Prophecy Girls: A Buffy Rewatch Podcast

Steph and Kara discuss the first season of Angel. Evil lawyers, hegemonic systems, and men with feelings: Angel's first year in the city named after him was an eventful one.   Spoiler section starts at 42:20.   Hear us discuss… So many men on this show!! Best and worst episodes The thesis of this season, maybe the whole series? Wait … did Angel … win … the breakup? OHHHHH YEAAAAAH  

Angel has stolen a valuable prophecy scroll from Wolfram & Hart. Determined to retrieve it, they dispatch their best warrior: the Phantom of the Opera. He hits Angel where it will hurt the most. not only does he disable Cordelia and Wesley, but he destroys Angel's sole joy in life. Angel vows revenge, and no lawyer or demonic entity or prophecy will stop him from avenging his elevator.   Hear us discuss… Cordy's gesture of friendship is so genuine Great security, Angel Investigations Noooo, the elevator! Noooo, Dr. Folger!! Next time, Angel-proof your ritual sacrifice, people Steph's thirst levels are off the scale   Trigger warnings Insects, maiming  

First, a techbro billionaire (90s style) hires Angel to retrieve incriminating photos of his demonic peccadilloes. This leads Angel to get mixed up with Charles Gunn and his crew of homeless vampire fighters. When a white boy vampire gang kidnaps Gunn's sister in retaliation for the crew's activity, Angel tries his best to help these not-so-helpless kids.   Then, Angel teams up with his nemesis, Lindsey McDonald. Lindsey agrees to be the inside man for a heist on Wolfram & Hart. Their chemistry in larceny is matched only by their chemistry in the bedroom, but Lindsey's supervisor is determined to quash any hopes of this May-September romance.   “Blind Date” starts at 52:00.   Hear us discuss… How we get to meet Angel from Gunn's perspective A promising intro to a great new character Lindsey's moral dilemma really isn't A heist? More excuses for Angel to dress up? Yes, please! Angel is not solely responsible for Lindsey's redemption   Trigger warnings Gun violence  

First, the slayer arrives in the City of Angel, but it's not the one you're thinking of. Wolfram & Hart hire her to kill Angel, a task Faith sets to with gusto. When she threatens to take Wesley off the board, Angel has no choice but to take her out.   Then, the two-parter concludes with the other slayer—yeah, that one—showing up just in time to see Angel comfort his mortal enemy. Must be Tuesday. Aghast he would try to redeem Faith after what she did in Sunnydale, Buffy picks a fight. Meanwhile, Wesley betrays old colleagues because Angel offers better dental.   “Sanctuary” coverage starts at 53:30.   Hear us discuss… We agree with our past selves, naturally The CW lawyers are great villains The best way to torture Wesley Dr. Folger is NOT HAPPY about that skylight Seriously though, what does Angel have against doors and windows?   Trigger warnings Kidnapping, torture  

Angel is in the right time, right place to save the life of a dusty, old, dried up actress in her late twenties. When she learns he's a vampire, she realizes she has a unique opportunity to stave off her withering descent into cronehood. But how to convince a vampire with a soul to sire you?   Hear us discuss… Cordelia is a brilliant actor as long as her life is in danger Oliver, we expected better from you! Dr. Folger is NOT HAPPY about that power cut Toth (and maybe Joyce?) strikes again! You can just say you don't like women, Joss. It's fine (it's not fine)   Trigger warnings Assault, drug abuse, misogyny  

First, a flashback-heavy episode finally gives new viewers Angel's backstory … more than halfway through the season. Back in present day Los Angeles, Angel and Kate cross paths again as he works to down some demons smuggling demon drugs.   Then, shady characters take advantage of Angel's trust, kidnapping him and forcing him to participate in a demon fight club. This attracts the attention of Wolfram & Hart lawyer and resident femme fatale, Lilah Morgan. Don't worry, though: Cordelia and Wesley are on the case.   “The Ring” coverage starts at 57:50.   Hear us discuss… Have you kids been doing drugs? Sean Connery takes over the episode Angel with the called shots! Is Weshley Angel's watcher now?? Cordelia with the sneaky sleuthing skills!   Trigger warnings Drugs, kidnapping  

