The Intervention Kiss

[Skanky Vamp]

Probably because she thinks she owes him that for protecting Dawn, and, as I said, as a reward. If Spike weren't in love with her but desperately wanted to be friends with her instead, she probably wouldn't have kissed him but had given him a handshake or a hug.

Exactly. Just as @vellavu posted earlier, she was trying to reinforce good behaviour. It was done to make Spike feel good about himself, to feel pride. It wasnt being cruel or heartless.

 

[Priceless]

Exactly. Just as @vellavu posted earlier, she was trying to reinforce good behaviour. It was done to make Spike feel good about himself, to feel pride. It wasnt being cruel or heartless.

I see what you are saying, but I have a problem with that reinforcement being a kiss on the mouth. When had we seen previously Buffy kissing someone simply to reinforce good behaviour? To me it was too much to simply be that simple. She could have hugged him, she could have just spoken nicely to him, she could have just smiled kindly at him (he would have been happy with any little crumb) but she kissed him on the mouth.

I realise I am bringing my own bias into this, and obviously there are people who kiss others on the mouth to say thanks, and I do not. But I would also say I cannot remember Buffy ever doing that before. And all those things previously mentioned - a kind work, a sincere smile, a gentle hug, they can all instill pride in the receiver (even a playful punch on the arm) - a kiss is more , and means more, or I believe it does to Buffy

 

[Mr Trick]

I see what you are saying, but I have a problem with that reinforcement being a kiss on the mouth. When had we seen previously Buffy kissing someone simply to reinforce good behaviour? To me it was too much to simply be that simple. She could have hugged him, she could have just spoken nicely to him, she could have just smiled kindly at him (he would have been happy with any little crumb) but she kissed him on the mouth.

I realise I am bringing my own bias into this, and obviously there are people who kiss others on the mouth to say thanks, and I do not. But I would also say I cannot remember Buffy ever doing that before. And all those things previously mentioned - a kind work, a sincere smile, a gentle hug, they can all instill pride in the receiver (even a playful punch on the arm) - a kiss is more , and means more, or I believe it does to Buffy

I think in principal you may have something. Becasue normally a kiss on the mouth is reserved for a romantic engagement. Even friends who kiss tend to do so on the cheek. Its an odd moment between Buffy and Spike. For me its rare example maybe of Buffy expressing herself in a slightly romantic way without it being intended as romance. I think part of her thinking was that knowing Spike's feelings and how isloated he must get than she was just giving himself to make him feel good about himself. Not saying that was right or wrong, but that's just the level I see it as.

But the kiss is different from Buffy saying I love you guys in Gift. Its possible she was including Spike in that just so not to make him feel left out, but still it is just a statement. And I think it was directed at the others more than Spike. Her feelings for Spike were growing at that point, but I still don't think they were romantic.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

When had we seen previously Buffy kissing someone simply to reinforce good behaviour?

When had we ever seen anyone take a beating like that for Buffy before? Even when Giles was tortured it wasn't for Buffy's sake. He acted gallantly for once in his undead life and he received a token in return. That happens often throughout literature.

 

[Bluebird]

I saw the kiss as a nice gesture of appreciation for what he done for Dawn, nothing much more than that. The intention was to end the series after 5 and Spuffy seems to specifcally come out of the circumstances of season 6. I understand what you're saying, @Priceless, Buffy isn't mean spirited, or at least not at that point. But imo I think she still saw him as a soulless vampire who did a good deed. The fact that the show is so layered means when they do the trope it stands out as a bit odd.

 

[GoSpuffy]

When had we ever seen anyone take a beating like that for Buffy before? Even when Giles was tortured it wasn't for Buffy's sake. He acted gallantly for once in his undead life and he received a token in return. That happens often throughout literature.

He acted "gallantly for once in his undead life". Really? You can't mean that. Spike acted gallantly everyday of his undead life. Caring for Dru, nursing her back to health, he was love's bitch and he was man enough to admit it.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

He acted "gallantly for once in his undead life". Really? You can't mean that. Spike acted gallantly everyday of his undead life. Caring for Dru, nursing her back to health, he was love's bitch and he was man enough to admit it.

Yeah I do mean that. He may have acted lovingly before but there is a difference. The whole Glory, Dawn, key scenario was the only time he acted somewhat altruistically. Certainly the closest to it that a soulless monster could get.

 

[GoSpuffy]

Yeah I do mean that. He may have acted lovingly before but there is a difference. The whole Glory, Dawn, key scenario was the only time he acted somewhat altruistically. Certainly the closest to it that a soulless monster could get.

I guess we have different definitions of the word. A souless vampire who accepts a boat load of responsibility by watching over a woman's mother and sister with nothing to gain except putting themselves in danger is pretty gallant to me. When he's on top of the scaffolding defending Dawn because he made a promise to a lady that was pretty gallant as well.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

I guess we have different definitions of the word. A souless vampire who accepts a boat load of responsibility by watching over a woman's mother and sister with nothing to gain except putting themselves in danger is pretty gallant to me. When he's on top of the scaffolding defending Dawn because he made a promise to a lady that was pretty gallant as well.

How much of his acting gallantly came after the kiss. That was the point of the kiss. Was to reinforce his good behavior. It was the elixir that the knight goes in quest of... it was that which redeemed him.

 

[Carrie Hopewell]

I don't like Spuffy at all so I'm not sure if my opinion here is welcome, but here it goes: I don't think that it's just a thank you but I also don't believe that it's Buffy admitting she has feelings for Spike. I thought the kiss was actually pretty sweet (you won't here me say that about Spuffy again 😛). Buffy tells Spike after the kiss: "The robot is gone. The robot was gross and obscene. Don't. That ... thing, it ... it wasn't even real. What you did, for me, and Dawn ... that was real.". I think that for the first time Buffy is acknowledging that Spike is more than a monster. By willingly kissing him, she's treating him like a person - not like a soulless chipped vampire with selfish intentions - but like someone who's capable of loyalty and kindness. I think Buffy at that moment believed that his feelings towards her were real and that the man he was that day was someone she could trust. I really don't think she had any romantic feelings towards him at that point, she was looking at him with different eyes, though. I also want to add that what Buffy thinks about Spike's actions don't necessarily reflect my personal opinion. The truth is that by the end of season 5 a lot of the Scoobies genuinely believe that Spike loved Buffy.

 

[thetopher]

It was nothing more than a heartfelt thank you. Even JE- the Spuffyest of all Spuffy fans has said that it was nothing more than that.

It is Buffy thanking Spike- but as a kiss on the lips it is saying that Buffy understands that Spike's feelings for her are genuine and she accepts that, is no longer disgusted by it like she was previously, and trusts Spike with Dawn.
I mean, she trusts everyone with Dawn, but Spike has superpowers and knows how to fight, which is a bonus when going up against Glory.