This episode was pretty straight forward for the first half, and I thought it was predictable. By that I mean that I saw Dawn being the potential slayer from a mile away, the second Willow said "Slayer in Sunnydale." But then, as I thought they really wanted to push Dawn in the footsteps of her sister, the twist was that much more unexpected, yet fitting. Dawn has struggled with her place in the gang and identity overall for some time now, and the fact that they didn't do the obvious and, frankly, what I thought they had planned from her introduction, was impressive.
Seeing Buff embrace the role of leader and teacher, doing what Giles once did for her, was interesting as well. Spike helping out in teaching the gals all about vampires is something I like seeing, and it seems like Spike and Buffy's friendship is close to healed.
All in all though, Buffy's part of this episode is just fine. The thing that makes this entire episode, is the final scene with Dawn and Xander. I've been wanting a pay-off to Xander's role in the gang for a long time, and by god, did they deliver. I'm sure they're going to develop it even further, but this is a fantastic start. This scene fit perfectly with the direction they took Dawn in this episode, and making Xander the person to console her is just *chef's kiss*.
I havent really loved Dawn yet, and it was a bold choice of Whedon to suddenly give Buffy a sister, and essentially ret-conning her into the memory of all the other characters, and I can't say it landed perfectly with me. Not to say she hasn't had her moments, like "The Body", where she was absolutely brilliant. But, like Dawn herself, I think she hasn't really found her place yet. So it was great to have an episode that explored that, and seeing her and Xand bond so over their identities made me tear up.
Xander remains one of my favorite characters. He has been consistently hilarious and reliable throughout all seasons, and I hope he finally gets the recognition he deserves. Though, if they don't develop it any further, I will be content with this scene with Dawn, because it is fantastic.
Seeing Buff embrace the role of leader and teacher, doing what Giles once did for her, was interesting as well. Spike helping out in teaching the gals all about vampires is something I like seeing, and it seems like Spike and Buffy's friendship is close to healed.
All in all though, Buffy's part of this episode is just fine. The thing that makes this entire episode, is the final scene with Dawn and Xander. I've been wanting a pay-off to Xander's role in the gang for a long time, and by god, did they deliver. I'm sure they're going to develop it even further, but this is a fantastic start. This scene fit perfectly with the direction they took Dawn in this episode, and making Xander the person to console her is just *chef's kiss*.
I havent really loved Dawn yet, and it was a bold choice of Whedon to suddenly give Buffy a sister, and essentially ret-conning her into the memory of all the other characters, and I can't say it landed perfectly with me. Not to say she hasn't had her moments, like "The Body", where she was absolutely brilliant. But, like Dawn herself, I think she hasn't really found her place yet. So it was great to have an episode that explored that, and seeing her and Xand bond so over their identities made me tear up.
Xander remains one of my favorite characters. He has been consistently hilarious and reliable throughout all seasons, and I hope he finally gets the recognition he deserves. Though, if they don't develop it any further, I will be content with this scene with Dawn, because it is fantastic.