Spuffy S7: Friends or Lovers?

Wishing Oceans

I don't think, I know.
Joined
Nov 9, 2008
Messages
2,103
The never-ending controversy. Us Spuffies like to think S7 was the REAL Spuffy season, filled with love and passion. Most Bangelers like to say that S7 doesn't count because it was only friendship. Well, here's my two cents for this:

In S6's Seeing Red, Buffy told Spike that she had feelings for him, but she couldn't trust him enough to love him. (Funny fact: In Lie To Me Buffy said to Angel "I love you. But I don't think I can trust you." Draw your own conclusions. ) Now, I believe her for several reasons: One being that a character in a t.v. show can't lie without either making it blaringly obvious or by having the truth revealed soon after. That's because when someone lies on t.v. it's not as obvious as in real life, so the audience wouldn't be able to tell. Two being that it was pretty obvious. She said herself that she couldn't let Xander kill him, for obvious reasons. And since those reasons weren't so she could keep him as her sex toy, it had to be that she had feelings for him.

Main statement I had in that mess: The only reason Buffy didn't love Spike was because she didn't trust him, probably because he was soulless.

Let's skip forward a bit, shall we? We come to rest on S7. First off, Beneath You. I thought it was pretty obvious she still cared about him from the way she talked to him and listened to him. She felt a little uncomfortable around him, that was natural. But your feelings for someone don't just disappear. In many of the following episodes (And past episodes like Same Time, Same Place, Help ) Spike is the first person Buffy goes to when she needs help, and she checks on him regularly, since he is technically insane.

Continuing on, Buffy makes Spike leave the basement because she's worried about him. When he doesn't have anyplace to go, she finds him a place. She then says that she "feels for him." When asked what she feels by Dawn, Buffy won't answer, seemingly wondering the same thing herself. Now, you could say that she only was forcing her friends that HATE him to take him in because she cared about him as a friend. BUT, they definitely weren't friends until... I'd say Never Leave Me. So that squashes that theory.

Then we get to Conversations with Dead People. She talked over her relationship with Spike. She seemed to realize that both had had faults in their previous relationship, and knew that he really did love her. It seems, judging by the extremely long portion of time she spent talking about it, that the Spuffy 'ship was something she thought about often and was having an internal debate about. Not too telling, but still interesting.

Then, Sleeper: Spike was out killing lots of people. Buffy had heard that he had sired someone. First thing that she did was run to check on him, see where he was. When qestioned about if she thought Spike was "William The Bloody" again, she said that she knew he had changed, she could feel it. When she later confronted him, he said that she was jealous. She replied to not play games. I love how she avoided answering the question. 😀 Now, I will say that Buffy probably didn't go through all that because she was jealous. But I'd suspect that she feels the same way about these girls as the girl Spike brought to the not- a- wedding in Hell's Bells. Continuing on to the scene with the bouncer, when Buffy asked "how many girls?" Although I do believe that she asked that because she wanted to know how many girls he'd potentially killed and sired, the look on her face makes me agree with the bouncer. She was probably just a bit jealous. Of course, a very important part of a relationship is that jealousy is NOT love. But my point is not that she was in love with him in Sleeper, because I don't believe that she was. The point is that she still has feelings for him. Next we get to their fight in the basement: Buffy beats him down, although it's important to note that she didn't really hurt him, and is soon trapped by the vampires Spike sired. She fought against them for a while, but when Spike walked over she instantly stopped moving and gave him a halfhearted "Spike- no!" She did basically let him drink her blood however, because she didn't make any attempt against it, which was a lot like the Bangel scene in Graduation Day pt2. Afterwards, instead of killing Spike like she was going to do to Anya, she decided to help him and keep him in her sight at all times, actually letting him live in her house.

Continuing on to Disc Three's Never Leave Me. Buffy tied up Spike in her room (Hahaha, S6 Deja Vu ) and began feeding him and questioning him. An interesting question that Spike would soon bring up was why she cared.... When talking to Willow, Willow asked how she was doing. She said that she'd be OK, obviously insinuating that being with Spike like that was hard for her. Buffy asked Spike about his "soul getting" and seemed to be fine with talking to him, which is why I consider that to be where the S7 friendship started.

