I found that there are several points in the seventh season when they try to make the point that It's All About Spike After All and it really did come across as derailing to me. I was just really uncomfortable over the whole theme that it's okay to rape a woman if you decide that X, Y, and Z are part of your manly man quest for redemption.

And, be honest: did you really see Spike as a sacrifice there and not a crowning moment of awesome that would guarantee his quick reincarnation in the next season of Angel? This card has been played too often and never offered to the Kendras and Joyces and Taras and Anyas of the world.

On the plus side, there is the awesomeness of Faith and Robin bickering over which of them is prettier.