I think one problem I see is that people are quick to say, "Well, obviously you didn't watch the same show I did" or "What show were you watching?" when they hear a different or weird opinion about the show.

Sorry, just jumping into your argument here. I don't believe that your opinion is at all unusual. Comments like that are just arrogant and intimidating and dead annoying. If I've read correctly, fans left the show when Spike got the soul. Was it the Redemptionistas (?) who avidly believed Spike was redeemable without the soul. I've read well thought out pieces that show how and believe that Spike was only given a soul in the end as an easy 'out' - giving their investment in Angel's story validity and allowing Spike to love and be loved. I think it was Barb who said that it was ironic that the soul was exactly the reason that this couldn't happen.

I think souled!Spike has been around so long now, that arguments against it are seen as contradictory to the mythology (and leading to such "What were you watching" comments.) I say hooray to Lynch and others for giving it a go - even if it isn't for long.

By the by, Mariah's "Spike is unique and his journey is not about Angel's" made me say "Oh Yeah!" It was a little embarrassing, but no-one saw :)