{{cite episode|title=Becoming, Part One|episode-link=Becoming, Part One|series=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|series-link=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits=]|network=]|airdate=1998-05-12|season=2|number=21}}</ref> Coming from a ] and ] background, Faith tries to fit in with Buffy (]) and her friends, but becomes increasingly isolated and bitter as the season progresses.<ref name=Revelations>{{cite episode|title=Revelations|episode-link=Revelations (Buffy episode)|series=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|series-link=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits=], ], ]|network=]|airdate= 1998-11-17|season=3|number=7}}</ref> A major turning point for the character occurs in the mid-season episode "]"; while trying to show Buffy the fun side of slaying, Faith accidentally kills ] (]), a human being whom she mistakes for a vampire.<ref name=BadGirls>{{cite episode|title=Bad Girls|episode-link=Bad Girls (Buffy episode)|series=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|series-link=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits=], ], ]|network=]|airdate= 1999-02-09|season=3|number=14}}</ref> Feeling more alienated than ever, she betrays the Scooby Gang and allies herself with the villainous ] (]),<ref name=Consequences>{{cite episode|title=Consequences|episode-link=Consequences (Buffy episode)|series=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|series-link=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits=], ], ]|network=]|airdate= 1999-02-16|season=3|number=15}}</ref> eventually forming a sincere father-daughter relationship with him. After Faith tries to murder Buffy's vampire lover ] (]) under the mayor's orders, the two Slayers finally battle it out in the season finale, a confrontation which leaves Faith alive but comatose.<ref name=Graduation1>{{cite episode|title=Graduation Day, Part One|episode-link=Graduation Day, Part One|series=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|series-link=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits=]|network=]|airdate= 1999-05-18|season=3|number=21}}</ref> | ||
Faith returns to ''Buffy'' for two episodes in the fourth season. Waking up from her coma, she seeks revenge on Buffy by ] using a mystical device called the Draconian Katra left to her by the now-deceased Mayor.<ref name=ThisYearsGirl>{{cite episode|title=This Year's Girl|episode-link=This Year's Girl (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|series=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|series-link=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits=], ], ]|network=]|airdate=2000-02-22|season=4|number=15}}</ref> As Buffy is taken into custody by the ] for crimes she did not commit, Faith discovers for the first time what it is like to be surrounded by loving friends and family, and Buffy starts to understand Faith despite being upset with her predicament. After feeling obliged to rescue a church full of people from vampires, Faith battles Buffy once again, expressing extreme self-hatred before being returned to her own body.<ref name=WhoAreYou>{{cite episode|title=Who Are You|episode-link=Who Are You (Buffy episode)|series=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|series-link=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits=]|network=]|airdate=2000-02-29|season=4|number=16}}</ref> The storyline is continued in the first season of spin-off series ''Angel'', as Faith escapes to Los Angeles and is hired by ] to assassinate Angel.<ref name=5x5>{{cite episode|title=Five by Five|episode-link=Five by Five (Angel episode)|series=Angel|series-link=Angel (1999 TV series)|credits=], ], ]|network=]|airdate=2000-04-25|season=1|number=18}}</ref> Instead, she plots an intricate plan to have Angel kill her, but Angel convinces her to face the consequences of her actions, bonds with her as a friend and ally due to their similarities, and helps her on the path to redemption. Faith hands herself over to the police and she is sentenced to prison, where Angel later visits her.<ref name=Sanctuary>{{cite episode|title=Sanctuary|episode-link=Sanctuary (Angel episode)|series=Angel|series-link=Angel (1999 TV series)|credits=], ], Michael Lange|network=]|airdate=2000-05-02|season=1|number=19}}</ref> | |||
In ''Angel'' season 4, Angel is reverted to the evil Angelus after having his soul removed.<ref name=Awakening>{{cite episode|title=Awakening|episode-link=Awakening (Angel episode)|series=Angel|series-link=Angel (1999 TV series)|credits=], ], ], ]|network=]|airdate=2003-01-29|season=4|number=10}}</ref> Faith is approached by her former ], ] (]), who informs her of Angelus's presence, sparking her to break out of prison and help them.<ref name=Salvage>{{cite episode|title=Salvage|episode-link=Salvage (Angel episode)|series=Angel|series-link=Angel (1999 TV series)|credits=], ], Jefferson Kibbee|network=]|airdate=2003-03-05|season=4|number=13}}</ref> Wanting to help Angel the way he helped her, Faith injects herself with a mystical drug and feeds herself to Angelus in order to incapacitate him so that their allies can work to restore his soul.<ref name=Release>{{cite episode|title=Release|episode-link=Release (Angel episode)|series=Angel|series-link=Angel (1999 TV series)|credits=], Sarah Fain, ], ]|network=]|airdate=2003-03-12|season=4|number=14}}</ref> She nearly dies from the drug, but during a psychic mind walk, Angel persuades her subconscious not to give up and that life is worth living.<ref name=Orpheus>{{cite episode|title=Orpheus|episode-link=Orpheus (Angel episode)|series=Angel|series-link=Angel (1999 TV series)|credits=], ], ]|network=]|airdate=2003-03-19|season=4|number=15}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
Afterwards, a recovered Faith travels back to Sunnydale, where she plays a significant role in the battle against the ] in the final season of ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer''. In these episodes, she reconciles with her fellow Slayer,<ref name=DirtyGirls>{{cite episode|title=Dirty Girls|episodelink=Dirty Girls|series=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|serieslink=Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series)|credits=], ], Michael Gershman|network=]|airdate=2003-04-15|season=7|number=18}}</ref> although their relationship is tested when the ] appoint Faith as their leader over Buffy.<ref name=EmptyPlaces>{{cite episode|title=Empty Places|episodelink=Empty Places|series=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|serieslink=Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series)|credits=], ], ]|network=]|airdate=2003-04-29|season=7|number=19}}</ref> This decision later proves disastrous when Faith's plan leads them into a trap, leaving several girls dead.<ref name=Touched>{{cite episode|title=Touched|episodelink=Touched (Buffy episode)|series=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|serieslink=Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series)|credits=], ], ]|network=]|airdate=2003-05-06|season=7|number=20}}</ref><ref name=EndofDays>{{cite episode|title=End of Days|episodelink=End of Days (Buffy episode)|series=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|serieslink=Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series)|credits=], ], ], ]|network=]|airdate=2003-05-13|season=21|number=19}}</ref> After a ] together,<ref name=Touched/> Faith begins a romantic relationship with school principal ] (]) when they both survive the battle in the series finale.<ref name=Chosen>{{cite episode|title=Chosen|episodelink=Chosen (Buffy episode)|series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| serieslink=Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series)|credits=]|network=]|airdate=2003-05-20|season=7|number=22}}</ref> Faith was set to receive ] following the end of ''Buffy'', which, according to Tim Minear, would have featured Faith "probably on a motorcycle, crossing the Earth, trying to find her place in the world." However, Eliza Dushku had other commitments so the series never materialized.<ref>], May/June 2003. (details archived online . The information from this interview is also reviwed , and )</ref> | |||
