Caleb (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
A defrocked priest and lieutenant of the First Evil.
Nathan Fillion portrayed Caleb, a character on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He is a sadistic sociopath driven by a deep hatred of women. Creator Joss Whedon needed a physical opponent for the non-corporeal First Evil, so he introduced Caleb as its sidekick. Whedon called him "the creepiest priest" and the show's most blatant misogynist since Warren.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- First
- "Dirty Girls" (2003)
- Last
- "Chosen"
- Creator
- Joss Whedon, Drew Goddard
- Portrayed by
- Nathan Fillion
- Affiliation
- The First Evil
Facts from the source article.
Character biography
Caleb was a defrocked priest and serial killer who had killed at least two girls, luring them with his sermons and charms. By the time he appears in the series, he serves as a lieutenant to the First Evil. Although he appears only in the last five episodes, he is revealed to be a prime mover of the seventh season's events. He directed Bringers to systematically kill Potential Slayers worldwide, ordered the bombing of the Watchers' Council Headquarters in London (killing Quentin Travers and all present Watchers and Council Operatives), and arranged for a prisoner to attack Faith in a Los Angeles prison. In the episode 'Dirty Girls,' Caleb attacks the Scooby Gang, murdering two Potential Slayers (Molly and Dianne), breaking another's arm (Rona), defeating Buffy, Faith, and Spike, and violently blinding Xander in one eye. He dies in the episodes 'End of Days' and 'Chosen.'
Beliefs
Caleb peppers his speech with pseudo-biblical lines, often hinting that he sees the First Evil as either God or something greater. When the First appears as Buffy and asks if he thinks it's God, Caleb says it's beyond that label. He claims he doesn't "truck with Satan," calling Satan "a little man." After the First expresses envy of human lust, Caleb calls people who engage in such acts "sinners" and declares the First is "sin" itself. He leans heavily on Old Testament quotes, using the story of Adam, Eve, and the forbidden fruit to voice his misogyny. Creator Joss Whedon noted Caleb is not meant to represent priests, stating, "This guy clearly is not one."
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created Caleb (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)?
Caleb was created by Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard.
Where did Caleb (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) first appear?
Caleb first appeared in "Dirty Girls" (2003).
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