Tallgent's Thoughts on "Just Rewards"

It was an entertaining first episode, but if my bias is shamelessly exposed than this is the one that did it. And with that…

1. James Marsters finally makes good on his second billing. Spike's back and all of the sudden the energy level goes stratospheric.

2. Loving the exasperation with Angel dealing with Spike. Boreanaz's eye roll when Spike tagged along was awesome.

3. Some are calling Spike's sarcasm a step backward, but I find it pretty consistent with his "Kick the Spike" fatalism. He's always going to be the kicking boy so why not enjoy it while he suffers.

4. But what I love is Spike's whole resignation to everything. When he goes to swing at the demon and his fist goes through with no effect, Marsters did this world weary thing that was hilarious. As if "what else is new?" It's kind of funny/sad in a way. All this stuff just keeps happening to him and now he's almost used to it.

5. Great job on the reaction from Angel's crew. Shock and betrayal just about cover it.

6. And as for Angel, shame on him. His spite and pride are going to be a detriment to him very quickly…if it hasn't already.

7. Good Harmony by Mercedes McNab. Angry at Spike for Buffy, and yet she's still attracted to Blondie Bear.

8. And better reaction from Marsters. Pretty much disgusted but still willing to exchange words. I think Spike enjoyed his time with Harmony, regardless. Great sex probably helped some.

9. Necromancer villain was very cool. I miss that about Angel. Demons with disgusting fetishes or hobbies. And the show isn't afraid to show its sometimes gruesome darkness—sometimes with a sick wink.

10. Spike taking advantage of the sitch by getting his licks on Angel. Typical. He may be a champion but he's still a dick.

11. And the ending was top notch. Fred's look was so filled with compassion, something Spike surely needs.

12. David Fury's got to be the best writer at giving us full-bodied Spike. While I loved Jane Espenson or Rebecca Rand Kirschner's romanticism, it wasn't honest as to who Spike is. He has an incredibly sensitive, poetic soul but the seasoning of his vampire siring and having so much blood on his hands makes an impact. He's got a dark side. And he can also be a pain in the ass.

You can say what you want about Fury's feelings on Spike, but the director gave us so many POV shots of Spike. We saw his last moments with Buffy through his eyes, we saw his reaction to going through Angel and ending up "in" the desk, and we felt Spike's frightened vulnerability at his ghost-like state. I loved how Spike was always hugging himself throughout. Weird building. Weird people. The only thing reassuring was himself.

Then there was Angel. The last person he wanted to see was him, especially after Buffy. He didn't get his chance in Sunnydale, probably out of respect for Buffy. But she ain't here, and he is. So naturally he takes his opportunity.

Physically it doesn't work. And I suppose the pre-dusted Spike would have left it at that.

But the Spike who comes back is scared to undeath, thrust into a situation he didn't sign up for. He wanted to rest in peace and instead he's having a comely young female probing him in a science lab.

Then there's the reaction to the mistrust which is something I completely I agree with. I don't care how much experience Angelus had with Spike or Angel had with him. Spike's sacrifice changes everything. He doesn't need to explain himself anymore or his motives. And he certainly deserves to be given the benefit of the doubt.

Angel should treat him as an equal and that is something Angel refuses to do. The exposition of Spike explains why. "The worst vampire second only to Angel."

In Angel's mind, he is always going to be first. And he can't handle it that maybe things have changed. Maybe he's not first anymore.

13. Does he have reason to believe this? I think so. Angel's suffering through some major guilt. It should have been him with the amulet and it should be him who is transparently tormented. And even if Buffy wanted him gone, he should have refused to leave. He gave in to easily.

This was supposed to be for him.

Or was it?

As was his role with the Scoobs, Spike is the truthteller with Angel. He made a bad deal. This isn't who he is. You're getting devoured inside the belly of the beast. They are all true, and Angel should figure this out. Like a champion is supposed to.

But he probably doesn't feel like a champion much anymore. Not when he's sleeping with the enemy.

Spike has excelled him. And Angel lashes out in spite.

14. And yet, the connection between them refuses to go, metaphorically shown by the spiritual umbilical between them. It's always been there, I think. Even Angel saved Spike from getting staked by Buffy. So there's an instinctive protectiveness between grandsire and grandchilde.

But now there are more unwanted, intimate connections. They both have souls. They both loved a Slayer. Different circumstances, sure. But after all the falderal, the two are more connected now by their similarities than they are separated by their differences.

But those differences are huge. Why does Spike get to be a hero, when I've suffered for countless centuries with a soul I didn't even want with a destiny I thought I was chosen to fulfill? Why does he get it easy? What was it all for then? I deserve my reward, dammit!

