I love that Xander still has so much sense of self. He speaks to Spike as though he still has choices because Spike hasn't done anything to make him think he hasn't. Spike acknowledging that he respects Xander's loyalty, but Xander has to understand the depths of his despair at Giles' treachery were lovely. You're keeping the murderous fiend appealing and even sympathetic in this story, and that's a hard balancing act.

Black Wind's cryptic advice and gift are intriguing and now Xander has a favour owed, too. He and Spike both came out ahead in paying Spike's debt. I wonder if Black Wind meant the forces keeping him and Spike together are no longer magical but physical or emotional.

I'm sorry to see Wes go so quickly, but he would probably have died of a heart attack in Spike's care. Xander has the ability to go with the flow, but at this point Wes was pretty unadaptable.

I'm just glad the story is finished. I would have been on the edge of my seat waiting week after week!