Angel Season 5 - Episode 20 – The Girl in Question
(I wrote this series of essays many years ago, probably around the time that the season 8 comics were being published. The were originally published on my LiveJournal and I'm re-posting them here, mostly for personal archival purposes. This essay refers to the events of the season 8 comics and poses a theory that was later proved incorrect, but I still feel it's a valid interpretation.)
The Girl in Question is an odd episode; it's one of those polarising affairs that the invested Buffyverse devotee either loves or loathes. Loved because it is a humorous (bordering on slapstick) rollick that concentrates on Angel and Spike’s relationship, and the particular bone of contention that exists between them. Loathed because:
during the episode both our souled vampire heroes are made to look foolish on more than one occasion,
it can be interpreted as poking gentle fun at the fandom,
it dared to show that Buffy was involved with a character called ‘the Immortal’, and had therefore ‘moved on’ from both Spike and Angel – a decision destined to upset and alienate the shippers of both camps and,
Perhaps most contentiously, the fact that only three episodes from the end we didn’t get Angel and Co. formulating a plan and plotting an escape from the clutches of evil incorporated, no, we got… this.
And of course, this episode is even more contentious in that it presents information that, although contextual at the time of original airing, has since been altered significantly with the publication of the canon (but far from perfect) Buffy the Vampire Slayer season eight comic. In Buffy the Vampire Slayer #1 – The Long Way Home (part 1, Dark Horse Publishing 2007) Buffy explains:
“The thing about changing the world…Once you do it, the world’s all different. Everybody calls me “ma’am” these days. There used to be one slayer in all the world, eighteen-hundred now, that we’ve counted; almost five hundred working with us in ten separate squads. There’s even three of me. The guys figured I was a target, set up two other slayers to be me. One’s underground. Literally. One’s in Rome, partying very publicly – and supposedly dating some guy called ‘The Immortal’. That part was Andrew’s idea. He did the research on the guy, said it would be hilarious for some reason.”
But funnily enough, the retroactive continuity works. It actually adds to the poignancy of the story. What was originally, for the most part, a humorous piece of fluff is now a tale of decoys, of imitations of particular women and the impact they have on the men who love the original article.
The supporting story in this episode concerns Wesley, Illyria and their particular ‘girl in question’, Fred. She, her physical form and lingering remnants of retained memories are the glue that bonds Wesley to the hell god. As we pick up their story Illyria is still coming to terms with the loss of a substantial portion of her powers. She can no longer ‘hear the song of the green’ or alter time selectively. Her strength is reduced but she remains super-powered. She feels defeated and fears that Wesley revels in her downfall. He doesn’t, but she considers it a fate worse than death:
Illyria: Condemned to live out existence in a vessel incapable of sustaining my true glory. How am I to function with such limitations?
Wesley is cautious with her, sensitive to her feelings, sympathetic even. He suggests that she return to the lab for more testing. It’s almost like he wants to help her adapt to the change in her circumstances, to make sure this will not be the end of her. She goes, she says, because it suits her not because she is bending to the will of others; one suspects that Wesley’s will carries a teensy bit of sway with Illyria after all.
Almost as soon as she’s left the lobby the elevator pings. Mr. and Mrs. Burkle, Fred’s parents, step out from the lift, happy as Larry and none the wiser as to the death of their daughter, just dropping by to say howdy to her on their way to Hawaii. Seems no one told the Burkle’s that Fred was dead. Fred specifically asked Wesley to tell her parents that she was brave to the last (A5.15). But in his depth of despair Wesley seems to have forgotten this request to inform those that loved her too. The searing pain of loss and the distraction of Illyria have gotten in the way. Still, it seems kinda irresponsible…
Wesley takes them into his office to correct the gross omission of information, to break the horrible news that there’s something they need to know…
Before the sentence can be completed ‘Fred’ bounces into the office full of glee to see good old Mum and Dad. The Burkle’s call her a sight for sore eyes. Wesley, completely incredulous at her arrival, can only silently agree.
