Episodes

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...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: The Pack, Season 1, Episode 6 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This episode includes how to build the character of the victim to make the loss greater while misdirecting the audience regarding who the victim will be. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Story Elements in The Pack In this podcast episode we’ll look at how The Pack handles: All major plot points Creating a victim the audience likes Misdirectio...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Never Kill A Boy On The First Date. (Season 1, Episode 5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.) The podcast episode covers interweaving plot lines, theme, and cliffhangers versus game changers. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Story Elements in Never Kill A Boy On The First Date In this podcast episode we’ll look at how Buffy handles: All the major plot turns in this standalone episode How the different story...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Teacher’s Pet, Season 1, Episode 4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The episode focuses on point-of-view, tone, and all the major plot points from opening conflict to the climax. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Story Elements in Teacher’s Pet In this podcast episode we’ll look at how Buffy handles: Viewpoint Characters in a Xander-centric episode Opening Conflict Story Spark (a/k/a Inciting Incident) The...

This episode of Buffy and the Art of Story covers The Witch, Season 1, Episode 3. Buffy and the Art of Story is for anyone who wants to learn more about plot, characterization, and other story elements by watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Every discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Story Elements in The Witch In this podcast episode we’ll look at how Buffy handles: Opening Conflict Story Spark (a/k/a Inciting Incident) The first major plot turn at the one-qu...

Today on Buffy and the Art of Story: Season 1, Episode 2, The Harvest. For writers and other story creators interested in looking at Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes one-by-one to see how plot, characterization, and other story elements work (and very occasionally don’t). Every discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Story Elements in The Harvest In this podcast episode we’ll look at how Buffy handles these story elements in the second half of the 2-episode pil...

Buffy and the Art of Story starts with Season 1, Episode 1, Welcome to the Hellmouth. For writers and other story creators who want to learn more about plot, characterization, and other story elements by watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Every discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Story Elements in Welcome to the Hellmouth: In this podcast episode we’ll look at how Welcome to the Hellmouth handles: Prologue Exposition Opening Conflict Story Spark (a/k/a Incit...