Re: Re: FIC: Waiting for Dawn--a defense

[danspector@xxxxxxxxx]

Jolie, 

Much as I love the idea that Spike's attentions have all been a Cunning
Plan, I doubt it. (And the quote is from "Innocence", btw.)

I think Spike believes he's in love with Buffy, or at least wants to
believe it. (IMO, there are also several reasons why, being soulless,
he doesn't really know what love is, but that's irrelevant for the sake
of this argument.)

To me a key line was that repulsive little bit from "Wrecked" about how
Spike "knew the only thing better than killing a slayer would be f--".
Spike loves his confrontations with the slayers, he's built his
self-image on them. He can't kill Buffy, so he imagines a higher high,
and seeks it. Indeed, this excuses all those "truly spectacular
kickings of my ass" she's given him--he can tell himself he really
wasn't trying, because he wanted the sex and was in love with her all
along. Transference and a little ego-soothing, IMO.

And yes, I hope for better things for Spike. He's gone from being an
effective villain to combining the two worst elements of
masculinity--crap poetry and sleazy come-ons. And he's not even funny
any more. What's his best joke this year? "You ever think of getting a
Lojack for that girl?" "You ever think about not celebrating your
birthday?" Ugh. Warren has better lines. (Arguably, he had more good
dialogue in the museum scene in "Smashed" than Spike's had all year.)

(And how does Spike know about the previous bad birthdays, anyway?)

Dan

PS--"study"?? Did I say "study"? I meant use your computer's downtime
to outline stories in longhand, or have a viewing marathon. Something
important like that. Or, possibly, an orgy (what's college for, after
all?). 

"Study". Geez.