Fool for Love (Buffy episode)
Encyclopedia
"Fool for Love" is episode 7 of season 5 of the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It is a companion to the Angel
episode "Darla
", which first aired later the same night on The WB
network; both episodes include multiple flashbacks to the history of Spike and Darla, shown from their respective viewpoints.
After a common vampire nearly kills her with her own stake, Buffy turns to Spike to learn how other Slayers met their end so as not to make further mistakes.
receives a serious stab wound while fighting a run-of-the-mill vampire at the cemetery; she is saved only by the unexpected arrival of Riley
. Despite his encouragement that she is not losing her edge, Buffy wants to research ways to avoid making more mistakes. She and Giles start looking in the Watcher diaries for information about past Slayers' deaths, but Giles tells her there won't be much in them because the Watchers usually also died or found it too painful to recount the incidents. Buffy then remembers they have another witness to Slayers' final battles: Spike.
Buffy drags Spike from his crypt, takes him to the Bronze and pays him to tell her about his battles with the two Slayers that he killed. He starts out by describing how he was turned in 1880 London, revealing (to the audience, if not entirely to Buffy) that he was the meek poet William, ridiculed by his peers and rejected by the love of his life Cecily, who declared him "beneath her," before Drusilla sired him and took him with her to travel Europe with her sire Angelus (Angel sans soul) and his sire/paramour Darla. Spike further describes how, mere months later, he became far more assertive, already using his new name "Spike," speaking in a more forceful, working class accent, and preying upon innocents not for sustenance but for fun, calling too much attention to the group as far as Angelus was concerned. Angelus preferred meticulous, artistic kills, and Spike's love of brawls and riots required them to flee London. Spike mocked Angelus' attitude, and the older vampire lost control, almost staking him, but Spike only laughed at having provoked Angelus to such an extent. Infuriated, Angelus remarked that maybe one day an angry crowd would teach Spike the folly of his excesses, adding "That...or the Slayer," a comment which instantly intrigued Spike. In the present, Spike reveals that, upon learning of the Slayer, he became obsessed with her; unlike other vampires, who feared the Slayer, Spike actively sought her out, craving the challenge she would provide.
Meanwhile, Riley, Xander, Willow and Anya take over Buffy's patrol. Riley is very methodical, but the rest of the Scoobies are rather lax about the process. They do discover a nest of vampires, including the one that injured Buffy. They make plans to destroy it the next day when the vampires won't be active.
Back at the Bronze, Spike tells of killing the Chinese Slayer during the Boxer Rebellion
in 1900, defeating her after a long and brutal fight, describing her as "all business" and getting nostalgic about how Drusilla was excited afterward, calling the event "the best night of my life" (much to Buffy's disgust). Spike also points out that while the Slayer can kill thousands of demons and vampires, all it takes to kill her is for one of them to get lucky.
Riley, rather than waiting for daylight, goes back to the vampire lair at night, stakes the vampire who wounded Buffy and then firebombs the crypt, killing the others.
Spike's reminiscences continue as he discusses his second Slayer kill (Nikki Wood
), whom he describes as more improvisational like Buffy, and whom he killed on a New York City
subway
about 1977. After he finishes, he reveals that he won by exploiting the Slayers' curiosity about – and wish for – death, further claiming that every Slayer has a death wish, including Buffy herself. Buffy rejects his conclusion and becomes angry and disgusted when Spike comes on to her, challenging her to prove him wrong. Knocking him to the ground, Buffy, echoing Cecily, contemptuously informs Spike that he is "beneath her" before simply walking away. Spike's feelings of sadness and humiliation are quickly overtaken by anger and frustration, and he arms himself with a double-barreled shotgun
at his crypt, determined to kill Buffy for this final insult.
When she gets home, her mother reveals that she needs to go into the hospital for some more tests, and that her condition may be serious. Unable to bear this information, Buffy retreats to the back porch in tears. At that moment, Spike approaches with his shotgun, but Buffy's distraught state changes his mind and he attempts to comfort her instead. He takes a seat next to her and gently pats her on the back, an action that Buffy does not rebuff.
