Spike’s Expressions

[IndianaSolo221]

I was just looking at some Buffy promos/screenshots, particularly those of Spike, and I realized...his expressions are almost always doglike.

From what I have read/understand, this is intentional, either on Marster’s part, or in the way he was directed/the way Spike was written.

I guess it’s not hard for me to see the similarities, as I’ve worked with a lot of dogs recently, and it’s easy to tell when the too-smart ones are figuring things out 😆

TL;DR: Spike’s expressions remind me of all the dogs I’ve trained.

 

[Priceless]

Do you mean his puppy dog eyes 🤣 I love the way he looks at Buffy sometimes with absolute wonder in his eyes, as if he can't believe someone so wonderful is in the world and he's allowed to be near her.

 

[IndianaSolo221]

Do you mean his puppy dog eyes 🤣 I love the way he looks at Buffy sometimes with absolute wonder in his eyes, as if he can't believe someone so wonderful is in the world and he's allowed to be near her.

His puppy dog eyes, yes, but also in the way he considers others, a sort of expression that says, “Well, now I’ve got you figured out.”

He also has this sort of mystified expression, a, “What’s going on in that noggin’, love?” sort of look.

 

[M]

From what I have read/understand, this is intentional, either on Marster’s part, or in the way he was directed/the way Spike was written.

Where did you read this? I thought I had read just about everything about Spike and Marsters's process, but it looks like I've missed something. I'd love to read it!

I have read that he copied the feline walk Malcolm Mcdowell used in the 80s version of the movie Cat People. Also, when he's creeping up on Harmony in their bed in "The Harsh Light of Day" I think he's trying to be predatory/feline there as well, though the knuckles on the sheets look more ape-like to me.

The character certainly has many doglike qualities, including faithfulness. Marsters also has a quizzical head cock to the side that is reminiscent of dogs, plus the soft puppy dog eyes. I'm also pretty sure I've seen that pout on my own dog before, usually accompanied with a whine. I admit, I have no more resolve than Buffy when denying treats either.

 

[IndianaSolo221]

Where did you read this? I thought I had read just about everything about Spike and Marsters's process, but it looks like I've missed something. I'd love to read it!

I have read that he copied the feline walk Malcolm Mcdowell used in the 80s version of the movie Cat People. Also, when he's creeping up on Harmony in their bed in "The Harsh Light of Day" I think he's trying to be predatory/feline there as well, though the knuckles on the sheets look more ape-like to me.

The character certainly has many doglike qualities, including faithfulness. Marsters also has a quizzical head cock to the side that is reminiscent of dogs, plus the soft puppy dog eyes. I'm also pretty sure I've seen that pout on my own dog before, usually accompanied with a whine. I admit, I have no more resolve than Buffy when denying treats either.

I can’t remember where exactly I read it. It may have been from an interview too, or I might just be misremembering this.

 

[Priceless]

Marsters also has a quizzical head cock to the side that is reminiscent of dogs, plus the soft puppy dog eyes.

That is such a dog like movement. When they look at you with their head cocked, as though trying to understand what you're saying to them, or just trying to be cute so they get more food or fuss

 

[Hunga Munga]

James Marsters based plenty of his Spike role on Johnny Rotten from the Sex Pistols . Whedon wanted Sid Vicious and the visual style relects that, but Marsters used Rotten as his inspiration .

It's fair to say that Johnny Rotten does have a doglike vibe 🙂

 

[IndianaSolo221]

I just watched S7, E3: “Same Time, Same Place”...I forgot about their using of insane Spike to track the blood Gnarl left behind 😆 Another doglike thing.

 

[DeadlyDuo]

I find the Buffyverse vampires to be very felinesque.

The idea of Spike becoming more doglike as the series wears on could also play into the notion of wolves being domesticated into becoming dogs by human interaction. Vampires don't tend to interact with humans on a social level (beyond hunting them as prey) whereas Spike is forced to socialise with the scoobies due to the chip.