Willow and Rory: Same Character? (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on September 7, 2026September 4, 2026 by admin

Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast Cover

At heart, are Willow Rosenberg and Rory Gilmore the same character? And why do so many fans love them both? This between-seasons podcast bonus episode focuses on: (1) how Rory and Willow differ in their love of books and learning; (2) a challenging Season 6 for both characters; (3) social skills, introversion, and having an extroverted, popular best friend; (4) comparing Rory's ambition and Willow's drive; and more. Check out The Awakening Complete Supernatural Thriller Series...

All Of Angel Season 1 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)

Posted on August 10, 2026September 4, 2026 by admin

All of Angel Season 1 is covered this time on Buffy and the Art of Story. Along with a discussion of the plot turns for the entire season this podcast episode focuses on: (1) themes of disconnection, found families, mundane human evil, and more; (2) character growth for Angel, all the key characters, and side characters like Kate and Lindsey; (3) how Angel the series establishes a world that both differs and draws from the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer; and (4) a rating of Seas...

To Shanshu in L.A. S1 E22 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)

Posted on July 27, 2026August 7, 2026 by admin

In To Shanshu in L.A. (S1 E22 of Angel), Angel desperately strives to save Cordelia's and Wesley's lives as Wolfram & Hart begins raising a great evil. Along with the recap of To Shanshu in L.A., this podcast episode focuses on: (1) ever-escalating conflict; (2) gamechangers that reset the series; (3) the impact of strong foreshadowing and bookends; (4) how I Will Remember You informs the action without being mentioned; and (5) the episode rating from 0 to 10. Check out Th...

Blind Date S1 E21 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)

Posted on July 13, 2026July 10, 2026 by admin

In Blind Date (S1 E21 of Angel), attorney Lindsey McDonald comes to Angel to help save a group of children his evil law firm's assassin plans to kill. Along with the recap of Blind Date, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) a strong origin-story-like subplot for the antagonist, Lindsey; (2) more than one character pushing against your protagonist; (3) themes of right and wrong, trust and relationships, and the reasons for our life choices; and (4) the episode rating from 0 to 10. ...

War Zone S1 E20 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)

Posted on June 29, 2026June 26, 2026 by admin

In War Zone (S1 E20 of Angel), Angel gets in the middle of a war between vampires and street kids who hunt vampires, led by new character Charles Gunn. Along with the recap of War Zone, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) how well the origin story for new character Gunn works as a twentieth episode of Angel the series; (2) ways the plot and subplots connect through theme more than story; (3) how much practical reality should your fantasy hero deal with? and (4) the episode rating ...

Sanctuary S1 E19 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)

Posted on June 15, 2026June 12, 2026 by admin

In Sanctuary (S1 E19 of Angel), Angel tries to help Faith save herself, Buffy has other ideas, and the Watcher's Council offers Wesley a deal. Along with the recap of Sanctuary, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) exposition revealed through strong, values-based conflict; (2) choosing what backstory to omit or include; (3) character growth for Faith and Wesley; (4) themes of redemption, empathy, and vengeance; and (5) the episode rating from 0 to 10. Check out The Awakening (...

Five By Five (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)

Posted on June 1, 2026May 29, 2026 by admin

In Five By Five (S1 E18 of Angel), Angel strives to stop Faith after Wolfram & Hart hires her to assassinate him. Along with the recap of Five By Five, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) Angel and Wesley arcing in opposite directions; (2) creating a tightly written, interweaving plot and subplot; (3) themes expressed through conflict and action; and (4) the episode rating from 0 to 10. New Release by Lisa M. Lilly, The Desperate Man: https://lisalilly.com/desperate Do...

Who Are You Revisited (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)

Posted on May 18, 2026May 15, 2026 by admin

In Who Are You (S1 E16 of Buffy), Faith makes a desperate bid to survive, devastating Buffy, in the second of two episodes that eventually lead to her visiting Los Angeles–and Angel. Along with the recap of Who Are You, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) is Faith both protagonist and antagonist? (2) weaving the season arc (about Adam) seamlessly into the Faith/Buffy main plot; (3) external obstacles that show Faith's internal conflict; and (4) how the body switching metaphor ...

This Year’s Girl Rerelease (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)

Posted on May 4, 2026May 1, 2026 by admin

In This Year's Girl (S1 E15 of Buffy), Faith awakens from a coma in the first of two episodes that eventually lead to her visiting Los Angeles--and Angel. Along with the recap of This Year's Girl, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) telling the story and building character through setting and objects; (2) the opposite of Show Don’t Tell – powerful scenes and moments we don’t see; (3) strong conflict that conveys exposition without slowing the pace; and (4) who is the protagonist? ...

Eternity S1 E17 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)

Posted on April 20, 2026April 17, 2026 by admin

In Eternity (S1 E17 of Angel), Angel is drawn to a popular actress he saves from a stalker, and when she learns his secret it could be deadly for everyone. Along with the recap of Eternity, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) whether Angel or the actress is the protagonist; (2) does the humor break Cordelia's character? (3) is this really how Angel's curse works? and (4) the episode rating from 0 to 10. New Release by Lisa M. Lilly, The Desperate Man: https://lisalilly.com/de...