Last 'Why We Fight' thoughts - promise!

[elisi]

First of all, look at the wonderful icons moscow_watcher made! *loves*


Now I think that one reason Spike fans in particular have a problem with ‘Why We Fight’ is because of Spike-in-the-Nazi-coat. It’s a funny thing, but a couple of years ago Prince Harry (around 17 at the time I think) turned up at a fancy dress party in Nazi uniform. Obviously this was a PR disaster, and he had to do a public apology etc. But it illustrates my point rather nicely - this ep. is about Angel as the father, and here we see Spike as the eternal teen tearaway (which goes for most of unsouled!Spike - and vampires generally - of course). We see how he’s rather proud of having a ‘famous daddy’, and yet won’t stop being annoying and difficult. *But* - he does as Angel tells him.

Now going back to Angel-as-the-father (yet again, sorry), then we see he is not at all interested in helping the Initiative - their tales of dying soldiers leaves him cold. But then we get this moment:

MILITARY MAN (takes a top-secret file out of his briefcase, stands, tosses the file in Angel's lap):
We think we know what attacked our boys.

Angel reads that - and his face changes. And I’ll bet anything that Spike’s name was on that list. It’s like the old crook grudgingly agreeing to help the cops, because his kid’s involved... after all he *was* the one who taught him how to open a safe. He feels responsible. And possibly, maybe, just the tiniest bit worried. But notice that they still strap weights to his feet... ETA: Herself pointed out that he needed the weights to sink... But still - he didn't get a sudden burst of patriotism (he’s Irish!), and he really didn’t care about the war (he jumped ship off the coast of Maine and went underground till the war was over).

But of course once onboard the sub he gets attached to the crew - Lawson particularly, because I think Angel is drawn to people who believe they can make a difference - and then he has to destroy him. Is it any wonder that he decides that people generally are better off without him?

ETA: deborahc made me look at this bit of dialogue again:

LAWSON: I don't know. It's technical. (grabs the report, leafs through it) Something about stimulation and... control. They've been experimenting on them... and cutting into their brains.
SPIKE: That what got the Prince's coronet in a twist, isn't it? Found out you were gonna pop our tops and melon-ball us.
LAWSON: They're trying to create an army... out of things like you.
SPIKE: (looks at Angel) That explains why they nicked us. Cream of the crop. Wanna build an army of vampire slaves, you start at the top—with the generals.
LAWSON: (to the German) It's not enough what you're already doing in the world, is it? Only you and your fuehrer could come up with something this sick.
GERMAN: (laughs) Da sind wir nicht die Einzigen, mein Junge... (to Angel) nicht wahr?
ANGEL: Genug!
SPIKE: I am the only one don't speak Kraut?!
LAWSON: (to Angel) You knew about this?
SPIKE: He did?
ANGEL: It was part of the mission.

I hadn't actually thought about this in detail before - but Angel came to save Spike from being chipped (and used as gun fodder)! 'Why We Fight' indeed...

It's just so cute! *loves Angel*

ETA2: Oh! Brainwave! Maybe Angel sent Lawson and Spike off so they wouldn't be captured by the Americans! Remember Angel jumped ship as well and stayed 'underground'... Maybe his orders included bringing back the vampires as well as the info - and then he'd get a free pass himself or something. Hmmm...

This idea also puts his smile in a new light - he'd succeeded in his mission, keeping Spike safe. :)

"You gotta do what you can to protect your family. I learned that from my father."
Connor, Origin

So we see that Angel in both cases was willing to take on a mission he didn't want for the sake of his offspring. Very nice paralleling.

Comments

[yourlibrarian]

That's a really intriguing thought and it makes the most sense in terms of Angel's motivation. Reminds me a bit of what he says to Dru in BtVS S2.

ANGEL: Drusilla, leave here. I'm offering you that chance. Take Spike and get out.
DRUSILLA: Or you'll hurt me? No. No, you can't. Not anymore.
ANGEL: If you don't leave it'll go badly. For all of us.
DRUSILLA: My dear boy's gone all away, hasn't he? To her.
ANGEL: Who?
DRUSILLA: The girl. The Slayer. Your heart stinks of her. Poor little thing. She has no idea what's in store.
ANGEL: This can't go on, Drusilla. It's gotta end.
DRUSILLA: Oh, no, my pet. This is just the beginning.

He's pointing out that things will go badly for all of them. One could assume he means it would go badly for him because Buffy might die, but it could just as well mean he'd hate to see Spike and Dru killed. After all, he's appealing to the one person Spike would probably listen to about leaving. Rather odd though that Dru doesn't seem to realize it's the end for her relationship with Spike. But then she doesn't see everything.

[elisi]

That's a really intriguing thought and it makes the most sense in terms of Angel's motivation.
He went to save his boy! *is very happy* (That's why he fights. It's always about family!)

He's pointing out that things will go badly for all of them.
Indeed. And he's *hopeless* in 'School Hard'. He tells the gang that Spike is 'worse than anything they've ever faced', then tries to sweet talk Spike into a truce (or something) and then vanishes... he's not the one saving Buffy's life. Hmmm... He's already killed Darla, me thinks he's had ebough of slaughtering his family. I have to re-watch S2 now from that angle! :)

But then she doesn't see everything.
Drusilla: "I can't see her. The Slayer. I can't see. (looks back up) It's dark where she is. Kill her. Kill her, Spike. Kill her for me?"

[yourlibrarian]

And he's *hopeless* in 'School Hard'.

He is! Joyce is more useful than he is. Given the fact that he should be worried for Buffy he certainly doesn't do much to go against Spike the whole time he's in Sunnydale. I think he's more willing to die himself than kill them -- which goes a way to explain the otherwise inexplicable weakness he demonstrates in Becoming when he is so easily captured and taken away by Spike.

"I can't see her. The Slayer. I can't see. (looks back up) It's dark where she is.

Which makes sense. Especially where her own future is concerned I would expect Dru's vision to be murky. Otherwise there'd be all sorts of things she could avoid, such as being burned by Angel on AtS.

[elisi]

I think he's more willing to die himself than kill them.
Yes, I think you're right. And also puts in a new light Spike's offer of staking Dru for Buffy's sake in 'Crush' (I really *must* finish that essay one day...) - it's the ultimate sacrifice.

Especially where her own future is concerned I would expect Dru's vision to be murky.
*nods*