Conversations with Dead People

What initially seemed like a pretty vague thematic grouping of episodes to discuss winds up proving to have some metaphorical meat on its bones. Returning friend Melanie Scala helps me find the significance of episodes 217, “Disharmony” and 218, “Dead End” beyond just the twin sides of the “where do we go from here” coin. In the former, a typically vacuous Harmony reconnects with Cordelia, somehow managing to conceal her newfound vampirism, and along the way maybe(?) helps the gang begin the process of figuring out what the new group dynamic will be. In the latter, Lindsey gets an evil hand and teams up with Angel to blow up the body shop, and along the way maybe(?) helps the gang continue the process of figuring out what the new group dynamic will be.   And then episode 219, “Belonging,” nominally just a prologue to the three episode finale arc we're discussing next time, actually ramps up the “what IS our new dynamic” angst, and gives us our first tentative introduction to our beloved Winifred “Fred” Burkle.   BONUS: an inappropriately long tangent about the science of brushing your teeth. You're welcome.   NEXT: the aforementioned three-episode finale arc! South-of-the-border friend and fan Johnny Ho takes a long, strange trip with me as we journey to Pylea and wrap up the season with episodes 220, “Over the Rainbow,” 221, “Through the Looking Glass,” and 222, “There's No Place Like Plrtz Glrb.”     BREAKDOWN 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:09:10  -  Main Topic 01:35:20  -  Outro / Next     MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “LA Song” by Christian Kane, Angel: Live Fast, Die Never (Music from the TV Series) (2005)  

“If nothing we do matters, then all that matters is what we do.”   Reunited, and it feels so good. Mimesis author and Deli Counter of Justice co-creator Eric Sipple is back with me, this time discussing two of the very best episodes of the show, “Reprise” and “Epiphany.” We bid farewell, mostly fondly, to Virginia Bryce, Holland Manners, and Kate Lockley, welcome a contrite and humbled Angel back into the fold, and gush unapologetically about the beautiful thesis statement of the entire damned series!   Bonus: we bond over our shared love of inspirational inner arm tattoos.   NEXT: Melanie Scala joins me to talk about 217, “Disharmony,” 218, “Dead End,” and 219, “Belonging.”     BREAKDOWN 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:03:48  -  Main Topic 01:08:38  -  Outro / Next     LIBRARY Mimesis by Eric Sipple The Deli Counter of Justice by Eric Sipple, Paul Smith, and Arlo Wiley     LINKS Eric's website     MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Reunited” by Peaches & Herb, 2 Hot (1978)

“It'll wash.”   NEXT: episodes 215, “Reprise” and 216, “Epiphany.”      BREAKDOWN 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:04:09  -  Main Topic 01:11:11  -  Outro / Next     MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson, Bad (1988)

Welcome back, Dead People! [Insert excuses for another delay between episodes here] Friend and fellow genre nerd Sarah Kosheff joins me for the first time on the ‘cast, and she brought a couple of her very favorite Angel episodes with her. 210, “Reunion” shows us the aftermath of last episode's shocking cliffhanger; the darkness that has been threatening to settle over our hero all season finally takes root; Angel makes a truly horrifying choice; and I do my very best to mire us in the ephemera of Whedonverse Vampire Cosmology. Again. Then, in 211, “Redefinition,” a line of demarcation is drawn in the status quo of the series, beginning and ending in fire; Angel smokes a cigarette; we say goodbye to Drusilla; and I question if the voice-over was really necessary.   And by the way, I agree with Cordy: Tequila is the REAL evil.   NEXT: 212, “Blood Money, 213, “Happy Anniversary,” and 214, “The Thin Dead Line.”     BREAKDOWN 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:08:50  -  Main Topic 01:29:46  -  Outro / Next     MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “We Are the Champions” by Queen, News of the World (1977)

“Darla” is an absolutely brilliant directorial debut by Tim Minear, which acts as a companion piece to Buffy's “Fool for Love,” but also stands flawlessly on its own to deepen our understanding of the Fearsome Foursome vampire coterie. “The Shroud of Rahmon” is equal parts engaging (noir homages; character death misdirects; foreshadowing Angel's coming darkness) and forgettable (the McGuffin itself; stock, cliche goons).  And “The Trial” showcases some genuinely heartbreaking performances in the midst of one of the most shocking, jaw-dropping final scenes of the series.   Joining me to talk about it all, he's flown in from England for literally every episode of this podcast since the very beginning just to read the intro, but this time I decide to let him stay on mic and chat, the voice of the “Listeners Council” himself, Wesley “Wezzo” Mead.   NEXT: fan and friend Sarah Kosheff makes her premiere on the podcast, discussing episodes 210, “Reunion” and 211, “Redefinition.”     BREAKDOWN 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:04:54  -  Main Topic 01:20:15 -  Outro / Next     LINKS Wesley Mead on the Internets     MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Ill Wind (You're Blowing Me No Good)” by Ella Fitzgerald, Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Songbook (1961)

Conversations with Dead People is back, and with hardly any time at all between episodes! Seriously, for all you could tell I recorded this episode the same night as our last one. Seamless!   Hollywood hotshot Michael Holland is here and we share a few words about the Apple TV+ series The Afterparty, which debuted recently and for which Michael served as Post-Production Supervisor, before continuing our journey through Angel Season 2. “Untouched” introduces us to writer Mere Smith, who will go on to pen some of the finest episodes of the series, and here considers sexual agency and trauma from the angle of two different Wolfram & Hart “special projects.” Then, in “Dear Boy,” the Boreanaz and Benz chemistry boils through the subterranean convent roof. And lastly, “Guise Will Be Guise” as Angel goes to therapy and Wesley bluffs his way into Virginia.   NEXT: our very own voice of the Watcher Council, the exceedingly British Wesley “Wezzo” Mead joins me to talk about episodes 207, “Darla,” 208, “The Shroud of Rahmon,” and 209, “The Trial.”     BREAKDOWN 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:21:41  -  Main Topic 01:33:22  -  Outro / Next     MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” by Wang Chung, Mosaic (1986)

Melanie Scala joins me for her first Angel outing, picking up the pieces left in the aftermath of the Season 1 finale as we discuss a slightly uneven but ultimately pretty great three-episode launch for Season 2. Episode 201, titled (appropriately) “Judgment,” and episode 203, titled (also appropriately) “First Impressions,” lay down the important themes of recognizing our prejudices and not making assumptions about people, or demons. The former also introduces two of the most important things in all of the Angel canon: the yet-to-be-named Lorne, known as The Host, and the song “Mandy.” The latter introduces… not really much of consequence.   But of course the REAL treasure here is episode 202, “Are You Now or Have You Ever Been,” with its homages to Classic Hollywood, and the truly haunting evocation of HUAC and the McCarthy era.   BONUS: Your humble host is mercilessly called out for his hypocrisy. Good times.   NEXT: Speaking of Classic Hollywood, Michael Holland is back! We'll be discussing episodes 204, “Untouched,” 205, “Dear Boy,” and 206, “Guise Will Be Guise.” Should be ACTUAL good times.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:06:43  -  Main Topic 01:26:30  -  Outro / Next     MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Mandy” by Barry Manilow, Barry Manilow II (1974)  

“Don't believe everything you're foretold.”  ~Angel   The prophecy is finally fulfilled as author, scholar, and friend Elizabeth Rambo makes her Angel conversations debut, just in time for the explosive final episodes of the first season. While the previous two Faith-centric episodes are a hard act to follow, “War Zone” steps up to the plate big time with the introduction of Charles Gunn. It also gives us the fantastic David Nabbitt, and it's not this episode's fault that the series going forward fumbles the ball with that character. Next up, “Blind Date” looks like (see what I did there?) it totally wastes it's monster-of-the-week antagonist, the blind assassin Vanessa, but it's not really about that. (Hello, Holland Manners!) And the season goes out with a literal bang in “To Shanshu in L.A.,” where we are introduced to the multi-tool of ancient relics in the Scroll of Aberjian, the fiery death of the Angel Investigations offices, and the return of...the thing in the box!   NEXT: Melanie Scala joins me to kick off season two with episodes 201, “Judgment,” 202, “Are You Now or Have You Ever Been,” and 203, “First Impressions.”     BREAKDOWN 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:06:38  -  Main Topic 01:27:57  -  Outro / Next     LIBRARY Buffy Goes Dark: Essays on the Final Two Season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Television, edited by Lynne Y. Edwards, Elizabeth Rambo, and James B. South     MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Explosion in Your Soul” by The Soul Survivors, When the Whistle Blows Anything Goes (1967)

