Something i never understood about the First

[Clem Rocks]

If the First was the first evil ever, shouldn't he be the easier evil to defeat. All the other evils should have evolved from him to become bigger and badder, why did they all just get weaker?

[Cangel]

No, I don't think that's how it works.
The First is the ultimative evil, the incarnation of bad. And all the demons that came later were just cheap copies. The First is pure evil, everything else isn't. Best example for this are vampires. Although they are evil and part demon, they still come with a human side, which makes them weaker.
The First is beyond everything walking the Buffyverse Earth

[white avenger]

I always thought as it as the First Evil as in the ultimate or most powerful evil rather than just the oldest evil.

[XDruX]

The same for me.
I thought, the First was the pure essence of evil. Something that gave birth to all the other monsters, vampires, etc...
I see it more like pure evil energy, that needs to take the body of a dead person in order to be "seen".

[Joyce Summers]

Exactly. The First is the hardest to defeat because it isn't *a* Evil, it *is* Evil. Without The First there would be no other demons, monsters, vampires etc. It is the reason they all exist. And no matter how much it's 'children' would develop The First would always be the most powerful because it is their source, their power center in a way.

Plus, it just IS okay? haha.

[Kana]

I kind of always hated the idea of the First Evil. I like the idea that vamps, demons and even humans have their own nature and normally a conflict of interests. I just don't like the idea of a bid bad evil force in the world.

[thegifting]

I haven't seen anything past S3, but this sounds terrible.
If Buffy were to die now it'd be embarrasing, yes?
She defeats this uber-pure evil, then what? One day Buffy slips in the dust of a recently slayed vamp, ends up stepping on a nail, which causes her to immediatly hop on one foot, only she goes backwards, knocking something off of a conveniantly placed table, then her one good foot finds more vamp dust, she falls backward, hitting her neck on the object that was bumped from the table, thus killing her.

What else can happen? Something only 5% evil will tear her to shreds?

[LadyLavinia]

Exactly. The First is the hardest to defeat because it isn't *a* Evil, it *is* Evil. Without The First there would be no other demons, monsters, vampires etc. It is the reason they all exist.


Neither would humans. People keep forgetting that humans are capable of being quite monstrous.

The First Evil is basically the source of all evil that exists in all sentient beings - regardless of whether that being is demonic, human or another life form. Everyone has evil within it. The thing about the First Evil is that it tried to upset the balance between good and evil. It tried to overwhelm and control the darkness within everyone.

In the end, Buffy, Spike and the others ruined the First Evil's plans. But they did not destroy it. The First Evil continued to exist within all of them. It always will. What Buffy and the others have to struggle against is making sure that the First Evil does not overwhelm and eventually . . . control them. And it can be said for all living beings.

[Elithustra]

I always thought that the First was pretty easy to defeat. I mean, I know he came back, but still, struck me as somewhat easy. Especially compared to someone like, say, Glory. I think being a god beats being evil.

Interesting point, about how the first evil remained within all of them. I didn't see anything to indicate that, but still I think you have an interesting point there!

[LadyLavinia]

I always thought that the First was pretty easy to defeat. I mean, I know he came back, but still, struck me as somewhat easy. Especially compared to someone like, say, Glory. I think being a god beats being evil.

Interesting point, about how the first evil remained within all of them. I didn't see anything to indicate that, but still I think you have an interesting point there!


The First Evil was the essence of all that is evil. It was even a part of Glory. Which was one of the reasons that made her so dangerous. The First Evil has been a part of all of the Big Bads, all the demons, the vampires, villainous humans, the good guys and even Buffy since Day One.

[Elithustra]

Oh! Well, that makes much more sense now! Thank-you! :)

[angeldork]

You have to look at 'The First' like Drake from Blade Trinity. The First never had to evolve it was perfect in it's existence. All those that came after were diluted some how, they were less of what they were supposed to be. You look at vampires and they're demon and human. The demon is an occupant of the body, they have to change face to be able to feed, they're not pure. If you go and watch 'Graduation Part 1' in season 3 of Buffy, Anya gives this entire speech about ascensions. She then goes to explain that the demons that Buffy has encountered the entire time of her being a slayer, that they're not real demons. Watch that scene of the episode and you might be able to understand why other demons are weaker than the First.