And as for Spike, he more than earned his redemption. That's not why he wanted to be a hero anyway. He did it for love, simple, uncomplicated love. He did it because someone had to. If that's not enough, then what else is there?

Two vampires feeling cheated out of something they wanted so much. What else is there? They're about to find out.

15. In the end it all comes down to reconciliation. Two brothers that need to come to an understanding with each other. You may hate me, I may hate you. But you're all I got right now.

So Angel needs to come to an acceptance of the way things are. Life is fluid. Choices change things. Wesley mentioned that Angel's heart didn't appear to be in it anymore. Spike is put back in a life he thought he was done with, and put into peril that could be the last sick punchline to his thankless existence.

The only way both are to find their inner peace and purpose is through each other.

**SPUFFY RALLY CALL AND SHIP ANALYSIS**

16. The uproar over the deleted lines in the "Chosen" flashback wasn't quite as voluminous as I expected. I think everyone was just so jazzed that Spike was back. It was interesting to see the whole event from Spike's eyes. Buffy's POV was grand and illuminating; Spike's was simple and touching.

And consistent with his belief that she didn't love him.

But this gets kind of muddied with his reaction at her name. He fears the worst, is relieved to find that she's alright, and makes the decision to go to her. Now if he didn't think she loved him, why would he do all that?

Maybe there was more in the bursting flames for both of them then we have yet to see.

Speaking of grand, it must be the Catholic in me, but I found much to fanwank in its subtext.

I loved that Angel had heard the intimate details about Spike. How he went out to get his soul and suffered in a basement for three weeks and ended up saving the world through his sacrifice. The only one who really had such knowledge was Buffy. While it's possible that Buffy told one of the others, it's only been 19 days according to the show. I don't know if she'd still be able to put it all into words.

But I think she does tell Angel, if only to set him straight. Chosen was very Pentecostal for me. One minister's review mentioned that the scythe bestowing Slayer powers on "every girl" was like the Holy Spirit descending on the Apostles.

The thing about the Apostles, at least according to Holden Caulfield, was that they always seemed to be ineffectual. They couldn't articulate who exactly Christ was. And with Spike being the Christ-figure in Season Seven, I saw Buffy as his only witness. But a witness is useless unless they pass on what they have witnessed.

And it would make me so happy if she did indeed tell Angel, because now she does understand and can share with other Slayers, her friends, and doubters like Angel, that there was a vampire who sought his soul and saved the world, his soul, and became a hero. It's no longer the confused "he has a soul now" it's the more accurate "he got his soul back."

The point is Buffy is now sharing that love and memory in all its glory. Nothing held back. And if Angel can't take it, that's his problem.

Angel's trying to rearrange events in his own mind because the truth is just too shattering for him.

He's acting like the anti-John the Baptist. Spike-o-philes love to point out that Spike helped save the world once before, if for selfish reasons. But it was Whistler who pointed out that Angel was the one the Powers thought would turn the tide. Instead, he was the one everyone was trying to stop.

So what if Spike is the one with the destiny of Shanshu, humanity from an undead state, and Angel was paving the way? Making his own mark while Spike eventually comes into realizing his destiny?

That's the thing here, guys. Neither vampire has played out their role to the fullest yet. We might get more surprises on the way.

I promised ships and I will deliver. I think Fred may ultimately be Spike's deliverer but not the romantic interest. Or at least not until the popular prediction of after Buffy's appearance. As for Harmony, it's hard to say. She might not be the best choice as of yet, but I think there may be some latent lust between the two of them. Will it blossom into love? Doubtful. Even at his most compromised, Spike is still loyal to his Slayer. But there will be opportunities for nookie having in the interim when he becomes solid through.

So next week we get Veruca II: Angel Style. Sounds intriguing.

"Joan of Arcadia" could actually be a show I would watch if it was on another time slot. I'd like to at least pretend I have a life on Fridays.

Tough year for me in sports. All my teams lost on Saturday. Sigh.

School of Rock: Any good?

I cannot wait for the Tenacious D movie to come out.

"Smallville" seemed pretty convenient for me on Wednesday. Clark conveniently shatters the red kryptonite ring. Lionel Luthor conveniently has a friendship with Rutger Hauer. Lana conveniently breaks up with Clark. And Lex conveniently reconciles with his father with subtle hints that he's not all there in the head. I hope that isn't the ultimate reason why he becomes Superman's enemy: because he went funny in the head.

I knew the Smallville/Angel combination would kick butt!!

That should about do it for me. Thanks for your patience and I'll get the next one out on Saturday. Texas time zone=bed earlier.

Tallgent