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shadowkatThis is a Spike Shipper centric Poll. So if you consider yourself a shipper of Spike, the vampire, in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel the Series, along with the comics, please take the poll. I'm trying to get a feel for the Spike shippers in fandom. Granted, there's a sampling error of 10% or higher, since not everyone will take this poll.
I'm curious to see how people who love the character of Spike, ship the character and view him. Do you read fanfic? Do you write it? What fanfic do you read and/or write? Do you see him as a glorious evil badass or the romantic poet? Soulful or Soulless (albeit I didn't put Soulless - I put Ambiguous). What are your views? I know mine. I want to know yours.
Hopefully more than one person will comment. Be awfully embarrassing if no one does.
Polls are tricky that way. They are only interesting if people take them.
[Poll #1836840]
I'm curious to see how people who love the character of Spike, ship the character and view him. Do you read fanfic? Do you write it? What fanfic do you read and/or write? Do you see him as a glorious evil badass or the romantic poet? Soulful or Soulless (albeit I didn't put Soulless - I put Ambiguous). What are your views? I know mine. I want to know yours.
Hopefully more than one person will comment. Be awfully embarrassing if no one does.
Polls are tricky that way. They are only interesting if people take them.
[Poll #1836840]
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Date: 2012-04-28 08:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-28 10:12 am (UTC)I took the poll.
I ship Spuffy and Spangel majorly, but I'm curious towards the other pairings and I read Spiles (Is it the right name for Spike/Giles?), Spanya, Spriley ... I don't like Spaith or Spawn (just because I love the babysitter interaction between Spike and Dawn in S5)
I started ship Spike - with the passion of thousand burning suns- in Season 5, when I defintly fell in love with the character. And I love everything about him, but mostly his romantic, gold heart. I checked every option except for "evil, bastard, manipulative" and "duality" (because, even with his contradictions, Spike's always the same)
The comics made me ship Spuffy again with the passion of the first time: now, I do want the happy ending for Spike and Buffy.
I write about Spike, but mostly in a romantic way.
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Date: 2012-04-28 10:17 am (UTC)Actually, I have *written* Spike/Dawn, but I didn't tick the box because I wouldn't say I ship them. It's a very good fic, but very very very screwed up. (See icon...)
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Date: 2012-04-28 10:36 am (UTC)I saw the Spawn fanfic. The fact is that, basically, I'm not curious to read about them. But I loved their interection in S5 and S6.
In these days, I'm feeling so Spuffy! >O
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Date: 2012-04-28 10:45 am (UTC)And the Spike/Dawn fic is probably the most disturbing thing I've ever written. So very wrong in every way, but beautiful too - far more 'wrong' than Spike/Buffy ever were, but more loving too. (I'm broken. It's OK, I've learned to live with it. *g*)
Actually, the guiding light (as it were) behind that fic is this quote which sums things up pretty neatly:
"He's a monster, but if he likes you, he'd be your monster, and he would protect you above all things. But he is a monster. I don't think women mind if he's a monster as long as he's their monster. Take note guys", he grins, "You can get away with anything as long as it's all for her!" - James Marsters
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Date: 2012-04-28 10:52 am (UTC)I understand the wrongness/tenderness of Dawn/Spike. In some ways, I think that they're really similar, always needing of love. Spike and Buffy, instead, are very different in their ways of feeling emotions. Love the fact that they complete each other. *w* (It's all Buffy comics' fault, really. I was quiet and then, they start to pinch mu Spuffy-soul! è_é)
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Date: 2012-04-28 10:57 am (UTC)And the fic is set in an AU where Buffy stayed dead, and essentially Spike & Dawn find solace in each other's arms... except Dawn is a grieving teenager and not a good moral compass and... yeah. So wrong. (I'm VERY proud of it. *g*)
It's all Buffy comics' fault, really. I was quiet and then, they start to pinch mu Spuffy-soul! è_é
You might just have justified the comics' existance. /o\
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Date: 2012-04-28 11:48 am (UTC)OH GOD! *ç* Seriously, THIS. MAN. I wanna do bad things with him, so much!
