I'm having a theory about Spike's character.

I think he's a romantic idealist. For him, bad guys are bad guys, good guys are good guys. No one is a mixture of both.

This occured to me when he was telling Wood that it was the demon talking and not his mother. We had a discussion before about his mother possibly having some of the feelings she expressed when she became a vampire, and Angel mentioning that vampires do have soemthing to do with their former selves.

It fits a lot of what he does. His inability to really see that Buffy couldn't love him (she's a good guy, and so her actions should always be true). His getting a soul (he's fighting for good and can't reconcile that with being evil). Telling wood it's part of the game (bad guys do bad things, good guys try to stop them). Even his shutting down the hellmouth (He was happy to go out like the big hero with guns blazing).

That theory makes a lot of sense.

Well, on a simpler level -- it was his *mom*. Every kid wants his mom to be perfect, y'know? Not some freaky mean Oedipal bitch.

Well, she wasn't. But I'm sure as a human, she probably had uncharitable thoughts toward her son.

(okay, this is kinda my stream of consciousness babbling while watching LMPTM)

Also watching LMPTM...it's the duel of the Oedipal guys next! Spike for his Mom and Buffy, Wood for his mom and Buffy...hmm...seems like often on the show (as in real life) characters try to kill those in whom they see their own dark sides...does that make sense? Look at Willow and Warren; both used magic to control ones they loved and both were very arrogant during Season 6...seems like one of the show's major themes is the struggle w/ one's own Shadow/Dark Side. Probably why I love it.

Damnit, this scene would've been SO much better if they'd had Giles revealing that he killed Ben! That's one of the rare times that Buffy features a problem that many other programs has (for example, X-Files fans: Skinner shoots Krycek dead in cold blood and they mention it once afterwards); major actions on the part of major characters are forgotten the next day.

(okay, this is kinda my stream of consciousness babbling while watching LMPTM)

Also watching LMPTM...it's the duel of the Oedipal guys next! Spike for his Mom and Buffy, Wood for his mom and Buffy...hmm...seems like often on the show (as in real life) characters try to kill those in whom they see their own dark sides...does that make sense? Look at Willow and Warren; both used magic to control ones they loved and both were very arrogant during Season 6...seems like one of the show's major themes is the struggle w/ one's own Shadow/Dark Side. Probably why I love it.

Damnit, this scene would've been SO much better if they'd had Giles revealing that he killed Ben! That's one of the rare times that Buffy features a problem that many other programs has (for example, X-Files fans: Skinner shoots Krycek dead in cold blood and they mention it once afterwards); major actions on the part of major characters are forgotten the next day.

Watching LMPTM, and I'm seeing this striking similiarity between what Spike says to Wood, "I'm not under The First's or anyone else's influence, now. I just wanted you to know that before I killed you" and Angel's meeting with Wes in the hospital room, "You know I'm not Angelus..." and then smothers him with a pillow. (Also reminded of ita's mighty howl at the screen during that scene that just about knocked me out of bed).

Strikingly similiar.

I thought that was just derivative at first, but I knew it couldn't be just accidental because that was one of the most memorable moments of Angel's season. So I decided that Fury was trying to hammer down the point that Spike is still a dangerous serial killer by reminding us that even Angel is dangerous -- a soul doesn't make a vampire a good or safe person. He has Buffy say, "He has a soul now, Giles. Spike won't let himself harm anyone," in that episode, but I know he thinks she's wrong.

Watching LMPTM, and I'm seeing this striking similiarity between what Spike says to Wood, "I'm not under The First's or anyone else's influence, now. I just wanted you to know that before I killed you" and Angel's meeting with Wes in the hospital room, "You know I'm not Angelus..." and then smothers him with a pillow. (Also reminded of ita's mighty howl at the screen during that scene that just about knocked me out of bed).

I might have brought that up during the run (although snarky-like, when I said "I liked this arc better when it was Holtz, and this scene better when it was 'Forgiving'.")

But, yeah. AndAtSdiditbettermystorystickingtoit.

So. Thessaly and I are continuing our Season 6 marathon, and I have to admit, I'm enjoying it more than I rememmber. In fact, I was totally fine all the way from Bargaining to Smashed.

Then we hit the pull of suck, which, unfortunately, is still substandard. Still, we've now gone through Wrecked to DoubleMeat Palace, which means the worst is out of the way. Odd phenomenon, though--I remembered all the bad parts, but the good parts took me completely by surprise. Like they were blocked or something.

Next up, "Dead Things." Thank goodness.