Why the soulquest *couldn't* have been a ret-con.

[elisi]

Look! A fandom post! I've been meaning to write this down for ages, and suddenly remembered today. And then thought - why not? It is after all why I'm here.

Also, if I remember correctly, I have stormwreath to thank for this flawless proof.


So, let's look at some dates. 'Seeing Red' aired on 7th of May 2002 and tried to make us think Spike blamed the chip for everything:

SPIKE: It's the chip! Steel and wires and silicon. It won't let me be a monster. And I can't be a man. I'm nothing.

'Villains' aired on the 14th of May and it was this episode that more than any other tried to make people believe that Spike wanted the chip out:

SPIKE: Thinks she's better than me. Ever since I got this bleeding chip in my head, things ain't been right. Everything's gone to hell.
DEMON: And you want to return to your former self.
SPIKE: Yeah.

So, did they change the outcome at the last minute? Or is it just that the execution of their mislead was rather clumsy? Well, lets look at the script for 'Grave', dated 27th March 2002 - that is MORE THAN A MONTH before SR aired:

SPIKE (cont'd)
So, give me what I want. Make me
what I was... so Buffy can get what
she deserves.

VOICE
Very well.

A GNARLY DEMON HAND reaches out to Spike's bare chest

VOICE (cont'd)
Your soul is returned to you.

As the hand touches him, Spike throws his head back and SCREAMS in agony...


QED (Unless of course Joss can travel in time...)