Later on in that episode, they have a conversation about "why [she] can't do it? Off [him]?" She began with saying that he fought, saved lives, and was a useful warrior. Spike responded that she "like men who hurt [her]. [She] needs the pain [they] cause [her]. [She] need the hate. [She] need it to do [her] job, to be the slayer. Buffy said that she didn't hate like that anymore. "Not you, not anyone." Another funny fact: In What's My Line pt 2 Buffy said the exact same thing to Kendra: "You feel it, right? How the anger gives you fire? A Slayer needs that." So, was she lying there or here? Or perhaps the "not anymore" bit was important? Maybe she's saying that the love and not the anger give her power now. So if she doesn't hate Spike, then does she need him around because he loves her and she she needs that love? Who knows, but I'd love to here some hypotheses.

Anyway, moving on. After that, Buffy says that she can't kill Spike because she knows that he's changed. That he's risked everything to be a better man. That she believes in him. And you'll notice that at this point she is all up in his face. If the bringers hadn't interrupted, she may have even kissed him in an "in the moment" kinda thing.

Also, keeping in mind what I said about the only reason Buffy didn't love Spike was because she didn't trust him, "I believe in you" is pretty close to "I trust you." Although I don't believe that she was in love with him yet. Well, I mean, she may have been, but in any case I don't think she realized it until later on. It's my thought that she first realized how much she needed and loved him in Touched.

Skipping forward a bit to the next episodes. Although she didn't mention it all the time, her main priority was to rescue Spike. Hm, why is that? 😀 He wasn't that great of a fighter as she quite rudely pointed out in Get It Done. Her friends didn't particularly like him, he wasn't part of the Scoobies, they weren't best friends yet, and he wasn't of any particular use to her. Mostly, SHE had to take care of HIM. So, why was she so anxious to get him back? This conversation seems to summarize it:

ANDREW
I really hate to admit this, but he's not wrong. There's no way we'll be able to help Spike until that thing is out of the way.

EVE
Spike? Sorry, I'm confused. He's that vampire who's been killing people, right? He's the one you're worried about helping?


BUFFY
(stammering) Well, we need him to"”he's the one that's been"”it's complicated, Chloe.

Buffy wanted to save him first thing, even though he had no use to them. Obviously, she still had feelings for him. 😀

OK, Potential is OVERFLOWING with Spuffy. Here's what I said about it in my thread. Here🙁Potential: Spuffy Hints - Buffy-Boards

Let's start at the beginning. When the episode first started we saw that Buffy and Spike had taken the girls out for some practice fighting. Buffy talks about instinct for a little while, then asks Spike to "come at me. Full speed." Spike lunges at her (quite sloppily I might add ) and Buffy easily pins him down. Here we come to the first hint: Once Buffy discovers that she accidentally hurt Spike, she was immediately concerned and tried to chech out his stomach. (Purely for medical purposes, of course. ) Spike, for some reason, stops her. Perhaps he still refuses to let Buffy touch him after the AR? Next, to my immense amusement, the girls obviously take it all the wrong way. ("That's hot." "So we're supposed to like make out with them or something?") Or the right way, depending on how you look at it. The two remember that they have an audience (When they're together, they can only see each other. ) and separate from each other, equally uncomfortable.

Next, a little something I call Buffy's "Spuffy Speech." Buffy has said many things that hint towards Spuffy in the past. In the beginning of Something Blue, Buffy said "But I think real love and passion have to go hand in hand with pain and fighting." Hm. Seem familiar? But this conversation is just amazing:

AMANDA
One of the boys who picks on me"¦ I kind of"¦ see, if a guy
picks on you, is it weird to think he's cute?
BUFFY
(smiles)
Oh"¦
AMANDA
It's just the last few times I've seen him, I've wanted to,
you know, pick on him. Extra. More.
BUFFY
Uh-huh.
AMANDA
The thing is, I can't tell. My mom says when a guy teases
you, it means he likes you.
BUFFY
Sometimes that's true.
AMANDA
Is it weird? We're mean to each other and we like each
other.
BUFFY
Well, it depends. I mean, sometimes that's how people
relate. Being mean to each other"¦ even mortal enemies.
Then with the"¦ and that leads to no good"” absolutely no
good"” and much confusion, and then it's over"”
absolutely, seriously, definitely over"” and that's
confusing, too"” the over part"” which it is. Over. (off
Amanda's look) So maybe.

