Hell hath no fury like a Redemptionista scorned
Um, people?

James Marsters is an actor. Spike is a character. Apparently, James Marsters has no right to share his interpretation of the character he's played for the past six years, especially if it doesn't jibe with those of the hundreds of fans who shelled out good money to see him.

"Why can't he say a single positive thing about the character that the audience he's surrounded by LOVES? People have traveled all this distance because we love this character. The reason James is getting paid to show up at this convention is because people love the character. The reason Spike was ever brought back as a regular was because we love the character. Where the hell does he get off INSULTING us and tell us we're WRONG for loving the character?"

After attending the BuffyCon last month in Chicago -- which included completely inappropriate questions from both preteen girls and middle-aged women (who should have known better) -- I completely understand James wanting to put some distance between himself, his character, and the fans. But being interpreted as condescending to a large crowd probably isn't the best way to do that.