] | |||
Afterwards, a recovered Faith travels back to Sunnydale, where she plays a significant role in the battle against the ] in the final season of ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer''. In these episodes, she reconciles with Buffy,<ref name=DirtyGirls>{{cite episode |title=Dirty Girls|episode-link=Dirty Girls|series=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|series-link=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits=], ], ] |network=]|airdate=2003-04-15|season=7|number=18}}</ref> although their relationship is tested when the ] appoint Faith as their leader over Buffy.<ref name=EmptyPlaces>{{cite episode|title=Empty Places|episode-link=Empty Places|series=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|series-link=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits=], ], ]|network=]|airdate=2003-04-29|season=7|number=19}}</ref> This decision later proves disastrous when Faith's plan leads them into a trap, leaving several girls dead. She and the survivors are saved by Buffy, and the two finally make peace with one another.<ref name=Touched>{{cite episode|title=Touched|episode-link=Touched (Buffy episode)|series=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|series-link=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits=], ], ]|network=]|airdate=2003-05-06|season=7|number=20}}</ref><ref name=EndofDays>{{cite episode|title=End of Days|episode-link=End of Days (Buffy episode)|series=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|series-link=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits=], ], ], ]|network=]|airdate=2003-05-13|season=21|number=19}}</ref> After a ] with school principal ] (]),<ref name=Touched/> the two begin a romantic relationship when they both survive the battle in the series finale.<ref name=Chosen>{{cite episode|title=Chosen|episode-link=Chosen (Buffy episode)|series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| series-link=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits=]|network=]|airdate=2003-05-20|season=7|number=22}}</ref> Faith was set to receive ] following the end of ''Buffy'', which, according to Tim Minear, would have featured Faith "probably on a motorcycle, crossing the Earth, trying to find her place in the world." However, Eliza Dushku chose to take other offers for her post-''Buffy'' career.<ref>], May/June 2003. http://spoiledrotten.tvheaven.com/buffy.html.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/news/buffy/2003/04/14/3812.shtml |title=Buffy – Kung Fu Faith (Spoiler) – Buffy news story |publisher=BBC |access-date=March 20, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Caroline van Oosten de Boer, Milo Vermeulen |url=http://whedonesque.com/comments/1131 |title=Tim Minear and Eliza Duskhu on the aborted Faith spinoff – BtVS |publisher=Whedonesque.com |date=April 14, 2003 |access-date=March 20, 2011}}</ref> | |||
===Literature=== | ===Literature=== | ||
Faith |
Faith made appearances in various ''Buffy'' and ''Angel'' ] and ]. In the ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' comic book story "]", an imprisoned Faith reveals to Angel her memories of being in a coma between ''Buffy'' seasons three and four; she shared a psychic link with the Mayor's spirit and could see him attacking people through his eyes.<ref name=Haunted>{{cite book|last=Espenson|first=Jane|author-link=Jane Espenson |author2=Julio Ferreira |author2-link=Julio Ferreira |author3=Jeromy Cox |author3-link=Jeromy Cox |title=Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Haunted|publisher=Titan Books Ltd|year=2002|location=London|isbn=978-1-84023-515-9}}</ref> "]" sees Faith being temporarily released from jail into Angel's custody, in order to help Buffy defeat the demonic fascists, the Scourge.<ref name=Note>{{cite book|last=Lobdell|first=Scott|author-link=Scott Lobdell|title=Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Note from the Underground|publisher=Dark Horse Comics|year=2003|location=]|isbn=978-1-56971-888-9|url=https://archive.org/details/buffyvampireslay00scot_0}}</ref> ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Faith Trials, Vol. 1'' is a ] of ''Buffy'' season 3 episodes which center around Faith, including "]", "]", and "]". These episodes focus specifically on Faith's arrival in Sunnydale, and her subsequent turn to the dark side following the death of the Deputy Mayor.<ref name=Trials>{{cite book|last=Laurence|first=James|author-link=James Laurence|title=Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Faith Trials, Vol. 1|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2001|location=New York|isbn=978-0-7434-0044-2|url=https://archive.org/details/faithtrialsnovel00laur}}</ref> Faith appeared prominently in her own 2006 novel '']'' by Robert Joseph Levy, which elaborates on Faith's back-story in ] and how she came to be the Slayer. Written in ] format, it fleshes out many areas of Faith's past which were only alluded to in the show, such as her alcoholic mother's abuse, her previous relationships, and her first Watcher's gruesome death at the hands of the vampire ].<ref name=Malice>{{cite book|last=Levy|first=Robert Jospeph|author-link=Robert Joseph Levy|title=Go Ask Malice: A Slayer's Diary|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2006|location=London|isbn=978-1-4165-2635-3}}</ref> Author Robert Joseph Levy describes writing the book, "I wanted to explore the choices she made and the choices that were taken away from her, and how they affected her mental state and her development from Potential to Chosen before she arrived."<ref name=LevyInterview>{{cite journal|last=DiLullo|first=Tara|author-link=Tara DiLullo|date=August 2006|title=A Town Called Malice|journal=]|issue=87|pages=12–13}}</ref> Expanded Universe material such as this is not usually considered ] unless otherwise stated.<ref name=Canon1>{{cite news|author=Devin Faraci|url=http://www.chud.com/index.php?type=interviews&id=4434|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211153424/http://www.chud.com/index.php?type=interviews&id=4434|archive-date=February 11, 2007|title=EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: JOSS WHEDON – PART 2|publisher=Chud|date=September 22, 2005|access-date=November 28, 2007}}</ref><ref name=Canon2>{{cite news|author=Ileane Rudolph|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/buffy-vampire-slayer-35722/|title=''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' Is Back: The Complete Joss Whedon Q&A|publisher=TV Guide|date=December 7, 2001|access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref> | ||
Faith is featured in the ongoing comic book, '']'', which serves as a canonical continuation of the television series. |