First off, let's start with the little stuff. Buffy (since her whole little speech is obviously about Spike) basically admitted that she thinks Spike is cute. Not that she hasn't said it before, of course. ("Kind of sallow, but in a hot way?" -Buffy, Sleeper) Next off, she also admitted that she likes Spike. Not that we didn't know that, either. ("I have feelings for you. I do." -Seeing Red) Next, Buffy said that she and Spike get along by being rude to each other. Maybe hinting it's fun? They DID always seem to take great joy in torturing each other. OK, I'm pretty sure "then with the-" was Buffy referring to the change their relationship took in S6. As she reminisces, she seems slightly troubled by the memories, but in a wistful way. Then, she appears to be attempting to convince HERSELF that "it's absolutely, positively, definitely over. Which is confusing too, the over part. Which it is, over!" Is she maybe referring to the actions of Seeing Red when she says that it led to much confusion? Or that it's confusing for her, for the way she acts around him, as shown with their earlier actions? After that, she once again realized that she had company, and discontinued her rant.

ANDREW
It's not fair! Spike just killed people and he gets to go.
BUFFY
Spike didn't have free will. You did.

Judging from the dialogue, Buffy is saying that Spike can't be held responsible for the people he killed around CWDP/ Sleeper. This would mean that she doesn't hold Spike responsible for the people he killed when he was soulless. I would even go as far as to say by now she's forgiven him for the AR.

Next we get to the bar scene. Right after she tells the girls they can down all the "yak urine shots and pig's butts spritzers you like" she sends Spike a very amused look, almost as though they're doing their classic "eye communication." Seems to me like an inside joke between them.

"You think she dated him too?" -Kennedy. I find it odd that all the girls seem to know that Spike and Buffy "dated". I definitely don't see Spike or Buffy telling them, and everyone else (Willow, Xander, Giles) hated to admit it to themselves, let alone a bunch of girls. It could've been that Dawn gossiped about them with the potentials, maybe accidentally letting some facts slip, or Anya might have mentioned something about it in a largely humorous fashion. I, however, like to play with the idea that ANYONE could see the heat between them. ("Buffy and Spike have some kind of history together. You can feel the heat between them, although technically as a vampyre, he's room temperature." Andrew, Storyteller.)

SPIKE
What, you mean before? A crypt, actually, but nicer. A bit
more"¦ I don't know if posh is the right word but it was
more like"¦
BUFFY
Comfy.
KENNEDY
Excuse me? When did you find it comfy?

Buffy looks at Spike and realizes she revealved too much, again.
BUFFY
(covers)
Moving on.

Definite hint there. Seems as though she thinks about his old crypt a lot, judging by her expression. I love how, right about saying "comfy", Buffy and Spike just look at each other. Spike, with questioning in his eyes, and Buffy with a tad bit of fear that she can't seem to control her mouth these days. Also, it would appear that Buffy enjoyed hanging out in Spike's crypt more than she usually let on. ("You know, this place is OK for a hole in the ground. You fixed it up." -Dead Things)

This is a little hint, but I like how during Buffy's fight with the fledging Kennedy goes to help Buffy, but Spike holds her back. He knows that she can handle herself, and he enjoys watching her fight. Also, it gives him a bit of a paternal look, which is very cute.

Next, they leave together, in perfect unison. I wonder what they talked about on the way to the school... It may have been something unexciting like which potential showed the most potential, but then again it COULD have been about "Uhh, since when did you find my crypt COMFY?"

Cut forward a bit. We get Buffy and Spike running up the stairs together and killing the bringers. Buffy calls "here!" and tosses him the knife, which he promptly catches and uses. I just love how well they work together.

Next, the Killer in Me. When the girls left, first thing she did was go down to the basement to talk and hang out with Spike. When his chip started hurting, she was completely concerned and got Willow researching on it. She went down to talk to him again, showing that they were obviously friends by now, and started making phone calls to save him. When he had an epsode and the gang was there she went to him and told him she was right there. She definitely was putting all of her energy into taking care of someone she was just friends with.

Buffy came with Spike to the Initiative, claiming "eh, there's nothing good on t.v. tonight." My guess is either she likes hanging out with him or she's worried about him and wants to be there to protect him. She yelled his name when the demon got him (she yelled his name a lot, but a moment's a moment) and chose to remove the chip instead of repairing it. She trusted him enough to know he wouldn't try anything.

