This week on the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story Becoming Part 2 (Season 2 Episode 22 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer):

This podcast episode covers (1) why the pace of Part 2 is so fast compared to Becoming Part 1; (2) how to show emotion through a character’s actions; (3) the elements of a pyrrhic victory; (4) and how the episode plays out Season 2 themes and foreshadows future relationships.

As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning).

Last Week: Becoming Part 1

Next Up: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 2 In Review

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About Lisa M. Lilly

In addition to hosting the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story, Lisa M. Lilly is the author of the bestselling four-book Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries, as well as numerous short stories. She also writes non-fiction, including books on writing craft, under L.M. Lilly. She is the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com.

Episode Transcript for Becoming Part 2

Hello and welcome to the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story Season Two. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories – or just taking them apart to see how they work – you’re in the right place.

I am Lisa M Lilly, author of the Awakening supernatural thriller series and the Q.C. Davis mysteries and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com.

This Monday we're talking about Becoming Part Two. That is Season Two episode Twenty-Two. The second half of the two-episode finale.

What’s Included

We’ll cover:

the plot points from the Midpoint of the two-episode arc through the end;

episode plot turns;

how the pace of Part Two differs From Part One

showing emotion through a character's actions;

the concept of a Pyrrhic victory;

and how the episode plays out themes that are present throughout Season Two and foreshadows future relationships and developments.

As always, there will be no Spoilers except at the end to talk about foreshadowing, but I’ll give you plenty of warning.

Okay, let's dive into the Hellmouth.

Becoming Part Two was written and directed by Joss Whedon.

Opening Conflict Of Becoming Part Two

We start right where we left off. And it is a fantastic opening conflict for the episode.

Kendra is lying dead on the library floor. We hear a cop say, “Freeze,” as Buffy is leaning over Kendra.

There are two police officers. They pull Buffy away. One determines that Kendra is dead. The other says, “What about up there?”

And for the first time Buffy looks up and sees Xander lying in front of the bookshelves. She tries to get to him. But the police officer drags her out. She is protesting that she didn't do anything, and Snyder comes in with more police and says, “Why do I find that so hard to believe?”

He then tells the cops that if there's trouble, Buffy is behind it.