Contemplating imagery, after image, after quote (after bobbing head movement, heh) in my head, i've come to the conclusion that there's nothing wrong with her as a powerful witch (she's still just as lovely), i just have a better frame of mind when i remember her from the good old days you know? When it was sorta much more exciting to see what happened next. I maybe speaking out of speculation towards Season 6 (don't get me wrong, i still love Buffy TVS), i just kind of liked it more when the cult television show was coming of age.
As for what that has to do with Willow, i think her character has definitely developed nicely and the magical Wicca powers/relationship with Tara aspects are predominantly still two of the main reasons to why i love the show. It's just like i said, i liked the show better before ( pref. <--s4) and as Willow has *always* been my favourite character (thus being the person i watch the show in most respects towards), i thought the shy, paranoid and let's not forget the dating Oz!!! Willow was better. Not by far... but better. 🙂