Exactly. The only alternative explanation that I've seen (other than OMG Joss, why did you choose the boring and obvious ending?) is likeadeuce writing that all three characters were trapped in their roles. I don't like that, but I understand it. I do think, though, that Joss was going for much more, and then just didn't bother.

It's not that I didn't expect a Women in Refrigerators scenario. It's that I hoped, for once, I would be surprised.

Me too.

ETA: And if he's going about mocking cliches (the hammer is my penis, FTW), he'd better have something other than a great big cliche to end the story!