Re. the current discussions, then green_maia has an absolutely lovely post, that you should all read.

Personally, then I love my show, but I think I might be all argued out. I've been here 5 1/2 years after all, have written/read/debated every issue under the sun in that time, and now I'm happy just sitting here on the back porch in comfortable silence.

Still - if anyone wants to know my thoughts on Buffy and Spike, go here, because the_royal_anna said it best:

'There's always a back doorstep, if you like – always a place the two of them can find where they can sit, side-by-side, and put everything else behind them.'