“Help me.”  ~Faith   After a good-not-great season one so far, Angel finds its feet properly, giving one of the best characters from across the Whedonverse one of the best moments of character development from across the Whedonverse. Or that's my opinion at least. Fortunately, my good friend, Broken Magic author Eric Sipple agrees with me, so I let him come back on the show. Together we discuss the blossoming of the Angel/Lindsey rivalry, the overwhelming power of THAT rain-soaked alley scene, and how it's not about you, Buffy!    NEXT: Author, scholar, and friend of the show Elizabeth Rambo makes her triumphant return, her first time joining me since we wrapped up Buffy the Vampire Slayer, to lead us through the final three episodes of Angel season one. We'll be discussing 120, “War Zone,” 121, “Blind Date,” and 122, “To Shanshu in L.A.”     BREAKDOWN 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:05:13  -  Main Topic 01:39:35  -  Outro / Next     LIBRARY Broken Magic, by Eric Sipple The Deli Counter of Justice, by Paul Smith, Eric Sipple & Arlo Wiley     LINKS Eric's Website - A Beautiful Rain of Frogs     MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Why Does It Always Rain on Me?” by Anakelly, Timeless (Piano & Vocal) (2016)

Two episodes that likely don't feature on anyone's Top 10 lists. “The Ring” features our heroes releasing a bunch of murderous demons into the city. “Eternity” posits that anyone could have roofied Angel at any time to release Angelus. Both setups draw a fair amount of fan criticism. But Classic Hollywood connoisseur and CWDP repeat offender Michael Holland joins me to find the positives hidden deep within the two texts. For example, “The Ring” introduces the divinely sinister Lilah Morgan, who makes a very significant offer to our vampire with a soul that will prove prescient to the series as a whole. And “Eternity” raises genuinely interesting questions of the metaphysics of drug-induced happiness. And perhaps most importantly, to me at least, both episodes feature further hints of the depths of Wesley Wyndam-Pryce's seemingly still waters.   NEXT: my good friend and Deli Counter of Justice co-author Eric Sipple is back, baby! Best of all, he's back to share my love of the next two episodes of Angel, arguably among the best episodes of the series, 118, “Five by Five” and 119, “Sanctuary.” I literally cannot wait!     BREAKDOWN 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:07:25  -  Main Topic 01:35:00  -  Outro / Next     LINKS Michael's Blog - Holland Imaginarium     MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash, Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash (1963)

“Cagey little brutes, aren’t they?”   The Mother of Angel Studies, author and vampire queen Stacey Abbott is back! This week we discuss the somewhat strained metaphor and textual subtext of episode 113, “She,” which for years I’ve remembered as unutterably terrible, but on this rewatch I find myself being a bit kinder to. If nothing else, the episode gives us some of the greatest comedic moments from all of this first season, possibly the series. Alexis Denisof deserves a pratfall Oscar!   Also on tap, 114, “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” makes good use of a classic Hollywood horror trope, as well as providing the first tantalizing hint at darker depths to Wesley. And 115, “The Prodigal,” where the Whedonverse continues its focused, brutal assault on the notions of fatherhood.   NEXT: Post-Production Supervisor and Hollywood man-about-town Michael Holland is back to help me look over episodes 116, “The Ring” and 117, “Eternity.”     BREAKDOWN 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:02:40  -  Main Topic 01:11:17  -  Outro / Next     LIBRARY Celluloid Vampires: Life After Death in the Modern World, by Stacey Abbott Reading Angel: The TV Spin-off With a Soul, edited by Stacey Abbott Angel (TV Milestones Series) by Stacey Abbott Near Dark (BFI Film Classics), by Stacey Abbott Global TV Horror, edited by Stacey Abbott and Lorna Jowett     LINKS Monstrum: A Peer-Reviewed Journal of Studies in Horror     MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” by Frank Sinatra, Songs for Swingin’ Lovers! (1956)

“Wherever evil lurks, wherever the forces of darkness threaten humanity, that’s where I’ll be.”   Johny Ho is back! Wesley Wyndam-Pryce is back! Johny Ho is back to talk to me about how awesome it is that Wesley Wyndam-Pryce is back! In 110, “Parting Gifts,” Angel Investigations get their very own rogue demon hunter, as well as a shiny new tagline. 111, “Somnambulist” gives us Baby Hawkeye as a vampire, and Kate is finally in on the big secret. And 112, “Expecting” features the first of many mystical pregnancies, plus Ken freaking Marino!   Seriously though, all that matters is Wesley Wyndam-Pryce is here and everything will be okay from now on.    NEXT: the saint of Angel studies, author Stacey Abbott joins me to discuss what some may or may not consider to be the low point of Season One, episodes 113, “She,” 114, “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” and 115, “The Prodigal.”     BREAKDOWN 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:06:27  -  Main Topic 01:10:48  -  Outro / Next     MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Rogue Hunter” by Vin Mott, Rogue Hunter (2019)

“Is that it? Am I done?”   It’s taken much longer than I would’ve liked to get this episode edited and out to y’all, and I was way off what I will laughingly refer to as my game, but hey...our rats are low at least. This time around I’m joined by America’s favorite philosophizing Frenchman Matthieu Cravatte as we discuss the pain and heartbreak of network-mandated crossovers, the inspirational value of heroes, the lack of Nazi subtelty, and the first of many genuinely traumatic sacrifices made by characters on this series as we sob our way through episodes 108, “I Will Remember You” and 109, “Hero.”   NEXT: a rogue demon hunter joins the cast and we get some momentary relief from the pain (Cordy doesn’t, but we do) with episodes 110, “Parting Gifts,” 111, “Somnambulist,” and 112, “Expecting.”     BREAKDOWN 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:05:00  -  Main Topic 01:13:55  -  Outro / Next     MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Hero” by Lissie, My Wild West (2016)

Hollywood bigshot and industry insider Michael Holland welcomes us to HIS turf as we continue our transition from the cemeteries of Sunnydale to the morgues of LA. The conversation this time covers two episodes often dismissed as early-series filler, but which we argue actually have important things to say about the characters and the developing themes of the show. In 106, “Sense & Sensitivity,” we get some needed background on Det. Kate Lockley, including a genuinely marvelous emotional performance by Elisabeth Röhm, and insight into the interpersonal dynamics between our heroes. (Bonus: Angel as Magnum P.I.!) And in 107, “Bachelor Party,” Allen Francis Doyle gets a powerfully humanizing (or rather half-humanizing) storyline that makes the most of what will turn out to be the very limited time we get with the character, fleshing him out more in one episode than many shows give their cast in a full season.   NEXT: philosopher Frenchman Matthieu Cravatte joins me to probably get really sad as we discuss episodes 108, “I Will Remember You” and 109, “Hero.” Bring your own tissues.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:14:57  -  Main Topic 01:38:43  -  Outro / Next     LINKS Michael’s Blog  -  Holland Imaginarium     MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Too Sensitive” by Op Ed, Satellite (2018)

