Dawn's reaction in Tabula Rasa.

[Nikita]

I'm not sure if this belongs here, but I thought I'd post it here to be safe.

What did Dawn's reaction in Tabula Rasa with Tara really mean? I mean, Tara went to hug her and she just walked off, yet an episode or so later she's sipping milkshakes with Tara after being SO upset.

I just find it confusing...

 

[methos]

well i can kinda understand it...

i mean, viewing it from Dawn's point of view, she didn't really understand a lot of what Tara had been going through, she just saw Tara hurting Willow and leaving...

Tara probably explained bits of it to her soon after, and thats why they were happily having milkshakes again

M

 

[Zeppo]

It was another person in her life leaving. Buffy had just come back (from Heaven, which made them all sad) and now the person who took care of her since her big sis's death leaves. It sucks, I get it. I think it's her just dealing, showing her disproval. I adore Tara and Dawn's relationship.

 

[dan k]

I viewed it simply as Dawn not wanting Tara to leave and that she was upset, hence why she rejected the hug.

 

[zobothehobo]

At first when I saw this title I thought this was about how awful Dawn was written Tabula Rasa and how when they woke up she acted like she was 10 or younger not 15.... but this I understand. I understand why Dawn ran out. She felt betrayed by Tara. It probably felt like Tara wasn't just leaving Willow, she was leaving Dawn too. The milkshake and movie thing was Tara extending an arm to Dawn saying "I didn't leave you." That's why Dawn came and had a great time. I remember when my dad left, it felt like he left us kids too. But then as soon as he invited us to his new place in Raleigh I was fine. I, like Dawn, just needed to know and feel my parent figure hadn't left me, they left their partner.

 

[Taake]

I'm not sure if this belongs here, but I thought I'd post it here to be safe.

What did Dawn's reaction in Tabula Rasa with Tara really mean? I mean, Tara went to hug her and she just walked off, yet an episode or so later she's sipping milkshakes with Tara after being SO upset.

I just find it confusing...

She was a hurt kid. Seeing, as mentioned, yet another person leave her life not to mention one so close to her. At that point, with Buffy having been gone, Willow and Tara were her remaining parental figures. She weren't privy to all things that had gone on between them and doubtlessly did not understand their break-up at that point.

Tara leaving was an abandonment and just like any other kid she 'lashed' out in the way of rejecting the hug, wanting to hurt Tara back, possibly enough to make her stay. Not all unlike a situation where two parents are splitting up.

The episode where she goes out with Tara for milkshakes and fun always seemed to me like the estranged parental figure reaching out. Still reassuring the child a part in its life even if it may be peripherally only.
No doubt Tara was very important to Dawn and vice versa and both of them wanted to keep the connection they shared regardless of Willow's and Tara's relationship status.