Thinky thoughts of the Spike-ish kind

[lirazel]

This is one of those "I'm having a conversation on whedonesque; tell me what you think about what I'm saying" posts.

This particular conversation starts out about Willow/Tara (and my thoughts line up precisely with Emmie's, big surprise there) and then becomes about S6 and then, finally, becomes about Spike.

And I just wrote a novel.

But I feel like I left something vital out.

Any thoughts?

Comments

[green-maia.livejournal.com]

Mostly I think that Willow's mind-rape was worse because A) Willow and Tara were in a supposedly "healthy" relationship, B) she succeeded, unlike Spike, and C) SHE NEVER REALLY ACKNOWLEDGED HOW AWFUL IT WAS. Spike got his soul. Willow pouted.)

Yes.

And also: Spike's attempted rape was a one-time thing. Willow tried to mind-rape Tara a second time. She would have kept on doing it over and over and over and again if Tara hadn't found out and left. It was NOT a moment of weakness and desperation, it was a HABIT, something that she thought was an acceptable reaction to Tara disagreeing with her. SHE THOUGHT IT WAS OKAY TO MIND-RAPE HER GIRLFRIEND. If Tara had never found out, they might have spent the next 50 years together with Willow wiping Tara's memory whenever they disagreed.

There's a reason why the legal system distinguishes between pre-meditated crimes and crimes of passion.

Willow's crime was pre-meditated, and she never even got that it was wrong,.

Spike's was a crime of passion, and he so much got that it was wrong that he went and got a soul.

Willow's crime was far, far, FAR worse.



I also think that altering a person's memory is one of the most evil things anyone could do to another; it seems worse than murder to me. It seems, to me, far, far, far worse than physically attacking someone. But that is just me. In any case, it's clear that Willow's action was pre-meditated but Spike's was not.

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

This might sound a little weird, but I mean it as a profound compliment.

You have such a highly developed morality, and I admire it so much. The way you believe so absolutely in respect for everyone and in peace in general--and are willing to call injustice and violence out where you see it--is such a beautiful thing. I totally agree with you about the violation of someone's memory, and I love that you've called it out with the Doctor and with Willow.

I know we've established that you're atheist and I'm Christian, but I want you to know that your comments have been an inspiration to me on a spiritual level (I hope that doesn't bother you).

Anyway, that's my long-winded (and schmoopy) way of saying that I agree with everything you've said here. And that I'm glad you're on my flist. ;)