Characterization In The Buffyverse — ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’ Season 5, Episode 14

This is part of a bi-weekly series concerning the characterization of Buffyverse characters. Arguably the best place to begin reading this series is at the beginning, but that is up to each reader. As a reminder this column will cover major and some minor characters from the shows Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003) and Angel (1999-2004). Other Buffyverse media, such as the graphic novel Spike: Into The Light (2014) are not pertinent to this series. Also there will be no referencing real world events that have direct relation to either show in this bi-weekly series. Although this series does reference things that have no direct relation to the show in order to examine things such as metaphors and literary analogues.

This week: Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) learns from Dawn Summers (Michelle Trachtenberg) about Spike’s (James Marsters) crush. Meanwhile, a visiting vampire makes trouble

(Warning of spoilers from this point on!)

(Trigger warning for mentions of stalking and ephebophilia)

The train porter whose last name appears to be Sutton (Frederick Dawson), along with the girl in the Bronze (Jennifer Bergman), and the boy in the Bronze (Asher Glaser) are victims of Drusilla (Juliet Landau). While the foremost has some personality, since he actually gets to react, the other two are definitely just plot devices.

Mutt (Joseph DiGiandomenico) and Jeff (Walter Borchert) are the two vampires who run away from Buffy and Spike. Their reaction to Buffy’s presence arguably serves as a bit of levity.

Xander Harris (Nicholas Brendon) disparages Spike a lot in this episode. Despite having some basis for his disdain because of past experiences (Season 3, Episode 8, “Lover’s Walk”), one could still say that Xander is overeager in dishing out insults. He also fails to follow his own advice regarding being rude to killers — not only here, but throughout the series (Season 6, Episode 16, “Hell’s Bells”). His finding hilarity in Spike having feelings for Buffy is immature at best. He is also disgustingly distressed about Dawn’s crush on Spike. This reinforces the idea that he exhibits ephebophilia type desires (Season 5, Episode 13, “Blood Ties”). Unfortunately, there is nothing about Xander in this story that presents him as growing as a character … at least not in a positive way.

Rupert Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) gives off an air of still wanting to be a surrogate father to Buffy as one sees during their conversation about Dawn at the Summers residence. He also exhibits insecurity about being a surrogate family member, as well as his masculinity, when Joyce Summer (Kristine Sutherland) suggests she does not feel Giles could offer protection.

Dawn provides a perspective on Spike’s chip and feelings that is rather close to what one might hear from Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter). The most factual part of this perspective: his chip is as unreliable as the curse on Angel (David Boreanaz). While the direct way she relates these details to Buffy is what makes Dawn seem similar to Cordelia, this ability to notice clues and provide a differing perspective will, sadly, not be present for most of her subsequent appearances. Also: the “crush” she has on Spike seems to disappear after revealing his feelings to Buffy. Still, the sibling-like relationship Dawn has with Spike will continue into the future (Season 6, Episode 2, “Bargaining, Part Two”).

Tara Maclay (Amber Benson) acts as a supportive girlfriend to Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan) when it comes to the latter’s suffering from magical side effects. She also exposits metacommentary with her opinion of author Victor Hugo’s character, Quasimodo (The Hunchback Of Notre Dame [1831]). Unfortunately, while this exposition applies to both the episode’s premise, and Spike, it cannot see further analysis here; going any further on this topic also brushes against real world opinions of certain Buffyverse writers and controversies. It is also worth mentioning that Tara’s stuttering is not really on display and she is exhibiting more confidence.

Willow supports Quasimodo’s actions during a discussion with Tara and Buffy. Yet, Willow fails to see that she is regurgitating Tara’s opinion when siding against Spike with Buffy.

Spike attempts to have a socially acceptable conversation with Buffy at the beginning of the episode. The only part of it not being an okay attempt: he should be apologizing to her and her friends for the stalking behavior — along with his many past actions in Sunnydale. His frustration at Xander’s unnecessary rudeness results in Spike giving up on a having a civil conversation with Buffy in public. Still, his use of Buffy’s clothes in sexual role play with Harmony Kendall (Mercedes McNab), the poor idea of a work place “date,” and chaining up two women is just toxic behavior. However, when one considers that his most serious relationship consists of indulging an insane vampire’s wishes for self-harm and harming of others, one can see where it comes from. Nevertheless, he is attempting to change his behavior, as seen with how he neuters the story he is telling Dawn as soon as Buffy appears.

Joyce appears to be okay with having a friendly conversation with Spike. Yet, once she learns about his feelings for Buffy, she is very against him, and this may have to do with her dream of Buffy having a normal life (Season 3, Episode 20, “The Prom”).

Buffy is seemingly considering Spike’s feelings while investigating the train with Xander. Her insecurity about his and others’ opinions is affecting her view on the matter. She is also rather reluctant to straight-up reject Spike. Yes, this changes after she discovers his stalking and gets a deadly ultimatum. But Buffy seems to have less of a worry about Spike than her mom and friends do.

Ben Wilkinson (Charlie Weber) could be a decent person in this episode by either attempting to distance himself from Buffy physically or getting her to distance herself physically and emotionally. The first could happen by simply getting the “thanks” she is giving him and then acting like he has somewhere else to be. While the second would probably involve acting like a dismissive jerk. Of course, in order to be a decent individual he would also have to do a memory spell on himself to forget his knowledge of the key. Unfortunately, he continues to be a selfish individual who lies to Buffy (and himself) that he is a good person.

Anya (Emma Caulfield Ford) exists in this episode to be Xander’s plus-one at the Bronze. So she gets no growth, and may as well not appear in this one.

Drusilla may, in theory, be the reason Spike apparently gets bad intel about the train massacre. She might do such a thing in order to help sow further mistrust between Buffy and Spike. Whether this is the case or not, it is definitely true in this episode that she tries to win Spike back and get rid of Buffy in turn. She is the cliché ex-romantic partner wanting their ex back because of loneliness and jealousy. Alhough her reappearance, along with her later admittance, also reinforces that certain vampires can love.

Harmony Kendall has sexual interest in actress Charlize Theron. Other than that development, she finally wises up by the end and leaves both Spike and Sunnydale.

The main change to most of the characters occurs because Spike starts seeing the treatment Angel should; since Angelus is not around in Sunnydale, Spike becomes the Scoobies’ whipping boy. This punishment comes on top of the various wrongs Spike does throughout the previous seasons. Is Spike a villain for his toxic behavior? Yes! At the same time, he — and arguably Buffy as well —  see punishment this season for wanting love. This episode just encapsulates the franchise’s negative message about love, and attempts to find it, ending in disaster.