Episodes

This week Angel retrospective podcast Wolfram & Cast visits Buffy and the Art of Story, looking at Angel S1 E21 Blind Date. In Blind Date, Angel tries to stop a blind assassin. Along with the recap, host Steven Youngkin focuses on: (1) navigating the treacherous waters of destiny, free will, and the all-too-human struggle between redemption and power; (2) dissecting the intricate relationship between Angel and Lindsay MacDonald; (3) the sinister intricacies of Holland Manners, brought to life by...

In Buffy Season 6, Buffy the Vampire Slayer takes a new approach to storytelling. This podcast episode looks at the season arc as a whole. Along with the season recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) how to write a group as protagonist; (2) themes and Dark Willow; (3) whether Buffy’s growth rings true; (4) which Buffy Season 6 plot turns are most compelling; and more. Last Episode: Grave Next Episode: Bonus – Wolfram & Cast looks at Angel Episode Blind Date Latest Release: Buffy and the Ar...

In Grave (S6 E22 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), the gang tries to stop Willow from ending the world and Buffy and Dawn battle beneath the earth. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) a protagonist shift from Buffy to Giles to Xander; (2) why Xander is the one and only character who could save the world; (3) Xander’s worst traits – same as his best traits? and (4) how Buffy’s subplot fits with the larger story (if it does). Last Episode: Two To Go Next Episode: Season 3 As A W...

This bonus A Very Buffy Holiday, compares all 6 Buffy holiday episodes. Plus one Buffy the Vampire Slayer holiday flashback. Last Episode: Villains Next Episode: Two To Go New Release: Buffy and the Art of Story Season Three Part 1: Write More Gripping Plots, Characters, And Themes By Watching Buffy Download free Story Structure worksheets Get more content while supporting the podcast by becoming a patron Get Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting And Writing Your Novel (ebook...

In Villains (S6 E20 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Warren flees, Buffy and friends grapple with Tara’s death, and Willow’s out for revenge. Or is it justice? Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) whether Villians is Buffy’s story or Willow’s; (2) why viewers might not love Season 6 Buffy as a character; (3) seamless scene endings and beginnings that move us through the story; (4) how Warren’s evil deeds contrast those done by others, first for fun, then for sympathy. Last Epi...

In Seeing Red (S6 E19 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), the geek trio feuds, Spike assaults Buffy, and Warren strikes a fatal blow. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) how Spike’s actions fit his character arc; (2) themes of trust, misogyny, and being a “real man”; (3) episode bookends that maximize the heartrending final moments; and (4) an unclear main plot despite all the drama and conflict. Last Episode: Entropy Next Episode: Villains New Release: Buffy and the Art of Sto...

In Entropy (S6 E18 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Anya and Spike connect over being rejected and Xander is once again horrible to everyone. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) locked or unresolvable conflicts in key relationships; (2) how Xander/Anya and Buffy/Spike mirror one another; (3) why Dawn is interesting and likeable in this episode; (4) engaging exposition; and (5) scene cuts for maximum emotional impact and a fast pace. Last Episode: Normal Again Next Episode: Se...

In Normal Again (S6 E17 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Buffy hallucinates that she’s in a psychiatric facility and her parents are still alive. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) why a kind, compassionate character can make a scene more chilling; (2) conveying exposition the characters already know; (3) how to add new backstory to an old timeline; (4) can your plot be strong without a clear single midpoint moment? Last Episode: Hell’s Bells Next Episode: Entropy Read Buff...

In Hell’s Bells (S6 E16 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Xander and Anya head for the altar – give or take a demon or two. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) mirrors in Hell’s Bells that reflect characters’ internal lives; (2) which is the main plot: Xander facing his demons, real and figurative, or Anya getting ready to be married; (3) subtle, thematic scene transitions; and (4) the return of Season 5 Spike (for now). Last Episode: As You Were Next Episode: Normal Again Do...

In Older and Far Away (S6 E14 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Dawn’s feeling left out and it’s Buffy’s birthday – what could go wrong? Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) how small moments create deep conflict; (2) protagonist problems; (3) two demons – no antagonists? (4) a slow story with a lot going on. Last Episode: Dead Things Next Episode: As You Were Download free Story Structure worksheets Get more content while supporting the podcast by becoming a patron Get Super ...

In Dead Things (S6 E13 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), the trio tries to frame Buffy for murder, and Buffy’s sure she came back from the dead wrong. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) whether Spike’s and Buffy’s actions fit their characters as portrayed in earlier seasons; (2) how committing crimes shapes Jonathan, Andrew, and Warren; (3) ways Buffy’s story calls back to Faith’s character arc; and (4) a murder subplot enmeshed in a main plot where Buffy strives to understan...

