Character Inconsistency

[Iwearthecheese]

I agree. With Buffy I headcanon it that she just got to experience what it's like to fight monsters without her superpowers (Helpless) and it really traumatized her, which is why she's overprotective towards Xander.

Good head-canon. 'Helpless' may've affected Buffy's views towards 'powerless' Xander. 🙂

Oz, Giles and Faith didn't really exclude Xander, Giles actually wanted Xander to bring more donuts to which Buffy pointedly argued, "No!" And it's actually Buffy who is so set on it.

Good point. Giles wants Xander to get donuts - and there really isn't a single reaosn why Xander couldn't be involved in both research and getting supplies. That's always been a part of 'Scoobie research mode' in the past.
Oz is currently a wolf, he gets no say! 🙂
Faith...well, she accepted Xander helping her out of a tough fight with no complaint...then sorta got caught up in the moment and uh, 'made use of him' in a way. But at least she asked him if he was okay with it first.

Now Willow and Angel?

Angel was just odd- to see them act around each other without Buffy there. He wasn't b
Willow is maybe coloured by her recent kisage with Xander? Feeling a bit more protective towards him than she had in the past, even subconsciously.
Also high school Willow takes her cue from Buffy more, if Buffy doesn't want it then Willow is more likely to acquiesce and go with whatever.

 

[Ethan Reigns]

Inconsistencies:

Xander in 'OMWF'. Do I believe that he actually summoned Sweet? Not really because its not in hs character. He played with magical forces once and got burned, he wouldn't do it again. That's not Xander's thing. I think in 'Selfless' he's seen doing it in his sleep but its still very weak for what is a throwaway joke.
I still think it was Dawn. 😛

This exchange between Dawn and Sweet shows you are right:

SWEET
I don't make the rules; she summoned
me.
DAWN
I so did not! He keeps saying that!
SWEET
You've got my talisman on, sweet
thing.

Dawn looks down at the necklace, realizes.
DAWN
Oh! But -- no! I just -- this at
the Magic Box... on the floor, and I
was cleaning and I forgot to... But
I didn't summon anything.

So it was klepto Dawn who summoned Sweet by wearing the necklace from hell. The explanation that follows where Xander claims to have summoned Sweet is not really comprehensible, let alone believable.