I love Dawn. And she never annoyed me. I mean, I feel like I saw her through Buffy's eyes as the annoying kid sister, but I feel like that's part of what her character was supposed to be. I mean, I know lots of people point out that Buffy was way more mature at the same age, but I would point out that Buffy was more mature because she had to grow up early as the Slayer. And I think that because she had to grow up early, Buffy tried to protect Dawn from that world so that Dawn could stay a kid for as long as possible. Not that Dawn appreciated this, but what teenaged girl would?
People also say Dawn's whiny. But think about what she faced in Season 5 alone. She found out she wasn't real and all her memories were made up by monks. A hell god was trying to find her in order to ritually kill her. Her mom had a brain tumor and, after successful surgery, died of post-op complications. She was kidnapped and nearly killed only to be saved by her sister who died in her place. And I note that that's just Season 5. She's had a tough time of it, so of course she's not going to be happy all the time. And she's going to act out when no one seems to notice her existence much less the fact that she's dealing with deep inner turmoil. Is she always fun to watch? No. But do I see where she's coming from? Most definitely.
I also wrote a couple of days ago that Dawn is the Buffy character that I relate to the most. I understand her feelings of being invisible in the midst of pain, so she has a special place in my heart.
But even with my personal biases, I think Dawn gets a way worse rep than she deserves.
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