Next we get to First Date. When Spike flies out of nowhere and tackles her beloved and defenseless Watcher to the ground, she yells Spike's name, even though Giles was the one who was tackled and the one who she loves and thinks of as a father. When Giles is all horrified about the chip, they're completing each other's sentences. Cute. 😀

Buffy said it was instinct to remove Spike's chip, she wanted him to be free and safe. As she said, once again, she believed in him and knew he could be a good man. As the conversation went "your feelings for him are coloring your judgement. I can hear it in your voice." "We haven't- things have been different, since he came back." "It doesn't matter if you're not physical with each other anymore. There's a connection. You rely on him, he relies on you. That's what's affecting your judgement." And Giles was right. Well, except for the "affecting your judgment" part. 🙂 I love how Buffy didn't deny that she has feelings for him. Also, I have questions about how it's different. Is it different because they're not sleeping together anymore? Or because there's love and friendship now? I think I prefer the latter. 😀

OK, I'm not going to be one of those Spuffies that go insane over the "why does everyone in this house think I'm still in love with Spike?" thing. Although, judging by the awkwardness, it may have been a freudian slip (wich would've been so funny 😀 ), or it may have just been convenient. I CANNOT believe I'm fighting against my own ship, but it may have just been because it's weird to say "still in like". Nobody thinks they're still sleeping together, so she can't say that. "Still have feelings for" may have been a more appropriate saying, although that was pretty obviously a true statement. 😀

Next, the hallway scene. I love how, if you watch it in slow motion, you can totally see all the juicy details: First, as soon as Spike sees her, he glances down at her cleavage. Buffy notices, and puts her shirt up to cover herself. She then remembers last years fun, and decides that there's absolutely no point. Spike kinda laughs to himself, and looks up at the ceiling, slightly awkwardly. When Buffy realized that Spike heard about her date, she quickly starts going on about how it may not be a REAL date. When Spike says it's fine, she tells him that he doesn't have to act noble. She also tells him that he should try dating too, maybe so she doesn't feel guilty?

Later on, after the big fight, Buffy rushed to Spike's side, even though her HUMAN best friend Xander, who was much more badly hurt, was lying a few feet away. She didn't even remember Xander until Spike pointed him out. Even Robin could see it; There's something between them, and it's more than friendship.

And of course, the epic "because I'm not ready for you to not be here." Which may have been why she couldn't kill him in Never Leave Me. Spike's just... been there. When everyone else had either left or betrayed her, he'd always stayed. She needed him.

OK, Get It Done. Not so much with the Buffy- sided Spuffy, so I'll move on to Story Teller.

When Buffy's talking about Andrew and his videotaping, the first person she asks for backup from is Spike, the guy, coincidentally, she walked in the room with.

In Andrew video taping, he makes sure everyone knows that "Buffy and Spike have some kind of history together. You can feel the heat between them, although technically as a vampire he's room temperature." Everyone seems to know they were together, and that they still like/ love each other. And that's basically it for that episode.

Next: Lies My Parents Told Me. When the stone began hurting Spike's head, she ran over and asked if he was OK. After he calmed down from his trigger mechanism, she decided to unchain him against her watchers best judgement.

When she found out that it was Giles' plan to keep her away from her usual job of protecting and watching over Spike, she felt betrayed and sprinted as fast as she could to go save him. When she found out what happened, she said she would let Spike kill Robin if Robin ever tried anything again. She would never let any harm come to her precious Spike. 😀

Next... Dirty Girls!: The Spuffy love starts off when Buffy punched Faith (who she obviously HAD recognized) because she was hurting Spike. It continued when Buffy said "he's with me" (in what way? 😀 ) and that Spike was kinda like Angel. Maybe in the sense that she loved them both, and they were both vamps with souls?

Some obvious Spuffy, was how incredibly jealous Buffy looked when she came downstairs to break up the Faith/ Spike thing. You could tell by Buffy's sarcastic voice that Spike was HER vamp, and Faith couldn't have him. I think it's pretty clear, seeing as people don't get jealous of their "Just friends" like that.

Then Empty Places. When Buffy heard that Giles sent Spike on a mission, she asks if he's intended to return alive. His well- being is a great concern to her, much greater than anyone else's. Buffy said that having Spike away scared her. She also said that she felt like Spike was the only one watching her back. This is a sign that she trusted him more than the rest of them, which is where the love factor starts to come out and play. Later in the episode, Buffy asks if they sent Spike away so they could ambush her. Spike seems to be the only thing on her mind. 😀

