Everything a-spoilered, separated for convenience of reply.
Ashanti wasn’t abysmal, just a bit limp - and her part was not at all well written. I’d suggest she not give up her day job, except her day job is reputedly singing and having heard her I must say that giving it up would be about the best thing she could do.
The wire scene. Andrew’s questions are so blatantly leading that the First shouldn’t have had to wonder for a second where Andrew’s loyalties lay. Even Andrew is not that stupid. I suppose you could give the excuse that he’s scared out of his wits, but come on…
What is Wood going to do re Spike now?
Is Wood coming under the control of the First? Was he under that control before, or did he cover the Seal of Danzathar to stop the likes of Lissa finding it?
How does a French restaurant in a Sunnydale back alley get so much custom after dark?
Back-to-back episodes without that accent - could it be that ME have finally realised Molly is leading the audience to root for the First?