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Post by SpringSummers on May 16, 2009 13:51:03 GMT -5
S’cubies!! How long has it been since you’ve seen a new Spring Summers' Spikecentricity Analysis? Six hundred twenty one days yesterday. Six hundred twenty two days, today. 'Cept today doesn't count, does it?Because today, there is a new analysis! See the AfterLife analysis here, or by clicking on the episode pic, above. Enjoy! Comment if you are so inclined, below!ATTEN ARCHTECHNOPAGANS: I can't get the main menu page to change. It's still showing "Bargaining Part II." I got the review up, and I got it listed in the list of reviews . . . but can't get the main menu to change. It seems like the index page has moved? Help!!! |
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Post by Michelle on May 16, 2009 21:14:20 GMT -5
Oh my, how good is it to read a new Spikecentricity by Spring?!!? This section in particular almost took my breath away, it is so dead on perfect:
Continuing the salvation and Savior imagery from Fool for Love, when, after Buffy’s brush with death, Spike poked her injured side like a doubting apostle, he now examines her bloody hands, and he knows: She is back from the dead. And though he could not, at this point, put it into words or acknowledge it consciously, he senses something else: She is his Salvation.it consciously, he senses something else: She is his Salvation.
And in many ways, he is hers. While their sexual relationship was destructive and hurtful, it also kept Buffy alive. She would have killed herself by jumping off the tower--again--had Dawn not saved her, and so instead she chooses the "little deaths" (petite morts) with Spike instead. And while it was hard seeing Buffy treat Spike so poorly throughout the season, at least she wasn't taking out her misery on Dawn. In a way, Spike was still Dawn's protector, if indirectly. And then there is Spike's beautiful confession: "I do remember what I said. The promise, to protect her. If I had done that, even if I didn't make it - you wouldn't have had to jump. But I want you to know I did save you..." But I want you to know. I wonder, did he want anyone else to know? Did he say anything to Dawn, or even Willow? Would that have changed the way the Scoobies treated him after Buffy's return? Maybe it wouldn't have mattered. Thanks for another excellent review, Spring! |
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Post by SpringSummers on May 17, 2009 6:20:46 GMT -5
Oh my, how good is it to read a new Spikecentricity by Spring?!!? Thanks. Definitely, it's a very mutual thing, for Spike and Buffy - the good, the bad, the ugly. In my view, their relationship has been a two-way street - on all fronts - since day 1. Yes, agree all the way. The relationship was portrayed as two-sided - it both destroyed and created. Buffy and Spike didn't have a pretty relationship. But, when push came to shove, it definitely was a good thing that they were there for each other. Huh. Interesting. I never really thought about that. I can't imagine Spike sharing his most private thoughts with the Scoobies. I am always confused when people discuss "how the Scoobies treated Spike" in Season 6. All I remember is mostly, the parties involved mutually ignoring each other, each deep into his or her own thing, for almost the whole Season. I remember neutral type encounters, or mildly snarky ones, and I remember some friendly ones (Xander telling Spike he needed a girlfriend in Gone, Tara teasing him about his muscle cramp, Xander and he teaming up amiably in Normal Again, e.g.), and one very friendly encounter (Anya, sleeping with him). The Anya-jilting and Anya-Spike consolation sex does cause some nasty tensions between Spike and Xander, but that doesn't last long, because Spike is outta there, not long after. So anyhow, my feeling about the Spike-Scoobie relationships in S6 is: For the most part, he ignored them, and they ignored him - because they were absorbed in their own things. There was occasional mild snarking or friendly exchanges - but no overt hostility or bad treatment in either direction, until the B/S breakup and Anya jilting caused tensions to rise . . . and that was just between Xander and Spike. And then he was gone. You're very, very welcome. It was fun to do. Thanks for taking the time to let me know you enjoyed it and for adding your thoughts. It helps give me juice to go on to Flooded. Which I have started on. I would love, love, love to "catch-up" to the viewing, and actually get through S6 this summer. |
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Post by Michelle on May 17, 2009 12:40:28 GMT -5
