And I gotta say that all the extra images within the story that these last two episdoes have added---Wow! They are really great. You guys seem to find just what you need from the TV shows and then you turn them into what you need them to be to illustrate your new series. Just fantastic. I admire your skills!

I've enjoyed all 4 episodes so far. My favorite was probably Part I of this current storyline because I'd been dying to see how you'd handle the phone call from Spike about what happened at the end of Not Fade Away, and especially the reaction of Dawn & Buffy to finally find out Spike is alive again. And you guys did not disappoint me! Spike & Andrew's first phone call was great; you had Andrew down perfectly! I got a bit of a lump in my throat reading Dawn's apology to Spike and talking about regretting what she had said to him in Season 7, and Buffy reacting to Dawn saying how "regret sucks". That was smart and so telling of Buffy's inner thoughts. Oh, before I move on to Buffy, just want to say that I could also hear Dawn's voice in my head, so you guys got her character down well, too.

Anyway, then when you finally put Buffy on the phone with Spike, it was just so believable and lovely. I actually got tears in my eyes as I read that part. Beautiful job! And since you made such a point of why they needed to cut that phone call short, and they promised each other to have a long, "in-depth" talk when they finally meet in person, now I can hardly wait for that episode. I hope it will happen sometime soon because I really want to read how you're going to write that scene. You're doing such a great job at keeping all the characters sounding like they should and reacting the way that they would. If I sound like a grateful, happy reader, that's because I am one. I think you guys are doing a great job!

It was a good idea to have Xander be part of Spike's new team. They can be funny together, even when they're not getting along. And I get the idea that you are going to gradually turn them into actual friends, which will be great. I'm already starting to like Xander again, which was kind of hard to do during some of Season 6 & 7. Thanks for giving me the chance to like him the way I used to in the earlier seasons of the show. And I'm also hoping you will sort of "redeem" Buffy for me, too....she was certainly difficult to like in terms of her mistreatment of Spike, etc. I saw glimmers of the Buffy I wanted in Season 7: when she told Spike she believed in him, even after he had killed people while under the First Evil's control, then when she got the Initiative to remove his chip, and when she held him tenderly as he slept in her arms during Touched, etc. So if you can give us more of that Buffy, I will be so grateful. Because if Spike wants to keep loving her, then I want him to have her, and I want her to make it clear to him that she really does love him. If you aren't going to do that at some point, please don't tell me, because I'd rather keep on hoping that you will...someday. Even though, I gather, Buffy is not going to be a regular in your series...at least, this season. I'm hoping she will be a recurring character???

Anyway, I did enjoy Part II as well. Liked all the banter, especially the very Xander-y bits. I really liked the conversation between Xander and Tori a lot. Hope Xander really does think about what she pointed out to him as far as Jesse and Spike are concerned. It was fun to see Clem again, and he does have the perfect job for his sensibilities, doesn't he? Loved his shirt, BTW! I think I'm beginning to like your new Slayer, Mena, too. I found the stories of all the Gilroy vampires very interesting, and got a chuckle out of Spike and Xander referring to them as 'Gilroids'. What you came up with for explaining the differences in vampires' demons was also very interesting and made a lot of sense. Very good idea! And lastly, for selfish fan-girly reasons, I'm so glad you gave Spike a new wardrobe at the end of this episode. It will be great to visualize him in my mind in some of those new clothes, especially the blue silk robe and the lovely suit! You have got to find an opportunity to put him in that charcoal grey, pin-striped suit!

Okay, for never having posted a message before, I think I've gone a little overboard here. … I've read all the feedback posted on your website. Almost all of them are absolute raves! Even the couple who mentioned one thing or another in a negative way, ended up saying other things that they really liked. I suppose you're bound to get a "flame" at some point, but if you do, don't let it bother you. It seems like the vast majority are enjoying your series like I am. Please keep up the good work.

Your fan, Belinda

This has been so delightful. I am enjoying this so much. I want to thank each and every one of you who have put in so much work---those of you doing the writing and those of you doing the drawings of the pictures! I love what you guys have done, so we can continue with our Spike saga.

