Hmmm. Well, you're right. It doesn't help; just kinda makes the whole thing, you know, sadder. But it is interesting, because I'd wondered if there was some kind of behind-the-scenes problem. But is this one of those cases where "sick" means "totally unable to control his addiction anymore?" Because I thought he died of a heroin OD. Or did he have something else wrong with him?

And, for the record, even though I totally resented the death of Doyle (and even though I would totally love to have Xander in the show - Xander for visions, Cordelia for snark and screams, and Wesley for research would make so much more sense, assuming I'm right about what happens in the story), the shows that come afterward really are still good. At least, OK, the ones I've seen, i.e., part of the rest of season one so far.