It never fails to amaze me how we all watch exactly the same show, and yet come away with such different impressions.
But that doesn't explain why he doesn't pick up a phone and say "Hi, Buffy, I'm alive." Because James Marsters had a contract.
why it's so necessary for people to believe that Spike knows Buffy loves him. Well for me it's *obvious* that he knows it. From as far back as 'Lovers Walk' Buffy admitted that she couldn't hide her feelings from Spike. It's quite simply not conceivable that he didn't know.
to me the whole point of Chosen is that Buffy and Spike's positions are finally reversed I can see where you're coming from, but I that was never ever what I saw. See their conversation is an (almost) exact mirror of 'Dead Things':
BUFFY: I have to do this. Just let me go. SPIKE: I can't. I love you. BUFFY: (upset) No, you don't. SPIKE: (harshly) You think I haven't tried not to?
SPIKE: I mean it! I gotta do this. BUFFY: I love you. SPIKE: No, you don't. But thanks for saying it. Now go!
This is the difference a soul makes - in DT Spike was unable to let her go, couldn't understand the *need* to do the right thing. In Chosen he does, and grasps the opportunity with both hands. And notice that it's not until Buffy has *accepted* his choice that she reveals her feelings - she's not trying to manipulate him into coming with her. And his response is not a denial out of dis-belief, but an instruction, just like Buffy's was back in the alley. If there had been time she might have called him on it, but as it was I think she understood what he meant. His death was a gift to her.
The kiss I've dealt with (and yes I *do* think that was a test of sorts to determine whether Spike's love was truly selfless, the way he'd professed it in 'Touched'. It was stupid and contrived, but there ya go. Can't change it now.)
Buffy's refusal to admit their night together meant anything Gah! She never said that! She said the opposite! Spike tried to brush the whole thing under the rug, but *Buffy* called him on it, *Buffy* said that he'd given her back strength and self-belief, *Buffy* said that it meant something. Now what that meant for them as a couple she didn't know. End of the world round the corner etc. And before she could change her mind *Spike* said to just leave it.
I think the whole point of Chosen was that it was Spike's love for Buffy - and her's for him - was what saved the world. She loved a vampire once, and because of that the world nearly went to hell. But with Spike her love gave the world a champion, that not even the biggest baddest evil ever could destroy, and he saved the world - gave his life so she could live, just like she'd given her life for her sister's once.
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But that doesn't explain why he doesn't pick up a phone and say "Hi, Buffy, I'm alive."
Because James Marsters had a contract.
why it's so necessary for people to believe that Spike knows Buffy loves him.
Well for me it's *obvious* that he knows it. From as far back as 'Lovers Walk' Buffy admitted that she couldn't hide her feelings from Spike. It's quite simply not conceivable that he didn't know.
to me the whole point of Chosen is that Buffy and Spike's positions are finally reversed
I can see where you're coming from, but I that was never ever what I saw. See their conversation is an (almost) exact mirror of 'Dead Things':
BUFFY: I have to do this. Just let me go.
SPIKE: I can't. I love you.
BUFFY: (upset) No, you don't.
SPIKE: (harshly) You think I haven't tried not to?
SPIKE: I mean it! I gotta do this.
BUFFY: I love you.
SPIKE: No, you don't. But thanks for saying it. Now go!
This is the difference a soul makes - in DT Spike was unable to let her go, couldn't understand the *need* to do the right thing. In Chosen he does, and grasps the opportunity with both hands. And notice that it's not until Buffy has *accepted* his choice that she reveals her feelings - she's not trying to manipulate him into coming with her. And his response is not a denial out of dis-belief, but an instruction, just like Buffy's was back in the alley. If there had been time she might have called him on it, but as it was I think she understood what he meant. His death was a gift to her.
The kiss I've dealt with (and yes I *do* think that was a test of sorts to determine whether Spike's love was truly selfless, the way he'd professed it in 'Touched'. It was stupid and contrived, but there ya go. Can't change it now.)
Buffy's refusal to admit their night together meant anything
Gah! She never said that! She said the opposite! Spike tried to brush the whole thing under the rug, but *Buffy* called him on it, *Buffy* said that he'd given her back strength and self-belief, *Buffy* said that it meant something. Now what that meant for them as a couple she didn't know. End of the world round the corner etc. And before she could change her mind *Spike* said to just leave it.
I think the whole point of Chosen was that it was Spike's love for Buffy - and her's for him - was what saved the world. She loved a vampire once, and because of that the world nearly went to hell. But with Spike her love gave the world a champion, that not even the biggest baddest evil ever could destroy, and he saved the world - gave his life so she could live, just like she'd given her life for her sister's once.