Through most of late S3 to S5, I fully realized that Wesley was fucked-up, possibly beyond recall. Which actually made me love him more

Yeah. It's one of those situations where the character became more appealing as a character while at the same time becoming the person you'd stay well away from in real life. It's sort of the way I love the character of Macbeth but never in a million years would want or expect a happy ending for the guy.

In Buffy S5 (and early S6), I kept rooting for Spike to become a better person, but with Wesley, I found myself cheering on his fall from grace.

Though... doesn't "blind-spots" imply that you are oblivious to the character's faults?

I'm taking it as not so much oblivious, but inclined to rationalize or hand-wave.

I don't think I've blindspotted -- well, maybe Lindsey. But when my efforts to keep enjoying them as I like them most, I just shrug and say "Well, Spike up through season 4." I liked the bad stuff about the characters I like the most.

Okay, my own words convict me. I would like to know though, what about Giles needs overlooking

How about the attempted murder of Spike, which, had it occurred, would have prevented the saving of the world.

My anti-blind spot would be the wee woobieman Connor. I'd go into reasons why, but I must away for work.

I also have a bit of an Anya blindspot. I know she's responsible for more deaths than probably all of the other characters except Angel combined, but I identify with her too much to care.

(But at least I'm aware of what I'm handwaving with her. With Connor, I have no idea what about him I'm supposed to find less than lovable.)

With Connor, I have no idea what about him I'm supposed to find less than lovable.

Which is almost precisely why he's my anti-blind spot. I have no idea if he did anything worth hating him for, he just bugged me. Whiny kid....

(I did think he was cool as Normal!Well-Adjusted!Connor in Not Fade Away, though.)

(I did think he was cool as Normal!Well-Adjusted!Connor in Not Fade Away, though.)

yes, normal Connor is okay. I especially loved the "You stop by for coffee and the world's not ending? Please." Although I disliked him intensely until that point.

I never like characters that are easily manipulated. It irritates me.

Which is almost precisely why he's my anti-blind spot. I have no idea if he did anything worth hating him for, he just bugged me. Whiny kid....

Sean speaks for me re:Connor. I don't know why he bugs me like he does, but mercy. I don't like that kid at all.

My blindspot? Probably Giles. Although, on S2 rewatch, I'm miffed at him in his treatment to Jenny. After Buffy finds out that Jenny knew about Angel, B shuns her and G follows. I can understand B, she's a teenager. But G? Jenny didn't know what would happen until it was too late. How would things have changed if she told G&B that she was there to watch Angel? They already knew everything Jenny did. [sorry--side rant!]

I would like to know though, what about Giles needs overlooking [in the way we have to overlook Willow's self-centeredness; Xander's self-righteousness; or Buffy's [whatever it is, I know she's my blindspot)]?

Giles biggest weakness, IMO, was giving Xander inordinate amounts of shit for things that, compared to what Willow was getting away with, were minor in comparison, and generally not taking more notice of what Willow was up to despite being the one to introduce her to the heavy duty magic. I would still say he's the least flawed of the Sunnydale congtingent.

I think somehow my blind spot mus be Spike, since I've been able to pretty much wank all the objections people have about how he didn't get staked back in the day (whichever day that was - season 4, 5 or 6).