My apologies, Kimberly Saunders, wherever you are.

I was wrong. I freely admit it. Granted you'll probably never read this since we lost touch when I left Simon & Schuster and indeed New York city several years ago. Nevertheless, you were right, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a really freaking great show. I poo-pooed you at the time. I judged without knowing and I was wrong. There, I've said it.

My friend Dana has forced this show upon me and I cannot be more grateful. I didn't get her enthusiasm at first. The first two seasons are "cute" and little more. It's season three where it hits it's stride and you really start to care and get into it. At least that is how it worked for me. It's a cleverly written show with a cast of funny, interesting characters who make up for the pouty self-involved heroine.

Granted Buffy has a lot to be self-involved about but her teenage insecurities were enough to make me want to bitch-slap her at times, not to mention her pouty, depressing soul-posessed vampire boyfriend, Angel.

From season three on it just seems to get better and better. And now (in season 6) my ridiculously romantic nature is being pampered by the delicious character of Spike. Ahh Spike, what a guy ...er vampire. He's so much better than Angel and I mean that in every way. Let us examine...

Angel vs. Spike

In Life
Angel was basically an alcoholic man-slut.
Spike was a sweet-natured, unappreciated guy who wrote bad love poems.

In Death
Angel (or Angelus) was a right bastard. Obviously he needed to feast upon humans given his vampire status but he went one step further, preferring to torture people. He was so bad that a gypsy tribe placed a curse on him so that he would regain his soul and remember all of the terrible things he did. Only then does he become a good guy. The second he looses his soul, he's a completely evil bastard again.

Spike on the other hand considers himself "the big bad," but in truth is not. He feasts upon humans (until the initiative and the chip) but doesn't torture them. He's a bit ambitious with the rest of the vampires but not ruthlessly so. Despite his vampyric state when we first meet him he's already in love with another vampire, later on falling to pieces when she leaves him. Seasons later he ends up (very reluctantly) falling hopelessly in love with Buffy and remains loyal to Buffy and the Scooby gang, and all this WITHOUT A SOUL. He doesn't need a soul to be a good guy, to have a heart. Favorite quote, "I may be love's bitch, but at least I'm man enough to admit it."

In Asthetics
Angel is played by David Boreanaz who I'm sure is a lovely person but he's not a great actor. He does improve from those awful first episodes of the series but he's just not that great. I haven't watched any episodes of Angel or his current series Bones perhaps he got much better. Oh but his Irish accent (from his life scenes) is embarassing.

Spike is played by James Marsters who is a really good actor (funny as hell) or at least he's really convincing as Spike as I haven't seen him in anything else. Also I was shocked to find recently that he's a Californian. I though he, like Spike, was British.

Let's face it, Angel is boring. His sweetness is ingenuine and fleeting and he's depressing as hell. Spike is sarcastic and funny and sweet and loyal. Yay Spike!

Ok this turned into a love letter to Spike but his story line has become the most interesting of all and is so romantic! I just love that shit! The show wouldn't be nearly as interesting without Giles and Willow and yes even Xander. Once again the supporting cast is much more interesting than the heroine.

We ended our recent Buffython at the end of the Musical episode (which is fantastic, especially the ending). Dana wouldn't leave the disks with me though. Some friend, she doesn't trust that I'd wait until we were together again to watch more.

She was right.