Buffy The Vampire Slayer: 10 Best Spike Episodes
9. Seeing Red (Season 6, Episode 19)
Yeah, I'm going to be the guy making a case for Spike in Seeing Red. No episode is as controversial and dark as this one, the death of Tara Maclay probably being the least of the reasons why.
After a bad patrol, Buffy tends to her wounds at home only for Spike to barge in and attempt to force himself on her. She manages to kick him away, this final push back snapping the vampire back to reality. Visibly horrified by his actions, Spike tries to apologise, only for Buffy kick him out the house.
This scene, as harsh, infamous and divisive as it is, remains imperative to Spike's development. In hindsight, sure, there were other ways to go about the next chapter of his arc, but there is a reason this scene works so well.
At this point, Spike has no soul, only the Initiative's chip. The assault hammers home the fact - for both Spike and the audience - that he is still a monster after all, unable to fully squash his more evil impulses.
The look on his face when he realises what he's done, that he's gone too far, is the biggest turning point in his story, forcing him to come to terms with his soullessness and set out to redeem himself.
No, it's not pretty - but it is necessary when you consider where he ends up.