I think his efforts were somewhat half-hearted. He was at war with himself over his feelings for Buffy in every way
Actually, I agree with you on that point. Should have been clearer about that part in the post above.
Because that is a very interesting and important point. Spike is at war with himself. We see it in Crush, we see it in Fool for Love, heck even before that - as far back as Becoming.
It's a war between the part of him that is well "Spike" and the part that is well "William". The two parts of him inform and contradict each other. He hates the fact that he is Buffy's "bitch", but at the same time, part of him loves it.
After the attempted rape scene in Seeing Red - he has an argument with himself. The two sides are fighting it out. And even before that - we see a similar argument raging in Smashed - where he is talking himself into killing the girl in the alley. I think his comment to Clem sums up his dilemma quite well:
"I can't be a monster, and I can't be a man. I'm nothing."
What I find fascinating is that he chose to become the man and fought back against the monster. The he made the choice to get a soul, as opposed to getting the chip removed.
So you are right - it is half-hearted. The whole season regarding Spike is him fighting with himself. Sometimes the monster wins, sometimes the man does. Heck it's his lines and songs in OMWF - where he states - leave me be, no don't leave, or if she's dead I'm free, I'd better help her out.
There's nothing more interesting to watch than a character at war with himself.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2009-08-10 10:25 pm (UTC)Actually, I agree with you on that point. Should have been clearer about that part in the post above.
Because that is a very interesting and important point.
Spike is at war with himself. We see it in Crush, we see it in Fool for Love, heck even before that - as far back as Becoming.
It's a war between the part of him that is well "Spike" and the part that is well "William".
The two parts of him inform and contradict each other.
He hates the fact that he is Buffy's "bitch", but at the same time, part of him loves it.
After the attempted rape scene in Seeing Red - he has an argument with himself. The two sides are fighting it out. And even before that - we see a similar argument raging in Smashed - where he is talking himself into killing the girl in the alley. I think his comment to Clem sums up his dilemma quite well:
"I can't be a monster, and I can't be a man. I'm nothing."
What I find fascinating is that he chose to become the man and fought back against the monster. The he made the choice to get a soul, as opposed to getting the chip removed.
So you are right - it is half-hearted. The whole season regarding Spike is him fighting with himself. Sometimes the monster wins, sometimes the man does.
Heck it's his lines and songs in OMWF - where he states - leave me be, no don't leave, or if she's dead I'm free, I'd better help her out.
There's nothing more interesting to watch than a character at war with himself.
Thank you for the response.