Trish and Roger Burkle, Wesley and ‘Fred’ go to the lab. Roger is impressed with the change in fortunes of Angel Investigations and the obvious success Fred has achieved in her career. Trish is more interested in the personal; she gently teases Wesley about his love life and chides her daughter for apparently not noticing such a handsome, intelligent gentleman when he’s hiding in plain sight. It’s painful. It pains Wesley to be reminded of what he’s lost. The pain makes him angry. While the Burkle’s are busy looking about he challenges Illyria on her actions. She replies:
Illyria: Your grief hangs off you like rotted flesh. I couldn’t tolerate it from them as well. I thought it would be more convenient.
Convenient, sure, as a short term solution…but it only puts off the inevitable for another painful day. Wesley, however, is stunned to learn that the change of appearance is an easy task for Illyria, nothing but a simple modulation of her form. She appears as she chooses. She asks if Wesley wants her to stop the deception. He declines and allows the lie to continue. It’s easier this way. It would be too hard, too complicated to tell them now.
After a mercifully short visit it’s time for Roger and Trish to leave. Illyria plays the parting perfectly with believable assurances of love and demonstrations of affection. For that moment Illyria is indistinguishable from Fred. But as soon as the elevator doors close on the Burkle’s the warm sparkle of Fred evaporates into nothing leaving only the cold calculation of Illyria in its place.
Wesley: Did you get what you needed from that experience?
Illyria: Yes. It was most Informative.
Wesley: Good, don’t ever do it again.
Wesley stalks off. Illyria glares; she doesn’t like orders. It is all too much for Wesley. He may have needed to have Illyria around, as a talisman to Fred, a tangible remnant of the woman he loves but having her be Fred is a step too far. It’s confusing, it’s a tease. She has the ability to look and act exactly like Fred – only she’s not, she’s a pretend Fred that only serves to remind him of what he’s lost and what he can never get back.
Wesley may have had enough but Illyria is not finished with her experiment. She pops her head around Wesley’s office door and affects her Fred persona asking innocently if he is mad with her or something.
Illyria: Isn’t it what you desire
“Fred”: I mean….you love me, I love you. What’s the big deal?
Illyria: You loved this. And part of you still does. I can feel it in you. I….wish to explore it further
Wesley: Never you…like this. It sickens me.
“Fred”: Oh Lord, we know that ain’t true.
Illyria may have had her abilities diminished but she can still wound in the most profound way. She does not fully appreciate human feelings and the difference between physical and emotional attraction. She expresses her desire to learn more about the human species and the way they interrelate in a cool, detached, calculated way. For Illyria, exploring physical attraction is merely a lesson, something to pursue out of scientific-like interest in order to expand her bank of knowledge. But for Wesley it is awful, it is an uncomfortable reminder that, despite his protestations, he does still desire and love the physical form of Fred, even when it’s Illyria driving the body. It’s the reason Angel was so concerned about the level of his interest, the amount of time devoted to Illyria after she consumed Fred. But while this is true, that physically, interest is there, Wesley also realises that Illyria is not Fred. She lacks the special something….she’s missing the essence of Fred that made Fred Fred. Illyria may be Illyria, hell god and lord of the primordium but she will always only ever be a very pale imitation of the really-real Winifred Burkle.
As heart-rending as Wesley’s and Illyria’s story is, this episode is all Angel and Spike.
Gunn has an important mission for Angel. The head of a powerful demon clan has died while in Italy on business. It is vital for harmonious demon relations that the remains be collected so that particular rituals can be performed by the family of the deceased. Angel is not keen; he has other things on his mind. He volunteers Spike’s services for the job. Spike’s not keen either; he doesn’t want to be a glorified garbage collector. Gunn is insistent, someone has to go.
Gunn: If the Capo’s body isn’t returned in time the rituals won’t take. So long Capo. Hello power vacuum
Angel: Which the rival clans will try to fill.
Resulting in something akin to demon civil war? It’s interesting to keep this little scenario in mind in the light of the events yet to unfold in the final two episodes of the series. It provides the inspiration for Angel’s big ‘get out of Wolfram and Hart’ plan. (…Who said this episode wasn’t important in the bigger scheme of things?)
