For me, Buffy/Angel in s3 was all about getting them to realize that they couldn't be together. It did start to feel a bit like beating a dead horse though...
I didn't like Xander/Willow either, & I guess it was to put her crush to bed, but... there are other ways to give characters that kind of closure! It really wasn't needed at all, it's like the writers just wanted romantic drama for no reason