Angel (TV series)
Angel is an American television series, a spin-off of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The series was created by Buffys creator, Joss Whedon, in collaboration with David Greenwalt, and first aired on October 5, 1999...
episode "Darla
Darla (Angel episode)
"Darla" is episode 7 of season 2 in the television show Angel. Written and directed by Tim Minear, it was originally broadcast on November 14, 2000 on the WB television network. In this episode, Angel tries to rescue Darla from the clutches of Wolfram & Hart and Lindsey's affections, as she...
", which first aired later the same night on The WB
The WB Television Network
The WB Television Network is a former television network in the United States that was launched on January 11, 1995 as a joint venture between Warner Bros. and Tribune Broadcasting. On January 24, 2006, CBS Corporation and Warner Bros...
network; both episodes include multiple flashbacks to the history of Spike and Darla, shown from their respective viewpoints.
After a common vampire nearly kills her with her own stake, Buffy turns to Spike to learn how other Slayers met their end so as not to make further mistakes.
Plot synopsis
BuffyBuffy Summers
Buffy Summers is a fictional character from Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise. She first appeared in the 1992 film Buffy the Vampire Slayer before going on to appear in the television series and subsequent comic book of the same name...
receives a serious stab wound while fighting a run-of-the-mill vampire at the cemetery; she is saved only by the unexpected arrival of Riley
Riley Finn
Riley Finn is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Portrayed by Marc Blucas, Riley was introduced in the 1999 season four premiere episode, "The Freshman", and Blucas was part of the series credited cast for the second part of season four...
. Despite his encouragement that she is not losing her edge, Buffy wants to research ways to avoid making more mistakes. She and Giles start looking in the Watcher diaries for information about past Slayers' deaths, but Giles tells her there won't be much in them because the Watchers usually also died or found it too painful to recount the incidents. Buffy then remembers they have another witness to Slayers' final battles: Spike.
Buffy drags Spike from his crypt, takes him to the Bronze and pays him to tell her about his battles with the two Slayers that he killed. He starts out by describing how he was turned in 1880 London, revealing (to the audience, if not entirely to Buffy) that he was the meek poet William, ridiculed by his peers and rejected by the love of his life Cecily, who declared him "beneath her," before Drusilla sired him and took him with her to travel Europe with her sire Angelus (Angel sans soul) and his sire/paramour Darla. Spike further describes how, mere months later, he became far more assertive, already using his new name "Spike," speaking in a more forceful, working class accent, and preying upon innocents not for sustenance but for fun, calling too much attention to the group as far as Angelus was concerned. Angelus preferred meticulous, artistic kills, and Spike's love of brawls and riots required them to flee London. Spike mocked Angelus' attitude, and the older vampire lost control, almost staking him, but Spike only laughed at having provoked Angelus to such an extent. Infuriated, Angelus remarked that maybe one day an angry crowd would teach Spike the folly of his excesses, adding "That...or the Slayer," a comment which instantly intrigued Spike. In the present, Spike reveals that, upon learning of the Slayer, he became obsessed with her; unlike other vampires, who feared the Slayer, Spike actively sought her out, craving the challenge she would provide.
Meanwhile, Riley, Xander, Willow and Anya take over Buffy's patrol. Riley is very methodical, but the rest of the Scoobies are rather lax about the process. They do discover a nest of vampires, including the one that injured Buffy. They make plans to destroy it the next day when the vampires won't be active.
Back at the Bronze, Spike tells of killing the Chinese Slayer during the Boxer Rebellion
Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion, also called the Boxer Uprising by some historians or the Righteous Harmony Society Movement in northern China, was a proto-nationalist movement by the "Righteous Harmony Society" , or "Righteous Fists of Harmony" or "Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists" , in China between...
in 1900, defeating her after a long and brutal fight, describing her as "all business" and getting nostalgic about how Drusilla was excited afterward, calling the event "the best night of my life" (much to Buffy's disgust). Spike also points out that while the Slayer can kill thousands of demons and vampires, all it takes to kill her is for one of them to get lucky.
Riley, rather than waiting for daylight, goes back to the vampire lair at night, stakes the vampire who wounded Buffy and then firebombs the crypt, killing the others.
Spike's reminiscences continue as he discusses his second Slayer kill (Nikki Wood
Nikki Wood
Nikki Wood is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon in the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, portrayed originally by April Weeden-Washington and later by K.D. Aubert.-Biography:...
