Xander/Dawn in Potential

[Ripper666]

"Seven years, [...] Working with the Slayer. Seeing my friends get more and more powerful. [...] All of them. And I'm the guy who fixes the windows. They'll never know how tough it is, Dawnie. To be the one who isn't chosen, to live so near to the spotlight and never step in it. But I know. I see more than anybody realizes because nobody's watching me."
―Xande

The speech from Xander to Dawn after she realized that she wasn't chosen was really "epic" in my eyes. There he shows once more what role he has in the scoobie-gang. Dawn felt so allone, you could hardly miss it in this episode. And Xander did such a good job. I think he helped her a lot while talking to her about own experiences. And I think he process that he is sometimes more useless than the other members. I think for him it was even more harder than for Dawn. He saw his friends getting more powerfull and powerfull by every day and he still keep on being the same old Xander by every day. I think that was quite hard for him. But he just tried to help wherever he can. Dawn too.
And I think that the friendship between the two solidified enormously! Dawn felt that she isn't allone and that she is speciall. In a way the other chosen will never be!

Any other oppinions for the episode or the relationship between Xander and Dawn since the speech?

 

[Chosen Enemy]

The brother-sister friendship between Xander and Dawn appeals to me much more than their romantic relationship. They seem to understand each other because in a way they're both outsiders. Xander knew exactly what to say to Dawn because he was feeling what she was feelings. I think what he said to Dawn is what he's been saying to himself all those years. See, Xander, even though being "the weak one" and the "not special one", he had never quit the gang. He sort of knew his place and respected it. He didn't go to try get some superpowers, didn't try to empower himself. He knew his place in the gang and accepted it. That's why he knew exactly what to say to Dawn. There was no reason for them to be mad at the situation or at their friends. That's the best part in this. The acceptance.

 

[Ripper666]

Xander knew exactly what to say to Dawn because he was feeling what she was feelings. I think what he said to Dawn is what he's been saying to himself all those years. ... That's the best part in this. The acceptance.

Word. I agree. But I disagree with the point that they never been mad at the situations of her friends. Dawn tells us sometimes she is and Xander for example, tries to get some attention with love spells and other things.

 

[BuffyElevated]

This scene in "Potential" never ever fails to move me. It's just such a beautiful, sweet moment and for Xander to go out of his way to let Dawn know she's not alone and he knows how she feels is just another reason I love him. 🙂

I admit, when I heard about them in Season 8 I wasn't surprised. Ever since seeing this scene, it kinda put the "what if"s in my head about what could happen if BtVS had've gotten more TV seasons. At first it seemed a little weird, but honestly, if you look at the ages of the characters there was about 5 years between them. The older you yet, the less age matters in a relationship, and from what I've seen out of them in the comics, they seem to truly get each other and love each other, so I'm happy for them that they are together.

 

[Hale Caesar]

A great moment, no doubt about it. But my problem was that Xander and Dawn are both so useless in Season 7, they aren't very relevant to the season, if this moment had happened in Season 5 when they were still slightly interesting I would cherish this moment a lot more.

 

[Aloverssoulz]

When I first heard about Xander and Dawn getting together in the comics I thought it was gross, but after that scene in "Potential" I loved the thoughts of them together and if a season 8 (tv show) was to be made I would have wanted them together 😛

GREAT SCENE.

 

[November]

It is one of the few scenes where I actually like Xander. I thought it was a lovely 'big brother' moment. I hate the idea that he and Dawn are an item in the comics. I find it a bit gross that he had pretty much been family to her and a bit too much like the bold and the beautiful having him fall in love with one sister, then move on to the other when he has no chance with the first one.

 

[BuffyElevated]

It is one of the few scenes where I actually like Xander. I thought it was a lovely 'big brother' moment. I hate the idea that he and Dawn are an item in the comics. I find it a bit gross that he had pretty much been family to her and a bit too much like the bold and the beautiful having him fall in love with one sister, then move on to the other when he has no chance with the first one.

You should read the comics or watch the web comic.... The progression is actually really cute and non creepy. 😉

 

[November]

You should read the comics or watch the web comic.... The progression is actually really cute and non creepy. 😉

I've tried to read the comics, read the first few but I just cant get into them unfortunately. I would have loved to have been able to so I could keep enjoying the buffyverse but I found them lame and boring. I read the spoilers though but that is the only place I am geting my information from so I shouldnt really comment.

 

[Ripper666]

But my problem was that Xander and Dawn are both so useless in Season 7...

Ohh that's interesting. I don't think they are useless. I agree with you in the point that their storyline wasn't very well developed in season 7 but in my eyes they are of course usefull! I think the writters may concentrate to much on Spike and Buffy and Willow!
I think Xander or Dawn had important parts in the episodes:
"Him",
"Potential" where Dawn shows how strong she really is,
"Conversations With Dead People" great episode in which Dawn helps her dead mom,
"Selfless" where Xander has to decide between Buffy and Anja(nka)!