First, Angel gets mixed up with a mysterious, enticing demon from another dimension whose ko glows red. She's trying to save her girls from a wannabe boy band, and she doesn't care what kind of body count she racks up in the process.   Then, Angel investigates the strange goings-on in a suburban household. Is one of the kids possessed? Or is this just normal white people shit? He has to go undercover with some brownies to find out.   “I've Got You Under My Skin” coverage starts at 1:06:00.   Hear us discuss… Jiějiě, save some of Angel for Steph! Angel's dancing is the best thing we have seen all series Why are the most questionable episodes always the funniest? Justice for Ethros! We hope Cordy got her money back for that faulty box   Trigger warnings Body horror, kidnapping, misogyny, mutilation, racism, sexual violence, torture  

First, Angel has brutally vivid nightmares of stalking and feeding from people off the streets of LA. He correctly deduces this means a vampire he sired in the eighteenth century is in town, and unfortunately for all of us, Kate is on the case. Meanwhile, Cordelia and Wesley inadvertently start a feud with the neighbouring dental office.   Then, Cordy gets knocked up because she dares to sleep with a man. Suddenly eight months pregnant, she becomes increasingly protective of her unborn child while Angel and Wesley try to figure out what's happening. The answer lies in the female friends Cordy suddenly acquired since last episode.   “Expecting” coverage starts at 52:20.   Hear us discuss… When did Kate become an expert profiler? Jeremy Renner might well be a vampire This show continues to age up Cordelia Angel and Wesley take care of Cordy so well here Don't let a dentist be your ob-gyn!   Trigger warnings Body horror, pregnancy  

As they reel from Doyle's sacrifice, Angel and Cordelia discover he left Cordelia a painful bequest. A demon comes to Angel Investigations look for help against the new player in town: a bad boy rogue demon hunter who doesn't play by the rules. But the tables quickly turn, and Angel is the one who needs help if he doesn't want to be down two employees in two weeks.   Hear us discuss… The different depictions of grief from Angel and Cordy New Wesley, who dis We should have known Chappell Roan and Sting are demons Why are the good listeners always the evil ones? Steph would eat more than Angel's scrambled eggs if given the chance   Trigger warning Kidnapping  

The Dark Avenger is on the case, and his rats are low. But if he isn't available, maybe Doyle can help you out. That's what he reluctantly tries to do with a group of demons fleeing the Scourge, demonic Nazis bent on eliminating any demon who isn't “pureblood.” With Angel and Cordelia's help, the demons almost escape from LA. When the Scourge catches up to them and unleashes a deadly superweapon, only one member of Angel Investigations can step up and save everybody.   Hear us discuss… The friendship between Angel and Doyle is so sweet Cordelia has grown more than this! Like actual fascists, the Scourge deserves nothing but mockery Doyle deserved better Doyle is our hero   Trigger warning Death  

This is a rerelease of our June 2022 bonus episode where we covered “I Will Remember You.” Fear not, a fresh take on this episode is also in your feed just prior to this one. Watch the episode along with us, and then listen to Steph and Kara of three years ago!   Original episode notes   No, you are not hallucinating. We take a special road trip to LA, where Buffy is determined to confront Angel about his stalker-like yet heroic behaviour in “Pangs.” Of course, things don't go as planned. When Angel suddenly becomes human again—mortal, vulnerable, but very much alive—he and Buffy have decisions to make. What does this mean for his hero's journey? And can the broodiest vampire on Earth still brood, still be with Buffy, if he is just a mortal man?   Hear us discuss… How much we miss Cordelia! SMG and DB's incredible acting Just how much sex Buffy and Angel have in this ep. (So much.) Doyle has the worst timing for exposition ever Remember, this is all Xander's fault   Trigger warning Sex  

