Dead Things S6 E13 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on August 7, 2023August 5, 2023 by admin

Buffy and the Art of Story podcast cover

In Dead Things (S6 E13 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), the trio tries to frame Buffy for murder, and Buffy’s sure she came back from the dead wrong. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) whether Spike’s and Buffy’s actions fit their characters as portrayed in earlier seasons; (2) how committing crimes shapes Jonathan, Andrew, and Warren; (3) ways Buffy’s story calls back to Faith's character arc; and (4) a murder subplot enmeshed in a main plot where Buffy strives to unders...

Doublemeat Palace S6 E12 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on July 24, 2023August 18, 2023 by admin

In Doublemeat Palace (S6 E12 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Buffy gets a job and Willow struggles when Amy gives her magic as a gift. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) how to create a fair fight between a villain and a superstrong protagonist; (2) layered dialogue (like Hallie’s and Anya’s) that reads differently each time you hear it; (3) when it’s okay for someone else to save your hero; (4) writing a subplot with strong, clear plot turns; and (5) why realism matters...

Wrecked S6 E10

Posted on May 22, 2023May 17, 2023 by admin

In Wrecked (S6 E10 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Willow meets Rack and dives into dark magic as Buffy deals with the fallout from her night with Spike. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) repetition and pacing; (2) Wrecked as a full story or Part 2 of Smashed; (3) conveying emotion through actions and indirect dialogue; and (4) how well the Willow/Rack/addiction story fits in the Buffyverse. Download free Story Structure worksheets Support the podcast and get bo...

Smashed S6 E9

Posted on May 8, 2023June 7, 2023 by admin

In Smashed (S6 E9 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Willow brings Amy back, the Trio uses a freeze ray, and Buffy and Spike bring down the house —literally. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) why and how Buffy finally acts on her desire for Spike; (2) whether Smashed is complete or one half of a story; and (3) how Buffy’s and Willow’s storylines reflect one another and where they diverge. Download free Story Structure worksheets Support the podcast and get bonus ep...

Tabula Rasa S6 E8 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on April 24, 2023February 2, 2024 by admin

In Tabula Rasa (S6 E8 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Willow tries another forgetting spell with consequences that are fun at first and then devastating. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) what the characters don't say that gives the dialogue so much power; (2) themes and metaphors that work – and don’t – and why; and (3) a super-clear plot structure for the first three quarters that blurs toward the end but hits all the right emotional notes. Last Episode: Once More ...

All The Way S6 E6 (Buffy and the Art of Story)

Posted on March 27, 2023March 27, 2023 by admin

In All The Way (S6 E6 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Dawn ducks out of Xander’s and Anya’s engagement party on Halloween and puts herself in peril. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) who the protagonist is – Dawn, Buffy, someone else? (2) which is the main plot: Tara/Willow, Xander/Anya, Dawn's adventure, Buffy's struggles? (3) are all these story lines subplots, partial season arcs, or both? (4) when misdirection and subverting expectations works best; and (5) how not ...

Life Serial S6 E5

Posted on March 13, 2023March 27, 2023 by admin

In Life Serial (Season 6 Episode 5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Buffy tries to figure out what to do with her life and gets stuck in a magical loop. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: when stretching or breaking the characters undermines the plot why internal logic matters for spells and the story in character vs. out of character humor the effect of magic without consequences Last Episode: Flooded S6 E4 Next Up: All The Way S6 E6 Download free Story...

Flooded S6 E4 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on February 27, 2023March 23, 2023 by admin

In Flooded (S6 E4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), the basement floods, Buffy struggles over too many bills, and the trio sends a demon after her. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) the challenges of an intangible villain (like debt and falling property values) in a fantasy story; (2) false conflict vs. character-based conflict between Buffy, Giles, and Willow; (3) what works and doesn’t with cartoony villains like the trio; and (4) is slaying a metaphor for women’s unp...

After Life S6 E3

Posted on February 13, 2023March 10, 2023 by admin

In After Life (S6 E3 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), a demon Buffy’s friends think she brought back from hell torments everyone. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) plot turns and protagonist questions that make After Life more of a continuation than a standalone story; (2) why monsters need rules and whether the demon here follows any; (3) hints the writers weave in to tell us Buffy is hiding things from her friends; and (4) seeds for season-long character and relationsh...

Bargaining Part 2 S6 E2

Posted on January 30, 2023February 23, 2023 by admin

In Bargaining Part 2 (S6 E2 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), demon bikers take over Sunnydale and Buffy claws her way out of the grave and thinks she’s in hell. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) how Bargaining Parts 1 and 2 change the tone of series; (2) clever scene transitions that cue new viewers in and engage the audience; (3) a climax with a different protagonist; and (4) whether Buffy, though dead for Part 1, is the antagonist throughout. Last Episode: Bargainin...