I was younger when Buffy aired. I loved the tough girl sexiness of it and I loved the inspiration. The show had heartbreak and bleak moments, and occasionally real scary parts and emotion and moments of true inspiration . . . And, lets talk about Spike. Spike went from amusing villain to amusing chipped/defanged villain, to heroic ally. Standing up to Glory was inspiring and completely heroic, even if he had selfish intentions. The Buffy bot was funny, and a little perverted, but fun TV. Spike was, briefly a hero and a season earlier, in once more with feeling, he saved Buffy's life. A hero twice, who fought alongside them several times.
Over a first watch, it was easy to like spike, which is why I didn't like the episode "as you were"; (6.7 rating). The return of Riley is fine and it works. Spike being the villain, in the way he was in that episode, felt misplaced and out of character. But I digress.
I liked spike. The anti-hero, tragic in some ways, heroic at times and now he tries to rape buffy. Ick. That's one way to make a character we've been made to like, dislikable, in 5 minutes. Why do that Josh?
It also opened up the unanswered question later in the season (spoiler for future episode ahead), when spike asked the being of great power to "make me the man I was", was Spike wanting the chip removed or was Spike asking for his soul. Viewers were left confused.
But now I have a bit more introspection. Spike was never good. He was helpful when he wanted to be. When he thought it would serve him. He loved a good fight. He was so happy when he learned he could punch demons, but he wasn't a hero and he was never good, he just sometimes fought on their side. And that becomes clear in this episode, where he gives into his urges, and only after an unpleasent to watch struggle, he realizes that his actions make it impossible for Buffy to love him, and he does love, or at least, intensely crave, Buffy.
Drusila said episodes earlier that Vampires can love, they just love selfishly . . . Or something to that effect. Spike was selfish and in a moment of self-serving-interest, he tried to rape Buffy. Then, knowing she'd never want to see him again after that, and still loving her - wanting her in his selfish way, he made the only choice he could, to get back his soul.
It's all very clear upon 2nd or 3rd watch and analysis. I understand this episode. I still don't care for it, but it it was a turning point for Spike, who I think, realized he would always be incomplete in that moment, so he was willing to face the trials, face death to get his soul back. Something a selfish vampire might want. It was all in character.
In character episodes might not always make the best storytelling, but they hold up better on rewatch. I still don't like this episode, but I understand it.
Over a first watch, it was easy to like spike, which is why I didn't like the episode "as you were"; (6.7 rating). The return of Riley is fine and it works. Spike being the villain, in the way he was in that episode, felt misplaced and out of character. But I digress.
I liked spike. The anti-hero, tragic in some ways, heroic at times and now he tries to rape buffy. Ick. That's one way to make a character we've been made to like, dislikable, in 5 minutes. Why do that Josh?
It also opened up the unanswered question later in the season (spoiler for future episode ahead), when spike asked the being of great power to "make me the man I was", was Spike wanting the chip removed or was Spike asking for his soul. Viewers were left confused.
But now I have a bit more introspection. Spike was never good. He was helpful when he wanted to be. When he thought it would serve him. He loved a good fight. He was so happy when he learned he could punch demons, but he wasn't a hero and he was never good, he just sometimes fought on their side. And that becomes clear in this episode, where he gives into his urges, and only after an unpleasent to watch struggle, he realizes that his actions make it impossible for Buffy to love him, and he does love, or at least, intensely crave, Buffy.
Drusila said episodes earlier that Vampires can love, they just love selfishly . . . Or something to that effect. Spike was selfish and in a moment of self-serving-interest, he tried to rape Buffy. Then, knowing she'd never want to see him again after that, and still loving her - wanting her in his selfish way, he made the only choice he could, to get back his soul.
It's all very clear upon 2nd or 3rd watch and analysis. I understand this episode. I still don't care for it, but it it was a turning point for Spike, who I think, realized he would always be incomplete in that moment, so he was willing to face the trials, face death to get his soul back. Something a selfish vampire might want. It was all in character.
In character episodes might not always make the best storytelling, but they hold up better on rewatch. I still don't like this episode, but I understand it.