Something different: Steph and Kara watched “I Will Remember You” together and recorded their commentary. We start watching the episode at 06:11.   Watch along with us as Buffy visits Angel in Los Angeles for the first time. She's not happy with him, but their fight is interrupted by a demon attack that accidentally transforms Angel into a human. At first, he and Buffy revel in his newfound sense and sensitivity. Yet Angel quickly realizes he's not cut out for fighting evil in a mortal form, and he petitions the Powers That Be for a tragic do-over.   Hear us discuss… The incredible lighting, blocking, and camera work We continue to stan Mora for bringing Angel and Buffy together Angel is still a hero in our eyes The pathos of Angel and Buffy's tragic story arc Kara retracts all previous criticism of SMG's tears!!   Trigger warning Sex  

First, in the “Beer Bad” of the series, Detective Kate Lockley is stymied in her long-running investigation into mobster Little Tony until Angel lends a helping hand. A consultant with a talking stick has other ideas, however, and soon Kate's entire precinct is trauma-dumping all over each other.   Then, Doyle's wife rocks into town to serve papers, and her fiancé invites Doyle to his bachelor party. Doyle confides in Angel about his past, including how his demon half drove a wedge between him and his bride. Cordelia gets new shoes.   “The Bachelor Party” coverage starts at 53:25.   Hear us discuss… Kate is bad at her job We are obsessed with Angel's disguise era LA has white boy *vampire* gangs! Angel causes so much property damage We hope you got some closure, Doyle   Trigger warnings Fatphobia, misogyny  

First, Cordelia urges Angel to start charging for helping the helpless. A Doyle vision sets them on the case of Melissa, an office worker with an ex whose stalking game puts Spike to shame. Angel goes undercover to take the ex apart, only to find that the ex has beat him to it.   Then, when Cordy finds her dream apartment, it seems like her luck is changing. There's just one, spectral problem: a previous tenant hasn't quite vacated the premises. To complicate matters, Doyle's debts have caught up to him. Angel is learning being a boss is harder when you have employees.   “Rm w/a Vu” coverage starts at 50:30.   Hear us discuss… Angel, my guy, stop being so creepy But never give up on your acting dream So far the LA cops seem about as useful as Sunnydale's Whether Doyle is Xander-lite Has Queen C fallen from grace in our eyes? Steph has no complaints about how much we see Angel's abs   Trigger warnings Abuse, body horror, stalking  

First, a vision from Doyle sends the newly formed Angel Investigations team into the heart of the LA nightclub scene. There, Angel meets a fierce ladycop hot on the tail of a serial killer who's literally jumping the bones of its victims.   Then, Spike arrives in LA ahead of the Gem of Amara after Buffy rudely stole it from him over in Sunnydale. He'll stop at nothing to get the gem, even if it means subjecting Steph to the sight of Angel chained up with no shirt on. Oh no. How awful.   “In the Dark” coverage starts 58:00. Hear us discuss: Somehow, this is all Toth's fault Our first penis monster of the series already!! We're not impressed with our first look at Kate Spike is better as a villain, don't try to change our mind They better pay for the repairs to Oz's van Should Angel have kept the Gem of Amara?   Trigger warnings Body horror, domestic violence, immolation, misogyny, torture, violence against women  

Angel, a 240-year-old vampire with a soul, moves to the city named after him for a fresh start after a break-up. Relatable. The Powers That Be won't let him brood in peace, however. First they send Doyle his way to act as his new Whistler, complete with painful visions and Irish stereotypes. Next they arrange for Angel to bump into Queen of Sunnydale Cordelia Chase, up-and-coming actor just waiting for her big break. Together, the three of them help Angel realize his dream of opening a bespoke charcuterie shop. Just kidding. They slay.   Hear us discuss… Go-go Gadget Angel Already we ask, what time is it? Whomst among us has not jumped into the wrong convertible? Maybe we should actually do something about corrupt men in power Cordelia is such a real one   Trigger warnings Misogyny, sexual harassment  

