Why do people like Spike so much?

[MinwaraYana]

I love season 4 chipped Spike the most. He's not dangerous and he's very funny. I was scared of him when he had no chip in s2 and s3. I'm afraid he's gonna kill Buffy or someone else.

And I have to add that why I see Spike is very popular. They put his face on a disc of Season 3 DVD even he's in it only 1 episode. Oz is on a disc(s4) and poor Cordy has never been on any BtVS discs.

 

[Emzzie]

I personally was drawn to spike because he is british, sarcastic, sexy and badass. A very lethal combination if you ask me 😀

 

[ubi4soft]

I have no idea what the lyrics are saying (The lion king: Just Can't Wait to Be King in spanish) but is fun, the author obviously likes Spike.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiRpj2bRN64"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiRpj2bRN64[/ame]

 

[Nymphetamine]

He's a great actor and looking good too. :biggrin2:

 

[GrrArghx]

I can relate to Spike, which is why I adore him so much. (Not so much the murderous, evilness part. xD) I may be impartial because I love Billy Idol LOL But, he just always appealed to me. I really love his character. He's funny, and just really cool. lol I LOVE the idea of a punk rock vampire. xD

Plus, James is just amazing, so he's the main reason I love Spike. I can almost gaurantee had anyone else played Spike I wouldn't have been so keen on the character.

 

[faeriegrrl27]

1. His character grows and develops so much through the show. They all do, but I think Spike's development is second only to Willow's. And even there it's a tough call.

2. He manages to have both the funniest lines and the most moving. He's my second favorite character, but his greater scenes are competition for Willow's... kinda. Nothing can beat some of Will's, but Spike has some of my all time favorite moments... in After Life, when he tells Buffy how every night he saves her. And in Beneath You- that last scene in the church. Matched only by Dark Willow and possibly S.3 "Choices" Willow. But despite all this deep stuff, he's hilarious. He's clever and witty and truly makes the best expressions. (Second best... guess to whom??)

3. His attitude on life is inspiring in a twisted sort of way. He seems to think that life should be fun, but everything should be done for love. He doesn't always make the right choices there, but I view that as a good thing. Characters are made by their flaws. He has fun and he loves passionately.

4. The hair. Billy Idol stole his look.

5. The cheekbones.

6. The chest.

7. "Life's not a song. Life isn't bliss. Life is just this: it's living. You'll get along. The pain that you feel only can heal by living. You have to go on living so that one of us is living."

 

[ubi4soft]

A Christmas Carol - Spike Style

Talking about the many variations Spike character explored on the shows, I love the many variations of Spike fans approaching his character: comedy, drama, romance, you name it. Or simply parody.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3LJGyNK064"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3LJGyNK064[/ame]

 

[EllaBlack]

I think hes sexy <333

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

I think hes sexy <333

Case in point: this video, "Anatomy of a Vampire." Watch it and WEEP.

POUCETTE'S FAN-VIDS: ANATOMY OF A VAMPIRE - SPIKE - SSS OFFICIAL VIDEO

 

[Bluebird]

I sometimes don't understand the insane amount of love people have for Spike, since I just view him as another character. He's not my fav, but he is still great. It does help that James is so good at acting, and is brilliant at delivering his lines, especially the funny ones.

 

[Washburne]

I don't love Spike but I can see why others do. Don't think I need to go through why since it would only be repeating what others have said. I admit that the character was more intresting in the beginning but most characters have ups and downs so I can see why people can ignore that or just see it as character development. His journey might be interesting but I doubt Spike had been as loved in general as he now is if we've only seen him as he was the later seasons.

Personally I'd take funny, sarcastic Spike over any other version every day of the week. I couldn't care less about his badness, sick love puppy style or hotness. Which is why I like him much more on Angel than on the later seasons of Buffy. I don't mean I don't care at all about the character if he wasn't funny because I do. But he's not near the top of my list.

 

[MergedLoki]

personal opinion i guess. (for me anyways) I mean I'm a huge spike fan.

But I really have never had any huge interest in wiillow, or tara in the slightest.

I dont hate them as characters (well tara took about 2 years for me 2 warm up to her lol) but i mean i've always thought willow to be buffy's 'witchy sidekick'.

but then i'm sure there's people who feel that way about spike being her 'fangy sidekick' etc. etc.

so yea i dont have a huge logical reason. I just like spike and that's that lol

 

[StarPrincess]

My theory for why most people (females especially) like Spike is the same reason Harry Potter fangirls like Draco Malfoy: he's played by a good-looking actor. Also, for some odd reason, a lot of women like bad guys. Why do you think some women marry serial killers -- while they're in prison?

Strangely, most of the reasons people have given for hating Spike are the very reasons why I eventually grew to love him. I never found him boring, and I grew to almost hate Buffy for the way she treated him, even after he endured unspeakable torment to get his soul back so he could "be the kind of man she deserved." I mean, come on, Spike loved Buffy even before he got his soul back; Angel only loved her when he had his soul. IIRC, Spike loved Buffy pre-chip, although he wouldn't let himself admit it.

