OBS is (obviously) in the 'Spike went to get his soul' camp. He also had some very insightful thoughts on the rants against the chip (because it was the chip that curbed his vampire nature to such an extent that he can't go back).

Anyway, here's one of AOQ's replies:

> mariposas wrote:

> remove the chip? the chip doesnt work against people with deep cellular tans
> spike could kill buffy anytime he wants

Exactly. I can see why OBS keeps mentioning how easy it is to forget,
but *the chip doesn't work on Buffy*. He can be himself with her, as
he proved in "Seeing Red." Spike frames his choice as being about
Buffy, not just about himself. Only the soul can change the way things
are between them. (Also, he's wanted the chip out for a long time, so
why not face the trials sooner?)
AOQ


He also put down burt beautifully, lets see if I can find it...

Ah yes. Burt had gone off on some bizarre rant about the angry Spike fans and Joss trying to launch Firefly and therefore he ret-conned Spike's story. This was AOQ's reply:

Back when I was new at this, I made the mistake of making an
unsupported blanket statement about writer motivations, and Mike Zeares
responded that "this is the kind of criticism that I don't have time
for." I know where he's coming from. Not only is this pure
speculation based on pretty much nothing, but the "retconned" story is
all there, clunky misdirect and all, starting with "Seeing Red."
AOQ

:)