From how I always preferred to watch and try to interpret the series, everything was always multi-layered and the visuals were always giving info on the characters and the episode or season arc. I always look for the metaphor and the entire themes that I felt were being explored. It is not sufficient to just say that Buffy was suffering from depression and use that as the explanation for most of her conduct in season 6 and her relationship with Spike. If it were simply a matter of Buffy inflicting self-punishment, she would have actually manipulated the events so that she was the main object of that punishment, but that is not what happens. Up until the total melt-down of their relationship and the horrors of the AR - the character who is the primary victim is not Buffy, but Spike. Now, I am in no way suggesting that this is all Buffy's fault and that she is to blame for the path that they fall into, they both are, but I think if people try to be a objective, the character who is mostly being used is Spike. There is no stronger evidence of this than "As You Were." In my opinion, AYW is the resolution of the "Dead Things" "Older and Faraway" and "As You Were," and all these episode should been viewed as directly connected and about Buffy's dreamscape world manifested in her real world. All these episode speak to the themes of what the characters desire and the barriers that they have created that end in tragedy, but they also are the pivotal transitions that both character need. Spike, gets so totally broken down from his attempted rape of Buffy that he goes to fight and win his soul back; the vital element in the Buffyverse that must be part of a hero role model. Buffy at last starts her real way back from not only her depression, but like Spike also begins her journey as the more mature, strong and independent woman and Slayer we see in Season 7.
I don't understand how anyone could not find Season 6 and the Spuffy relationship anything but compelling and powerful drama. I LOVE SEASON 6.