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

My theory for why most people (females especially) like Spike is the same reason Harry Potter fangirls like Draco Malfoy: he's played by a good-looking actor. Also, for some odd reason, a lot of women like bad guys. Why do you think some women marry serial killers -- while they're in prison?

I vehemently disagree. Spike's looks have nothing to do with why I love his character so much. His looks enhance his character, but they do not define him.

I don't think Spike is bad. He's a poser, always has been. He has the heart of a poet. He's 'loves bitch', remember?

Angel is played by a good-looking actor, as are many other characters on the show - but that doesn't make them automatically my favorite because of the fact.

Strangely, most of the reasons people have given for hating Spike are the very reasons why I eventually grew to love him. I never found him boring, and I grew to almost hate Buffy for the way she treated him, even after he endured unspeakable torment to get his soul back so he could "be the kind of man she deserved." ...

I could never hate Buffy - but yes, it's hard to see her treat him the ways she did, especially in S6. It was a mutually destructive and unhealthy relationship; both used each other. The abuse wasn't all on her.

 

[StarPrincess]

I don't think Spike is bad. He's a poser, always has been. He has the heart of a poet. He's 'loves bitch', remember?

That didn't come out until after Buffy left him a cripple. Then he started to show his softer side. Before, he only acted warm toward Dru.

Angel is played by a good-looking actor

Sorry, but I disagree. I don't think David Boreanaz is good-looking at all. Actually, I thought the guy who played Parker was the best looking actor on the show, but his character was also the biggest jerk on the face of the earth. My husband replayed the scene where Riley punched Parker about 4 times in a row.

My point is that women especially seem to be drawn to good-looking bad guys. Angel is a good guy while he has a soul. Xander is a good guy, but I don't hear women going all ga-ga over him (I used to, before I fell for Spike-gone-good). Maybe you've heard different.

I could never hate Buffy - but yes, it's hard to see her treat him the ways she did, especially in S6. It was a mutually destructive and unhealthy relationship; both used each other. The abuse wasn't all on her.

Well, I said I almost hated Buffy. I could never actually hate her. And I saw Spike's treatment of her as trying to make himself hate her, knowing she could never return his love.

 

[Kelsey]

That didn't come out until after Buffy left him a cripple. Then he started to show his softer side. Before, he only acted warm toward Dru.

But even acting warm towards Dru showed his softer side, along with all of the things that Joan mentioned. His habit for being "love's bitch" and his devotion to Dru indicated even early on that he'd be a little different than the rest of the characters.

Sorry, but I disagree. I don't think David Boreanaz is good-looking at all. Actually, I thought the guy who played Parker was the best looking actor on the show, but his character was also the biggest jerk on the face of the earth. My husband replayed the scene where Riley punched Parker about 4 times in a row.

Hah, Riley punching Parker really was prime-time TV.

My point is that women especially seem to be drawn to good-looking bad guys. Angel is a good guy while he has a soul. Xander is a good guy, but I don't hear women going all ga-ga over him (I used to, before I fell for Spike-gone-good). Maybe you've heard different.

It's always dangerous to stereotype this way, because there's bound to be someone out there who does not think the way you say they do, and then you've gone and offended that person. As for women liking bad guys in general--I admit there's appeal. But it's definitely more about the storyline for me; I like a bad guy turned good.

A noble hero's always nice to watch, but you never get as much conflict as when you've got a selfish, cruel or even evil character who is suddenly trying to change everything about themselves, usually for love. Not only is it romantic, but it's fraught. The road is usually hard, and it's the kind of storyline that even makes the viewer feel accomplished once that character has finally reached what he (or she) is aiming for.

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

That didn't come out until after Buffy left him a cripple. Then he started to show his softer side. Before, he only acted warm toward Dru.

I disagree. After Spike was sired, he acted with nothing but love to his mother. He loved her so much, he attempted to sire her so they could be together "forever."

Buffy left him a cripple? Nah. The chip crippled him if anything. He fell for her after he'd been "neutered."

Sorry, but I disagree. I don't think David Boreanaz is good-looking at all. Actually, I thought the guy who played Parker was the best looking actor on the show, but his character was also the biggest jerk on the face of the earth. My husband replayed the scene where Riley punched Parker about 4 times in a row.

Actually, I agree. I don't think David is particularly good-looking either personally - but many people do, and that was my point.

Parker was good-looking...so was Graham.

My point is that women especially seem to be drawn to good-looking bad guys. Angel is a good guy while he has a soul. Xander is a good guy, but I don't hear women going all ga-ga over him (I used to, before I fell for Spike-gone-good). Maybe you've heard different.

Well, I'm pretty heavily involved in the fandom, so I hear everything you'd ever imagine. I know girls who think Giles is the cats meow. I also know many, many fans who HATE Spike and don't think he's good-looking at all. I also know many, many fans who love Spike (men and women) but wouldn't say he's the best-looking actor on the show.

