Episodes

At heart, are Willow Rosenberg and Rory Gilmore the same character? And why do so many fans love them both? This between-seasons podcast bonus episode focuses on: (1) how Rory and Willow differ in their love of books and learning; (2) a challenging Season 6 for both characters; (3) social skills, introversion, and having an extroverted, popular best friend; (4) comparing Rory’s ambition and Willow’s drive; and more. Check out The Awakening Complete Supernatural Thriller Series box set by Lisa ...

All of Angel Season 1 is covered this time on Buffy and the Art of Story. Along with a discussion of the plot turns for the entire season this podcast episode focuses on: (1) themes of disconnection, found families, mundane human evil, and more; (2) character growth for Angel, all the key characters, and side characters like Kate and Lindsey; (3) how Angel the series establishes a world that both differs and draws from the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer; and (4) a rating of Season 1 as a who...

In To Shanshu in L.A. (S1 E22 of Angel), Angel desperately strives to save Cordelia’s and Wesley’s lives as Wolfram & Hart begins raising a great evil. Along with the recap of To Shanshu in L.A., this podcast episode focuses on: (1) ever-escalating conflict; (2) gamechangers that reset the series; (3) the impact of strong foreshadowing and bookends; (4) how I Will Remember You informs the action without being mentioned; and (5) the episode rating from 0 to 10. Check out The Awakening Complete ...

In Blind Date (S1 E21 of Angel), attorney Lindsey McDonald comes to Angel to help save a group of children his evil law firm’s assassin plans to kill. Along with the recap of Blind Date, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) a strong origin-story-like subplot for the antagonist, Lindsey; (2) more than one character pushing against your protagonist; (3) themes of right and wrong, trust and relationships, and the reasons for our life choices; and (4) the episode rating from 0 to 10. Check out The...

In War Zone (S1 E20 of Angel), Angel gets in the middle of a war between vampires and street kids who hunt vampires, led by new character Charles Gunn. Along with the recap of War Zone, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) how well the origin story for new character Gunn works as a twentieth episode of Angel the series; (2) ways the plot and subplots connect through theme more than story; (3) how much practical reality should your fantasy hero deal with? and (4) the episode rating from 0 to 10....

In Sanctuary (S1 E19 of Angel), Angel tries to help Faith save herself, Buffy has other ideas, and the Watcher’s Council offers Wesley a deal. Along with the recap of Sanctuary, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) exposition revealed through strong, values-based conflict; (2) choosing what backstory to omit or include; (3) character growth for Faith and Wesley; (4) themes of redemption, empathy, and vengeance; and (5) the episode rating from 0 to 10. Check out The Awakening (Book 1) by Lisa M...

In Five By Five (S1 E18 of Angel), Angel strives to stop Faith after Wolfram & Hart hires her to assassinate him. Along with the recap of Five By Five, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) Angel and Wesley arcing in opposite directions; (2) creating a tightly written, interweaving plot and subplot; (3) themes expressed through conflict and action; and (4) the episode rating from 0 to 10. New Release by Lisa M. Lilly, The Desperate Man: https://lisalilly.com/desperate Download free Story Struct...

In Who Are You (S1 E16 of Buffy), Faith makes a desperate bid to survive, devastating Buffy, in the second of two episodes that eventually lead to her visiting Los Angeles–and Angel. Along with the recap of Who Are You, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) is Faith both protagonist and antagonist? (2) weaving the season arc (about Adam) seamlessly into the Faith/Buffy main plot; (3) external obstacles that show Faith’s internal conflict; and (4) how the body switching metaphor conveys the theme...

In This Year’s Girl (S1 E15 of Buffy), Faith awakens from a coma in the first of two episodes that eventually lead to her visiting Los Angeles–and Angel. Along with the recap of This Year’s Girl, this podcast episode focuses on: (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...

In Eternity (S1 E17 of Angel), Angel is drawn to a popular actress he saves from a stalker, and when she learns his secret it could be deadly for everyone. Along with the recap of Eternity, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) whether Angel or the actress is the protagonist; (2) does the humor break Cordelia’s character? (3) is this really how Angel’s curse works? and (4) the episode rating from 0 to 10. New Release by Lisa M. Lilly, The Desperate Man: https://lisalilly.com/desperate Download ...

In The Ring (S1 E16 of Angel), a missing person case leads to Angel being enslaved by gamblers running a gladiator-like boxing ring of demons. Along with the recap of The Ring, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) themes of found family and leadership; (2) foreshadowing twists; (3) Cordelia and Wesley grow – separately and together; and (4) the episode rating from 0 to 10. Try The Awakening (Book 1) by Lisa M. Lilly free at https://lisalilly.com/free/ Download free Story Structure worksheets: ...

In The Prodigal (S1 E15 of Angel), Angel is haunted by visons from his past as he investigates Kate’s father, potentially changing her life forever. Along with the recap of The Prodigal, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) flashbacks that tell their own story; (2) themes about humanity; (3) is Wesley still a Watcher at heart? and (4) the episode rating from 0 to 10. Try The Awakening (Book 1) by Lisa M. Lilly free at https://lisalilly.com/free/ Download free Story Structure worksheets: https:...

