My head is spinning.
Now we know that the characters who are super-powered or gifted are called The Touched. This could mean a couple things. They literally could have been touched by some powerful being who gave them these abilities. Or this could be the name that society has given them, though I don't think that's it because Joss has said that The Nevers is how society views them (they never should have existed.)
I suspect that there's going to be more than one big bad in the show. There will be the obvious one, but I feel like there's going to be a bigger one out of sight that will make its appearance down the line.
It's very evocative. But I hadn't even consider all the meanings behind it like you brought up. Good points!
That's one of the things I enjoy so much about Joss' storytelling. He always manages to build upon the intrigue and excitement that I he had already laid down (i.e. the Anointed one < Spike and Dru < Angelus.) He always like throwing in twists, and The Nevers is inspired by (or may out right be) Twist, his comic. So there's every bit a chance that there will be a big twist/fake out in TN.
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?