Oh, I'm not whining about how "the Scoobies done Spike wrong" or anything like that. I realize that Buffy was pretty much Spike's entire focus (other than Dawn) and I have no problem with that. But I did like the interaction Spike had with them before Buffy returned ("cuppa tea, cuppa tea, almost got shagged, cuppa tea" for one) and I wonder if Spike would have ever, in a weak moment, opened up to Dawn, Giles or the other Scoobies about how tortured he felt about letting Buffy down. Remember how he went on and on to everyone about Dru dumping him in Season 3, crying on Willow's shoulder? He wasn't one to keep his feelings in check.  |
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Post by Squeemonster on May 17, 2009 19:14:52 GMT -5
*squees* I am so very happy you've finished another analysis! And boy, you did not disappoint, my friend. Oh! I hadn't thought of it this way, but yes! So true. Poor Buffy. Transitioning into adulthood can be a scary, lonely thing, and she has to do it  with vampires and monsters all around, along with having a little sister to take care of and bills to pay and friends who see her as their savior and protector. Oy. Very well said. I always wondered how they could not see just how much in shock she was and how very wrong things were with Buffy. I guess they were desperate to just see what they wanted to see and to have things back to normal. I think SMG did a really phenomenal acting job--in every season, yes, but especially in season six. She made it so painful to watch, how everything was just too much--too bright, too loud, too overwhelming, too real. Oh, wow. Once again, this completely escaped me. Good catch.  Ah, yes. So true. I love that scene. Buffy comes back to reality and the here and now, for however briefly, when she sees Spike. Who wouldn't become intensely aware of themselves and their surroundings when confronted with Spike? ;D Your reviews always open up new ways of viewing the episodes. Thank you so much for taking the time to get back to them. They always enrich my Buffyverse experience.  |
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Post by SpringSummers on May 17, 2009 20:11:56 GMT -5
Oh, I'm not whining about how "the Scoobies done Spike wrong" or anything like that. Yay! Interesting thought. I'm trying to imagine it, but . . . I would say no - it was one thing for him to cry and whine with Joyce and Willow about Dru . . . but his feelings for Buffy, and about her death - I think those were much deeper, and much more deeply personal. He wouldn't have trusted Giles or the Scoobies with them - I don't think. Of course, I'm just guessing. A well-written fanfic might convince me otherwise. Spike was never one to keep his feelings to himself, as you say. Hmmm. Interesting thought. |
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Post by SpringSummers on May 17, 2009 20:13:55 GMT -5
*squees* I am so very happy you've finished another analysis! And boy, you did not disappoint, my friend. Oh! I hadn't thought of it this way, but yes! So true. Poor Buffy. Transitioning into adulthood can be a scary, lonely thing, and she has to do it with vampires and monsters all around, along with having a little sister to take care of and bills to pay and friends who see her as their savior and protector. Oy. Very well said. I always wondered how they could not see just how much in shock she was and how very wrong things were with Buffy. I guess they were desperate to just see what they wanted to see and to have things back to normal. I think SMG did a really phenomenal acting job--in every season, yes, but especially in season six. She made it so painful to watch, how everything was just too much--too bright, too loud, too overwhelming, too real. Oh, wow. Once again, this completely escaped me. Good catch. Ah, yes. So true. I love that scene. Buffy comes back to reality and the here and now, for however briefly, when she sees Spike. Who wouldn't become intensely aware of themselves and their surroundings when confronted with Spike? ;D Your reviews always open up new ways of viewing the episodes. Thank you so much for taking the time to get back to them. They always enrich my Buffyverse experience. Thanks, Monnie. Glad you liked it. I agree that SMG did her best work in S6, with S5 a close second. Phenomenal. I really appreciate the feedback! It's like nourishment to keep me going.  |
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Post by Squeemonster on May 17, 2009 21:36:31 GMT -5
Here's a really gorgeous and well-made fan video for Buffy in season six. I don't remember if I've talked about it before, but it's one of my all-time favorite videos for BtVS. "It's Not" (There's a link on the page to download it) Video was made by LJ's stormwreath, song is by Aimee Mann. |
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Post by William on May 18, 2009 18:26:38 GMT -5
hi Spring! I've never posted here before, but I just wanted to say that I love your analyses and am glad to see a new one up.
