Top 10 Favorite Buffy Characters (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on December 29, 2025December 14, 2025 by admin

Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast Cover

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 characte...

Parting Gifts S1 E10 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)

Posted on December 15, 2025December 10, 2025 by admin

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 ep...

Hero S1 E9 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)

Posted on December 1, 2025December 10, 2025 by admin

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 ...

I Will Remember You S1 E8 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)

Posted on November 17, 2025November 15, 2025 by admin

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 fre...

Bachelor Party S1 E7 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)

Posted on November 3, 2025November 3, 2025 by admin

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.c...

Sense & Sensitivity S1 E6 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)

Posted on September 15, 2025September 12, 2025 by admin

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. Downloa...

Rm w/a Vu S1 E5 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)

Posted on September 1, 2025August 29, 2025 by admin

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 ...

I Fall To Pieces (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)

Posted on August 18, 2025August 18, 2025 by admin

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 fro...

In The Dark S1 E3 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)

Posted on August 4, 2025August 1, 2025 by admin

In In The Dark (S1 E3 of Angel), Spike comes to L.A. in search of a gem that makes vampires unkillable. Along with the recap of In The Dark, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) Angel's mission, promises kept, and vampire philosophy; (2) whether Spike ever learns or Angel is addicted to brooding; (3) revisiting choice in the Buffyverse; and (4) the episode rating from 1 to 10. Download free Story Structure worksheets: https://www.lisalilly.com/worksheets Get more content, i...

Lonely Hearts S1 E2 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on July 21, 2025July 18, 2025 by admin

In Lonely Hearts (S1 E2 of Angel), Angel must meet new people when he, Cordelia, and Doyle hunt for a serial killer that finds victims in the singles bar scene. Along with the recap of Lonely Hearts, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) themes of trust, secret-keeping, and connection; (2) how the writers introduce many new characters while keeping the story clear; (3) the way Lonely Hearts fits into the Buffyverse; and (4) the episode rating from 1 to 10. Download free Story S...