Well, BEG, that's the beauty of interpretation! 😀 And, to be totally technical, there isn't anything in the show backing up the idea that it's specifically because of Buffy's strength that she can wield the hammer for an extended period of time and Spike can't -- other than the fact that Spike picked it up briefly and then dropped it, something that whiteavenger's theory accounts for. I think you're examining this issue too rigidly -- it's just an idea, it's a theory, it's fun.
And keep in mind that Jane Espenson, as closely as she worked on the show and the episode in question, is but one person offering her own interpretation as to why Buffy could lift the hammer.
The cool thing about art (which I believe Buffy to be) is that we have the ability to take things from it others may not. We can make connections specific to ourselves, to our experiences, to our knowledge, and form deductions that others may or may not agree with. Without these personal interpretations, Buffy'd be boring. I certainly don't want Joss or Jane telling me what to think -- I'd rather figure that stuff out for myself! Don't get me wrong -- Joss and co's input is very important, to a degree, but it's not the end-all-be-all when it comes to totally minor things like the "rules" surrounding Olaf's hammer. At least not for me!
I'm not sure that made ANY sense...but yeah! I don't think there's any harm in WA proposing his theory. He's backed it up in a way that makes sense to him. If you don't see it, that's fine! Like I said, I don't even agree with it...but I also don't get why we can't entertain the thought!
I dont know, to me this is everything wrong with fandoms on the internet. I mean the show shows the hammer as too heavy for Spike, Its shows it's too heavy for a counter top, Spike is able to move it, but not strong enough to lift it (unlike any other mythological weapons which is were the original idea came from and no one seems to take as a point), It makes a huge heavy clang noise when it hits the floor to indicate it's heavy, Buffy who should be, and is shown to be, stronger can lift it no problem, from the shooting script "He moves to pick it up - strains under the weight and sets it back down." Not he can't lift it, but he strains under the weight of it, cuz it's to heavy, and a writer from the show basically backs it up.
The only thing going against all that is it's held on what looks like wooden shelves, and that's enough to turn an entire argument?
There is far more evidence to back up this being a strength issue then a magical one, and I dont see it as a fair argument when it's basically just to defend one characters strength over the main characters. Especially when it's something with overwhelming evidence in favor of an answer.
Well, that's fine for a disinterested third party to say, but, frankly, I think that I've put up with more than any civilized man should have to without exacting some degree of satisfaction. This may be an extreme solution for a honorable man to make, but I feel that I am left with no choice.
BEG, I am offering you the chance to meet me face to face, winner take all, and let God decide just who is right. You have the choice of weapons as the challenged party, and the choice of location. You name it, and I'll be there, assuming that you're man enough to accept the challenge.
You name the place, and I'll meet you there. Just keep in mind, I'm an old man, and I don't move as fast as I used to be, so it may take me awhile to reach the designated Field Of Honor.
But you go ahead and get there, and get ready for the fight of your life. You just wait for me there. I promise, I'm on the way, and I'll get there as quickly as I can.
You just go there and wait for me.
Unless you're scared.
I'm good thanks, I prefer to finish it in the argument. Also I doubt they'd let you bring all your "I love Spike" memorabilia I assume you carry with you at all times...
🙂
What a twitter, how to answer a question without having given an answer.
the questions asked seem to be:
Is Buffy stronger than Spike.
Can Buffy lift Olaf's hammer because she(Buffy) defeated him.
Now I regard Jane Espenson as an intelligent person,
so I think her answer should be viewed as such.
Quote: "I thought she was strong"
It does not say Buffy is stronger than Spike, it does not say Buffy is stronger than anyone, it says I thought she was strong and that is all it says.
Quote: "but that was a long time ago"
That could mean, I can't remember. It could mean that she is working on another project right now that probably has a deadline.
But I asked why could she lift the hammer becasue she was string or becasue she defeated Olaf, and the answer was "I thought she was strong" - which means she believes Buffy can lift the hammer becasue she is strong not because she defeated Olaf.
Spike can't lift the the hammer, so if Buffy can becasue of strength that would indicate she's stronger then Spike.
The "But that was a long time ago" basically means to the best of my memory, she probably doesn't obsess over the the show like we tend to do, so probably hasn't watched Triangle in a while so there might be a line in there that indicates otherwise (there isn't I looked through the script before continuing the argument)
