Why do people like Spike so much?

[Black Eye Guy]

Just wondering, what it is people really like Spike so much?

Cuz personally I don't get it, I mean Spike was a fantastic character in season 2,3,4 and 5 but once we hit 6, He just gets crappy, He does still have some very good bit's but, especially in season 7, he's just kinda boring. I think some of the most boring episodes and bits in season 7 are Spike centric. Episodes like Sleeper and Lies my parents told me Are one's I just have no interest in, I always over look them when thinking of season 7, and I just don't find them that good to watch!

Same goes for parts of episodes, The Bit where Buffy brings Spike to the destroyed initive in "the killer in me" is just boring and I wanna get back to the Willow storyline!

I know spike is a huge Fan favourite, I could understand that from the earlier eps, but I just don't see him as that great a character. I know he does have some good bit's and interesting storylines, and he is funny, but I think most of that decreased as the seasons went on!

[TabulaRasa]

Every fan will have some opinion of spike, some will feel the same and others wont.
What first got me liking Spike was how funny he was. Then I noticed how damn cute he was, which did not hurt for him at all. Then the love for Buffy, I don't really know how to explain it. I love the man he wanted to become. There was a demon inside of him that still allowed him to love a human, for the right reasons. That is a powerful thing. Angel's soul was a curse, Spike went looking for his. Now what demon does that, seriously?
I think it is just a long list of 'things' that makes me love Spike. Bad boy or tame, I love him!

[Spirit_Of_Fred]

does spike in the show of 'angel' count? because that is where i first saw him, and i liked him a lot then, not having even seen 'buffy' yet; by that point it is two seasons past buffy season 6.

[mogwaid]

I loved Spike in Season 4. He was hilarious. Didn't like him much in Season 2. Or anything much after season 5.

[Darling Faithy]

I love Spike, but I agree, he was his best in earlier seasons, I really couldn't stand him when his character evolved really and when he fell for Buffy, it just didn't grab at my attention, and it felt sorta...reached. lol. I think Spike has an independent character is great, and if you cut out the small sub plots with him, he'd be awesome.

[Panda]

yeah spike in season 4 was so funny. i loved the bits about him whining about passions. he gets kind of annoying when he falls for buffy.

[randiann]

I am not a Spuffy fan at all *throws hands over face to ward off attackers*. I like spike when he's all badass, and especially fool for love, but I just cant handle him when he's all mushy over Buffy. Other than that I think he's pretty cool, specially when he and Angel are in scenes together, they play off each other so well. And I loved him with Dru....

[Joamna]

I pretty much love Spike all the way through, I do however agree that there are times in later seasons when they sort of drag things out with him, gets a bit boring. But, there's also truly awesome moments: Fool For Love, last scene in Intervention, the beginning of season 6 and Touched to name a few. I guess I do love the way he loves Buffy and watching him (and her) realize and come to terms with it.

[The Chosen]

I could tolerate him in earlier seasons, but in the later seasons yes he did get VERY boring. I'm also an Anti-Spuffier. No offense to any Spuffylovers, though. I just didn't enjoy Spike and Buffy as a couple. He didn't appreciate her.

And there was the whole "needa getta soul" thing, which kind of seemed repetive to Angelus' storyline to me. [/IMHO]
- TC

[definition of insane]

So yeah...I'm a Spike fan, have been from the beginning. Loved the attitude. Loved the intensity.

In saying that though....definately a Bangle shipper...what can I say? It's my inner romantic right there. Sure Spuffy had it's hot moments but it's not "troo luv" :p

[Spirit_Of_Fred]

I pretty much love Spike all the way through, I do however agree that there are times in later seasons when they sort of drag things out with him, gets a bit boring. But, there's also truly awesome moments: Fool For Love, last scene in Intervention, the beginning of season 6 and Touched to name a few. I guess I do love the way he loves Buffy and watching him (and her) realize and come to terms with it.

thats pretty much close to my opinion. i liked him completely early, and in s5 angel, and then in the later seasons of buffy i still liked him, just a little less. the only time i really didnt like him was mid and late season 6, when he just let himself be used by buffy, and the raping and all...not his best.