Next, Touched, which was arguably the best Spuffy episode EVER. The Spuffy started when Spike came to find her. She told him to leave, and brought up last years fun with "you really have problems with that word, don't you?" But, still, she lets Spike talk to her and comfort her. She ranted to him about how suckish she herself was, then let Spike start telling her the truth of what she really was. When Spike told her she was "a hell of a woman" she was actually crying, most likely happy tears. He started to leave, and she nervously asked him to stay. He agreed, and was about to sleep on the chair. Buffy, wanting some comfort, asked him to stay on the bed with her. Spike stared at her strongly, not wanting a repeat of S6. Buffy added "can you just hold me?" and he silently walked over and took her in his arms. They froze awkwardly for a moment, not used to what could be defined as cuddling, but soon relaxed and melted into each other's arms. They looked into each other's eyes and played with their fingers. It was so sweet. And it seems that Spike's always the person Buff goes to for comfort. 😀 Eventually they fall off to sleep, and Buffy awakes several hours later with a newfound strength and power. Now, I'm sure you guys are DYING to blame it all on friendship, but come on. Nobody CUDDLES with their friends. 😀 Well, at least you don't when you're over 10 and not freezing your butt off. 🙂

Next... End Of Days. Something I find funny: their confrontation after Smashed in Wrecked was titles "About last night...". Their confrontation here was also titles "about last night..." Definitely not a coincidence. I love how, after all of S6, the closest they've ever been, with anyone, was in Touched. But anyway the main Spuff in this episode was this conversation:

BUFFY
You're a dope!
SPIKE
I'm a what?
BUFFY
You're a dope and a bonehead and you're shirty!
SPIKE
Have you gone completely Carrot-Top?
Buffy holds up the scythe.
BUFFY
Do you see this? This may actually help me fight my war.
This might be the key to everything. And the reason I'm
holding it is because of you. Because of the strength that
you gave me last night. I am tired of defensiveness and
weird mixed signals. You know what? I have Faith for
that. Let's just get to the truth here, okay? I don't know
how you felt about last night but I will not"”
SPIKE
Terrified.
BUFFY
Of what?
SPIKE
Last night was"¦ (beat) God, I'm such a jerk. I can't do this.
BUFFY
Spike"¦
SPIKE
It was the best night of my life. If you poke fun at me, you
bloody well better use that 'cause I couldn't bear it. It may
not mean that much to you but"”
BUFFY
I just told you it did.
SPIKE
Yeah, I hear you say it but"¦ I've lived for soddin' ever,
Buffy. I've done everything. I've done things with you I
can't spell"¦ but I've never been close"¦ to anyone. Least of all you. Until last night. All I did was hold you, watch you sleep"¦ and it was the best night of my life. So yeah, I'm terrified.
BUFFY
You don't have to be.
SPIKE
Were you there with me?
BUFFY
I was.
SPIKE
What does that mean?
BUFFY
I don't know. Does it have to mean something?
SPIKE
No, not right now.
BUFFY
Maybe when"¦

She basically said that Spike was stupid for not knowing that their night together meant as much to her as it did for him, and that maybe they could be together after the battle. She also said that she was there with him. Feel free to draw your own conclusions.

Next, Chosen. Skipping some cutesy Bangel moments, let's get to the meat: One, Buffy never denied she was in love with Spike. Two, she said Spike was in her heart. Three, after sending Angel away, she went straight to Spike's room. Four, she called Spike a champion. Five, she asked to stay and sleep with him. 6, she slept with him again. 7, you can draw your own conclusions about the blackout scene. 😀

Eight: She told him she loved him. Buffy does NOT say she loves someone just to make them feel better. She never even said I love you to Riley. And, as I've proved, it was more than just as a friend.

Now, to my final statement. As I said in the beginning, Buffy didn't love Spike because she couldn't trust him. As Joss said in the Chosen commentary, "their relationship had enough trust in it that it was physical and romantic, but not sexual." Now they have the trust, now they have the love. 😀

OK, to conclude this overly long essay, I am NOT the Season 7 expert. As most of you know, my specialty is Spuffy S6. So please, additions and arguments are definitely welcomed. 😀
 
U
ubi4soft
you keep surprising me with your posts. Good job
Joan the Vampire Slayer
Joan the Vampire Slayer
I always love your threads, :)
I pretty much agree with all you've said there. I love the Spuffy in season seven, and I think it's both: friends and lovers. Maybe not lovers in the literal sense, but the feeling is definitely there.

It's late so I'm not going to go into as much detail as I could (I think you covered most of it already!), but I think that the most telling moment in the first half of the season is her adamance to get Spike back from the Bringers, and the look on her face when she finally does. To me, this is the moment that she realises she's in love with him, even if she's not ready to admit it to herself--let alone him--yet.
 
