I, Master … You, Slave – Willow: Warren and katharos, Anya, first kiss, drinking

The original does not explain how Warren is able to conceptualize, design, and build technology years ahead of the curve. Yes, Japanese assemble creepy schoolgirl robots, but nothing remotely close to the battery life and intelligence of his creations. And don’t get me started on the slew of other devices he constructs.
This episode gives Warren an origin story and the source of his expertise. Sure, the katharos is inert inside his body, but this being Hellmouth, anyone wants to place bets on just how long that lasts?
Warren makes deals left and right – at this rate he won’t have a soul left to bargain with. After Willow rejects his inappropriate advances, he goes to Anya for revenge. The vengeance demon is quite clever, making the witch fall for straight Buffy. However, the laugh is on Anya, because Willow is already crushing on the Slayer. As for Buffy, that is left open to interpretation.
It is up to you to decide if the spell affected the Slayer at all, how much if it did, or whether it’s something entirely else, such as wanting to be loved and taking the first good offer when it comes along, albeit with the explicit and stated expectation that there will be no romance (intimacy without sex).
The katharos shreds anyone and everyone, with the exception of Willow. I think the MAN specifically put a safety feature to protect her from his magic. After all, he has big plans for her and they are kind of pointless with her dead. Okay, there is another angle, but that comes in later seasons.
The first kiss is quite simple and it centers of Buffy’s impulsive nature. Caught with the bear and chocolate in hand, she throws her arms around Willow’s neck to hide the evidence. Yes, a very poorly thought out action, leading very naturally to the witch taking advantage of the conveniently placed Slayer lips. Hey, you get that close to Buffy, you have to kiss her. It’s the law.
Angel buys Willow drinks to draw her out of her shell. That almost ends in disaster, with the witch going from happy to depressed drunk. I believe he is actively trying to sabotage the two women’s “friends with emotional benefits” relationship, expecting Willow to say or do something foolish under the influence. Remove the control and who knows what happens – likely, he wins.
Buffy and Angel are progressing towards being an item, while the Slayer continues to suck Willow for affection and love. Kind of harsh and since there is no possibility of attraction on one side, any pursuit in that direction is a dead end. That Buffy continues in the arrangement does not speak well of her.
One final word on that: considering her short lifespan and sacrifices, does Buffy not deserve to take what she can with both hands? Certainty of death for the Slayer and, either way, probable survival with a broken heart for Willow – you decide what is right. Discuss in FORUMS.