Episodes

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...