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 ...
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podcast
Enemies S3 E17 (Buffy and the Art of Story)
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...
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Doppelgangland (Buffy and the Art of Story S3 E16)
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).
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Consequences (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S3 E15)
This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Consequences (Season 3 Episode 15 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy deals with the fallout after an untimely death. This episode includes:
(1) setting up believable conflict among friends; (2) fast pacing through escalating tension and multiple plot twists; (3) when to leave a character out of a storyline; and (4) conflict based on characters’ life philosophies.
As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except a...
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Bad Girls (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S3 E14)
This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Bad Girls (Season 3 Episode 14 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy tries out Faith's approach to life and slaying. This podcast episode talks about:
(1) an interloper who brings out different sides of our core characters; (2) expressing theme and exploring philosophy through conflict; (3) how this Faith/Buffy story differs from the Buffy/Kendra story; and (4) two game changers for the season and for Faith personally.
As always, the discussion...
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The Zeppo (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S3 E13)
This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – The Zeppo (Season 3 Episode 13 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Xander has a very strange night. This podcast episode talks about:
(1) why Xander is the protagonist; (2) whether a scene can be from the point of view of a character not in it; (3) the effect of a deliberately unfinished subplot; and (4) character growth through conflict.
As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warnin...
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Helpless (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S3 E12)
This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Helpless (Season 3 Episode 12 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy turns 18 and faces a grueling test. This podcast episode talks about:
(1) weaving in seemingly insignificant details that make later plot developments work; (2) the dangers of sacrificing character for plot; (3) metaphors, theme, and pace; and (4) the demands of writing with a short turnaround time (really short).
As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler...
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Gingerbread (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S3 E11)
This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Gingerbread (Season 3 Episode 11 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where the adults become paranoid and turn on their children. This podcast episode talks about:
(1) themes, including mob rule, parenting, and the danger of fear; (2) strong story structure; (3) whether the episode changes the arc of Season 3; and (4) fantastic and fun dialogue.
As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warni...
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Amends S3 E10 (Buffy and the Art of Story)
This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Amends (Season 3 Episode 10 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer).
This podcast episode talks about:
(1) is this a Christmas Carol & series pilot for Angel? (2) challenges identifying the protagonist; (3) use of flashbacks and dreams; (4) a Deus Ex Machina ending; and (5) very clear subplots plot turns.
As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning).
Last Episode: The Wish
Next Up: Gingerbread
Amends...
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The Wish S3 E9 (Buffy and the Art of Story)
This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – The Wish (Season 3 Episode 9 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer). This podcast episode talks about:
(1) whether a character who dies partway through can be the protagonist; (2) events that shape a character’s personality; (3) a story about a character who never appears; (4) who serves as the antagonist; and (5) clothes that matter.
As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning).
...
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