Steph and Kara “reintroduce” themselves in case there are any new listeners joining the podcast for the Angel rewatch. Additionally, they talk about what they're most anticipating for this series and predict how they might react to some of its differences from Buffy.   Most of the episode is spoiler-free for Angel. Spoilers start around 43:25.   This was a recording of our Instagram Live on November 18, 2024.   Hear us discus… How easily Steph seduced Kara to be a cohost Our experience with Angel so far What makes this spin-off different from Buffy How we'll be covering the show Characters, storylines, and episodes we are and are not looking forward to  

Steph and Kara are still plotting their move to the City of Angel (yes, just the one), but they spent some time opening your mail and reading your hot (s)takes.   Hear us discuss… Buffy and astrology The ins and outs of abusive characters on the show Rings, poems, and the meaning of love Why are vampires-with-a-Y easier to kill at the end of season 7? The First's missed opportunity to be the Taunter

Ready? OK. Steph and Kara review this classic teen comedy, ostensibly because of its Buffy connections but really because we want to get our cheer on. This movie is a ray of Californian sunshine as we head into Canadian winter.   Hear us discuss… The splendour that is a non-cynical teen movie Kirsten Dunst is an acting treasure Queerness and queer-coding Who are the bad guys in this movie? This movie handles racism and cultural appropriate way better than it has any right to   Trigger warnings Fatphobia, homophobia, racism, sexual assault  

We survived. Not the battle. High school, er, the podcast! After recapping all seven seasons of this incredible show, Prophecy Girls is closing this chapter. We'll be moving on to Los Angeles to check in with bae later this year. Before we go on our break, though, it's time to look back at this entire show.   Hear us discuss… We rank the seasons and the Big Bads What aged well (and didn't) from our intro episode The ups and downs of making the pod Memorable memes and moments from the pod What the past 3 years have meant for us as friends and fans

Hear ye, hear ye, all rise for the Honourable Judges Chow and Babcock: court is now in session. The defendant: Spike, aka William the Bloody, once vampire menace and now vampire with a soul. The charges? Everything from aiding and abetting apocalypses to perversion and pooping.   Hear us discuss… Does seeking out a soul change anything about Spike's guilt or redemption? Can Spike's relationship with Buffy be redeemed? Is Xander just as bad as Spike? Appropriate sentencing for Spike's crimes Spike as a flawed man vs Spike as a flawed creation of the writers   Trigger warnings Misogyny, sexual assault  

The Ultimate Evil. A vampire with a soul. A vampyre with a Y. A final season of Buffy that's all about power. She has it, and she decides to share.   Join Steph and Kara one last time as they discuss the last season of this amazing show.   Hear us discuss… Best episodes of the season Does the First measure up as a Big Bad? How Kara would have ended it Steph's rewrites for Spike and Robin Wood Your hot (s)takes!

Reinvigorated by a VIP's visit, Buffy elects to take the battle to the First. She concocts a plan to use the scythe and Willow's magic to level the playing field for good. Scoobies, Potentials, and allies assemble one last time in this series finale.   Hear us discuss… Angel's versus Spike's role in the finale The First, like so many Big Bads, just can't shut up Buffy is a badass in so many ways So long, Sunnydale! The heartbreaking perfection of so many final moments   Trigger warnings Blood, body horror  

Buffy rallies against Caleb and the First and rejoins the Scoobies and potentials. As Giles and Willow seek the origins of the scythe Buffy has acquired, everyone else prepares for the final battle. They know it's coming, and they know not everyone will make it out alive.   Hear us discuss… Rise of the flippity-dos part 2 & return of the research girlies! Anya and Andrew are another buddy comedy we NEED Ludwig Dawn Beethoven's final symphony is a masterpiece Buffy and Faith bonding over being hot chicks with superpowers is everything Our pod might have Bangel bias, but c'mon, this show does too   Trigger warnings Drug use (forced), kidnapping, neck snapping  