), whom he describes as more improvisational like Buffy, and whom he killed on a New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
subway
New York City Subway
The New York City Subway is a rapid transit system owned by the City of New York and leased to the New York City Transit Authority, a subsidiary agency of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and also known as MTA New York City Transit...
about 1977. After he finishes, he reveals that he won by exploiting the Slayers' curiosity about – and wish for – death, further claiming that every Slayer has a death wish, including Buffy herself. Buffy rejects his conclusion and becomes angry and disgusted when Spike comes on to her, challenging her to prove him wrong. Knocking him to the ground, Buffy, echoing Cecily, contemptuously informs Spike that he is "beneath her" before simply walking away. Spike's feelings of sadness and humiliation are quickly overtaken by anger and frustration, and he arms himself with a double-barreled shotgun
Double-barreled shotgun
A double-barreled shotgun is a shotgun or combination gun with two parallel barrels, allowing two shots to be fired in quick succession.-Construction:...
at his crypt, determined to kill Buffy for this final insult.
When she gets home, her mother reveals that she needs to go into the hospital for some more tests, and that her condition may be serious. Unable to bear this information, Buffy retreats to the back porch in tears. At that moment, Spike approaches with his shotgun, but Buffy's distraught state changes his mind and he attempts to comfort her instead. He takes a seat next to her and gently pats her on the back, an action that Buffy does not rebuff.
Continuity
- It is learned that Spike has been in love with Buffy since they teamed up to save the world in "Becoming, Part Two", but he only realises his feelings for her in "Out of My MindOut of My Mind (Buffy episode)"Out of My Mind" is the fourth episode of season 5 of the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer.-Plot synopsis:At the cemetery, Buffy stalks her vampire prey, killing several new vampires with a little unwanted help from both Riley and Spike. Riley demonstrates quite a bit of enthusiasm and new...
". - The poem snatched from William's hands and read out loud (to public ridicule) is a portion of the same poem that Spike later reads (in its complete form) at the open-mic event in the series finale of Angel "Not Fade AwayNot Fade Away (Angel episode)"Not Fade Away" is the 22nd and final episode of season 5, and the series finale of the television show Angel. Written by series creator Joss Whedon and directed and co-written by Jeffrey Bell, it was originally broadcast on May 19, 2004 on the WB network...
." - According to the comic Spike: Old TimesSpike: Old Times (Angel comic)Spike: Old Times is a comic based on the Angel television series.-Story description:Spike struggles to protect a man from Halfrek, a vengeance demon who has wronged Spike in the past; she in fact had been the object of his unrequited crush....
, Cecily was already HalfrekHalfrekHalfrek or Hallie is a recurring fictional character on the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She appears as a vengeance demon in seasons 6 and 7, and has previously appeared as Cecily in season 5. She is played by actress Kali Rocha....
, a vengeance demon (and longtime friend of Anya), at the time of her meeting with William, and subsequently massacred the room of people who had laughed at his poetic efforts. Actress Kali RochaKali Rocha-Early life:Rocha was born in Memphis, Tennessee and grew up in Providence, Rhode Island, graduating from Carnegie Mellon School of Drama in 1993.-Career:...
played both Cecily and later Halfrek. - As a vampire, William adopted the name Spike; Giles believed that both the nickname and his former title as "William the Bloody" derived from his practice of torturing people with railroad spikes. This episode reveals the true origin of these nicknames: one listener to William's poem in the flashback comments that he would rather have a railroad spike driven through his head than listen to any of William's poetry, and notes that William is referred to as "William the Bloody" because of his "bloodyBloodyBloody is the adjectival form of blood but may also be used as an expletive attributive in Australia, Britain, Ireland, Canada, Singapore, South Africa , New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Anglophone Caribbean and Sri Lanka...
" awful poetry. Regardless of the comical origins of his name, it is implied that Spike may have literally acted upon the violent allusions as revenge once he became a vampire. - It is revealed that Spike got the scar over his left eye (which actor James Marsters actually got when he was mugged in New York) in the sword-fight with the Chinese slayer. As the weapon was mystical, the wound never healed. He took his signature leather coat from Nikki Wood after killing her in New York.
