The lore of Angel. The legacy of both shows has remained firmly intact, with them retaining hugely ionate fanbases nearly two decades since their conclusions.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer centered around the titular heroine as she battled vampires and demons while also coping with everyday struggles. Buffy was played by Kristy Swanson and then, more prominently, by Sarah Michelle Gellar. Despite an attempt to avoid her then-fledgling destiny, it proved inescapable when Buffy and her mother moved to a town located on a literal Hellmouth. Beset by countless dangers and world-ending threats, Buffy was aided in her quest by a core group of friends, including but not limited to Willow Rosenberg and Xander Harris. Alongside them, Buffy also met and developed a father-and-daughter bond with Rupert Giles. As well as being the school librarian, Giles was a member of the Watchers Council — a patriarchal group that assumed the role of training, guiding, and otherwise overseeing each Slayer that came into being.
After the conclusion of the television series, both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel continued in comic book form. Buffy's adventures ran for five more seasons, albeit via issues rather than episodes. Across that time, both the world and the timeline was further expanded upon in a myriad of ways. In particular, it had Buffy (and, by extension, the audience) continue her trajectory of the show in learning more about the legacy of Slayers past and even future. As a by-product of that, much more was also revealed regarding the history of Watchers that had stood behind, alongside, or even in the way of their respective Chosen Ones. Here's a breakdown of every known (and canonical) Watcher from both the show and the comics.
Unnamed Dark Ages Watcher
Modeled on Donald Sutherland, this unnamed character served as Watcher to an equally unnamed Slayer (modeled on Swanson) in 14th century England. Both debuted in the Dark Horse comic, The Origin: Part One — which Whedon himself dubbed canonical. Little more is known about either figure, except she initially tried to refuse her destiny until he gave her her first stake.
The Friar
As the Watcher to an equally unnamed Slayer, The Friar illuminated her to her calling and began training her in 1398. He also taught her how to read. Under his tutelage, his Slayer was able to protect a town from a vampire named Saint Just in Tales of the Slayers: Righteous. Tragically, however, the townspeople rewarded her efforts by burning her at the stake as a witch. Overcome with anger and guilt, The Friar ultimately allowed a horde of surviving vampires back into the town, so that they could massacre the residents. He would lose his life in the same attack.
Jean
As the Watcher of Claudine the Vampire Slayer, Jean was a member of the Watchers Council and had a radical affiliation with the French revolutionary group: Sans-culotte. Despite also becoming lovers with Claudine, he viewed her as little more than his "Angel of Death". To that end, he tricked her into murdering of the Aristocracy under the pretense that they were vampires. Claudine confronted and then abandoned Jean upon learning the truth in Tales of the Slayers: The Innocent.
Elizabeth Weston's Watcher
Appearing in Tales of the Slayers: Presumption, Elizabeth Weston was aided by her unnamed Watcher. Both active in Somerset, England around 1813, the Watcher would permit Elizabeth to dress up as a man so as to better infiltrate high-class society and move with more discretion. The Watcher would steadfastly help maintain her cover, always referring to her as Edward. The Watcher was also present for his most prestigious slaying during an exclusive ball.
Naayéé'neizgháni's Watcher
Only menti0ned briefly during Tales of the Slayers: The Glittering World, Naayéé'neizgháni's unnamed Watcher was killed by a vampire named Tó Bájíshchíní. As a result, the Native American Slayer hunted the demon down in revenge — ultimately tracking him to an area that would one day become Sunnydale.
Anni aka Sonnenblume's Watcher
Seemingly wheelchair-bound, this unnamed Watcher appeared in Tales of the Slayers: Sonnenblume and oversaw Anni's training. Active in 1938 Berlin, he instilled in Anni the ability to recognize evil in those around her. As a result, Anni dedicated herself to defeating the evil that Nazis represented as fiercely as battling demonic entities.
Bernard Crowley
Appearing via flashbacks in Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 9, issue 6, "On Your Own, Part One", Crowley was the Watcher of Nikki Wood. Extremely close to his charge, he would often object to Nikki being subjected to some of the Watchers Council's tests. Crowley would also frequently babysit Nikki's son, Robin, when she was out on patrol. After Nikki's death at the hands of Spike in 1977, Crowley quit the Watchers Council and adopted Robin as his own. Relocating from New York to Beverly Hills, Crowley ultimately trained Robin to be a vampire hunter in his own right.
Merrick Jamison-Smythe
Played by Richard Riehle, Merrick was Buffy Summers' first Watcher. Glimpsed in flashbacks during Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 2, episode 21, "Becoming, Part One", he personally recruited Buffy and introduced her to her calling. Though he was credited simply as L.A. Watcher, the script for the episode confirmed that he was indeed Merrick — officially overwriting Sutherland's iteration from the movie. The Origin: Part Two further fleshed out the character, putting it more in line with Whedon's original (largely ignored) vision for the movie. In order to not be sired by Lothos and used against Buffy, Merrick took his own life. The move, though initially traumatizing, gave Buffy the resolve to avenge Merrick by killing Lothos and his forces.
Rupert Giles
Played to sweeping popularity and acclaim by Anthony Stewart Head, Giles was Buffy Summers' second and primary watcher. Debuting in Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 1, episode 1, "Welcome to the Hellmouth", Giles served in that capacity throughout the show's run. Developing a fatherly love for Buffy, Giles remained steadfastly a guide for Buffy even after he was fired from th Watcher's Council. Whether it was full-time or, as per later seasons, a recurring capacity, he was present for the majority of Buffy's highs and lows. Unlike some, Giles even successfully survived the final battle in Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 7, episode 22, "Chosen".
The character enjoyed a similar run in the comic book continuation. Despite losing his life at the hands of a Twilight-possessed Angel, Giles was ultimately resurrected. He served frequently on newly formed Watchers and/or Magical Councils, and fought generally alongside Buffy. Just like on the show, Giles survived the final final battle against the villainous Harth in Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 12, issue 4, "Finale". He was seen settling down to eat and enjoy a long-overdue moment of rest and relaxation alongside the other surviving characters.
Sam Zabuto
Said to be extremely rigid in his preparation, Sam Zabuto was Kendra Young's Watcher. Upon learning that she was a potential Slayer, Kendra's parents transferred custody of her to Zabuto. As such, he trained her from a very young age and within a very sheltered structure. Zabuto didn't allow her to attend a school or interact with boys. Instead, he adopted a business-like approach, simply having Kendra study demon lore and the Slayer handbook. Zabuto was never seen on-screen, but often mentioned or spoken to over the phone during Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 2. It was also never made clear how he responded to her eventual death at the hands of Drusilla.
