Episodes

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...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Enemies (Season 3 Episode 17 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy engages in a dangerous charade to expose Faith. (1) Does the episode play fair with the audience – or not? (2) Escalating conflict between Buffy and Angel; and (3) What makes Faith, as an antagonist, complex and compelling? As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: Earshot (after a holiday break) Last Ep...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Doppelgangland (Season 3 Episode 16 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Vampire Willow returns. This podcast episode looks at: (1) the first scene – initial conflict or prologue? (2) is Willow both protagonist and antagonist? (3) a very subtle Midpoint; and (4) using subplots and story questions to keep viewers coming back. As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: Enemies...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Consequences (Season 3 Episode 15 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy deals with the fallout after an untimely death. This episode includes: (1) setting up believable conflict among friends; (2) fast pacing through escalating tension and multiple plot twists; (3) when to leave a character out of a storyline; and (4) conflict based on characters’ life philosophies. As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the ...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Bad Girls (Season 3 Episode 14 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy tries out Faith’s approach to life and slaying. This podcast episode talks about: (1) an interloper who brings out different sides of our core characters; (2) expressing theme and exploring philosophy through conflict; (3) how this Faith/Buffy story differs from the Buffy/Kendra story; and (4) two game changers for the season and for Faith personally. As always, the discussion of Bu...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – The Zeppo (Season 3 Episode 13 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Xander has a very strange night. This podcast episode talks about: (1) why Xander is the protagonist; (2) whether a scene can be from the point of view of a character not in it; (3) the effect of a deliberately unfinished subplot; and (4) character growth through conflict. As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). L...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Helpless (Season 3 Episode 12 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy turns 18 and faces a grueling test. This podcast episode talks about: (1) weaving in seemingly insignificant details that make later plot developments work; (2) the dangers of sacrificing character for plot; (3) metaphors, theme, and pace; and (4) the demands of writing with a short turnaround time (really short). As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free,...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Gingerbread (Season 3 Episode 11 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where the adults become paranoid and turn on their children. This podcast episode talks about: (1) themes, including mob rule, parenting, and the danger of fear; (2) strong story structure; (3) whether the episode changes the arc of Season 3; and (4) fantastic and fun dialogue. 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 – Amends (Season 3 Episode 10 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This podcast episode talks about: (1) is this a Christmas Carol & series pilot for Angel? (2) challenges identifying the protagonist; (3) use of flashbacks and dreams; (4) a Deus Ex Machina ending; and (5) very clear subplots plot turns. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Episode: The Wish Next Up: Gingerbread Amends was written and directed...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – The Wish (Season 3 Episode 9 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This podcast episode talks about: (1) whether a character who dies partway through can be the protagonist; (2) events that shape a character’s personality; (3) a story about a character who never appears; (4) who serves as the antagonist; and (5) clothes that matter. As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Episode: L...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Lovers Walk (Season 3 Episode 8 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This podcast episode talks about: (1) how a side character (Spike!) changes our main characters’ story arcs; (2) major plot turns in some unusual places; (3) protagonist questions; and (4) whether Spike is the most emotionally healthy character in this episode. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Episode: Revelations Next Up: The Wish Lov...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Revelations (Season 3 Episode 7 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This podcast episode talks about: (1) a new character (Gwendolyn Post) revealed through every dialogue line; (2) themes of guilt, vulnerability, and isolation; (3) whether anyone is acting out of character; (4) a few plot questions; and (5) many layers for rewatching. As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Episode...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Band Candy (Season 3 Episode 6 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This podcast episode talks about: (1) Writing a role reversal story without the body switching; (2) Subtle commentary on the SATs; (3) Fun dialogue lines that serve multiple purposes; and (4) Buffy’s character growth through conflict. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Episode: Homecoming Next Up: Revelations Work On Your Story Download ...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story –Homecoming (Season 3 Episode 5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This podcast episode talks about: (1) How Buffy’s competition with Cordelia interweaves with the action plot (2) Unspoken conflicts that ratchet up tension (3) Key scenes and dialogue lines that develop relationships (4) Mr. Trick as a villain As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Episode: Beauty and the Beasts Nex...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Beauty and the Beasts (Season 3 Episode 4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This podcast episode talks about: (1) a very subtle Midpoint turn; (2) what is plot and what is subplot; (3) the challenges with the metaphor to abuse within a relationship; (4) point of view and playing fair with the audience; and (5) use of voiceover. As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Episode: Fai...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Faith, Hope & Trick (Season 3 Episode 3 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This podcast episode talks about: (1) exposition and key plot information handled in a fun, engaging way; (2) sowing subtle seeds of conflict early in the episode; (3) how late and missing plot turns affect the story; and (4) the most compelling emotional arc in Buffy. As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Las...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Dead Man’s Party (Season 3 Episode 2 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This podcast episode includes: (1) how the zombie plot turns connect to the emotional story line; (2) whether our characters act consistently with what we know of them from Seasons 1 and 2; (3) is the conflict between Buffy and her friends false conflict; and (4) is that mask angry at the room? As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with ...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Anne (Season 3 Episode 1 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This podcast episode includes: (1) how the premiere’s tone differs from the rest of the season; (2) hazy early plot turns; (3) multiple themes that raise a question on what the story’s about; and (4) whether the stakes are high enough for Buffy to be the protagonist. As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Episode: Buffy ...