Oh, you so do not want to get me started on the train wreck that was Undending.... *runs away from soap box at warp 9.5*
As for Vala, I agree with you all the way around. I also agree that Buffy has a lot of scars and that Faith is a lot more resilient than either of the two. However, Faith most assuredly has more than her fare share of scars and Issues (about as many as National Geographic, when it comes down to it), but she puts up a much better front and has learned to channel all of her angst and emotional baggage into the fight.
Faith's emotional scars are shown to best effect at the end of the season four episode "Who Are You?" Between the way she reacts to Riley's tenderness and the way she fights 'herself' (Buffy in her body) really gives away exactly how truly emotionally damaged Faith is. She's had help from Angel, who was really the only person who was ever truly there for her and never gave up on her, as well as whatever psychotherapy she would have received during her 3 year stay in prison and a lot of time to implement what she has learned. But that is about it. Faith is more resilient because she has had to be. She didn't have the Scoobies or a good watcher, after her first one was killed in front of her, nor did she have a loving family or any kind of love interest. In all, the only real support structure she's ever had for any length of time is her own inner strength. Is she strong and resilient? Absolutely! But she's also suffered every bit as much emotional trauma as Buffy has, but without Buffy's support structure.
Yeah, you can pretty much tell I think Faith has gotten a raw deal from the get go. :-p
All of that ranting said, I really did like the way you wrote Faith here. You showed her intelligence and the humor that lurks behind the Bad Girl attitude.
If you ever do get bored and want a challenge, try pairing Faith with Dr. J. or, better yet, Teal'c. They've all gone through their own hell and the two gentlemen are both wise enough to look beyond Faith's attitude and projected persona to see the damaged psyche beneath. Well, I should say pre season 7 Daniel...he seems to have lost all empathy after he descended and became Jack 2.5 (Jack's clone is 2.0).
ETA: I almost forgot! Yes please to more of your Paul in the Firefly 'verse! I love that story! Please pardon the exclamation point abuse here, but I do love that story!
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As for Vala, I agree with you all the way around. I also agree that Buffy has a lot of scars and that Faith is a lot more resilient than either of the two. However, Faith most assuredly has more than her fare share of scars and Issues (about as many as National Geographic, when it comes down to it), but she puts up a much better front and has learned to channel all of her angst and emotional baggage into the fight.
Faith's emotional scars are shown to best effect at the end of the season four episode "Who Are You?" Between the way she reacts to Riley's tenderness and the way she fights 'herself' (Buffy in her body) really gives away exactly how truly emotionally damaged Faith is. She's had help from Angel, who was really the only person who was ever truly there for her and never gave up on her, as well as whatever psychotherapy she would have received during her 3 year stay in prison and a lot of time to implement what she has learned. But that is about it. Faith is more resilient because she has had to be. She didn't have the Scoobies or a good watcher, after her first one was killed in front of her, nor did she have a loving family or any kind of love interest. In all, the only real support structure she's ever had for any length of time is her own inner strength. Is she strong and resilient? Absolutely! But she's also suffered every bit as much emotional trauma as Buffy has, but without Buffy's support structure.
Yeah, you can pretty much tell I think Faith has gotten a raw deal from the get go. :-p
All of that ranting said, I really did like the way you wrote Faith here. You showed her intelligence and the humor that lurks behind the Bad Girl attitude.
If you ever do get bored and want a challenge, try pairing Faith with Dr. J. or, better yet, Teal'c. They've all gone through their own hell and the two gentlemen are both wise enough to look beyond Faith's attitude and projected persona to see the damaged psyche beneath. Well, I should say pre season 7 Daniel...he seems to have lost all empathy after he descended and became Jack 2.5 (Jack's clone is 2.0).
ETA: I almost forgot! Yes please to more of your Paul in the Firefly 'verse! I love that story! Please pardon the exclamation point abuse here, but I do love that story!