[eponinethen]

I do love Spike most of the time. We just watched season 2, and wow I love him from the first second, hehe.. There are parts of season 7 that I don't like – Spike wise – but in general he is definitely one of my fave characters..

Edit: The question was why though.. Hm.. James Marsters does have a lot to do with it. He is an awesome actor, and you can really feel that he loves, respects and understands his character completely.. Also, the relationship between Spike and Buffy (all through the show) is one I find very interesting..

[Tranquillity]

I'm a massive Spike fan and loved him from School Hard to Not Fade Away and in all his incarnations. For me, he made the show more interesting as through the character of Spike the writers asked questions about good and bad and the nature of demons and explored the very thin line between good and evil. He was a terrific foil for Buffy as they shared so many similarities even though she was loath to admit it.

[Jone]

Reasons why I love Spike: hot; British; complex; (eventually) sweet; caring; cool; funny; great fighter

I am a big Spike fan. I probably like him so much for reasons I listed previously and because "Once More, With Feeling" was the first official Buffy episode I watched and he looked oh so good in it! I was immediatly (ms) hooked and feel like I understand him more than the other characters (if that makes sense). Don't get me wrong, I love Angel too! But I didn't really know a lot about Angel until I started watching season 1 and 2 of Buffy.

[SARArb]

I think Jone said 'everything'!! I really agree with her. I saw all angel's seasons first and then i saw all buffy's seasons. And i LOVED spike's performance. He's just great! :D

[white avenger]

As I've said in several other threads, I like Spike because I like the "Buffy" series, and he is the best "partner" she's ever had on the show. Angel tried to constantly protect her (which we all know she never needed), Riley tried to compete with her (and he never had a chance of winning). The only one who fought by her side and watched her back was Spike. (Plus there's enough heat coming off of the two of them to be the real source of global warming)

[Spuffiness]

Maybe it's because he has such an amazing chemistry with everyone and everything. I don't think he's boring at all (speaking of boring people, why do people lik Tara? She's kinda boring). He has so many levels, such a good character, one of the best. Of course there is the reason: he's cute and hot. But if we look for something more... mature... He's just there, where he's supposed to be. He makes things interesting. I, for example, find his relationship with Buffy much more interesting than Buffy and Angel's relationship.

Yeah, he's a vampire, but he has so many layers, layers that humans usually have. He's a very different vampire. He's like half vampire-half human, and that makes him stand out. he's easy to relate to. Maybe that's the reason people fall for him, even straight guys, not just the girls.

[Brightside of a Dark Mind]

The thing about Spike is that his character was interesting and unique in that he was more "human" than other vamps/monsters. Like Joss said "this was never really explained". It was just implied that he had more compassion than others, like he didn't completely lose his soul or something. The implications are optimistic, if not amusing. That not even vampires are wholly beyond the reproach of dealing with consequences. As physical entities there still are repercussions for everything they do.

Evidently the whole thing with his mum was tearing him apart inside, as he said "been weighing on me for quite some time". The bond between parent and child is biological, and such a sudden and traumatic death would have an effect on everyone, even a vamp like Spike.

I believe Spike's character reflected an urge for redemption, something he desperately sought but simply hadn't found the means to actualize it until he'd finally had enough. And it took his little Buffy obsession/"love" to make him take action (at least, in a clever attempt at trying to put a twist on Spike's cliffhanger in Season 6, as would appear to be the case).

Looking back on it I actually enjoyed Spike the most on season 4. His banter and witt and his sardonic nature, it's all there. He was blunt and honest about his convictions. Like his argument with Willow about Thanksgiving. He obviously sides with the criminal minded, perhaps concluding that criminals (but mostly vamps and monsters) are morally superior to those who abide by society's rules and laws, in the respect that they are not afraid to act on their bloodlust, that they acknowledge that they have a dark side. The show (and particularly season 6) deals with this extensively, in that it shows that we all have that dark side. The crux of the matter is that William was a good man, and even as a vamp he felt that what he was doing was inherently wrong.

