I think it is also interesting that the writers "go political" in this episode. BtVS is very subtle on the political messages, but from time to time they do pop up.

Xander's "clown scene" opens up with symbols of fascism (and a spoken line about it) - the horror behind is (just) a clown. Xander's line puts him firmly in the anti-fascist camp - and his action (beating up the clown) tells us just how much!

We will get several other resonances which target fascism (and fascists) in the future.