Dana.

[Matt]

I was just wondering if anybody hoped there would be something from Dana in this season of Buffy comics.

I mean, last time we saw her she was being taken away by Andrew and some slayers in a helicopter, so what does this mean happened to her, did she die? Is she recovering?

I'd love to see maybe a standalone comic book where you either see her progress from being in LA to where she's at now, or maybe have some people helping her, like Faith and Giles when they said they were going to help slayers or maybe Vi, she seems to have vanished (except for her and Andrew's commercial about having visions and breaking vases.)

[Wolfie Gilmore]

I was just wondering if anybody hoped there would be something from Dana in this season of Buffy comics.

I mean, last time we saw her she was being taken away by Andrew and some slayers in a helicopter, so what does this mean happened to her, did she die? Is she recovering?

I'd love to see maybe a standalone comic book where you either see her progress from being in LA to where she's at now, or maybe have some people helping her, like Faith and Giles when they said they were going to help slayers or maybe Vi, she seems to have vanished (except for her and Andrew's commercial about having visions and breaking vases.)

I would LOVE to see more of Dana - and the other former potential slayers

Spoiler:

the variant cover for issue 16 seems to imply we'll be getting some Vi action

. It would be great to have Dana there as a contrast to the slayers who were there for the "here's where you make a choice" moment...someone who's never had any choices in life...but perhaps is starting to make her way towards a time when she can?

As a detail: it'd be interesting if that could be the means by which Buffy would find out Spike's still alive. Dana telling Buffy appologetically, but in a slightly River-ish, composed manner: "Yes, I met Spike. I cut off his hands". I would love to see the look on Buffy's face.

Does that make me a bad person? (no need to reply...).

[Mollie]

I've always hoped that if Buffy were to ever find out about spike being alive again that it would be from Dana. It makes sense.

[Nina]

I think that Dana deserves more story. She was a really interesting character and like Wolfie already said, a nice contrast with the slayers who became 'better' after the spell.

And I'm still curious who knew about the humiliating double-crossing. I mean, the way how they dealed with Angel wasn't very classy.
About the 'Buffy finding out that Spike is alive' issue, I prefer her finding it out because she sees Spike again.

[Amber]

And I'm still curious who knew about the humiliating double-crossing. I mean, the way how they dealed with Angel wasn't very classy.

Well, that's true, but you have to see it from Buffy's perspective. How would you feel if you found out your ex who may or may not be evil took over evil incorporated, and also didn't even feel the need to contact you about that decision. I mean, I would be a little distrusting too.

onto the topic, DANA!! I friggin love her, she's one of my favorite Slayers of all time. I would hope that they wouldn't have left her with Andrew's team though, because she needs special help, medication, training, guidance. I would think that Giles and Faith's new duo-ness, might be the best thing for her (in addition to an understanding doctor).

[Nina]

Well, that's true, but you have to see it from Buffy's perspective. How would you feel if you found out your ex who may or may not be evil took over evil incorporated, and also didn't even feel the need to contact you about that decision. I mean, I would be a little distrusting too.

I still think that Angel deserved more credit and if you distrust the situation ... don't send Andrew but go yourself to check things out. There was a double-crossing planned before anything happened and not one scooby came to LA to check things before they planned to humiliate and distrust Angel. If Angel wanted to keep Dana, he wouldn't call the scoobies to tell them that there was a slayer in LA in the first place. The whole situation felt wrong and unfair to me. There were also 20 slayers in town but on the moment that Dana was free and killing innocents, they didn't show up.

I still hope that this is Giles' work ... I can see him doing things like this, maybe Xander as well. But Buffy or Willow wouldn't do it like this ... at least that's what I think.

[Mollie]

I still think that Angel deserved more credit and if you distrust the situation ... don't send Andrew but go yourself to check things out. There was a double-crossing planned before anything happened and not one scooby came to LA to check things before they planned to humiliate and distrust Angel. If Angel wanted to keep Dana, he wouldn't call the scoobies to tell them that there was a slayer in LA in the first place. The whole situation felt wrong and unfair to me. There were also 20 slayers in town but on the moment that Dana was free and killing innocents, they didn't show up.

