Dark Qiviut

I can understand your view that Spike is always scapegoated, and that by now he should be getting much more respect, etc...

But saying that this episode "doesn't follow" is more than just a stretch. He's still young; still a dragon.

I don't think so. The moral was to not take advantage of others through his greed/lust for power. But the source of the conflict occurred when he had believable intentions. The moral ignores it in favor of greed that is completely disconnected with the story.