Moscow Watcher
Scooby
I'm a 100% Spuffy and I love the issue. It took me a couple of days and a couple of rereads to appreciate it fully, but now I'm optimistic.
Would it be better if Angel and Spike traded places? Just - yes or no.
I dare you to tell me that it would be better option for you if it was Spike, who a) was stalking and manipulating Buffy b) had beaten her and her future lover senseless in #11 c) engaged her in space-frak that has brought an apocalypse d) tried to convince Buffy to turn her back to her friends who were on the brink of death. And then Angel would arrive and save the day. And then Buffy and Spike would be happy that Angel hasn't arrived earlier and hasn't prevented their "nudey shenanigans" that caused the apocalypse.
No, really. I seriously dare you to tell me that you'd be a happy Spuffy shipper if Spike did what Angel has done - even if his sex with Buffy was mind-blowing and he thought he did everything for Buffy's own good.
There you are.
Joss loves subverting romantic tropes. Buffy's relationship with Angel in season 2 was about subversion of romance, about a fairy tale turning into a nightmare. But in season 8 Joss doesn't just subvert, he lampoons. He brings romantic notions to the level of absurdity. Screw the world as long as we are happy together. Even when he hurts her, he does it for her good.
And, given how many romantic cliches were inserted into issues #33-36, the fallout should be epic.
Be careful what you wish for - because Joss can give it to you.
In season 6 it was Spuffies who learned that lesson. Shippers wanted Buffy to have sex with Spike since season 2. In season 6 they got it.
In season 8 it's Bangels' turn.
Wish fulfillment is dangerous per se, because it kills shipper's urge. But in Jossverse wish fulfillment is doubly dangerous, because Joss always subverts fans' expectations. Love it or hate it - but Joss will always keep Buffy unhappy. Her love life will always be lousy. Current twist kills any prospect for anything remotely romantic between Buffy and Angel and makes very problematic to continue her relationship with Spike.
But it's very good that Joss used an outside force (Twilight machinations, drugged sex) to keep them hurt and angry at each other. He could separate them by giving Spike a new love interest or by making his see Buffy with Satsu. But no - he sees her having sex with a villain who drugged her with "unholy glow". And, judging by his behavior, he realizes that Buffy is not herself.
Do I foresee anything romantic for Spuffy in the end of the tunnel? Well... If Joss plans to use Spuffy to hurt Buffy, then yes, there will be romance and epic badness. And if he doesn't see Spike as a person who can make Buffy miserable - then there will be enough snark, banter and subtextual UST to keep the ship afloat.
On BtVS Angel started as Buffy's friend, then became her lover, then he became her enemy. Spike started as Buffy's enemy, then he became her lover, then they became friends.
Hopefully, they'll be friends with benefits.
Would it be better if Angel and Spike traded places? Just - yes or no.
I dare you to tell me that it would be better option for you if it was Spike, who a) was stalking and manipulating Buffy b) had beaten her and her future lover senseless in #11 c) engaged her in space-frak that has brought an apocalypse d) tried to convince Buffy to turn her back to her friends who were on the brink of death. And then Angel would arrive and save the day. And then Buffy and Spike would be happy that Angel hasn't arrived earlier and hasn't prevented their "nudey shenanigans" that caused the apocalypse.
No, really. I seriously dare you to tell me that you'd be a happy Spuffy shipper if Spike did what Angel has done - even if his sex with Buffy was mind-blowing and he thought he did everything for Buffy's own good.
There you are.
Joss loves subverting romantic tropes. Buffy's relationship with Angel in season 2 was about subversion of romance, about a fairy tale turning into a nightmare. But in season 8 Joss doesn't just subvert, he lampoons. He brings romantic notions to the level of absurdity. Screw the world as long as we are happy together. Even when he hurts her, he does it for her good.
And, given how many romantic cliches were inserted into issues #33-36, the fallout should be epic.
Be careful what you wish for - because Joss can give it to you.
In season 6 it was Spuffies who learned that lesson. Shippers wanted Buffy to have sex with Spike since season 2. In season 6 they got it.
In season 8 it's Bangels' turn.
Wish fulfillment is dangerous per se, because it kills shipper's urge. But in Jossverse wish fulfillment is doubly dangerous, because Joss always subverts fans' expectations. Love it or hate it - but Joss will always keep Buffy unhappy. Her love life will always be lousy. Current twist kills any prospect for anything remotely romantic between Buffy and Angel and makes very problematic to continue her relationship with Spike.
But it's very good that Joss used an outside force (Twilight machinations, drugged sex) to keep them hurt and angry at each other. He could separate them by giving Spike a new love interest or by making his see Buffy with Satsu. But no - he sees her having sex with a villain who drugged her with "unholy glow". And, judging by his behavior, he realizes that Buffy is not herself.
Do I foresee anything romantic for Spuffy in the end of the tunnel? Well... If Joss plans to use Spuffy to hurt Buffy, then yes, there will be romance and epic badness. And if he doesn't see Spike as a person who can make Buffy miserable - then there will be enough snark, banter and subtextual UST to keep the ship afloat.
On BtVS Angel started as Buffy's friend, then became her lover, then he became her enemy. Spike started as Buffy's enemy, then he became her lover, then they became friends.
Hopefully, they'll be friends with benefits.
S
StarSlayer
Good points!
S
Spikefan31
Friends with benefits. Hehe. I hope so :P But yeah, you make good points. I'd never want Spike and Angel to trade places.