- It is revealed in the Angel episode "Darla" that Angel had already regained his soul when Spike killed the Chinese slayer.
- The scene in South America is in reference to the Season 3 Episode "Lover's Walk." When Spike is drunkenly confiding in Willow, he mentions he caught Drusilla making out with a Chaos Demon. The Chaos Demon, matching Spike's description in "Lover's Walk", is in the middle of the argument between Spike and Drusilla.
- This is the only episode of either Buffy or Angel in which Angel / Angelus appears in flashbacks but not in any present day scenes.
- Along with "Becoming, Part One", "DarlaDarla (Angel episode)"Darla" is episode 7 of season 2 in the television show Angel. Written and directed by Tim Minear, it was originally broadcast on November 14, 2000 on the WB television network. In this episode, Angel tries to rescue Darla from the clutches of Wolfram & Hart and Lindsey's affections, as she...
" and "The Girl in Question", this is one of only four Buffyverse episodes in which all four members of the Whirlwind (Angel, Spike, Darla and Drusilla) appear.
Arc significance
- Crossover with Angel: This episode consists largely of flashbacks from Spike's viewpoint. Some of the same events recounted are seen from Darla's viewpoint in "DarlaDarla (Angel episode)"Darla" is episode 7 of season 2 in the television show Angel. Written and directed by Tim Minear, it was originally broadcast on November 14, 2000 on the WB television network. In this episode, Angel tries to rescue Darla from the clutches of Wolfram & Hart and Lindsey's affections, as she...
", first aired later the same night. - This marks the first reappearance of Angelus in Buffy since "Amends" and his final appearance on the series overall.
- The actress playing Cecily, Kali RochaKali Rocha-Early life:Rocha was born in Memphis, Tennessee and grew up in Providence, Rhode Island, graduating from Carnegie Mellon School of Drama in 1993.-Career:...
, will return in several future episodes as the vengeance demon Halfrek. - This is the first time that Spike shows real affection and caring towards Buffy on the series; a foreshadowing of his joining the "good" side later on.
- The second Slayer Spike kills, Nikki WoodNikki WoodNikki Wood is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon in the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, portrayed originally by April Weeden-Washington and later by K.D. Aubert.-Biography:...
, has a son named Robin, who later appears as Sunnydale High's new principal in the seventh season. In "Lies My Parents Told Me", Robin is seen as a child witness to an earlier fight between Spike and his mother, as well as trying to get his revenge on Spike in the present day for his mother's death. - This episode marks the final appearance of Darla (Julie BenzJulie BenzJulie M. Benz is an American actress, best known for her roles as Darla on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel and as Rita Bennett on Dexter, for which she won the 2006 Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television...
) on the series.
Continuity violation
- This episode shows Drusilla siring Spike, apparently contradicting the third episode of season two, "School HardSchool Hard"School Hard" is episode three of season two of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The story for the episode was conceived by series creator and executive producer Joss Whedon and co-executive producer David Greenwalt, with Greenwalt penning the teleplay. It was directed by John T....
", in which Spike calls Angel his sire. Joss Whedon later verified that any vampire in a line can be referred to as a sire. The Master sired Darla, who sired Angel, who sired Drusilla, who sired Spike – forming a "familial" line. In "DestinyDestiny (Angel episode)"Destiny" is episode 8 of season 5 in the television show Angel. Co-written by David Fury and Steven S. DeKnight and directed by Skip Schoolnik, it was originally broadcast on November 19, 2003 on the WB network...
," Spike clarifies that, although it was Drusilla who made him a vampire, it was under Angel's tutelage that he became a monster, making him Spike's "sire" in the capacity of a mentor role. - This episode reveals the true origins of Spike's name and his nickname "William the Bloody", both of which had recently been described as having violent origins.
- In "School HardSchool Hard"School Hard" is episode three of season two of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The story for the episode was conceived by series creator and executive producer Joss Whedon and co-executive producer David Greenwalt, with Greenwalt penning the teleplay. It was directed by John T....
" Giles said that Spike was "barely 200", but in "The InitiativeThe InitiativeThe Initiative is a fictional secret government organization in the television series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel.-Origins:...
" Spike said that he was 126 years old. This episode definitively establishes that he was sired 120 years ago.