An exiled Buffy seeks solace from a surprised Spike. Back at the Summers residence, Faith rallies the army for an assault on an arsenal. Everyone is very horny.   Hear us discuss… We enjoyed this glimpse of Faith as “the boss” and wish for more! OK, Spike, you get this one night, but don't get any ideas Where are the Potentials during the 3 hookups, stuck in the basement? The First gets less scary every time it shows up Last 5 minutes should be called the rise of the flippity-dos   Trigger warning Sex  

Still reeling from their losses at the vineyard, Buffy and the Scoobies try to find a moment to breathe. Yet the First and Caleb don't want to give them that luxury. When Buffy resolves on another risky plan of attack, she encounters unexpected resistance. Andrew and Spike go on a road trip together.   Hear us discuss… Giles is suddenly OK with Willow using mind control? Can Faith be redeemed? Does she get too much of a pass? Pour one out for the Bronze and its bloomin' onion A rare L for Dawnifer here Buffy was just doing what YOU TOLD HER TO DO, Giles!   Trigger warning Misogyny  

Move over, Spike: there's a new King of Misogyny in town. His name is Caleb, and he has a message for the slayer. Buffy must decide whether or not to risk the Potentials while also dealing with the arrival of another “old friend” in town.   Hear us discuss… Hopefully Faith and Willow didn't compare notes about their redemption arcs. Awkward. Faith and Spike comparing notes tho? PRICELESS Xander's wet dream and hero speech cancel each other out, so he's just meh Caleb: scary manifestation of misogyny or a boring preacher of patriarchy? What did the hospital make of Buffy bringing in a white-girl gang to be patched up?   Trigger warnings Body horror, eye gouging, maiming, misogyny, neck-snapping  

Seeking revenge for his mother's murder, Robin Wood cahoots with Giles to distract Buffy so he can take down Spike. He assembles a killer playlist and sets Spike off on a series of flashbacks to his earliest days as William the Bloody. Will Buffy choose to turn an ally into an enemy over an enemy turned ally?   Special guest Ryan B Talks TV joins us for this recap. Follow him on TikTok and Instagram @ryanbtalkstv   Hear us discuss… Nikki Wood: mother, slayer, badass Black woman The pathos of Robin's story Whose side are you on, Giles? Spike's mom does not got it going on Did Spike even GET a soul? Someone call Lloyd   Trigger warnings Incest, misogyny  

Come with us, gentle listeners, as recount for you the deeds of Andrew, Teller of Storyes. Sooth, if ever there was a noble scribe of a Slayer of Vampyre, ‘twas he. Middling of stature and dirty blond of hair, Andrew, Teller of Storyes, courageously chronicled the Hellmouth's endest of days.   Real-life Teller of Storyes Kendare Blake joins us to help recap this episode!   Hear us discuss… Andrew is original-flavour adorkableness He's providing a vital service, really It's nice to see Jonathan one last time! Once again, Andrew speedrunning that redemption arc Finally, a use for all these male tears we've been collecting!

Between all your hot (s)takes and all our hot guests this season, we can't keep up! To give your opinions the time they deserve, we've saved up some to share in this bonus episode of Sunnymail.   Hear us discuss… Slayer lore and the slayer line Buffy's leadership style Dawnterelle has more talent in her little finger than Xander has in his whole body Kennedy: not the rebound we want but maybe the one Willow deserves What DOES Giles have up his butt anyway? Listen to find out.

