Just to get some Friday Buffy conversaton started, I've been thinking about the characters and when the were happiest (during the show's timeline). Here's what I could come up with:

Buffy - Right at the beginning of Season 5, before Dracula came to town.
Willow - At the beginning of Season 4, during the first few days of college.
Xander - Season 2, "Go Fish", before he knew about the steroids.
Giles - I have a hard time with this one, but maybe during "Passions" when he smelled the rose before going up the steps to the horror of Jenny's death.
Angel - we all know when his happiest moment was.
Dawn - Another tough call. Maybe duirng "Seeing Red" when she found that Tara and Willow were back together.
Cordelia - I'd have to go with "Go Fish" for her as well (at least on Buffy, when she saw Xander in the Speedo.
Oz - At the end of "Graduation Day", perhaps.
Anya - I think Anya's happiest moment would either be the song seen in "Selfless" that took place during OMWF or while she was reciting her wedding vows while getting her dress ready in "Hells Bells".

That's my list. Now off to lunch.

Xander - Season 2, "Go Fish", before he knew about the steroids.

How about late S4-early S5? Especially right after "The Replacement," where he has a steady girlfriend, a good apartment, and the feeling of job security that comes with being recently promoted.

What a about Spike - as a series regular, I'd say it was when he said it was (whether you like or not is another question), i.e. the one perfect night with Buffy - although possibly when he went poof in Chosen. He certainly seemed gleeful.

On the show overall, I'd say when he first got the gem of Anara.

How about late S4-early S5? Especially right after "The Replacement," where he has a steady girlfriend, a good apartment, and the feeling of job security that comes with being recently promoted.

That's pretty good. Maybe even further on, to "Checkpoint", when his existence as a member of the gang was validated once again ( "I've clocked field time." ) Although he did have a damaged arm he was nursing from "Triangle". Hmm. Also, he probably was worried about Buffy and missed having Riley around at that time. Now that I think about it, right after the end of "The Replacement" sounds about right.

As far as Spike goes, I don't think any of the post-Drusilla, pre-Buffy time would qualify. I think pre-chip his happiest moment was when he offed the Annoying One, and post-chip, pre-soul would be when he realized Buffy was alive in "After Life". Spike-with-a-soul's happiest moment would be that night with Buffy in "Touched".

Spike? Killing the Chinese Slayer. What was that, Fool for Love?

Spike? Killing the Chinese Slayer. What was that, Fool for Love?

Yes, "Fool For Love". I wasn't counting that because it wasn't in the time span of the show, at least the way I was thinking about it.

I'd say pre-chip Spike was the moment in S2 when he learned he could walk again -- and the others didn't know.

I'd say pre-chip Spike was the moment in S2 when he learned he could walk again -- and the others didn't know.

Yeah, but he was steamed about Angel cutting in on his and Dru's relationship. I posit that the return of Angleus really wasn't Spike's happiest time.

I bought Gem of Amarra at first, but that was right after Drusilla left Spike for a chaos demon, wasn't it? He didn't seem very happy from the way he treated Harmony.

What was Joyce's happiest? End of School Hard?

Buffy - Right at the beginning of Season 5, before Dracula came to town.

But wasn't she all freaked out about needing to hunt and being unfufilled with Riley (from the teaser to B v. Dracula). Happiest moment for her in my memory is when she accepted the Class Protector Award. As Joss has said many times though, happy Buffy = show bad, so we never got to see it much.

and post-chip, pre-soul would be when he realized Buffy was alive in "After Life".

That is his happiest moment pre-Touched in my book. The look on his face...

But other than Buffy maybe - I agree with the rest.