Soul Purpose

[rusty_halo]

Yes, Mr. Fury, I get it. I give in now. Spike is a nasty sexist pig who objectifies women, and I'm just a delusional hormone-driven fool for ever liking him in the first place. I'll go burn my Spike memorabilia in effigy now. Thank you so much for enlightening me.

*sigh*

*misses Jane Espenson*

*is completely over this show and this character*

Well, except the Spike/Lindsey hoyay was nice.

Back before Spike was with Buffy, the writers didn't feel the need to insert some little "Look! Spike objectifies women! Spike's a bad boy! Spike's a creep!" thing into every single episode. Now? His relationship with Buffy is *over*, but it's like Fury's still trying to hammer it into every single Spike fan's head that they were *wrong*, that Spuffy was *wrong*, that Spike is *wrong*.

Whatever. My Spike died in "Grave," and Fury's retcons are not going to ruin my love for that character. This Spike? Isn't the same guy--he's been completely ruined by poor writing, inconsistent characterization, conflicting writers' agendas, poor acting ... the list goes on. I really couldn't care less about him at this point.

This episode had some nice hints that they might explore the complexity of reality, the grey areas of life, the idea that everything doesn't always come down to black and white in the end. Except I saw BtVS season six, so I already know they'll botch it. I'm not going to waste my time and effort investing in a story that I've already seen ME ruin once.

Comments

[circe-tigana.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. Let's ignore Angel and go see ROTK together :)

mmmm...hobbits.

[harmonyfb.livejournal.com]

I didn't see Spike objectifying women, there. Cause he was at a strip club? You know, those women make a really good living. (Yeah, there's somebody being exploited in strip clubs. But it ain't the dancers.)

I loved his response to the chicklet in the alley. Go, Spike with the truth-speaking. ;) I saw Spike struggling with what the hell he's doing back in the world, and who he is. I'm not a big fan of Fury's version of Spike, but I thought he came off pretty well.

[shadowlass.livejournal.com]

I'm always up for Fury-bashing, but this episode was written by Brent Fletcher.

However, I am confident that David Fury is responsible for every other bad thing that's happened in the last several years, including, but not limited to: Bush's election, the economy, and the headache I'm currently enjoying. Also, "Gone," which is probably a felony in some states.

Actually, I enjoyed tonight's episode, but I am on medication. See above, re: headache.

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

Spike is a nasty sexist pig who objectifies women,

I've gotta admit I didn't really see that. There is *something* about Spike on Angel that is off (lighting? directing? acting?) but I haven't been able to relate it back to lines or plot.

I see Spike treating women the same way he treats men, with an equal amount of disrespect - with the exception of Fred who he is obviously soft on. I actually think yelling at that women in the alley was really in character for him and that he would have done the same if it had been someone like Andrew he'd saved (assuming Andrew wore heels)

[zyrya]

I see Spike's behaviour to the woman in the alley as a combination of fighting against whatever Angel/Lindsey/TPTB/Wolfram & Hart/Uncle Tom Cobbleigh and all are pushing on Spike ... or whatever he thinks they're pushing on him ... and the textual need to distinguish between Angel and Spike in a way that makes sense for both characters.

Having two souled, save-the-world type vampires on AtS and having to give them both meaningful characters arcs really pushes the writers up against the wall. Even if they're inclined to treat Spike sympathetically - and I'm not convinced they are, but what the hell ... benefit of the doubt and all - there are only so many places they can go. And one of the most obvious paths is to have one souled vampire desire the Champion status (*puke* I know, but they started it), and the other one to hate it and rebel against it.

Unfortunately, the place I think they're going to end up does not look good for Spike. I'm worried they're headed to good old Fundamental Duality Land where Angel is Good but occasionally has impulses to be Bad, whereas Spike is occasionally, accidentally Good despite being essentially Bad at heart. Or soul. Or whatever other bit ME decides is the home of the metaphysical this week. Although I'm quite sure I know which body parts Fury associates most with Spike ... the arse and the dick.

So I'm pretty much in the same boat with you, Laura ... excited about the possibility of exploring intriguing grey areas, but fairly certain that ME will drop the ball again.

Finally watched...

[chenanceou.livejournal.com]

Bleh.
I need a good show.

[diva-stardust.livejournal.com]

Back before Spike was with Buffy, the writers didn't feel the need to insert some little "Look! Spike objectifies women! Spike's a bad boy! Spike's a creep!" thing into every single episode. Now? His relationship with Buffy is *over*, but it's like Fury's still trying to hammer it into every single Spike fan's head that they were *wrong*, that Spuffy was *wrong*, that Spike is *wrong*.

I definitely agree with you about Spike. I was cringing and saying "Shut up, Spike." (which seems to happen a lot lately) in my head during that alley scene with the woman. It feels like they're doing everything over the top about his character.

I think My Spike died after he stopped being crazy. That's the last time I really liked or loved him even though there were *moments* (like the end scene in "Chosen") where I cared about him again.