Can we get back to Angel? Please?! *sobs*   My dear friend, author, and hot chick with superpowers Dale Guffey has stayed over from last week to help me get back into the swing of things. As avowed and unapologetic Spike fans, we bask in the glorious, bleach blonde silver lining that is that opening voiceover of the otherwise basic 103, “In the Dark.” As avowed and unapologetic Doyle fans, we savor every single hilarious and touching moment we get with him in 104, “I Fall to Pieces.” And in 105, “Rm w/a Vu” I mourn the Phantom Dennis spin-off we never got.   NEXT: recurring guest and friend of the show Michael Holland is back, and with the move from Sunnydale to LA we’re finally on HIS turf. He joins me to speak with Angelino authority on episodes 106, “Sense & Sensitivity” and 107, “Bachelor Party.”     BREAKDOWN 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:04:00  -  Main Topic 01:50:12  -  Outro / Next     LIBRARY Faith and Choice in the Works of Joss Whedon, by K. Dale Koontz Reading Joss Whedon, edited by Rhonda V.. Wilcox, Tanya R. Cochran, Cynthea Masson, and David Lavery     MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “I Fall to Pieces” by Patsy Cline, Showcase (1961)

Where do we go from here? That question has perhaps never been as relevant or as painful within the Whedony community as it is right now. It’s a difficult time to be a fan, as the recent and continuing alegations and revelations about the man that has, so far, given this entire fandom its name, force us to reckon with some hard truths. I thought this podcast could continue with perhaps just a passing mention of the controversy, but it quickly became clear that I, and thankfully some much smarter people than myself, would have to address this head on. And so I welcome you to this Very Special Episode of Conversations with Dead People. I ramble on uselessly, as usual, but two of my very favoritest people in the world, let alone the field of Whedon Studies, Nikki Stafford and Dale Guffey join me to talk about how and why all of this feels so much more personal than similar fallen pop culture icons; what, if anything, I should do with this podcast going forward; and what we think this might all mean for the Whedon Studies Association. It’s a horribly unpleasant topic of conversation, made so much more enjoyable by having it with such wonderful people.   NEXT: Dale is sticking around to record the podcast we’d PLANNED to record this week. We’ll be continuing our journey through Angel: The Series with episodes 103, “In the Dark,” 104, “I Fall to Pieces,” and 105, “Rm w/a Vu.”     LIBRARY Bite Me!: The Unofficial Guide to Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Seven Seasons One Book), by Nikki Stafford Once Bitten: An Unofficial Guide to the World of Angel, by Nikki Stafford Faith and Choice in the Works of Joss Whedon, by K. Dale Koontz Reading Joss Whedon, edited by Rhonda V.. Wilcox, Tanya R. Cochran, Cynthea Masson, and David Lavery A Dream Given Form: The Unofficial Guide to the Universe of Bablyon 5, by Dale Guffey and Ensley F. Guffey     LINKS https://timesupnow.org/     MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Mad Woman” by Taylor Swift, folklore (2020)

The sun has set on Sunnydale, and so now we leave behind the hell of the small town and head into the Big Bad City. Stacey Abbott, Lecturer in Film and Television Studies at Roehampton University, editor of Reading Angel: The TV Spin-Off With a Soul, and author of Celluloid Vampires: Life After Death In The Modern World and Near Dark (BFI Film Classics) joins me to usher in the era of Angel, the/a vampire with a soul. We talk for a bit about how she was, for years, a shining beacon of Angel Studies at many, many of the Slayage Conferences, being the only person willing and eager to present on the spinoff series, before FINALLY diving into our discussion of the first two episodes.   “City Of” introduces the new paradigm of the film noir Los Angeles setting, with it’s dark alleys, buzzing neon, and rapid-edit transitions. We’re also introduced to a new player in half-demon “sidekick” Doyle, sent by the Powers That Be (“Powers that be what?”) to be Angel’s sponsor on his quest for redemption. And we get the very welcome return of Cordelia Chase, although she’s slightly different in this new setting than when we last saw her. And lastly, the notion of a Big Bad seems like it might not mean quite the same thing in this series as it did in the last one.   After the first episode sets the cast and stage, “Lonely Hearts” (or is it “Heart” singular?!?) begins to show us how this show will explore themes of heroism, good vs. evil, savior complexes, and helping the helpless. And one more damaged character joins the dramatis personae as Kate Lockley, the “cop contact sympathetic to the private eye” noir trope, enters the picture.    NEXT: Stephanie Graves follows us from the graveyard to the morgue as we discuss episodes 103, “In the Dark,” 104, “I Fall to Pieces,” and 105, “Rm w/a Vu.”     BREAKDOWN 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:18:08  -  Main Topic 01:27:06  -  Outro / Next     LIBRARY Reading Angel: The TV Spin-off With a Soul, edited by Stacey Abbott Angel (TV Milestones Series) by Stacey Abbott Celluloid Vampires: Life After Death in the Modern World, by Stacey Abbott Near Dark (BFI Film Classics), by Stacey Abbott     LINKS Monstrum: A Peer-Reviewed Journal of Studies in Horror     MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Touched” by VAST, Visual Audio Sensory Theater (1998)  

With Buffy the Vampire Slayer in our review mirror and its amazing spin-off series Angel looming on the horizon, we’re going to take this limbo-like space in between to explore some comics. One comic in particular, Joss Whedon’s 2001-2003 four-color debut Fray. Joining me for this discussion 200 years in the making are returning guests Dale Guffey and Vickie Willis Navarra. Together we look at the trauma of being incomplete; female rage; Vickie blows my mind with talk of the control of a woman’s reproduction in the final battle; Dale blows my mind with definitions of the word ‘fray’; and I gush over the artwork of Karl Moline and Andy Owens (including my beloved fight choreography obsession).   NEXT: maybe Angel, maybe more comics. Who knows?     BREAKDOWN 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:18:53  -  Let’s Go to Work 01:52:30  -  Outro / Next     LIBRARY Faith and Choice in the Works of Joss Whedon, by K. Dale Koontz     LINKS V.E.W. Navarra: Writing All The Things  Call For Papers: LAWYERS AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM IN POPULAR CULTURE (Southwest Popular / American Culture Association)     MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Four of Two” by They Might Be Giants, No! (2002)

“What are we gonna do now?”   All good things, as the saying goes. It’s been quite a journey, this rewatch and analysis of a show I’ve had a mostly-love-but-just-a-little-bit-hate relationship with for the past 20+ years, and I’d like to think we’ve all learned some things. For example, in this very episode I learn how to stop worrying and love the flawed metaphor at the end of the series, and you all have learned that I’m an insufferable twit. But fortunately I keep pulling y’all back in with wonderful guest hosts who are always more intelligent than myself, and this discussion of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer finale “Chosen” is no different as I welcome back a panel of fan-favorites. Original guest Nikki Stafford, most frequent guest Elizabeth Rambo, and most barely tolerated guest Arlo Wiley are here to pay their respects to a pop culture phenomenon that has spoken to and shaped each of us in immeasurable ways.   NEXT: As we leave the smoking crater of Sunnydale behind us, we head to the City of Angels, or one Angel in particular at least. After an as-yet-undetermined pause, Conversations with Dead People will return for a five season exploration the first vampire with a soul and his quest for redemption.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guests 00:04:14  -  Main Topic 01:39:46  -  Outro / Next   LIBRARY Bite Me!: The Unofficial Guide to Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Seven Seasons One Book), by Nikki Stafford Buffy Goes Dark: Essays on the Final Two Season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Television, edited by Lynne Y. Edwards, Elizabeth Rambo, and James B. South Television Finales: From Howdy Doody to Girls, edited by Douglas L. Howard and David Bianculli The Deli Counter of Justice, written/edited by Paul Smith, Arlo Wiley, and Eric Sipple   LINKS Nikki Stafford’s Great Buffy Rewatch Archive  Whedonology: An Academic Whedon Studies Bibliography   MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Look What We’ve Become” by Grace Potter, Midnight (2015)