The deliberations over who will go to Italy are interrupted by a phone call. It is a report that Buffy, Spike and Angel’s particular ‘girl in question’, is in trouble. An old foe from their past, enigmatically entitled ‘The Immortal’, is causing problems. Suddenly the ambivalence is replaced by purposeful action. Neither can get to Rome fast enough; it’s handy that both remains of the Capo and the apparently imperilled Slayer are both in the Italian capital. Neither Spike nor Angel will let the other go without them. They fear the same thing – that the other will save the day, be the hero and ride off into the sunset (or, should that be moonlight?) with the girl.
Once in Rome their first priority is not the retrieval of very important demon remains but Buffy. They go to her apartment and are met by Andrew (who is staying there due to a questionable ‘cultural misunderstanding’). He tells them that Buffy is not so much in danger from the Immortal but rather, is dating him.
The boys are visibly shaken. This is not what they want to hear. They have a shared history with this mysterious fiend and it is not happy news that he is shacked-up with their girl. This personal setback is fortuitous in that it reminds them of their duty. They finally make the effort to retrieve the Capo’s body, or to be more accurate, his head. Then not content to leave things be, they begin a madcap cat and mouse chase with ‘their girl’ and other parties with an invested interest in keeping the demon head out of Los Angeles. Trouble is, their quarry doesn’t even know she is under pursuit and their fixation on her makes them easy prey for their mafia-like competitors for the Capo’s head. What follows is a round-a-bout adventure that sees them track Buffy to a local dance club in which they lose the head, get involved in a pub brawl and then a car (well, moped) chase, visit Wolfram and Hart’s Roman office, and get caught in an explosion, returning to Buffy’s apartment to be given life advice by Andrew (of all people) before finally going back to LA without ever seeing the object of their desires or actually retrieving the all-important demon head. Phew, that was a long way to go for absolutely nothing.
So who (or what) is this ‘Immortal’ guy anyway?
Who is this benevolent, giant among men, this titan straddling good and evil? This spiritual, safe-passage-for-nuns-providing, wildcard, lone wolf, stallion without a bridle who serves no master but his own (considerable, and glowing inducing) desires? This inspirational, life-changing book-writing, Mount-Everest-climbing, Capo-head-returning, magic-abhorring, snuggle-loving, disco-dancing centuries old guy who may or may not be evil?
Well, whatever he is, he’s quite the man…
Of course, our boys aren’t that rapt in him; they describe him as ‘the foulest evil ever vomited forth from hell’. He is their worst nightmare incarnate and his involvement with Buffy is the ghastly icing on the horrible cake. But, curiously, they are in the minority. Everyone and everything we hear about the illustrious Immortal effuses admiration and awe. But the boys have their reasons to go against the general consensus; their dislike of the Immortal is not a new thing. They have a history with him that has included interference in Angelus’ plans to slaughter a convent of nuns, ordering them out of Rome and in 1894, having the boys imprisoned while he had his way with Darla and Drusilla (concurrently, not successively) and at a later, unspecified time, he was responsible for having Spike imprisoned for tax evasion (it’s a long story, apparently). But through all this the Immortal treats Angelus and Spike as if they are beneath his notice. While Angelus classes the Immortal as his arch-nemesis, his Excellency, the Immortal doesn’t acknowledge his call for ‘blood vengeance’; they are not even on his list.
But as Andrew says, he’s cool and all but he ain’t all that; at the end of the day The Immortal is merely a device, a tool. He’s a magnificent puppet endowed with a range of overblown virtues, characteristics and skills. He’s got the good/bad ambiguity down pat, he helps the helpless, he’s a demon in the sack and he gets the girl(s). He’s Angel and Spike only bigger. Anything they can do; he can do better…. but, as a character, eh, not that interesting. But then he’s not supposed to be. His function in the story is to act as a unifying force for Spike and Angel. They may have had their differences; they might each envy and begrudge the relationship the other had with Buffy, they irritate the hell out of each other, they are reluctant allies, but their hate of The Immortal unites them, even when it concerns their ‘girl in question’. It’s a positive development and one full of hope and promise. If they can unite on this, a situation where they still view the other as a rival, imagine what they might achieve, together, in a cause they both believed in.