I still hope that this is Giles' work ... I can see him doing things like this, maybe Xander as well. But Buffy or Willow wouldn't do it like this ... at least that's what I think.

Yeah, I have a feeling the whole thing is Giles' work... it just doesn't seem like Buffy would have made such rash judgments regarding Angel.

I also think it would be kind of cool if Buffy maybe sent Dana to work with Oz, he does know alot about control and would probably be the most qualified person to help. It would also be super neat to have an Oz and Dana arc...

[vampmogs]

Up until recently I never felt it seemed very much like Buffy either, it certainly didn't make sense she'd send Andrew of all people, or that she'd be so cold hearted about the whole thing. But since the bankrobbing and Buffy's argument with Giles, I've seeing it more possible now that it was her orders to do this to Angel.

[Andrew]

As a detail: it'd be interesting if that could be the means by which Buffy would find out Spike's still alive. Dana telling Buffy appologetically, but in a slightly River-ish, composed manner: "Yes, I met Spike. I cut off his hands". I would love to see the look on Buffy's face.

Does that make me a bad person? (no need to reply...).

Since any crossover with Angel would be unlikely, it'd be funny to have her say that and Buffy shrug it off as a Slayer memory or a crazy thing. I can imagine the Spuffies imploding with frustration.

She'd be an interesting way to confront Buffy about the ethics of her decision to empower hundreds of girls. The whole season seems to be about exploring Buffy's decisions and the ethics behind them. We've already had Bank Heist Buffy and One Night Stand Buffy.

[Nina]

Up until recently I never felt it seemed very much like Buffy either, it certainly didn't make sense she'd send Andrew of all people, or that she'd be so cold hearted about the whole thing. But since the bankrobbing and Buffy's argument with Giles, I've seeing it more possible now that it was her orders to do this to Angel.

I was thinking the same, but somewhere is robbing banks for money and sleeping with somebody who is in love with her another thing than to distrust Angel without knowing what is going on and humiliate him by sending Andrew to double-cross him. It's not that long since Chosen when they kissed. It doesn't fit for me ... but you never know.

[Sosa lola]

Andrew works with Giles, so it's clearly Giles' orders. Besides, during that time Xander and Buffy were in Scotland setting their hiding place. Willow went somewhere unknown. Dawn was probably trying to get into college. I smell nothing but Giles when it comes to Dana.

[vampmogs]

I was thinking the same, but somewhere is robbing banks for money and sleeping with somebody who is in love with her another thing than to distrust Angel without knowing what is going on and humiliate him by sending Andrew to double-cross him. It's not that long since Chosen when they kissed. It doesn't fit for me ... but you never know.

Buffy's behaviour does seem a little off though. I like the 'queen' imagery being explored in season 8, because I think it's rather fitting to her character's situation. She's up in a castle, surrounded 24/7 by slayers who worship her, she's cut off from the world, and we saw in 'No Future For You' she's certainly grown on the whole "slayer pride" to a whole new level when she finds out Gigi killed the slayer on her grounds. It wasn't that Gigi killed a girl that caused so much anger, it was the fact this girl was a slayer that made Buffy so furious. So I can kind of see this ruthlessness creeping in a little for Buffy, she was happy to take on the world when Voll talked about her girls, the girls Buffy defended very angrily (which she had a right to), and she's willing to rob from banks for her slayers as well. It's possible, just possible, that whilst feeling more cut off, and seeing that this had to do with a slayer, that this slayer only attitude made Buffy a little colder towards Angel than expected.

Andrew works with Giles, so it's clearly Giles' orders. Besides, during that time Xander and Buffy were in Scotland setting their hiding place. Willow went somewhere unknown. Dawn was probably trying to get into college. I smell nothing but Giles when it comes to Dana.

