Well, like I said, he got better as the series progressed. I think they figured out a good balance for him. And I still blame Buffy for his pussification, cause he was at least trying to still be badass in season four post chipping. Then it was all "I'm in love with Buffy, I'm going to be good!" and he got all watered down.

Before I wrote the Ianto/Faith story, I watched some of those season seven Faith episodes, and in the episode where she comes back, the conversation between her and Spike in the basement? They're smoking, and he's shirtless, and oh my god, how sexy was that? I might have watched the scene like three times.