sorry to tack this on to your lovely gifset buuuuuut–
One of the things I solidly am convinced of about Whedon is that he consistently hires actors who understand/develop his characters better than he is capable of. This is why mediocre actors always equal mediocre characters in Whedon shows…because Whedon’s genius is collaborative.
Look at the subtle nuances of this exchange that could not actually have been scripted. Look at how Willow’s clarification of “the real kind” is affectionate but still corrective. Look at how Spike’s physical response is not dismissive, it’s just curiosity, like ‘is that a different thing? really?’ And then, the clincher: Willow’s honest, empathetic thanks and Spike’s I-don’t-wanna-like-you-weirdos-but-whoops-guess-I-sorta-do face all stuffed into the briefest of brief seconds.
Because in a script this would look condescending on Willow’s part and pure bad-boy attitude on Spike’s. But it can be so much more in the hands of a good actor.
deepintheshadyglen