"Bollocks!": Spike fans and reception of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- Gwyn Symonds (University of Sydney)
Subjective audience = varied readings of the text.
Audience involement in the journey of Spike:
Spike "defenders"
Definition of Spike as "evil"
Spike on a continuum of good and evil - closer to humans
Only vampire who wants to do good without a soul. (Does this make him better than Angel?)
Failing of audience expectations
- attempted rape of Buffy
- Buffy beatshim up to vent her own anger = no resolution
Leads to audience resistance of the text.
Noxon (paraphrased) - keeping Spike's character grey by the rape scene
Audiences search for meaning because they want or need to, not because it is necesary or appropriate.
This presenter was the saddest of sad sad Spike worshippers. She really could've used a cold shower before her presentation.