It really does make me wonder if he would have stayed "stuck" however, were it not for that chip. This is essentially what caused him to stop hurting/killing people, in fact the only thing. Still, he faced the monster within himself and fought back hard. The parallels between a fictional character like Spike's inner conflict (as well as Willow and Buffy's), are probably more commonplace than one would like to admit. Spike faced it and won, and this IMO, makes him a hero in that respect.

Thing is, we're all searching for that peak experience. That uninhibited form of creative, existential self-expression. In becoming immortal and thus free of alot of restrictions put on us by such things as physical limitations, societal constraints and rules, etc, Spike found this sort of freedom (at least temporarily). We all want that, but not everyone knows how to get it. It isn't about being a "badass", either. Sounds appealing though, I will admit.

And humans do have a dark side. We also have the ability to exercise discretion in what we do. Not being an evil monster reminds us of this.

You wouldn't want to do away with your emotion, either. You would essentially be dead, a vegetable. And apparently vampires have them anyways.

And even though I hated Spike in the beggining, even if I didn't like him 'cause like "omg no he's evil!", or whatever reservations someone might have, I find contrast in such things to bring a sort of vitality to life.

Idk something about Spike reflects a certain superiority in my mind. Or at least did. I don't see how anyone could consider him boring, even in season 7. However, it was a good idea to kill him off, I mean had there been an 8th season on TV, his role would have been played out and I mean seriously, what was left for him to do?

He was awesome in "Lover's Walk", "Fool For Love", "Lies My Parents Told me", etc. And on the latter I think it was obviously about more than just Spike and his unresolved issues with his past and his role as a pawn for the First. I don't know how but I went from really not liking him much to respecting him to then feeling sorry for the guy.

That's what I find appealing about Spike lol. And off course the fact that James is such a great actor, helps alot. I have no clue what Spike would have been like had it been any other actor.

[palabravampiress]

I said in another thread that I have a writer crush on Spike. What I mean by that is that I wish I had written his character.

Some people say Spike wasn't complex until after he was chipped, but then I look at him with Dru and I see that those people are wrong. When Dru first comes on screen and, concerned, Spike wraps his jacket around her shoulders and tells her she should be resting, we see something new: vampires who love like humans love. Spike cared for Dru, making sure she ate and rested, while he searched for a cure. He got all weepy and made speeches when Dru left him. The intensity of that love was even noticed by the Judge, who said something to the effect of "you stink of humanity." He was always stuck between the monster and the man. The chip altered the direction of those impulses so that, with Dru out of the picture and Buffy actually helping Spike stay alive, it was easier for him to transfer his affections.

But that's all it was: a transference, not a change. Consider: Despite his evil nature, he helped to save the world for Dru by teaming up with Buffy against Angelus. But it wasn't *just* for Dru. Dru was his priority - even more than himself - but he also told Buffy that he liked the world. He liked football and happy meals with legs and stuff. He wanted to save the world just because, even from his pre-chipped perspective, he thought there were things worth saving in it. Right there, he showed a propensity to transcend his evil nature. That Buffy became his priority for later apocalypses does not change the fact that Spike, on a very fundamental level, does not want the world to go to hell, and will fight to save it if necessary - and this is because there are people (Dru, Buffy) and things in the world that he loves.

It is Spike's complexity that I love. I also love his sardonic wit and his capacity for honesty even in the face of discomfort. I love the way he accepts people as complex individuals, not as wholly "good" or wholly "bad." I love his passion for life, even though he is dead. I love the way his moral system works. Because yeah, he does have one. Spike is loyal and devoted to those who treat him well which, in his words, usually means those who treat him "like a man." He'll go to the ends of the earth for them. He'd go to hell if they asked. But sex? drugs? Stealing? All the other little minutia that people put so much stock in? He could care less. That's why he's able to have sex with the Buffybot without seeing it as a horrible degradation and also to withstand Glory's torture without betraying Buffy in the same episode. Both actions are 100% within character for him, and that's amazing. so yeah, he's complex, and this doesn't even get into the whole find-a-soul and die-saving-the-world thing!

So go Spike! I wish I'd written him.

[GATEGOD]

Just wondering, what it is people really like Spike so much?

