Ep 2. Real Me

Real Me, the second episode of season 5 of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, explores the life of Buffy's younger sister Dawn who struggles with being the only person in the world who can remember a different, more mundane, reality. She is also adjusting to being part of a supernatural world and is feeling left out of Buffy's inner circle.

The episode begins with Dawn complaining about how nobody understands her. She feels like her life has been turned upside down since Buffy became the Slayer, and she is constantly being monitored and sheltered. She dreams of running away to New York City where she can be free and anonymous.

Meanwhile, Buffy and the Scooby Gang are dealing with yet another new adversary. This time, it's the premiere of a new vampire gang called The Order of Aurelius, and Buffy is determined to take them down. She assigns everyone their tasks and asks Dawn to stay home for her safety, which only adds to Dawn's feeling of being left out.

Throughout the episode, Dawn struggles to find her place in the world. She tries to get to know the Scooby Gang better, but they don't seem interested in her. She also starts kindergarten, which only makes her feel even more isolated and alone.

In her frustration, she starts acting out and sneaks out of the house to go to the mall. There, she runs into Harmony, a former Sunnydale High classmate who is now a vampire, and her gang. Dawn tries to impress them by claiming to know Buffy, but they see right through her and taunt her. In a moment of distress, Dawn's powers as The Key are unleashed, causing a dimensional portal to open up and monsters to come through.

Buffy and the Scooby Gang arrive just in time to see the chaos that Dawn has caused. They manage to defeat the monsters and close the portal, but not without consequences. Buffy is furious with Dawn for putting everyone in danger and makes it clear that she is not ready for the responsibility that comes with being part of the supernatural world.

At the end of the episode, Dawn is left feeling even more alone than before. She realizes that her powers have consequences and that she needs to be more careful in the future. Buffy and the Scooby Gang also learn that they need to include Dawn more and be more understanding of her struggles.

Real Me is an episode that explores the theme of feeling left out and finding your place in the world. It also sets up the overarching plot of season 5, which revolves around The Key and how it ties into Dawn's existence. The episode is full of action, humor, and heart, as well as showcasing the talents of the cast, particularly Michelle Trachtenberg who delivers a strong performance as Dawn. It's an essential episode for fans of the show and sets up the season's overarching plot.