Turning Spike into a vicious rapist and a Warren clone is not going to increase the ratings any more than killing off Tara will. I have lost all emotional investment in the characters at this point. I hope Buffy does stake Spike in the future as I am not going to support a rapist. Only scum rape women no matter what excuses they have. Maybe Buffy did send out mixed signals but Spike leaving her bruised and crying is making me sick to my stomach.
It was clearly planned to be a sexual assault in order to affect Spike's female fanbase. Well congratulations Marti you have done what you planned and convinced your audience that Spike is evil. I am seeing out this season and then I am most likely done with Buffy. The writers can write Buffy however they see fit but I am no longer on board with it. Watching characters die or try to rape women is not my idea of entertaiment.