Cuz personally I don't get it, I mean Spike was a fantastic character in season 2,3,4 and 5 but once we hit 6, He just gets crappy, He does still have some very good bit's but, especially in season 7, he's just kinda boring. I think some of the most boring episodes and bits in season 7 are Spike centric. Episodes like Sleeper and Lies my parents told me Are one's I just have no interest in, I always over look them when thinking of season 7, and I just don't find them that good to watch!

Same goes for parts of episodes, The Bit where Buffy brings Spike to the destroyed initive in "the killer in me" is just boring and I wanna get back to the Willow storyline!

I know spike is a huge Fan favourite, I could understand that from the earlier eps, but I just don't see him as that great a character. I know he does have some good bit's and interesting storylines, and he is funny, but I think most of that decreased as the seasons went on!

I like spike because his amazing dialog,
his cool attitude, his look,
his willingness to change,
his sorta evil/not evil hilariousness,
did i mention he had some of the coolest lines,
^.^ plus he sacrificed himself at the end.

In my book he = :coolman:

I could go in depth but that's my summary of why he is an amazing character, and was perfect for the show.

[Kimz]

hmmm i love spike becoz (haha)....

Hes diverse, you can never get bored with him as a character because he is always changing - funny, sexy, sweet, evil - hes the whole lot...but can pull it off a treat!

Theres not much they could of done with spike if they had kept him evil for the whole time, thats why the big bad villains are usually there for one series then they have to go.

i personally love him i think he is one of the funniest characters on buffy and he can like i said, pull off being ''nice guy'' and ''evil guy'' while remaining constantly sexy ;) such a charmer he is :) love love love him!

x

[UlaGan]

At first Spike's really annoyed me, but gradually, as I watched his character develop I started to like him. He was witty, sarcastic, gorgeous.
I really like Season's 4 Spike - for his comic talents. Though I do prefer 'evil' soulless Spike a bit more - he's my best type of the series' villain.
Seven season left me a bit disappointed - watching favorite Character dying isn't that pleasant.

[Bangelxx]

i loved spike in S4 but when he got all Buffy obsessed i liked him less and less...earlier he was really funny! "Undo it Undo it!" LOL but spuffy i don't like although spike alone is pretty cool

[Keanoite]

I love Spike, I think he is asolutely hilarious. I do agree though that he was better when he was actually trying to be a big bad. The little Buffy lap dog routine got old no matter how good a friend he was to her... I said FREIND WA not lover....FRIEND

[Randy Giles]

I hate Spike in season two, except for a few episodes. Can you say "annoying"?

However, I pity anyone who doesn't like Spike at all, I mean it must be really, really tough for them to watch seasons 4-7, and Angel season 5.

[white avenger]

By definition, Spike and Buffy were most certainly lovers, Miss K, as well as friends, partners, comrades in arms, and each highly respectful of the other's skill and power, even when they were enemies. Buffy trusted Spike to guard her back, and more, to protect her loved ones, even after the events of "Seeing Red." She trusted him because he was a man of honor and integrity, unquestioningly loyal to his friends, even in the face of extreme torture and the threat of death. Darla, Angelus, and Drusilla were murderers, making no distinction between adults and children, even babies, while Spike was a predator, by his admission, "All about the kill," never the torture.

I like Spike because, in a race of monsters, he chose to be something better. Because he loved without restraint or reservation, because he was loyal to his friends, and completely honest to the point of bluntness with everyone he came in contact with. He was a warrior with the heart of a poet and a poet with the soul of a hero.

He genuinely loved Buffy with all his heart, and if she hadn't have realized and returned that love, she would have missed something unique and wonderful in the world. Luckily for them both, she finally did recognize it. Hopefully, not too late. Only time will tell.

And that's why I like Spike...

[Randy Giles]

By definition, Spike and Buffy were most certainly lovers, Miss K, as well as friends, partners, comrades in arms, and each highly respectful of the other's skill and power, even when they were enemies. Buffy trusted Spike to guard her back, and more, to protect her loved ones, even after the events of "Seeing Red." She trusted him because he was a man of honor and integrity, unquestioningly loyal to his friends, even in the face of extreme torture and the threat of death. Darla, Angelus, and Drusilla were murderers, making no distinction between adults and children, even babies, while Spike was a predator, by his admission, "All about the kill," never the torture.

