This is my essay for the Essay-a-thon. There's no master list up yet, but Tania said we could post if we were ready, and I want to get this off my plate
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Very interesting and well written, the clearest exposition on the differences between the two characters that I've read, I think. Thanks for writing it.
Do wonder, though, where Spike's expressions of remorse from BtVS season 7 fit in. He seemed pretty cut up about what he'd done both in Beneath You and Sleeper.
Well, he was pretty crazy at the time. I think what Germaine is saying is that actual acknowledgement of his past in the sort of way that could lead to accepting responsibility and making decisions didn't come about til he left BtVS- and Buffy. Which is interesting, because the same could certainly be argued about Angel, who was little more than a broody sidekick til he got his own show.
It's rather an ambiguous feminist message really, in that it could be interpreted just as well as Buffy making them better people and being their inspiration or as making them too weak to think for themselves until they get away from her.
Whichever, it's plain that Joss never meant either of them for her long-term lover - too tainted, plus vampires. To be heroes, they had to leave her.
Hit send too soon first trykita0610December 13 2004, 03:23:40 UTC
Well theres also the meta of it- on BTVS, everything is reflected off of Buffy. Vampires, no matter how souled or well-intentioned, can only hope to be her shadow self, because in that universe, she is always going to be the sun. BTVS is also a more black and white universe than ATS, one where good and evil are more simplistically defined. Again, vampires=bad, Buffy=good. On AtS, we have a continuum of good and evil, often within the same character. Both Angel and Spike are therefore allowed to be more fully developed in their own right, rather than only playing counterpoint to someone else.
Although it does stand to reason that neither of them WERE in their right minds when in relationship with her- what vamp in his right mind WOULD court The Slayer??
And Joss' version of feminism has always been - tainted at best.
Thanks. That was my favorite part, too. My Catholic upbringing comes in handy sometimes. Although mostly I just stuff it in the corner and dust it off when needed.
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May I archive this on the essay section of StA?
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And yes, please archive. I'd be delighted.
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On another subject, I LOVE your icon! That's one of my favorite songs ever.
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Do wonder, though, where Spike's expressions of remorse from BtVS season 7 fit in. He seemed pretty cut up about what he'd done both in Beneath You and Sleeper.
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Whichever, it's plain that Joss never meant either of them for her long-term lover - too tainted, plus vampires. To be heroes, they had to leave her.
Well, never mind. They've got each other.
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Although it does stand to reason that neither of them WERE in their right minds when in relationship with her- what vamp in his right mind WOULD court The Slayer??
And Joss' version of feminism has always been - tainted at best.
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