Buffy Question

[gayalondiel_bak]

In Buffx 1.02 "The Harvest" when Buffy goes to get her supplies (and gets grounded) she has a case full of vampire fighting stuff like crosses and holy water, stakes, and a big jar of communion wafers with no indication of whether they had been consecrated.

In Dracula, one of Van Helsing's key tools is using the Host to keep vampires from moving from place to place and of course burning Mina on the head. I was just wondering, is that a nice nod to Van Helsing or do we ever actually see Buffy use the Host against any vampires?

G xx

Comments

[gayalondiel.livejournal.com]

I think you're probably right on two points - firstly that the show is inconsistent and second that the holy objects all have their places. The need for Hosts is diminished in Buffy as apparently (apart from Dracula himself) the need to rest on the vampire's home soil is removed, and the Host is largely used for placing in places to act as a vampire repellent - a bit like garlic (also not really used, I think?) but more effective. Mina's burn is the only other use, so as vampires don't need to sleep somewhere particular it's not as useful.

Of course, it's not clear if the wafers are consecrated or are there just in case they need them. Having a big jar of reserved Host is probably the most useful for Buffy but my inner catholic is balking at the idea of it being carried around unceremoniously in a trunk for seven years. If they have a pet priest then they might be holding onto the wafers in case the circumstance arises where they need to block a vampire from somewhere in which event they would get him to say a quick Mass?

I don't think that thought is as coherent as I thought it was going to be.

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

Of course, it's not clear if the wafers are consecrated or are there just in case they need them

I suspect the writers didn't even consider the question, but in-universe, I think it could easily be either.

Either Buffy got hold of them pre-consecrated and is holding onto them until she needs them and will try to get them blessed, or until they find a priest. Or a priest once gave her some post-blessed wafers, and she's saving them until/in case she needs them.

I agree (even as an atheist) I don't like treating revered objects casually, but also, if there's a significant chance it might save someone's life, I think God would prefer that risk. I also think the important thing may be if Buffy values them: if she knows they're precious and need to be disposed of respectfully if necessary, then I think the ceremony comes second as long as she keeps them safe. Whereas if "thrown in a trunk" means she is cavalier with them, then I don't like it :)

[emperor]

Just after Willow finds her dead fish in s2 (Passion, perhaps?) she goes for a sleepover with Buffy. There's a shot of them in a garlic-festooned bed holding stakes. I don't think it sees much use otherwise, though.

[gayalondiel.livejournal.com]

Good point. And pleasing too; garlic is most significant in Dracula when it is used to protect Lucy Westenra in her sickbed.