Faith is featured in the ongoing comic book, '']'' (2007–11), which serves as a canonical continuation of the television series. In the storyline "]", Faith goes undercover on a mission from Giles to assassinate rogue Slayer Genevieve "Gigi" Savidge,<ref name="BS8#6">{{Cite comic|writer=]|penciller=]|inker=]|story=]|title=]|issue=6|date=September, 2007|publisher=]}}</ref> who plans to usurp Buffy's position as leader to the Slayers.<ref name="BS8#7">{{Cite comic|writer=]|penciller=]|inker=]|story=]|title=]|issue=7|date=October, 2007|publisher=]}}</ref> Instead, Faith forms an unexpected connection with Gigi and finds herself torn between her new friend and her old enemy.<ref name="BS8#8">{{Cite comic|writer=]|penciller=]|inker=]|story=]|title=]|issue=8|date=November, 2007|publisher=]}}</ref> When Gigi discovers her true identity, Faith unintentionally kills her in battle, and the arc ends with Faith finding a new purpose alongside Giles, helping slayers so they won't go down the path she and Gigi did.<ref name="BS8#9">{{Cite comic|writer=]|penciller=]|inker=]|story=]|title=]|issue=9|date=December, 2007|publisher=]}}</ref> Faith and Giles later reappear over a year later in "]", which recounts one of their missions in Germany.<ref name="BS8#24">{{Cite comic|writer=]|penciller=Cliff Richards|inker=]|story=]|title=]|issue=24|date=April, 2009|publisher=]}}</ref> Faith reconvenes with Buffy to face the threats of the villain Twilight in "]",<ref name="BS8#26">{{Cite comic|writer=]|penciller=]|inker=]|story=]|title=]|issue=26|date=July, 2009|publisher=]}}</ref> and is captured alongside Giles and Andrew by Twilight.<ref name="BS8#31">{{Cite comic|writer=]|penciller=]|inker=]|story=Turbulence|title=]|issue=26|date=January, 2010|publisher=]}}</ref> As such, she is witness to the reveal that Twilight is in fact Angel in "Twilight, Part II".<ref name="BS8#33">{{Cite comic|writer=]|penciller=Cliff Richards|inker=]|story=]|title=]|issue=33|date=March, 2009|publisher=]}}</ref> In the final story arc, "]", Faith battles in the ruins of Sunnydale alongside other Scooby Gang members and Slayers. Underground however, Angel—possessed by the Twilight entity—snaps Giles' neck in order to prevent the destruction of its power source; a grief-stricken Buffy destroys it however, Angel is freed from Twilight's possession, and magic is mostly cut off from the universe.<ref name="BS8#39">{{Cite comic|writer=], Joss Whedon|penciller=Georges Jeanty|inker=]|story=]|title=]|issue=39|date=December, 2010|publisher=]}}</ref> In the final issue, set some time later, per Giles' ], all of his worldly assets, save a book, have been left to Faith. In Faith's care is a distraught Angel, whom she intends to rehabilitate.<ref name="BS8#40">{{Cite comic|writer=Joss Whedon|penciller=Georges Jeanty|inker=]|story=]|title=]|issue=40|date=January, 2011|publisher=]}}</ref> | ||
<!--PLEASE DO NOT ADD EXCESSIVE DETAIL TO THIS SECTION EVERY TIME A NEW ISSUE COMES OUT. THANK YOU--> | |||
Following ''Season Eight'', Faith received her own title in '']'' (2011–2013), a companion series to ''Season Nine''. The story depicts Angel and Faith, as residents in Giles' London home, attending to his unfinished business and fighting the forces of evil in London while Angel covertly pursues a plan to resurrect Giles. Faith takes on the role of mentor to a group of Slayers, but those relationships are strained by her friendship with Angel. Ultimately, the group are successful in resurrecting Giles (albeit as a young boy), as well as averting the apocalypse. The story ends with Faith deciding to take some time alone to find herself. She is next seen in '']'' (2014–2016), when she brings Giles to reconnect with Buffy, and is hurt when Giles coldly tells her that his first priority is Buffy. In the accompanying second volume of ''Angel & Faith'', Faith initially finds a home for herself in ]'s Slayer ] firm, and while working with them, is troubled by her mission to rescue ], whom she slept with while posing as Buffy some years ago. Ultimately, she returns to London to fight alongside Angel against the ancient demon Archaeus, who had been terrorising London. | |||
==Concept and creation== | ==Concept and creation== | ||
{{Quote_box|width=30%|align=right|quote=" |
{{Quote_box|width=30%|align=right|quote="I know Faith's not going to be on the cover of ''Sanity Fair'', but... she had it rough. Different circumstances, that could be me."|source=—Buffy empathizes with Faith in "]", echoing the intended parallels between the two Slayers.}}The initial concept for Faith's character was "the road not taken", a Slayer who makes the wrong choices in life.<ref name=S3Overview>{{cite video|people=], ], ], ]|title="Season 3 Overview" ('']'' ] DVD Special Features)|medium=DVD (Region 2)|location=United States|publisher=20th Century Fox|date=2001}}</ref> She is intended to be a reflection of Buffy, and what Buffy could have become were it not for her support system of friends and family.<ref name=S3Overview/> The question the writers wanted to answer was, despite being made from the same "raw materials," how would upbringing and environment affect the type of people they would become later in life?<ref name=S3Overview/> Joss Whedon describes her as everything Buffy would never let herself become; although Buffy is tempted by Faith's approach to slaying, she ultimately decides not to make the same choices herself.<ref name=S3Overview/> Some fans argued that the show developed a lesbian ] between Faith and Buffy; ] states that Whedon says he didn't intend this, but admitted it was there after he had it pointed out to him, jokingly attributing this to his subconscious.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afterelton.com/blog/michaeljensen/live-chat-with-jane-espenson|title=Live Chat with Jane Espenson|last=Jensen|first=Michael|work=AfterElton.com|date=March 19, 2009|access-date=August 15, 2009}}</ref> | ||
With Faith, the writers explored the nature of |
With Faith, the writers explored the nature of power, and the boundaries and consequences of its use. They wanted to address the issue that, whether the creatures a Slayer kills are good or evil, she is still a professional killer.<ref name=S3Overview/> Co-executive producer ], and writer of Faith-centric episodes such as "]" and "]", says one of the things he loves about the character is that Faith is not wrong in describing herself and Buffy as killers. He goes on to discuss a Slayer's rights and responsibilities, and how Faith believes her contributions to society relieve her of any legal or moral responsibilities, a view which Buffy does not share.<ref name=S3Overview/> When writing Faith, Petrie looked to ]'s violent ] character ] for inspiration, claiming, "In a different, teen, punkier context, Faith is so much like Elektra."<ref name=MonsterBook>{{cite book|last=Golden|first=Christopher|author-link=Christopher Golden |author2=Stephen R. Bissette |author2-link=Stephen R. Bissette |author3=Thomas E. Sniegoski |author3-link=Thomas E. Sniegoski |title=Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Monster Book|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2000|location=New York|pages=VI|isbn=978-0-671-04259-2}}</ref> | ||
Known only as "Faith" during the television series; she was not given a surname until 2005, seven years after her first appearance. |
Known only as "Faith" during the television series; she was not given a surname until 2005, seven years after her first appearance. Joss Whedon was approached by Eden Studios to create surnames for Faith and Kendra to use in a ], and chose "Lehane" for Faith, because he wanted something "]".<ref>] announced in January 2005 that Faith's surname was "Lehane," and this would be used in all future products, starting with Eden Studios' ]. The name appears in Eden's books and is considered to be ]. Whedon explained at the time: | ||
: ''There was this role playing game or something. They said she hadda have a last name for her so I chose Lehane 'cause I wanted something ], just as you thought.'' — </ref> | : ''There was this role playing game or something. They said she hadda have a last name for her so I chose Lehane 'cause I wanted something ], just as you thought.'' — </ref> | ||
==Characterization== | ==Characterization== | ||
Actress Eliza Dushku describes Faith as the " |
