Did anyone else hate Dawn in this season?

[GaviGrimm]

I understand the importance of Dawn but she annoyed me to no end. She had no respected for Buffy and always got in the way. Buffy went out of her way to protect her, take care of her, even gave her life for her while under so much stress and grief and in the end Dawn kicks her out because Buffy made a couple "bad" choices?

 

[GaviGrimm]

I understand the importance of Dawn but she annoyed me to no end. She had no respected for Buffy and always got in the way. Buffy went out of her way to protect her, take care of her, even gave her life for her while under so much stress and grief and in the end Dawn kicks her out because Buffy made a couple "bad" choices?

Maybe I am, but I still don't think she deserves that.

 

[Athene]

Dawn made it clear even in season 5 that she doesn't like to be coddled and treated like a baby so I can't hold it against her that she's not appreciative of Buffy enough because she's not obligated to appreciate something she doesn't want and didn't ask for. Yes Buffy did give her life for Dawn but all that left Dawn with was more grief and abandonment issues. So it's complicated and Dawn's her own person with her own frustrations and that's understandable especially considering how young she is.

 

[Honoria Dedlock]

The worst thing about Dawn in this season is that she is a contrivance. The show itself addresses this when Buffy finds out she's the key -- she even nearly turns against Dawn out of disgust. But she doesn't - my problem is that the love Buffy has for Dawn isnt really based on growing up with her, it's borne of duty. So in the finale when Buffy sacrifices herself for Dawn, I felt almost nothing. She's not her sister, just a glob of energy that hijacked Buffy's life. Buffy forcing herself to love a mystical being who's a relative stranger is not compelling TV, and it really damages season 5 ino. Luckily Dawn is a lot less annoying in seasons 6 and 7, and even she seems to think she's a redundant nobody.

 

[Puppet]

The worst thing about Dawn in this season is that she is a contrivance. The show itself addresses this when Buffy finds out she's the key -- she even nearly turns against Dawn out of disgust. But she doesn't - my problem is that the love Buffy has for Dawn isnt really based on growing up with her, it's borne of duty. So in the finale when Buffy sacrifices herself for Dawn, I felt almost nothing. She's not her sister, just a glob of energy that hijacked Buffy's life. Buffy forcing herself to love a mystical being who's a relative stranger is not compelling TV, and it really damages season 5 ino. Luckily Dawn is a lot less annoying in seasons 6 and 7, and even she seems to think she's a redundant nobody.

Except she did grow up with her. Memories maketh the man, and all that. While it might be annoying for the viewer that she sacrifices herself for a brand new, inserted, character, it's not, imo, Buffy forcing herself to do anything. Hell, there are evidence in the season that she struggles with trying to see her as just the Key but not being able to force herself to do that. I suppose I'm just different, cause I consider it brilliant writing. Then again, I adore Dawn

(Welcome to the boards, btw!)

 

[GaviGrimm]

Except she did grow up with her. Memories maketh the man, and all that. While it might be annoying for the viewer that she sacrifices herself for a brand new, inserted, character, it's not, imo, Buffy forcing herself to do anything. Hell, there are evidence in the season that she struggles with trying to see her as just the Key but not being able to force herself to do that. I suppose I'm just different, cause I consider it brilliant writing. Then again, I adore Dawn

(Welcome to the boards, btw!)

I'm not a Dawn fan but I agree. I always looked at it from Buffy's point of view instead of my own. I think the season worked itself out well.

 

[Honoria Dedlock]

Except she did grow up with her. Memories maketh the man, and all that. While it might be annoying for the viewer that she sacrifices herself for a brand new, inserted, character, it's not, imo, Buffy forcing herself to do anything. Hell, there are evidence in the season that she struggles with trying to see her as just the Key but not being able to force herself to do that. I suppose I'm just different, cause I consider it brilliant writing. Then again, I adore Dawn

(Welcome to the boards, btw!)

You're right. Memories do maketh the man (or woman)...which is why I think phony, magically conjured memories maketh an equally phony relationship. You could argue Buffy grew to love Dawn in the short time she actually knew her, and in fact I think she did...but Buffys sermons to Dawn and all that stuff seem to come from a place other than real love, I honestly think she does it because she feels she has to. And it shows, when Buffy is distant and sometimes resentful of the burden Dawn has become. I get you have a different opinion though...just my two cents!

Thanks for the welcome 😀

 

[thrasherpix]

I see Dawn as much a victim as Buffy. I do see Buffy as the victim of a spell rather than sisterly love, though I think it grows beyond that in later seasons (perhaps Buffy's sacrifice made Dawn "real" and not just a mere spell as flimsy as most magicks that tend to evaporate fast when destroyed).