Episodes

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Who Are You? (Season 4 Episode 16 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Faith and Buffy literally walk in one another’s shoes. This podcast episode looks at: (1) Faith as both protagonist and antagonist; (2) the way the Adam season arc weaves into and turns the main plot; (3) external obstacles that show Faith’s inner conflict; and (4) how two three beats convey theme, show characters evolving, and move the story. Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plen...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – This Year’s Girl (Season 4 Episode 15 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Faith awakens from her coma. This podcast episode looks at: (1) telling the story and building character through setting and objects; (2) the opposite of Show Don’t Tell – powerful scenes and moments we don’t see; (3) strong conflict that conveys exposition without slowing the pace; and (4) who is the protagonist? Faith or Buffy? Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warn...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Goodbye Iowa (Season 4 Episode 14 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Adam steps out into the world and Riley fears Buffy is the enemy. This podcast episode looks at: (1) themes that may matter more than the plot; (2) repetition and exposition that slows the pace; (3) the role of dramatic irony; and (4) whether the Initiative is meant to be a less-than-powerful foe. Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: This Year’s Girl S4 E1...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – The I in Team (Season 4 Episode 13 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy briefly joins the Initiative with disastrous results. This podcast episode looks at: (1) fluid plot turns; (2) no clear inciting incident; (3) point of view and protagonist questions; (4) advancing season subplots; and (5) a special guest who talks about Frankenstein, feminism, and the phenomenon of corpse porn. Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Epis...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – A New Man (Season 4 Episode 12 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Ethan Rayne returns to Sunnydale and Giles undergoes a transformation. This podcast episode looks at: (1) Props that influence the story, set tone, and show the characters’ emotions; (2) seeing scenes from varying perspectives and at different times of life; and (3) character questions for Giles, including: Has he spent too much time with the kids? Spoiler-free, except at the end (with pl...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Doomed (Season 4 Episode 11 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy faces another Apocalypse and Riley makes his case. This podcast episode looks at: (1) how coincidences affect plot; (2) similarities to The Zeppo, a Xander-centric episode; (3) a super strong Story Spark but a Midpoint that lacks power; and (4) a well structured Spike subplot with lots of momentum Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Episode: Hush S4 E10 Next ...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Hush (Season 4 Episode 10 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where The Gentlemen harvest hearts in Sunnydale and no one can say a word. This podcast episode looks at: (1) the ways Hush is more like classic horror than most Buffy episodes; (2) making a story work without dialogue; (3) how the theme about language and communication infuses the plot and subplots; and (4) the purpose of introducing the characters of Tara and Olivia. Spoiler-free, except at the en...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Something Blue (Season 4 Episode 9 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Willow’s spell endangers all her friends and Buffy gets engaged to Spike. This podcast episode looks at: (1) which plot is the main plot – Willow dealing with her grief or Buffy trying to get information from Spike; (2) what makes a character a protagonist; (3) ways Something Blue is similar to Beer Bad; and (4) themes of romance and grief. Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – I Will Remember You (Season 1 Episode 8 of Angel the series), where Buffy crosses over to Angel. The two kill a demon with shocking and heartbreaking results. The podcast episode talks about: (1) images and dialogue lines that foreshadow the devastating ending; (2) is Fate the antagonist – or is it Angel v. Angel? (3) a powerful Midpoint with no major commitment or reversal; and (4) whether the events of this episode affect Buffy’s character going forwar...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Pangs (Season 4 Episode 8 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy strives to make a perfect Thanksgiving dinner and deal with an avenging spirit, Spike seeks help, and Angel lurks. This podcast episode looks at: (1) weaving in exposition through conflict; (2) clever dialogue that links one scene to the next seamlessly; (3) whether the plot justifies Angel’s presence; (4) characterization of Buffy that makes her obsession with Thanksgiving dinner work; ...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – The Initiative (Season 4 Episode 7 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where we finally find out what those military guys are up to: (1) is there a plot or a handful of subplots? (2) who is the protagonist – Spike, Riley, or Buffy? (3) a genre mix of rom/com and secret agent man; and (4) sowing seeds for the rest of Season 4. Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: Pangs (S4 E8) Last Episode: Wild at Heart (S4 E6) Work On Your Story ...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Wild At Heart (Season 4 Episode 6 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Willow notices Oz noticing someone else, and he learns more about his inner wolf. This podcast episode looks at: (1) An intertwined plot and subplot; (2) whether the antagonist is always the bad guy; (3) escalating conflict and the next worst thing; and (4) is the theme here what the writers think it is? Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: The Initiative...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Beer Bad (Season 4 Episode 5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy discovers beer with unexpected consequences: (1) what happens when no antagonist actively opposes the protagonist? (2) metaphors that don’t quite land and a theme gone astray; (3) parallel characters who behave in contrasting ways; (4) fakeouts to start and end the episode. Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: Wild at Heart (S4 E6) Last Episode: Fear Its...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Fear Itself (Season 4 Episode 4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy and her friends face their fears in a haunted house. This podcast episode looks at: (1) Buffy’s Post-Parker depression – does it make her angry? (2) whether the fears fit the characters; (3) slow pace, unclear plot turns, and repetition; (4) is there enough story here for a full episode? Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: Beer Bad (S4 E5) Last Episod...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – The Harsh Light of Day (Season 4 Episode 3 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy falls for a new guy and an old enemy returns to Sunnydale. This podcast episode looks at: (1) connecting vastly different scenes through dialogue; (2) themes of connection an distance; (3) which is the main plot and which the subplot? and (4) Buffy’s frame of reference for romance. Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: Fear Itself (S4 E4) La...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Living Conditions (Season 4 Episode 2 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy’s college roommate makes life and slaying tough. This podcast episode looks at: (1) was Buffy purposely written to act out of character – and is it justified? (2) few clear major plot turns until about two-thirds through, then the story rockets ahead; (3) audience misleads; (4) repeated exposition; and (5) not much in way of episode subplots, but lots of groundwork laid for f...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – The Freshman (Season 4 Episode 1 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy faces a whole new world – college. This podcast episode looks at: (1) a new world for Buffy the character – and the show; (2) whether the antagonist is vampire Sunday or that whole new world? (3) less metaphor than we usually see in Buffy; and (4) so much foreshadowing. As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Season 3 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in Review, where listeners, patrons, and guest podcasters share their thoughts on the season, including: (1) the Mayor’s deep love for Faith, and the way he manipulates her; (2) Faith’s lack of faith in herself; (3) Xander’s family life and his shining moment; (3) Willow’s growth, identity, and happiness; (4) recognition for Buffy at last; and (5) what Buffy Season 3 says about otherness, your crew, and more. Next Up ...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Graduation Day Part 2 (Season 3 Episode 22 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy fights her last high school battle. This podcast episode looks at: (1) how character actions convey emotions and move the story; (2) costuming choices that reflect character growth; (3) strong foreshadowing; (4) a pyrrhic ending; and (5) the season arc and theme. As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warn...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Graduation Day Part 1 (Season 3 Episode 21 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Faith poisons Angel and Buffy prepares to fight the Mayor, including: (1) the way the theme (of what graduation means for each character) is woven into this fast-paced story; (2) callbacks to previous episodes that make this almost like part 1 of a series finale; (3) the interplay of key episode plot turns with the major plot twists for 2-episode finale; and (4) moments for on...