I'll be completely honest: I didn't read all of that, I just skimmed it. lol I'm tired at the moment 😛

But if I skimmed correctly lol just because they had feelings for each other, does not mean they were 'lovers'. You can tell me they were both totally and completely in love until you're blue in the face, but you can't say they were seeing each other or in an actual relationship because they were NOT. Unless... I somehow was watching a different Season 7 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer 😛

I mean, she even goes on a date with Wood, right? Or a sort of date... lol. I don't exactly remember how that went. I do remember Buffy saying she was into him, I think.

Maybe that wasn't your point though. If you're trying to get the point across that Buffy and Spike shared more than just a 'close friends' type of bond, well that's all based on how you view things. I personally don't see it, and it has nothing to do with me being pro-Bangel, anti-Spuffy, or anything of the like. It may seem that way at times, but it's not. I don't think Buffy lied to Spike when she said 'I love you', I don't think she said it just because he was about to die, I think she meant it, but I do think she meant it in a different way than you think she did. He was there for her and he helped her and I think that's why she loves him. I don't think she meant that she was 'in love'. And to me those are two completely different things.

I think they shared a deep connection, something bigger than friendship but it doesn't have to be anything 'romantic'. That's actually the reason I see their friendship in S7 as so beautiful. It wasn't about sex anymore and it had nothing to do with Spike's lust/love for her or Buffy trying to 'feel something', they were just there for each other when they needed to be. (See, I'm not totally anti-Spuffy 😀)

Again I think it's all on how you perceive it. lol
 
I think Spike was in love, and Buffy loved as a friend.
I think Buffy felt kinda bad for Spike, that he was so In love, and she wasn't.
But they definatly loved each other just in different ways.
 
G
GrrArghx
You said just what I wanted to say but in alot of less words lol.
E
Eleftheria
[No message]
Oh, damn. We're just never going to convince those pesky Bangels, are we? Even with a detailed post like that. Great job, though! I admire the effort you put into it, and of course I agree. I don't see how you can read that quote in Touched and not know she loved him. Not as a friend, but really, truly loved him. Of course she did. She was too caring of him at that point to give him that kind of encouragement otherwise.

No, they weren't technically lovers, but they were so definitely in love. I just... don't know how you could see it any differently.
 
Wishing Oceans
Wishing Oceans
[No message]
I've been a Spuffy shipper since the first episode ("Once More With Feeling") of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" that I ever saw. Except for a single month, from that moment to the present, I remain a Spuffy shipper, and will continue to be so after the end of Season 8, past the end of Season 9, and, if there is a Season 10, 15, or 10098, I do not see any change in that feeling. To me, Buffy and Spike balance each other, compliment each other, and simply belong together, forever and always. Period.

I have, however, come to this conclusion. Though Buffy is definitely, unquestionably, in love with Spike, even though it took her a long time, possibly too long, to realize it, she is also definitely and unquestionably in love with Angel. I believe that she could spend the rest of her life, either as a normal human woman with a normal human man, having fat happy normal human babies and living happily forever after, or as a super human demon fighter with an equally powerful lover, fighting the forces of evil, side by side or back to back, with either man, and be totally fulfilled. Buffy loves both men. Differently, but equally. She could spend the rest of her life, happily, with either man. And that is not to say that, if and when she does finally decide between the two, she will stop loving the other one. Both Angel and Spike hold places in Buffy's heart, and they always will.
 
I agree with White Avengers line though, 'Buffy loves both men equally'.
Not too sure about the 'differently' part though.
I see Bangel s1-3 as a bigger love than Spuffy s6-7.
But, at the time of chosen, i see it as Buffy loves them both equally, and tbh, the same.
Basically her love for Spike increased(to loving him as a friend), her love for Angel decreased(to loving him also as a friend).

---------- Post added at 05:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:17 AM ----------

So to sum up, by chosen she had major love for both of them as friends, equally, on the brink of being 'in' love.
 
Whedon stated that "in time what went on with Spike and Buffy was very textured and complicated." The relationship, as it evolved in Season 7, "has a romantic/sexual angle but not a physical one." -- Joss Whedon (San Diego 2003)

Spike/Buffy quotes

So, to your question, lovers.
 
By "differently," I mean in the different ways that an adolescent romance is all intense and wonderful, the first experience with the kind of powerful emotion that first love always is. It's all seriousness and world shaking emotions, is compared to love achieved and recognized by two more mature, more experienced people. It's just as intense, certainly just as wonderful, but in a more...relaxed ...isn't the proper description, but maybe it's the way that Buffy described Spike's crypt to the Potentials. It's more "comfy." You're past all of the newness of a first love. You've had it, you've felt it, and it will always be there for you, but you're ready for something more comfortable.