The idea of bringing Xander into it was brilliant. I always thought Xan
and Spike could have gotten along, and I like the two of them working together. And Mena, Clem, and, of course, Buffy, Dawn and Giles. I can't wait to see or read futher adventures of the new workers for the good.

What lies in wait in Colorado? ... Can't wait for Feb 8, but I will have to. I now live [near] The Big Easy, that's New Orleans, and we are in the thick of Mardi Gras. So I also look forward to when the gang goes to The Big Easy.

Subject: lovin' your series
I like the way you meld new characters into the mix and the Swahili was an especially nice touch.

Hi Jan, I enjoyed this. I know you like constructive criticism, so here goes - I felt that Xander accepted Spike too quickly and had regrets that I didn't see coming about his treatment of Spike - in BTVS. I do think that they could have become sort of buddies but felt that it was a bit quick - needed more time to move towards it. Just a personal interpretation as I also began to think Wood and Spike could be good mates ( especially rafter the LMPTM commentary - maybe I was channelling the actor here)
I also felt that there was a bit too much introspection from Spike in the middle - got a bit slow ( attention deficit girl here, however).
Loved the pictures, and all slowness was redeemed when we got the new Slayer action. That dragged me back in and left me wanting more good ending.
Liked the Andrew conversation - sounded like Andrew - a bit annoying, but that's fine with me; that is the role of the character. Spike and Buffy worked as well - that must have been difficult to write. Also the priest interaction, set it up nicely.
Favourite bit - the end.
Favourite picture - the leopards.
Fanfic is entertainment and this fullfilled its role,

Thanks,
Fran

Moscow Watcher

Thank you for your efforts. It's a magnificent project.

I just finished reading Never Give Up, pts.1 & 2, and really enjoyed it. It's great that you and your co-writers/creators have gotten this together.
From what I've seen so far, I could easily become addicted to my Soul Survivor fix! I think that it is well written, and it certainly has me interested in what is to come. I also wanted to say that I like how you guys are writing Spike. You've done a great job at showing his strength, kindness and intelligence!
Keep up the great work! I'm looking forward to the next ep! :)

First of all - thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! Great to have a Spike series finally. I got through Never Give Up much too fast, and now I'm stuck waiting for more.
I like that Illyria is still out there and can't wait until they meet up again. She was much fun after the total shock of losing Fred passed (decided not to spoil myself the last season, which was great for the surprise Lindsey entrance, but very traumatic for the Dead Fred).
The writing is great. Only problems I had with it were a couple of "eye of the beholder" issues. Particularly: "Now, that same soul which he sought for her sake was urging him to judge her for her cruelty and selfishness, and that last, lame effort to comfort a doomed man." Not sure that he would have seen the "I love you" as a lame effort and never really got the feeling that he was ever judging her even when they had their oh-so-brief discussion on her using him during Season 6.
Other than that, it was great. Love you bringing Anne back and the fact that she remembered Spike. Was always somewhat peeved that they didn't acknowledge the fact that she and Angel had met on that same episode of Buffy when they met again on Angel - somehow I can't see her forgetting the guy who so rudely insulted her (however true said insult was later proven).
Anyway, that's it from me. Hurry and write more. Need my Spike fix. Especially after learning that James Marsters is going to be at the Vulkon in Houston (but a couple hours drive away) and I can't even come close to affording to go.

•Home
•Never Give Up - Pt 1
•Never Give Up - Pt 2
•The Mission Mission
   Part 1
   Part 2
•Visitations
•Against Your Will
•Just Like Old Times
•The Big Ten
•You Can't Always Get What You Want
•The Meanness of the World - Rated R for language and violence
•Split Decision
 •Gypsies, Vamps & Thieves
   Part 1
   Part 2
•Hearts of Darkness
   Part 1
   Part 2
•Holiday images

UPCOMING EPISODES:
•Hoodoo You Love?
•The Offering
•To Dream Again - An Epilogue