I feel like Maggie Walsh would've been a way cooler and effective villain than Adam. Like before she was killed the Scoobies were worried about having the whole government after them and then it was just like not a problem any more. I think it would have been cool to see how they coped with 1. Actual humans being after them 2. The spy and reconnaissance equipment of the initiative 3. Having to make actual differences in how they live their lives in order to avoid the threat. Like I hate the initiative arc because Ew military but I think this is how they could have salvaged it. Imagine like demons the initiative experimented on being sent after them, with crazy alterations that they couldn't predict from what they know about the creature. Or maybe actually getting captured by the initiative and seeing how they treat all the creatures, and having to make a big escape. Not only would it cause Buffy to question her belief that all demons are evil (which is already put into question by Clem in season 6, and by spike being able to search for a soul) but it would be a cool heist like episode. It could also answer some of the questions about the slayer, if the initiative was like trying to do tests on Buffy. And the other Scoobies would have a chance to shine by having to work together to break her out, without Buffy's help. Willow could use more of her tech skills and Xander could have more of a role in the season overall. I just think Maggie Walsh's horrible teacher energy made a more compelling villain as she actively like puts Buffy and Giles down and is shown to properly get under their skin in a way that Adam just doesn't do. It would be a proper underdog story line just like season 5 with Glory as Buffy has to use all her slayer skill to go up against these people with all the gadgets and still come out on top. When Buffy makes that speech to Maggie Walsh about showing her what a slayer is, I kind of wanted to actually see that happen, like some dramatic confrontation that was more than just beating up the nearest person.