First love is like the initial blaze in a fireplace on a cold day. It's all blaze and flames and intense, searing heat. The kind of heat that you stand in front of, slowly rotating so that you're warmed all over, basking in the power of it. That's what Buffy and Angel had in Seasons 1, 2, and 3. With Spike, the Season 7 Spike, the man who Buffy believed in, trusted, defended, depended on, loved, and finally realized that somewhere along the way, she actually had fallen in love with, their love was like what that blaze settles into, the red hot, smoldering logs that radiate the greatest heat, the kind of heat that warms rather than sears, that glows rather than blazes, the kind of heat that can warm an entire room rather than just the area directly in front of the hearth. There's a place for both Angel AND Spike in Buffy's life, maybe not simultaneously. but permanently, and equally.
 
You know what I think. It's not because I don't like them, or because I fing them disgusting, or because I'm Bangeler. It's because I just don't see love. I've read your post, it's long and good, you have some good facts, but they don't do anything for me. I saw just friendship. Nothing else. Maybe there was potential love, but in that time, I haven't seen it. I really don't know why. Sometimes I try to be fair and put my Bangel love aside, and try to figure out how Spuffy works, but even then, I can't see love.
 
E
Eleftheria
[No message]
If buffy looked like this at Angel ...

Showtime438.jpg


wouldn't you say it was love?


PS: does anyone know what happened to screencap paradise?
 
X
xaphania
This is the moment I think she realises she's in love with him. And screencap paradise often goes offline... they'll probably get it back up soon.
T
thevikingsgirl
In Chosen too, when he keeps her from going upstairs. If that's not love, I don't know what is.
What's wrong with it?

You "think", you "don't like", you "find them disgusting", you're "a bangeler".
I don't find in here any argument for friendship vs love in S7 as the OP asked for opinion. And later you admitted that you "don't know why".

It's nothing wrong with it, just what it is: to your feelings I respond with mine.
 
You "think", you "don't like", you "find them disgusting", you're "a bangeler".
I don't find in here any argument for friendship vs love in S7 as the OP asked for opinion. And later you admitted that you "don't know why".

It's nothing wrong with it, just what it is: to your feelings I respond with mine.

Well I said I don't see love. It's like you stopped on the first sentence. And I said that so people wouldn't think I don't like Spuffy only because I like Bangel. And yeah I don't know why I don't see it. I don't understand most of the people see it and I don't. If you have a problem with that, well that's your problem -.-"
 
Well I said I don't see love. It's like you stopped on the first sentence. And I said that so people wouldn't think I don't like Spuffy only because I like Bangel. And yeah I don't know why I don't see it. I don't understand most of the people see it and I don't. If you have a problem with that, well that's your problem -.-"

Well, you seem to willfully ignore anything that has to do with Spuffy. Sometimes it seems like it's not just that you don't see it, but that you don't want to. But I digress, because we're supposed to respond to each other's thoughts and not the manner in which we think them.
 
B
BillyidolwannaB
Aww, spuffies just want bangelers approval ;)
Just a reminder to keep it calm and civil in here guys. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and personal differences end up ruining the thread for other members. 🙂
 
But if I skimmed correctly lol just because they had feelings for each other, does not mean they were 'lovers'. You can tell me they were both totally and completely in love until you're blue in the face, but you can't say they were seeing each other or in an actual relationship because they were NOT. Unless... I somehow was watching a different Season 7 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer 😛

Not exactly, but whether they're labeled as dating or not they were still in love. 🙂
I mean, she even goes on a date with Wood, right? Or a sort of date... lol. I don't exactly remember how that went. I do remember Buffy saying she was into him, I think.

She said he'd be good for her. A nice, normal guy. A way to prove to everyone she was completely over Spike. 😀 And we all know how that "relationship" ended.

Maybe that wasn't your point though. If you're trying to get the point across that Buffy and Spike shared more than just a 'close friends' type of bond, well that's all based on how you view things. I personally don't see it, and it has nothing to do with me being pro-Bangel, anti-Spuffy, or anything of the like. It may seem that way at times, but it's not. I don't think Buffy lied to Spike when she said 'I love you', I don't think she said it just because he was about to die, I think she meant it, but I do think she meant it in a different way than you think she did. He was there for her and he helped her and I think that's why she loves him. I don't think she meant that she was 'in love'. And to me those are two completely different things.

