Friend away -- but as you can see, I don't post much either. Though I do keep meaning to post more.
I'd have to watch CWDP again to give a proper answer about whether there are cues in the show that say we are supposed to see it as problematic. But I recall that there's that sad music by Angie Hart, and a montage at the end showing all of this to be pretty much of a downer. In the text, they have this exchange:
HOLDEN: Oh, it makes every kind of sense. And it all adds up to you feeling alone. But, Buffy, everybody feels alone. Everybody is, until you die. Speaking of... you ready for our little death match?
BUFFY: I suppose. Thanks, for listening.
HOLDEN: Oh, you know, there's some things you can only tell a stranger.
BUFFY: You're not a stranger...
(Buffy Dialogue Database: such a handy website).
She goes on to dust a guy who is not a stranger to her, to whom she has told her most intimate secrets. That's ooky. It's even ookier when we realize that she told him her most intimate secrets BECAUSE she was going to dust him. So she uses him as a PERSON, with the 100% full intention of disposing with that person afterwards. And this exchange which establishes him as "not a stranger" moves immediately to the reveal that Spike is killing again. Which is heavy matter of itself. So, yeah, I think we are meant to take it seriously.
As I come to think of it, though, this is NOT the first PERSON Buffy has killed. Two episodes prior, she runs Anya through with a sword. And that is definitely meant to be disturbing. So much so that they don't quite let that death stick. So I do think it's an issue. One that really doesn't get addressed again in season 7, but which is gurgling up here in season 8.
no subject
I'd have to watch CWDP again to give a proper answer about whether there are cues in the show that say we are supposed to see it as problematic. But I recall that there's that sad music by Angie Hart, and a montage at the end showing all of this to be pretty much of a downer. In the text, they have this exchange:
HOLDEN: Oh, it makes every kind of sense. And it all adds up to you feeling alone. But, Buffy, everybody feels alone. Everybody is, until you die. Speaking of... you ready for our little death match?
BUFFY: I suppose. Thanks, for listening.
HOLDEN: Oh, you know, there's some things you can only tell a stranger.
BUFFY: You're not a stranger...
(Buffy Dialogue Database: such a handy website).
She goes on to dust a guy who is not a stranger to her, to whom she has told her most intimate secrets. That's ooky. It's even ookier when we realize that she told him her most intimate secrets BECAUSE she was going to dust him. So she uses him as a PERSON, with the 100% full intention of disposing with that person afterwards. And this exchange which establishes him as "not a stranger" moves immediately to the reveal that Spike is killing again. Which is heavy matter of itself. So, yeah, I think we are meant to take it seriously.
As I come to think of it, though, this is NOT the first PERSON Buffy has killed. Two episodes prior, she runs Anya through with a sword. And that is definitely meant to be disturbing. So much so that they don't quite let that death stick. So I do think it's an issue. One that really doesn't get addressed again in season 7, but which is gurgling up here in season 8.