Episodes

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...

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...