Very interesting thoughts. I watched Buffy in real time, but without fandom input. And since I am by nature someone who sits back and waits to see where the story goes, I never had much of a problem with the slowness. On the other hand I watched S1-4 of AtS in a day-to-day marathon (reading online reviews etc), and S5 in real time (but still only on the very outskirts of fandom), and I'm wondering how that affected me.
As for the cakes, and the comics... I think the Spike issue is an issue because we never found out if Buffy knew that he was back. Maybe she did, maybe she didn't, and fic has certainly explored every possibility. Basically the fans want this plot thread tied up one way or another, IMHO, and s8 is less than forthcoming. (Scott Allie says that she knows, but going by her conversation with Satsu it seems like she doesn't. Personally I'd rather that Spike marry Spider than hook up with comic!Buffy, but that's just me... *g*)
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As for the cakes, and the comics... I think the Spike issue is an issue because we never found out if Buffy knew that he was back. Maybe she did, maybe she didn't, and fic has certainly explored every possibility. Basically the fans want this plot thread tied up one way or another, IMHO, and s8 is less than forthcoming. (Scott Allie says that she knows, but going by her conversation with Satsu it seems like she doesn't. Personally I'd rather that Spike marry Spider than hook up with comic!Buffy, but that's just me... *g*)