Embarrassing Teflon epiphany

I have just realised what it is about Spike that turned me into an obsessive BtVS fan. And the reasons are so utterly redolent of crap pop psychology that I'm really embarrassed. But how could I not have realised this before, especially since I can clearly date it to the "Fool for Love" episode?

What Spike/William represents to indri, much to her annoyance and regardless how the character may in fact behave in the series:

an escape from a closeted, bookish life, freedom from study, life lived instead of merely being read about;

a celebration of physicality, rather than one's body being the thing that keeps coming down with bad colds every few months and which gets achy from sitting at a desk all day;

free will, the ability to choose against the grain;

an awareness of class issues, specifically, not having quite the right manners and habits as those of one's adopted or aspired class; and

a belief that one is valued more for one's achievements than for oneself, with an expectation that no-one really likes you all that much.

Besides which, he's good-looking and treats (most) women as (more than) equals.

Bah. All I can say is that I've got over some of those hang-ups and am getting over the others. And Spike's soul quest is in no way an allegory of getting a PhD and then wondering what you got it for. Oh no.

And now I'm moving away from the computer because I'm getting a crick in my neck.