See, the thing about Giles is that while he's a good guy, he can also be absolutely ruthless when the fate of the world is at stake. He killed the Bringer and Ben in cold blood. He was also willing to kill Dawn if that was what it took to save the world. Back in the Haloween costume episode, he not only beat the shit out of Ethan, he did so coldly and with purpose. Giles would prefer never to have to make the hard calls or do the dirty work. But someone's got to do it and he'd rather it was him than anyone else.
What could they possibly have gotten out of keeping the Bringer alive? Information? Would you trust anything that came out of its mouth? I wouldn't. The First's greatest weapon is its ability to manipulate people. Even if you had some way to ensure that it was telling the truth, sometimes that can be the most potent weapon of all, if it's slanted and edited well. You can't do anything about the phantoms the First sends except endure them and try not to listen. The Bringer, now--that you can kill. And he does.
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branchandroot
(no subject)
Date: 2008-07-06 03:09 am (UTC)What could they possibly have gotten out of keeping the Bringer alive? Information? Would you trust anything that came out of its mouth? I wouldn't. The First's greatest weapon is its ability to manipulate people. Even if you had some way to ensure that it was telling the truth, sometimes that can be the most potent weapon of all, if it's slanted and edited well. You can't do anything about the phantoms the First sends except endure them and try not to listen. The Bringer, now--that you can kill. And he does.