So, we have Angel and Spike working together for a common purpose. It’s actually not so unusual though, we’ve seen this before; in fact, at this stage of the season it’s quite the norm. They may not always get on, still insist that they don’t like each other but they do work together very effectively. We see that they have a history of it. The flashbacks show us a time when Angelus and Spike were friends, teammates – family. They admired each other, backed each other to the hilt. So, really, in the scheme of things, the recent antagonism that has developed between them is, in reality, the more unusual expression of their connection. It is more typical for them to be affable and cooperative. What we are seeing in the contemporary relationship between the two vampires is a period of readjustment. While they were badass vampires together it was mostly smooth sailing; they got along fine (once Spike learnt the rules and understood that Angelus was the Alpha). Spike was quite delighted to see the old Grand Sire when they crossed paths for the first time in ages in School Hard (B2.04). As far as Spike knew, Angelus was still his same evil self, so, despite decades of separation, he was still happy to greet his old comrade. The water gets chopped up by a number of factors; a soul, the burden of guilt and seeing his old vampire family as reminders of what he once was on one side and feelings of abandonment and bitterness and disappointment at a mentor’s defection to the enemy side on the other. Oh, and then Angelus makes a return visit and then the sailing gets really messed up. Only then, the girl in question was Drusilla. When Daddy came home temporarily, Dru forgot all about her sweet William and only had eyes for Angelus. And that’s when hate was born; Spike hated it and soon learnt to hate Angelus too. Only love turned bitter can bear such enmity. But that is in the past. Now they are both good guys – surely now they should get on? Well, that’s why this is a period of readjustment; after sailing on a maelstrom of hate for a while, naturally, the boat takes some time to stop rocking dangerously and that’s what they’re working towards now. Only one trouble spot remains….
Both have loved her; both have been loved by her. Both envy something about the other's relationship with her; it is she who (unwittingly) continues to create waves.
Angel and Buffy’s love was the epitome of tragic romance. Even though the obstacles to their relationship couldn’t be surmounted and Angel eventually left Buffy in search of personal purpose, the hope for a future together refuses to be extinguished with any permanence. Angel may have had relationships with other women, loved Cordelia, but Buffy remained his idealised love, the reward at the end of the rainbow….
Buffy and Spike’s relationship was something completely different. It changed, it transformed; it metamorphosed from one thing into another where the only thing that remained constant is its very existence. From enemies to lovers to intimate friends, Buffy and Spike run the full spectrum. He died for not only the world, but for her – so that she might live. And even though he still loves her, like Angel, he’s searching for purpose apart from her.
And Spike always knew that Angel had a place in Buffy’s heart that couldn’t be touched while Angel was staggered to find that Buffy and Spike had a relationship at all, especially one that warranted the bestowal of the amulet and the title of ‘champion’. And the fact that they had lots and lots of sex seems to be something of a sore spot too…
But they’re working together to save her from The Immortal, at least that’s the plan….except she doesn’t need saving. The Immortal is her latest fling; she is the Immortal’s new ragazza. The news turns their world upside down and suddenly, when it comes to Buffy, Angel and Spike are positioned on equal terms. Now they are both just ‘ex’s’ because she has moved on. So they collect the remains of the Capo but decide to stay on in Rome to check up on Buffy anyway. Had they left Rome, with the head, the more important mission would have been accomplished, easy. But they don’t. Figuratively and literally, they lose their head. The Capo’s head gets stolen, and they start running around like headless chickens after it and the Slayer.
The escapade is pretty pointless; in the end they are not responsible for the retrieval of the head, Buffy remains elusive, and they are made to look nothing short of foolish by The Immortal. But what they do achieve is a palpable sense of unity amongst the snark. So no, it doesn't give the viewer any closure on the Buffy-Angel, Buffy-Spike relationships, both remain as open-ended (and open to viewer interpretation as ever). Buffy isn’t there to give any input. But it does show us how far Spike and Angel have come over the course of the season. And looking into the dim, distant future, about the only near certainty that each of them has, is the other.
