All I can offer is that there still aren't complete spoilers for TTG and Grave.
Perhaps Buffy will say something (maybe to Xander after he apparently tells Dawn about the attack) that will show us what she thinks about Spike and his actions and her treatment of him this year?
Maybe after what happens with Willow, they will _all_ see themselves more clearly?
I think a few aspects of the history of the show can give hope for some positive meaning to come from all this: Faith's journey (it's _never_ too late?), IOHEFY (forgiveness isn't about the deserving?), Tara's forgiveness of Willow in Entropy (forgiveness is possible?), the existence of Clem, a trustworthy and kind demon (absolutes are untenable?).
As to next season, IMHO it's impossible to return to S1. Maybe this is just an attempt to reassure fans that Buffy (and the season) will be more positive next year, but without giving anything away? It seems to me that making ambiguous or misleading statements to generate discussion about the show would be what ME would try to do. Not in a cruel way, but rather to maintain interest. Also, "Back to the Beginning" (the other theme discussed for next year) could be suggesting Buffy discovering more about the Slayer (thus more about herself). Since S7 is probably the last, it seems this would be something ME should explore before the end.
I'm sure this probably didn't help, sorry, I tried my best. :)
I just wanted to let you know that you articulated (far more clearly than I could) my own worries about this season's end.
Everything seems (from the spoilers) like Humpty Dumpty right now (to me), I can't imagine how they will be able to put everything back together again. OTOH, they must think they can. :)