I think they shared a deep connection, something bigger than friendship but it doesn't have to be anything 'romantic'. That's actually the reason I see their friendship in S7 as so beautiful. It wasn't about sex anymore and it had nothing to do with Spike's lust/love for her or Buffy trying to 'feel something', they were just there for each other when they needed to be. (See, I'm not totally anti-Spuffy 😀)

Again I think it's all on how you perceive it. lol

Well, actually my main point was that the only reason Buffy didn't love Spike in S6 was because she didn't trust him. In S7 she still had feelings for him and she trusted him more than anyone else, so she obviously loved him in a romantic way. 🙂 Nice post though, you'd make a great Spuffy. 😀

You know what I think. It's not because I don't like them, or because I fing them disgusting, or because I'm Bangeler. It's because I just don't see love. I've read your post, it's long and good, you have some good facts, but they don't do anything for me. I saw just friendship. Nothing else. Maybe there was potential love, but in that time, I haven't seen it. I really don't know why. Sometimes I try to be fair and put my Bangel love aside, and try to figure out how Spuffy works, but even then, I can't see love.

I see where you're coming from, and I often like to say that Buffy never loved Angel, or in Chosen she didn't love him in a romantic way. But the facts are that she did. 😀

Dirty Girls: She was completely jealous. People don't get jealous of their friends like that. 😀

Empty Places: She said that Spike was the only one watching her back, protecting her.

Touched/ Chosen: She repeatedly slept in the same bed as him. She said he gave her energy, and maybe they could be together some day.

Season 8:
The threesome scene. Most people don't have threesome fantasies about their friends, and it's unlikely that she would only love him romantically after he died.

Season 8:
It was shown that she loves both vampires equally.

And as Flannen said, let's keep it respectful in here guys. 🙂
 
Well, you seem to willfully ignore anything that has to do with Spuffy. Sometimes it seems like it's not just that you don't see it, but that you don't want to. But I digress, because we're supposed to respond to each other's thoughts and not the manner in which we think them.

Think what you want to think. I don't see it, that's why I'm not a fan.
 
white avenger
white avenger
Or possibly you're not a fan, and that's why you don't see it. Subtle difference, but a difference nonetheless.
K
Kelsey
Understood! I respect that.
I've been a Spuffy shipper since the first episode ("Once More With Feeling") of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" that I ever saw. Except for a single month, from that moment to the present, I remain a Spuffy shipper, and will continue to be so after the end of Season 8, past the end of Season 9, and, if there is a Season 10, 15, or 10098, I do not see any change in that feeling. To me, Buffy and Spike balance each other, compliment each other, and simply belong together, forever and always. Period.

I have, however, come to this conclusion. Though Buffy is definitely, unquestionably, in love with Spike, even though it took her a long time, possibly too long, to realize it, she is also definitely and unquestionably in love with Angel. I believe that she could spend the rest of her life, either as a normal human woman with a normal human man, having fat happy normal human babies and living happily forever after, or as a super human demon fighter with an equally powerful lover, fighting the forces of evil, side by side or back to back, with either man, and be totally fulfilled. Buffy loves both men. Differently, but equally. She could spend the rest of her life, happily, with either man. And that is not to say that, if and when she does finally decide between the two, she will stop loving the other one. Both Angel and Spike hold places in Buffy's heart, and they always will.

Apparently I can't give you any more reputation; I have agreed with you too often. lol I agree. I can't deny that she loved Angel. I remember groaning with misery during the Chosen kiss, but it is what it is. I think she loves them both.

---------- Post added at 07:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:03 AM ----------

I agree with White Avengers line though, 'Buffy loves both men equally'.
Not too sure about the 'differently' part though.
I see Bangel s1-3 as a bigger love than Spuffy s6-7.
But, at the time of chosen, i see it as Buffy loves them both equally, and tbh, the same.
Basically her love for Spike increased(to loving him as a friend), her love for Angel decreased(to loving him also as a friend).

---------- Post added at 05:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:17 AM ----------

So to sum up, by chosen she had major love for both of them as friends, equally, on the brink of being 'in' love.

And I see the first couple of seasons with Angel as a kind of girlish, teenage love, deep in the way teens feel everything so strongly, but not a true adult relationship. She was a grown up when she loved Spike. To me it's more real with him. Angel is like the fantasy; Spike is real. By the end of the series, Spike knew Buffy better than Angel ever did; and by the end of Angel Cordelia knew Angel better than Buffy had. They were like, the one that got away to each other.
 
I
InsaneMystic
[No message]
Back
Top Bottom