For him, the unpleasant fact is that Buffy and the Slayerettes did not route the ubervamps themselves. Too bad, though. They didn't.

Yes, that's what I think - and I'm even more cross with myself today for still being upset about it. I probably need to take a complete fandom break.

Regarding the 'histories matter' thing - do you not think it possible that Joss may feel he's already dealt with Spike as part of Buffy's history with the Satsu story? It was before that we had our only mention of Spike (apart from the threesome pic) when Buffy was warning Satsu that bad things happen to people who love her. Joss may feel that the (relatively) untraumatic way the Buffy/Satsu story played out is enough reference to the past.

Naturally, I would like to think not.