Re: Re: Normal Again Mini-Review (DEM)

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Okay, about the focus point on the apology:

Buffy doesn't look at Dawn at all at first, but you can see her giving a
quick glance at an off-camera Dawn in the shot where Xander stands up.
Xander also shoots a somewhat worried look at off-camera Dawn as he
accepts the apology.

(btw, was peeking at the public archives of a B/X list, and they're
convinced Buffy gave the apology to him. Don't think so, because Willow
is in the middle of the group--Tara to our left and Xander to our
right--and that's where Buffy seems to be looking. Even though he's
the one that responds and she wobbles slightly from facing Willow to
facing a spot between W/X, I have to think it's mostly to the girl whose
injuries had her wailing in psych ward.)

On a general disconnect from Dawn, by Buffy:

While you can argue that Buffy's deciding that Dawn's problems (grades,
stealing, etc.) were the first part of her Sunnydale "reality' that
needed fixing was just because Dawn was in the room with her at that
moment (and also because they needed an excuse for Dawn's Weekly
Whine-a-thon :rolleyes: ), I found it interesting that both the doctor
and Joyce seem to single out Dawn and fixate on her as a major part of
Buffy's delusion (and why it isn't working any more).

If we go with the theory that the hospital wasn't an alternate
dimension, that all of this was in Buffy's head, then Buffy's own mind
gave a disproportionate share of the blame for the ridiculousness of her
life (and her consequent stress and depression) to the presence of The
Sister From Retcon Hell. Which is interesting, since Buffy shouldn't
even be able to recall a Dawn-free life. (Which still bugs me,
btw--you want to keep Dawn, fine, but give the gang back the memories
of the "Innocence" I saw.)

Perhaps, now that the "protect the Key" program isn't in full force any
more, Buffy's slayer mind is starting to reject the false memories, much
like she did in "Superstar"? It would be intriguing if Buffy really was
subconsciously trying to "get rid of" Dawn.

I don't think the plot's going there, but I know Michelle T wants to go
to college after next year, so this would be a possible way to write
Dawn off the show for Season 8 (if there is one).

Dan