I've been doing a lot of hunting for foreshadowing lately and there's this exchange from Smashed:
BUFFY: I know. But I think she'll be fine. This is Willow, she of the level head
ANYA: Those are the ones you have to watch out for the most. Responsible types.
BUFFY: Right. Cause they might go all crazy and start alphabetizing everything.
ANYA: I'm serious. Responsible people try so hard to be good all the time. When they get a taste of being bad, they can't get enough. It's like.. kablooey!
BUFFY: That's not true..
ANYA: Okay, not kablooey. More like BAM!
XANDER: It is human nature, Buff. Will's getting a taste of something powerful. Way bigger than her.
ANYA: She was getting out of control with it before Tara left. And now that she's gone...
XANDER: It must be seductive, just to give in to it. Go totally wild. We need to keep an eye on her.
Also, the idea of Sunnydale starting to resemble Hell is something that's been foreshadowed a few times as well.
It's hard to know what to make of all this.
Edited to add: Also, if what happens is essentially everyone backsliding even further into the worst habits from this season, only intensified, then the idea of Buffy asking Giles to deal with Dawn would be consistent with that as well.
I think I need a break. This is starting to give me a headache.
Ari
[This message has been edited by Ari (edited March 18, 2002).]