Actress Eliza Dushku describes Faith as the "working class" Slayer, a reason she feels so many people identify with her.<ref name=S3Overview/> She was written as a sympathetic character; with Doug Petrie claiming "I connected with Faith early on. I love that character. She's totally tragic." According to Petrie, "The whole key to Faith is that she's in pain. If you took that away, she would be a monster. But she's so lonely and so desperate, and all of her toughness comes out of trying to cover that. That's what real monsters are made of. No one thinks they're really a monster."<ref name=MonsterBook368/> Petrie claims Faith's main motivation is to find a family and friends; she sees treacherous Watcher Gwendolyn Post as the mother she never had, the Scooby Gang as the friends she never had, and the Mayor as the father she never had. "So, she's always looking for a family and always coming up short and making these horrible choices, and it drove her insane" says Petrie. "Plus, I think she was missing a couple of screws to begin with. 'If you don't love me, you will fear me,' is kind of her ]. She's not a stable girl, but a fun one."<ref name=MonsterBook368/> Petrie describes the character's name as "wildly ironic", due to her cynical nature. According to Petrie, "She's the most faithless character we've got. She doesn't trust herself or anyone around her. We try to do that a lot with our monsters. It's much more fun if you look at it from their point of view."<ref name=MonsterBook368>{{cite book|last=Golden|first=Christopher|author-link=Christopher Golden |author2=Stephen R. Bissette |author2-link=Stephen R. Bissette |author3=Thomas E. Sniegoski |author3-link=Thomas E. Sniegoski |title=Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Monster Book|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2000|location=New York|pages=368–369|isbn=978-0-671-04259-2}}</ref> | ||
Writer Jane Espenson believes |
Writer Jane Espenson believes one of the reasons why Faith elicits sympathy from the audience is the father/daughter relationship between her and the mayor, comparing their affection for one another to that between vampires ] and ] in the earlier season. The writers wanted to make both Faith and the Mayor as human as possible by showing they need connection and love as much as the heroic characters. Eliza Dushku asserts that Faith's bond with the mayor stems from him being one of the few people in her life who does not put her down, which is something she has battled with her whole life; Dushku goes on to say Faith's misplaced trust in the Mayor "leads her into being crazier".<ref name=S3Overview/> | ||
In the ''Angel'' season |
In the ''Angel'' season 1 episode "]", Faith forms a bond with the vampire-with-a-soul Angel; executive producer David Greenwalt explains Angel can help her because he alone is able to understand the suffering she has been through and how to help her atone for her sins.<ref name=FeaturetteS1>{{cite video|people=]|title="Featurette: Season 1" ('']'' The Complete First Season DVD Special Features)|medium=DVD (Region 2)|location=United States|publisher=20th Century Fox|date=2001}}</ref> Faith is then able to return the favor in ''Angel''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s fourth season, when she is the only one determined to defeat Angel's soulless alter ego Angelus without killing him in the process. Actor David Boreanaz explains, "I think having a character like Faith come back at a pivotal point when she finds out Angelus is loose is really, for her character, a way of saying: 'I'm paying you back, Angel, for saving me, therefore, I'm gonna save you.'" The writers believed it would be an interesting dynamic to have former "bad girl" Faith play a heroic role against the show's now ], Angel.<ref name=S4Overview>{{cite video|people=], ]|title="Prophecies: Season 4 Overview" ('']'' The Complete Fourth Season DVD Special Features)|medium=DVD (Region 2)|location=United States|publisher=20th Century Fox|date=2004}}</ref> | ||
{{Quote_box|width=30%|align=left|quote=" |
{{Quote_box|width=30%|align=left|quote="Much as I love Buffy, I'm way happier writing flawed, damaged people who don't always make the right decisions. Faith is such a complex, beautiful character."|source=—] explains what attracted him to the character.<ref name=BKV>{{cite news|author=Matt Brady|url=http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=126514|title=TALKING FAITH & BUFFY WITH BRIAN K VAUGHAN|publisher=Newsarama|date=August 23, 2007|access-date=November 27, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107064400/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=126514|archive-date=January 7, 2010|df=mdy-all}}</ref>}} | ||
Faith was brought back for the final season of ''Buffy'', because, according to David Solomon, "she had been such a crucial character at a very specific junction in the series that there would be no way to tie it up without her." |
Faith was brought back for the final season of ''Buffy'', because, according to David Solomon, "she had been such a crucial character at a very specific junction in the series that there would be no way to tie it up without her." However, in season 7 the dynamic between the two Slayers has changed. As Rebecca Rand Kirshner explains, " is no longer such a complete opposite of Buffy. And there's sort of a subtler and more complicated dynamic between them". As Buffy struggles with her unwanted position of mentor to the Potential Slayers, the writers used Faith to create an outside conflict about Buffy's leadership abilities. Although Faith is questioning Buffy and her choices she is making, she is no longer an enemy to her either. In the episode "]", the Potentials lose trust in Buffy and appoint Faith as their leader instead, a decision that literally blows up in their faces. As Drew Goddard explains, "Faith is like the cool aunt that everyone loves, because the cool aunt doesn't have the responsibility of raising the children. She just gets to show up and have fun. The problem is, Faith is not ready to lead. She's damaged in her own way. She's just beginning to pull herself together. As much as she wants to be Buffy, she has to learn how to become Faith."<ref name=S7Overview>{{cite video|people=], ], ], ]|title="Season 7 Overview – Buffy: Full Circle" ('']'' ] DVD Special Features)|medium=DVD (Region 2)|location=United States|publisher=20th Century Fox|date=2004}}</ref> | ||
When writing ''Go Ask Malice'', author Robert Joseph Levy encountered a number of issues to negotiate in writing a back-story for Faith. |
When writing ''Go Ask Malice'', author Robert Joseph Levy encountered a number of issues to negotiate in writing a back-story for Faith. One of these was retaining the mystery of the character; Levy explains many aspects of Faith's background, such as her delinquency and promiscuity, are supposed to be assumed by the viewers of the show, and he didn't want to spell everything out by writing a "case study" of her. In order to do something non-traditional, Levy chose to tell the story in a diary format, watching many episodes of the television series to get a hold on the natural cadence of her voice. He reveals he looked to Faith herself in order to overcome his fear of writing such a popular character, "She's not hesitant and in a lot of ways, I took a lot of inspiration from the character itself in terms of creative process — to really go for it and be strong in my choices".<ref name=LevyInterview/> | ||
== |
==Appearances== | ||
{{reflist|2}} | |||
Faith has 105 canonical appearances in the Buffyverse. | |||
==See also== | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
== |
===Television=== | ||
Eliza Dushku guest starred as Faith in 26 episodes of television. | |||
{{wikiquote|Buffy the Vampire Slayer}} | |||
