Lessons S7 E1 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on March 4, 2024March 1, 2024 by admin

Buffy and the Art of Story podcast cover

In Lessons (S7 E1 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Buffy tries to prepare Dawn for high school and to fight vampires, zombie ghosts attack, and Spike returns. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) does Lessons work better as a season pilot than an episode? (2) challenges of the “I’m just evil” antagonist; (3) episode v. season themes; and (4) whether we buy the way Buffy and friends have grown and changed since last season. Last Episode: Blind Date (Wolfram & Cast) ...

Blind Date Wolfram & Cast (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on February 19, 2024March 15, 2024 by admin

Wolfram & Cast An Angel Retrospective Podcast

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 ...

Season 6 As A Whole (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on February 5, 2024February 2, 2024 by admin

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:...

Grave S6 E22 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on January 22, 2024January 23, 2024 by admin

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...

Our Father (2021) (Movie Review)

Posted on January 19, 2024 by admin

This week I'm talking about the 2021 movie Our Father, where two young women go in search of their estranged uncle after their father's death. (I'm aiming to watch an average of one movie a week in 2024.) I chose Our Father because I've been wanting to watch a movie featuring Chicago actor Brian King. A trailer for this one caught my eye, though he appears in only one scene. The Premise Of Our Father In the days after their father's death, two young women learn that they have an u...

The Final Girls (Movie Review)

Posted on January 10, 2024January 18, 2024 by admin

This week I'm talking about the movie The Final Girls. As I wrote about last week, I'm watching one movie a week in 2024. I chose The Final Girls because I like the actress Nina Dobrev. She plays a key role, though she's not the lead. The Premise Of The Final Girls Main character Max's mother is an actress best known for a starring role in a classic cult horror movie. Max and her mother are very close, which is easy to see in the opening scene. But tragedy strikes, and her mother is ki...

Two To Go S6 E21 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on January 8, 2024February 2, 2024 by admin

In Two To Go (S6 E21 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Buffy and friends put themselves in peril to stop Willow from killing Andrew and Jonathan, Dawn seeks out Rack, and Spike faces trials. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) Willow’s shift from antagonist to genuine, three-dimensional villain, (2) deeply-felt emotions and other reasons Willow, the villain, is so much more intriguing than Buffy, and (3) whether the repetitive dialogue here creates a theme or slows the stor...

New Year’s Resolutions For Fun

Posted on January 1, 2024January 2, 2024 by admin

Kindle Scribe showing notebook with movie title What Happened To Monday written on it

New Year's resolutions can be tricky. That's why I rarely make them, but this year I decided to. Why? Because a friend suggested a way to make a new year's resolution fun. Many people make resolutions to try to improve parts of their lives they struggle with. But often they focus on what the "should" do not what they want to do. Eat vegetables every day. Go to the gym once a week. Learn a language. The challenge comes when you miss a day or a week, then one more, and pretty soon it's March. S...

A Very Buffy Holiday Episode (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on December 18, 2023January 18, 2024 by admin

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 W...

Villains S6 E20 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on November 13, 2023January 4, 2024 by admin

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. La...