Ditto. All of the above. Spike's lack of expectations is a big solid block, but it looks as he's got little sparks of his own resiliency/hope coming out at him between sleep and wake. I'd think it would be Illyria that did some time switching, without caring much for eventual discontinuity, but Angel also is so ruthless that it wouldn't be strange for him to make plans for others. But still time skipping doesn't explain selective amnesia. Wouldn't it be much too sad if he was just displaced from the battle by chance? Isn't him allowed to have some specific destiny after being thrown here and there for quite a few years? In all the drama, I loved the funny reaction to the strange clothes and hair, and the identification with old war movie prisoners (Spike and the Telly...) It's so touching to see Buffy hovering behind corners and out of the threshold; taking her cue from him this time. I'll say it again: heartbreaking. (Riccadonna)