* {{imdb character|0004913|Faith}} | |||
* ] at , a '']'' ] | |||
{{-}} | |||
; '']'' | |||
{{Buffyversenav}} | |||
* '''Season 3''' (1998–99): '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'' | |||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lehane, Faith}} | |||
* '''Season 4''' (2000): '']'', '']'' | |||
* '''Season 7''' (2003): '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'' | |||
; '']'' | |||
* '''Season 1''' (2000): '']'', '']'' | |||
* '''Season 2''' (2000): '']'' | |||
* '''Season 4''' (2003): '']'', '']'', '']'' | |||
===Comics=== | |||
Faith has appeared in 79 canonical issues of comics. | |||
; ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' | |||
* '''Season 8''' (2007, 2009–11): ''No Future for You'', ''Safe'', ''Retreat'', ''Turbulence'', ''Twilight'', ''Last Gleaming'' | |||
* '''Season 9''' (2013): ''Willow: Wonderland, Part 4'' | |||
* '''Season 10''' (2014): ''New Rules, Parts 1-2'' | |||
* '''Season 11''' (2017): ''Ordinary People'', ''The Great Escape'', ''Crimes Against Nature'', ''Revelations'', ''One Girl in All the World'' | |||
* '''Season 12''' (2018): ''One Year Later'', ''Future Shock'', ''The Reckoning'', ''Finale'' | |||
; ''Angel & Faith'' | |||
*'''Season 9''' (2011–13): ''Live Through This'', ''In Perfect Harmony'', ''Daddy Issues'', ''Women of a Certain Age'', ''Family Reunion'', ''Death and Consequences'', ''Spike and Faith'', ''What You Want Not What You Need'' | |||
*'''Season 10''' (2014–16): ''Where the River Meets the Sea'', ''Lost and Found'', ''United'', ''Those Who Can't Teach, Teach Gym'', ''A Little More than Kin'', ''A Tale of Two Families'' | |||
; '''Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Boom - Universe)''' (2019–2022) | |||
* ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer #15 - #25'' | |||
* ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Faith'' | |||
* ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer 25th Anniversary Special'' | |||
; '''The Vampire Slayer''' | |||
*''The Vampire Slayer #2 #4 #5 #7 #8'' | |||
==See also== | |||
{{Portal|United States|Television}} | |||
*] | |||
{{Clear}} | |||
==References== | |||
{{Reflist|30em}} | |||
==External links== | |||
{{Wikiquote|Buffy the Vampire Slayer}} | |||
{{Clear}} | |||
{{Buffy the Vampire Slayer}} | |||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Faith (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)}} | |||
] | |||
] | ] | ||
] | ] | ||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | ] | ||
] | ] | ||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] |
Latest revision as of 16:21, 10 December 2024
Character from Buffy the Vampire SlayerFictional character
Faith Lehane | |
---|---|
Buffy the Vampire Slayer / Angel character | |
Eliza Dushku as Faith | |
First appearance | "Faith, Hope & Trick" (1998) |
Last appearance | "Finale" (2018) |
Created by | Joss Whedon David Greenwalt |
Portrayed by | Eliza Dushku |
In-universe information | |
Affiliation | Watchers' Council Scooby Gang Mayor Wilkins Wolfram & Hart |
Classification | Slayer |
Notable powers | Supernatural strength, speed, stamina, agility, and reflexes Rapid healing Prophetic dreams |
Faith Lehane is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Played by actress Eliza Dushku, Faith was introduced in the third season of Buffy and was a focus of that season's overarching plot. She returned for shorter story arcs on Buffy and its spin-off, Angel. The character's story is continued in the comic book series Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, and she also appears in apocryphal material such as other comic books and novels. Faith was set to receive her own spin-off television series after the final season of Buffy, but Eliza Dushku declined the offer, and the series was never made. The character later co-stars in the 25-issue comic book Angel & Faith beginning in August 2011 under the banner of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine, the story taking place mostly in London and the surrounding area. Seven years after the character's creation, Whedon granted her the surname Lehane for a role-playing game and subsequent material. The last issue of Season Eight was the first source officially confirmed to be canon that referred to Faith by her full name.
Faith is a Slayer: a girl endowed with supernatural abilities and destined to battle evil creatures such as vampires and demons. Created as a foil to the protagonist, Buffy Summers, she is a Slayer who comes from a damaged background and often makes the wrong decision. Initially an ally to the main characters, events take a toll on Faith's sanity and she slips into a villainous role. Later storylines show her feeling remorse for her past crimes, and with the benevolent vampire Angel's help she eventually rejoins the side of good in the hopes of achieving redemption.
Appearances
Television
In Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 3, Faith arrives in Sunnydale, having been activated as the Slayer by the death of Kendra (Bianca Lawson) (who was activated by Buffy's temporary death in the first season) in the episode "Becoming, Part One". Coming from a traumatic and abusive background, Faith tries to fit in with Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and her friends, but becomes increasingly isolated and bitter as the season progresses. A major turning point for the character occurs in the mid-season episode "Bad Girls"; while trying to show Buffy the fun side of slaying, Faith accidentally kills Deputy Mayor Allan Finch (Jack Plotnick), a human being whom she mistakes for a vampire. Feeling more alienated than ever, she betrays the Scooby Gang and allies herself with the villainous Mayor of Sunnydale (Harry Groener), eventually forming a sincere father-daughter relationship with him. After Faith tries to murder Buffy's vampire lover Angel (David Boreanaz) under the mayor's orders, the two Slayers finally battle it out in the season finale, a confrontation which leaves Faith alive but comatose.
Faith returns to Buffy for two episodes in the fourth season. Waking up from her coma, she seeks revenge on Buffy by switching their bodies using a mystical device called the Draconian Katra left to her by the now-deceased Mayor. As Buffy is taken into custody by the Watchers' Council for crimes she did not commit, Faith discovers for the first time what it is like to be surrounded by loving friends and family, and Buffy starts to understand Faith despite being upset with her predicament. After feeling obliged to rescue a church full of people from vampires, Faith battles Buffy once again, expressing extreme self-hatred before being returned to her own body. The storyline is continued in the first season of spin-off series Angel, as Faith escapes to Los Angeles and is hired by Wolfram & Hart to assassinate Angel. Instead, she plots an intricate plan to have Angel kill her, but Angel convinces her to face the consequences of her actions, bonds with her as a friend and ally due to their similarities, and helps her on the path to redemption. Faith hands herself over to the police and she is sentenced to prison, where Angel later visits her.
In Angel season 4, Angel is reverted to the evil Angelus after having his soul removed. Faith is approached by her former Watcher, Wesley Wyndam-Pryce (Alexis Denisof), who informs her of Angelus's presence, sparking her to break out of prison and help them. Wanting to help Angel the way he helped her, Faith injects herself with a mystical drug and feeds herself to Angelus in order to incapacitate him so that their allies can work to restore his soul. She nearly dies from the drug, but during a psychic mind walk, Angel persuades her subconscious not to give up and that life is worth living.
