Slayer's Blood

[white avenger]

I've been rewatching Season 7 the last couple of days, and something just occurred to me.

In "Showtime," Buffy rescues Spike in a beautiful scene at the end of the episode. In the next episode, "Potential," he is still suffering from injuries suffered during his capture. Then, in "First Date," he appears to be fully recovered. Also in that episode, Buffy is wearing a scarf around her neck, and her voice is noticeably hoarse. Now, here is what I was thinking.

The only other time in the entire series when Buffy wore a scarf like that was in Season 5 when she was trying to hide Dracula's bite marks. Now,I know that nothing was mentioned or even hinted at in the episode, but I was just wondering, and this is purely a "what if" question, not whether or not it was actually implied in the episode. Considering the fact that she would have wanted Spike back in full fighting shape as quickly, do you think that Buffy might have given Spike some of her blood in order to sped up his healing process?

 

[Vamp Jenny]

It could be a possibility, but I'm not sure if she was confident enough about Spike to let him drink her blood.

Now I know that by S7, she was all "team Spike", but sharing blood was hinted at being a gesture that meant closure and a lot more than just giving blood to feed or feel better...

First with Angel the blood sharing was about giving him life, curing him. He almost killed her in the process.
Than, with Dracula it was all about sensuality and feeding, like he was taking her strenght(sp?) and her ambition to fight him back at the same time.

But even if she liked/loved Spike and wanted him to get well quickly to be able to fight back the First, could she go that far?
Maybe only from a tactical point of view, it was a valuable decision.

I don't know. In the end of the season, when she was all about doing anything to kill the First, maybe. But at that point I'm not sure she could have gone through with it...

Still, it's a really good observation. I'd love to know what Joss would have to say about that 😉

What do YOU think, White Avenger?

 

[BuffyElevated]

I think this is an interesting theory, but I highly doubt she would have ever let Spike drink from her. Hell, she wouldn't even tell him she loved him til right before he died. If she couldn't even say that, I have real doubts that she could ever have let him have some of her blood.

 

[white avenger]

What do YOU think, White Avenger?

I think that from a tactical standpoint, it would definitely make a fair amount of sense. She needed every resource at her command, and she needed those resources at their optimum condition. When Angel fed from her, he came very close to killing Buffy, but, since Spike's injuries weren't that severe, that much blood wouldn't be required. It would also be noted that when Angel finally did feed, he was in an enraged, nearly uncontrollable state of mind. I seriously doubt that that would be the case with Spike.

Someone allowing a vampire to feed from them has several different connotations in the Buffyverse, and we have seen that feeding from a Slayer has special restorative qualities. There wouldn't necessarily HAVE to be any romantic undertones here, but we have seen how Buffy trusts Spike in Season 7, and how loyal he is to her. I think that she would be in far less danger of something going wrong,the way that it almost did with Angel,certainly not Buffy being drained almost to the point of death, and what's more, I think that she had no doubt of that fact.

As I said from the beginning, I see this as more of a tactical decision than any sort of romantic gesture, and I also believe that, from that same tactical point of view, Buffy would take whatever steps necessary to assure that restoring Spike didn't result in she,herself, being incapacitated. Given those conditions,yes, I do belive that, if she saw it as necessary, Buffy would have allowed Spike to feed off of her

 

[EVIL UU]

[MENTION=6758]white avenger[/MENTION]

we have seen that feeding from a Slayer has special restorative qualities

No, we have not.

There is nothing in the show that even suggests any sort of general restorative or healing qualities of slayer's blood. It's an antidote to the "Killer of the Dead" poison and works as an aphrodisiac for vampires. That's it. This thread is based on a false assumption.

 

[Black Eye Guy]

Yeah it's never said that Buffys blood heal vampires, it was just an antidote for that particular poison in that case.

I don't think she'd let him drink her, I think it;d need to be an exceptional case to let a vampire drink her. Angel was going to die and with Dracula it was thrall that spurred her on.

I think if they did that, it's such a big thing to do we would have seen it. Also she probably wouldn't have waited to do it. I think 2 episodes is long enough for a vampire to heal normally anyway.

 

[white avenger]

I think if they did that, it's such a big thing to do we would have seen it. Also she probably wouldn't have waited to do it. I think 2 episodes is long enough for a vampire to heal normally anyway.

As I said originally, I realize that it was never mentioned or even implied in the episode. This is a "what if" question. If Buffy thought that letting Spike have some of her blood would help him recover more quickly, would she do it? Not "Did she?" but, "If she thought that it would help him recover more quickly, would she?"

