From GoEnglish.com

Method To My Madness ( what appears to by crazy action is actually done for a good reason ... )

"Method" is the careful, systematic way that something intelligent is done. " Madness" is the strange, meaningless action of a crazy person. There is " method to one's madness" when what looks like strange and meaningless action ( madness) is actually the result of a carefully reasoned plan (method). Example: "Give me a moment to explain; there is method to my madness." [This idiom comes from Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Polonius speaking: "Though this be madness, yet there is method in it."] Example: "We thought he was crazy to do it that way, but it turned out that there was method to his madness." (Note: Americans usually say "method to one's madness" while British say "method in one's madness." Both are fine to use.)
 

As Spike conducts simultaneous conversations with Willow and Buffy and Xander, the viewers are clued into something that is not apparent to the players in the scene: Just because it appears that no one is there doesn't mean that he or she is not. Spike isn't crazy in these scenes. He's carrying on lucid conversations with people who simply can't see one another.

Might this also be what is happening when Spike appears to be babbling to himself? In "Lessons," the viewers see a morphing entity reveal itself to Spike. What if he's seeing the demons revealed in Willow and Anya's spell -- and he's trying to deal with them?

As far as his interaction with Buffy is concerned, he's very understanding as to why she didn't stay with him in the church of "Beneath You." She couldn't deal with the soul revelation, and he nods without anger or bitterness.

But Spike has other things on his mind as well. There are things in the basement without permission. He must get their slips. Is he keeping an eye on the growing demonic population? If so, he's performing a vital service that Buffy is not aware of yet.

In his other scene in this episode, Spike helps the gang find Gnarl's cave. And, he says something significant to Redemption:
 

William's a good boy.
Carries the water, carries the sin.
It's supposed to get easier, isn't it?
It's supposed to help to help, but it doesn't.
It's still so heavy.
 

Spike refers to himself as "William." He has taken on the role of a penitent. The burden of sin is heavy. But he's willing to carry it. For those of us rooting for Spike's journey, we hope that someone will help him to carry the load.

--end--

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