Ooh! Very interesting essay here. You know, there were so many moments of Dawn's brattiness, and moments of the Potentials annoying ways, that it is sometimes hard to see just what exactly the purpose of their conduct on the show was. Your essay really points out the need for their behavior, as a learning tool for Buffy. It's really amazing how everything seems to make more and more sense as people point out their theories.
I find it fascinating that Buffy was given this charge to care for Dawn at exactly the right time when she would need this link more than ever. By connecting with Dawn, Buffy was, in a way, connecting more with the human part of herself.
Exactly, Dawn came at just the right time to connect with Buffy before their mom passed away. Her scenes with Dawn always struck me as very real and human. And in fact, it seems her sacrifice in The Gift was chosen by the human part of herself, and not just because she was the slayer, defender of the world, blah, blah, blah. It really makes that episode even more moving and emotional. Joss, you brilliant bastard!
In a way, the Potentials are Buffy's supernatural family just as Dawn is, and in dealing with them Buffy is learning how to be herself.
Oh I love this! Yes, they are all connected in this supernatural way. And with Buffy having to take charge and lead and train them, she really does take on the big sister role. What an interesting idea! I love the thought that it was necessary for Buffy to learn these roles, from both Dawn and the potentials, in order to free the Slayers from the Watchers. It all seems so perfect, and now I'm all full of girl-power pride, which I suppose was the intent of the potentials storyline all along.
Wonderful, thought provoking ideas, thank you so much for sharing them!
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2006-02-13 03:39 am (UTC)I find it fascinating that Buffy was given this charge to care for Dawn at exactly the right time when she would need this link more than ever. By connecting with Dawn, Buffy was, in a way, connecting more with the human part of herself.
Exactly, Dawn came at just the right time to connect with Buffy before their mom passed away. Her scenes with Dawn always struck me as very real and human. And in fact, it seems her sacrifice in The Gift was chosen by the human part of herself, and not just because she was the slayer, defender of the world, blah, blah, blah. It really makes that episode even more moving and emotional. Joss, you brilliant bastard!
In a way, the Potentials are Buffy's supernatural family just as Dawn is, and in dealing with them Buffy is learning how to be herself.
Oh I love this! Yes, they are all connected in this supernatural way. And with Buffy having to take charge and lead and train them, she really does take on the big sister role. What an interesting idea! I love the thought that it was necessary for Buffy to learn these roles, from both Dawn and the potentials, in order to free the Slayers from the Watchers. It all seems so perfect, and now I'm all full of girl-power pride, which I suppose was the intent of the potentials storyline all along.
Wonderful, thought provoking ideas, thank you so much for sharing them!