This is such a great episode--one of Jane E's very best, which is saying something. I really like the way you examined the Scoobies' need to have Buffy back for them rather than for her--incorporating the "Bufferin" line (terrific!), the way Anya is hushed immediately when she dares to point out that "maybe [she] is crazy--from hell!" and so forth. It also reminds me of Willow admitting to Tara that she wishes Buffy were grateful...the Scoobies are so used to needing Buffy as their moral centre, and are unable to provide validation to themselves. (Tara is the first to find her own path, when she leaves Willow in a few episodes and then becomes the first to be genuinely and honestly helpful with Buffy, in Dead Things; everyone else stumbles around blindly for a long while.)
I didn't find the demon in this episode terribly interesting, but I like your analysis--it is only when the Scoobies can, via words, make that what they need to fight solid, that they can fight it. It reminds me of season five, with Glory scariest at the beginning of the year ("she who will not be named") and I suspect it's part of what the writers were trying to accomplish in season seven with The First. Anyway, great job and I can't wait for you to continue!
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Post by Lola m on May 18, 2009 21:56:56 GMT -5
So glad to see these analysis back, Spring! How very true when you talk about the expectations that everyone has of Buffy, that she will "make everything better". The heart of the spell to bring Buffy back was, in a way, selfish. Belief that they were saving Buffy, as well, but a core need that is all about them, about Buffy taking care of things for them. This line? "After life, there is just more . . . life? More of the same old life?" So! Insightful!! Because it is true. And Buffy is not in the place where she can appreciate the beauty of that simple idea. The very reality of things is horrific to her at first, as you say, "Buffy doesn’t want to know that". She's gonna need most of the season to learn to appreciate it. (Makes me think of that classic Zen saying. "Before enlightenment? Drink your tea, wash the cup. After enlightenment? Drink your tea, wash the cup." )[/quote] I also really liked how this idea continues into the comparison of the demon and how it mirrors reality. But I was expecting an exploration of these kind of issues. I mean, we've all discussed these eps before. But you totally delighted and surprised me with your comparison of imagery between this ep and Weight of the World! Buffy's hair and clothing, the "shelving books" scenes, and so on. I would never have put this type of detail together. Thank you! ETA: This post accidentally modified by me (Spring) when I was trying to respond it - but then brought back to its orginal state - I hope! |
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Post by SpringSummers on May 19, 2009 11:44:34 GMT -5
Here's a really gorgeous and well-made fan video for Buffy in season six. I don't remember if I've talked about it before, but it's one of my all-time favorite videos for BtVS. "It's Not" (There's a link on the page to download it) Video was made by LJ's stormwreath, song is by Aimee Mann. Loved it! Thanks for sharing. |
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Post by SpringSummers on May 19, 2009 11:47:54 GMT -5
hi William! Thanks for the nice feedback. Great observation about the Scoobies being unable to provide validation to themselves. Had not really thought about it, but I agree that Tara is, indeed the first to find her own path and to start to think about what Buffy might really need from her - without worrying about her own needs. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. It helps keep me going. I have started on "Flooded." My goal is to finish this weekend.  |
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Post by SpringSummers on May 19, 2009 11:55:16 GMT -5
