Which is in line with her whole "I'm giving you a choice" speech, and removes the possibility of completely unwilling draftees.

And that would make the ethical difference between that, and what the Shadow Men did. We just don't have anything textual to point to to know that was the case.

Personally, I'm certain that wasn't what Joss intended to set up in the text. I just think he didn't fully consider of the ramifications of what he chose to present, and was wrappingthe show up as best he could.

But I do think there were some unintended effects of the events of Chosen that have implications rather the opposite of what Joss wanted to say (unless it was a beautiful subtle jab at SMG, which I also wouldn't put past Joss...).

Personally, I'm certain that wasn't what Joss intended to set up in the text. I just think he didn't fully consider of the ramifications of what he chose to present, and was wrappingthe show up as best he could.

I think that problem only arises if you're looking for it, or if you look at slayers in our world, rather than in the Buffyverse. In Joss's Buffyverse, the power was never the burden for Buffy or slayers past. The burden was being the only one with the power, and being told the fate of the world so depends on you that you have to forsake family, friends, and most things having to do with a normal life.

Within that specific context (which was well established through the series), Buffy and Willow didn't burden those girls. They bestowed on them their birthright. They lifted the burden of being alone, of living just for the kill, in the action of death, the blood cry, the penetrating wound. Now they'll be recruited rather than drafted. Some will refuse. Some will--no doubt--misuse their powers, or be exploited for their powers. But that's a risk that was run with a single slayer as well. Now, when a slayer has finals, or has to get a job to support her little sister, or when her mother has a brain tumor, there's someone else to fill the gap.

They lifted the burden of being alone, of living just for the kill, in the action of death, the blood cry, the penetrating wound.

They lifted that burden on one girl. All the rest may never have had it.

They lifted that burden on one girl. All the rest may never have had it.

Whomever won the slayer crapshoot would have had it, though, and (as far as we were told) there was no way to know which one. And they lifted it for (as far as they know) future slayers.

In terms of messing with the little-many for the benefit of the large-many, a metric shitload of women that were going to have relatively simple lives just had their existences turned arse over teakettle, to save the sanity of three or four women (the ones who'd have been called during their prime).

As for the future -- dunno? Did they expend all now and forever slayer power and spread it? What happens when all these girls/women are dead? Are all potentials born slayers now?

The text doesn't tell us a thing.

The text doesn't tell us a thing.

No, it doesn't. And I think they can make something really grey and interesting out of it, if someday, Joss decides to continue the story of slayers. I wouldn't mind seeing it on Angel, even.

I just don't think in the Jossverse, empowering a girl (in and of itself) -- giving her strength, is seen as a "problem". There can be/will always be plenty of room for disaster (Faith), but the story is about empowerment.

a metric shitload of women that were going to have relatively simple lives just had their existences turned arse over teakettle

How ass over teakettle though? I mean, the text doesn't tell us that, either. The text told us Buffy and Willow let the potentials (the ones in Sunnydale) choose whether or not they would join in the battle. It isn't explicitly stated, but is strongly implied (by the fact that worldwide, women got slayer strength from the spell) that the Sunnydale SiTs would have gotten the the strength, even if they refused the responsibility of using it to fight.

Even with the life I pretend to live, suddenly becoming superpowered and getting prophetic dreams is going to mess with stuff.

Do I still keep doing krav? Is it fair? What do I do about the dreams, should I decide not to join the battle? Am I going to become a target? How many people do I injure by mistake?

It'd be a big deal ... otherwise what is a slayer?

Just, from sheer bewilderment... if the Slayer power is from the black evil demon slime, what about those times when the Slayer saved someone apparently on instinct, i.e Cave!Slayer, Faith killing the spider in Choices etc. Saving people seems bound up in the Slayer ethos, and I don't get how that got in there.

I agree it would have an impact. I guess I don't see becoming super strong, and having prophetic dreams as turning a person's life upside down, assuming the person is informed what has happened to her.

Am I going to become a target?

Yes, we don't know about that part. However, lots of people are targets for lots of reasons.

How many people do I injure by mistake?

Yes, we don't know this, either. Although in either Killed By Death or Helpless, it seems implied that it's not only strength that's imparted to slayers, but also speed, co-ordination and good reflexes, so I'd say you might injure one or two before you realized you were super-powered, but I can't see it being an accident you keep having. Even with normal human strength, you can control how hard you hit someone, etc.

Even with normal human strength, you can control how hard you hit someone, etc.

Or so you'd think.

My normal self stopped play punching a LONG time ago. Completely cannot gauge it.

I just don't see how superpowers don't rock my world.