Andrew is quite an interesting choice to take the role of provider of guidance for Angel and Spike. We know he works for Buffy’s organisation so it is not beyond the realm of possibility that he should be staying with her in Rome; improbable maybe, but not impossible. It is Andrew who reveals that Buffy is not so much in danger from The Immortal, but rather is on snuggling terms with him, that she has ‘moved on’ with her life. It is he who advises our heroes to also ‘move on’ rather than keep chasing after the illusive Ms. Summers.
Andrew’s part was originally intended for the character of Dawn but Michelle Trachtenberg was unavailable for filming. Dawn living with and revealing personal information about Buffy life and feelings and giving advice to the vampires (particularly Spike, with whom she had a big brotherly/little sister type relationship) would have made much more logical sense but, interestingly, Andrew’s inclusion in the episode has allowed for alterations to be made to the story in hindsight. In season eight it is revealed that the Buffy we see very briefly, the Buffy the boys are trying to track down, this Immortal snuggling, night club dancing Buffy is not Buffy at all. She is actually a decoy designed to confuse Buffy’s enemies. Decoy Buffy is a Slayer, but one who has been specifically groomed to take on the ‘role’ of Buffy, be her proxy, her partying public face. (See Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight #5 The Chain, Dark Horse Publishing, 2007 for more detail on the ‘underground’ Buffy decoy.) Had Dawn been on hand to greet Spike and Angel these changes in the story would have been more difficult to achieve. Andrew’s inclusion allowed Buffy’s history to be rewritten and also allowed for continued speculation as to whether Buffy knew Spike is alive or not. Dawn’s presence would have made it difficult, if not impossible to suppose that Buffy still doesn’t know the truth as was the case in Season Eight, at least up to #35 when Spike made his long awaited reappearance, although, interestingly, Andrew’s assertions that Buffy ‘loves them both’ also implies prior knowledge of Spike’s resurrection, which turned out to be the actual situation in #36.
After reading the comic we know that Andrew leads the unit of Rome-based slayers. We also know that the Buffy-double partying very publicly with The Immortal was his contribution to the decoy cover story. ‘He said it would be hilarious, for some reason’ Buffy explains in issue one of the comic and at the same time proclaims her ignorance as to why this might be so. She has no part in the deceptive tale designed specifically to not only protect herself but also to tease and piss off her ex-boyfriends. But the question is, when did Andrew come up with this ‘hilarious’ plan?
Supposition would suggest that while learning the craft of being a Watcher from Mr. Giles, Andrew has somehow uncovered a history of The Immortal (a figure of such magnitude in the demon world would undoubtedly be chronicled in Watcher texts) and has made the connection to Angelus and/or Spike and thus concocted the perfect cover story for the high-profile Buffy double. But was the story fabricated before or after Andrew’s trip to Los Angeles in Damage? It’s an interesting question. If the decoy was in place prior to his arrival in town to retrieve Dana then Spike was not a factor in the said potential hilarity of the plan because, until that point nobody in Buffy’s camp was aware of Spike’s return. This would mean that the unfortunate Angel is the sole intended target. It also calls into question the accuracy of the information given to Spike about Buffy’s whereabouts during the infamous dock scene that takes place during Damage. Would Andrew have told Spike the cover story or the truth? Did Buffy really spend time in Rome or was it always the decoy that Andrew spoke of:
Spike: So, uh...you heard from Buffy lately? Andrew: Yeah. Of course, uh...she's in Rome. Dawn's in school there. Italian school. Spike: Well. Rome, eh? Never pegged her for the expatriate show. Andrew: Yeah. She was rounding slayers up in Europe, decided she liked it there, I guess.
And conversely, would Andrew have kept Spike’s secret from Buffy as he was requested to do? If Andrew is loyal to Buffy as his leader then surely he would be honour-bound to pass on the news that Spike was alive and living in Los Angeles.