“Thank God we’re hot chicks with superpowers.”   Returning hot chick with superpowers Dale Guffey, recently crowned Area Chair of "Lawyers and the Legal System in Popular Culture" for the Southwest Popular/American Culture Association, continues her award-winning guest stint in the graveyard as we talk about sex with all the pre-Apocalypse hookups of 720, “Touched.” And in the penultimate episode of the entire series, 721, “End of Days,” we discuss deus ex machinas and swords in stones. There’s some amazing cross-cut fight choreography; Spike shows Buffy how to speechify; and wheelchair fight!   BONUS: Dale pitches Miss Kitty Fantastico: Vampire Slayer!   NEXT: All good things must come to an end. Nikki Stafford, Elizabeth Rambo, and Arlo Wiley join me to discuss the series finale “Chosen” as we eulogize Buffy the Vampire Slayer.      BREAKDOWN 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:10:07  -  Main Topic 01:52:16  -  Outro / Next   LIBRARY Faith and Choice in the Works of Joss Whedon, by K. Dale Koontz Reading Joss Whedon, edited by Rhonda V. Wilcox, Tanya R. Cochran, Cynthea Masson, and David Lavery A Dream Given Form: The Unofficial Guide to the Universe of Babylon 5, by Ensley F. Guffey and K. Dale Koontz Wanna Cook?: The Complete, Unofficial Companion to Breaking Bad, by Ensley F. Guffey and K. Dale Koontz   LINKS Call For Papers: LAWYERS AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM IN POPULAR CULTURE (Southwest Popular / American Culture Association)   MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Let’s Talk About Sex” by Salt-N-Pepa, Blacks’ Magic (1990)

“I got dangerous for a while.”   DALE! You guys, it’s Dale! Dale Guffey, author of Faith and Choice in the Works of Joss Whedon (among other things) is finally here! And she makes an enthusiastic addition to the graveyard chorus. She brings her wit, charm, and scary brain to the discussion of, well, Faith coming back to Sunnydale, and the various choices of Caleb the Minister of Murder. Episodes 718, “Dirty Girls” and 719, “Empty Places” bring some genuine horror, real world horrors that were uncomfortable to watch in 2003 but are even more gut wrenching in today’s climate. We certainly get some humor and heart, such as Spike continuing to insist he’s nothing like Angel, and Clem sweetly suggesting maybe Buffy should get out of town. But it’s the misogyny and eye-gouging that really stands out.   NEXT: Late-comer but already a fan favorite, Dale sticks around to discuss two more episodes with me, 720 “Touched” and the penultimate episode of the entire series, 721 “End of Days.”     BREAKDOWN 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:07:52  -  Main Topic 01:46:25  -  Outro / Next     LIBRARY Faith and Choice in the Works of Joss Whedon, by K. Dale Koontz Reading Joss Whedon, edited by Rhonda V. Wilcox, Tanya R. Cochran, Cynthea Masson, and David Lavery A Dream Given Form: The Unofficial Guide to the Universe of Babylon 5, by Ensley F. Guffey and K. Dale Koontz Wanna Cook?: The Complete, Unofficial Companion to Breaking Bad, by Ensley F. Guffey and K. Dale Koontz     MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Preacherman” by Melody Gardot, Currency of Man (2015)

My friends, I’m not 100% sure, but I think it’s possible that this set of episodes, and the discussion with fan favorite repeat guest Elizabeth Rambo about them, may have performed a damned Buffy the Vampire Slayer miracle on your oh-so-humble host…   Next: We’ve ALL been chanting and praying and calling upon the dark forces to get her here, and at long last we’ve summoned the inimitable Dale Guffey, author, scholar, artist, and my dear friend, to the CWDP cemetery! She crawls from her podcastless grave to help me examine episodes 718, “Dirty Girls” and 719, “Empty Places.”     THE BREAKDOWN 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:03:40  -  Main Topic 01:53:58  -  Outro / Next     THE LIBRARY Buffy Goes Dark: Essays on the Final Two Seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Television, edited by Lynne Y. Edwards, Elizabeth Rambo, and James B. South     THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Early One Morning” by Kellianna, Traditions (2013)     THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.  http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

“It’s almost like this sort of metaphor for womanhood, isn’t it? This sort of flowering that happens when a girl realizes that she’s part of a fertile heritage stretching back to Eve…”   Author and philosophy professor James Rocha is back in the graveyard with me again to discuss three more episodes of this, the final season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In “Potential,” Buffy (the character and maybe the show?) get the details of Slayer ascension wrong yet again, and Xander shows us how Speechifying(™) is supposed to work. “The Killer in Me” gives us a sadly truncated version of what, in my not-so-humble opinion, the entire season should have been about, and hey, I don’t hate Kennedy like the rest of y’all do. Who’s surprised? Lastly, “First Date” asks cutting edge questions like, “Why the hell doesn’t Principal Wood know who Spike is?” and “How does Wood stare at Spike in the rearview mirror of his car and not notice he’s a vampire?”   As a bonus, James schools me on the difference between Existentialism and Essentialism.   Next: You know her, you love her, Elizabeth Rambo is back again, this time to hold my hand as we try to make it through episodes 715, “Get It Done,” 716, “Storyteller,” and 717, “Lies My Parents Told Me.”     THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:59:30 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:07:13  -  Main Topic 01:54:50  -  Outro / Next     THE LIBRARY Joss Whedon, Anarchist? A Unified Theory of the Films and Television Series, by James Rocha and Mona Rocha     THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Killer” by Phoebe Bridgers, Stranger in the Alps (2017)

‘Verse-y author/editor Vickie Willis Navarra returns at long last (my bad, sorry) to try and help me over my growing Season 7 apathy as we begin our slow, tortured crawl to the finish line. Episode 710, “Bring On the Night” is the first appearance of Kennedy and the final appearance of Joyce. So yeah. It’s also the beginning of the interminable Buffy Speechifying(™). Sooo...yeeeeeeeah. And in 711, “Showtime,” Buffy welcomes Potential Slayer Rona to the Hellmouth, we get some charmingly awful rubber monster practical effects, and I defend the cool (and previously established) Willow-telepathically-links-the-Scoobies trick.   BONUS: I begin in earnest to dunk on The First as the most ridiculously inconsistent and ineffectual Big Bad of the entire series. Good times.   Next: author and Philosophy Professor James Rocha returns to help me make sense of episodes 712, “Potential,” 713, “The Killer In Me,” and 714, “First Date.”     THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:44:09 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:10:04  -  Main Topic 01:38:45  -  Outro / Next     THE LIBRARY Reading Joss Whedon (Television and Popular Culture), edited by Rhonda V. Wilcox, Tanya R. Cochran, Cynthea Masson, and David Lavery At Home in the Whedonverse: Essays on Domestic Place, Space and Life, edited by Juliette C. Kitchens Geek Rock: An Exploration of Music and Subculture, edited by Alex DiBlasi and Victoria Willis Routledge Companion to Popular Music and Humor, edited by Thomas M. Kitts and Nick Baxter-Moore     THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Bring On the Night” by The Police, The Police (1979)

I have no idea what Anya is talking about. For me, Souled Spike IS Happyland! But whatever. This week I’m joined by fan and amateur Buffyologist Tami Anderson to discuss the Pavlov’s Bell-ness of episode 708, “Sleeper,” and how I will never forgive episode 709, “Never Leave Me” for turning the death of my beloved Jonathan into nothing more than a lame (and medically specious) punchline.   Next: Author Vickie Navarra returns to the cemetery to converse on episodes 710, “Bring On The Night” and 711, “Showtime.”     THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:21:30 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:09:22  -  Main Topic 01:16:30  -  Outro / Next     THE LIBRARY Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow     THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Pavlov’s Bell” by Aimee Man, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Radio Sunnydale - Music from the TV Series (2003)

