Seeing Red (Small Review)

by Heather Long

Hands down, a controversial, yet most likely the strongest episode of the entire season. Payoffs galore showed up in this episode, payoffs for questions and demands that viewers have been waiting for since the moment Buffy was roused from her grave by her friends only to be abandoned back to a life she no longer understood or wanted to be a part of.

For Spike's journey, this episode is as pivotal as Fool for Love and Crush has been to his development. The shocking agony at his attack on Buffy, as unaware of it as he appeared to be at the time, obviously haunted him as he returned to the crypt. His painful memories replayed over and over as he ranted to Clem about wanting to be a monster if he couldn't be a man. Spike's world of black and white has been utterly and totally destroyed. He no longer understands who or what he is supposed to be. And finally has the impetus to set off on a course to free himself either of the chip or his love, I don't think he knows the difference at the moment.

A lot of fans are outraged because Spike is seemingly portrayed in a negative light. They want to trump his behavior by Buffy's behavior all season. They see that as justification. I submit that the scene in the bathroom was not one attack on the other, but a victimization of both of them perpetuated by their own behavior all season. Buffy wasn't the only one involved in that relationship. She dished out abuse; Spike took it and came back for more. He dished out his own set of abuse and she took it and came back for more. They set the stage for an emotional implosion that would explode physically, the only level grounds upon which they can meet as near equals.

The absolute destruction of what was left of their trust and faith in themselves was paramount to where they are going to go if they are going to build a healthier relationship. From Spike's viewpoint, he is desperate to make the pain go away, there is no place for him in this world that doesn't have a simplistic good against evil; the very same thing that is eating Buffy alive inside.

Spike is leaving to confront and eliminate what he believes to be the source of his problem. The "chip." Buffy is doing what Buffy has to in order to cling to the remnants of her own life.

Is it obvious that both are overlooking the obvious?

Yes.

Is it just as obvious that fundamentalists on all sides will be drawing a line in the sand about it?

Yes.

Seeing Red has restored my hope in this show. It was a strong episode with numerous payoffs. Xander's admission to being an ass about the subject of Spike as probably the greatest detriment to Buffy ever confiding in him about it to Buffy flat out telling him they didn't know what was wrong with her because they didn't want to know.

But Spike did.

And Buffy tacitly acknowledges it.

The episode was painful and it was beautiful.

Now if they can get the funny back, somehow, they'll be the show that I fell in love with. And for that, it's going to take time. Tonight, they've earned an extension on my faith

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Heather Long