Spike the Best thing to happen to BtVS?

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

Yes, Spike was a great addition to the show. He was a terrific villain, and he evolved nicely into many roles, from villain to ally to antihero to love interest.

Yet, the show is and will always be about the core four. Spike was a great addition, but he didn't "make" the show. He did, however, bring some much-needed humor after Cordelia left.
Spike's my fave character of all time, so of course I can't imagine the show without him.

 

[Chosen Enemy]

Yes, Spike was a great addition to the show. He was a terrific villain, and he evolved nicely into many roles, from villain to ally to antihero to love interest.

Yet, the show is and will always be about the core four. Spike was a great addition, but he didn't "make" the show. He did, however, bring some much-needed humor after Cordelia left.
Spike's my fave character of all time, so of course I can't imagine the show without him.

As a character who isn't one of the core four, he makes the most impression that makes it look like he is one of the most important characters on the show. Sometimes he stands out more than them!

 

[Zombierella]

I agree. As far as Season 2 goes I can not picture watching 22 episodes featuring the annoying one. I was so glad that Spike ran over that sunnydale sign "Home Sweet Home!".

As far as Spike in general. I love him. I think he's a fantastic character. I admit that I did miss the bad ass vampire he used to be. However, Even though some people may not notice it..When Spike was all Chips a hoy we learned more about him as a creature than we ever did when he was more destructive. In an educational way Spike was better being a "love sick puppy" but I think it did go a little overboard. From seasons 4-7 Spike went from being a science experiment to Buffy's willing slave. Technically the only time we got the REAL bad ass vampire Spike was in season 2.

 

[EvilWillow]

Seriously, Spike was one of the best things to happen to the show ever. Some of the aspects of the later seasons would have been hard for an old school Buffy fan like me to take without him. He breathed so much emotion and at the same time humor (frequently being the most funny and moving character) that I cannot imagine BtVS without him. Even Angel the Show improved after Spike entered in my opinion (and I say that as a huge Angel fan).

I agree with you all the way, especially when Spike came into Angel. Season 4 had the worst storyline ever. He definitely improved things around Angel.

 

[JCoatsworth]

I think Spike was probably the best and most interesting additional character of the show, or at least of the 2nd season, but I think the best thing that happened to the show was that they cast Alyson Hannigan instead of Riff Regan to play Willow.
I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Alyson.

 

[Ripper666]

Yes he was a great character because you could estimate him so badly. Was he just another villain like the master. Was he less evil or more evil than other Vampires? He had a girlfriend, who makes him more interesting. And he seemed to be more clever than the other monsters. So Coooool...So Eviiiiiil...So Neeeeew!!!