Dead Man's Party

Xander summed it up: If you try to bury things, they'll come back up. He was talking about the issues related to Buffy's running away, but zombies were attacking them as he said it. So this is one time when the metaphor is impossible to miss!

Willow and Buffy talk, finally, after dancing around issues the whole episode. Buffy and her mom apparently do, too--but if Xander and Buffy do, there's no hint. However, he makes the strongest statement about Buffy needing to talk, to not isolate herself. He supports Joyce, siding against Buffy in the big argument. Willow backs away from confronting Buffy, but Xander does it because it needs done. Is that part of how he shows manhood and loyalty? Could be.

Notably, Buffy is still dreaming about Angel, sensuous, death-filled dreams

One thing worth noting: some of the intense emotional scenes include dialogue that is ridiculous. It fits with the situation and characters, but the sincerity of the actors in the emotions they bring to the scenes create credibility. Because they take it seriously, we can also. That's a large part of why the show resonants. It is campy, but not because the actors triviolize it or treat it frivolously. That is part of what makes the show.