Nothing inBuffy the Vampire Slayerhistory could be as controversial as Xander Harris and Dawn Summers getting together. Yes, the same Xander Harris who used to babysit Buffy’s little sister, and yes, the same Dawn, who’s the sister in question. TheBuffycomics feature strange romances, but this, by far, is the strangest.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer’sweirdest romance wouldn’t be such an important topic to delve into if not for the fact that Hulu is working on a reboot sequel series currently. It’s not been confirmed if the show will follow the same canon as the comics, but if so,Dawn and Xander’s marriage is canon.
Fans who despiseBuffy the Vampire Slayer’smost controversial relationship should be afraid of the likelihood that Xander and Dawn’s romance makes its way into live-action form. Even worse, there are just as many reasons why the romance should be adapted as reasons why it shouldn’t.
No One Saw It Coming When Xander and Dawn Got Together
It Was a Major Talking Point During Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Eighth Season
Most fans of the Buffyverse have watched all seven seasons ofBuffy the Vampire Slayer, but some forget that Joss Whedon and co. continued the series as a comic book continuation. Over the course of over a decade, theBuffyfranchise extended itself into 12 seasons. However,it’s biggest controversies came during Season 8.
Xander and Dawn’s first on-panel kiss comes inBuffy the Vampire SlayerSeason Eight#28, written by Jane Espenson and pencilled by Georges Jeanty, with an Executive Producer credit to Joss Whedon.
The biggest controversy of the eighth season came whenDawn and Xander were revealed to be having a secret love affair. Xander and Dawn had been spending a considerate amount of time together, but not enough that readers expected them to court each other. No one suspected a thing until Buffy walked into a room unannounced to find them snogging.
The Xander and Dawn Romance from the Comics Ruined Buffy for Many Fans
Most Found The Love Affair Too Weird to Keep Reading the Comics
For the entirety ofBuffy’srun in the comics, Xander and Dawn’s relationship continued until the very end. The official end of the franchise was marked by the final issue of Season 12, where the two are seen to be married with a daughter named Joyce, named after Dawn and Buffy’s mother.
To say thatthis relationship gave fans the ickwould be an understatement. Some cite the age difference (despite Dawn being of legal age) being the biggest turn-off, while others hate that the original show framed Xander as more of a big brother guiding the Summers pupil through life. In the latter case, some fans have suggested Xander groomed Dawn.
Xander and Dawn’s Love Makes Audiences Too Uncomfortable to Include in the Reboot
If the Comics are Canon, It’ll Likely Be in the Revival
There has yet to be confirmation of whether the storylines of theBuffy the Vampire Slayerrevival will follow the canon of the comics, which follow the original show’s continuity. This wouldn’t mean that audiences can expect to see Xander and Dawn onscreen together, as sadly, Michelle Trachtenberg passed away earlier this year.
As for Nicholas Brendon, nothing is preventing him from reprising the role of Xander.One line mentioning his comics' marriage to Dawn or the appearance of a daughter named Joyce would be enough to bring the comics into the revival’s canon, much to the chagrin of fans who may not approve of the relationship.
A Case Can Be Made for the Buffy Reboot Making Xander x Dawn Canon
If This Isn’t Canon, Nothing from the Comics Can Be Canon
For all intents and purposes, Xander and Dawn’s relationship needs to remain canon if fans want anything from the comics to be canon. While the comics did produce controversy, there are alsoideas that fans want to see adaptedfor the small screen. There’s as much good from the comic continuation as there is bad.
With all the Dark Horse comics being of the same continuity, it’s not possible for the reboot to be selective about what they include.
Trying to ignore Dawn x Xander comes with a Catch 22, so to speak. Fans who aren’t proponents of this relationship need to understand that if Hulu decides to ignore Dawn and Xander’s relationship, then they need to ignore the rest of Buffy’s post-TV canon as well. With all the Dark Horse comics being of the same continuity, it’s not possible for the reboot to be selective about what they include. By that logic, Hulu has to ignore everything if they choose to cut one aspect of storytelling from the comics.
The Buffy Reboot Has the Chance to Put a Positive Spin on a Hated Part of Canon
It’s One Way to Keep Michelle Trachtenberg’s Memory Alive
On the brightside, there is a positive that can be derived from the next iteration ofBuffy the Vampire Slayerby opting to bring the long villified relationship between Xander and Dawn into canon.The biggest upside would be using this as an opportunity to pay homage to Dawn’s late actress who played her, Michelle Trachetenberg.
It’s a bittersweet thought to imagine that such a beloved staple of the cast will not be a part of the revival, but in acknowledging a romance with Xander, the production allows her to live on in spirit.Buffy the Vampire Slayer’srevival could either allow the Xander character to keep her memory alive, or by their daughter, Joyce, entering the fray.
The Revival Is Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Chance to Redeem Past Mistakes
The Comics Have Their Ups and Downs
The legacy of theBuffy the Vampire Slayercomics is complicated. It is a legacy that many diehard fans are still struggling to make amends with to this day. Some wish to pretend like they never happened, while others say the revival shouldignore a decade’s worth of canon. A strong case can be made for ignoring the entirety of theBuffycomics.
Then again, a strong case can also be made for maintaining their legacy. Particularly,reintroducing their stories into the television canon can go a long way in redeeeming some of the most hated aspects of theBuffy the Vampire Slayercomics. The revival has the chance to either put a new narrative twist on old ideas, or repurpose those same ideas into new storylines with stronger potential.
Xander x Dawn is a Franchise Misstep That Could Be Turned into a Franchise Win
Hulu Can Give Readers a Reason to Love Xander x Dawn
Admittedly, while not an impossible feat, it might be a stretch to suggest that Hulu could get Xander x Dawn detractors to fall in love with the pairing all of a sudden.However, Hulu could still produce a storyline connected to the romance that could make the romance worth it in the end. It’s possible to hate an onscreen relationship, but love a storyline that exists because of it or one that the romance is featured in.
It’s one way to turn chicken you-know-what into chicken salad, and Hulu would be wise to do exactly that for Dawn x Xander. Not only to pay tribute to a late member of the cast, but so that 10 years' worth of a comic continuation isn’t deemed to just be pointless in the end. Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s comics weren’t perfect, but the work put behind them doesn’t deserve to be rendered completely mute.
The Hulu reboot always had massive potential, but
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Cast
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a television series created by Joss Whedon, focusing on Buffy Summers, portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, a young woman chosen to battle against vampires, demons, and other supernatural forces while navigating the complexities of teenage life.
