It seemed silly to me that loving two vampires is apparently, generally, an indicator for particular awesomeness. If Buffy weren't her sister, I'd think Dawn has the hots for her, given the way she praised Buffy to the sky like a crushing fangirl.
Independent from the story itself, which I can't rate yet, the patronizing on-the-nose dialogue constantly pulls me out of it. It actually became better with the dragon's attack just alone because the characters kept their mouths shut.
Reading Spike's Dr. Freudish self-evaluation ("I feel I have grown... do I get a cookie? Look at my sad puppy eyes!") or Buffy yet again dwelling in self-pity (like... on principle) starting with the obligatory "It's me..." and followed with a basic "I'm such a loser and victim! Whaaah!" plus Dawn's "enthusiastic" attempt at cheering her up made me cringe.
However, I thought the corny panel with the almost Spuffy kiss was good unintentional satire. "Mmmm, tasty slug demon... come here, Buffy!" 😀
Washing hands or changing clothes after having killed a slimy demon before attending a barbecue is overrated courtesy anyway.
Best line: "Fighting the damn dragon!" Yo, Buffy, you're totally right. ENOUGH is enough! (/Samuel L. Jackson voice)
Best character: Giles. He's a miserable (and apparently bitter) prick but it's refreshing how the text doesn't dwell on it in form of boring monologs. He's just an ass and us readers can judge and interpret without getting told what to think.
Not much to say about Willow and nothing about Xander except that he doesn't feel like a pedophile anymore. Willow's obviously all fulfilled and purposeful and the line about readjusting to the natural and supernatural world seems like pretty obvious foreshadowing.
I liked Buffy and Willow fighting the dragon (partly because of the less talking) and saving each other. A small gleam in an otherwise tedious season opener. Definitely the weakest opener of all.
At first glance, the story will probably be more political and mirror the current division of our society with influences from Marvel's Civil War and maybe some parallels to the Holocaust. Maybe something like: the dragon was sent by a third party (human or demon) who has an interest in general chaos or a personal vendetta with one of the Scoobies (likely Spike, Buffy or Willow). I think there might be a Scooby conflict based on the main social conflict with Willow & Buffy on opposing sides and of course some Spuffy standard romance angst. Since Spike is all grown, he might function as some kind of arbiter which was already practiced in S10 on a smaller scale. Or he'll function as a damsel because he's a vampire without human rights and the government won't acknowledge his soul. The reason why Giles will be sent to highschool might be to hide him from the authorities. Xander and Dawn will play only a little role, if at all, given the duration of the season, and predominantly provide food, some one-liners, and medical care. Andrew is hopefully just... not there.
