The iconic cult classic Buffy The Vampire Slayer won fans everywhere for its portrayal of the tough times that high schoolers face, seen through the eyes of a teenager who has to save her town (and the world) from evil. Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) is a unique superhero character because she barely lives a double life, as her family and friends are aware of what's going on. When her younger sister Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) comes onto the scene in the fifth season, fans had an immediate reaction, and it wasn't a positive one.
Although Dawn is a polarizing character, there are some redeeming moments during her time on the popular series. Keep reading to find out times when fans had sympathy for Buffy's little sis, along with moments when she was truly annoying.
Felt Bad: When Her Mom Passed Away
No matter how fans feel about Dawn (and they definitely have some strong feelings), one thing is for sure: it was horrible when her mom passed away. No child or teenager deserves to lose a parent, and it's one of the most difficult things that someone will ever go through.
It's impossible to hate Dawn when she goes through this family tragedy.
Hated Her: When She Started Stealing
In the sixth season episode "Once More, with Feeling," fans learned that Dawn had started stealing. Most importantly, she had a necklace that she had lifted from the Magic Box.
It was hard to feel any sympathy for Dawn about this situation because stealing is clearly terrible behavior. This just gave viewers even more ammunition to hate her.
Felt Bad: When She Realized Spike Had Attempted To Assault Buffy
It's never easy to learn that a loved one has been assaulted. Dawn was distraught when she realized that Spike (James Marsters) had attempted to assault Buffy.
This happened in the episode "Seeing Red" and it's still talked about today. It was a lot for Dawn to deal with and process as she was still very young.
Hated Her: Always The Annoying Little Sister Tagging Along
Fans never really took to Dawn and one main reason is that she always seemed like nothing more than Buffy's annoying little sister. It was like she was forever tagging along with the gang, but she never had a real place there herself.
Dawn didn't make it easy for fans to like her or appreciate her place on the show, and this is one prime example.
Felt Bad: Forever In Buffy's Shadow
Many younger siblings feel that they're constantly in the shadow of their older brothers and sisters. It makes sense, even if it's not necessarily the truth, as family dynamics can be complicated.
When Dawn felt that Buffy was always the one that people loved and wanted to be around, it was easy to feel bad for her. Buffy is a very strong personality and it would be impossible not to feel inferior.
Hated Her: When She Insulted Anya
Dawn never really treated Anya (Emma Caulfield) very well, complaining that Xander (Nicholas Brendon) was too good for her and just generally being mean to her.
It wasn't hard to hate Dawn when she acted this way. Sure, she had a crush Xander, but it was clear that they would never be able to be together — at least not on the show — so she should have been more realistic about the situation.
Felt Bad: Buffy Helps Her Deal With Her Past
Fans hated learning that Dawn was the Key, and in one moving and emotional scene, Buffy helps her deal with her past. She says that of course they're sisters.
It's sweet to see Buffy taking care of her sibling and proving that family does matter to her. This was a moment when fans felt bad for Dawn for everything that she had to go through.
Hated Her: Acted Immaturely And Yelled At Her Family
In the fifth season episode "Blood Ties," Dawn had a lot of trouble accepting her reality, and she acted super immaturely. She yells at her family, storms off to her bedroom, and then runs out of the house.
She basically acted like a typical huffy, dramatic teenager, but that doesn't make it okay. This was a time when fans hated her as Buffy and Joyce were trying to help and it was so mean for her to treat them like this.
Felt Bad: When Tara Died
When Tara (Amber Benson) died, it was horrible for Dawn, who considered her a real and true friend, and related to her as a fellow outsider. This would always be sad, but it was even more so because Dawn hadn't actually gotten along with the rest of the gang.
This was a time when fans definitely felt bad for Dawn, who had seen a lot of people come and go in her life, and this was yet another loss.
Hated Her: Always Made Everything About Her
One of Dawn's biggest character traits? She would always make everything about her. Whether it was her sister sacrificing herself in the season 5 finale or any number of crazy things that the gang would experience, Dawn would complain and whine and focus on how it affected her.
This wasn't a mature way to act, and just proved that the negative fan reaction to this character was valid.