I think also that in the context of the episode the killing is not quite as simple as an unavoidable accident. Bad Girls is all about Faith tempting Buffy to let herself go, give in to the realm of the senses and slay purely for the fun, the rush of it. I think it’s not just because Buffy is a couple of seconds behind Faith that she notices Finch is human just before Faith stakes him. Faith is caught up in the rush, she’s not paying attention.
The writers also made a deliberate point in Dopplegangland, when Buffy is in the act of staking VampWillow and Willow shouts "Buffy, No!" Buffy is able to stop herself from staking VampWillow.
Faith, in S3, doesn't trust her own judgement, relies upon impulse and repeatedly abdicates control over her life. The killing of the deputy mayor and her complete unwillingness to face the consequences of her actus upon others are symbolic of that. She would rather play the villain in the mayor's service than have to weigh considerations before acting.
Buffy, for all of her issues, has a much more balanced bearing in these situations.
The writers also made a deliberate point in Dopplegangland, when Buffy is in the act of staking VampWillow and Willow shouts "Buffy, No!" Buffy is able to stop herself from staking VampWillow.
Faith, in S3, doesn't trust her own judgement, relies upon impulse and repeatedly abdicates control over her life. The killing of the deputy mayor and her complete unwillingness to face the consequences of her actus upon others are symbolic of that. She would rather play the villain in the mayor's service than have to weigh considerations before acting.
Buffy, for all of her issues, has a much more balanced bearing in these situations.
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