Very interesting thoughts! Read through the comments, and I have to agree with some--I have very, very little faith in Joss (or Allie, ect) when it comes to the handling of certain things, and I don't think bringing Spike into s8 is a good idea for that reason. I heard a tale once that Allie said s8 was more of a "new" series of BTVS than an actual continuation of s7, but I guess that's silly since a lot of other things left undone have been addressed (re: Faith/Robin, ect outlined in your post).
It's possible (and would make a LOT more sense) that Spike's disappearance is significant, and even the premonition of what's really to come in the latter part of s8. Considering the patterns of BTVS, it's true that the villains and major story are only brought out towards the end of the season, so if Spike really is going to be addressed for resolutions (and really is that important), it'd make sense for it to happen toward the end of the season if it did not happen at the beginning. True to patterns, Riley & Angel have already been addressed, give or take... the fact that Spike has not really is rather odd, which is why it bothers me. Doesn't mean Joss & Co will actually bring him in (and if they do, I doubt it'll be satisfying), but one writer to another, it simplu doesn't make sense to leave Spike out of the story and pretend he isn't very important to Buffy's character, when he is.
I think bringing Spike into s8 is more than just a shipper issue--like you say, Spike has major effects on Buffy's character (and vice versa), and both have played big roles on where they are now.
*crosses fingers* I'm nervous one way or another. It's the proverbial pink elephant, and such things take grace and patience to be handled correctly. Heh!
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Very interesting thoughts! Read through the comments, and I have to agree with some--I have very, very little faith in Joss (or Allie, ect) when it comes to the handling of certain things, and I don't think bringing Spike into s8 is a good idea for that reason. I heard a tale once that Allie said s8 was more of a "new" series of BTVS than an actual continuation of s7, but I guess that's silly since a lot of other things left undone have been addressed (re: Faith/Robin, ect outlined in your post).
It's possible (and would make a LOT more sense) that Spike's disappearance is significant, and even the premonition of what's really to come in the latter part of s8. Considering the patterns of BTVS, it's true that the villains and major story are only brought out towards the end of the season, so if Spike really is going to be addressed for resolutions (and really is that important), it'd make sense for it to happen toward the end of the season if it did not happen at the beginning. True to patterns, Riley & Angel have already been addressed, give or take... the fact that Spike has not really is rather odd, which is why it bothers me. Doesn't mean Joss & Co will actually bring him in (and if they do, I doubt it'll be satisfying), but one writer to another, it simplu doesn't make sense to leave Spike out of the story and pretend he isn't very important to Buffy's character, when he is.
I think bringing Spike into s8 is more than just a shipper issue--like you say, Spike has major effects on Buffy's character (and vice versa), and both have played big roles on where they are now.
*crosses fingers* I'm nervous one way or another. It's the proverbial pink elephant, and such things take grace and patience to be handled correctly. Heh!