This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Graduation Day Part 1 (Season 3 Episode 21 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Faith poisons Angel and Buffy prepares to fight the Mayor, including: (1) the way the theme (of what graduation means for each character) is woven into this fast-paced story; (2) callbacks to previous episodes that make this almost like part 1 of a series finale; (3) the interplay of key episode plot turns with the major plot twists for 2-episode finale; and (4)...

This week on the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story – The Prom (Season 3 Episode 20 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy fights monsters that threaten the Prom and Angel questions whether he and Buffy have a future together. Also:  (1) What looks like resolution of the Buffy/Angel relationship -- but is it? (2) A very subtle Story Spark or Inciting Incident; (3) Why the A plot is not obvious until we reach the episode's Climax;  (4) No real major plot turn at the three-quarter...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Choices (Season 3 Episode 19 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy takes the fight to the Mayor, including: (1)  comic moments that foreshadow key plot developments; (2) merging the last major plot turn, climax, and falling action; (3) thematic bookends; (4) a main plot that doesn’t change the Buffy/Mayor overall conflict but moves multiple longform story arcs Next Up: The Prom Last Episode: Earshot Work On Your Story ...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Earshot (Season 3 Episode 18 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy gains a dangerous power and someone threatens the entire high school. And:  (1) A different kind of audience mislead than we saw in Enemies (2) The role of happenstance and luck  (3) What happens when you sideline your protagonist (4) How rewriting and revisions here heightened the dialogue and themes As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free...

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...

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...

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...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Lovers Walk (Season 3 Episode 8 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer).  This podcast episode talks about: (1) how a side character (Spike!) changes our main characters' story arcs; (2) major plot turns in some unusual places; (3) protagonist questions; and (4) whether Spike is the most emotionally healthy character in this episode. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Episode: Revelations Next Up:...