I like Spike because, in a race of monsters, he chose to be something better. Because he loved without restraint or reservation, because he was loyal to his friends, and completely honest to the point of bluntness with everyone he came in contact with. He was a warrior with the heart of a poet and a poet with the soul of a hero.

He genuinely loved Buffy with all his heart, and if she hadn't have realized and returned that love, she would have missed something unique and wonderful in the world. Luckily for them both, she finally did recognize it. Hopefully, not too late. Only time will tell.

And that's why I like Spike...

Wow. That was just...excellently worded...

[PhenixRising]

By definition, Spike and Buffy were most certainly lovers, Miss K, as well as friends, partners, comrades in arms, and each highly respectful of the other's skill and power, even when they were enemies. Buffy trusted Spike to guard her back, and more, to protect her loved ones, even after the events of "Seeing Red." She trusted him because he was a man of honor and integrity, unquestioningly loyal to his friends, even in the face of extreme torture and the threat of death. Darla, Angelus, and Drusilla were murderers, making no distinction between adults and children, even babies, while Spike was a predator, by his admission, "All about the kill," never the torture.

I like Spike because, in a race of monsters, he chose to be something better. Because he loved without restraint or reservation, because he was loyal to his friends, and completely honest to the point of bluntness with everyone he came in contact with. He was a warrior with the heart of a poet and a poet with the soul of a hero.

He genuinely loved Buffy with all his heart, and if she hadn't have realized and returned that love, she would have missed something unique and wonderful in the world. Luckily for them both, she finally did recognize it. Hopefully, not too late. Only time will tell.

And that's why I like Spike...

To start, I have not watched season 7. I am going to start watching it soon. I think Spike has overstayed his welcome and should have been dusted a long time ago. In fact if Joss did not need him to act as a foil for Buffy's emotional trauma then Giles or Xander would have killed him by now.

Joss broke his own canon by making Spike capable of love. People keep insisting that the soulless Spike loves Buffy but in fact he is only capable of obsession not love. If you think anything he did to Buffy was a form of love during the 6th season then I believe you have a base sense of the word.

And yes, in season 6 I wanted to turn it off each time Buffy and Spike were on screen together. I kept the show on because I was interested in Willow. I would have been more than happy to have watched a Willow the Witch season instead of Buffy and Spike.

Also from what I saw on Angel Spike's personality does not change with a soul. He is still the same uncouth vampire.

[Blondie Bear]

Also from what I saw on Angel Spike's personality does not change with a soul. He is still the same uncouth vampire.

Why? Because he doesn't whine and cry and say "Oh, poor, bad me for having done all this horrible stuff"?

[GATEGOD]

Why? Because he doesn't whine and cry and say "Oh, poor, bad me for having done all this horrible stuff"?

He does, he burns himself on a cross for gods sake right in front of Buffy.. and goes insane for a bit in season 7 of Buffy. By the end of season 7 he gets better, so he wouldn't be different on Angel season 5... His personality wouldn't change.

[Blondie Bear]

Exactly. But PR seems to think that he's the same as an ensouled vampire as he was as a crazy killer vampire. I don't agree.

[Bored of the Dead]

Exactly. But PR seems to think that he's the same as an ensouled vampire as he was as a crazy killer vampire. I don't agree.

PR is also basing comments purely on what happened in season 6 of Buffy and 5 of Angel.

PR even states that they haven't seen seven, so her comments, beliefs and understandings of the character is as pointless as a BBQ made of Ice Cream.

[disco biscuit]

Well, I loved Spike in Season 2 and Season 4, but he got slightly worse in S5 when he started falling for Buffy, he got even worse in S6 when he was obsessed, and in S7, when he had a soul, just...UGH. I haven't seen S5 of Angel yet, but I'm just praying that he's better in that than he was in S7 of Buffy. But I do love Spike...and if he were president, he'd be Baberaham Lincoln. (;

[PhenixRising]

PR is also basing comments purely on what happened in season 6 of Buffy and 5 of Angel.

PR even states that they haven't seen seven, so her comments, beliefs and understandings of the character is as pointless as a BBQ made of Ice Cream.