I often thought so too. I still do a little, it does make sense. It's quite in common for Giles to do things he doesn't believe Buffy can because she won't have clear judgement, Angel's a big factor there. It has to do with a slayer, we know Giles did have access to slayers in 'The Long Way Home' and that he's able to employ one (Faith) without Buffy ever hearing about it. So yeah, I think it's reasonable to suggest it's a plausibility Giles had something to do with this, he would have known Wolfram and Hart's reputation, wouldn't give a figs ass about Angel's feelings, and we saw has been in contact with Angel throughout that season.

I think anyone's kidding themselves if they can't see that it's a *possibility* Andrew may be lying, or at least saying what he believed to be true but actually wasn't.

[Nina]

Andrew loves to make himself important, but I doubt that the scoobies gave him so much power, don't forget that 'Damage' was like a year before season 8 started, I doubt that they trusted Andrew already like this. And Giles knew about Dana because Wesley contacted Giles, so the question is ... did more people know about this.

And if Buffy knew and planned this, I hope that Angel (or somebody else) gives her a wake up call because the queen needs to get over herself.

[vampmogs]

And if Buffy knew and planned this, I hope that Angel (or somebody else) gives her a wake up call because the queen needs to get over herself.

So very blunt...

Well really, I can see Buffy's side in all this. Angel did go in there with pretty good intentions, he did it for his son and I think honestly believed that he could change the place from the inside, he certainly seemed to believe it in 'Conviction.' But ultimately we learn later in the season that Angel and the gang are in fact working on the other side of the tracks, it's evident to an outsider such as Lindsey that the Senior Partner's accomplished exactly what they intended to do. So Buffy wasn't actually wrong in thinking that Angel had changed sides, because to everyone in the outside world it was evident he actually had, even if the fang gang didn't believe it.

Though, it couldn't have hurt for Buffy to go to Dana herself.. Which doesn't fit with season 8 because we've seen her go on missions by herself, so it isn't as if suddenly she's above it or anything like that.

[Nina]

If they believed that Angel was evil, shouldn't they save the world form Angel ... or send at least somebody more capable than Andrew? Or talk with him at least ... Angel was ready to fight and die for/with them in 'Chosen' ... I can see why Buffy and the others didn't want Dana in the W&H building or have strong ties with W&H, but this was just mean and not necessary.
Angel helped in 'Chosen', he helped catching Dana and they thank him like that? Like I said already, he called them ... that's already enough prove to know that Angel didn't want to keep Dana and turning her evil or something like that.

Nope, I still think that the scoobies were wrong, they could have dealed with it like Cordelia dealed with Angel in YW, telling him that he is in a bad place and that they don't want to be part of that, but without humiliating him.

Love your banner btw,

[Koos]

Andrew works with Giles,

How do you know this? We have seen Andrew working with Xander. For example in issue 1. We also know that Rona had shipped Simone to Andrew. And that he and Vi had made an commercial. But I never saw him working with Giles. Based on issue 1, where Xander gave Andrew an order through Renee, we haven't seen anyone giving Andrew an order. It seems to me that Xander has the most contact with him.

Besides, during that time Xander and Buffy were in Scotland setting their hiding place.

Xander was with Dracula. So, that would mean he has squat to do with anything; contradicting my remark mentioned above.

I smell nothing but Giles when it comes to Dana.

I do smell nothing but Giles too. But for the reason that he seems the mostly likely person to know about Dana, her condition and where she was. Xander might know it too (if he wasn't with Drac), as he seems to be in the known of most Slayers too. But I doubt he knew of Angel being with W&H. Giles, with all his connections, is the most likely person to know.

Buffy didn't know about Simone. She didn't know about Aiko. So I doubt she anything about Dana, unless it was necessary for her to know. Knowing Giles, he probably wouldn't think so.