However, if the decoy was put in place post-Damage then both Angel and Spike are the objects of the ‘hilarious plan’. Which then begs the question why? Why would Andrew include his beloved Spike in a plot that can be construed (from Spike and Angel’s perspective) as malicious and devious? It goes well beyond merely providing a plausible cover story for the decoy Buffy, it also carries the intent to mess with the vampires on an intensely personal level. The comedic value in the cover story is certainly appreciable, and it is possible to imagine Andrew maybe wishing to tease Angel (with whom he has had a mild confrontation and who is mistrusted in the Slayer camp). But it is harder to imagine a possible reason for his taking a pot-shot at Spike. The Andrew we saw in Damage who ecstatically greeted the resurrected Spike, the Andrew who loves and admires the platinum vampire wouldn’t do that. Unless he’s incredibly duplicitous…in which case, it’s Buffy who should be watching her back…
I guess we’ll never know.
Winks, nods and not so subtle sniggers
“She’d never fall for a centuries-old guy with a dark past who may or may not be evil”
And if you hadn’t worked it out before, it’s pretty obvious after this line that this episode plays with the mythology of the Buffyverse and laughs, with undeniable affection, at it and the fans that follow it so devotedly. Much of Spike and Angel’s exchanges throughout the story mirror the ‘Angel versus Spike’ debates that inevitably (invariably) take place within the fan community. Take a stroll across the internet, choose a random board, or site and as sure as God made little apples you will find Spike versus Angel debates. These appear in many guises – who deserves the Shanshu? Who saved the World more often? Did Buffy really love Spike? Does Angel still love Buffy? But regardless of the question, the debate usually boils down to the same thing: Angel versus Spike. These debates can get fierce and nasty, usually because they are underpinned by ‘shippers who are deeply and emotionally invested in either the ‘Spuffy’ or ‘Bangel’ relationship. Sometimes it’s easy to forget they are all actually fans of the same text. But this episode takes a jovial swipe at such competitiveness, puts often used arguments into the boys own mouths and puts them on a level playing field. We are told, once and for all, that Buffy loves them both (although, admittedly, Andrew is not the most reliable informant of such information – as ‘shippers of one particular persuasion are only too eager to point out). Indeed, the notion that she holds both in affection was also touched upon in the season 8 comic with a panel of the throuple appearing in issue #3. So the subtle message to the fans delivered by this episode still stands; the infighting is silly. Angel and Spike may differ in many regards but in this you can be sure - both are heroes (although that in itself is increasingly debatable thanks to season 8), both are champions and both are held in high regard by Buffy. And indeed the character of The Immortal offers the feuding ‘shippers a parcel of common ground; they can be united in their dislike of him even if he does offend some by the in-tandem trivialisation of ‘Buffy & Angel 4 Eva” and Spike’s status as the best fuck she ever had.
What The Girl in Question does very well, three episodes from the end of the last filmed installments of the Buffyverse, is acknowledge the past without resorting to a cheesy clip episode showing remember when… This episode has so many subtle nods and winks to the past, many a mere word or phrase that connects to a range of Buffy or Angel moments and allows the viewer to say ‘remember when’ without needing to even see a snippet of film. Obviously, the biggest of these is the inclusion of ‘Buffy’ herself in the story. Even though she never actually appears, just the suggestion of Buffy reminds us of where this story began, what she means to both Angel and Spike and how far they have come because of the profound influence she has had on them. But that’s not all; homage is paid to previous ‘Big Bads’, to Spike’s early stalking of Buffy, Buffy’s tendency to be susceptible to love spells, Angel’s fear of dancing, Spike’s flirtatiousness, and of course, the infamous black duster to name but a few examples. The Girl in Question gives us a trip down memory lane but also looks to the future, shows us that Angel and Spike will work it out…eventually.
