Help S7 E4 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on April 15, 2024May 9, 2024 by admin

Buffy and the Art of Story podcast cover

In Help (S7 E4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), a Sunnydale High student insists she will die in a few days though she doesn't know why and Buffy strives to save her. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) Surprising the viewer while playing fair with a second — and third — ending; (2) foreshadowing or overshadowing plot turns and Season 7 themes; (3) callbacks or rehashes? and (4) what makes an opening scene compelling. Last Episode: Same Time Same Place Next Episode: ...

Same Time Same Place S7 E3 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on April 1, 2024March 29, 2024 by admin

In Same Time Same Place (S7 E3 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Willow returns to Sunnydale, a victim is flayed, and no one can find anyone else. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) how coincidence affects story; (2) why the doubled scenes are so engaging; (3) what happens when rules--for demons or spells--are unclear; (4) pacing problem or thematic choice? and (5) many, many metaphors. Last Episode: Beneath You Next Episode: Help New Audiobooks How To Write A N...

Beneath You S7 E2 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on March 18, 2024April 12, 2024 by admin

In Beneath You (S7 E2 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), a giant worm demon terrorizes Sunnydale and Buffy learns Spike’s secret. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) how well “from beneath you it devours” works in this episode; (2) the oddness of Spike with a soul; (3) repetitive exposition that slows the pace; and (4) well-constructed exposition that adds fun. Last Episode: Lessons Next Episode: Same Time Same Place Latest Release: Buffy and the Art of Story Seas...

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

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

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...