I have a dim recollection of a Joss Whedon quote about the attempted rape, which indicated that the attempted rape was a worse crime than Spike's murders, and that he realized that he couldn't be "his own man" -- to quote The Mayor -- that there would always be times when his demon would take over. Does anyone have access to it? I thought it would be very useful in debates about Spike's motives for getting a soul, or about his complex nature.

I think I vaguely recollect hearing something like that...but unfortunately, I don't know where you can find it (sure someone here can for you though).

But gotta say, sounds like JW may have been reaching.  Cause saying that was worse than murdering a bunch of people (not to eat, but the ones he killed for the hell of it) seems low on the totem pole.

Oh, I'm sure it made more sense the way he put it than the way I put it...

lol.  Too bad there isn't like a cast and Joss search database of some kind...

Cause saying that was worse than murdering a bunch of people (not to eat, but the ones he killed for the hell of it) seems low on the totem pole.

I'm not sure if I remember Joss saying this, or if it's just my own interpretation, but I think what he means is it's worse to Spike. In other words, he doesn't give a crap about all the people he killed. He doesn't feel bad about it, and he sees no need to repent or become a better man - which makes sense for a vampire. But when he hurts Buffy, that is something so horrifying to him that he realizes he needs to change, that he can't ever be good or what she deserves without the soul. (Whether or not that's true is arguable, but that seems to be what Spike believes.)