This week on the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story – The Prom (Season 3 Episode 20 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy fights monsters that threaten the Prom and Angel questions whether he and Buffy have a future together. Also: (1) What looks like resolution of the Buffy/Angel relationship — but is it? (2) A very subtle Story Spark or Inciting Incident; (3) Why the A plot is not obvious until we reach the episode’s Climax; (4) No real major plot turn at the three-quarter point – though t...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Choices (Season 3 Episode 19 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy takes the fight to the Mayor, including: (1) comic moments that foreshadow key plot developments; (2) merging the last major plot turn, climax, and falling action; (3) thematic bookends; (4) a main plot that doesn’t change the Buffy/Mayor overall conflict but moves multiple longform story arcs Next Up: The Prom Last Episode: Earshot Work On Your Story Download free Story Structure wo...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Earshot (Season 3 Episode 18 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy gains a dangerous power and someone threatens the entire high school. And: (1) A different kind of audience mislead than we saw in Enemies (2) The role of happenstance and luck (3) What happens when you sideline your protagonist (4) How rewriting and revisions here heightened the dialogue and themes As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the e...

A quick announcement: On Thursday December 17, 2020, you can hear a few more of my thoughts on Buffy the Vampire Slayer along with insights into my favorite Mad Men character, Peggy Olson, if you check out the podcast They Coined It. I was lucky enough to be a guest for part of an episode discussing Season 2’s Maidenform. Co-host Roberta Lipp and I also talked a bit about plot and theme in Mad Men and how the previous episode, The New Girl, impacted the character arcs in Maidenform. After that I...