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

Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast Cover
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 ...
Read More

Bring On The Night S7 E10 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast Cover
In Bring On The Night (S7 E10 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Giles returns to Sunnydale with potential vampire slayers and Buffy fights an ubervamp. Along with the recap of Bring On The Night, this podcast episode focuses on:  (1) making new characters’ choices believable; (2) why goals matter (and what happens when they’re not clear); (3) Buffy and friends treat Andrew badly – what does that say about them? and (4) when open story questions frustrate the audience. Last Episode: Never Leave...
Read More

Lessons S7 E1 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Buffy and the Art of Story podcast cover
In Lessons (S7 E1 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Buffy tries to prepare Dawn for high school and to fight vampires, zombie ghosts attack, and Spike returns. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) does Lessons work better as a season pilot than an episode? (2) challenges of the “I’m just evil” antagonist; (3) episode v. season themes; and (4) whether we buy the way Buffy and friends have grown and changed since last season. Last Episode: Blind Date (Wolfram & Cast) ...
Read More

Seeing Red S6 E19 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast Cover
In Seeing Red (S6 E19 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), the geek trio feuds, Spike assaults Buffy, and Warren strikes a fatal blow. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) how Spike’s actions fit his character arc; (2) themes of trust, misogyny, and being a “real man”; (3) episode bookends that maximize the heartrending final moments; and (4) an unclear main plot despite all the drama and conflict. Last Episode: Entropy Next Episode: Villains New Release: Buffy and t...
Read More

After Life S6 E3

Buffy and the Art of Story podcast cover
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...
Read More

Spiral S5 E20 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Buffy and the Art of Story podcast cover
In Spiral (S5 E20 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Buffy and friends flee from Glory across the desert in a camper and the Knights of Byzantium follow. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) how Spiral weaves in questions about Buffy’s escape plan, Ben’s & Glory’s origins and more to keep viewers engaged; (2) revealing exposition through conflict between Ben and a minion versus the near monologue General Gregor gives; (3) small moments that foreshadow the shocking end of ...
Read More

Intervention S5 E18 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Buffy and the Art of Story podcast cover
In Intervention (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S5 E18), Buffy searches for meaning, Glory grills Spike, and the Scoobies meet the BuffyBot. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) how all plot and subplot roads meet at the BuffyBot; (2) Glory as a not very scary hell god; and (3) why the BuffyBot can slay and love but Buffy struggles. Spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Last Episode: Forever S5 E17 Next Up: Tough Love, S5 E19 Work On Your Story ...
Read More

Crush S5 E14 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Buffy and the Art of Story podcast cover
In Crush (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S5 E14), Buffy rejects Spike and Drusilla returns to Sunnydale set on bringing him back to his old self. Along with the recap, this podcast episode focuses on: (1) how his actions reveal a Spike vs. Spike subplot and his character growth; (2) why the story structure works well despite fluid, subtle major plot turns; (3) what keeps the pace fast though much of Crush focuses on overall Season 5 arcs; and (4) a podcast patron who dives into Buffy’s and Spike’s ...
Read More

Shadow S5 E8 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

This time on Buffy and the Art of Story, Shadow, where Joyce waits for answers and Buffy fights a cobra demon who could reveal the truth about Dawn. This podcast episode recaps Shadow (Season 5 Episode 8 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and focuses on: (1) the way the episode weaves the cobra demon main plot into the subplots about Riley's and Buffy's inner conflicts; (2) how Buffy's pursuit of the demon shows the viewers her emotional turmoil; (3) different ways to read Buffy's need to keep it t...
Read More

Fool For Love S5 E7 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast)

Buffy and the Art of Story podcast cover
This time on Buffy and the Art of Story, Fool For Love (Season 5 Episode 7 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy goes to Spike for answers about how he killed two  slayers. This podcast episode recaps Fool For Love and focuses on: (1) an origin story told in flashbacks; (2) Spike resolves his feelings for Buffy in a surprising way; (3) using action and setting changes to keep scenes moving; and (4) characters asking questions they don't truly want answered. Spoiler-free, ex...
Read More