So glad to see these analysis back, Spring! How very true when you talk about the expectations that everyone has of Buffy, that she will "make everything better". The heart of the spell to bring Buffy back was, in a way, selfish. Belief that they were saving Buffy, as well, but a core need that is all about them, about Buffy taking care of things for them. This line? "After life, there is just more . . . life? More of the same old life?" So! Insightful!! Because it is true. And Buffy is not in the place where she can appreciate the beauty of that simple idea. The very reality of things is horrific to her at first, as you say, "Buffy doesn’t want to know that". She's gonna need most of the season to learn to appreciate it. (Makes me think of that classic Zen saying. "Before enlightenment? Drink your tea, wash the cup. After enlightenment? Drink your tea, wash the cup." ) Well said! Yes, the ep could have been called LifeAfterLifeAfterLife. Yes, it definitely seemed to be a reference to Buffy's catatonic, detached state in Weight of the World. Really - there is no way it wasn't deliberate - the outfits, hair, and staging of the book shelving scene are so close. Buffy has come apart again, just as she did then. It is just manifesting itself differently. Glad you liked the essay, and thanks so much for letting me know! |
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Post by leftylady on May 28, 2009 17:28:03 GMT -5
*squees* I am so very happy you've finished another analysis! And boy, you did not disappoint, my friend. Oh! I hadn't thought of it this way, but yes! So true. Poor Buffy. Transitioning into adulthood can be a scary, lonely thing, and she has to do it with vampires and monsters all around, along with having a little sister to take care of and bills to pay and friends who see her as their savior and protector. Oy. Very well said. I always wondered how they could not see just how much in shock she was and how very wrong things were with Buffy. I guess they were desperate to just see what they wanted to see and to have things back to normal. I think SMG did a really phenomenal acting job--in every season, yes, but especially in season six. She made it so painful to watch, how everything was just too much--too bright, too loud, too overwhelming, too real. Oh, wow. Once again, this completely escaped me. Good catch. Ah, yes. So true. I love that scene. Buffy comes back to reality and the here and now, for however briefly, when she sees Spike. Who wouldn't become intensely aware of themselves and their surroundings when confronted with Spike? ;D Your reviews always open up new ways of viewing the episodes. Thank you so much for taking the time to get back to them. They always enrich my Buffyverse experience.  Spring, I wanted to add my thoughts for your wonderful review, but Monnie already said it best. ;D Thanks so much for continuing your Spikecentricity project. Can we bribe you to do another soon?  leftylady |
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Post by leftylady on May 28, 2009 17:52:16 GMT -5
So glad to see these analysis back, Spring! How very true when you talk about the expectations that everyone has of Buffy, that she will "make everything better". The heart of the spell to bring Buffy back was, in a way, selfish. Belief that they were saving Buffy, as well, but a core need that is all about them, about Buffy taking care of things for them. This line? "After life, there is just more . . . life? More of the same old life?" So! Insightful!! Because it is true. And Buffy is not in the place where she can appreciate the beauty of that simple idea. The very reality of things is horrific to her at first, as you say, "Buffy doesn’t want to know that". She's gonna need most of the season to learn to appreciate it. (Makes me think of that classic Zen saying. " Before enlightenment? Drink your tea, wash the cup. After enlightenment? Drink your tea, wash the cup." ) I also really liked how this idea continues into the comparison of the demon and how it mirrors reality. But I was expecting an exploration of these kind of issues. I mean, we've all discussed these eps before. But you totally delighted and surprised me with your comparison of imagery between this ep and Weight of the World! Buffy's hair and clothing, the "shelving books" scenes, and so on. I would never have put this type of detail together. Thank you! ETA: This post accidentally modified by me (Spring) when I was trying to respond it - but then brought back to its orginal state - I hope! Yes! We've come across the repetition of imagry before in episode discussions like Becoming/Chosen, but I'd never connected the imagry between Weight of the World and Afterlife. I love what Joss slyly hid behind his story, and, Spring, I love how you bring it back out again for us. leftylady |
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with vampires and monsters all around, along with having a little sister to take care of and bills to pay and friends who see her as their savior and protector. Oy.