First, I'm a he/him and not a she/her. I'll check my profile to make sure its on the right box.

I am basing my opinion of the character on re-watching season 1-5 for the 2nd-3rd time and finishing season 6 for the first time. He serves a purpose in the 7th season which is good and I'll see if he does indeed change into a character that is worthwhile. It is a nice change that Buffy does not have to die to save the world.

My huge problem with Spike is that Joss breaks his own canon to turn Spike into a souled vampire. From everything I read people insist that Spike loved Buffy while he was a vampire which is impossible in Buffyverse. Well its impossible for every other vampire. I haven't read a ton of what Joss has said on this topic but it seems like he never explained how Spike was capable of loving Buffy. Its a very messy storyline that did not need to get carried so far.

[Crazy Flakes]

I actually read an article called "How Spike Ruined Buffy." I have to say, I disagree with it, since I love Spike, but it did make some good points. He was definitely overused, and a lot of the plots revolving around him (particular his secret love for Buffy in seasons 5 and 6 and his physical relationship with Buffy in season 6) dragged on for way too long. When he got his soul, they wasted far too much time focusing on his guilt and insanity when that plot wasn't interesting at all. I actually think season 7 would have been much better if Spike had remained soulless (and if Kennedy and the Potentials had never come, but that's a whole different issue.)

But here are some reasons why I love Spike:

- During some seasons, particularly season 4, he provides much-needed comic relief and a certain 'coolness factor' to the show.

- In a few seasons (once again, particularly in season 4), he made it so that the Scoobies weren't all just loving each other, 'cause that would have been a bit dull. In a way, he served as a common enemy of the Scoobies who wasn't trying to kill them all. Like the Spike featurette on one of the season 4 DVDs said, he almost filled Cordelia's shoes for a while, even though Anya was much more similar to Cordy than he was.

- Before seasons 6 and 7, he wasn't nearly as self-pitying as the rest of the characters. It was a breath of fresh air. After Spuffy started, though, he was one of the most self-pitying characters on the show, second to only Buffy herself.

- They needed another hot vampire on the show...and, in my opinion, he did a much better job as the sexy vamp than Angel!

[xgirlanachronism245x]

Personally, I liked Spike's character pre-Season 6. In fact, I liked everyone's character pre-Season 6.
I didn't care for that season at all.

But, I love Spike. Season 4 was the best season for him, I think. He was funny, witty, kinda pathetic, and still uber cute.
Even in Season 5, the progression of his character and his infatuation with Buffy made me like him even more.

But I think his character went downhill from there, because in the next two seasons, it pains me to see him on screen.
I miss the sarcastic, quippy Spike.
I, in no way, have any desire to see love-sick puppy Spike.

Eww.

[LittleMissLikesToFight]

When Spike entered in season 2, i fell in LOVE. He was the ultimate badass and it showed through and through. I thought he rocked hardcore. I wanted him to mess up Angelus so bad at some points, when he was moving in on Dru. Love when Angelus gets knocked down in the finale and he keeps wailing on him. haha.

Season 4 was... well i had to get used to the idea of the chip and how quickly, tied up or not, the scoobies just took him in and didn't let him burn to dust in the sun, especially after everything he did in the beginning of the season. But i enjoyed him as huge comic relief.

I sort of liked his confusion in season 5, especially when he goes to kill buffy with the shotgun and instead finds himself consoling her. It was heartfelt.

But still, it got all crazy season 6 and 7 for me and i really didn't like him then.

I haven't seen season 5 of Angel but i have the box set so im getting there.

[Tranquillity]

My huge problem with Spike is that Joss breaks his own canon to turn Spike into a souled vampire. From everything I read people insist that Spike loved Buffy while he was a vampire which is impossible in Buffyverse. Well its impossible for every other vampire. I haven't read a ton of what Joss has said on this topic but it seems like he never explained how Spike was capable of loving Buffy. Its a very messy storyline that did not need to get carried so far.

