SPOILERS, obviously… :P
(Although they’ll be moderate…)

Immediate impression: Wee! Willow’s back! Willow’s back! :D

Yet another good episode. Perhaps the best of the three S7 episodes I’ve seen this far. Again, there was a monster-of-the-week villain — and ’twas a creepy lill’ feller, indeed — which (I’m unsure of wether or not it’s correct to use “who” about a monster :P) only served the purpose of being a part of the setting, as a part of the scenery, while the real drama was going on between the characters. Or maybe rather around or in them, as there wasn’t really a “between” them until the ending.

The story was told in an examplary way, especially the scene in the basement with Spike was brilliantly done, and is perhaps the reason why I at the moment consider this episode to be the best of the season so far. (“Numfar, do the dance of premature rankings!”) The way they first showed it with only Willow being present, and then with “the Slayer and her boy” (to use Spike’s words) there as well, combined with Spike’s insanity and cryptic comments, was awesome.

As for my immediate impression, quickly sketched above, I have to admit that I love it when the scoobies are gathered and the internal conflicts in the Gang are at a minimum. Some complications is of course both needed and normal, but the “interim” periodes are best in retrospect, in my opinion. I especially enjoy it when everything’s OK between Buffy, Xander and Willow (which is probably why I loved the Xander-Willow scene in “Grave” so much), and although I suspect that the idyll that finished the episode won’t last, it was a nice change from all the ruckus in BS6.

As a finishing comment, I think that one of the things this episode accomplished was to re-establish some sympathy for Anya. Which was nice, too. I’m guessing she won’t have an easy life in the rest of the season (if she survives), being between the rock and a hard place as she is, with her divided loyalties. So a big yay and lots of respect for Anya! :D