Afterwards, a recovered Faith travels back to Sunnydale, where she plays a significant role in the battle against the First Evil in the final season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In these episodes, she reconciles with Buffy, although their relationship is tested when the Potential Slayers appoint Faith as their leader over Buffy. This decision later proves disastrous when Faith's plan leads them into a trap, leaving several girls dead. She and the survivors are saved by Buffy, and the two finally make peace with one another. After a one-night stand with school principal Robin Wood (D.B. Woodside), the two begin a romantic relationship when they both survive the battle in the series finale. Faith was set to receive her own spin-off following the end of Buffy, which, according to Tim Minear, would have featured Faith "probably on a motorcycle, crossing the Earth, trying to find her place in the world." However, Eliza Dushku chose to take other offers for her post-Buffy career.
Literature
Faith made appearances in various Buffy and Angel comic books and novels. In the Buffy the Vampire Slayer comic book story "Haunted", an imprisoned Faith reveals to Angel her memories of being in a coma between Buffy seasons three and four; she shared a psychic link with the Mayor's spirit and could see him attacking people through his eyes. "Note from the Underground" sees Faith being temporarily released from jail into Angel's custody, in order to help Buffy defeat the demonic fascists, the Scourge. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Faith Trials, Vol. 1 is a novelization of Buffy season 3 episodes which center around Faith, including "Faith, Hope & Trick", "Bad Girls", and "Consequences". These episodes focus specifically on Faith's arrival in Sunnydale, and her subsequent turn to the dark side following the death of the Deputy Mayor. Faith appeared prominently in her own 2006 novel Go Ask Malice: A Slayer's Diary by Robert Joseph Levy, which elaborates on Faith's back-story in South Boston and how she came to be the Slayer. Written in diary format, it fleshes out many areas of Faith's past which were only alluded to in the show, such as her alcoholic mother's abuse, her previous relationships, and her first Watcher's gruesome death at the hands of the vampire Kakistos. Author Robert Joseph Levy describes writing the book, "I wanted to explore the choices she made and the choices that were taken away from her, and how they affected her mental state and her development from Potential to Chosen before she arrived." Expanded Universe material such as this is not usually considered canonical unless otherwise stated.
Faith is featured in the ongoing comic book, Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight (2007–11), which serves as a canonical continuation of the television series. In the storyline "No Future For You", Faith goes undercover on a mission from Giles to assassinate rogue Slayer Genevieve "Gigi" Savidge, who plans to usurp Buffy's position as leader to the Slayers. Instead, Faith forms an unexpected connection with Gigi and finds herself torn between her new friend and her old enemy. When Gigi discovers her true identity, Faith unintentionally kills her in battle, and the arc ends with Faith finding a new purpose alongside Giles, helping slayers so they won't go down the path she and Gigi did. Faith and Giles later reappear over a year later in "Safe", which recounts one of their missions in Germany. Faith reconvenes with Buffy to face the threats of the villain Twilight in "Retreat", and is captured alongside Giles and Andrew by Twilight. As such, she is witness to the reveal that Twilight is in fact Angel in "Twilight, Part II". In the final story arc, "Last Gleaming", Faith battles in the ruins of Sunnydale alongside other Scooby Gang members and Slayers. Underground however, Angel—possessed by the Twilight entity—snaps Giles' neck in order to prevent the destruction of its power source; a grief-stricken Buffy destroys it however, Angel is freed from Twilight's possession, and magic is mostly cut off from the universe. In the final issue, set some time later, per Giles' will, all of his worldly assets, save a book, have been left to Faith. In Faith's care is a distraught Angel, whom she intends to rehabilitate.
Following Season Eight, Faith received her own title in Angel & Faith (2011–2013), a companion series to Season Nine. The story depicts Angel and Faith, as residents in Giles' London home, attending to his unfinished business and fighting the forces of evil in London while Angel covertly pursues a plan to resurrect Giles. Faith takes on the role of mentor to a group of Slayers, but those relationships are strained by her friendship with Angel. Ultimately, the group are successful in resurrecting Giles (albeit as a young boy), as well as averting the apocalypse. The story ends with Faith deciding to take some time alone to find herself. She is next seen in Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten (2014–2016), when she brings Giles to reconnect with Buffy, and is hurt when Giles coldly tells her that his first priority is Buffy. In the accompanying second volume of Angel & Faith, Faith initially finds a home for herself in Kennedy's Slayer private security firm, and while working with them, is troubled by her mission to rescue Riley Finn, whom she slept with while posing as Buffy some years ago. Ultimately, she returns to London to fight alongside Angel against the ancient demon Archaeus, who had been terrorising London.
Concept and creation
—Buffy empathizes with Faith in "Doppelgangland", echoing the intended parallels between the two Slayers."I know Faith's not going to be on the cover of Sanity Fair, but... she had it rough. Different circumstances, that could be me."
The initial concept for Faith's character was "the road not taken", a Slayer who makes the wrong choices in life. She is intended to be a reflection of Buffy, and what Buffy could have become were it not for her support system of friends and family. The question the writers wanted to answer was, despite being made from the same "raw materials," how would upbringing and environment affect the type of people they would become later in life? Joss Whedon describes her as everything Buffy would never let herself become; although Buffy is tempted by Faith's approach to slaying, she ultimately decides not to make the same choices herself. Some fans argued that the show developed a lesbian subtext between Faith and Buffy; Jane Espenson states that Whedon says he didn't intend this, but admitted it was there after he had it pointed out to him, jokingly attributing this to his subconscious.
With Faith, the writers explored the nature of power, and the boundaries and consequences of its use. They wanted to address the issue that, whether the creatures a Slayer kills are good or evil, she is still a professional killer. Co-executive producer Doug Petrie, and writer of Faith-centric episodes such as "Revelations" and "Bad Girls", says one of the things he loves about the character is that Faith is not wrong in describing herself and Buffy as killers. He goes on to discuss a Slayer's rights and responsibilities, and how Faith believes her contributions to society relieve her of any legal or moral responsibilities, a view which Buffy does not share. When writing Faith, Petrie looked to Frank Miller's violent Marvel Comics character Elektra Natchios for inspiration, claiming, "In a different, teen, punkier context, Faith is so much like Elektra."
Known only as "Faith" during the television series; she was not given a surname until 2005, seven years after her first appearance. Joss Whedon was approached by Eden Studios to create surnames for Faith and Kendra to use in a Buffy the Vampire Slayer role-playing game, and chose "Lehane" for Faith, because he wanted something "southie".
Characterization
Actress Eliza Dushku describes Faith as the "working class" Slayer, a reason she feels so many people identify with her. She was written as a sympathetic character; with Doug Petrie claiming "I connected with Faith early on. I love that character. She's totally tragic." According to Petrie, "The whole key to Faith is that she's in pain. If you took that away, she would be a monster. But she's so lonely and so desperate, and all of her toughness comes out of trying to cover that. That's what real monsters are made of. No one thinks they're really a monster." Petrie claims Faith's main motivation is to find a family and friends; she sees treacherous Watcher Gwendolyn Post as the mother she never had, the Scooby Gang as the friends she never had, and the Mayor as the father she never had. "So, she's always looking for a family and always coming up short and making these horrible choices, and it drove her insane" says Petrie. "Plus, I think she was missing a couple of screws to begin with. 'If you don't love me, you will fear me,' is kind of her m.o. She's not a stable girl, but a fun one." Petrie describes the character's name as "wildly ironic", due to her cynical nature. According to Petrie, "She's the most faithless character we've got. She doesn't trust herself or anyone around her. We try to do that a lot with our monsters. It's much more fun if you look at it from their point of view."
