Random Thought

[kerravonsen]

Maybe this is the difference between the redemption of Spike and the redemption of Angel: Spike wants to do good (to please Buffy). Angel hates doing evil.

Comments

[mistraltoes.livejournal.com]

The difference between Spike's redemption and Angel's is that Spike wanted his soul, and Angel's was a punishment.

[kerravonsen]

And also that Angel is in danger of losing his soul, wheras Spike isn't.

[izhilzha.livejournal.com]

*ponders this distiction*

I think you've really nailed something, there. Angel's redemption is based on something that happened to him, and a lot of his actions/reactions are based on fear: he doesn't ever want to be Angelus again.

Spike actively sought redemption for the sake of love, and his actions after getting his soul back are based on that love still: he's not trying to keep from becoming a monster again (well, ok, during part of season 7 he was doing that), he's trying to learn how to be a better man.

Dang it. I'm far more like Angel than I am now comfortable with. :-)

[izhilzha.livejournal.com]

Oh, I might as well use the religious analogy completely: Angel is afraid of losing his salvation (so he must take pains to abstain, lest he accidentally go bad), and Spike's just happy to be a new man (and willing to go on living and making mistakes while adjusting to it).

[kerravonsen]

Good point.
The other point is that Angel's salvation is such that... well, he can't live by grace, because any mistake that he makes will lose him his soul. Spike doesn't have to worry about losing his soul, once he got it, he's got it.