It really depends on who you ask and their own personal experiences and likes/dislikes, I think, re: Spike. For me, I've always loved the character, but as opposed to most, I didn't think BUFFY deserved him because of some of the mess she did to him. He had the whole evil, soulless Vampire think upon which his abuse can be blamed, but she didn't have the same excuse and she did some pretty terrible things to him. I actually had gotten to where I couldn't see the show when it was airing, was wanting to catch up to it but not having the time, and happened in on one particular episode that not only turned me off of the pairing but the entire series for YEARS. Now, however, having had more than my own fair share of negative experiences with the one I love, I absolutely ADORE the pairing -- but I still get into it far more than Spike than for Buffy.