I just simply disagree that Spike was "bad." He was nothing compared to Angel, or even Drusilla. Spike allowed Angelus to give him his identity, and to mold into his little protege, into a "monster." Drusilla used him as her little pet. Spike didn't "find" himself - in my opinion - until he got a soul and started living his life on his own terms. Arguably, this didn't happen until he left Buffy, died, and came back.

But Spike's identity is a discussion for another thread.

As for why Spike is such a fan favorite: scroll back to the beginning of this thread and check out what palabravampires and white avenger said...I agree with it completely.

Yet, this is also a really good answer:

Like Buffy, I see him change, maybe I saw more than Buffy. This beautiful and complicated vampire is always stumbling on the way to something "effulgent" without a hope that he will ever reach it and has the courage to spectacularly fail as many times as it takes. He will get up and continue, it's in human nature to do so and that's why we like him, because he never gives up.

And here's what I posted a while back in response to the question: "who's your favorite character and why"

Alright.
*takes breath*
Here I go.

Spike, as most of you know, is my favorite Buffyverse character. He always has been. I'd go so far as to say he's one of my favorite characters in all of fiction.

This is why:

I love everything about Spike. I love him in his nerdy poetry-reading days, I love him as an evil soulless vamp, going around with the Fanged Four eating everyone. I love him and Dru. I love him chasing after Buffy making "moon-eyes", I love him crying for her, "trying to save her every night". I love how he protected Dawn even though there was nothing in it for him. I love how without a soul he still had the capacity to love.

I love the endlessly fascinating complexity of Spuffy, I love how it was love for his enemy that inspired him to want to be a better man for her, to be the "kind of man she deserves". I love the real affection, mutual trust, and friendship he develops with Buffy in the end. I love the undeniable chemistry he has with almost every other character on the show. Most of all, I love him en-souled, willing to give up anything and everything to defend Buffy and her honor. Willing to fight to the end, with no concern for himself. Not so she would love him, but because she believed in him.

Spike goes out saving the world. He not only goes out in a blaze of glory willingly, but with what James Marsters called Spike's ability to "find glee in all the wrong things." Spike is brave, and funny, and gets all the best lines ("I may be loves bitch, but at least I'm man enough to admit it!"..."A bear? You made a bear! Undo it! Undo it!"..."I must be a noble vampire. A good guy. On a mission of redemption. I help the hopeless. I'm a vampire with a soul!") Spike is beautiful, and attractive, and James plays the part perfectly. I love all his Spikeisms; his head tilts, his eye-brow lifts, his coy smiles, all of his "bloody hells".

Spike is smart, sharp, full of keen wit that he can pull out on a dime with moments notice. I love the little things that define his character: his love for those onion flower things, his chain-smoking, his signature swaggering, his love for his duster, his stubborn pride.

I love how Spike is a paradox in the vampire world. I love how he embraces elements of humanity such as love and devotion, and even without a soul, he shows strong character in honor and loyalty, such as when he attempts to leave flowers for Joyce.

I love Spike's ability to move on with his life, except his mistakes, and learn from them.

I love his sense of humor. His snarkiness that often gets him in trouble. I love his gambling and drinking habits.

As Buffy says, "You faced the monster in you, and you fought back. You risked everything so you could be a better man. And you can be. You are. You may not see it, but I do."

Without a soul, I love his love of brawl. Of carnage and violence. His delight he gets in causing chaos. I love how excited he gets at the concept of wreaking havoc.

I love his tendency to nickname people.

I love that, in contrast to Angel, his personality remains somewhat the same with or without a soul.

Spike is my hero. He redeemed himself in a different way than Angel, but he's just as worth admiring.

There. Was that good enough?

---------- Post added at 05:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:56 PM ----------

Except for the part about Parker being attractive, lol, I thought that he looked like a drowned rat 😀

LOL! That made me laugh aloud.

 

[StarPrincess]

It's always dangerous to stereotype this way, because there's bound to be someone out there who does not think the way you say they do, and then you've gone and offended that person. As for women liking bad guys in general--I admit there's appeal. But it's definitely more about the storyline for me; I like a bad guy turned good.

I am one of these women you warn me about "offending." That's why I hated -- or maybe loved to hate -- Spike in the beginning. I always prefer the good guy. My favorite male characters were Xander and Giles until Spike went good.

 

[TheChosenTwo]

I absolutely love Spike. He must be one of my favourite characters. I just have to love him, whetether I like it or not, he's so funny and deliciously sarcarstic.
I sometimes really got the feeling Spike was just TRYING to be evil.

 

[ToShanshuInLA]

I absolutely love Spike. He must be one of my favourite characters. I just have to love him, whetether I like it or not, he's so funny and deliciously sarcarstic.
I sometimes really got the feeling Spike was just TRYING to be evil.

Maybe that's why he was drawn to Harmony (in a way)...because she was bad at evil too.


Or I'm talking from my bum.