Flatlining after being shot by Warren
It's weird, she obviously kicked the bucket (flatline, which means the heart has stopped functioning, which means the blood isn't pumping, which means there's no oxygen going to the brain, which means brain death, which means death). I always have trouble remembering this one. Perhaps because it was even more instantaneous than when she drowned.
Now, my thoughts to the issue: I really liked it. I liked it more than I thought I would, and I got it and held off reading it for 2 weeks because of the supreme disappointment that was "Safe". Then I had to actually force myself to read it. But then a few pages in, when Buffy starts the bitchfest about Dawn whilst simultaneously complaining about dressing like Wolverine? I knew I would love the issue.
The character voices, the cadence, the timing, the quirks and idiosyncrasies, returned. Because I was enjoying myself so much, I even made an effort to read slower, and savor each panel, so that it wouldn't be over in 5.2 minutes. I took about 15 minutes to read it and really loved it. This issue shaped up to feel like classic BtVS storytelling to me.
Also, I was relieved that the whole thricewise shapeshifting storyline is over. Wow, I'm glad. I still don't understand the importance of that storyline. It's like they didn't want Dawn out of the picture, so they thrust a lame subplot upon her to keep her relevant. Meh.
Now that Dawn's free, I hope she takes a position in Buffy's army. I think she'd be great working alongside Xander, but with her own responsibilities. I know she was always upset that she wasn't a potential, but for a girl who only came into being at at 15, I'm sure it wasn't even possible. Has she come to terms with that, considering how much she idolizes Buffy? I'm hoping she sees that she has something valuable to contribute to the work they're doing, and that she doesn't just take up a support position under someone else.
And hopefully, she and Buffy finally got some downtime to do the sisterly bonding thing. Which I'm sure they haven't been able to do since... well... hardly ever. I'm trying to think of when they've actually sat down and purposefully spent time together, just to hang out, maybe go shopping, shoot the breeze, or lay around and watch TV... and the instances that are coming to mind are small and rare.
One final thing: the comments at the end put a dark spin on the issue, and possibly the future. I don't see this convo as throwaway, or the final line as dismissive. Things like that have a funny way of acting as giant anvils being dropped to warn of what's coming.
Obviously, something big is around the corner, judging by rumors, and this is obviously set up as a cliffhanger for that.
