Feed the Summer of Giles Plot Bunny

[hobgoblinn]

As I was reluctantly waking up this morning, I got the flash of a question about the Buffyverse. Remember that stupid throw away line in Chosen, where Giles says he has to "dig up" his sources "quite literally; some of them are dead." What do we know about talking to the dead in the Jossverse? Would Willow, hearing that, follow Giles and confront him about not letting her say goodbye to Tara? Would he have a good reason why he didn't try to contact Tara? Or Jenny? Or Joyce?

I'm thinking something about taking the Oath as a Watcher means you're agreeing to be eternally "on call" and since so many books were destroyed, he won't have any choice but to consult some of the dead, even though it usually isn't done. And sometimes people joke about uncomfortable things, and his flippancy is the result of stress and not really wanting to disturb the dead. Particularly the dead he had personal history with.

Anyone want to speculate about this idea? Or provide canon information that will likely have escaped my notice?

And thanks to katekat1010 for the lovely selection of Giles icons; for some reason I had none. If anyone has other Giles icon sources, please let me know-- hers were the first I stumbled across. I'd like a Giles hugging Willow one, I think. You can go to my user pics to see what I have so far-- all the Giles ones are hers. Except kitten giles-- anyone know who made that? I need to credit it appropriately.

Comments

[firefly124.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking something about taking the Oath as a Watcher means you're agreeing to be eternally "on call" and since so many books were destroyed, he won't have any choice but to consult some of the dead, even though it usually isn't done.

Oooh, that's an excellent idea! No speculation just now, but if any pops into my head, I'll be back to comment with it.

[beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com]

Just one quick thought - we don't know who those sources are, or if they're even human. Just because Giles can talk to, for instance, the spirits in "The Zeppo" doesn't necessarily mean he can give Jenny or Joyce a ring. If it were that easy to talk to the dead, you'd think they would have tried to have a chat with Buffy before deciding she was in hell after "The Gift."

On the other hand, we have that bit in "Where the Wild Things Are" where Tara holds a seance to talk to the dead kids, and it seems to work. Mostly.

So... I guess it's down, once again, to what the plot needs this particular week. ;-)

[dragonydreams.livejournal.com]

I've made a lot of Giles icons over the years. You can find them all on this page at my site: http://www.dragonydreams.com/Icons_Giles.html

Wish I could help out on the talking to dead people front. I just rolled out of bed and haven't the capacity for deep thought yet.

[beatrice_otter]

Usually, ghosts are referred to as people who never passed on to heaven or hell--they're still around on Earth, often because of "unfinished business." So holding a seance to talk to them is one thing; trying to talk to someone in heaven or hell would be something totally different. If Watchers agree to be eternally "on call," does that consist of some kind of spell making them easily conjured even when in heaven or hell, or does it mean some kind of spell binding them to this world, like with Spike? If so, does that mean that they're denied the peace of heaven?

[stormwreath.livejournal.com]

The ghosts in 'Where the Wild Things Are' were specifically restless spirits, though; they hadn't been able to pass on to their eternal rest because of unfinished business here on Earth. Same with the ghosts in 'I Only Have Eyes For You', where Giles actually let himself believe that it was Jenny trying to talk to him.

Conculsion: Willow would only be able to speak with Tara if Tara were a tormented spirit unable to pass over to the other side. (Or a Boddhisatva). I can't believe she'd ever allow herself to even consider that possibility...

[ex-shitsu-to509.livejournal.com]

Hmmm I like the idea of Watchers being 'on call'. my take on it would be that Giles is nothing if not professional and so if he's contacting the dead it is for information, things that can be useful.

Contacting Joyce, or Tara or Jenny would be an indulgence and so he wouldn't do it. Also time is a factor, by 'Chosen' Jenny has been dead for a few years and Giles has moved on, so why would he want to hurt himself by bringing her back for a chat?

[hobgoblinn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'd like to see it if you find a link. Thanks.