I'm gonna read your fic, now I'm curious. I'm also translating a lot, I'm fandom-addicted. The comics only reason to exist is bring the Spuffy back forevAH.
no subject
Date: 2012-04-28 12:02 pm (UTC)IKR? I could look at that ALL DAY...
I'm gonna read your fic, now I'm curious.
Heh. I'm good at selling myself? *g* It was also my first foray into the land of smut, and I swear I have never been more nervous about posting anything. There's a reason it's flocked.
I'm also translating a lot, I'm fandom-addicted.
Aren't we all?
The comics only reason to exist is bring the Spuffy back forevAH.
Alas, I fear this icon (made by the fabulous rahirah) is only far too true:
But let's hope I'm wrong.
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Date: 2012-04-28 01:20 pm (UTC)Foul temptress, why do you say these things when I'm . . . lurking where you have no real reason to expect me to be.
This day ends in me reading, doesn't it? *glares*
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Date: 2012-04-28 01:27 pm (UTC)(And I wouldn't say that I'd no real reason to expect you to be here... I know you talk me! *g*)
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Date: 2012-04-28 02:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-28 03:02 pm (UTC)ETA: Um. Comment above should have been 'stalk'. Am going to sit over here, banging my head on the desk.
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Date: 2012-04-28 07:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-28 07:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-28 09:38 pm (UTC)No, seems pretty par for the course to me.
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Date: 2012-04-28 09:47 pm (UTC)Although - to try to steer the conversation back to the topic of the post - I ship Spike/Buffy/Angel, something I've forgotten to mention and which might be relevant. As a matter of fact I believe Spike is the person who makes the threesome work - without him, it falls apart. *points to various fic written on the subject*
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Date: 2012-04-28 06:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-28 07:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-28 09:42 pm (UTC)Sorry for the . . . that *points up*
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Date: 2012-04-28 10:41 pm (UTC)As long as it doesn't become a flame war or a kerfuffle or insulting of me or my interests in any way - have fun!! ;-)
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Date: 2012-04-28 07:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-28 10:55 am (UTC)The "other" is that I watched "Lies" from Season 7 as my first episode! ... And yes, Spike leapt towards me. So, technically season 7, but I can honestly say he was the character that made me watch BtVS!
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Date: 2012-04-28 02:00 pm (UTC)You know, something you watch when it's on, but not much more than that.
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Date: 2012-04-28 06:58 pm (UTC)Thanks!
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Date: 2012-04-28 03:14 pm (UTC)And I've got a Spike/duster icon...
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Date: 2012-04-28 06:56 pm (UTC)There's also Spike and the Pole (S2 - School Hard, and Fool for Love with Nikki and Harsh Light of Day.)
Sigh, what is it with Spike and inanimate objects? I think he may even have done it with Mr. Gordo, when Buffy wasn't looking. Randy fits him. LOL!
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Date: 2012-04-28 05:29 pm (UTC)If I just went by the show, excluding fic, I would only ship Spike with Dru, Harmony (for the lulz), Buffy, Lydia the Watcher, Ilona Costa Bianchi, and possibly Faith, Fred, or Cordelia. Maybe a tiniest hint of Giles. If it weren't for fic, my horizons for Spike would be a lot more limited. ;-)
I think this is a good poll, as it isn't too reductive. It reflects that there is nuance in the Spike-centric fandom!
About the comics: Sometimes I really enjoy them (Xander and Dracula's combined story, for instance). At other times I intensely dislike them (too many examples!). Right now I am mildly interested, and am mollified because they haven't completely screwed up Spike's characterization. Yet. We'll see if he joins Buffy (and to a lesser extent Angel, Willow, and Dawn) on the trash pile of characters that don't act like themselves. I may have Opinions.
no subject
Date: 2012-04-28 06:53 pm (UTC)Somewhat the same way. I checked practically all the boxes. My favorites, oddly, and most likely due to the writers that I read, are Spuffy, Spangel, and Spander. There's not a lot of good Spillow out there - I don't know why. It just hasn't worked for me. I've read some good Spawn. And some decent Spike/Giles, Spike/Riley, and Spike/Faith.