In I’ve Got You Under My Skin (S1 E14 of Angel), the team tries everything, including an exorcism, to help a family plagued by an ancient demon. Along with the recap of I’ve Got You Under My Skin, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) generic vs. layered characters; (2) what the soul means in the Buffyverse; (3) false and surprise endings; and (4) the episode rating from 0 to 10. Get The Awakening (Book 1) free at https://lisalilly.com/free/ Download free Story Structure worksheets: https://www...

In She (S1 E13 of Angel), Angel clashes with a woman warrior from another world fighting to save the enslaved women of her homeland. Along with the recap of She, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) the antagonist twist; (2) a slow moving plot; (3) unintentional themes about women and sexuality; and (4) the episode rating from 0 to 10. Get The Awakening (Book 1) free at https://lisalilly.com/free/ Download free Story Structure worksheets: https://www.lisalilly.com/worksheets Get more content, ...

In Expecting (S1 E12 of Angel), Cordelia is eight months pregnant the morning after what she thought was the perfect date and Angel and Wesley strive to protect her. Along with the recap of Expecting, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) the challenges of a group protagonist; (2) themes of found family and jealousy; (3) whether Angel, Cordelia, or Wesley grow; (4) why Expecting is key to the season arc; and (5) the episode rating from 0 to 10. Get The Awakening (Book 1) free at https://lisalil...

In Somnambulist (S1 E11 of Angel), Wesley realizes a serial killer follows rituals Angelus used in the 1700s, causing Angel to fear he’s murdering people while sleepwalking. Along with the recap of Somnambulist, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) recurring images and motifs in search of a theme; (2) protagonist problems and a less-than-compelling villain; (3) everyone forgets about Doyle; (4) things change for Kate and Angel; and (5) the episode rating from 0 to 10. Download free Story Struc...

This special almost New Year’s Eve edition of Buffy and the Art of Story covers host Lisa M. Lilly’s Top 10 Favorite Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters of all time. Along with naming the characters, she’ll talk about: (1) how the Season 6 Willow and Spike arcs affect their character rankings; (2) what side character made the rankings; (3) why certain principals are worth watching for very different reasons; and (4) why “favorite character” might be different from favorite character arcs. Lear...

In Parting Gifts (S1 E10 of Angel), Angel and Cordelia, still struggling to deal with their grief, join an old friend to track a demon bounty hunter. Along with the recap of Parting Gifts, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) themes of grief, staying in the fight, and accepting mistakes; (2) why Cordelia, the least strong physically of the team, makes such a great protagonist; (3) how the villain here echoes the Mayor; (4) whether this episode expands the Buffyverse; and (5) the episode rating ...

In Hero (S1 E9 of Angel), Angel and Doyle strive to save a helpless demon clan from a storm trooper-like army of pure blood demons. Along with the recap of Hero, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) using flashbacks to tell their own story; (2) character growth for Doyle and Cordelia; (3) themes of atonement and sacrifice; (4) misdirects and foreshadowing; and (5) the episode rating from 0 to 10. Download free Story Structure worksheets: https://www.lisalilly.com/worksheets Get more content, i...

In I Will Remember You (S1 E8 of Angel), Buffy arrives in Los Angeles in time to help Angel hunt a demon–with earth shattering consequences for them both. Along with the recap of I Will Remember You, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) major plot turns for Angel’s story and Buffy’s subplot; (2) how the episode changes when seen from Angel’s point-of-view, not Buffy’s; (3) the way Angel’s motives affect the story’s themes; and (5) the episode rating from 0 to 10. Download free Story Structure ...

In Bachelor Party (S1 E7 of Angel), Doyle’s estranged wife asks him for a divorce and Angel investigates her new fiancé. Along with the recap of Bachelor Party, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) a subtle main plot we might not notice because of all the action; (2) themes of self-acceptance and identity; (3) character growth for Doyle; (4) a bit of shaky world building; and (5) the episode rating from 1 to 10. Download free Story Structure worksheets: https://www.lisalilly.com/worksheets Che...

In Sense & Sensitivity (S1 E6 of Angel), Angel goes undercover to help Kate and sensitivity training causes chaos at the police precinct, putting lives in danger. Along with the recap of Sense & Sensitivity, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) how to subtly foreshadow later conflicts; (2) is sensitivity training the main plot? (3) whether Kate is the protagonist; (4) troubling themes that make the episode less engaging; and (5) the episode rating from 1 to 10. Download free Story Structure wo...

In Rm w/a Vu (S1 E5 of Angel), Cordelia gets a rent-controlled apartment with just a few tiny problems – including a homicidal ghost. Along with the recap of Rm w/a Vu, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) what makes horror work? (2) action and setting that mirror character conflicts; (3) strong growth for Cordie, subtle growth for Doyle, tranquility for Angel; (4) seeing the Buffyverse and Buffy from Cordelia’s point of view; and (5) the episode rating from 1 to 10. Download free Story Struct...

In I Fall To Pieces (S1 E4 of Angel), Angel Investigations aids a woman being stalked by a surgeon who seems to know–and see–everything about her. Along with the recap of I Fall To Pieces, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) a strong subplot but blurred major plot turns; (2) themes that establish the moral center of the series; (3) why the unclear rules distract from the story; (4) how Angel’s actions and past fit the detective and noir genres; and (5) the episode rating from 1 to 10. Downloa...