“Do the words ‘superiority complex’ mean anything to you?”   This week I’m joined by Broken Magic author and my very frequent collaborator Eric Sipple, here to discuss arguably the most important episode of the series (being the namesake of this clearly revolutionary podcast) episode 707, “Conversations with Dead People.” We break down the four (five?) titular conversations; wax rhapsodic about Jonathan Woodward; condemn the pointless death of Jonathan Levinson; lament the horribly wasted potential of the First Evil; and ask whether the episode is better in isolation or if the shocks and twists of this episode actually pay off in a satisfying way through the rest of the season.   Is it just a coincidence that this podcast takes its name from the only episode in the entire run of Buffy the Vampire Slayer with absolutely ZERO Xander Harris? You be the judge.    Next: Tami Anderson, fan and amateur Buffyologist, joins me to discuss episode 708, “Sleeper” and 709, “Never Leave Me.”   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:21:44 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:05:50  -  Main Topic 01:18:30  -  Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Broken Magic, by Eric Sipple The Deli Counter of Justice, by Paul Smith, Eric Sipple, Arlo Wiley   THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Blue” by Angie Hart, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Radio Sunnydale - Music from the TV Series (2003)

Michael Adams, author of Slayer Slang: A Buffy the Vampire Slayer Lexicon, joins me as I continue my march to the end here in Season 7 with the next three episodes. “Help” introduces us, for a tragically brief time, to the delightful Azura Skye as Cassie, doomed teenage poet and seer. “Selfless” features a fun flashback and a “lost” musical number from “Once More, With Feeling.” (It is also the point at which my uncharacteristic love for Buffy Summers I’ve been feeling for the first part of this season finally wears off.) And “Him” provides a mildly troubling Buffy-channeling-Darla seduction scene, and a waka-chicka-waka-chicka Charlie’s Angels-esque split screen montage.   Next: Broken Magic author, and my co-author/co-editor on The Deli Counter of Justice, Eric Sipple joins me for what is arguably the most important episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer ever (being the namesake for this very important podcast), 707, “Conversations with Dead People.”   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:46:35 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:04:16  -  Main Topic 01:41:00  -  Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Slayer Slang: A Buffy the Vampire Slayer Lexicon, by Michael Adams Buffy Goes Dark: Essays on the Final Two Seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Television, edited by Lynne Y. Edwards, Elizabeth Rambo, and James B. South   THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Theme from ‘A Summer Place’” by Percey Sledge and his Orchestra, A Summer Place (1959)

“Can we rest now? Buffy...can we rest?”   The seventh and final season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer starts much stronger out of the gate than I had remembered. 701, “Lessons” takes us back to the beginning (not the Bang, not the Word, but the true beginning) as a beautiful little parade of every Big Bad from seasons past welcomes us to the brand new Sunnydale High. In 702, “Beneath You,” James Marsters gives what is arguably his greatest single scene performance of the entire series, getting all smoldering and confessional with Buffy about what he did over Summer vacation. And 703, “Same Time, Same Place” gives us another chillingly creepy fairy tale villain eager to welcome Willow back to the Hellmouth. Theresa Fortier, Spike superfan and Nicholas Brendon travelling companion, joins me to discuss all these tasty morsels and more (particularly Spike!) as I make my uncomfortable peace with actually LIKING Buffy Summers for several episodes in a row.   Next: I’m joined by Michael Adams, author of Slayer Slang: A Buffy the Vampire Slayer Lexicon, to get all linguistic about episodes 704, “Help,” 705, “Selfless,” and 706, “Him.”     THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:35:11 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:06:03  -  Main Topic 01:30:58  -  Outro / Next     THE LINKS Support Spike (Facebook) nickybrendon.com     THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)” by They Might Be Giants, Flood (1990)     THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.  http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

“She's a truck-driving Magic Mama! And we've got maybe seconds before Darth Rosenberg grinds everybody into Jawa-burgers, and not one of you bunch has the midichlorians to stop her.”   - Andrew Wells   Never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee, Season Six. We’ve come to the yellow crayon end of the darkest Buffy the Vampire Slayer timeline, and Mistress of the Dark herself, Elizabeth Rambo is back again to help us all get through it. In 621, “Two to Go,” we talk about the Dark Phoenix of it all, Doritos taste tests with prosthetic teeth, and the coolest scene transition effect in the entire series! And in 622, “Grave,” Giles is a Trojan Horse; Dawn gets to swing a sword; the Zeppo saves the day; and how the hell was the crawling out of the grave circular storytelling NOT part of the initial draft of this finale?!   Bonus: AITA for thinking things would have gone differently if Jonathan had ever been given a real shot at joining the Scooby Gang? (Possibly, since I literally almost die on mic during the recording session.)   Next: we’re in the endgame now as we begin our approach to that controversial opinion I’ve teased having about the series finale. But First, Evil in 701, “Lessons,” 702, “Beneath You,” and 703, “Same Time, Same Place.”     THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:48:36 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:05:42  -  Main Topic 01:44:54  -  Outro / Next     THE LIBRARY Buffy Goes Dark: Essays on the Final Two Seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Television, edited by Lynne Y. Edwards, Elizabeth Rambo, and James B. South Television Finales: From Howdy Doody to Girls, edited by Douglas L. Howard and David Bianculli Bite Me!: The Chosen Edition The Unofficial Guide to Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Seven Seasons One Book), by Nikki Stafford     THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Prayer of St. Francis” by Sarah McLachlan, Rarities, B-Sides, and Other Stuff, Vol. 2 (2008)     THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.  http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

“What have I done? Why didn’t I do it?”   Fan-favorite Elizabeth Rambo sticks with me for another light-hearted discussion about Season Six. This time around we get misogyny and magic balls and whether the [CW: sexual assault] scene was really a necessary part of Spike’s journey or if it was a metaphor too far in episode 619, “Seeing Red,” also known as “The One That Broke the Fandom.” And leaving all that darkness behind us, we talk about 620, “Villains,” and Joss Whedon’s pathological inability to portray lasting happiness in his shows. Also, was Amber Benson finally making it to the opening titles for the first (and last!) a cruel mind@$#&, or a sweet farewell to the actress?   (Elizabeth is, as always, a treat! But I personally am really uncomfortable talking about at least one of these episodes, so it’s awkward and you’ll probably hate me. But hey, podcasting is dangerous, I’ve always said so.)   Next: it’s all been leading to this, kids! The payoff for all the pain and suffering the Scoobies (and us fans) have endured for the past season. A guest (or guests?) will join me to discuss episodes 621, “Two to Go” and 622, “Grave.” Get your party hats at the door.     THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 02:03:25 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:03:49  -  Main Topic 01:59:33  -  Outro / Next     THE LIBRARY Buffy Goes Dark: Essays on the Final Two Seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Television, edited by Lynne Y. Edwards, Elizabeth Rambo, and James B. South Television Finales: From Howdy Doody to Girls, edited by Douglas L. Howard and David Bianculli Dusted: The Unauthorized Guide to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, by Lawrence Mile, Lars Pearson, and Christa Dickson     THE LINKS Spike Is Forgiven: The Sympathetic Vampire’s Resonance with Rape Culture (pdf) by Wendy Fall, Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, 16.2 [48], Summer/Fall 2018 Girl on Girl Politics: Willow / Tara and New Approaches to Media Fandom by Judith L. Tabron, Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, 4.1-2 [13-14], Fall 2004     THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Displaced” by Azure Ray, Azure Ray (2001)     THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.  http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