Years ago, while writing these essays, I was reading the Season 8 comics as they were released. The identity of Twilight was a mystery and any mention, hint or shadow of Spike was frustratingly illusive. I developed a theory regarding the Girl in Question that I still stand by, even after Spike entered the story…
What if…. just what if … Spike already knew that the Buffy they were chasing in Rome was not the really real Buffy? Knowing the history of Spike and Buffy I just can’t fathom that he wouldn’t have called her after becoming corporeal again and having the sham of his supposed ‘destiny’ exposed. I get the fear, I get the uncertainty and I get the reluctance. I can sympathise with his desire to have Buffy remember him fondly and love him for his sacrifice. But I don’t buy the idea that this would ultimately stop him from contacting her. I just don’t. He said to Andrew in Damage that he would ‘take care’ of telling Buffy about his being alive. We know enough about Spike to be sure that he would do exactly what he says he will do. This is the bloke who, when realising that he loved Buffy felt compelled to tell her even though he knew it was hopeless. If he said he would “take care of it” that he would have. And, if he contacted her to tell her that he was alive then the truth of everything including her body doubles would have naturally been revealed; that is just Spike and Buffy. They talk and tell each other the truth. (Or Andrew would have told Buffy about seeing him in LA and she would have contacted him.) By the end of season seven Spike and Buffy shared an innate trust that would preclude lies and deception. Therefore, in my theory, Spike would have actually known that the ‘Buffy” they were chasing throughout The Girl in Question was not the genuine article. (and even if he didn't actually talk to Buffy yet, then he would have done the recon to know where she was - this is a guy who's hobby was tracking down slayers)
My theory is not without substance. There are a few things that happen in The Girl in Question that give it weight. First is Spike’s complete indifference to the prospect of going to Italy. As shown above, Andrew told Spike that Buffy was living in Rome, Angel then offers Spike the opportunity to go to Italy on assignment; one might expect a reaction to the fact that he would be in Buffy’s vicinity, or that there is an opportunity to see her again - excitement, restrained enthusiasm or conversely, perhaps reluctance or dread, either way – some kind of reaction. But we get none. All we see is total lack of interest in the assignment. Could this lack of interest derive from knowing that there is nothing and nobody in Italy that he’s remotely interested in seeing?
Spike only becomes interested in going to Rome when Angel says he is going. This is obviously because Buffy is now involved. Neither wants the other getting the jump on them where she is concerned. But what if Spike’s motives are not so much to see ‘Buffy’ but to stop Angel seeing her? In my theory Spike knows that the Buffy in Rome is a fake and suddenly Angel says he’s going to Rome because Buffy is in danger. Angel doesn’t know about the decoys – the slayer contingent doesn’t trust him because they don’t trust Wolfram and Hart. Yet if he goes charging off to Rome to ‘save’ Buffy then the decoy’s cover will be blown, putting the real Buffy in increased danger. So knowing that he’d never be able to stop Angel going to Rome, Spike accompanies him to intervene in any possible meetings; which we see him do. Spike is the one who charges onto the dance floor ready to confront ‘Buffy’ about her fling with The Immortal. What if this was not so much about intercepting Buffy as it was about warning a Buffy decoy? All this secret-keeping is very much in character too. Spike is very good at keeping his mouth shut. He withstood both Xander and Angel’s jibes about his relationship with Buffy without saying much in his own defence. Also, the soul, the removal of the chip, and even his return from the dead have all been kept to himself even when he could have used these things to further his own cause.
At no point does Spike ever comment on the prospect of seeing Buffy again. There’s no nerves, no anticipation, no awkwardness, no competitiveness… In fact, it’s the reverse. What we do see is a self-depreciating Spike who on more than one occasion plays down his own chances with Buffy. “Not that I thought I had a chance…” and “look, I know I don’t have a shot with her” he says in very uncharacteristic fashion. This is very unlike Spike who usually gets particularly ballsy when faced with insurmountable odds or particularly when it looks like Angel is going to get the better of him. To me, this smacks of the younger vampire playing good, subservient William, desperately trying not to push the old sire’s buttons and keep him sweet and unaware of the real situation. In this episode Spike is often the voice of reason. He tries valiantly to keep them on task with the demon head and on a number of occasions suggests it's time to go home rather than continue the pursuit of Buffy.
