I have always thought that the best thing about their relationship is that even when things were going great, the seeds were already planted for its ultimate failure I totally agree with this, and that's a great way of putting it.
I don't think everyone should like Spike or whatnot, I just think it's silly to view him as a "cool" guy who's way more awesome than the other characters and who (apparently?) the other characters are always praising for being awesome. I just don't see that reading on the show at all. The evidence isn't there.
That said, I don't always love what he went through in S7. The First's pawn thing doesn't work for me. But at least he has an arc. Poor Xander doesn't. Plus, there really is some fantastic writing: "Beneath You," "Sleeper," etc. I love that. I fell in love with him in "Fool for Love," so I always already there, but I like the trajectory of his arc in S7. Even if I know what you mean about certain scenes getting repetitive (certainly, there are some!).
What I love about Buffy and Spike's relationship in S7 is that they're both so isolated from everyone else (Spike's even lost Dawn, his one ally...which I really hate, since I loved their relationship), and so they have to rely on each other. It seems to me that most American culture wants to tell us that in order to be strong, you have to be independent. I like seeing how being dependent upon each other makes them stronger. It's such a nice change.
Also, my key to enjoying Buffy and Spike's relationship in S7 is to watch what they do, not what they say. Because they certainly don't say much worth listening to ("Never Leave Me" professions of faith aside). For instance, the speech in "Touched" doesn't do anything for me. But they way they physically interact in that scene...that hits my sweet spot.
Anyway, I guess I'm not really disagreeing with you on any particular points so much as on personal preference. Which is totally valid, and I respect and understand where you're coming from. It makes perfect sense, even if I disagree.
Hee! Well, I have a Fred icon, and I really don't like Fred, so I guess I'm hypocritical, too.
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I have always thought that the best thing about their relationship is that even when things were going great, the seeds were already planted for its ultimate failure I totally agree with this, and that's a great way of putting it.
I don't think everyone should like Spike or whatnot, I just think it's silly to view him as a "cool" guy who's way more awesome than the other characters and who (apparently?) the other characters are always praising for being awesome. I just don't see that reading on the show at all. The evidence isn't there.
That said, I don't always love what he went through in S7. The First's pawn thing doesn't work for me. But at least he has an arc. Poor Xander doesn't. Plus, there really is some fantastic writing: "Beneath You," "Sleeper," etc. I love that. I fell in love with him in "Fool for Love," so I always already there, but I like the trajectory of his arc in S7. Even if I know what you mean about certain scenes getting repetitive (certainly, there are some!).
What I love about Buffy and Spike's relationship in S7 is that they're both so isolated from everyone else (Spike's even lost Dawn, his one ally...which I really hate, since I loved their relationship), and so they have to rely on each other. It seems to me that most American culture wants to tell us that in order to be strong, you have to be independent. I like seeing how being dependent upon each other makes them stronger. It's such a nice change.
Also, my key to enjoying Buffy and Spike's relationship in S7 is to watch what they do, not what they say. Because they certainly don't say much worth listening to ("Never Leave Me" professions of faith aside). For instance, the speech in "Touched" doesn't do anything for me. But they way they physically interact in that scene...that hits my sweet spot.
Anyway, I guess I'm not really disagreeing with you on any particular points so much as on personal preference. Which is totally valid, and I respect and understand where you're coming from. It makes perfect sense, even if I disagree.
Hee! Well, I have a Fred icon, and I really don't like Fred, so I guess I'm hypocritical, too.