“I know the world feels like a hard place sometimes, but you’ve got people who love you.”   We live in interesting times, my friends. So returning guest Elizabeth Rambo and I first talk about how we’re both surviving the latest apocalypse, before diving into the uplifting palate cleanser that is Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Six. To lighten the mood we discuss the divisive and possibly controversial(?) episodes 617, “Normal Again” and 618, “Entropy.” In the former, there’s discussion of Didgeridoo Demons,  metacommentary, and how literally to interpret the “Asylumverse.” And in the latter, scary, re-Vengeance Demonized Anya provides some much-needed humor; my Buffy-rage returns with a, well, a vengeance; and gyres widen.   Next: Elizabeth is back for more good fun times as we take on episodes 619, “Seeing Red” [Note: I am NOT looking forward to this one] and 620, “Villains.”     THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:32:05 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:09:20  -  Main Topic 01:28:20  -  Outro / Next     THE LIBRARY Buffy Goes Dark: Essays on the Final Two Seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Television, edited by Lynne Y. Edwards, Elizabeth Rambo, and James B. South Television Finales: From Howdy Doody to Girls, edited by Douglas L. Howard and David Bianculli     THE LINKS “‘They told me Sunnydale was gonna be interesting’: Metaphorical Schizophrenia in Buffy the Vampire Slayer” by Vicki Japha, Watcher Junior 10.2 (Fall 2017) “‘Those whom the powers wish to destroy, they first make mad’: the classical roots of madness in Buffy the Vampire Slayer” by Naomi Alderman (presented at Slayage 2004)     THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “That Kind of Love” by Alison Krauss, Forget About It ( “I’m Going Slightly Mad” by Queen, Innuendo (1991)     THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.  http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

Look, my ability to establish and maintain a reliable podcasting schedule has degraded, to say the least, as this process has gone on. I know it. YOU know it. I’m sorry. But this past year of March and April has seriously thrown me off my groove, and not in the fun Disney way with llama faces and maniacal kitten laughter. It’s difficult I think for any of us to bring the fun in at the moment. But I will persevere! WE will persevere! We will get through this thing called Season Six if it’s the last thing we do. (Which it won’t be, because the threat of Season Seven looms menacingly in our future.)   Anyways, Jessica Hautsch is back with me again to share in the joy of James Marsters’ eyebrow acting in 614, “Older and Far Away.” She is also positively GIDDY that 615, “As You Were” is the very last time she’ll ever have to deal with Riley Finn. And how weird is it that Xander’s family cheers for him straight-up murdering a “circus folk” at his almost-but-not-quite wedding?   Next (Week? Month? Year?): Elizabeth Rambo returns to take on the uber-divisive episode 617, “Normal Again” and the 0h-yeah-that-was-an-episode 618, “Entropy.”   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:53:25 00:00:55  - Intro / Guest 00:09:37  - Main Topic 01:50:00  - Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow   THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Hells Bells” by AC/DC, Back in Black (1980)   THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.  http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

For my 50th birthday (ugh), my gift to you is the 50th episode (egads) of this podcast, which will focus on the 50th worst episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. (I made that last part up...it’s probably higher on most “Worst Of” lists. It’s a meat process.) Joining me this time is my good friend and frequent collaborator, first-time guest Eric Sipple. Together we share the DoubleMeat Medley that is the forgettable patty of 611, “Gone” above the mid-bun, and the processed trauma of 613, “Dead Things” below the mid-bun. But it’s really that bland, stale mid-bun of 612, “Doublemeat Palace” that gives us indigestion.   Am I straining the metaphor here? Well, it IS Season Six, so when in Rome...   Next: Jessica Hautsch is back with us to take a look at 614, “Older and Far Away,” 615, “As You Were,” and 616, “Hell’s Bells.”   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:23:05 00:00:55  - Intro / Guest 00:08:30  - Main Topic 01:18:48  - Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Broken Magic, by Eric Sipple The Deli Counter of Justice, by Paul Smith, Eric Sipple, Arlo Wiley   THE LINKS Gobbledygeek Podcast  - website - iTunes The Avatar Returns Podcast  - website - iTunes   THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Out of this World” by Bush, Golden State (2001)   THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.  http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

James Rocha, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Fresno State and co-author, along with his wife Dr. Mona Rocha, of Joss Whedon, Anarchist? A Unified Theory of the Films and Television Series, returns to help ease us into the poor decision making of the Scooby Gang, and the heavy-handed “metaphor” application of the writers headed into the darker half of the darkest season. In episode 608, “Tabula Rasa,” James does his best to get into the philosophy of it all, while I just question if Buffy has jumped the shark. In 609, “Smashed,” we talk about Willow’s reasons for finally de-ratting Amy; the debate over Spike’s reasons for trying to bite the blonde in the alley is rehashed; and Buffy (the “good” Slayer) has now slept with twice as many named characters as Faith (the “bad” Slayer). And 610, “Wrecked” reminds us how important Merrie Melodies cartoons are; the so-called subtext becomes painful, bludgeoning text hammered directly into our innocent, trusting faces; and my oft-referenced issues with one particular writer are made just a little more clear. For better or worse.   Next: co-host of The Avatar Returns podcast, co-author of The Deli Counter of Justice, my friend Eric Sipple joins the conversation for the first time to discuss episodes 611, “Gone,” 612, “Doublemeat Palace,” and 613, “Dead Things.”   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:54:55 00:00:55  - Intro / Guest 00:03:26  - Main Topic 01:51:15  - Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Joss Whedon, Anarchist? A Unified Theory of the Films and Television Series, by James Rocha and Mona Rocha   THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Goodbye to You” by Michelle Branch, The Spirit Room (2002)   THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.  http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

So you know how time flows differently from one dimension to the next? Yeah, I was sucked into a hell dimension where it felt like only a week went by, but here in the real world you guys have suffered through three Conversations with Dead People-free months! Or maybe I was in Heaven...I think I was in Heaven. YOU guys were stuck here in THIS hell dimension without me. But anyways, I apologize for the unsolicited hiatus. The good news is I’m back! The better news is I’m back with Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode 607, “Once More, With Feeling.” The only so-so news is that guest Arlo Wiley is back too. And we may, we just may sing every word of our discussion. I mean you take the good, you take the bad, right?   The BEST news? Because you demanded it, as of 10:08 into the podcast the naughty words moratorium is officially ended. Bring on that EXPLICIT CONTENT warning!   Next: I’m joined by Assistant Philosophy professor and Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies contributor James Rocha, back to discuss episodes 608, “Tabula Rasa,” 609, “Smashed,” and 610, “Wrecked.” It’s about to start getting rough, folks.   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:40:05 00:01:00  - Intro / Guest 00:05:07  - Main Topic 00:10:08  - Someone has a potty mouth 01:35:40  - Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Music, Sound, and Silence in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, edited by Paul Attinello, Janet K. Half yard, and Vaness Knights   THE MUSIC “Going Through The Motions” by Sarah Michelle Gellar & Orchestra, Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Once More, With Feeling (Soundtrack from the TV Show) (2002) “Where Do We Go From Here?” by Buffy the Vampire Slayer Cast, Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Once More, With Feeling (Soundtrack from the TV Show) (2002)   THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.  http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

“Mist...cemetery...Halloween. Should end well.”   Stephanie Graves is back with me to discuss two more episodes of the Happy Funtime Show, otherwise known as Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 6. In episode 605, “Life Serial,” we get some genuine laughs as the show finds the humor in young adults struggling to find their way in the grown up world. There’s ANOTHER damn numbered shirt; Jonathan has a magic bone; and the second most important character in the entire series (after Spike) finally shows up: CLEM! And then, in 606, “All the Way,” Tara’s not much into timber; Giles cleans his glasses; and Dawn goes parking.   Next: it’s gonna be an all-singing, all-dancing podcast extravaganza as we finally get to the Big Show...episode 607, “Once More, With Feeling.” (Note: I will not actually be singing or dancing.)   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:21:20 00:00:55 - Intro / Guest 00:04:06 - Main Topic 01:17:00 - Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Joss Whedon vs. the Horror Tradition: The Production of Genre in Buffy and Beyond, edited by K. K. Woofter and Lorna Jowett   THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Around My Smile” by Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions, Bavarian Fruit Bread (2001)   THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.  http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

