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Episode 5.01: Buffy vs. Dracula | Episode 5.03: The Replacement
Characters:
| Buffy | Xander | Willow |
| Giles | Spike | Riley |
| Anya | Dawn | Tara |
Overall (7/10)
Buffy:
This episode is told through a "Dawn lens", introducing us to her character and, in essence, provides us with a new perspective on the characters we already know.
We come straight from Buffy vs. Dracula, which emphasized the importance and mythical nature of what Buffy does. However, in this episode, we see Dawn's completely irreverent view of her sister's duty. Instead of being something fantastic and powerful, the Slayer is seen by Dawn as being something rather trivial and overrated.
It's only at the end of the episode when Dawn is actually kidnapped and faced with vampires that she adjusts her opinion (only slightly, though, as she is a stubborn teenager).
For Buffy's part, she's going through some adjustment to Dawn's arrival.
Buffy: I know it's always been this way...she's the baby. But, for some reason, it's really been getting to me lately.
What Buffy doesn't know at this point is that Dawn hasn't always been around. The reason it's getting to her lately is because Dawn just recently appeared in her life. So while Buffy has memories of Dawn being there, she's not had much actual real-life opportunity to interact with her. In that way, Buffy is still used to being the only child and she's running into a conflict between what she's been raised as and what her memories tell her.
It's that conflict that fuels most of her bitterness towards Dawn in this episode. Buffy finds herself wishing that she had more of her mother's attention and that she would be coddled every now and then. She resents having her time infringed on by her brand spankin' new little sister.
By that token, though, we also have this:
Buffy: No, Dawn has to be coddled and protected from the big bad world. Well, you know what? We're turning Dawn into a little idiot whose going to get us all killed!
A rather interesting statement considering what happens at the end of the statement. At this point, Buffy doesn't want to protect Dawn. As the season progresses, Buffy will grow into her role as an older sister until the finale where she decides protecting Dawn is more important than saving the world (And then sacrifices herself in Dawn's place). This is an excellent set-up for that aspect of Buffy's character arc this season.
Oddly enough, a lot of this episode has Dawn getting in the way of Buffy's Slayer duties: Dawn interrupts Buffy's yoga, Buffy has to take Dawn school shopping while shopping for Slayer stuff, Buffy almost isn't able to patrol because she has to watch Dawn, etc etc. However, Dawn will later become the central focus of Buffy's Slayer duties. It's an interesting contrast between this, the set-up, and where things will eventually end up.
Xander:
Xander is the shit, according to Dawn. Finally, Xander gets a flattering portrayal. He's "cute", "funny", and even "brave". And that's not just lip service. He is all three in this episode. Come on, the guy kicks Harmony, a vampire, across the room and out the door. That's no small feat if you think about it.
This view of Xander is aptly timed considering his big episode of the season is coming up next.
Willow:
In Dawn's eyes, Willow is the "cool aunt". It seems Dawn prefers Buffy's friends to Buffy herself.
Dawn and Willow share a bond over their love of school, and Dawn's obviously interested in Willow's witchiness.
Is there any fanfic with Giles and Spike watching Passions together? I just have to know.
We see the results of Giles' midlife crisis in his sporty new car (presumably bought to replace the one that Spike crashed last season). In addition, he's purchased The Magic Box, the main set for the next two seasons. It's wonderful to see Giles actually doing something.
Dawn's view of Giles? Stuffy, old, British. She doesn't think he likes her. Truth be told, she may be partially right. I can imagine that Giles gets annoyed with her easily and probably doesn't think about her much except that she's his Slayer's little sister.
After the ordeal with Adam, Spike seems to have given up scheming and is resigned to playing the reluctant White Hat in killing vampires. Why? Cause it's something to do. Spike likes a fight. He wants to be able to kill something. He'll take what he can get.
As in the previous episode, we get some hints of the Buffy/Riley relationship not quite going well. In this case, it's Buffy's Slaying getting in the way of the relationship. While they had planned to spend the day together and hang out, Buffy forgets about this and makes alternate plans to go out with Giles for some Slayer shopping. While Riley attempts to be encouraging, he's obviously bothered by this.
They do patrol together, though, and Riley tries to help Buffy deal with her Dawn issues.
Obviously, Dawn doesn't like Riley. No love for the boyfriend.
Anya comes across as surprisingly compassionate in this episode...for Anya that is. When Buffy finds out that Dawn invited Harmony inside, she tries to tell Buffy to go easy on her. Then when Dawn runs outside, she's quick to try to pull her back in (In typical Anya-fashion, but hey). It's a little surprising coming from the woman who often doesn't seem to care about anybody except for Xander.
However, Dawn isn't fond of Anya. After all, Anya is dating Xander, and Dawn likes Xander.
Here's the star of the episode. We get our first look at Dawn who is, at a surface glance, your average teenage girl. Stubborn, shallow, self-absorbed. However, it's hinted throughout that there's more to Dawn than just that. This is, of course, two-fold. For one, there's much more to her character than just "average teenager". Additionally, she's also the Key, the source of conflict for the season.
An attempt was made to set up a parallel between Harmony and Dawn in this episode. This just didn't work for me. On the surface, they may look like they have similar situations: being misunderstood and underappreciated. When you look beyond that, though, there's not much else to the comparison. Yes, there's more to both Harmony and Dawn. However the same could be said for most characters, and I don't see anything in particular that distinguishes these two characters in the same manner.
I also feel the need to ask, why can't Dawn be home alone at this point? I seem to recall being able to be by myself when I was 14. Obviously, when they learn that a hellgod is after her, they can't leave her alone. But now? Really?
And ending her section with the most telling and foreshadowy line of the episode:
Dawn: She still thinks I'm little miss nobody, just her dumb little sister. Boy, is she in for a surprise.
A bit better than the parallel between Harmony and Dawn is the one drawn between Tara and Dawn. Both are perceived as outsiders to the rest of the group. Tara, however, thinks she might be best left as an outsider. At this point, she still thinks she's going to turn into a demon at her next birthday, so it's obvious why she wouldn't want to be included. She is earnest about the others being more accepting of Dawn, though.
Harmony returns! And she has minions (Including Tom Lenk, who'll return as Andrew in S6).
Harmony, believe it or not.
While it doesn't have Glory in it, it does introduce Dawn, who is of pivotal importance to the arc of the season.
A solid episode that manages to give a fresh perspective on the already familiar characters while also showcasing the newest member of the cast. It successfully teases us with regards to who Dawn is and sets up some of the thematic and character arcs of the season.
Special performance award goes to Mercedes McNab because I adore Harmony.
7 out of 10.
Crazy guy meets Dawn outside The Magic Box. I've heard multiple interpretations of the "curds and whey" comment (and of the references to Dawn and "Little Miss Muffet" in other episodes). Whatever the meaning there, this scene does a good job of setting up the mystery of Dawn, while at the same time assuring the viewer that no, Dawn hasn't always been there, despite what the episode may be showing you.
Episode 5.01: Buffy vs. Dracula | Episode 5.03: The Replacement
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