I basically agree with you on every point (you know, it's not fun when you have nothing to argue about :)

As to Roden - so far we've been conditioned to see him as a very ambiguous character. He's a magician. He has Twilight "guidebook". He wants to make Gigi believe that she'll become "the queen of slayers".

He may be manipulating Gigi. He may be manipulating Twilight. He may be manipulating both.

I just wonder if all those dangling plot threads will ever be resolved. Because fans are still wondering who had sent robo-ninjas after Angel. :)