And I still say, if for only tactical reasons, she would have done so.

 

[Robb Stark]

As I said originally, I realize that it was never mentioned or even implied in the episode. This is a "what if" question. If Buffy thought that letting Spike have some of her blood would help him recover more quickly, would she do it? Not "Did she?" but, "If she thought that it would help him recover more quickly, would she?"

And I still say, if for only tactical reasons, she would have done so.

I think she would have. She makes it pretty clear by that point in the series that she trusts Spike and his motivations. She was the only one supporting him through his ordeal with The First, and clearly, she made the right move. Even if it was just to save Spike, if her blood was what was required, I think she would have done it.

 

[Kean]

I completely disagree that she would allow Spike to feed off her just to speed along his recovery. She forced Angel to drink her when she was desperate and had exhausted all other options open to her. With Dracula, she was under his thrall. From a tactical standpoint it would have been a massively stupid thing for Buffy to do because A) it would be unnecessary because Spike was getting better: he didn't need her blood, and B) it put her (the key person in the war) at serious risk, especially when Spike had been such a danger so far that season. I honestly can't think of single reason why Buffy would even think of doing this.

 

[Gum Gnome33]

I honestly can't think of single reason why Buffy would even think of doing this.

Because she loooooooooves him of course!! 😀 Ok ok, I'll stop. 😛

I actually think it depends entirely on how much he'd have needed. We saw with Angel that he needed quite a bit, but he'd been poisoned and was about to die. Even so, Buffy survived, (and healed rather quickly).

I think it's conceivable that she'd come to the conclusion that she'd be alright if she gave him her blood, especially if he needed far less than Angel did, which would have probably been the case.

But I agree that she wouldn't want to risk dramatically weakening herself considering that she really didn't know what they were up against, aside from the fact that it was incredibly powerful--even when it would strike. She really couldn't let her guard down for a second.

On the other hand, though...she did seek out the Turok Han knowing it'd nearly kill her, in order to boost morale so...maybe she wasn't so concerned about her well-being after all??

I know this isn't what you asked, but I have to say that I don't think Spike would have accepted the blood--not in season 7. Between begging her to stake him, (before he was captured), offering to leave her be, (First Date), and even conceding that he'd lasted too long and was probably meant to die, (Killer in Me), I just don't think he'd have wanted her to put herself at risk to save him. Sure, he was fine with her calling the soldier boys in order to get the chip removed, but anything that'd put her health at risk I doubt he'd have allowed.

 

[white avenger]

I completely disagree that she would allow Spike to feed off her just to speed along his recovery. She forced Angel to drink her when she was desperate and had exhausted all other options open to her. With Dracula, she was under his thrall. From a tactical standpoint it would have been a massively stupid thing for Buffy to do because A) it would be unnecessary because Spike was getting better: he didn't need her blood, and B) it put her (the key person in the war) at serious risk, especially when Spike had been such a danger so far that season. I honestly can't think of single reason why Buffy would even think of doing this.

Spike had already clearly demonstrated in "Sleeper" that, even when obviously under the power of the First Evil that the mere taste of Slayer blood wouldn't send him into an uncontrollable feeding frenzy. If anything, tasting Buffy's blood brought him back to his senses. That was, I believe, one of the main reasons that Buffy trusted him so much.

It must also be remembered that at that time,Buffy was facing the single most powerful enemy that she had ever encountered with little more than a couple of well intended but totally human allies, and a "Wicca who won't-a" as back up against an army of Bringers and at least one super vampire who she had already fought twice and both times barely escaped with her life. Spike was the strongest fighter on her team, and she needed him at his optimum power as soon as possible.

And once more I say, this would be a purely tactical decision, with the desired outcome outweighing any possible consequences.

 

[TotallySpiked]

And once more I say, this would be a purely tactical decision, with the desired outcome outweighing any possible consequences.

I agree.
Buffy in season 7 is a lot different than how she was in the earlier seasons. She understands the bigger picture and is willing to make sacrifices if it is for the greater good. She demonstrated this by saying that if letting Dawn jump off the tower had saved the world, she would have let her do that. By this time, Buffy had the General mentality; which in most instances, is what a Slayer needs to get the job done.
I honestly believe that if the situation called for it and Spike needed her blood, she would have given it to him because it would be part of the bigger picture.
That being said, I think Spike would take a lot more convincing to drink from her than Angel did - Spike was never 'one drink away from going off the deep end'.

