Born a Watcher prodigy, Rupert Giles took over Buffy's Slayer training and mentoring when Buffy moved to Sunnydale after her former Watcher, Merrick, had been killed. Upon graduating from Oxford University, Giles dreamed of being a fighter pilot or a grocer. Unfortunately, he was forced into the family business of Slayer nurturing. Even after his youthful rebellion as the demon-summoning Ripper, his intelligence (and the Watchers Council) eventually set him on his destined path. When he first moved to Sunnydale, Giles was the Sunnydale High Librarian whose sole purpose was to train and guide the newly arrived Buffy in Slayer ways. Over time, their relationship deepened, and Giles became a father figure to Buffy, providing much-needed emotional support along with Slayer training. Regrettably, the Watchers Council canned Giles when he informed Buffy that he had to revoke her powers temporarily so that she could participate in her 18th birthday ritual test. The Council, not amused, sent in Wesley Wyndam-Price to take over active Watcher duty for Buffy. However, Giles remained in Sunnydale well after Wesley's departure and continued to aid our hero with his vast knowledge. A rather shy man, Giles has romanced only a few women in Sunnydale, including Sunnydale High's dearly departed computer teacher, Jenny Calendar, and a former girlfriend from England, Olivia. After quite a long period of unemployment, Giles enjoyed a brief stint singing at the Espresso Pump, then bought the Magic Box. Following Buffy's death, Giles returned to England, leaving the shop in Anya's capable hands. Though he returned briefly after the Slayer's resurrection, he left permanently upon realizing that Buffy no longer needed his training and protection. Fortunately, he reappeared just in time to help the gang save Willow from dark forces, and in the process, save the world. |