'Spike, for me is the Best character and greatest story of the entire Whedonverse. ' - absolutely! (Though to my shame I have to admit that I haven't got around to watch anything outside the buffyverse.)

And of course you're completely right about SMG, too! She is Buffy. I sometimes tried to imagine Charisma Carpenter as the slayer, who auditioned for the role of Buffy, but I can't. Good thing Joss couldn't either.

I have a hard time to imagine Giles played by anyone but ASH, though.

Thank you for the pimpage over at EF, I saw it just now! (I haven't commented there for way too long; it seems I can't do both, LJ and EF, though I hope it's only a momentary thing ...)