I guess it goes to show that we all like different things! :)

But I'm afraid that I can't see s8 Buffy as 'my' Buffy at all - yes she was a general in S7, but that was because she didn't have a clue what to do, and there were all these people looking to *her* to lead them. ("I'm making it all up!" she told Andrew.) She was scared and lonely and afraid of letting anyone be close. But the season helped her work through those issues, showed her that leadership was about more than issuing orders, and helped her re-connect. I have no idea where the righteous 'I am the law' in s8 attitude comes from, and Joss apparently isn't going to show us.

Xander's buttmonkey problem was dealt with extremely well in S5, moving him from loser living at home with a string of rubbish jobs, to guy with a good career, his own flat and a fiancé. Dracula was merely a tool to set him on a path. (That said, the Xander/Dracula thing is hysterical and I approve muchly. I just can't take it remotely seriously.)

And Willow I can't work out at all - future!Willow that is.

But I'm glad you like it!