The Freshman S4 E1 (Buffy and the Art of Story)

Posted on February 22, 2021May 8, 2021 by admin

Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast Cover

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – The Freshman (Season 4 Episode 1 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy faces a whole new world - college. This podcast episode looks at: (1) a new world for Buffy the character – and the show; (2) whether the antagonist is vampire Sunday or that whole new world? (3) less metaphor than we usually see in Buffy; and (4) so much foreshadowing. As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of w...

Buffy Season 3 In Review (Buffy and the Art of Story)

Posted on February 8, 2021February 12, 2021 by admin

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Season 3 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in Review, where listeners, patrons, and guest podcasters share their thoughts on the season, including: (1) the Mayor's deep love for Faith, and the way he manipulates her; (2) Faith's lack of faith in herself; (3) Xander's family life and his shining moment; (3) Willow's growth, identity, and happiness; (4) recognition for Buffy at last; and (5) what Buffy Season 3 says about otherness, your crew...

Graduation Day Part 2 S3 E22 (Buffy and the Art of Story)

Posted on February 1, 2021February 12, 2021 by admin

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Graduation Day Part 2 (Season 3 Episode 22 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy fights her last high school battle. This podcast episode looks at: (1) how character actions convey emotions and move the story; (2) costuming choices that reflect character growth; (3) strong foreshadowing; (4) a pyrrhic ending; and (5) the season arc and theme. As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty o...

Graduation Day Part 1 S3 E21 (Buffy and the Art of Story)

Posted on January 25, 2021February 5, 2021 by admin

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Graduation Day Part 1 (Season 3 Episode 21 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Faith poisons Angel and Buffy prepares to fight the Mayor, including: (1) the way the theme (of what graduation means for each character) is woven into this fast-paced story; (2) callbacks to previous episodes that make this almost like part 1 of a series finale; (3) the interplay of key episode plot turns with the major plot twists for 2-episode finale; and (4)...

The Prom S3 E20 (Buffy and the Art of Story)

Posted on January 18, 2021January 16, 2021 by admin

This week on the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story – The Prom (Season 3 Episode 20 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy fights monsters that threaten the Prom and Angel questions whether he and Buffy have a future together. Also: (1) What looks like resolution of the Buffy/Angel relationship -- but is it? (2) A very subtle Story Spark or Inciting Incident; (3) Why the A plot is not obvious until we reach the episode's Climax; (4) No real major plot turn at the three-quarter...

Choices S3 E19 (Buffy and the Art of Story)

Posted on January 11, 2021January 21, 2021 by admin

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Choices (Season 3 Episode 19 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy takes the fight to the Mayor, including: (1) comic moments that foreshadow key plot developments; (2) merging the last major plot turn, climax, and falling action; (3) thematic bookends; (4) a main plot that doesn’t change the Buffy/Mayor overall conflict but moves multiple longform story arcs Next Up: The Prom Last Episode: Earshot Work On Your Story ...

Earshot S3 E18 (Buffy and the Art of Story)

Posted on January 4, 2021January 16, 2021 by admin

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Earshot (Season 3 Episode 18 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy gains a dangerous power and someone threatens the entire high school. And: (1) A different kind of audience mislead than we saw in Enemies (2) The role of happenstance and luck (3) What happens when you sideline your protagonist (4) How rewriting and revisions here heightened the dialogue and themes As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free...

Mad Men, Buffy, And More

Posted on December 17, 2020December 14, 2020 by admin

A quick announcement: On Thursday December 17, 2020, you can hear a few more of my thoughts on Buffy the Vampire Slayer along with insights into my favorite Mad Men character, Peggy Olson, if you check out the podcast They Coined It. I was lucky enough to be a guest for part of an episode discussing Season 2's Maidenform. Co-host Roberta Lipp and I also talked a bit about plot and theme in Mad Men and how the previous episode, The New Girl, impacted the character arcs in Maidenform. After ...

Enemies S3 E17 (Buffy and the Art of Story)

Posted on December 14, 2020January 7, 2021 by admin

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Enemies (Season 3 Episode 17 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy engages in a dangerous charade to expose Faith. (1) Does the episode play fair with the audience – or not? (2) Escalating conflict between Buffy and Angel; and (3) What makes Faith, as an antagonist, complex and compelling? As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: Earshot (after a holi...

Doppelgangland (Buffy and the Art of Story S3 E16)

Posted on December 7, 2020January 30, 2021 by admin

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Doppelgangland (Season 3 Episode 16 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Vampire Willow returns. This podcast episode looks at: (1) the first scene - initial conflict or prologue? (2) is Willow both protagonist and antagonist? (3) a very subtle Midpoint; and (4) using subplots and story questions to keep viewers coming back. As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). ...