Writer Jane Espenson believes one of the reasons why Faith elicits sympathy from the audience is the father/daughter relationship between her and the mayor, comparing their affection for one another to that between vampires Spike and Drusilla in the earlier season. The writers wanted to make both Faith and the Mayor as human as possible by showing they need connection and love as much as the heroic characters. Eliza Dushku asserts that Faith's bond with the mayor stems from him being one of the few people in her life who does not put her down, which is something she has battled with her whole life; Dushku goes on to say Faith's misplaced trust in the Mayor "leads her into being crazier".
In the Angel season 1 episode "Sanctuary", Faith forms a bond with the vampire-with-a-soul Angel; executive producer David Greenwalt explains Angel can help her because he alone is able to understand the suffering she has been through and how to help her atone for her sins. Faith is then able to return the favor in Angel's fourth season, when she is the only one determined to defeat Angel's soulless alter ego Angelus without killing him in the process. Actor David Boreanaz explains, "I think having a character like Faith come back at a pivotal point when she finds out Angelus is loose is really, for her character, a way of saying: 'I'm paying you back, Angel, for saving me, therefore, I'm gonna save you.'" The writers believed it would be an interesting dynamic to have former "bad girl" Faith play a heroic role against the show's now villainous protagonist, Angel.
—Brian K. Vaughan explains what attracted him to the character."Much as I love Buffy, I'm way happier writing flawed, damaged people who don't always make the right decisions. Faith is such a complex, beautiful character."
Faith was brought back for the final season of Buffy, because, according to David Solomon, "she had been such a crucial character at a very specific junction in the series that there would be no way to tie it up without her." However, in season 7 the dynamic between the two Slayers has changed. As Rebecca Rand Kirshner explains, " is no longer such a complete opposite of Buffy. And there's sort of a subtler and more complicated dynamic between them". As Buffy struggles with her unwanted position of mentor to the Potential Slayers, the writers used Faith to create an outside conflict about Buffy's leadership abilities. Although Faith is questioning Buffy and her choices she is making, she is no longer an enemy to her either. In the episode "Empty Places", the Potentials lose trust in Buffy and appoint Faith as their leader instead, a decision that literally blows up in their faces. As Drew Goddard explains, "Faith is like the cool aunt that everyone loves, because the cool aunt doesn't have the responsibility of raising the children. She just gets to show up and have fun. The problem is, Faith is not ready to lead. She's damaged in her own way. She's just beginning to pull herself together. As much as she wants to be Buffy, she has to learn how to become Faith."
When writing Go Ask Malice, author Robert Joseph Levy encountered a number of issues to negotiate in writing a back-story for Faith. One of these was retaining the mystery of the character; Levy explains many aspects of Faith's background, such as her delinquency and promiscuity, are supposed to be assumed by the viewers of the show, and he didn't want to spell everything out by writing a "case study" of her. In order to do something non-traditional, Levy chose to tell the story in a diary format, watching many episodes of the television series to get a hold on the natural cadence of her voice. He reveals he looked to Faith herself in order to overcome his fear of writing such a popular character, "She's not hesitant and in a lot of ways, I took a lot of inspiration from the character itself in terms of creative process — to really go for it and be strong in my choices".
Appearances
Faith has 105 canonical appearances in the Buffyverse.
Television
Eliza Dushku guest starred as Faith in 26 episodes of television.
- Season 3 (1998–99): Faith, Hope & Trick, Beauty and the Beasts, Homecoming, Revelations, Amends, The Zeppo, Bad Girls, Consequences, Doppelgängland, Enemies, Choices, Graduation Day, Part One, Graduation Day, Part Two
- Season 4 (2000): This Year's Girl, Who Are You?
- Season 7 (2003): Dirty Girls, Empty Places, Touched, End of Days, Chosen
- Season 1 (2000): Five by Five, Sanctuary
- Season 2 (2000): Judgment
- Season 4 (2003): Salvage, Release, Orpheus
Comics
Faith has appeared in 79 canonical issues of comics.
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- Season 8 (2007, 2009–11): No Future for You, Safe, Retreat, Turbulence, Twilight, Last Gleaming
- Season 9 (2013): Willow: Wonderland, Part 4
- Season 10 (2014): New Rules, Parts 1-2
- Season 11 (2017): Ordinary People, The Great Escape, Crimes Against Nature, Revelations, One Girl in All the World
- Season 12 (2018): One Year Later, Future Shock, The Reckoning, Finale
- Angel & Faith
- Season 9 (2011–13): Live Through This, In Perfect Harmony, Daddy Issues, Women of a Certain Age, Family Reunion, Death and Consequences, Spike and Faith, What You Want Not What You Need
- Season 10 (2014–16): Where the River Meets the Sea, Lost and Found, United, Those Who Can't Teach, Teach Gym, A Little More than Kin, A Tale of Two Families
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Boom - Universe) (2019–2022)
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer #15 - #25
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Faith
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer 25th Anniversary Special
- The Vampire Slayer
- The Vampire Slayer #2 #4 #5 #7 #8
See also
References
- "WC11 EXCLUSIVE: Gage is Touched by "Angel & Faith"". Comic Book Resources. April 1, 2011. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
- Joss Whedon, David Greenwalt, James A. Contner (October 13, 1998). "Faith, Hope & Trick". Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Season 3. Episode 3. The WB.
- Joss Whedon (May 12, 1998). "Becoming, Part One". Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Season 2. Episode 21. The WB.
- Joss Whedon, Douglas Petrie, James A. Contner (November 17, 1998). "Revelations". Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Season 3. Episode 7. The WB.
- Joss Whedon, Douglas Petrie, Michael Lange (February 9, 1999). "Bad Girls". Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Season 3. Episode 14. The WB.
- Joss Whedon, Marti Noxon, Michael Gershman (director) (February 16, 1999). "Consequences". Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Season 3. Episode 15. The WB.
- Joss Whedon (May 18, 1999). "Graduation Day, Part One". Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Season 3. Episode 21. The WB.
- Joss Whedon, Doug Petrie, Michael Gershman (director) (February 22, 2000). "This Year's Girl". Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Season 4. Episode 15. The WB.
- Joss Whedon (February 29, 2000). "Who Are You". Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Season 4. Episode 16. The WB.
- Joss Whedon, Jim Kouf, James A. Contner (April 25, 2000). "Five by Five". Angel. Season 1. Episode 18. The WB.
- Joss Whedon, Tim Minear, Michael Lange (May 2, 2000). "Sanctuary". Angel. Season 1. Episode 19. The WB.
- Joss Whedon, David Fury, Steven S. DeKnight, James A. Contner (January 29, 2003). "Awakening". Angel. Season 4. Episode 10. The WB.
