Post by Linda on May 8, 2004 17:33:38 GMT -5
LadyDi said:
Loved the review, pet, but you've got to quit obsessing over Spike's look. That duster's d*mn expensive! Personally, I love Spike's look. Leave the inconsequential changes to Angel....Oops, did I say that out loud? ;D
Hi Makd!
Thank you for your entertaining insightful review. This is one of those episodes that I will watch over and over. Your review helps me to see some of the less obvious connections going on between the lines. One of the disadvantages of catching up so late is that everyone has already pointed out the things that I liked. So just: Thanks!
I just have one little slight disagreement with both you and Lady Di:
Changing Spike's clothes is not an inconsequential change. Not within Spike's story in the Jossverse. Spike's clothes have always had a straightforward symbolic significance. Here are a few examples off the top of my head:
1) Leather Duster over red shirt over black t-shirt (first seen in School Hard) = Big Bad persona over passionate lover/caretaker over demonic center
2) First clothing change I remember (although can't remember specific ep) leaving off the red shirt = getting over Dru
3) Blue jeans jacket over brown(?) t-shirt <<edit: or maybe it was brown leather jacket over blue t-shirt?>> (in Crush) = willing to change himself for Buffy
4) Goes back to the Duster & black shirt for Dru also in Crush
5) Duster over Blue shirt over black t-shirt & gold chains (in Smashed) = Big Bad but in-love-not-just-in-lust but STILL demonic & also sex-slaviness to Buffy
6) Nekkid Spike (first seen in Wrecked) = vulnerable & true/real self -- with Buffy ONLY
7) Non-fitting black shirt with white swirlies (in Entropy) = not-totally-evil anymore & partially, actively Good
8) Distractingly ill-fitting blue shirt (in Beneath You) = not-quite-accomodated soulfulness. And next episode (Same Time Same Place) the shirt actually fit better -- sleeves & trunk of shirt were longer.
9) Misc. blue & brown clothes during Season 7 = trying to fit in as human
10) Black Leather Duster again (Get It Done) = accepting/accomodating/making use of demon self
All thru Angel Season 5, his clothes have been his armor. The only time it's changed: Hellbound - Nekkid Spike = vulnerable and, more significantly, Damage - no Duster = reaching out to Dana (although her illness prevents him from effectively reaching her--the hands!) & hospital gown = serious talk with Angel. Both important to Spike's character arc. These are the only occasions this season (in my admittedly faulty memory), where Spike was actually unguarded & revealing of himself.
So, I agree with MakD that I want Spike to change his look. However, he has to change himself to do it.
Linda, obsessed? moi?