Look at SMG's performance at 21:28! Buffy doesn't even move or have a single word of dialogue but we can tell just from her expression that she goes from being on edge that Spike may be dangerous, to realising he got his soul back, to pausing to reflect on the implications, to being overwhelmed with emotion because she figures out what he must be going through now. Absolute world class talent! It is an honour watching a once-in-a-generation star like SMG.

Angel without a soul was a cruel sadistic evil monster who got off on torturing his victims. He was cursed with a soul so he could live and feel the pain of everything he did. Spike on the other hand even without a soul was never as cruel as Angel and he never pretended to be good. He was always evil but he had the ability to still care, love and show compassion. He took care of Drusilla for years, he took care of Dawn when Buffy died, he fought along side all of them and was there when they needed him. On top of all that he willingly chose to put himself through all them trails to get his soul back. I do believe that you can love without a soul, it’s been proven time again in this show that it doesn’t matter if your a human, a demon or a vampire, with or without souls anybody is capable of extreme cruelty and evil or love and kindness.

That ending scene with Spike & Buffy was amazing. Buffy knew something was different about Spike, but now she knows he has a soul.

That final scene is one of the most beautiful scenes in all of TV. James Marsters killed it. Spike is broken, mentally, being tormented by the soul he now has which won't let him forget all he's done. He has moments of clarity, but they're fleeting. Still, it got better for Angel when he got his soul, so it's not like Spike will always be whackadoo.

One of the best Spuffy scenes is the ending scene of this episode.

IMO Not rushing to tell the gang that he has his soul back to win them back is the first thing he does that demonstrates he has a soul. He feels so much remorse that he rather gets the much deserved wrath for the actions he committed than defend himself or deflect. He wants to work his way back the hard way.

I think Spike hearing all that stuff is his guilt and pain from what he did is driving him mad. Remember Angel was like a crazy homeless person for like 80 years after he got his soul the first time.

The title, 'Beneath You' is such a good play on words. Not only does it refer to this mystery threat still lurking beneath everyone, it echoes human Spike's low point in life as well when Cecily tells him that she doesn't think anything of him because he is "beneath her". That's what Spike means when he says he wants to "give Buffy what she deserves" too; he knows he is a demon while she is an exceptional woman, and he wants to elevate himself to her level. By the way, Joss Whedon rewrote and directed that amazing final scene between Buffy and Spike. The original version of the script was no where near as effective, very not subtle, and in fact a little cringe. It had lines like: Buffy: You have a soul. Spike: I do indeed... and it's killing me. Spike: Let's face it, been a one-man slaughterhouse. Last hundred years... Raping, murdering, and for what? Spike: Church. His house. [...] Beg him, beg him... for forgiveness. And it ends with Spike saying "How do ya like me now?" The version we got was masterful and MUCH better.

In terms of the voices - Spike mentions hearing his past victims in his head (his guilt), he looks up and mentions also 'Him' insinuating God (guilt as a damned vampire going to hell) and he mentions one more voice in his head. Guess we will see about the last one. Also, most vampires can't tolerate a cross and he just lays there and lets it burn showing the depth of his current self-disgust. He is tired from feeling bad for all he has done and he couldn't take his soul back out (Plan A: I spose where he scratched at his own chest) or even pretend to not have it (Plan B: dress like he used too and act like he used too). He is a bit lost. Great acting by SMG as usual and James Marsters showing some of his stage Shakespearean chops.

Spike hanging on the cross always breaks my heart he is so tired and broken and asking Buffy if they can rest 😭 like. Side note Buffy never uninvited spike from her house after the rape you would think that would be the first thing done. She uninvited him for have a creepy crush.

He's still a vampire, still needs blood, can't go out in the day. He's just suffering now like how Angel did. Very interesting arc for Spike

"Can we rest now!?" ...so powerful!