In many of the commentaries the writers are at pains to point out that Spike is an anomily in the vampire world in that he could still feel human emotions though i don't think this is particullarly true - we acctually see quite a few examples of vampires that hang on to shreds of humanity that manifest in different ways:
*Dru tortures Angel while reminding him of how he killed her family (What's My Linr, part 2)
*Holden Webster seems to retain a good sense of empathy and insight despite being 'evil' (conversations with dead people)
*Lawson (Why we Fight) harbours deep disatisfaction with his vampire lot but doesn't know what to do about it.
*Elizabeth and James (Hearthrob (?)) were very much in love
*Harmony loved her blondie bear and was constantly looking for a place to belong (just as she did when she was human) and eventualy found it at Wolfram and Hart.
So Spike's capacity to love is not really so strange afterall.

i always think that these variations on flat one dimensional demons makes the 'verse so much more interesting.

[PhenixRising]

In many of the commentaries the writers are at pains to point out that Spike is an anomaly in the vampire world in that he could still feel human emotions though i don't think this is particularly true - we actually see quite a few examples of vampires that hang on to shreds of humanity that manifest in different ways:
*Dru tortures Angel while reminding him of how he killed her family (What's My Linr, part 2)
*Holden Webster seems to retain a good sense of empathy and insight despite being 'evil' (conversations with dead people)
*Lawson (Why we Fight) harbours deep disatisfaction with his vampire lot but doesn't know what to do about it.
*Elizabeth and James (Hearthrob (?)) were very much in love
*Harmony loved her blondie bear and was constantly looking for a place to belong (just as she did when she was human) and eventualy found it at Wolfram and Hart.
So Spike's capacity to love is not really so strange afterall.

i always think that these variations on flat one dimensional demons makes the 'verse so much more interesting.

The writers were at pains to explain that Spike was a different vampire because they new they broke their own canon. Its easy for writers to say that this happens because this character is special but previous episodes have stated that vampires can not love. Since Vampires are former humans they need that human soul to feel human love and with out that soul then love is impossible. However, obsession is possible. And Spike's attitude and desires for Buffy are nothing more than an obsession. I'm amazed he is able to face her after psychologically manipulating her in season 6 but I know a lot of fans thought that that was love.

Vampires show every sign of a someone with anti-social personality disorder. These people are unable to love but they are capable of mimicking this and other human emotions. Some of the most empathic people you meet are actually devoid of any emotion.

The writers can attempt to justify Spike but in the end I think they kept him around because Joss started to listen to the fans and maybe read some Spuffy fan fiction.

[JCC]

Because Spike pwns. Hard.

[Buffanator]

I can't say why anyone else loves Spike, but I know why I love him!

IMHO, Spike was the quint-bad-boy who wanted nothing more than to be loved and respected. The character grew & changed more than any other (except maybe Willow) and the many facets that were Spike went from raging evil killer to lover to man who kept his word. I very much enjoyed watching Spike as William the Bloody (human) and as a badass vamp & as a love-sick chipped Spike & then a souled vampire. He was naughty & good in so many ways. Yeah, that's a big turn-on. ::love::

One of my favorite scenes was when Spike was intent on killing Buffy, so he heads to her house with a shotgun, but upon seeing her sitting there with tears streaming down her face, he completely melts at the sight of her. That one scene shows Spike for all his horror & beauty; the monster & the man.

Yup, I sho'do love me some Spike!

[vampireczarina]

He's British. He's a bad boy, with a romantic side. He has a sharp wit. And he's hot. What more can you say.
I love Spike.

[littlewilly]

Spikes cool. Funny, badass, does what he wants. see's things how they are.
i wonder why Xander hated spike? becaue spike was everything xander wasnt.
Xander being insecure and unsure of himself couldnt stand to see someone having fun and having no inhabitions.

[Oz77700777]

Spike is very Cute, Funny, Cool, and has a good singing voice. I love Spike! (Not as much as Oz though~)

[Kana]

I'm most likely repeating people's points but...

I think Spike is popular because he has elements of character to which many people respond. He's extroverted and most people like that because a) they may be that way themselves (identification) or b) it satifies a wish fulfilment among the more reserved.

Also Spike is representive of the fun rebel which would appeal to a lot of people. He's contemporary, engaging and humorous which tends to be more popular.

