Episodes

In Blood Ties (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S5 E13), Dawn learns the truth about her origins, no one keeps Spike in the loop, and Buffy faces Glory. Along with the breakdown of Blood Ties, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) how Blood Ties tells a fast, gripping story despite that Buffy and Glory don’t face off until the end; (2) the way Dawn’s arc deftly weaves subplot points and turns into the main plot; (3) story questions that keep viewers tuning in even after reveals about Dawn and Glory; and ...

In Checkpoint (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S5 E12), the Watchers Council refuses to help Buffy defeat Glory unless she endures its grueling review. Along with the episode recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) unevenly placed major plot turns in Checkpoint that throw off the pace; (2) subtle character and dialogue choices that tell the story of the Watcher’s Council and the theme of power; (3) using minor conflict to reveal exposition and set up later scenes; and (4) the ways Checkpoint turns ...

In Triangle (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S5 E11), Anya and Willow conjure an evil troll as Buffy deals with post-Riley life. This podcast episode recaps Triangle, focusing on: Anya, Willow, and Xander are in a troll triangle and it’s Buffy’s show – so who is the protagonist? running season arcs but no subplots for Spike, Xander, Buffy, and Dawn; what less dramatic plot turns do to the episode’s pace; and should you break your characters for a joke? Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of ...

In Into The Woods (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S5 E10), thanks to Spike, Buffy learns about Riley’s dark side. This podcast episode recaps Into The Woods, focusing on: a shadow subplot for Riley about his life’s mission; hooking the audience by ending scenes just before Buffy or Riley reacts to a startling revelation; what it means to be an antagonist (here, Riley) in romantic relationship plot; a conversation with Roberta Lipp, co-host of the They Coined It Mad Men podcast, about why Riley left a...

In Listening To Fear (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S5 E9), Joyce prepares for brain surgery as a dangerous alien stalks her. The podcast episode recaps Listening To Fear, focusing on: opening conflict grounded in Buffy’s new normal – taking care of Joyce in the hospital; Riley’s disappearing act shows the audience his inner turmoil – and puts the gang in grave danger; the challenges of a protagonist (Buffy) and antagonist (the demon from outer space) not knowing about each other until the episode c...

This time on Buffy and the Art of Story, Shadow, where Joyce waits for answers and Buffy fights a cobra demon who could reveal the truth about Dawn. This podcast episode recaps Shadow (Season 5 Episode 8 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and focuses on: (1) the way the episode weaves the cobra demon main plot into the subplots about Riley’s and Buffy’s inner conflicts; (2) how Buffy’s pursuit of the demon shows the viewers her emotional turmoil; (3) different ways to read Buffy’s need to keep it toge...

This time on Buffy and the Art of Story, Fool For Love (Season 5 Episode 7 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy goes to Spike for answers about how he killed two slayers. This podcast episode recaps Fool For Love and focuses on: (1) an origin story told in flashbacks; (2) Spike resolves his feelings for Buffy in a surprising way; (3) using action and setting changes to keep scenes moving; and (4) characters asking questions they don’t truly want answered. Spoiler-free, except at the end (wi...

This time on Buffy and the Art of Story, Family (Season 5 Episode 6 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Tara puts her friends in danger to try hide who she fears she really is. This podcast episode recaps Family and focuses on: (1) characters asking questions when the audience needs answers; (2) linking scenes with images, language, and theme; (3) repeating words to convey theme and character growth; plus (4) special guest Elena Campobassi address themes of family, teen identity, and community i...

The Buffy and the Art of Story podcast looks at story elements in No Place Like Home (Season 5 Episode 5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy strives to learn what’s making her mother ill, confronts Dawn, and faces a new foe. This podcast episode recaps No Place Like Home, focusing on: (1) making life harder and harder (and harder) for the protagonist; (2) climax questions that reveal plot; (3) how to write an ephemeral antagonist; and (4) anger management as a theme. Spoiler-free, except a...

This time on Buffy and the Art of Story, a bonus podcast episode explores Spike v. Spike and his emotional arc in Out of My Mind (Season 5 Episode 4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). The episode looks at: Major subplot plot turns Spike’s unconscious mind as the antagonist Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Episode: Out of My Mind (S5 E4) Next Up: No Place Like Home (S5 E5) Work On Your Story Download free Story Structure worksheets Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick...

This time on Buffy and the Art of Story, Out of My Mind (Season 5 Episode 4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Riley has a crisis and Spike and Harmony team up to try to kill Buffy. This podcast episode looks at: (1) blending episode and season-long stories; (2) building character through action; (3) the powerful difference between showing and telling; (4) revealing exposition through conflict; and (5) how to misdirect the audience. Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last...

This time on Buffy and the Art of Story, The Replacement (S5 E3 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where a demon targets Buffy and creates Xander’s evil twin. This podcast episode looks at: (1) a fakeout that plays fair; (2) a defining moment between Buffy and Riley; and (3) two main plots that intertwine – or is it one plot and one subplot? Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Episode: Real Me (S5 E2) Next Up: Out of My Mind (S5 E4) Support The Podcast Become a patron and ...