That look Xander and Spice exchange when Nancy says ''is there anyone here that hasn't slept together'? lol

Buffy still care about Spike despite that’s happened between them

/Series 7 Spuffy is the Spuffy we should be shipping ❤❤

In my humble opinion, Xander dodged a bullet with Nancy. That lady didn't shed a tear or dwell on the fact a monster ate her puppy. I loved your interpretation of the lighting at the end. Spike has some lines that really call back to Buffy and Spike's arguments when they were 'together'. She tells him he can't love without a soul, that Angel was different from Spike because he had a soul. Spike wanted to be worthy in her eyes, and so he did the thing he thought she wanted. She also told him he wasn't a man, he was a thing. To combine all that into: "To be the kind of man who would never..." Angel did go through a process. It was like a 60 yr process. Plus, remember "Amends" in season 3, where we focus on Angel's soul and guilt? I love how many things from earlier seasons still remain so relevant.

always loved that ending scene. Yeah we get confirmation that Spike's plan at the end of s6 was to get his soul. It was just shot in such a way that the audience thought that it was to get the chip out. Spike talking about being haunted by his previous victims is consistent with what happened to Angel. The only difference is that the shape-shifting entity actually takes their form to taunt Spike.

Yeah. This season had some brilliant moments in it that so many overlook; the final moments of this episode are truly award-worthy for both Sarah Michelle Gellar (per usual) & James Marsters.

I think it's only the supernatural and demons that can sense something is coming. As for Spike.....only time will tell.

My favorite Buffy-Scene at the end of this episode. So beautifully shot, great dialogue and perfect acting from both of them. SMG killing it with her facial expressions and JM with his words. "To be the kind of man who would never..." he couldn't even finish the words, thats how much he regrets his doings.

The episode as a whole, not my favourite. The entire ending scene in the church, One of my favourites of the entire series!

The first time it aired that ending made me cry. And i get emotional each time i re-watch it ! The writing is perfect and the acting too !

"She might be an international slayer. I take that back" 😂😂😂

Spike heard all the voices of everyone he ever harmed, tormenting him through his conscience.

Spike still is a vampire. Getting your soul doesn’t mean you’re cured from being a vampire you just feel guilty for every bad thing you’ve done and you have a conscience. But he’s still a vampire

Angelus would never try to get his soul back for any reason. Spike, the demon, decided to fight to get his soul back. Now, being a demon his reasons for doing were surely not out of love. But still. His demon self decided to get his soul back after having tried to r Buffy. Now, if that doesnt get you in on someones plus side. What the heck can.

Fun Fact: This is the third Nancy in the series. The girl helping Giles, Oz, and Larry in the Wishverse was also called Nancy, as was Buffy's school rival in Earshot (the one who said "I could have done that" after she saw Buffy climbing up to the tower Jonathan was in).

This episode is a masterpiece espacially the ending. The ending was amazing. The performances from SMG and James Marsters was world class. She had suspicion on Spike. Something diffrent about him and she learned. It was so real. Xander is rigth and wrong. He can't ignore what he did to Anya and can't blame her for everything. He left her and what Xande expected? for Anya forget about everything? Anya was sad and in stress. she made a bad choice back to vengence demon. She shouldn't but she did. Now Anya is dangerous for everyone. Xander was rigth to don't do this. He cares about Anya even Xander doesn't show. Anya's becoming importent character is so interesting. No one can predict it Demons can sense soul. in season 2 of Buffy when Angel tried to trick Spike. Spike sensed his soul and he wasn't Angelus. same season Judge sense Angelus. If I'm not remember wrong. I thing when Angel got his soul first time. He had to struggle with his madness and soul for many years maybe hundred years I don't remember one hundred precent but I know he struggled for many years. Can we rest now. Elie can we rest?

Closed captions changing Xander to Xena, yep he’s the new Warrior Princess 💪👑

There’s supposed to be only one slayer at the time in the whole world, not different slayers in other countries.

I'm so glad you are enjoying Season 7 so far, and appreciate where the characters are at. Look out for the next episode...I think it's the scariest one of the series! 👀☠

We saw Angel after getting his soul back after the Angelus arc in Season 3's Amends.

