Back in the BtVS days, there was usually a fake out Big Bad before the reveal of the "true" Big Bad. Like, Spike and Dru were introduced as the Sid and Nancy vampire duo (taking out the Anointed One), only to have Angelus arise midway into the season to be the "real" Big Bad. The Touched -- that term is so evocative. "Touched" literally means someone/something that has been come into physical contact. It can also mean: the feeling of gratitude or sympathy, i.e. "I'm so touched by your gesture." . And colloquially, "touched" = a little bit insane or crazy. And the Victoria era was still a fairly religious era. Could the term have religious connotations. Touched by God and gifted with powers beyond mortal ken?