In Doublemeat Palace (S6 E12 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Buffy gets a job and Willow struggles when Amy gives her magic as a gift. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) how to create a fair fight between a villain and a superstrong protagonist; (2) layered dialogue (like Hallie’s and Anya’s) that reads differently each time you hear it; (3) when it’s okay for someone else to save your hero; (4) writing a subplot with strong, clear plot turns; and (5) why realism matters mo...

In Gone (S6 E11 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), a social worker visits the Summers house and the trio makes Buffy something that rhymes with “blinvisible.” Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) the storytelling challenges of an unengaged protagonist like Buffy; (2) why lots of conflict doesn’t always equal a strong plot; (3) season hooks that don’t really hook (the stolen diamond); and (4) small moments that show subtly building conflict between Buffy and Xander but also show ...

In Wrecked (S6 E10 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Willow meets Rack and dives into dark magic as Buffy deals with the fallout from her night with Spike. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) repetition and pacing; (2) Wrecked as a full story or Part 2 of Smashed; (3) conveying emotion through actions and indirect dialogue; and (4) how well the Willow/Rack/addiction story fits in the Buffyverse. Download free Story Structure worksheets Support the podcast and get bonus episod...

In Smashed (S6 E9 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Willow brings Amy back, the Trio uses a freeze ray, and Buffy and Spike bring down the house —literally. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) why and how Buffy finally acts on her desire for Spike; (2) whether Smashed is complete or one half of a story; and (3) how Buffy’s and Willow’s storylines reflect one another and where they diverge. Download free Story Structure worksheets Support the podcast and get bonus episodes by ...

In Tabula Rasa (S6 E8 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Willow tries another forgetting spell with consequences that are fun at first and then devastating. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) what the characters don’t say that gives the dialogue so much power; (2) themes and metaphors that work – and don’t – and why; and (3) a super-clear plot structure for the first three quarters that blurs toward the end but hits all the right emotional notes. Last Episode: Once More With F...

In Once More With Feeling (S6 E7 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Sunnydale bursts into song, Spike and Buffy are drawn together, and Dawn is once again in peril in the Buffy musical episode. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) how a tight plot structure, including subplots, gives Once More With Feeling emotional power; (2) escalating conflict that keeps the story moving; (3) whether misdirects about Xander and Dawn play fair with the audience; (4) why it might not matter who...

In All The Way (S6 E6 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Dawn ducks out of Xander’s and Anya’s engagement party on Halloween and puts herself in peril. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) who the protagonist is – Dawn, Buffy, someone else? (2) which is the main plot: Tara/Willow, Xander/Anya, Dawn’s adventure, Buffy’s struggles? (3) are all these story lines subplots, partial season arcs, or both? (4) when misdirection and subverting expectations works best; and (5) how not kno...

In Life Serial (Season 6 Episode 5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Buffy tries to figure out what to do with her life and gets stuck in a magical loop. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: when stretching or breaking the characters undermines the plot why internal logic matters for spells and the story in character vs. out of character humor the effect of magic without consequences Last Episode: Flooded S6 E4 Next Up: All The Way S6 E6 Download free Story Structure worksheets ...

In Flooded (S6 E4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), the basement floods, Buffy struggles over too many bills, and the trio sends a demon after her. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) the challenges of an intangible villain (like debt and falling property values) in a fantasy story; (2) false conflict vs. character-based conflict between Buffy, Giles, and Willow; (3) what works and doesn’t with cartoony villains like the trio; and (4) is slaying a metaphor for women’s unpaid l...

In After Life (S6 E3 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), a demon Buffy’s friends think she brought back from hell torments everyone. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) plot turns and protagonist questions that make After Life more of a continuation than a standalone story; (2) why monsters need rules and whether the demon here follows any; (3) hints the writers weave in to tell us Buffy is hiding things from her friends; and (4) seeds for season-long character and relationship ...

In Bargaining Part 2 (S6 E2 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), demon bikers take over Sunnydale and Buffy claws her way out of the grave and thinks she’s in hell. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) how Bargaining Parts 1 and 2 change the tone of series; (2) clever scene transitions that cue new viewers in and engage the audience; (3) a climax with a different protagonist; and (4) whether Buffy, though dead for Part 1, is the antagonist throughout. Last Episode: Bargaining Part...

In Bargaining Part 1 (S6 E1 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Buffy’s friends struggle to deal with her death—and to bring her back to life. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) conflicts that bring the audience into the brand new world without Buffy; (2) story questions that keep viewers on edge; (3) actions that show characters’ emotions in powerful ways; and (4) protagonist and pacing issues because Bargaining: Part 1 includes so many viewpoints and covers so much ground. La...