Buffy herself went to the basement at school to get Spike, she herself ran after him to the church. She cried when she found out that for her sake he returned the soul. It's all because she still has feelings for him. She is still in love and it upset her.

Buffy can't talk about Dawn kissing a vampire considering Buffy went into vampire gobbler mode more than once

😢😭😭Spuffy❤❤❤

"From beneath you, it devours." Dude I remember how unnerving it was to hear those words the first time. It made me nervous because it is the final season. But the fact that they still haven't shown us even for a tiny glimspe, who or what we're up against, just made me scared for the what's to come. Like an ominous feeling. And I surely didn't like that Buffy was awakened by it and staring out the window. It was like a creepy horror movie scene. These two episodes I have been noticing how quiet they have been. Could be cuz its just Xander, Buffy and Dawn. But I'm lovng the sound. Oh and the lighting has been dark and gloomy in these episodes. All around, this season feels different and already looks different. I'm loving this whole thing going on with Spike having a soul. The entire church scene dialogue and when Anya says to him, "How did you do it? I can see you." are my two favorite moments in this episode. Really great stuff going on with this character. But now it has made me wonder: who the heck is the Shanshu 📜 referring to? Ooh... if Angel finds out he ain't no longer special, he's gonna be so jelly 🤣.

It bothers me the scene when Nancy says "has anyone here not slept together" and spike and Xander look at one another it annoys me because Buffy and Xander have never slept together I know it's funnier if spike and Xander look at each other but still

It's clear that Xander has a type. This woman talks like Anya and looks like Anya

You wish it I dish it. I thought we were clear here. I didn't know you were going to go all narc on me.

Xander this season is excellent.

What program do you use for editing? I'm curious because the one I use is having a lot of issues and I can't get ahold of customer service. Grrr. Sorry off topic.

The clip in the beginning of the episode is inspired by the immensely popular German movie “Lola rennt” (Run, Lola, run) from 1998. If you want to do a non-English spoken movie, this would be a nice one.

So many overlook the fact the Spike became a good guy *before* he got his soul back. Unlike Angel. Yes Angel brooded for a 100yrs when his soul was 'cursed' back into him but thee second Angel lost his soul he drank a woman dry, exhaled the smoke from her cigarette and then set about to break Buffy to death with cruelty. No doubt Spike fucked up big time. But Spike was ready to sacrifice himself twice for Dawn - for love of Buffy. And that without a soul. Spike at his deep inner core - at 'The Powers That Be' level, Spike is the Good. NTM Spike is funny and has a personality. It took like 3 seasons of 'Angel' before some personality of his own to show.

Pausing and commenting is better in my opinion

I'm subscribing now I feel threatened

A vampire with a soul? How lame is that??

Some people may retain that the MotW of these first two episodes were kinda "meh". I actually retains that this season started with two bangers regarding characters development and a fantastic teasing of the main story arc.

Not the greatest episode, but the last scene is so powerful and well written, one of the best of the season and the whole show.

CAM??? Clube Atlético Mineiro?? 🇧🇷

That's the problem I had with the episode Once something that violent happens that trust is severed. You don't start trusting quick again. He entered her house like he was welcomed there. That bothered me. Fans making Xander look like the bad guy because of his worries made me very upset. Joss Whedon used Buffy as a metaphor for relationships so really has nothing to do with Spike having a soul or not. It's very upsetting that Joss Whedon and Company did that. I hated "Get it hard service the Girl" like he was the one being forced. Ps the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer is on Peacock and I STILL love the movie as it was the first of its kind in my opinion and love the actress Krsty Swanson who played Buffy. Luke Perry, Ben Affleck, Rutger Bauer, Pee Wee Herman, Hillary Swank and David Arquette are in it

After you finish Buffy you should definitely check out the show GRIMM has the same writers as buffy. And the show CHARMED (1998-2006) aired around the same time as Buffy about 3 sisters who are witches who fight evil.