Something next to normal, that's the thing I'd like to try

I just don't see what they did that seems fake. They seem be getting asked questions by the Scoobies, and they answer them in an honest fashion or so it seems. Sam seems to not want to impress the Scoobies, but impress Buffy. Not in an "I'm better than you" sense, but in a "I recognize that you are an excellent fighter, and I strive to be an excellent fighter too." She genuinely seems impressed with the skill that Riley says Buffy has; she even worries that she might be slowing Buffy down. To me, what seems more fake in the episode is the Scoobies. Instead of Buffy being honest that she's uncomfortable, she lies and avoids. Willow pretends to be all buddy-buddy until Sam and Riley are out of earshot. It's all rather disingenuous. Maybe that's the point of the episode- perceptions and niceties and then going back as you were when it's over.