[vampmogs]

If they believed that Angel was evil, shouldn't they save the world form Angel ... or send at least somebody more capable than Andrew? Or talk with him at least ... Angel was ready to fight and die for/with them in 'Chosen' ... I can see why Buffy and the others didn't want Dana in the W&H building or have strong ties with W&H, but this was just mean and not necessary.

I agree that it was a pretty mean way to go about it. Yes he was working for Wolfram and Hart but surely they're not as narrow-minded to think he couldn't possibly be in a very grey area, one worth looking into and being taken into consideration. I agree that they could have handled it far better.

Angel helped in 'Chosen', he helped catching Dana and they thank him like that? Like I said already, he called them ... that's already enough prove to know that Angel didn't want to keep Dana and turning her evil or something like that.

Agreed. In fact it's possible that if it weren't for Angel contacting them, they'd have had no idea Dana was out their killing. Somehow I don't think Andrew's thanks really cut it.

Nope, I still think that the scoobies were wrong, they could have dealed with it like Cordelia dealed with Angel in YW, telling him that he is in a bad place and that they don't want to be part of that, but without humiliating him.

Buffy should have went herself. They obviously didn't feel they would be angry great danger there or they wouldn't have sent Andrew to go into the firm by himself, and not only can Buffy take care of herself, but she also could have brought the Alpha team or other slayers like Andrew did as backup. It was something that Buffy should have talked to him face to face about. I'd rather be wrong and hope this was all Giles and not Buffy, because it didn't paint her in a very good light I'm afraid.

Love your banner btw,

Thanks I thought it was about time I gave it a shot, everyone seems to have such love for fanart, I can see why it's loads of fun.

How do you know this? We have seen Andrew working with Xander. For example in issue 1. We also know that Rona had shipped Simone to Andrew. And that he and Vi had made an commercial. But I never saw him working with Giles. Based on issue 1, where Xander gave Andrew an order through Renee, we haven't seen anyone giving Andrew an order. It seems to me that Xander has the most contact with him.

I think Sosa was reffering to when Andrew tells Spike in that episode that Giles has been training him.

Knowing Giles, he probably wouldn't think so.

I'm more inclined to think if Giles is the one behind all this, that he did it believing Buffy wouldn't be able to remain impartial to Angel, which in his opinion could put her in danger given his new ties with Wolfram and Hart. I'm not saying I am justifying Giles going behind her back in this, and possibly lying to Andrew or have Andrew lie for him, but I think it's probably the explanation that fits best with his character.

[KingofCretins]

Andrew works with Giles, so it's clearly Giles' orders. Besides, during that time Xander and Buffy were in Scotland setting their hiding place. Willow went somewhere unknown. Dawn was probably trying to get into college. I smell nothing but Giles when it comes to Dana.

I'm sorry, I'm not seeing the textual support for the idea of Andrew "working with Giles" other than Andrew and Giles saying so... and at that point, one is just cherry-picking what they believe.

We had a whoooooole long 200+ post thread that I personally thing took a lot of the air out of the idea that Andrew was making up his orders. Narratively, there's just no logical reason to introduce this distrust as *the* significant plot development of the episode just for it to not be true, when it was never foreshadowed to be false or revealed to be false or even hinted to be false later (in fact, reinforced in "Shells"). And, in character, it fits very well with both what we knew of Buffy then and even more with what we know of Buffy now that she'd lose faith in Angel after learning what he'd done.

Also, we don't know enough of the new and shiny "Antique" retcon timeline to know when Xander got back from Transylvania (*groan*). So he still may have been part of the decision-making process.

Anywho, it's really not the thread topic -- I do want to see Dana again, I want some indication of that sisterhood with her from "Damage" and reinforced in "The Chain", and see that she's being looked after. The scene where Andrew retrieves Dana is actually nicely parallel to the "big damn heroes" scene in the "Firefly" episode "Safe", if one first acknowledges that, from the Slayer organization's perspective, Angel was the bad guy.