 

[Kean]

And once more I say, this would be a purely tactical decision, with the desired outcome outweighing any possible consequences.

I stand by my belief that it would be decidedly poor tactics to put herself (and everyone else) at risk. Buffy had no reason to believe that her blood, in particular, had any sort of inherent restorative properties a là¡ the Mohra demon. She isn't some sort of cure all. Her blood was an antidote to a specific poison. Plus, Spike had drained a slayer before and he didn't appear to benefit from it physically. He may have had more of a strut in his stride, but he hadn't been enhanced in any way by the blood. As for trust, well Buffy may trust Spike when Spike is in control of what he is doing but at that stage of the season he was till very much susceptible to The First and its trigger. It would be tactically unforgivable for her to offer him her blood at that point. Neither he nor she could guarantee that he would be the one in the driving seat. Whatever small gain in time they could have achieved in Spike's healing is, in my opinion, monstrously outweighed by the risks and potential loss they could have incurred to do so.

 

[Black Eye Guy]

I stand by my belief that it would be decidedly poor tactics to put herself (and everyone else) at risk.

This makes me think she might do it, every decision she was making in regard to Spike was stupid, reckless and irresponsible around that time!


But I don't think there's anyway she'd do it, if he was dying from a mystical poison maybe. But not to heal him, knowing he heals fast there wouldn't be a need to do it.

 

[white avenger]

I stand by my belief that it would be decidedly poor tactics to put herself (and everyone else) at risk. Buffy had no reason to believe that her blood, in particular, had any sort of inherent restorative properties a là¡ the Mohra demon. She isn't some sort of cure all. Her blood was an antidote to a specific poison. Plus, Spike had drained a slayer before and he didn't appear to benefit from it physically. He may have had more of a strut in his stride, but he hadn't been enhanced in any way by the blood. As for trust, well Buffy may trust Spike when Spike is in control of what he is doing but at that stage of the season he was till very much susceptible to The First and its trigger. It would be tactically unforgivable for her to offer him her blood at that point. Neither he nor she could guarantee that he would be the one in the driving seat. Whatever small gain in time they could have achieved in Spike's healing is, in my opinion, monstrously outweighed by the risks and potential loss they could have incurred to do so.

I fail to see anything about how Buffy sharing her blood with Spike is any more dangerous than having him in a house filled with Potentials, and her judgement in that matter, despite Giles' protests, proved sound. And as for who was "in the driver's seat," as I said above, Spike illustrated in "Sleeper" that he was the one in control, even though Buffy was in a helpless condition. Tasting her blood, if anything, returned his self control rather than took it.

Buffy had faith in Spike in Season 7, possibly more than might seem appropriate, certainly more than Giles would have wanted, but the undeniable fact remains that her faith in him was rewarded. If she had believed that her blood would have helped restore him more quickly, she would have had no problem in giving it to him.

 

[Kean]

I fail to see anything about how Buffy sharing her blood with Spike is any more dangerous than having him in a house filled with Potentials, and her judgement in that matter, despite Giles' protests, proved sound. And as for who was "in the driver's seat," as I said above, Spike illustrated in "Sleeper" that he was the one in control, even though Buffy was in a helpless condition. Tasting her blood, if anything, returned his self control rather than took it.

Buffy, recklessly I might add, kept Spike in the house believing she could contain him. That becomes a decidedly different situation if he already has his fangs in her throat. It's the difference between being aware of the possibility of a threat and actually being in the middle of a dangerous, potentially fatal, situation.It's the difference between being in (relative) control of a situation and having no control at all. There's a massive difference between the two.

"Sleeper" was a singular incident. Spike didn't actually gain control of the trigger until "Lies My Parents Told Me", that's nine episodes later. Between that time Buffy didn't know what he was capable of. Neither did Spike. Buffy may have had faith in who Spike was trying to be, who he wanted to be even, but he was kept in chains in that basement for a reason.

If she had believed that her blood would have helped restore him more quickly, she would have had no problem in giving it to him.

I really fail to see how you can state that as fact.

Even if I accept the terms that the blood could restore him I still don't believe she would have just siphoned it out heedlessly, and certainly not for the injuries that Spike had, which were nowhere in the realm of fatal and were healing as rapidly as they would for any other vampire.

 

[white avenger]

Buffy, recklessly I might add, kept Spike in the house believing she could contain him. That becomes a decidedly different situation if he already has his fangs in her throat. It's the difference between being aware of the possibility of a threat and actually being in the middle of a dangerous, potentially fatal, situation.It's the difference between being in (relative) control of a situation and having no control at all. There's a massive difference between the two.

