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As a character, Buffy the Vampire Slayer has one big recurring flaw that she shares with other Slayers that Spike can see through.
Over the course of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise, the main character struggles to carry the burden of the world on their shoulders. Naturally, given that the former cheerleader was forced to go from being a lowly 15-year-old to being an undoubted protector of the world overnight. It’s hard to blame Buffy when she can’t help but wear her flaws on her sleeves.
However, Buffy often used to blame all her character flaws and missteps on the pressure of being a Slayer. It’s easy to see how that can be the case, but those complaints eventually became too easy a scapegoat, even for someone like Buffy. For example, something as simple as Buffy choosing to pursue a casual relationship with Spike can’t be reduced to simply making a choice for herself or wanting to have fun. Instead, as far as Buffy is concerned, it’s an out-of-character instance that she wouldn’t have made if she hadn’t succumbed to the stress of Slayerhood. It eventually became a running gag that the supporting actors were all too aware of, as in “Who are You?” from Season 4. where Faith (in Buffy’s body) jokes to Spike that Buffy can “do whatever I want.” Instead, I choose to pout and moan and feel the burden of Slayerness. »
Spike, as one of the few people to kill a handful of Slayers in his prime, understands them and their internal dilemma better than most characters. In Sarah Gailey and Hannah Templer’s The Vampire Slayer #9, he explains his perspective to Xander, calling out Slayers and their tendencies to attribute their flaws and misdeeds to their role – and the influence of fate on them – instead. only to recognize what is coming. of their own personality.
Killers don’t take responsibility
Granted, even Spike admits what he’s saying sounds like the pot is calling the black kettle, but that’s exactly why he’s the expert here. Particularly in the way the franchise shows how he blames Angel for becoming a monster, Spike knows how easy it is to blame his misfortunes on his situation rather than taking responsibility for his actions. Readers can sympathize with the tragedies of William the Bloody and how they got him to where he is, but at the same time no one held a stake in his heart, forcing him to kill the many people he killed. or do the terrible things he did.
The same analogy can be said of Buffy and, as mentioned earlier, there is evidence from the original series that shows she would rather blame most of her actions on her fate and Slayerhood than take responsibility. Particularly during the early seasons, as Buffy would more or less lose this habit by the end of the series. Still, that doesn’t make Spike’s insult to Buffy and the other Slayers any less true. Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a franchise features a recurring theme of its main character (and even other Slayers) using fate as a scapegoat once too often.
Spike Calls Out Buffy’s Biggest Flaw (And He’s Right) | Pretty Reel