Hello!

Wow, was that ever easy! i just set up my blog as a sort of experiment and now its up and running! Too easy! Now that it's done i'm not too sure what i want to talk about!

I'm a university student, studying for my Master of Learning Innovation. This blog has been created as a way of teaching myself about cyberlearning and to famiarise myself with some of the technology that is available and might be able to be used for educational purposes. that being said i have no intention of making this a 'boring' theoretical blog! I'll probably use it to ramble on about my hobby - discussing the television programs Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel.
So here is my first entry:

Buffy and Spike: Complete Friendship - Part One
Written as an addendum to 'Buffy in the Buff: A Slayer's Solution to Aristotles Love Paradox' by M. Milavec and S. Kaye (pp. 174-184) in Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Fear and Trembling in Sunnydale edited by James B. South (2003) Carus Publishing Company: Illinois

In the World of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, A television series driven by characters rather than plot, the characters of Spike and Buffy share one of the most complex and compelling relationships featured in the program. The relationship has proved pivotal for character growth for both characters and indeed, has provided the show with much of the impetus on which the overall story moves forward. Beginning as bitter enemies, their relationship changes and grows through numerous phases until they share a level of trust and respect that cannot be matched by any other relationship in the entire Buffyverse. I would argue that Buffy and Spike’s relationship is a demonstration of all three levels of Aristotelian friendship.

Season 2, 4 and 5 – Utility Friendship

Spike arrives in Sunnydale in the landmark episode “School Hard” and is immediately highlighted as a very unusual Vampire. He’s bold and ballsy, shuns vampire tradition, and is a killer of slayers. But this is contrasted explicitly by his beautiful appearance and love and concern for his partner Drusilla. From the first fight, Buffy and Spike share a connection. They both talk, big, tough guy talk as they fight, they both prefer hand to hand combat over the use of weapons – Spike is like the vampire version of Buffy (a fact that becomes more and more obvious as the series progresses). Throughout the second series, Buffy and Spike operate on the level of enemies until Bargaining (part 2), the final episode of the season. With a mutual enemy in the form of Angelus, Spike approaches buffy with the proposal of a temporary alliance to defeat the ruthless vampire despite their mutual hate of each other. At this point their intense dislike is based on the roles that they occupy – vampire hates slayer and slayer hates vampire. They are fated enemies, yet they work together in a common purpose.

In season four Spike returns to Sunnydale in ‘The Harsh Light of Day’. Spike finds the legendary gem of Amara and the first thing he does is seek a confrontation with the slayer. He is thwarted, only to be caught and implanted with a cerebral chip by a secret government agency known as ‘The Initiative’. The chip stops Spike from harming humans, causing great pain if he attempts, with intent, to harm someone. Unable to function effectively in the world of vampires, Spike, the ever adaptable, goes to seek asylum from his enemy, the slayer. With the promise of information about The Initiative, another common enemy, Buffy takes him in and he becomes a (very) reluctant ally to Buffy and her gang.

Thus, Spike and Buffy’s relationship to date is the very definition of utility friendship: A relationship based on mutual benefit irrespective of whether or not the two parties especially enjoy each other. The relationship exists in order to accomplish particular goals. Spike is useful to Buffy in that he provides information and strength. The Slayer is useful to Spike as she provides protection, income and a way to function in a world where he has no defined place. He understands her world (the realm of vampires, demons, combat, evil), increasing his functionality as a tool in her work. At this stage, of course, Spike has his own agenda (to have the chip removed and return to ‘normal’) and uses his connection to Buffy to try and accomplish this end.

Season 5 sees the utility friendship continue, though in an enhanced version. Spike provides crucial insight into the role of the slayer, helping Buffy understand herself and her calling better (Fool for Love) while Buffy casts Spike in the role of protector for her sister and mother from the dangerous and vengeful hell-god Glory. His strength and fighting ability transcend the fact that he has no soul. He is useful and important, probably her most useful ally to date. Spike accepts the role wholeheartedly, developing a big-brotherly bond with Dawn and relishing the purpose that Buffy has bestowed on him.
Of course, in season five, Spike also finds that he is love with the Slayer. In ‘Out of My Mind’ Spike realises that he has developed romantic feelings for Buffy. He begins to want to help her, not to achieve his own ends but because he wants Buffy to notice him. She does not return the affection, yet he remedies this by becoming even more useful to her. He withstands torture to protect Dawn and assists the Scoobies in their battle against Glory finally winning gratitude and grudging respect from Buffy. He is genuinely devastated when Buffy dies in order to save her sister and the world from demonic invasion.

to be continued......