Potential...Who else felt bad for Dawn?

I didn't feel bad for her; and even if I did, Xander's speech more than makes up for it. That's one of the few scenes that really makes me tear up, it says a lot about both characters. I mean... no matter how much someone dislikes Xander, he at least deserves some respect for this one.

My favorite scene in this one is when Dawn and Amanda are in the classroom fighting the vamp. When Dawn is using all the classroom items, along with Buffy's voiceover. So what if she's not a Potential, she's proven that she's come quite a long way as a fighter--when she needs to, she can kick some bumpy foreheads.

Amanda was maybe my least favorite of the potentials. I couldn't get her "Freaks and Geeks" persona out of my head while watching her as a potential. My favorite Potential would be Vi, though; I love when Spike trains with them and what Vi says afterward.
 
I suppose that when I watched this (before Xander's speech) I really did feel a little sympathy for Dawn. Joss showed us over the series how hard it can be to be a champion, or someone with some supernatural gift to bring to the mix, but in this episode we get a glimpse of how hard it can be for someone who isn't "special".

The only thing about Dawn that was really extrodinary at this point in her life is that she used to be a ball of energy and that most of her life had essentially been a lie. She had a slayer for a big sister, friends who were demons or witches, but nothing in herself that she felt made her "special" I guess. Being a potential was a chance at having a mission in life; being one of the "chosen few" just like her big sister once was. And then in an instant that possibility was taken away. So yeah, I can definitely sympathize with Dawn.

But then we hear Xander's speech, which was brilliant writing in my opinion, and it was great to see the "un-superheroes" getting some attention. They may not have to deal with the same problems and trials as Buffy or Anya or Willow, but it didn't mean that their life was necessarily any easier. And then I couldn't help but feel a little sympathetic towards both Dawn and Xander (but in a warm and fuzzy way, I guess).


That being said, Dawn was still very young in Season 7 and I think that eventually her character would (or will) find her own place in the supernatural world. She just hasn't had the time or the experience to find that place yet, and she's lucky enough to have a safe haven with her "circle of superhero friends" until she does.
 
caitaintdead agrees: Hey! Even I like Xanders speech here. Gets a win from me!
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That's cause you're awesome! 😀 I was referring to anti-Xanders in another forum, though. I was shocked at how much they were twisting the speech to make it offensive.
 
I am glad that Dawn was able to react quickly the moment she realised it was Amanda and not her. Sure it is hard not to feel the special one in the family, but everyone is special in his/her own way.
 
It always makes me cry! I love it. In fact, I think I'll post it, just so I can read it again:

"They'll never know how tough it is, Dawnie. To be the one who isn't chosen; to live so near the spotlight and never step in it. But I know. I see more than anybody realizes, 'cause nobody's watching me. I saw you last night, I see you working here today... You're not special. You're extraordinary."

I love the look on her face when he tells her she's not special. It's that momentary hurt when you're afraid the other person will just confirm your doubts--and then he tells her she's extraordinary. Awwwww.
 
Felt so sorry for Dawn but then Xander's wonderful speech made it all ok. Fantastic
 
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