Now aware of Robin Wood's literal slayer provenance, Buffy shows him the operation: secret hideout, army of potentials, and of course, the big board. In return, Robin gives her a bag. Inside the bag is a box. Inside the box are shadow puppets. Will these figures hold the answer? No, they're just more men telling Buffy how to be the slayer.   Sarah and Lea, hosts of Investigating Angel, join us to help recap this episode!   Hear us discuss… Dawn is holding this house together Why does Kennedy get to hang around?? Spike putting that coat back on is not the win he thinks it is Gotta love “ancient Africans” speaking Swahili and taking the fall for the Watchers Council Hasn't Buffy been through enough?   Trigger warnings Assault, misogyny, racism  

S7E14: “First Date” (feat. Lily Anderson) Buffy and Xander each have a first date. Buffy goes to dinner with Principal Wood, who is finally prepared to reveal startling details about his past. Xander picks up Ashanti at a hardware store. Only one of these two dates ends up with someone suspended above the hellmouth. Meanwhile, the First tries to manipulate Andrew into taking care of a potential problem.   Author Lily Anderson joins us again to help recap this episode!   Hear us discuss… More revisionist history about Buffy's feelings for Spike Token attempts at diversity that backfire More about vampire poops Andrew gets redemption in 20 minutes or less or it's free Daddy Giles is SO. STRESSED.   Trigger warnings Blood, torture  

Giles takes the potentials out to the desert to meet Sineya and Cougar. Buffy stays behind because Spike is being a simp. Kennedy also stays behind, hoping to canoodle with Willow, but this leads to unintended side effects.   Hear us discuss… Dawn, Anya, and Xander are the best part of this episode Buffy should have just emailed Sam Did Amy learn nothing in rat prison? For shame Potentials can leap tall buildings in a single bound How long has Kennedy known Willow now? WHAT TIME IS IT? Trigger warnings Gun violence, misogyny  

Buffy's School for Slayers is in session, and you either graduate or you die. So, like regular school in Sunnydale. After a spell reveals Dawn has a destiny, she wrestles with the implications. But when Amanda shows up with a problem and Buffy isn't available, Dawn has to step into her sister's shoes sooner than expected.   Hear us discuss… What we think of Buffy's counselling style What we think of Buffy's teaching style CLEM! We missed you, how ya been? New school forgot to spray for white boy gangs Shut up, Xander, but also, you make a good point

No, this is not the dinner theatre sequel to last season's musical. Instead, Buffy concocts a plan to take on the Turok Han while also showing the potentials what it means to be the slayer. It remains to be seen whether she can do this before Spike expires at the hands of the First's minions.   Hear us discuss… Familiar faces among the new potentials! So are Anya and Giles going to tell anyone what they learned from Botox Eye? The weekly rampage through yet another construction site continues New Spike ship just dropped (or should we say, Spyke?) BEST. FLIPPITY DO. EVER.   Trigger warnings Blood, neck snapping, torture  

What if Buffy had been produced on the CW instead of its predecessor, the WB? Someone decided to find out, and The Vampire Diaries is the result. Steph and Kara watched the first two episodes of the series together, followed by a 50-minute recap of the entire eight seasons, and they have THOUGHTS.   Watch @joshdfloyd's incredibly detailed recap over at Recap & Chill on YouTube: THE VAMPIRE DIARIES Full Series Recap | Season 1-8 Ending Explained   Hear us discuss… Buffy the Vampire Slayer ran so this show could walk What do you mean, Elena and not Bonnie is the main character? Which flavour of vampire do you like best? Original, Crystal, or with Lemon? Show said “death is your gift” and Bonnie said, “No thank you, refund please.” Team Stefan or Team Damon? The answer will surprise you!

Buffy has put a name to the faces Spike has been seeing: the First Evil is behind everything. But what is it, and how can they stop it? Just in time, Daddy Giles arrives, bringing with him three new stepdaughters and a grave warning. The First won't stop until the slayer and every girl who could be a slayer is dead.   Hear us discuss… Accents are confusing, ok? Don't @ Steph The logistics of feeding a (slayer) army Construction company insurance rates in Sunnydale must be sky high So is Joyce (RIP) wherever she is in the afterlife What TIME is it???   Trigger warnings Neck snapping, torture  