“Every night I save you.”   Clearly I’ve set my listener expectations in terms of my Season 6 feelings. So to keep myself honest, it seems I have decided to frontload those discussions of Depression: The Series with avowed superfans of said season. Following on the heels of last week’s talk with Season 6 expert Elizabeth Rambo, this week I’m joined by possibly the most passionate Sixer I’ve ever met, former Hollywood script doctor and Buffy scholar Faith Currant. After I get over the shock of her methods for introducing new fans to the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Faith and I go on to discuss Jungian psychology, the Buddhist idea of the bardo state, the disambiguation of “Normal Again,” and why, despite my troubled history with this era of the Slayer saga, “After Life” has always been and will always be one of my favorite episodes in the Whedonverse. (Hint: I like Spike. Surprise!)   Next: PhD student, author, and Mr. Pointy Award-winner Stephanie Graves returns to discuss episodes 605, “Life Serial,” and 606, “All the Way.”   THE CROSSOVER Angel 305, “Fredless.” This episode ends with Buffy going to meet Angel. “Fredless” opens with Angel coming back from that meeting. At this point in production, direct crossovers, with actors appearing on both shows is forbidden by the competing networks.   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:38:45 00:00:55 - Intro / Guest 00:10:42 - Main Topic 01:36:44 - Outro / Next   THE LINKS Faith’s website   THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Hell” by Squirrel Nut Zippers, Hot (1996)   THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.  http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

“Is this hell?”   We begin our 22 Stages of Season 6 Grief with the two-part season premiere “Bargaining.” Professor, author, and undeniable Season 6 expert Elizabeth Rambo makes her triumphant return to the Conversations graveyard to help us all get through these difficult times. We talk about the new Giles-less title credits, the amazing performance (again!) of Sarah Michelle Gellar, the clear difference in broadcast standards and practices between the WB and UPN, and how 9/11 may have played a role in the response some fans have had to this season.   Also, I wave the flag and light the fireworks to officially declare this and everything going forward Spike’s Time(™) at last!   Next: first time guest Faith Currant joins me to discuss episodes 603, “After Life” and 604, “Flooded.”   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:21:15 00:00:55 - Intro / Guest 00:05:30 - Main Topic 01:18:10 - Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Television Finales: From Howdy Doody to Girls, edited by Douglas L. Howard and David Bianculli Buffy Goes Dark: Essays on the Final Two Seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Television, edited by Lynne Y. Edwards, Elizabeth Rambo, and James B. South   THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Work Song” by Hozier, Hozier (2014)   THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.  http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

“But...you’re just a girl.” “That’s what I keep saying.”   We’ve come at last to the end. Well, *AN* end. We’ve reached what could have (and maybe should have?) been the end of all things Buffy the Vampire Slayer with the Season 5 finale “The Gift.” Michael Holland returns, with a shiny new job title, to help me wish a fond farewell to the WB era as our beloved hero takes the plunge (literally) into a darker, more confusing adulthood. We talk about a lot of things, as you might expect, including Giles’ angry push back, Xander’s big ball, Spike’s sobs, and Olaf’s totally unnecessary retcon into godhood. And in the end I try, with mixed success, to broach the potentially uncomfortable topic of Buffy’s final heroic act vs. her growing deathwish. [CW: suicide]   Next: back at last after literally ages, professor and author Elizabeth Rambo joins me to kick off the cheeriest season in the entire run of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. We’ll be discussing 601, “Bargaining (Part 1)” and 602, “Bargaining (Part 2).”   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:21:57 00:00:55 - Intro / Guest 00:04:48 - Main Topic 01:17:55 - Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow   THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Free Fallin’” by Tom Petty, Full Moon Fever (1989)   THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.  http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

“Do we suspect that there may be some kind of connection between Ben and Glory?”   Great question, Giles. First time guest Margaret Ann Robbins joins me to answer that and other ponderables. For example, in “Spiral,” is Buffy the Vampire Slayer really just a retelling of Milton’s Paradise Lost? Are the ren faire reject Knights of Byzantium a tonal bridge too far? If killing humans is a no-no, but killing Knights of Byzantium goes unmentioned from now to the end of time, does that kind of answer my previous question? And in “The Weight of the World,” why is it okay for Glory to whine, “Get out, get out, get out!” without catching grief from the fans? Does the Gollum / Sméagol scene between Glory and Ben work? And what if the Key were a velvet Elvis painting?   Next: we’re in the endgame now. Buffy’s world comes tumbling down, literally, in the Season 5 finale. Join me and returning guest Michael Holland as we discuss episode 522, “The Gift.”   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:28:13 00:00:55 - Intro / Guest 00:04:47 - Main Topic 01:24:47 - Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Bite Me!: The Chosen Edition The Unofficial Guide to Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Seven Seasons One Book), by Nikki Stafford   THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Knight Rider Main Theme” by Stu Phillips, Knight Rider (Original TV Soundtrack) (2005)   THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.  http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

Stage and screen legend Joel Grey joins the series, and so from this point on Conversations with Dead People is a Joel Grey fan podcast. Sorry Buffy fans.   Okay, seriously, we’re into the darkness of the near-end of Season 5 now, which of course is also a LOT of foreshadowing of the darkness awaiting us in Season 6. To help me get through the pain of these episodes Melane Scala is back, bringing with her a refreshing appreciation for the character of Dawn. In 517, “Forever,” the Summers girls, with Spike’s help, just barely manage to stay out of full-blown zombie mom territory. Episode 518, “Intervention” gives us a Buffy and Giles wearing turtleneck sweaters and jackets in the desert, Spike’s post-coital hair, and a Scooby Gang that inexplicably can’t recognize a Buffybot just weeks after instantly spotting the Aprilbot. And 519, “Tough Love” struggles with writing/pacing issues, but still gives us our first glimpse of Dark Willow. And my questions about the way the show treats issues of mental health, raised way back at the beginning of the season, are brought back for further consideration.   Next: things get seriously dire in the next couple of episodes, so what better time to welcome a shiny new guest to the podcast? Margaret Ann Robbins joins me for her debut Conversation as we discuss episodes 520, “Spiral,” and 521, “The Weight of the World.”   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:35:25 00:00:55 - Intro / Guest 00:03:35 - Main Topic 01:31:35 - Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow   THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Tales of Brave Ulysses” by Cream, Disraeli Tears (1967)   THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.  http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

“But I don't understand! I don't understand how this all happens. How we go through this. I knew her, and then she's—there's just a body, and I don't understand why she just can't get back in it and not be dead ... anymore! It's stupid! It's mortal and stupid! And ... and Xander's crying and not talking, and ... and I was having fruit punch, and I thought, well, Joyce will never have any more fruit punch, ever, and she'll never have eggs, or yawn, or brush her hair, not ever, and no one will explain to me why!”   Next: someone (TBD) will join me to discuss episodes 517, “Forever,” 518, “Intervention,” and 519, “Tough Love.”   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:44:16 00:00:55 - Intro / Guest 00:06:27 - Main Topic 01:40:56 - Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow   THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Now Only” by Mount Eerie, Now Only (2018)   THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.  http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

Jessica Hautsch is back in the cemetery to discuss two more episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Being massive Spike fans, episode 514, “Crush” gives us both a lot to talk about. Episode 515, “I Was Made to Love You” gives us...less. We have plenty to say about the performative nature of Spike, the arc of his moral continuum, and how wisely (or not) vampires are able to love. We go on and on about how problematic he can be, how much we love him in spite of all that, and how intensely, annoyingly metatextual and condescending Quasimodo comparisons are.    “Doesn’t seem to me it matters very much how you start out.”    When it comes to long, compelling conversations about misogynistic geeks and sex robots...we do all right.   Next: My hetero life mate Arlo Wiley returns to help me tackle the heartbreaking 516, “The Body.” Have the Kleenex ready.   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:42:05 00:00:55 - Intro / Guest 00:02:28 - Main Topic 01:38:30 - Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow   THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” by Kiss, Dynasty (1979)   THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.  http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

Wait, Ben is Glory?!   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:11:53 00:00:55 - Intro / Guest / R.I.P. Rutger Hauer 00:06:24 - Main Topic 01:06:33 - Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow   THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” by R.E.M., Monster (1994)   THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.  http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

