Regarding Buffy and Spike - I think she fully realises that her treatment of him in mid-season 6 was unacceptable. The thing is, her apology to him comes in season 6 when she breaks up with him
( ... )
Does it cover things like forgetting (after OMWF) her promise in season 5 to not forget that he's capable of good? ... And does that one apology really compare -- as an act of contrition -- with going off to fight for a soul?
My own metathon essay is going to be looking at repentance and redemption - specifically for Faith and Willow - but you're touching on an important point here: is a dramatic gesture of contrition really necessary for someone to experience repentance? Or is it just something that onlookers want to see for their own satisfaction? (Or that they need to see before they can accept that person 'back into the fold'.)
In season 7, Buffy might not specifically apologise to Spike for her S6 characterisation of him. She does something much more important (and difficult): she actually treats him as someone capable of good - over the strenuous objections of Xander and Giles and the scepticism of Dawn. Having his chip removed is the ultimate symbol of this. On a weekly TV show, words often have to speak louder than actions
( ... )
She's still someone who is rather incapable of letting her defenses down with people, possibly because she's afraid to find out for herself what's behind those defenses.
Or, perhaps, because she knows what is behind those defenses and determines that those defenses are better off in place. I pretty much know that I'd do a lot of bad stuff if I let my id run free.
Would I be a better man if I actually did, and then atoned after? I think not.
Thanks for your kind words! I enjoyed writing the essay -- and would not have thought much about the subject were it not for your suggestion of the topic
( ... )
We see the depths of Buffy's hatred for Faith in her refusal to give her room to repent in "Sanctuary".
In "Sanctuary", Buffy risks her own life to save Faith. She's quite clear that she's willing to give Faith room to repent, on condition that room be a jail cell.
Thanks for the kudos. I have a lot of stuff in my head, but I keep putting off writing it down. And yea, totally have stuff to say about Spike/Angel. We'll see what the New Year brings. I'd love to hear your thoughts as well!
I don't know if you ever got my e-mail reply to your e-mail (a long time ago) -- but I appreciated it a lot. RL got busy, but I'm back to thinking about Buffy too much!! Hope all's well by you. I love your icon over on BSV.
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My own metathon essay is going to be looking at repentance and redemption - specifically for Faith and Willow - but you're touching on an important point here: is a dramatic gesture of contrition really necessary for someone to experience repentance? Or is it just something that onlookers want to see for their own satisfaction? (Or that they need to see before they can accept that person 'back into the fold'.)
In season 7, Buffy might not specifically apologise to Spike for her S6 characterisation of him. She does something much more important (and difficult): she actually treats him as someone capable of good - over the strenuous objections of Xander and Giles and the scepticism of Dawn. Having his chip removed is the ultimate symbol of this. On a weekly TV show, words often have to speak louder than actions ( ... )
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Or, perhaps, because she knows what is behind those defenses and determines that those defenses are better off in place. I pretty much know that I'd do a lot of bad stuff if I let my id run free.
Would I be a better man if I actually did, and then atoned after? I think not.
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In "Sanctuary", Buffy risks her own life to save Faith. She's quite clear that she's willing to give Faith room to repent, on condition that room be a jail cell.
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I must ask though--do you ever plan on doing one for Spike and Angel? I have a ton of thoughts on them (and not just in a compare/contrast sense).
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Thanks for the kudos. I have a lot of stuff in my head, but I keep putting off writing it down. And yea, totally have stuff to say about Spike/Angel. We'll see what the New Year brings. I'd love to hear your thoughts as well!
I don't know if you ever got my e-mail reply to your e-mail (a long time ago) -- but I appreciated it a lot. RL got busy, but I'm back to thinking about Buffy too much!! Hope all's well by you. I love your icon over on BSV.
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