But nothing great.
When I say I have insanely eclectic tastes, not kidding. I have and will read practically anything in fanfic. People take risks in fanfic they don't often take in professional writing.
If I just went by the show, excluding fic, I would only ship Spike with Dru, Harmony (for the lulz), Buffy, Lydia the Watcher, Ilona Costa Bianchi, and possibly Faith, Fred, or Cordelia. Maybe a tiniest hint of Giles. If it weren't for fic, my horizons for Spike would be a lot more limited. ;-)
LOL! I tended to go with what the writers showed. Harmony/Spike, (Spike/Willow briefly in S3 and 4, until she came out as gay, then no),
Spike/Anya until that was killed. Spike/Angel - because that was strongly hinted at in subtext in S2 Buffy, S1 and S5 Angel, as well as S7 Buffy. Oddly the comics by Whedon have killed it dead. Briefly Spike/Faith, and briefly Xander/Spike (when they were roommates).
Mainly though Dru/Spike and Buffy/Spike.
I think this is a good poll, as it isn't too reductive. It reflects that there is nuance in the Spike-centric fandom!
Thank you! That was my aim. But harder to do than you might think. I wanted to see if I was right in my general assessment that Spike shippers tend to defy categorization. Generally speaking - they are mainly Spuffy shippers and above the age of 40, but that's not always true. And there's a lot of nuance. Also a lot of Spike fans like Angel.
And like the comics. Disliking the comics isn't really connected with Spike - since he doesn't really appear in them until much later and his appearance is rather...tame. No character assignation or OOC moments. It's actually the only thing I like about the comics - he's been serviced fairly well by them. The Spuffy ship...eh...the writers appear to still be playing the will they/won't they dance game they've
been playing since S7. It's annoying. And that did influence my view of the comics to an extent. Pick one or the other, this constant tease is unrealistic and irritating.
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Date: 2012-04-28 06:59 pm (UTC)been playing since S7. It's annoying. And that did influence my view of the comics to an extent. Pick one or the other, this constant tease is unrealistic and irritating.
I'm sorry, but THIS.
Word.
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Date: 2012-04-29 12:00 am (UTC)By far the best part of Season Eight!
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Date: 2012-04-28 08:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-28 10:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-28 09:05 pm (UTC)As far as canon pairings go, I ship (and write) Spike with Buffy and Angel. Unconventional pairings I've read or have written are Spawn, Spara and Spindra. I could see how Spillow and Spaith might work, but I'd really rather not see it for some reason...
While I was satisfied at the ending of NFA, I could see Spike's story continue on. Loved AtF, but would love to see a Spike movie (and not made for TV but big screen) even still. Any competent writer could have a glossed over backstory on his character for the masses, and then jump into a whole new story. Hmph.
no subject
Date: 2012-04-28 11:58 pm (UTC)I started watching BtVS back in season 3. I loved Spike when he showed up season 4, but I didn't start shipping him with Buffy until Dead Things. I'm not sure I want to know what that says about me!
I also like Spike & Drusilla, and while (depending on the author's skill) I'll buy other pairing for the course of a story I don't really ship anyone else for either of our heroes.
no subject
Date: 2012-04-30 12:03 am (UTC)For some reason Spike/Willow doesn't appeal to me. Not sure why.
Spuffy and Spangel used to be my favorites, but since the comics, I don't love Angel so much anymore, but I can usually shut the comics out of my head and then I can enjoy.
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Date: 2012-04-30 04:08 pm (UTC)After catching the s6 ep where he decides he's leaving Sunnydale - I wanted to know who Spike was, and got myself some DVDs.
It's all about Spike/Buffy for me from a ship pov, though I have read S/B/A, Spike/Dawn and Spike/Tara fics.