I wasn't sure what to expect with this episode. An Anya (yeah, great grammar, I know) centred episode is something that didn't exactly have me jumping for joy. Recently she has started to grate big time on my nerves (though I did feel sympathy for her in Hells Bells), but this was actually a pleasant surprise.

First up, let's deal with the main event. Spike shaggin' Anya! The thing is, it seems so natural for both of them to be attracted to each other as they have very similar backgrounds. Both are demons, both have committed various hideous acts on people over the years (Anya especially since she has 800 years on Spike) and both are reformed (sort of) characters. It's all the more surprising that we haven't seen more of these two together. Of course, the main reason for that was because Xander and Anya were joined at the hip and effectively became one character. This led to some serious weak storylines for Xander and he effectively went AWOL for the past couple of seasons. In fact, the only Xander centred episode of recent history was The Replacement. Even Giles, a character who very rarely took center stage, got more storys than poor Xan!

This is why the disastrous marriage was so good! It separates Xander and Anya and gives them some room to breathe. I mean, look how different they are only after 2 episodes. Anya is a Vengeance Demon again and Xander is brandishing axes and trying to kill Spike.

Would Xander have killed Spike if he wasn't stopped? Definitely. Xander has no time for Vampires, with or without a chip or soul. This has been a constant characterisation of Xander since day 1. I think it all stems from his best friend, Jessie, who was turned into a vampire and had to be staked (way back in the Pilot (1.2)). Giles told him there that his friend was essentially dead and the creature that killed him was wearing his friend's face. Now of course we have souls in jars and chips and demon blood that can turn you human so it's not strictly a 100% one way journey. But yeah, Xander doesn't like vamps and he plain doesn't like Spike. So if there was one person he would not want Anya to have sex with in the whole world, it's Spike (and maybe Angel).

In fact, when you think about it, that is why he is almost as shocked to find out that Buffy was sleeping with Spike. He used to fancy Buffy and was turned down, only for her to have sex with a Vamp. And now she sleeps with Spike and his fiancé cheats on him with a Vamp as well! No wonder he was coming after Spike with an axe. Of course it wasn't love between Spike & Anya. Just drunk bad decision sex. Neither of them would comment on it or think about it again afterwards (though I'm sure Spike would love to tease Xander about it. But probably for the sake of Anya he would keep quiet).

I'm glad that there seems to be little chance of reconciliation for Xander and Anya after this (which sounds harsh I know) because they are so much better characters separate than together. I'm also glad that Buffys "secret" is out. Pretty much the reaction you would expect. Shock and perhaps a serious raising of the eyebrow but beyond that acceptance and relief that it's over.

Of course, the gang found out about Spike & Anya through the hidden camera in the Magic Box. It makes sense that the nerds would have tabs on everybody though I do wonder how they're funding all this. They're talking about doing a sizeable robbery but they all seem to be pretty minted anyway with the amount of gadgets they have. Beyond their toys revealing to the gang Spikes tryst with Anya, they weren't featured much really. Jonathon clearly wants out and Warren is definitely plotting to kill him. That's about it really.

And of course the other big story was Willow and Tara getting back together. I genuinely wondered if they would, but while everybody else is in damaging relationships or falling apart, they are truly in love. I just hope Tara remains as strong a character now she's back with Willow. I also hope that Tara remains in the show! I'm having a very bad feeling about this, but I hope I'm wrong.