I've always hated the idea that empowering all the potentials was the First's plan all along and they fell into his trap. Partially because it destroys the whole point of the series
That depends what you think the point of the series was. If it's that even the most unlikely people can fight evil, there's no contradiction.
Tricking the heroes into doing your work is a classic technique for villains. The possibility that the First did so has to be considered. If you don't, if you close your eyes to the possibility that you were fooled, then you are guilty of hubris. Similarly, evil is well known for evading death, and it is a master of lies. Assuming the First is gone is folly bordering on hubris, no matter how strong the evidence appears.
If the First isn't gone then logically just as it got stronger when they brought Buffy back to keep the balance so empowering all the slayers should make it stronger still, one way or another.
While the idea that the First tricked Buffy and Co does run counter to some aspects and themes of the show, it is entirely in accordance with other aspects and themes of the show, making it a very obvious plot for any continuation.
As for the notion that being tricked devalues their sacrifices, which seems to be one of the principle objections raised, that runs counter to my moral axioms - '"It's not about whether you win or lose, but about how you play the game." What matters is doing the best you can under the circumstances, without ever betraying your principles. It doesn't matter if you are tricked or defeated, if all your efforts were in vain, only that you did you could, without thought of the personal cost, which Buffy & co did.
That depends what you think the point of the series was. If it's that even the most unlikely people can fight evil, there's no contradiction.
Tricking the heroes into doing your work is a classic technique for villains. The possibility that the First did so has to be considered. If you don't, if you close your eyes to the possibility that you were fooled, then you are guilty of hubris. Similarly, evil is well known for evading death, and it is a master of lies. Assuming the First is gone is folly bordering on hubris, no matter how strong the evidence appears.
If the First isn't gone then logically just as it got stronger when they brought Buffy back to keep the balance so empowering all the slayers should make it stronger still, one way or another.
While the idea that the First tricked Buffy and Co does run counter to some aspects and themes of the show, it is entirely in accordance with other aspects and themes of the show, making it a very obvious plot for any continuation.
As for the notion that being tricked devalues their sacrifices, which seems to be one of the principle objections raised, that runs counter to my moral axioms - '"It's not about whether you win or lose, but about how you play the game." What matters is doing the best you can under the circumstances, without ever betraying your principles. It doesn't matter if you are tricked or defeated, if all your efforts were in vain, only that you did you could, without thought of the personal cost, which Buffy & co did.