Expecting S1 E12 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)

Posted on February 9, 2026February 6, 2026 by admin

Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast Cover

In Expecting (S1 E12 of Angel), Cordelia is eight months pregnant the morning after what she thought was the perfect date and Angel and Wesley strive to protect her. Along with the recap of Expecting, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) the challenges of a group protagonist; (2) themes of found family and jealousy; (3) whether Angel, Cordelia, or Wesley grow; (4) why Expecting is key to the season arc; and (5) the episode rating from 0 to 10. Get The Awakening (Book 1) free a...

Parting Gifts S1 E10 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)

Posted on December 15, 2025December 10, 2025 by admin

In Parting Gifts (S1 E10 of Angel), Angel and Cordelia, still struggling to deal with their grief, join an old friend to track a demon bounty hunter. Along with the recap of Parting Gifts, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) themes of grief, staying in the fight, and accepting mistakes; (2) why Cordelia, the least strong physically of the team, makes such a great protagonist; (3) how the villain here echoes the Mayor; (4) whether this episode expands the Buffyverse; and (5) the ep...

Hero S1 E9 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)

Posted on December 1, 2025December 10, 2025 by admin

In Hero (S1 E9 of Angel), Angel and Doyle strive to save a helpless demon clan from a storm trooper-like army of pure blood demons. Along with the recap of Hero, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) using flashbacks to tell their own story; (2) character growth for Doyle and Cordelia; (3) themes of atonement and sacrifice; (4) misdirects and foreshadowing; and (5) the episode rating from 0 to 10. Download free Story Structure worksheets: https://www.lisalilly.com/worksheets ...

Bachelor Party S1 E7 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)

Posted on November 3, 2025November 3, 2025 by admin

In Bachelor Party (S1 E7 of Angel), Doyle’s estranged wife asks him for a divorce and Angel investigates her new fiancé. Along with the recap of Bachelor Party, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) a subtle main plot we might not notice because of all the action; (2) themes of self-acceptance and identity; (3) character growth for Doyle; (4) a bit of shaky world building; and (5) the episode rating from 1 to 10. Download free Story Structure worksheets: https://www.lisalilly.c...

Sense & Sensitivity S1 E6 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)

Posted on September 15, 2025September 12, 2025 by admin

In Sense & Sensitivity (S1 E6 of Angel), Angel goes undercover to help Kate and sensitivity training causes chaos at the police precinct, putting lives in danger. Along with the recap of Sense & Sensitivity, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) how to subtly foreshadow later conflicts; (2) is sensitivity training the main plot? (3) whether Kate is the protagonist; (4) troubling themes that make the episode less engaging; and (5) the episode rating from 1 to 10. Downloa...

Rm w/a Vu S1 E5 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)

Posted on September 1, 2025August 29, 2025 by admin

In Rm w/a Vu (S1 E5 of Angel), Cordelia gets a rent-controlled apartment with just a few tiny problems – including a homicidal ghost. Along with the recap of Rm w/a Vu, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) what makes horror work? (2) action and setting that mirror character conflicts; (3) strong growth for Cordie, subtle growth for Doyle, tranquility for Angel; (4) seeing the Buffyverse and Buffy from Cordelia’s point of view; and (5) the episode rating from 1 to 10. Download ...

I Fall To Pieces (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)

Posted on August 18, 2025August 18, 2025 by admin

In I Fall To Pieces (S1 E4 of Angel), Angel Investigations aids a woman being stalked by a surgeon who seems to know--and see--everything about her. Along with the recap of I Fall To Pieces, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) a strong subplot but blurred major plot turns; (2) themes that establish the moral center of the series; (3) why the unclear rules distract from the story; (4) how Angel's actions and past fit the detective and noir genres; and (5) the episode rating fro...

In The Dark S1 E3 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)

Posted on August 4, 2025August 1, 2025 by admin

In In The Dark (S1 E3 of Angel), Spike comes to L.A. in search of a gem that makes vampires unkillable. Along with the recap of In The Dark, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) Angel's mission, promises kept, and vampire philosophy; (2) whether Spike ever learns or Angel is addicted to brooding; (3) revisiting choice in the Buffyverse; and (4) the episode rating from 1 to 10. Download free Story Structure worksheets: https://www.lisalilly.com/worksheets Get more content, i...

Lonely Hearts S1 E2 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on July 21, 2025July 18, 2025 by admin

In Lonely Hearts (S1 E2 of Angel), Angel must meet new people when he, Cordelia, and Doyle hunt for a serial killer that finds victims in the singles bar scene. Along with the recap of Lonely Hearts, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) themes of trust, secret-keeping, and connection; (2) how the writers introduce many new characters while keeping the story clear; (3) the way Lonely Hearts fits into the Buffyverse; and (4) the episode rating from 1 to 10. Download free Story S...

City Of S1 E1 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Posted on July 7, 2025July 7, 2025 by admin

In City Of (S1 E1 of Angel), the Powers That Be reach out to Angel, who is struggling to fight evil without becoming evil himself. Along with the recap of City Of, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) themes of connection, friendship, and staying in the fight; (2) revisiting characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and meeting new ones; (3) how City Of expands and alters the Buffyverse; and (4) where the episode falls on a scale of 1 to 10. Download free Story Structure worksh...