Incredibly shocking and sad news today as we learn that Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gossip Girl, Mysterious Skin and Harriet the Spy actress Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away at the far far far too young age of 39. I only started watching Buffy regularly in its fifth season (and had to go back and watch all the earlier seasons on DVD) so Michelle's character of Dawn never felt imposed on the show to me like it did to most people who watched the show from the start (of course that was part of the knowing wink of the character) -- anyway I was vehemently pro-Dawn and was always knocking back at the character's haters. I also got to interview Michelle in 2004 for the Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly -- I tried to find the interview online but it doesn't seem to be anywhere. I've only done two interviews in my entire life (the other one being Michael Fassbender because how could I say no to that) because I am not a natural conversationalist (which should read: cripplingly shy) but I remember Michelle being lovely and sweet and funny in our phone convo. Our deepest condolences go out to all the people who knew and loved her. With the possibility of a Buffy reboot ahead we now have to wonder how they'll address this. How very very sad.
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7 comments:
That’s so sad.
The cracks in Buffy were already starting to show by the 5th season and they had way more problems than just Dawn. But the problem was never Michelle-she played the character they wrote for her and did it very well.
I searched for the interview you mentioned, it would have had to have been done for an issue of A&F Quarterly in 2004, but the only A&F scheduled for that year, Spring 2004, was never released, the publication was cancelled before it was printed.
I think I was off re: the year; it was before 2004 - MT was interviewed in the Quarterly itself (by me) and then there were several later A&F magazines called "Rising Stars" that came after the Quarterly stopped, and she was also in one of those. So I got confused about the year thinking it was the latter and not the former. It was so long ago!
This remains one of my top five shows of all time. But is has been a little haunted by scandal and tragedy. Joss Whedon...enough said. And Charisma. And now Michelle. "Once More With Feeling" remains my single favorite episode of television of all time. I owned the soundtrack, I watched the episode hours of times. Michelle was definitely part of the glory days.
Oh, I'd say those cracks started in S4. I didn't care for Dawn, but I liked Michelle--weird when that happens. She's also WONDERFUL as Georgina Sparks.
Man, Joss Whedon. That was truly a let down.
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