This time on Buffy and the Art of Story, Real Me (S5 E2 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Dawn and Buffy clash and Harmony returns. This podcast episode looks at: (1) Starting in media res – in this case in the middle of Dawn’s world; (2) Who is the protagonist – Dawn or Buffy? (3) Creating suspense by holding back from the audience; and (4) A little sister who’s young for her age. Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Episode: Buffy vs Dracula (S5 E1) Next Up: The Rep...

This time on Buffy and the Art of Story, Buffy vs Dracula (Season 5 Episode 1 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy faces off against the famous count. This podcast episode looks at: (1) Buffy as both protagonist and damsel in distress; (2) major plot turns that affect the pace; (3) how Buffy vs Dracula resets the series for the new season; and (4) gamechangers versus cliffhangers (with the gamechanger of all gamechangers at the episode end). Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of w...

This time on Buffy and the Art of Story, a Season 4 Bonus: Buffy and Giles – Comparing The Dark Age and A New Man. This podcast episode looks at: (1) Season 4 A New Man, where Ethan turns Giles into a demon whom Buffy aims to kill; (2) Season 2 The Dark Age, where Buffy learns of Giles’s dark past, which literally comes back to haunt them all; and (3) how the two episodes compare, including the ways Buffy’s and Giles’s relationship evolves. Some spoilers! Last Episode: Season 4 Story Arc Next Up...

This time on Buffy and the Art of Story, a look at the overall story arc of Buffy Season 4. This podcast episode looks at: (1) a opening conflict for Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4 that pays off in its Climax; (2) a season arc that’s more theme-based than plot-based; and (3) whether the one-off episodes muddle the season story arc. Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Episode: Restless Next Up: Bonus – Giles & Buffy (A New Man and The Dark Age) Work On Your Story Do...

This time on Buffy and the Art of Story, Restless (Season 4 Episode 22 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where after battling Adam Buffy and friends are attacked in their dreams – and meet The Cheese Man. This podcast episode looks at: (1) dreams as a vehicle for story; (2) whether there’s an overall plot structure for this 4-dream episode; and (3) how Restless both serves as a coda for Season 4 and foreshadows the rest of the series. Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Ep...

This time on Buffy and the Art of Story, Primeval (Season 4 Episode 21 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy must fight not only Adam but the military complex that created him. This podcast episode looks at: (1) how the episode sums up the themes of Season 4; (2) more repetition than we usually see in a season finale and a slower pace; (3) thematic bookends for Yoko Factor (Part 1) and Primeval; and (4) whether Adam is a strong antagonist. Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warn...

This time on Buffy and the Art of Story, The Yoko Factor (Season 4 Episode 20 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Adam and Spike collude to separate Buffy from her friends. This podcast episode looks at: (1) episode themes that are key for Season 4; (2) subplots disconnected from main storyline (unlike in New Moon Rising); (3) an Angel side plot that’s fun yet slows the pace; and (4) setting up Part 2 of the season finale. Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Episode: N...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – New Moon Rising (Season 4 Episode 19 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Oz returns and Willow must make a choice. This podcast episode looks at: (1) a multifaceted main plot that includes action and intense emotion; (2) nesting doll subplots that weave into the main story; (3) a climax after the action plot resolves; and (4) layers of meaning in dialogue and gestures that emphasize emotion. Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last ...

This time on Buffy and the Art of Story, Where the Wild Things Are (Season 4 Episode 18 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where a frat house once again becomes a dangerous place for everyone and Buffy and Riley can’t get out of bed. This podcast episode looks at: (1) Striking scenes, fantastic dialogue, and series foreshadowing; (2) is the Scooby Gang the protagonist? (3) an antagonist without a clear goal; (4) illogical magic; and (5) is there any theme? Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Superstar (Season 4 Episode 17 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Jonathan changes everything. This podcast episode looks at: (1) beginning in media res; (2) small moments that build a character or a world; (3) who is protagonist: Buffy or Jonathan? (4) why themes and plots resonate differently with different viewers; and (5) unintentional messages in fiction. Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Episode: Sanctuary (S1 E19 of A...

This time on Buffy and the Art of Story, Buffy crosses over and Faith’s story continues on Sanctuary (Season 1 Episode 19 of Angel), where Angel tries to save Faith and turns his back on Buffy. This podcast episode looks at: (1) making things as hard as possible for the protagonist (Angel); (2) conflict-filled dialogue that keeps scenes tense; (3) when to leave out the backstory; and (4) the world, or society, as antagonist. Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Episode:...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story, Faith’s story continues on Five by Five (Season 1 Episode 18 of Angel), a Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel crossover where an evil law firm hires Faith to kill Angel. This podcast episode looks at: (1) Creating a sympathetic villain; (2) Flashbacks that might not be necessary but convey theme; (3) Using conflict to reveal backstory; and (4) An organization – Wolfram & Hart – as antagonist. Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Episo...