"Sleeper" was a singular incident. Spike didn't actually gain control of the trigger until "Lies My Parents Told Me", that's nine episodes later. Between that time Buffy didn't know what he was capable of. Neither did Spike. Buffy may have had faith in who Spike was trying to be, who he wanted to be even, but he was kept in chains in that basement for a reason.



I really fail to see how you can state that as fact.

Even if I accept the terms that the blood could restore him I still don't believe she would have just siphoned it out heedlessly, and certainly not for the injuries that Spike had, which were nowhere in the realm of fatal and were healing as rapidly as they would for any other vampire.

Miss K, as much as I enjoy debating with you, reading back over our entries here shows nothing more than both of us repeating the same arguments back and forth with no real progress being made. It's another "Astronauts vs Cavemen" situation, with your rhetoric being just as valid as my own (see, I can admit that) Add to that, it's very late, and I have an early doctor's appointment in the morning, so I'll offer this final compromise.

I'll admit I'm right if you'll admit you're wrong.
😀
And, next time we do this, let's try and start a little earlier, okay?

Good night, Miss K. I've missed you around here.


Now imagine me running off into the darkness, cackling maniacally and yelling "Friends don't let friends ship..." well, you know the rest of it.https://www.buffy-boards.com/images/foolforlove/smilies/biggrin.gif

 

[Black Eye Guy]

I fail to see anything about how Buffy sharing her blood with Spike is any more dangerous than having him in a house filled with Potentials, and her judgement in that matter, despite Giles' protests, proved sound. And as for who was "in the driver's seat," as I said above, Spike illustrated in "Sleeper" that he was the one in control, even though Buffy was in a helpless condition. Tasting her blood, if anything, returned his self control rather than took it.

Buffy had faith in Spike in Season 7, possibly more than might seem appropriate, certainly more than Giles would have wanted, but the undeniable fact remains that her faith in him was rewarded. If she had believed that her blood would have helped restore him more quickly, she would have had no problem in giving it to him.

If you believe that Spike was the one actually in control, can we hold him responsible for all the people he killed?

Or are they the firsts fault and on that 1 particular day was spike the one in control?

Just need to get my Spike excuses in order.

 

[white avenger]

Or are they the firsts fault and on that 1 particular day was spike the one in control?

Finally, SOMEBODY is catching on to what I say. Thanks, I was beginning to think that no one else understood. Thank you.

Oh, you DIDN'T understand? My mistake.

Once more, I will remind you of what the original question was.

This is a "what if" question. If Buffy thought that letting Spike have some of her blood would help him recover more quickly, would she do it? Not "Did she?" but, "If she thought that it would help him recover more quickly, would she?"

I'm as guilty as anyone else, but we seem to keep losing sight of the question. This is a question concerning her actions in a theoretical situation, not the wisdom of those actions.

Did Buffy have enough trust and faith in Spike's soul and the "better man" that she apparently was the only one able to see and believe in, to let him have some of her blood if she believed that it would heal him faster than his normal pig's blood diet was doing?

Considering the fact that Buffy went against the protests of her ex Watcher and pseudo father in supporting Spike, up to and including bringing him into her house with all of the Potentials. my answer is still "yes," as long as she felt that doing so would be to her advantage in her fight against the First Evil. Remember, this is the girl who said that, if it served the greater good, she would sacrifice her own sister, but at the same time told Robin Wood that, if he continued with his vendetta against Spike, she would let Spike kill him.

Call it a blind spot, call it love, call it irresponsibility, or call it plain reckless stupidity, Buffy trusted Spike that much. Giving him a little blood, even at the risk that he would go into a feeding frenzy and try to drain her, would be no problem at all.

 

[brinkster130]

If Buffy thought that letting Spike have some of her blood would help him recover more quickly, would she do it? Not "Did she?" but, "If she thought that it would help him recover more quickly, would she?"

Yes, I think she would have offered Spike her blood at this point in the series. She pretty much was the captain of the I trust Spike team and was focused on the impending war more than anything else so I don't see her putting much thought into it past "I trust him". If this was something she could have done to make her army stronger then yes, she would have offered to do it no matter what the risk. Based on her actions in s7 I don't see any reason why she wouldn't trust Spike with this.

I know you didn't ask this question but...I don't think Spike would have taken her up on that offer.