Becoming, Parts 1 and 2

Becoming: Foreshadowing Transformation and the Intricate Dynamics of Desire

The Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 2 finale, "Becoming, Parts 1 and 2," is a pivotal moment in the series that sets the stage for deeper emotional and psychological arcs. The exploration of identity, power, and desire—seen through both the protagonist and antagonist—offers a glimpse into how the characters’ complexities will evolve. One of the most striking developments during this two-part finale is the subtle foreshadowing of future dynamics between Buffy and Spike, laying the groundwork for a relationship that will shift from adversarial to something more layered, challenging, and unpredictable.

Spike: From Villain to Dark Empath

In "Becoming," Spike’s role begins to shift from that of a standard villainous vampire to a character with more depth, nuance, and emotional resonance. While he remains an antagonist, his actions and motivations set him apart from the other vampires, particularly Angelus. This episode foreshadows Spike’s eventual transformation into a character driven by a complex web of emotions and a sense of dark empathy rather than sheer narcissistic villainy.

• Spike as the Dark Empath: In these episodes, Spike is far removed from the typical vampire motivated solely by bloodlust and power. Instead, we see him acting out of logic and a deep-seated desire for survival—not only for himself but also for Drusilla, with whom he shares a deeply co-dependent, albeit twisted, relationship. However, beneath this loyalty to Drusilla, there are hints of something more. Spike’s pragmatism, as he opts to team up with Buffy against Angelus, signals a turning point in his character. Rather than being driven by a desire to dominate or destroy Buffy, he’s driven by a desire to restore balance. This foreshadows his eventual attraction to Buffy, a relationship that will be defined not by conventional romance but by conflict, respect, and an unspoken connection rooted in shared trauma and power.
• Love and Violence Intertwined: While Spike’s immediate actions in "Becoming" are pragmatic, they also reveal an underlying complexity in his relationship with Buffy. This is the beginning of what will become a central dynamic in later seasons: Spike’s love for Buffy, which manifests not as pure affection but as a complicated blend of attraction, admiration, and violence. By inviting him into her home during this crucial moment, Buffy unknowingly sets the stage for their future entanglement, where love, power, and violence are constantly in flux. Spike’s decision to work with Buffy rather than against her shows that, even though he is still very much a villain, he is capable of forming alliances and making decisions that aren’t solely rooted in cruelty or self-interest.

Logic Over Bloodlust: Spike’s Foreshadowed Transformation

Spike’s choice to help Buffy defeat Angelus is a significant deviation from the typical vampire behavior. Rather than acting on impulse, driven by the need to feed or to destroy, Spike chooses to act based on logic and strategy. This moment is a clear foreshadowing of his future transformation from a creature ruled by base instincts to a vampire capable of self-control and rational thought, even as his emotional entanglement with Buffy deepens.

• Control Over Instincts: In "Becoming," Spike’s decision to put logic above bloodlust is an early indicator of the internal conflict that will define him later in the series. His ability to prioritize survival and, ultimately, his growing attachment to Buffy, over his natural vampire instincts, suggests that he is more complex than the other villains Buffy has faced. This moment of control over his darker impulses will echo throughout the series as Spike grapples with his nature as a vampire and his feelings for Buffy. His internal struggle, often manifested in his conflict between violence and love, will become a central theme, particularly as his love for Buffy grows and he seeks redemption in later seasons.
• Foreshadowing Future Conflicts: Spike’s alliance with Buffy in "Becoming" also foreshadows the future conflicts that will arise between them. Later in the series, Spike will fight against her, team up with Adam against her, and even engage in violent physical confrontations with her, all while his attraction to her grows. The tension between his desire to dominate and his admiration for her strength and resilience will define much of their relationship. This complexity is first hinted at in "Becoming," where Spike’s actions show that he is capable of both opposing and supporting Buffy, depending on the circumstances. The seeds of his later struggle—between wanting to be with Buffy and wanting to defeat her—are planted here, laying the groundwork for the intense, multifaceted relationship that will develop between them.

Buffy’s Invitation and the Foundations of Trust

In a symbolic and literal sense, Buffy inviting Spike into her home represents the beginning of a complicated and uneasy trust that will evolve over the course of the series. Although their relationship is far from friendly at this point, the act of inviting him into her personal space during such a critical moment establishes a precedent for the trust they will build, however tenuous it may be.

• A Symbolic Invitation: Buffy’s invitation to Spike is not just a practical decision—it is laden with symbolic significance. By allowing him into her home, she is, on some level, acknowledging his value as more than just an enemy. This moment foreshadows the future complexity of their relationship, where Spike will occupy both the role of ally and adversary. The act of inviting him in suggests that Buffy, even if unconsciously, recognizes that Spike’s motivations are different from Angelus’s. Where Angelus seeks only to destroy, Spike’s motivations are more nuanced, hinting at the potential for redemption and a deeper emotional connection.
• The Tension Between Trust and Betrayal: This invitation also foreshadows the tension between trust and betrayal that will characterize their relationship in later seasons. Spike will oscillate between being a trusted ally and a dangerous threat, as his love for Buffy grows and complicates their dynamic. This duality—of being invited in yet always remaining at a distance—will define much of their future interactions. The act of inviting Spike into her home in "Becoming" is the first step in a long, complicated journey of trust, betrayal, and redemption that will shape both characters.

Conclusion: The Path to Transformation

The Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 2 finale, "Becoming, Parts 1 and 2," is not only a climactic battle between good and evil but also a profound foreshadowing of the transformations to come, particularly in the character of Spike. His actions in these episodes set the stage for his eventual evolution from villain to anti-hero, as his complex feelings for Buffy begin to take root.

Through his alliance with Buffy, his control over his darker impulses, and the subtle shift in his motivations, Spike is positioned as a character whose emotional depth will continue to unfold in unexpected ways. His arc, foreshadowed in "Becoming," will challenge the conventional boundaries between love, violence, and redemption, making him one of the most compelling and unpredictable figures in the series.

Buffy’s decision to invite Spike into her home marks the beginning of a relationship that will be defined by tension, trust, and betrayal. This moment in "Becoming" is the starting point for a dynamic that will only grow more complicated as both characters continue to evolve. The finale foreshadows not only Spike’s transformation but also the shifting nature of his connection to Buffy, setting the stage for one of the most nuanced and emotionally charged arcs in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.