Buffy The Vampire Slayer: 10 Great Moments In Mediocre Episodes
4. Buffy Moves On From Spike (Season 6, Episode 15)
In the middle of Season 6, Buffy enters a self-destructive relationship with Spike that persists for several episodes. Crushed by the weight of depression, this toxic romance gives Buffy an escape from her troubled situation.
At the end of Episode 15, she confronts Spike and tells him their relationship can no longer continue:
“I do want you. Being with you makes things simpler… for a little while. I’m using you. I can’t love you. I’m just being weak and selfish, and it’s killing me. I have to be strong about this. I’m sorry, William.”
The use of Spike’s real name makes this closing statement particularly effective. By doing so, Buffy strips Spike of his bravado, viewing him as a man rather than a piece of meat. As for Spike himself, he’s clearly upset by Buffy’s words, yet he makes no attempt to stop her when she walks away – he simply accepts his fate.
It’s a terrific piece of dialogue that’s way more interesting than Riley’s return to Sunnydale. If it wasn’t for this final scene, there would be nothing in this episode worth watching.