Spuffy is liked for a variety of reasons. For one, if Spike is popular character and presumably, so is Buffy, then it perhaps is considered exciting. Although they were enemies a lot of fans noticed or believed there was a vibe between the two, with spectators hanging on words as early as season 2 with Spike's "Hello cutey". The writers then made a retrospective legitimacy to this uncertain claim with Spike and Dru's exchange in Fool For Love. When they finally got together, a lot of fans commented on the sexual chemistry of the pair.

Other fans consider it a romance that defies convention, spreading a light into the darkened halls of the illicit, connecting either through experience or through wish fulfillment, wishing too, to free themselves of the shackles of rigid sexual morality.

We've talked about Spike's personal appeal but what also makes Spike interesting for many is that he is a bigger case of moral ambiguity than most, including Angel. A vampire with a soul is interesting but a vampire voluntarily getting a soul is baffling. Spike indeed promotes many debates about ambiguous intentions and making a case for a moral relativism, furthering interest in the character.

Ok lastly, James Marsters is considered good looking by many people. Is it the hair, the jawline, the abs? I don't know but he seems to do it for a lot of people.

All in all, the reasons for Spike's popularity are numorous and I'm sure there are many reasons I haven't mentioned. For many it's his looks, for some it's his sense of humour. I come across many fans of Spike who simply say, "I love him, he's so sexy" and I've also seen fans who appreciate Spike from an academic and literary perspective.

Does this mean he is a better character? To me that would akin to saying something like "purple is objectively the best colour". People like whoever they like, they have their reasons, I guess.

[Ysma]

Coz of his accent. :) Hehe.. but of course he's funny, cool, and baddaaassss..

[Starlet]

I think Spike is one of the most interesting characters on the show.
He is all bad boy but still so sensitive. He's so funny, provides great humour to the show and has awesome lines.
He can be a badass but also can love with all his heart and be loyal to friends. And of course, his accent!

[FluffyBuffy]

There's just something about Spike which made me enjoy the series even more. His whole presence was enduring, and his story was very interesting too. Plus he could always make me laugh, his dry wit and humour was the best. I do agree that they made his character into a big wimp by falling in love with Buffy as well as putting that chip in his head. Loved the Spike of Season 2, what a bad ass. But despite that, he has always remained a firm favorite of mine and I always enjoy the episodes that are focused on him to be honest. Not to mention how sexy he is!

[scarybunny97]

I enjoyed Spike so much because he was, as David Fury put it: "an enigma in the vampire world," capable of love, jealousy, fidelity . . . and yet also capable of killing for giggles. Even before he got his soul back Spike often seemed to very much have a foot in both worlds. Which often caused him buckets of frustration, and that was big fun to watch. And the fact that he actually traveled to the edge of Nowhere and endured trials to get his soul back? That never stops being interesting to me. Bugs. Dude with fire-hands. For a being who has no conscience or moral compass to be willing to go to all this trouble in order to re-gain something that will cause him to suffer??? It makes for a lot of interesting discussion. Was it nobility? Or is he addicted to suffering? Hmmmmm . . .

[LifeIsJustThis]

What makes him so interesting is despite not having a soul (until 6) he does exibit human tendencies and modivations. He is a multi-layered character with a great arc. He goes though an intense transformation throughout the show. Sure, he is sort of de-masculinized (due to his love for Buffy) and is kind of pathetic at time...but all and all, I think he is very witty and a loveable character :)

[raine4rose]

he kinda cool for me...
The way he get his soul back and also how he handle his promises after Buffy was gone
I dont like him when his gone crazy but still even if he;s crazy i love him...
When he goes for speech It has a point and really cool
When Buffy's friend turned their back. Spike speech made me cry....

[Ulrikke]

To me, Spike is just such a fascinating character, there are so many layers to him. The journey he makes from School Hard to Not Fade Away 6-7 years later is just amazing to watch and, if I'm honest, a huge part of what I love about the Buffyverse and keeps me coming back to it. And James Marsters is such an awsome actor, I have nothing but praise for the man. He does a great job at playing the different sides to Spike - the tender, caring man and the evil, despicable vampire - and making them both believable and part of the same character.

And it doesn't hurt him one bit either that James is a little easy on the eye. :biggrin2: