Episodes

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Passion (Season 2 Episode 17 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer): This podcast episode covers (1) who the protagonist is – Angel or Buffy? (2) weaving together two strong plots; (3) underscoring tragedy by shifting a character’s tone; and (4) dramatic irony that ratchets up emotional pain. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Week: Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered Next Up: Killed By Death Work On Your Stor...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered (Season 2 Episode 16 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This podcast episode covers (1) using humor to convey theme; (2) conflict that causes character growth (for Cordelia); (3) foreshadowing significant plot developments without giving anything away; and (4) intertwining many plotlines seamlessly. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Week: Phases Next Up: Passion Work O...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Phases (Season 2 Episode 15 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer): This podcast episode covers (1) why Buffy is the protagonist despite this being a key episode for Oz and Willow; (2) using humor and character development to hide clues; and (3) who Buffy feels she is allowed to kill and why. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Week: Innocence Next Up: Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered Work On Your Story Dow...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Innocence (Season 2 Episode 14 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), the conclusion of a two-part story: This podcast episode covers (1) the most heart-breaking Midpoint Reversal in all of Buffy; (2) how setting affects a scene’s emotional impact; (3) making the audience love your characters; and (4) why sometimes it’s good to write yourself into a corner. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Week: Surprise N...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Surprise (Season 2 Episode 13 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), the first of a two-part story: This podcast episode covers (1) hooks that keep the audience coming back – especially when the episode ends; (2) exposition through conflict; (3) snappy dialogue that makes drama more intense by contrast; and (4) how the full story arc’s plot points intersect the turns in Surprise. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning)...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Bad Eggs (Season 2 Episode 12 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer): This podcast episode covers (1) two intersecting storylines that lack emotional weight; (2) unclear plot points in both stories; (3) a pace that lags a bit; (4) a theme of responsibility that doesn’t quite play out; but (5) fun moments and strong foreshadowing of the upcoming pivotal two-episode story. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Wee...

This week on the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story: Ted (Season 2 Episode 11 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer): This episode covers (1) how a seemingly throwaway episode foreshadows key developments for the entire series; (2) many metaphors that might not mix so well; and (3) dialogue that illustrates what works in Buffy’s relationship with Angel. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: Bad Eggs Last Week: What’s My Line Part 2 Work On Your Sto...

This week on the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story: What’s My Line Part Two (Season 2 Episode 10 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer): This episode covers (1) a Midpoint reversal that spins the story and changes Buffy’s mindset about slaying; (2) why readers don’t always believe something that’s authentic; (3) quickly reminding your audience what happened before; and (4) crafting an episode around a great line. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next ...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: What’s My Line Part 1 (Season 2 Episode 9 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer): This podcast episode covers (1) how to keep exposition interesting; (2) heightening the threat by changing key characters’ behavior; (3) body language that shows emotion; and (4) Marti Noxon’s Harold and the Purple Crayon moment. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: What’s My Line Part 2 Last Week: The Dark Age Work On Your St...

This week on the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story: The Dark Age (Season 2 Episode 8 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer): This episode covers (1) external conflict that causes Buffy and Giles to grow; (2) whether The Dark Age is a Coming of Age story; and (3) what makes a character the protagonist. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: What’s My Line Part 1 Last Week: Lie to Me S2 E7 Work On Your Story Download the 5-Point Story Structure Temp...

This week on the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story: Lie To Me (Season 2 Episode 7 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This episode covers (1) a two-part Inciting Incident/Story Spark; (2) a Midpoint reversal Buffy only recognizes in retrospect; (3) characters who talk about everything except what they really feel; and (4) Buffy and Spike reflecting one another and foreshadowing the season final. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: The Dark A...

This week on the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story: Halloween (Season 2 Episode 6 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer): (1) why Buffy is the protagonist but someone else saves the day; (2) Willow gains confidence incrementally; and (3) we see another side to Giles that foreshadows future episodes and keeps us coming back. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: Lie to Me S2 E7 Last Week: Reptile Boy S2 E5 Work On Your Story Download the 5-Point S...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Reptile Boy (Season 2 Episode 5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This podcast episode covers (1) theme woven into story; (2) a huge turning point for Buffy and Giles; (3) escalating conflict and why the Midpoint of your story matters; and (4) the first of many demon snakes in Buffy. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: Halloween S2 E6 Last Week: Inca Mummy Girl S2 E4 Work On Your Story Download the ...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Inca Mummy Girl (Season 2 Episode 4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer) This podcast episode covers (1) a clear Inciting Incident; (2) how a very flawed character draws the audience in; (3) emotional arcs with major commitments; and (4) a new character – Oz! As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: Reptile Boy S2 E5 Last Week: School Hard S2 E3 Work On Your Story Download the 5-Point Story Structure Templat...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: School Hard (Season 2 Episode 3 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This podcast episode covers (1) very strong story structure despite no striking midpoint commitment by Buffy; (2) the concept of the worthy adversary; (3) mother-daughter conflict; (4) embedding story questions; and (5) so much foreshadowing about Spike (in the Spoiler section). As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: Inca Mummy Girl S2 E4...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Some Assembly Required (Season 2 Episode 2 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). In this podcast episode, we’ll talk about (1) the lack of a strong Midpoint commitment or reversal; (2) a jumble of antagonists; (3) whether flashbacks might help develop the character relationships; and (4) if the theme works. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: School Hard S2 E3 Last Week: When She Was Bad S2 E1 Improve Yo...

This week on the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story: When She Was Bad (Season 2 Episode 1 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). For the Season 2 pilot we’ll cover (1) how the major plot points, despite all the action, are emotional ones; (2) why Giles can hang out with teenagers all the time without it being creepy; and (3) the ways the episode foreshadows so much of Season 2 (in the Spoiler section). As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: Some As...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Buffy Season 1 Overview. Along with best and favorite plot turns from Season 1 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, this episode covers my favorite (1) One-Off Villain; (2) Red Herring; (3) Single Episode Character Killed & more. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Sorry, no Season 1 DVD commentary for the Buffy Season 1 Overview. In 2 Weeks: When She Was Bad S2 E1 Last Week: Prophecy Girl S1 E12 Support the Show...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Prophecy Girl (Season 1, Episode 12 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This pivotal story for Buffy begins in Xander’s point of view. We’ll explore that as well as (1) creating multiple characters the audience identifies with; (2) using actions to demonstrate characters’ feelings; (3) a very layered Story Spark/Inciting Incident; and (4) a strong midpoint and three-quarter plot turn. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of ...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Out of Mind Out of Sight (Season 1, Episode 11 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Along with plot turns about an invisible girl, this episode covers (1) scene transitions (done so well!); (2) flashbacks (maybe not done so well) (3) theme; (4) strong dialogue; and (5) a midpoint that’s not so strong. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Sorry, no Season 1 DVD commentary for Out of Mind Out of Sight. Next Up: Pro...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Nightmares. (Season 1, Episode 10 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.) Along with story structure and plot turns, this episode covers the way the writers escalate conflict to maximize the characters’ pain and how Nightmares foreshadows many significant emotional arcs in the series. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Story Elements in Nightmares In this podcast episode we’ll look at: Plot Turns The interplay o...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: The Puppet Show. (Season 1, Episode 9 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.) In addition to plot turns, we’ll talk about (1) how characters on the protagonist’s side can still push against her and create conflict; (2) the excellent use of hints and red herrings while still playing fair; (3) a new character opposed to Buffy who might or might not be evil (Principal Snyder!), a replacement character who is very different from his predecessor (also Snyder). As always...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: I, Robot…You, Jane. (Season 1, Episode 8 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.) This podcast episode covers using prologues to raise the stakes, whether the demon here is a compelling antagonist, and how I, Robot weaves in action in quick bursts. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Story Elements in I, Robot In this podcast episode we’ll look at: Raising the stakes through a prologue Learning about strong chapte...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Angel, Season 1, Episode 7. This episode covers how season-long antagonist The Master is the protagonist in the main plot. Also how the episode intertwines that plot with 2 subplots – one with Buffy as protagonist, one with Angel. And the way the episode serves as a Season Midpoint. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Story Elements in Angel In this podcast episode we’ll look at: How the main plot and 2...