More interesting, I think, is the way larger-than-life Dawn is a metaphor for Buffy’s new celebrity status.

Giant Dawn bursts into the limelight and finds it uncomfortable and overexposed yet still hard to relinquish.

I like these thoughts. Thank you. (And, just for the record, I always had the same interpretation of 'Potential' as you.)

ETA: Not saying that you've convinced me or anything, but I'm tired of arguing, and your meta is nice.