With more questions than answers, the Scoobies turn to research and interrogation. Willow runs into Andrew and, after a brief showdown, he joins Spike in the blonde male bondage club at the Summers residence. Just when it feels like they might make progress, the forces of darkness launch their most daring attack yet.   Hear us discuss… If the principal is evil again, at least he's hot evil this time? The butcher shop battle of the dorks Anya discovering a whole new calling: interrogator Sympathy for Xander, doomed forever to fix this house Of course Buffy is the one who finally puts the puzzle together

After the revelation of her vampire therapist, Buffy swaps her stake for a stake-out—of Spike. She tails him and confronts him about her suspicions that he is feeding off humans again. At first, Spike protests his innocence and reminds her of his new soul. Yet as the evidence mounts, no one, not even Aimee Mann, is prepared for the truth.   The hosts of Left of Skeptic, Kala Moria and Brittany Lind, join us for this recap. Check out their paranormal podcast.   Hear us discuss… How Buffy handles Spike's misdeeds versus Anya's Dawn's the right person to send to tell LIES for you Who would like to make out with Spike by a dumpster? Who is Aimee Mann and why does she hate vampire towns Do we have sympathy for Spike?   Trigger warning Mental illness  

Date: November 12, 2002. Time: 8:01 pm. Location: A cemetery. The Summers house. The UC Sunnydale library. Buffy thought vampires were bad enough when they wanted to kill her. Now she's got one psychoanalyzing her. Dawn's marshmallow microwave fun is interrupted when she starts to hear her mom's voice. Willow's late-night study session is derailed by a dead teenager bearing a message from Tara. No one knows or cares where Xander is.   Hear us discuss… We're so hyped we know what time it is Buffy, you need therapy Wait, no, not like this Poor Willow doesn't even get to talk to someone she knows Dawn performing a literal GET OUT spell? Chef's kiss   Trigger warning Suicide description  

Razorbacks, Razorbacks, we're gonna play! We got a secret weapon, and his name is RJ! He's so dreamy; he's so cool. He's OURS, and you can't have it. Neither can Buffy, or Willow, or Anya, or even Dawn. Hands off our RJ.   Hear us discuss… Buffy, RJ would be a better roommate for Xander than Spike Who looks better in a letterman jacket (it's RJ) Dawn's obsession with RJ is cringey but understandable, have you seen him? Xander is back to being …  good? (But not as good as RJ) This episode is so funny, mostly because RJ's in it   Trigger warnings Abuse, suicide  

Anya starts to question if she still wants to be evil. She experiences flashbacks showing how she got to this point. When Buffy learns about Anya's latest trip across the line, she decides it's time for the slayer to intervene. Xander is suddenly less interested in Buffy kicking someone's ass when it's his former-lover-turned-murderer doing the slaughtering.   Special guest Rickey Z joins us for this recap!   Hear us discuss… This episode reveals so much about Anya's backstory and personality! We are simultaneously relieved and annoyed Xander is back to being the worst Buffy's evolving slayer morality Weird time to bring back the musical format but OK, go off D'Hoffryn's true, evil colours shine through   Trigger warnings Arachnophobia, blood, immolation  

Cassie, a student at Sunnydale High, confides in Buffy that she has foreseen her own death. Everyone has a theory: Dawn blames Baby Mitch, Buffy and Xander shake down a deadbeat dad, and Anya would likely say it's bunnies, but no one asked her.   Hear us discuss… Missed opportunities to process Willow's grief Nice to see the gang back together doing research Cassie is genuinely so kind, RIP Kara misses the Geocities era of the web Don't these demon-worshipping white boys even know who Buffy is??   Trigger warnings Assault, attempted murder, fatphobia, kidnapping, medical content  

Willow returns to Sunnydale, unsure of what reception awaits. She finds … nothing. No one waits for her. The Scoobies are equally perplexed when Willow doesn't arrive. When a flayed youth is found on Xander's watch, Willow becomes the prime suspect before quickly becoming the prime prey.   Hear us discus… Dawn's sass levels are over 9000 Willow should practise giving a fuck about Anya for once Gnarl and this episode are the absolute ick! Xander is back to being useless, all is right in the world again That coda tho! The empowerment! The female friendship! We stan   Trigger warnings Body horror, eyeball gouging, flaying, torture  