Jessica Hautsch is back and prepared to face off with me about the Buffy / Riley breakup. In 510, “Into the Woods,” I finally come to the presumed end of my Quixotic mission to defend Riley Finn...because the writers FINALLY dump him unceremoniously. Did Captain Cornfed get a fair shake, from the writers or the audience? Was Xander unfair to Buffy? Was Buffy’s slaying of the Junkie Vampire Girl problematic? There might not be any easy answers. In 511, “Triangle” however, there ARE some easy answers. Is Anya’s talk with Xander about wanting a ticking bomb clock for any future breakup heartbreaking? Yes it is. Is Buffy’s sobbing a little too cartoonish? Affirmative. Is Spike’s continued fetish for greasy bar food adorable? Abso-bloomin-lutely.   Next: I and a mystery guest TBD will be discussing episodes 512, “Checkpoint” and 513, “Blood Ties.”   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:41:35 00:00:55 - Intro / Guest 00:04:55 - Main Topic 01:35:22 - Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Fan Phenomena: Harry Potter, edited by Valerie Frankel   THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Don’t Turn Around” by Bonnie Tyler, Hide Your Heart (1988)   THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.  http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

No good deed goes unpunished, and so Michael Holland pays for being such a great guest last week, where we got to discuss one (maybe two?) of the best episodes in the entire series. His penance? He’s back with me again, which is perhaps punishment enough, but in fact he’s here to talk about Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes 508, “Shadow” and 509, “Listening to Fear.” In the former he’s forced to endure the worst CGI snake demon the show ever conjures up, and in the latter he struggles to survive the show’s embarrassing X-Files envy.   (That’ll teach him to be so smart and fun, huh?)   Next: PhD student, Slayage contributor, and fellow Spuffy fanatic Jessica Hautsch returns to discuss episodes 510, “Into the Woods” and 511, “Triangle.”   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:25:50 00:00:55 - Intro / Guest 00:04:00 - Main Topic 01:18:15 - Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow   THE LINKS Michael’s Blog - Holland Imaginarium   THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “The X-Files Theme” by The Dust Brothers, X-Files: The Album (1998)   THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.  http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

I’m a bad podcaster, but I’m a good man. I’m just so into this Buffy the Vampire Slayer rewatch lately that I decided to get really sick just as we start getting into the episodes that deal with Joyce getting really sick. Fortunately I SEEM to have rounded a corner, and with luck (and maybe a little bit of magic?) this silly little podcast will now get back on some kind of regular track.   That track begins with the triumphant return of Michael Holland, Manager of Television for Warner Bros. Post Production Creative Services, who joins me for a very special episode. We kick off with 506, “Family,” where we talk about the way patriarchal systems dehumanize women and how the Jossian found family narrative is perhaps the most profound and moving aspect of anything set in the Whedonverse. And with 507, “Fool for Love,” we reach what is arguably, for me personally, the high water mark of the series. I know, there’s still a lot of great stuff coming up. But...well let’s just say I’m a Spike fan, and I kinda sorta like what this episodes does for the character. (WARNING: We talk about Spike, like, a LOT.)   Next: I have so much fun talking with Michael Holland that I’m not letting him leave. He rejoins me next week to find out if episodes 508, “Shadow” and 509, “Listening to Fear” can possibly live up to the wonders we witnessed this week.   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:32:26 00:00:55 - Intro / Apologies / Guest 00:05:11 - Family 00:37:03 - Fool for Love 01:26:38 - Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow   THE LINKS Michael’s Blog - Holland Imaginarium   THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Melanie Doane, Adam’s Rib (1999)   THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together. http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

Plague demons worked their worst to keep this episode out of your earbuds, faithful listeners. But I have valiantly fought my way free of the mucous-based hell dimension to finally bring you my discussion with the inimitable Stephanie Graves about 504, “Out of My Mind” and 505, “No Place Like Home.” People still hate Dawn; Spike gets arguably the greatest five-word quote in the entire damn series; and there’s something about that boy Ben...I can’t quite put my finger on it...   Next: I, and presumably a guest, who shall remain a mystery for now since I can’t get confirmation from anyone, will be discussing episodes 506, “Family” and, a big one for me personally, 507, “Fool for Love.”   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:26:39 00:00:55 - Intro / Guest 00:04:22 - Main Topic 01:22:20 - Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Joss Whedon vs. the Horror Tradition: The Production of Genre in Buffy and Beyond, edited by K. K. Woofter and Lorna Jowett   THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “No Place Like Home” by Todrick Hall, Straight Outta Oz (2016)   THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together. http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

Are season openers the weakest link in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer chain? Is Rudolf Martin an interesting Prince of Darkness? Are Xander’s days of being everybody’s butt-monkey finally over? Dax Stokes, host of the podcast The Vampire Historian, makes his Conversations debut to discuss these and other very, very important questions. In the Season 5 premiere, “Buffy vs. Dracula,” that poncy bugger turns up to feed Xander bugs and smolder ineffectually as he blathers on about the Slayer’s darkness. In “Real Me,” Buffy’s little sister finally gets an episode of her own, only 79 episodes into the series, and of course she has a crush on Xander. And in “The Replacement,” Anya almost gets to live the dream with two Xanders at once.   It’s a big week for the X-Man.   Next: Mr. Point Award-winner Stephanie Graves returns to discuss episodes 504, “Out of My Mind” and 505, “No Place Like Home.”   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:47:15 00:00:55 - Intro / Guest 00:11:10 - Main Topic 01:40:29 - Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow   THE LINKS The Vampire Historian Podcast   THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Hungarian Dance No. 5 in G Minor” by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Walter Weller, Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995)   THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together. http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

Multi-Mr. Pointy Award-winning author Mary Ellen Iatropoulos returns to discuss Franken-Forrest, Cabin in the Woods, and Joss’ obsession with concepts of hybridization in 421, “Primeval.” And then Season Four comes to it’s oh-so-welcome end with 422, “Restless,” which features some very unsubtle lesbian metaphors, Spike swinging really high, Mayor Meat, and the debate and confusion around the name of the First Slayer.   Oh, and we share our perhaps problematic love of the film Ghostbusters.   Next: I’m joined by Dax Stokes, host of the award-winning podcast The Vampire Historian to discuss the first three episodes of Season 5, “Buffy vs. Dracula,” “Real Me,” and “The Replacement.”   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 02:01:04 00:00:55 - Intro / Guest 00:04:33 - Main Topic 01:53:30 - Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Joss Whedon and Race: Critical Essays, edited by Mary Ellen Iatropoulos and Lowery A. Woodall III The Aesthetics of Culture in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, by Matthew Pateman   THE LINKS Mary Ellen Iatropoulos’ Website   THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “The Exposition Song” by Anthony Stewart Head (2000)   THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together. http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

Nikki Stafford, author of Bite Me!: The Unofficial Guide to Buffy the Vampire Slayer (AND Once Bitten: An Unofficial Guide to the World of Angel, but we’ll get there) returns! Stepping briefly away from her watch on the Wall (the final season of Game of Thrones is a demanding master), she joins me to discuss great werewolf actors, bad werewolf makeup, and uncomfortable contemporary readings of previously endearing moments in 419, “New Moon Rising.” And then in 420, “The Yoko Factor” we talk about the perceptiveness of evil, the unnecessary apologies of Angel, the comedic stylings of drunk Giles, and our respective sympathies whenever people gang up on Buffy.   Next: I’ll be joined by...somebody?...to close out the controversial college season with episodes 421, “Primeval” and 422, “Restless.”   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 00:00:00 00:00:55 - Intro / Guest 00:06:15 - Main Topic 01:19:29 - Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Bite Me!: The Chosen Edition The Unofficial Guide to Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Seven Seasons One Book), by Nikki Stafford Once Bitten: An Unofficial Guide to the World of Angel, by Nikki Stafford   THE LINKS Nikki Stafford’s Great Buffy Rewatch Archive   THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Free Bird” by Anthony Stewart Head (2000)   THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together. http://www.whedonstudies.tv/