WWDD: S2E5 “REPTILE BOY”

Dawn dances in her room to her new “Backstreet Boys” CD on the family boombox just as Xander searches for a hair tie to complete Buffy's braid. He hears Nick, Howie, AJ, Brian, and Kevin's harmonious vocalization and can’t help but be drawn in. Dawn is shocked to see Xander in her doorway but thrilled that he also has amazing taste in music. She squeals into her stuffed animals when he leaves to finish the movie with Willow and Buffy. Joyce and Dawn pick Buffy up from school the next day and pass a black BMW talking to Buffy’s friend Cordelia. The two boys inside look Dawn’s way, oddly focused, like they’re staring at something bright or unusual.

Later, Buffy gets ready to patrol while an enthusiastic Dawn hangs in her room like usual. She peppers Buffy with questions about her night's slaying plans (Vampires? Mummies? Gangs on PCP?), and about Angel. Trying to be helpful, Dawn gives Buffy unsolicited dating advice (from Shannon, obviously): Boys like when girls are mysterious. She suggests saying something dramatic and confusing then abruptly running away. Buffy rolls her eyes and tells Dawn that’s stupid, prompting Dawn to storm back to her room, slamming the door for emphasis.

At the end of the episode, Buffy comes home finally eager to tell her sister about her terrible night with the demon lizard patriarchy. Buffy walks into Dawn’s room, immediately declaring she is NEVER allowed to date, but Dawn can’t hear over the sound of “I’ll Never Break Your Heart” (envisioning being serenaded by Xander) playing from Buffy’s discman! When Dawn’s caught red-handed, the Summers girls argue (Dawn always touches Buffy’s stuff!/Buffy always acts like she’s an only child!), and she earns her reputation as a hair-puller when Buffy tries to take her discman back without first returning her beloved “Backstreet Boys” CD. The girls end their night separately, forcing Joyce to once again consult her parenting cassette tapes.