The Future Is Now!
I wouldn't go into the future, at all... I would set it in the year that the show begins, and keep things pretty up-to-date, from there. I'd make mention to "the destruction of LA & New Orleans", in the opening episode, and then slowly work in both the end of
Angel (and any of the cast who wanted to reprise their roles), as well as checking in with the survivors from
Buffy (who wanted to reprise theirs), and see what they're all doing...
Along the way, I'd work in some new characters, new slayers (since
Buffy opened it up to any girl who wanted it), and start up some new mysteries, like what
really happened to New Orleans, why FEMA wouldn't go in, what
really happened to LA (and the
Angel cast), etc. During all of this, there'd be plenty of time for occasional visits with Dawn, Xander, Willow, Faith, Spike, and anyone else from either series who wanted to guest for an episode...
In the meantime, a new team with new (and old reprisers) gets set up. THEN, I'd like to see an exploration of the Vampire legend, with a more scientific method, finding out what really affects them, and why. Then, with that knowledge, a new series of high-tech, weapons-toting vampire slayers pop up, putting the suckers on the run for cover (and maybe making a guest appearance on
Supernatural to save Dave & Sam's bacon, when all looks really bleak). Once the new Scoobies really get cracking, they find out that they have been TOO successful, and now have to go out and get REAL jobs... Then we get to see how they react to THAT!
Personally, I think going Sci-Fi is a bad move, and the genres won't mix well. Vampires vs. Power-armor with Anti-Grav and lasers and forcefields doesn't sound all that cool, to me, and the special effects costs will make it impossible to do, on a series basis. I'd rather see "Grampa" T. R. Jones chasing Vamps around NY City at 3:00 AM with his shotgun shells packed with toothpick flechettes, and how he explains it to the cops!
