Empty Places S7 E19 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on March 31, 2025April 7, 2025 by admin

Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast Cover

In Empty Places (S7 E19 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer) Faith takes the potentials on a night out and everyone pushes back against Buffy’s plan to attack Caleb again. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) why an antagonist doesn't need to be a villain; (2) strong foreshadowing early in the story; (3) why Faith and Buffy's history affects how Buffy sees the conflicts and her choices; (4) what role grief plays in the final confrontation; and (5) what Empty Places sa...

Dirty Girls S7 E18 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on March 17, 2025March 14, 2025 by admin

In Dirty Girls, S7 E18, Faith arrives in Sunnydale and Buffy takes an army of potentials to battle a super-powered misogynistic preacher. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) how to keep it fun when characters need to exchange information viewers already know; (2) foreshadowing a tragic climax; (3) how story structure affects pace; and (4) what Buffy's choices and Caleb's character say about the episode themes. Get more content, including access to the se...

Orpheus Angel Crossover (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on March 3, 2025February 28, 2025 by admin

In Orpheus, Buffy/Angel crossover S4 E15, Angelus and Faith battle it out and Willow comes to L.A. to try to restore Angel’s soul. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) Seemingly separate storylines that converge into one gripping plot; (2) how to use multiple characters as the antagonist and a group as a protagonist; (3) whether Willow is a different character on Angel than she is in Buffy Season 7; and (4) how dramatic irony adds tension and keeps the audienc...

Release Angel Crossover (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on February 17, 2025February 19, 2025 by admin

In Release, Angel crossover S4 E14, Faith and Angelus battle, Fred has a crisis, and Cordelia implores Connor to keep their secret. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) how the writers draw on backstory from both Buffy and Angel; (2) true vs. false conflict; (3) many storylines – but is there a main plot? and (4) cliffhanger or gamechanger and when it matters. Get more content, including access to the self-study course How To Plot Your Novel: Fr...

Salvage (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on January 13, 2025January 10, 2025 by admin

In Salvage (Angel crossover S4 E13), Angelus meets The Beast (a powerful demon terrorizing L.A.) and Wesley persuades to Faith break out of prison. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) showing internal conflict (Wesley’s) through imagined dialogue; (2) who the protagonist is in a group with the same goal and two leaders (Wesley and Faith); (3) the challenges and pluses of a conflict engine character (Connor); and (4) subplots that resolve issues or raise stakes in...

Top And Bottom 5 Buffy Episodes Ever (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on December 30, 2024December 27, 2024 by admin

This podcast episode covers the Top 5 and Bottom 5 Buffy episodes ever, plus some Honorable Mentions. See if you agree. Happy Holidays and best wishes for the New Year! Get more content, including access to the self-study course How To Plot Your Novel: From Idea To First Draft, by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/lisamlilly Download free Story Structure worksheets: https://www.writingasasecondcareer.com/worksheets Looking for a winter read? Try The Charming Man,...

Lies My Parents Told Me S7 E17 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on December 16, 2024December 11, 2024 by admin

In Lies My Parents Told Me (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S7 E17), Robin Wood aims to kill Spike and Giles is in on the plan. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: interweaving three plots – Robin v. Spike, Giles v. Buffy, Spike v. himself; whether Giles’s choices fit his character; how William becomes Spike; point of view and protagonists; and a (hopefully) unintended episode theme. Get more content, including access to the self-study course How To Plot ...

Storyteller S7 E16 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on December 2, 2024November 24, 2024 by admin

In Storyteller (S7 E16 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Andrew annoys everyone by videotaping them and is forced to reckon with his past. Along with the recap of Storyteller, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) whose story is it - Buffy's or Andrew's? (2) whether Buffy's and Andrew's goals conflict; (3) what happens when writers fall in love with a character (Andrew); (4) how characterization relates to humor; and (5) flashbacks that tell their own story and move the main plot. Get more c...

Get It Done S7 E15 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on November 18, 2024November 19, 2024 by admin

In Get It Done (S7 E15 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Buffy risks it all to learn the origin of the First Slayer while Robin Wood learns a whole about Sunnydale – and Spike. Along with the recap of Get It Done, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) what links Andrew, Willow, Anya, and Spike; (2) how each character's story arc explores the nature of power; (3) building small steps to why Buffy, Spike, and Willow make the major choices they do; and (4) reasons to love Dawn and hate Kennedy. L...

First Date S7 E14 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on November 4, 2024November 4, 2024 by admin

In First Date (S7 E14 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Buffy and Xander embark on romantic encounters (or are about to be hijacked by demonic forces) and The First tries to re-recruit Andrew. Along with the recap of First Date, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) why humor that feels true to a character works best; (2) plot turns that force Buffy, Xander, and Giles to grow and change; and (3) how this somewhat lighthearted episode sets up the rest of the season and the end of the series. La...