Dawn Summers
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Dawn Summers is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television program Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She is portrayed by Michelle Trachtenberg.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
[edit] Character history
The arrival of Dawn Summers is foreshadowed in a cryptic dream sequence in season four. In "This Year's Girl," a still-comatose Faith says, while making a bed with Buffy in Dawn's future room, "Little sis coming, I know." Buffy replies, "So much to do before she gets here." In the season four finale, "Restless," Tara warns Buffy to "be back before Dawn."
In 2000, Czech Republic-based brethren known as the Monks of Dagon have possession of The Key, a mystical ball of energy that can open a portal to all dimensions. Once opened, the portal would create chaos on Earth as hell dimensions flood into this world until the energy is used up and the portal is closed again. The monks want to put this dangerous power to good use, but forces of darkness track them down. In an act of desperation, three surviving monks use powerful magic and part of Buffy to forge The Key into human form as a fourteen-year-old girl, and send it to the Slayer as a sister to protect from the unstable Glory, a hell-god bent on returning to the hell dimension from which she had been exiled for being too vicious.
Dawn first appears at the end of the episode "Buffy vs. Dracula ." When Buffy walks into her bedroom, preparing for a date at the movies, she finds Dawn looking through her stuff. Buffy's mother then suggests, "Buffy, if you're going out, why don't you take your sister?" and both Buffy and Dawn shout "Mom!" She becomes a series regular in the last three seasons, appearing in all 66 episodes. Her character, Dawn Summers, is supposedly born to Hank and Joyce Summers in 1986 in Los Angeles. Dawn's immediate family are unaware of her mystical origin for a while, as they have been imbued with artificial memories of her as Buffy's younger sister. Only those "outside reality," such as mental patients, can see Dawn's true nature.
Her brain tumor lets Joyce see that Dawn is different, and Dawn struggles to accept her existence and others' love upon learning the truth. After the shocking death of Buffy, she struggles with kleptomania, overcoming her problems with the help of Rupert Giles and friends. By becoming more involved with Buffy's slaying, Dawn grows less dependent on those around her. She begins to take an active role in helping the Scooby Gang battle its foes.
Dawn was originally intended to appear in the Angel episode "The Girl in Question." However, the actress was unavailable for filming, so Andrew Wells replaced her.
[edit] Powers and abilities
Dawn is a human being who, as the mentally unstable can see, is really a green ball of energy. With the right ritual, Dawn's blood opens a dimensional portal to all universes, bringing chaos and destruction to Earth within minutes. Dawn's experience in battling vampires and demons has made her a more capable fighter and spellcaster with the ability to cast spells from memory. She can also read a variety of languages ranging from Turkish to Latin. Dawn has grown to rarely flinch when in danger, and her loyalty to her sister and friends is absolute.
[edit] Dawn and the gang
Dawn has never been considered a real part of the gang by any of its members, especially Buffy. On many occasions, Buffy has told Dawn either to go out of the room or to stay away from an argument or a fight, which annoys Dawn, as she considers herself more than capable of fighting and expressing her point of view. The most blatant child-like treatment of Dawn was in the season 6 episode "Older and Far Away," when Anya speaks to her as if she were speaking to a five-year-old child, instead of a 15-year-old teenager.
The only person to whom Dawn relates is Spike, who treats her with respect. Dawn develops a slight crush on Spike, but nothing comes of it.
Dawn befriends Tara early in season 5. Neither of them are considered to be part of the Scooby Gang at that point. Dawn was deeply affected by Tara's death, finding the courage to voice her opinion of what Warren deserved.
[edit] Romantic relationships
- Xander Harris: Dawn harbors a crush on Xander into her adolescence. She feels that he is the only one who treats her like an adult.
- Spike: Feeling alone after her origin was discovered, Dawn develops a crush on Spike. She thinks only he treats her like a real human being.
- Kevin: Dawn adores the shy boy in her junior high art class.
- Justin is a manipulative, teenage vampire with whom Dawn, unaware of his identity, shares her first kiss. When he tries to turn her into a vampire, Dawn has to stake him.
- R.J. Brooks: Dawn develops an obsessive, mystical crush on the popular high school athlete due to his bewitched letterman jacket.
[edit] Appearances
Dawn has appeared in:
Buffy The Vampire Slayer Dawn became a series regular for the show's fifth, sixth, and seventh seasons. She appeared in all 66 episodes.
