I've never seen anyone actually address why this is, either inside the show or outside it. I mean, yes, it IS hypocrisy, dictionary definition. Angel does hold himself responsible for Angelus, but no one else seems to, oddly enough because being re-ensouled wasn't something he chose. It wasn't his fault. Spike, on the other hand, who did make that choice, continues getting hit with accusations regardless, because having made a choice, his motives are called into question.
And it makes one wonder - the titular heroes on both shows are people who never made the choice to be what they are, but have had some kind of burden thrust on them and then have to cope with it. Meanwhile, characters who actually choose their actions are treated with suspicion. What's that say about free will?
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The Double Standard
Date: 2004-09-24 09:13 pm (UTC)And it makes one wonder - the titular heroes on both shows are people who never made the choice to be what they are, but have had some kind of burden thrust on them and then have to cope with it. Meanwhile, characters who actually choose their actions are treated with suspicion. What's that say about free will?