Originally posted by Rayne
Spike is an awsome character and James an amazing actor. How could they help but focus so much attention on him? I get sick of people bagging on him and praising Angel when Angel is no better. Yes, Spike had that chip before the soul getting but he always had heart. And he wasn't cursed with his soul. Angel couldn't be good without the soul but Spike could. I like Angel and all but I just feel like Spike is seen as a lower being. They have both killed and worse. They have both saved the world. But Spike has always tried harder...even without the soul.
I'm totally in sync with you Rayne !
Angel has to be good in order to gain redemption.
Spike CHOSE to be good, even without a soul or a chip, because he loves this world he unlives in.
Spike has been fighting all his demonic instincts for so long he's become more human than any other known vampire. All those nice little human traits he displayed even in season 2 show us that he's a complex vampire and so much more than angel. He's a faithful lover (very uncommon for vampires), he hasn't killed humans for some time, he likes hot chocolate with tiny marshmallows, he watches Tv soap operas and series, he respected Joyce as much as his own mother, etc. He decided to save the world on more than one occasion because he doesn't want it to disappear. He likes it too much.
He IS the better vampire where Angel is concerned but doesn't confront him because he still respects his grandsire although Angel abandoned his duty more than a 100 years ago... THAT's the kind of man he really is.
Still the Big Bad where demons are concerned( remember he is a Master Vampire in his own right, with no help from Angel) but a real soft heart where most humans are concerned, specially those related to the Slayer, whom he helps even when he doesn't want any credit for it.