Thanks! And yes, the episode violates all sorts of rules of the Buffyverse - but for once, IMO, there's a plot point to that and I think it works. Though I realise not everyone agrees.
Further it reinforces the trend for using Xander only as comic relief
Really? I disagree. This is the episode where he decides to NOT just be comic relief, after all. It's after his experience here that he starts growing up - granted, not the most exciting or plot-centric of growing up, but still.
I agree with it cheapening Angel's arc, I felt that about Spike and Harmony.
Again, I don't entirely agree. Harmony never had an arc, and she ultimately ended up just as dumb and egocentric as every other vampire (OK, even dumber than most). Spike had a different arc than Angel, but it still wasn't like waving a wand and making him good overnight; arguably, it took 4 entire seasons. But regardless of that, what I'm wary of here is some sort of quick fix where redemption (cheesy word, but whatever you want to call it) is bestowed upon Dracula or a bunch of vampires wholesale, simply because it's convenient or necessary to defeat a greater evil. So far, of course, they haven't done that, so we'll just see if they do. Besides, it's just the comics anyway. :-)
no subject
Further it reinforces the trend for using Xander only as comic relief
Really? I disagree. This is the episode where he decides to NOT just be comic relief, after all. It's after his experience here that he starts growing up - granted, not the most exciting or plot-centric of growing up, but still.
I agree with it cheapening Angel's arc, I felt that about Spike and Harmony.
Again, I don't entirely agree. Harmony never had an arc, and she ultimately ended up just as dumb and egocentric as every other vampire (OK, even dumber than most). Spike had a different arc than Angel, but it still wasn't like waving a wand and making him good overnight; arguably, it took 4 entire seasons. But regardless of that, what I'm wary of here is some sort of quick fix where redemption (cheesy word, but whatever you want to call it) is bestowed upon Dracula or a bunch of vampires wholesale, simply because it's convenient or necessary to defeat a greater evil. So far, of course, they haven't done that, so we'll just see if they do. Besides, it's just the comics anyway. :-)