- Joss Whedon, David Fury, Jefferson Kibbee (March 5, 2003). "Salvage". Angel. Season 4. Episode 13. The WB.
- Joss Whedon, Sarah Fain, Elizabeth Craft, Steven S. De Knight (March 12, 2003). "Release". Angel. Season 4. Episode 14. The WB.
- Joss Whedon, Mere Smith, Terrence O'Hara (March 19, 2003). "Orpheus". Angel. Season 4. Episode 15. The WB.
- Joss Whedon, Drew Goddard, Michael Gershman (April 15, 2003). "Dirty Girls". Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Season 7. Episode 18. UPN.
- Joss Whedon, Drew Z. Greenberg, James A. Contner (April 29, 2003). "Empty Places". Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Season 7. Episode 19. UPN.
- ^ Joss Whedon, Rebecca Rand Kirshner, David Solomon (May 6, 2003). "Touched". Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Season 7. Episode 20. UPN.
- Joss Whedon, Jane Espenson, Doug Petrie, Marita Grabiak (May 13, 2003). "End of Days". Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Season 21. Episode 19. UPN.
- Joss Whedon (May 20, 2003). "Chosen". Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Season 7. Episode 22. UPN.
- Femme Fatales, May/June 2003. http://spoiledrotten.tvheaven.com/buffy.html.
- "Buffy – Kung Fu Faith (Spoiler) – Buffy news story". BBC. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
- Caroline van Oosten de Boer, Milo Vermeulen (April 14, 2003). "Tim Minear and Eliza Duskhu on the aborted Faith spinoff – BtVS". Whedonesque.com. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
- Espenson, Jane; Julio Ferreira; Jeromy Cox (2002). Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Haunted. London: Titan Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1-84023-515-9.
- Lobdell, Scott (2003). Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Note from the Underground. Milwaukie, OR: Dark Horse Comics. ISBN 978-1-56971-888-9.
- Laurence, James (2001). Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Faith Trials, Vol. 1. New York: Pocket Books. ISBN 978-0-7434-0044-2.
- Levy, Robert Jospeph (2006). Go Ask Malice: A Slayer's Diary. London: Pocket Books. ISBN 978-1-4165-2635-3.
- ^ DiLullo, Tara (August 2006). "A Town Called Malice". Buffy the Vampire Slayer Magazine incorporating Angel Magazine (87): 12–13.
- Devin Faraci (September 22, 2005). "EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: JOSS WHEDON – PART 2". Chud. Archived from the original on February 11, 2007. Retrieved November 28, 2007.
- Ileane Rudolph (December 7, 2001). "Buffy the Vampire Slayer Is Back: The Complete Joss Whedon Q&A". TV Guide. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
- Brian K. Vaughan (w), Georges Jeanty (p), Andy Owen (i). "No Future For You" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, no. 6 (September, 2007). Dark Horse Comics.
- Brian K. Vaughan (w), Georges Jeanty (p), Andy Owen (i). "No Future For You" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, no. 7 (October, 2007). Dark Horse Comics.
- Brian K. Vaughan (w), Georges Jeanty (p), Andy Owen (i). "No Future For You" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, no. 8 (November, 2007). Dark Horse Comics.
- Brian K. Vaughan (w), Georges Jeanty (p), Andy Owen (i). "No Future For You" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, no. 9 (December, 2007). Dark Horse Comics.
- Jim Krueger (w), Cliff Richards (p), Andy Owen (i). "Predators and Prey, Part IV (Safe)" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, no. 24 (April, 2009). Dark Horse Comics.
- Jane Espenson (w), Georges Jeanty (p), Andy Owen (i). "Retreat, Part I" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, no. 26 (July, 2009). Dark Horse Comics.
- Joss Whedon (w), Georges Jeanty (p), Andy Owen (i). "Turbulence" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, no. 26 (January, 2010). Dark Horse Comics.
- Brad Meltzer (w), Cliff Richards (p), Andy Owen (i). "Twilight, Part II" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, no. 33 (March, 2009). Dark Horse Comics.
- Scott Allie, Joss Whedon (w), Georges Jeanty (p), Andy Owen (i). "Last Gleaming" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, no. 39 (December, 2010). Dark Horse Comics.
- Joss Whedon (w), Georges Jeanty (p), Andy Owen (i). "Last Gleaming" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, no. 40 (January, 2011). Dark Horse Comics.
- ^ Joss Whedon, Jane Espenson, Marti Noxon, Eliza Dushku (2001). "Season 3 Overview" (Buffy the Vampire Slayer The Complete Third Season DVD Special Features) (DVD (Region 2)). United States: 20th Century Fox.
- Jensen, Michael (March 19, 2009). "Live Chat with Jane Espenson". AfterElton.com. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
- Golden, Christopher; Stephen R. Bissette; Thomas E. Sniegoski (2000). Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Monster Book. New York: Pocket Books. pp. VI. ISBN 978-0-671-04259-2.
- Joss Whedon announced in January 2005 that Faith's surname was "Lehane," and this would be used in all future products, starting with Eden Studios' Buffy the Vampire Slayer role-playing game. The name appears in Eden's books and is considered to be canonical. Whedon explained at the time:
- There was this role playing game or something. They said she hadda have a last name for her so I chose Lehane 'cause I wanted something Southie, just as you thought. — Joss Whedon at whedonesque.com
- ^ Golden, Christopher; Stephen R. Bissette; Thomas E. Sniegoski (2000). Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Monster Book. New York: Pocket Books. pp. 368–369. ISBN 978-0-671-04259-2.
- David Greenwalt (2001). "Featurette: Season 1" (Angel The Complete First Season DVD Special Features) (DVD (Region 2)). United States: 20th Century Fox.
- David Boreanaz, David Fury (2004). "Prophecies: Season 4 Overview" (Angel The Complete Fourth Season DVD Special Features) (DVD (Region 2)). United States: 20th Century Fox.
- Matt Brady (August 23, 2007). "TALKING FAITH & BUFFY WITH BRIAN K VAUGHAN". Newsarama. Archived from the original on January 7, 2010. Retrieved November 27, 2007.
- Joss Whedon, Drew Goddard, David Solomon, Rebecca Rand Kirshner (2004). "Season 7 Overview – Buffy: Full Circle" (Buffy the Vampire Slayer The Complete Seventh Season DVD Special Features) (DVD (Region 2)). United States: 20th Century Fox.
External links
Buffyverse | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buffy the Vampire Slayer | |||||||||||
Angel | |||||||||||
Characters |
| ||||||||||
Universe | |||||||||||
Spin-offs | |||||||||||
Other media |
| ||||||||||
Buffy studies | |||||||||||
Fandom | |||||||||||
Related | |||||||||||
- Angel (1999 TV series) characters
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters
- American female characters in television
- Female characters in comics
- Fictional characters from Boston
- Fictional characters from the 20th century
- Fictional female assassins
- Fictional henchmen
- Fictional prison escapees
- Fictional victims of child abuse
- Slayers (Buffyverse)
- Television characters introduced in 1998