Forever S5 E17 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on September 12, 2022October 6, 2022 by admin

Buffy and the Art of Story podcast cover

In Forever (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S5 E17), Angel returns and Dawn tries to resurrect her mother. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) why Forever feels like a one-off but moves the season arc in so many ways; (2) real, genuine conflict between Tara and Willow arising from their values and foreshadowing Season 6; (3) how Buffy’s fears of being vulnerable drive Dawn to take desperate action and fuel a Buffy vs. Buffy subplot; and (4) characters who push against Dawn and...

The Body S5 E16 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on August 29, 2022August 25, 2022 by admin

In The Body (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S5 E16), Buffy and friends deal with Joyce’s death. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) the group as protagonist and death as antagonist (2) storytelling through physicality, sounds, and lighting (3) whether The Body lacks metaphor or is entirely a metaphor (4) how and why The Body changes on rewatching and more. Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Episode: I Was Made To Love You S5 E15 Next Up: F...

I Was Made To Love You S5 E15 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on August 15, 2022September 8, 2022 by admin

In I Was Made To Love You (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S5 E15), an unusually cheerful girlfriend hunts for Warren. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) whether the episode conveys the theme the writers thought it did; (2) a strong emotional main plot but an action plot that falters; (3) when and why I Was Made To Love You misleads viewers; and (4) whether Buffy’s character flaws of self-involvement and distance feel authentic. Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty...

Crush S5 E14 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on August 1, 2022August 25, 2022 by admin

In Crush (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S5 E14), Buffy rejects Spike and Drusilla returns to Sunnydale set on bringing him back to his old self. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) how his actions reveal a Spike vs. Spike subplot and his character growth; (2) why the story structure works well despite fluid, subtle major plot turns; (3) what keeps the pace fast though much of Crush focuses on overall Season 5 arcs; and (4) a podcast patron who dives into Buffy’s and Spike’s ...

Blood Ties S5 E13 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on July 18, 2022July 18, 2022 by admin

In Blood Ties (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S5 E13), Dawn learns the truth about her origins, no one keeps Spike in the loop, and Buffy faces Glory. Along with the breakdown of Blood Ties, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) how Blood Ties tells a fast, gripping story despite that Buffy and Glory don’t face off until the end; (2) the way Dawn’s arc deftly weaves subplot points and turns into the main plot; (3) story questions that keep viewers tuning in even after reveals about Dawn and Glory; ...

Checkpoint S5 E12 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on July 4, 2022July 23, 2022 by admin

In Checkpoint (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S5 E12), the Watchers Council refuses to help Buffy defeat Glory unless she endures its grueling review. Along with the episode recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) unevenly placed major plot turns in Checkpoint that throw off the pace; (2) subtle character and dialogue choices that tell the story of the Watcher’s Council and the theme of power; (3) using minor conflict to reveal exposition and set up later scenes; and (4) the ways Checkpoint t...

Triangle S5 E11 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on June 6, 2022June 23, 2022 by admin

In Triangle (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S5 E11), Anya and Willow conjure an evil troll as Buffy deals with post-Riley life. This podcast episode recaps Triangle, focusing on: Anya, Willow, and Xander are in a troll triangle and it's Buffy's show – so who is the protagonist? running season arcs but no subplots for Spike, Xander, Buffy, and Dawn; what less dramatic plot turns do to the episode's pace; and should you break your characters for a joke? Spoiler-free, except at the end...

Into The Woods S5 E10 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on May 23, 2022June 23, 2022 by admin

In Into The Woods (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S5 E10), thanks to Spike, Buffy learns about Riley's dark side. This podcast episode recaps Into The Woods, focusing on: a shadow subplot for Riley about his life's mission; hooking the audience by ending scenes just before Buffy or Riley reacts to a startling revelation; what it means to be an antagonist (here, Riley) in romantic relationship plot; a conversation with Roberta Lipp, co-host of the They Coined It Mad Men podcast, about why...

Listening To Fear S5 E9 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on May 9, 2022June 23, 2022 by admin

In Listening To Fear (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S5 E9), Joyce prepares for brain surgery as a dangerous alien stalks her. The podcast episode recaps Listening To Fear, focusing on: opening conflict grounded in Buffy's new normal – taking care of Joyce in the hospital; Riley's disappearing act shows the audience his inner turmoil – and puts the gang in grave danger; the challenges of a protagonist (Buffy) and antagonist (the demon from outer space) not knowing about each other until the...

Shadow S5 E8 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on April 25, 2022June 23, 2022 by admin

This time on Buffy and the Art of Story, Shadow, where Joyce waits for answers and Buffy fights a cobra demon who could reveal the truth about Dawn. This podcast episode recaps Shadow (Season 5 Episode 8 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and focuses on: (1) the way the episode weaves the cobra demon main plot into the subplots about Riley's and Buffy's inner conflicts; (2) how Buffy's pursuit of the demon shows the viewers her emotional turmoil; (3) different ways to read Buffy's need to keep it t...