You are so right - I do see this as a writer - I am a writer even when I don't write. So I bring my own prejudices, but more than that - I bring questions and struggle for answers.
This is just pure YMMV - I see what you are saying but still hold to my own beliefs. It isn't against Buffy - she did what she had to do. In the script she tells Angel that it would be too confusing to have them both there. I see that as a better answer than having him planning a second front (which he apparently didn't do anyway). If they lose then the entire country becomes a Turok-han playground. I guess W&H would actually be a useful tool but Buffy knows nothing about that. More than anything I hold to what Buffy said "Because I cant risk you." She had to protect him, couldn't risk the pain of losing him again. She also couldn't risk his tendency to take over. Even his presence would be disruptive.
I truly believe all three of them knew the amulet meant death - and that is a large part Doylist. It ups the ante - brings another layer of challenge. Why would there be any problem with handing over the amulet if it wasn't risky? And what was the possible risk? Nothing makes sense except death. Then I take that Doylist choice and see the story - try to make sense of it. This is the only sense I can make of that choice.
Buffy was not willing to risk Angel. But she was willing to let Spike take the risk. He pretty much demanded the amulet. She told him what he meant to her named him her champion. It was his redemption, to be her champion and to die in her place - and I truly believe he knew this would happen and wanted to do it.
Spike doesn't survive. That is really important. Just because he is brought back to life at W&H doesn't mean he didn't burn to death. Let's not take his sacrifice away. He died, wanting it to be the end, satisfied that he had saved Buffy.
As for Watsonian and Doylist, I do agree both a needed. It's just jarring to be deep in a Watsonian discussion and have it made moot by bringing up the Doylist reason for what you're discussing.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2014-10-13 01:24 am (UTC)This is just pure YMMV - I see what you are saying but still hold to my own beliefs. It isn't against Buffy - she did what she had to do. In the script she tells Angel that it would be too confusing to have them both there. I see that as a better answer than having him planning a second front (which he apparently didn't do anyway). If they lose then the entire country becomes a Turok-han playground. I guess W&H would actually be a useful tool but Buffy knows nothing about that. More than anything I hold to what Buffy said "Because I cant risk you." She had to protect him, couldn't risk the pain of losing him again. She also couldn't risk his tendency to take over. Even his presence would be disruptive.
I truly believe all three of them knew the amulet meant death - and that is a large part Doylist. It ups the ante - brings another layer of challenge. Why would there be any problem with handing over the amulet if it wasn't risky? And what was the possible risk? Nothing makes sense except death. Then I take that Doylist choice and see the story - try to make sense of it. This is the only sense I can make of that choice.
Buffy was not willing to risk Angel. But she was willing to let Spike take the risk. He pretty much demanded the amulet. She told him what he meant to her named him her champion. It was his redemption, to be her champion and to die in her place - and I truly believe he knew this would happen and wanted to do it.
Spike doesn't survive. That is really important. Just because he is brought back to life at W&H doesn't mean he didn't burn to death. Let's not take his sacrifice away. He died, wanting it to be the end, satisfied that he had saved Buffy.
As for Watsonian and Doylist, I do agree both a needed. It's just jarring to be deep in a Watsonian discussion and have it made moot by bringing up the Doylist reason for what you're discussing.
I am truly enjoying this!