A disturbing, subterranean monster besets a young woman. But enough about Spike. When Xander runs into a woman running for her life after something ate her dog, the trail leads the Scoobies to none other than his ex. Anya is firmly back in the vengeance demon camp, even if that puts her in the slayer's sights.   Hear us discuss… Principal Wood is a REALLY good principal Dawnifer, please follow through on your threat to Spike Quesadillas? At the BRONZE? How has Ronny not single-handedly destroyed Sunnydale's infrastructure? Stop asking Buffy to fix broken men!   Trigger warnings Animal death, impalement  

Buffy, Dawn, and Xander are all attending the opening of Sunnydale High, and that's not the only thing coming back from the dead. Has a summer of training by her slayer sister prepared Dawn for her greatest challenge yet? Is the new principal friend or foe? Will someone please take Spike to a hair salon?   Hear us discuss… Daddy Giles IS ON A HORSIE Steph's thirst for Robin Wood might be unquenchable Xander is actually ok in this episode The hero of this episode might surprise you Is this a perfect season premiere?   Trigger warnings Mental illness, stabbing  

Buffy the Vampire Slayer has rightfully garnered a sustained, international following of devoted fans. Within any such community, there can be a lot of love, as well as toxicity and harm. Is the Buffy fandom OK? It's back-to-back trials as the Prophecy Girls weigh the evidence against the fandom itself. Ian Carlos Crawford of Slayerfest '98 joins as a guest judge.   Hear us discuss… Origins of fandom Podcasts and participatory culture Conventions, screenings, and stalkers Internalized misogyny of the show and fans Bystander casualties of the shipping wars   Trigger warnings Misogyny, stalking  

Hear ye, hear ye, all rise for the Honourable Judges Chow and Babcock: court is now in session. The defendant: Willow Rosenberg, once a model student, friend, and Wicca, now Sunnydale's most wanted. The charges? Everything from wanton destruction of a yellow crayon to near-destruction of the world.   Hear us discuss… What is Willow's worst crime and why is it the pink, fluffy sweater? Is Willow's addiction to magic a mitigating factor? Selfishness is the real problem Who has jurisdiction over Willow: human or supernatural authorities? Is rat rehab better than rat prison?   Trigger warnings Blood, death

An unexpected resurrection. An unchecked addiction. An unhealthy obsession. An unwelcome advance. An unworthy death. Season 6: the hits just kept coming. We review the season in its entirety.   Hear us discuss… The best episodes of this bad season Did the writers go too far? Missed opportunities with Xander and Anya Why we critique from a 21st-century POV What we're looking forward to from the final season

After Willow suckjobs the borrowed magicks out of Giles, her ambitions grow from ending Jonathan and Andrew to ending the entire world. With Buffy and Dawn otherwise distracted and Anya tending to Giles, it looks like it's finally Xander's time to shine. To quote Giles from Season 1, “The Earth is doomed.”   Hear us discuss… We let out a breath we didn't realize we've been holding since Giles left Is is too much to ask for Buffy to be the hero? We would have taken Dawn Or Anya Anyone other than Xander, honestly

Newly minted murderess Willow Rosenberg pursues the surviving two members of the Trio. When a pitstop to top-up her magicks at Rack's inadvertently puts Dawn squarely in Willow's sights, Buffy's intervention becomes all the more urgent. But no amount of Sumerian spellwork or slayer smackdown seems capable of stopping Dark Willow. If only there were a librarian in the house.   Hear us discuss… Where do we draw the line with Willow's vengeance? Jonathan's fairweather sense of morality Dawn providing some of the most feminist moments of the episode Hey, only slayers get to do flippity dos! Two words: DADDY GILES!