Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a present stacked with nice characters. From Buffy to Willow to Anya, there’s a personality for any sort of viewer, whether or not you are searching for comedian reduction, a worthy on-screen crush, or a fantastic transformation explored over a number of seasons. Spike (James Marsters) stands in a league of his personal, although. Beloved as each a villain and a love curiosity, all through the collection he additionally turns into one in all its most intricate characters, enjoying a key half in a few of Buffy’s most enduring storylines.
In a present stuffed with intelligent one-liners, Buffy‘s writers saved a few of the finest for Marsters — who can neglect the timeless “Out. For. A. Stroll. Bitch.”? — however Spike’s finest quote is from the collection finale, “Chosen.” It marks the pure endpoint for a personality who’s been tugged between heroism and selfishness all through his total run. It’s additionally the definitive Buffy and Spike second, with Spike rejecting Buffy’s supply of consolation for the reality.
As Buffy and her allies struggle the demons pouring out of the Hellmouth, the cavern begins to break down. Her allies begin to run, hoping to flee Sunnydale earlier than it’s swallowed by the earth. Spike decides to remain behind, stopping the demons from escaping with the assistance of a magical amulet. He ignores Buffy’s request to go away together with her, embracing his sacrifice. Buffy reaches out to carry his hand. “I really like you,” she says.
It’s a second Spike has been ready for the previous two seasons, perhaps even earlier than that. Nonetheless, he is aware of higher. “No, you don’t. However thanks for saying it,” he replies. Spike’s subsequent sacrifice closes the Hellmouth definitively and saves the world. It’s the collection finale’s most emotional and consequential beat in an episode stuffed with them.
It’s additionally the redeeming second Spike had been working towards all alongside. He was launched within the second season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a enjoyable villain, with a punk angle and a doomed romance together with his fellow vampire Drusilla, earlier than changing into a collection common and one in all Buffy’s reluctant allies. Regardless of how acquainted he turns into to viewers and Buffy herself, Spike at all times retains an fringe of unpredictability. For a lot of the collection, he does not have a soul (in contrast to Buffy’s different vampire boyfriend, Angel). It’s one of many the explanation why he stays so fascinating and in contrast to different romantic heroes inside the vampire style. He’s not tortured – he’s largely simply having a great time.
Spike’s redemption arc begins in season 7. After hitting an all-time low in season 6 when he tries to assault Buffy, determined to have her in any approach he can, he takes their relationship to an virtually irretrievable place. That all-time low pushes him to go away Sunnydale within the hopes of getting his soul again, which he achieves off-screen. When he returns, Buffy is the one member of the Scoobies to supply him safety. She chooses to belief him regardless that he doesn’t deserve it. Watching Spike evolve from a soulless vampire right into a hero with advanced layers stays one of many present’s most rewarding arcs. The truth that the writers saved that remaining redeeming beat for his final scene makes it even higher. We go away Spike in his finest second, immortalized, earlier than his story may morph into one thing else. (Technically, he reveals up later as a ghost within the spinoff collection Angel, however no person is forcing you to observe that in the event you do not need to.)
Spike’s reply to Buffy is a mirrored image of how a lot he’s modified. An older model of him would have taken any type of affection Buffy provided, having already manipulated and coerced his approach into her life. This model of Spike will get Buffy’s love and sees it for what it’s.
Regardless of all of the ache and turmoil that Spike prompted, he dies with Buffy’s recognition and respect. His ending turns into one of many nice character send-offs on TV, and the second when their relationship is lastly aligned. Spike chooses the true model of their dynamic as a substitute of the fantasy.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is streaming on Hulu.