it doesnt suggest awful season 6 didnt exist (well, season 6 is still good tv compared to a lot) but that all of it never really happens. I mean yeah, it all makes you think, but by season 6 the whole 'road travelled' feeling gets dashed by the suggestion that no road was ever travelled.
With buffy spending season 6 not knowing where she belongs, its annoying to see that its possible the entire universe doesnt belong ;P
As for the breathing thing, I always found it weird. Angel couldnt give buffy mouth to mouth in season one tho im sure he wanted to, but when bursting out of his grave when he first became a vampire he and darla seemed to have enough breath for anyone. Why is this.