Following the news of Michelle Trachtenberg’s untimely passing yesterday, tributes are pouring in from fans and colleagues alike. Their sentiments have been beautiful as they reflect on Trachtenberg’s impact on the industry through her work, which reached a wide-ranging fandom, butBuffy the Vampire Slayerfans were most eager to hear from Trachtenberg’s TV sister,Sarah Michelle Gellar. The pair played siblings on the hit genre series, with Trachtenberg’s unexpected arrival during Season 5 seen by many to be one of the show’s best story arcs. It seems only fitting that Gellar broke her silence on Trachtenberg’s death with a callback to their bond onBuffy the Vampire Slayer.
Gellar took to her Instagram page and posted a series of pictures that were a mix of snapshots from the pair’s time on Buffy and photos from various events. Gellar’s caption was short and sweet but it will mean a lot to fans of the show and likely meant a lot to the actress to spin the quote in a way that reflected her relationship with her television sister and real-life friend. Gellar’s caption reads:
“Michelle, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will always love you. The hardest thing in this world, is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live… for you.”
The quote references a moment in theBuffy the Vampire SlayerSeason 5 finale when the titular character prevents her sister Dawn (Trachtenberg) from sacrificing herself to close a portal that could destroy the world. Buffy chooses to sacrifice herself instead. It’s one of the signature moments of the series and a pivotal scene for these two characters. In so many ways, it’s also a beautiful tribute to Trachtenberg. The original quote from Season 5, Episode 22, “The Gift,” can be seen below.
Friends and Costars Pay Tribute to Michelle Trachtenberg Following Untimely Death
The “talented” and “fiercely intelligent” Michelle Trachtenberg is remembered by friends and co-stars.
“Dawn, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will always love you. But this is the work that I have to do. Tell Giles … tell Giles I figured it out. And, and I’m okay. And give my love to my friends. You have to take care of them now. You have to take care of each other. You have to be strong. Dawn, the hardest thing in this world … is to live in it. Be brave. Live. For me.”
Michelle Trachtenberg’s Arrival on ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Was Pivotal For the Series
Trachtenberg’s addition toBuffy the Vampire Slayerin Season 5 could’ve easily been a “jumping the shark” moment for the series, but it ultimately turned into one of its best stories. The show introduced the actress as Dawn Summers, Buffy’s sister, and she was thrown into the mix with the whole gang as if she had been there from the start. Watching this in real time was certainly a trip, but, as a fan, you just had to trust what the show was doing. It was later revealed that the season’s Big Bad, Glory (Clare Kramer) was seeking “The Key” to return to her hell dimension, which would blur the lines between dimensions and unleash literal hell on Earth. To prevent this, the protectors turned “The Key” into human form, as Dawn, so that Buffy would protect it and her at all costs.
In the process, Buffy and her friends were left with lifelong memories of Dawn, which is why they all believed she had been there the whole time. While the news is initially jarring, particularly for Buffy and Dawn, the two form a true bond as real sisters, and it continues through the remaining seasons of the show.
Anofficial cause of deathfor Trachtenberg, who was found unresponsive in her home by her mother on Wednesday, has not been revealed, but reports have surfaced that the actress had a liver transplant within the last year and that her body may have rejected it, which led to complications. It’s a tragic turn of events for someone so young – Trachtenberg was just 39 – but across social media her impact can be felt. A certain generation grew up with Trachtenberg, and whether it wasHarriet the Spy,The Adventures of Pete & Pete,Buffy the Vampire Slayer,Gossip Girl, or the 2006Black Christmasremake, she cemented herself as a pop-culture mainstay, ensuring her memory will live on forever.
