Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered S2 E16 (Buffy and the Art of Story)

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This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered (Season 2 Episode 16 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This podcast episode covers (1) using humor to convey theme; (2) conflict that causes character growth (for Cordelia); (3) foreshadowing significant plot developments without giving anything away; and (4) intertwining many plotlines seamlessly. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Week: Phases Next Up: Pa...
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Phases S2 E15 (Buffy and the Art of Story)

Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast Cover
This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Phases (Season 2 Episode 15 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer): This podcast episode covers (1) why Buffy is the protagonist despite this being a key episode for Oz and Willow; (2) using humor and character development to hide clues; and (3) who Buffy feels she is allowed to kill and why. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Week: Innocence Next Up: Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered Work On ...
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Innocence S2 E14 (Buffy and the Art of Story)

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Innocence (Season 2 Episode 14 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), the conclusion of a two-part story: This podcast episode covers (1) the most heart-breaking Midpoint Reversal in all of Buffy; (2) how setting affects a scene’s emotional impact; (3) making the audience love your characters; and (4) why sometimes it’s good to write yourself into a corner. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Week: S...
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Prophecy Girl S1 E12

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This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Prophecy Girl (Season 1, Episode 12 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This pivotal story for Buffy begins in Xander's point of view. We'll explore that as well as (1) creating multiple characters the audience identifies with; (2) using actions to demonstrate characters’ feelings; (3) a very layered Story Spark/Inciting Incident; and (4) a strong midpoint and three-quarter plot turn. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with ple...
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Out of Mind Out of Sight S1 E11

Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast Cover
This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Out of Mind Out of Sight (Season 1, Episode 11 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Along with plot turns about an invisible girl,  this episode covers (1) scene transitions (done so well!); (2) flashbacks (maybe not done so well) (3) theme; (4) strong dialogue; and (5) a midpoint that's not so strong.  As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Sorry, no Season 1 DVD commentary for Out of Mind Out of Sight.  ...
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How Buffy and Joss Whedon Helped Me Understand My Mother

When I turned 21, I got my ears pierced.  Most of my friends had pierced theirs in high school or even grade school.  When I came home, my mother – who was 42 years older than me and grew up in a different time – frowned and said, “Only cheap women pierce their ears.”  For much of my life, I believed the difficulties my mother and I had relating to one another were due to the over forty-year age difference between us.  Most of my friends had grandparents who were my pare...
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