Buffy’s reconciliation with Spike over the course of season seven reflects her own internal reconciliation with her own power.
I agree, and I've always read Spike as a sort of shadow-self for Buffy (in the same way that Faith was in S3).
I'm suspicious of the party line that Spike was intended to be killed off. I think the writing staff adopted that line at the beginning, in case Marsters didn't work out or the fans hated him, and then just ran with it. But I suspect that Joss always intended for Spike to turn into a shadow-self for Buffy. I mean, he named the character Spike. It's an obvious phallic reference, intended to highlight the character's role as the embodiment of masculine violence - the same way that Buffy is the embodiment of feminine strength. (Also, eerily similar to the name "Pike," Buffy's cohort and presumed romantic interest in the movie.)
Angel’s true story, which is now (appropriately) distinct from Buffy’s is about how one comes to terms with being human when one’s deepest nature is in rebellion against that project.
I think "Not Fade Away" illustrates that Angel has reconciled the two sides of his nature. The episode begins with him signing away his once-coveted humanity; it ends with him using his vampiric nature to drink from Hamilton, steal his power and win the fight against him. It also ends with a not-so-subtle declaration that Connor, not the Shanshu, is where Angel's humanity and future really lies:
CONNOR: "They'll destroy you." ANGEL: "As long as you're okay, they can't."
One of the many, many things I love about the end of Angel is that it shows Angel embracing both his demon and his human sides. One helps him win the fight; the other gives him something worth fighting for.
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I agree, and I've always read Spike as a sort of shadow-self for Buffy (in the same way that Faith was in S3).
I'm suspicious of the party line that Spike was intended to be killed off. I think the writing staff adopted that line at the beginning, in case Marsters didn't work out or the fans hated him, and then just ran with it. But I suspect that Joss always intended for Spike to turn into a shadow-self for Buffy. I mean, he named the character Spike. It's an obvious phallic reference, intended to highlight the character's role as the embodiment of masculine violence - the same way that Buffy is the embodiment of feminine strength. (Also, eerily similar to the name "Pike," Buffy's cohort and presumed romantic interest in the movie.)
Angel’s true story, which is now (appropriately) distinct from Buffy’s is about how one comes to terms with being human when one’s deepest nature is in rebellion against that project.
I think "Not Fade Away" illustrates that Angel has reconciled the two sides of his nature. The episode begins with him signing away his once-coveted humanity; it ends with him using his vampiric nature to drink from Hamilton, steal his power and win the fight against him. It also ends with a not-so-subtle declaration that Connor, not the Shanshu, is where Angel's humanity and future really lies:
CONNOR: "They'll destroy you."
ANGEL: "As long as you're okay, they can't."
One of the many, many things I love about the end of Angel is that it shows Angel embracing both his demon and his human sides. One helps him win the fight; the other gives him something worth fighting for.
Interesting thoughts. Thanks for posting.