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Date Posted: 10:18:24 10/24/05 Mon
Author: Sunshine
Subject: I think you do Spike an injustice
In reply to: ING 's message, "Re: explicitly stated mythology of the soul" on 22:05:33 10/22/05 Sat

Spike's kinder moments were towards beings that could provide something for him, mainly sexual gratification, either direcly in the case of Buffy and Dru, or indirrectly in the case of Dawn and Joyce (earning favor with them earns favor with Buffy)

I agree that Spike, like most beings, is primarily in it for himself. However, there are certainly occasions where it appears that Spike is not merely looking for sex or some other purely selfish gratification. If you think Spike’s feelings for Drusilla are only based on sex, then I think you are either ignoring a lot of the mythology (see Angel episode “Destiny” of Buffy episode “Lover’s Walk”) or you are really, really cynical (and this from a person who prides themselves on being cynical). If you look at Spike’s interactions with Dru in season two, I think it is plain that Spike truly loves Dru and is genuinely concerned for her welfare. I suppose you could take the approach that all love is based on our own needs to some extent but that is a statement about humans, not about Spike.
Spike also has a fondness for Joyce, exhibited long before he even knew he loved/wanted Buffy (again see “Lover’s Walk”). He seems to enjoy watching Passions with Joyce and having a cup of tea in the kitchen. I see a true affection that is independent of Buffy. Also, when Joyce died, he brought flowers but did not attach a card. If he only acted out of desire for Buffy, what is the point of bringing flowers but not attempting to take credit. At the time, he said that she was the only one of the lot that he really liked. Joyce treated Spike with respect and Spike reciprocated.
Spike’s relationship with Dawn was also a bit more complicated. He helped Dawn in the resurrection spell but made her promise not to tell Buffy. Spike and Dawn seemed to have a real connection that in my opinion, went far beyond merely using her to get to Buffy. Finally, after Buffy died, Spike still protected Dawn, even though Buffy was dead and Spike was not aware of the plan to bring her back. I know he had promised Buffy that he would protect Dawn but I still see an honest love and concern for Dawn. You could see in “Bargaining” when Spike saw the demon motorcycle gang and, being a advocate of disorder, he wanted to join in the fun but resisted because protecting Dawn was all that was important.
I think the one quote that really illuminates Spike’s human characteristics was in “The Gift” as he said to Buffy “I know you’ll never love me. I know that I’m a monster. But you treat me like a man, and that’s…”. To me, that is a statement of a being who truly wants to be considered a human, not a being who is only interested in manipulating everyone for his own selfish ends.

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