15 Most Important Buffy The Vampire Slayer Episodes

Dawn Summers may be a divisive character, but there's no denying just how compelling a creation she actually was. Aside from given Buffy a loving relationship outside of how tragic love life, she also builds on the mythology of the show and is responsible for one of the series' most brutal twists.

Episodes earlier, Buffy and Giles learned that Dawn isn't human, but a Key, used to open a demonic portal that would bring about the end of the world. In Blood Ties, Dawn and Spike learn this fact, too, and Dawn runs away in fear and confusion about what she is. Buffy races after her, and attempts to convince her she is real, and that they're still sisters.

It's a powerful episode, leaning into the family-based theme of the season, and features everyone finally learning about Dawn's true purpose in Big Bad Glory's evil plan.