Re: "Seduction" and Fire--SPOILERS for "Gone" (long)

["rogues_wild" <short@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dan,

I normally just lurk in this list but as I was reading though the back 
and forward about this topic, I saw something that I knew. You mention 
that Buffy is acting more like the buffybot than herself. From my own 
past experiences, I can see another reason for the avoidance/denial 
mechanism.

After the crush of things that happened to Buffy last season, I 
don't think that she ever dealt with it. When Willow brought her 
back, Buffy's mental state would have been similar to how she 
felt when she died. Add to that the feeling that she lost 
something precious by coming back. It is easy to see why she 
could shutdown. Don't think, don't feel just exist. From personal 
experience, when you start to climb out of the pit of despair, you 
become desperate to feel anything and the stongest emotions are the 
first through the wall. Too bad, most of them can lead to 
self-destruction/addiction.

Buffy may be suffering from an addiction much like Willow and Spike is 
the drug. She seems to come alive when she's fighting and being with 
Spike is the same thing. (Most people don't destroy buildings) 
Adrenline is a powerful drug and once you get used to it, it's hard to 
kick. That rush is almost like sex but you get used to it and it takes 
more and more to break free. Even the thought of doing something 
dangerous can be enough to trigger the response. It's easy to mistake 
the rush for being okay. Add to that her ability to lie to herself, 
its a dangerous combination.

I could be wrong but it's another possible explanation for her mental 
state. Personally, I think Willow might be the key to restoring Buffy. 
Course I could be wrong.