Feeling smug here 'cos I thought Spike would get his soul back and he did!!
I thought that is what he was actually asking for "so Buffy gets the man she deserves". I've just seen some posts that suggest he wanted the chip removed and there was a slight misunderstanding!
Now Spike's reaction to that would be awesome to watch.
However I kinda think these quests are usually well understood and he was really wanting the soul! Maybe we'll see him write some poetry!!

I thought Dawn or Xander would stop Willow - should have realised it would be Xander because of the emphasis on him being useless, and the childhood friends thing!
Whilst getting Willow or the magic to defeat itself was the only thing that was going to stop her, and it was a little cliched, I thought it worked well.

What struck me was that Buffy was largely sidelined in this episode. Willow almost had to sruggle to find her something heoric to do!
OK so she kept everyone alive long enough for Giles and Xander to come through but this is the finale Buffy had a minor role in.
Her big ending was to finally see the light, and Dawn as an individual and equal. Growing up I guess?
What worries me is that the world Buffy has to show Dawn!
She has hardly left Sunnydale in 6 years and her experiences have not exactly been of the most happy to pass on. Does that just leave the "underworld". Is the powerful woman Buffy refers to the next Slayer??!!
Can I take another 6 months waiting for series 7?