Buffy 3x15 "Consequences"

"Consequences" is exactly what its title suggests: a deep dive into the fallout of Faith’s impulsive and reckless actions from Bad Girls. This episode tackles the weight of her accidentally killing Deputy Mayor Finch, but it doesn’t stop there. It explores the ripple effect that Faith’s choices have on everyone, especially Buffy, who briefly flirted with Faith’s “Want. Take. Have.” philosophy. The episode also examines the consequences of Xander’s brief liaison with Faith in The Zeppo, showing just how wide-reaching the repercussions of one character’s decisions can be.

What sets Buffy apart from so many shows is its refusal to take the easy way out. It would have been simple to give Faith a redemption arc here—have her feel guilty, seek comfort from the Scoobies, and be forgiven by the end of the episode. But Buffy, true to its form, avoids that path entirely. Instead, what we get is the beginning of Faith’s spiral into darkness, a journey that takes two years to resolve. Her redemption is a slow burn that doesn’t even begin until her crossover to Angel in “Five By Five”. It’s a bold choice, but it’s one that makes her eventual turn much more satisfying. Season three, widely regarded as one of the strongest seasons of Buffy or Angel, thrives on this kind of consistency in its writing.

Faith’s arc is particularly compelling because it feels so inevitable. From her first appearance, Faith is set up as someone damaged by her past—her mother’s abuse, her Watcher’s death, and Gwendolyn Post’s betrayal have all contributed to her hardened exterior. She copes by pretending that she’s untouchable, even superior, to those around her. Her “we are better” speech to Buffy exemplifies her belief that being a Slayer entitles her to special treatment. But underneath this bravado, Faith is insecure, convinced that she’s worth very little beyond her abilities. The accidental killing of Finch (a human, non vampire) is the tipping point, pushing her from reckless behavior into full-on self-destruction.

Faith’s descent into darkness contrasts sharply with Buffy’s growing sense of responsibility. While Buffy feels guilty and immediately looks for solutions, Faith buries her guilt under denial and aggression. The episode’s opening, where Buffy dreams of drowning, is a perfect metaphor—not only for her own overwhelmed state but for Faith, who is drowning in her inability to face what she’s done. There’s a moment when Faith almost cracks, confessing to Buffy, “he came out of nowhere.” But instead of opening up, she shuts down again, reinforcing her emotional barriers.

Buffy, meanwhile, seeks help. After spiraling herself, she turns to Willow—an important moment that reaffirms their friendship. Willow, who has felt overshadowed by Faith in recent episodes, is the first person Buffy confides in, which helps reestablish their bond. Willow’s advice, to tell Giles, is simple but essential. Giles, with his wealth of experience and his calm, practical demeanor, is the adult the Scoobies turn to in times of crisis, and his role here is crucial. He gives Buffy the reassurance she needs to keep moving forward, showing that Buffy has learned from past mistakes like those in “Revelations”—this time, she doesn’t try to carry the burden alone.

Faith, realizing that Buffy might tell Giles, attempts to manipulate the situation by confessing to Giles first—only she frames Buffy as the guilty party. Faith’s manipulation in this moment is both chilling and understandable. She’s terrified of being held accountable, and so she does what she’s always done—she lies and deflects. It’s a testament to her emotional state that she’s willing to throw Buffy under the bus to protect herself. Giles, for a moment, seems to believe her, and it’s only when he reveals he’s been playing along that we—and Buffy—breathe a sigh of relief. But even then, it’s clear that the situation has spiraled out of control. Buffy projects here and wildly overplays her hand. Faith made an innocent mistake, but Buffy used it to drive her, and her bad influence out of town.

Enter Wesley, who eavesdrops on the Scoobies’ plan and makes the rookie mistake of going straight to the Watcher’s Council. Wesley’s adherence to rules over understanding plays a pivotal role in Faith’s continued fall. Knowing where his character eventually ends up—helping Faith find redemption years later—makes this episode all the more fascinating. Here, he’s the rigid, rule-bound Watcher, incapable of seeing Faith’s potential for redemption and instead focused on punishment.

Xander’s subplot, meanwhile, offers a quieter but equally significant exploration of consequences. His one-night stand with Faith in “The Zeppo” has left him wanting something more, some sign that it meant anything to her. But Faith, as Buffy bluntly tells him, sees it as little more than a joke. Xander’s desperate need to be important to her, to matter, puts him in danger when he tries to reach out to her. The scene where Faith nearly kills him is one of the episode’s most chilling, a stark reminder of just how far she’s fallen. In her grief and anger, Faith has begun to lose touch with her humanity, and Xander’s near-death is a powerful illustration of how dangerous she’s become.

The only person who can get through to Faith at this point is Angel. His experience with guilt, redemption, and the seductive pull of darkness makes him uniquely qualified to speak to Faith’s pain. His warning—“Going down this path will ruin you”—is prophetic, as we know it takes years for Faith to find her way back. But Angel, ever the tortured soul with a heart of gold, is the one person who can relate to her in a way the others can’t. Their conversation is one of the episode’s highlights, foreshadowing their future dynamic in Angel. Unfortunately, Wesley’s interference ruins the fragile connection they’ve started to build.

By the end of the episode, Faith makes the definitive choice to step over to the dark side. After killing Mr. Trick, she accepts the Mayor’s offer, lured by the promise of power and protection. It’s a heartbreaking moment, but it’s also completely in line with her character. Faith has always run from her problems—first from Kakistos, then from the Scoobies after Gwendolyn Post’s betrayal—and here, she’s running again, only this time into the arms of the Mayor.

Finally, there’s Willow’s heartbreaking realization that Xander slept with Faith. Alyson Hannigan’s performance in the bathroom scene is gut-wrenching, and it speaks to the complex emotions Willow is grappling with. Is she upset because she hates Faith? Because she feels like she’s losing Buffy and Xander to Faith’s influence? Or is it the remnants of her old feelings for Xander bubbling up? The answer is likely a mix of all three, and that emotional complexity adds yet another layer to an already packed episode.

In the end, “Consequences” stands as a pivotal moment in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It’s an episode that refuses easy answers and forces its characters to confront the weight of their actions. For Faith, this is the beginning of a long, difficult road, and for Buffy, it’s a harsh reminder that even in the world of Slayers, no one is immune from consequences.