Why I enjoyed last night's Buffy:

[butterfly]

Disclaimer: I have enjoyed every episode of Buffy this year. I like every single character. I'm really having fun watching it.

Now, why is this season working for me when it isn't for many people?

I don't have any insight on anyone else's point of view, just on mine. So, I'm going to say exactly what made me enjoy The Killer in Me so much.

First, the episode title referred to three characters, one in each of the plotlines - Spike's chip in his head would have been fatal, Giles could be the First, and Willow's actually dealt with two issues, the killer inside herself and looking outwardly like the man who killed her love. I like it when the title is related to all of the main storylines.

Second, we saw the 'magic addiction' storyline get blasted. Amy was only pretending to be 'recovering'. She actually seemed pretty damn healthy to me. She was using Willow's own words from last year against her.

Third, we got Riley-implications, but no Riley. I actually do rather like the idea of Riley, but I don't like the character himself. And the actions of the commando guys says a) he meant what he said to Buffy in As You Were and b) he's in very good with the military.

Fourth, I liked the chip malfunctioning. For starters, it made me giggle, and it also made sense. It's a highly experimental piece of equipment. It's a miracle that it's lasted this long and it probably only has because it didn't need to be used for so long.

Fifth, the cuteness of the Giles-tackle.

Sixth, did I mention yet that Willow made me cry when she was breaking down about Tara? I love seeing that Willow still isn't coping. And while I like Kennedy, she should have let Willow cry. 'Fixing' her doesn't really fix anything, she's just putting a band-aid over a bullet hole.

Those are the main things that I adored about the episode. Now, there were things that I would have liked more: more original scooby interaction, less of the apparent need to remind every five seconds that it wasn't really Warren, more Xander, and maybe a little more Spike in pain in a background shot.