This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: The Pack, Season 1, Episode 6 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This episode includes how to build the character of the victim to make the loss greater while misdirecting the audience regarding who the victim will be.

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

Story Elements in The Pack

In this podcast episode we’ll look at how The Pack handles:

* All major plot points

* Creating a victim the audience likes

* Misdirection regarding the victim

* Characters’ responsibility for what they do while possessed

Highlights from the Buffy Season 1 DVD commentaries by Joss Whedon are also discussed.

Story Structure

For more on the 5-point story structure the podcast covers, check out Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide To Plotting And Writing Your Novel.

Or become a patron for as little as $1/month and download a free story structure template to use with your own writing.

Support The Show

If you become a patron, you’ll not only help fund more episodes like The Pack, you’ll get access to bonus episodes.

Those episodes will include Buffy-adjacent stories (such as key Angel episodes). Also films or TV episodes that are intriguing from a story, theme, or character perspective.

Including Wonder Woman once we reach 50 patrons.

Next Up:  Angel S1 E7

Last Week: Never Kill A Boy On The First Date S1 E5

The Pack Episode Transcript

Hello and welcome to Buffy and The Art of Story.

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 suspense, mysteries, and supernatural thrillers, and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com.

This Week: The Pack

This week we’ll cover Season One, Episode Six: The Pack. It’s a standalone episode, so we’ll talk about all the major plot points, as well as interweaving storylines, and building the character of the victim to make the loss greater, or more serious, for the audience. We’ll also talk about the use of misdirection as to the victim.

Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth.

Prologue

We start with Buffy at the zoo alone. A group of four mean kids teases her.

And one of them says, “Were you this popular at your old school before you got kicked out?” This particular line feels to me like a backfill for the audience. Not the, ‘were you this popular at your old school?’ because I feel like that works, but the ‘before you got kicked out,’ seems like something thrown in there, to remind the audience or inform a new audience member, that Buffy was kicked out of her old school.

I say that because these four kids don’t seem like ones who would mock Buffy for being kicked out because they appear to always be on the edge of being kicked out themselves.

It seems more like they might think she was cool for that. I could be wrong, but that’s just my feeling from it. It’s one of the rare times, or I guess first time so far, that I felt like the opening dialogue back and forth was a little bit obvious in being there to fill in the blanks. However, I do really like that these kids are teasing Buff...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: The Pack, Season 1, Episode 6 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This episode includes how to build the character of the victim to make the loss greater while misdirecting the audience regarding who the victim will be.

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

Story Elements in The Pack

In this podcast episode we'll look at how The Pack handles:

* All major plot points

* Creating a victim the audience likes

* Misdirection regarding the victim

* Characters' responsibility for what they do while possessed

Highlights from the Buffy Season 1 DVD commentaries by Joss Whedon are also discussed.

Story Structure

For more on the 5-point story structure the podcast covers, check out Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide To Plotting And Writing Your Novel.

Or become a patron for as little as $1/month and download a free story structure template to use with your own writing.

Support The Show

If you become a patron, you'll not only help fund more episodes like The Pack, you'll get access to bonus episodes.

Those episodes will include Buffy-adjacent stories (such as key Angel episodes). Also films or TV episodes that are intriguing from a story, theme, or character perspective.

Including Wonder Woman once we reach 50 patrons.

Next Up:  Angel S1 E7

Last Week: Never Kill A Boy On The First Date S1 E5

The Pack Episode Transcript

Hello and welcome to Buffy and The Art of Story.

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 suspense, mysteries, and supernatural thrillers, and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com.

This Week: The Pack

This week we'll cover Season One, Episode Six: The Pack. It's a standalone episode, so we'll talk about all the major plot points, as well as interweaving storylines, and building the character of the victim to make the loss greater, or more serious, for the audience. We'll also talk about the use of misdirection as to the victim.

Okay, let's dive into the Hellmouth.

Prologue

We start with Buffy at the zoo alone. A group of four mean kids teases her.

And one of them says, “Were you this popular at your old school before you got kicked out?” This particular line feels to me like a backfill for the audience. Not the, ‘were you this popular at your old school?’ because I feel like that works, but the ‘before you got kicked out,’ seems like something thrown in there, to remind the audience or inform a new audience member, that Buffy was kicked out of her old school.

I say that because these four kids don't seem like ones who would mock Buffy for being kicked out because they appear to always be on the edge of being kicked out themselves.

It seems more like they might think she was cool for that. I could be wrong, but that's just my feeling from it. It's one of the rare times, or I guess first time so far, that I felt like the opening dialogue back and forth was a little bit obvious in being there to fill in the blanks.

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Never Kill A Boy On The First Date. (Season 1, Episode 5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.)

The podcast episode covers interweaving plot lines, theme, and cliffhangers versus game changers.

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

Story Elements in Never Kill A Boy On The First Date

In this podcast episode we’ll look at how Buffy handles:

All the major plot turns in this standalone episode

How the different story lines interconnect

Theme

The difference between a game changer and cliffhanger

Also discussed - Buffy Season 1 DVD interview with Joss Whedon. He says Never Kill A Boy On The First Date is important because it is all about Buffy maintaining a normal life, and it juxtaposes her vampire slaying directly with a date with a cute boy.

Next Up: The Pack, S1 E6

Last Week: Teacher's Pet S1 E4

Plotting Your Story

If you're working on your own novel, screenplay, or story, check out the Story Structure Template available free to all on my Patreon page.

Or you can check out Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide To Plotting And Writing Your Novel (Book 1 in the Writing As A Second Career series).

As a patron, you’ll also get access to bonus episodes.

Those episodes will include Buffy-adjacent stories (such as key Angel episodes). Also films or TV episodes that are intriguing from a story, theme, or character perspective.

Episode Transcript

Never Kill A Boy On The First Date S1 E5

Hello and welcome to Buffy and The Art of Story. 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 suspense, mysteries, and supernatural thrillers, and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com.

Each week I”ll talk about one episode of Buffy in order, covering plot turns and other story elements. The discussion will be spoiler-free, except at the very end, and I”ll give you plenty of warning.

This Week: Never Kill A Boy On The First Date

This week, we’re covering Season One: Episode Five, Never Kill A Boy On The First Date. It’s a standalone episode, so we”ll cover:

all the major plot points,

plus how the different storylines interconnect,

a little bit on the dialogue and

the difference between a game changer versus a cliffhanger.

Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth.

Opening Conflict

We start in the graveyard, Buffy slays; Giles critiques, and this sets up our roles of our two characters for anyone who’s new in the audience. Giles finds a ring and says he will consult his books. And we get a cut to a dusty book slamming down on a table.

It’s not Giles though, it’s the Master. And the Master hints at one of our plot conflicts, which is the Anointed One.

He quotes a prophecy about the Anointed One, says, “The Slayer will not know him. He will lead her into hell, and that he will rise from the ashes of five who die.”

Story Spark and Intertwining Plots

Right about ten percent in, at four minutes, 30 seconds of a roughly 43 minute episode, we get our Story Spark, or Inciting Incident. And usually this is right about when we will see this happen in the episode.

Buffy figures out that the ring relates to the Order of Aurelius. She sees this in a book in the library when Giles is saying he can”t find anything. And we get this nice line that shows the developing playful relationship between the two when she says “Two points for the Slayer, while the Watcher has yet to score.”

Owen comes in.

Now this is our real conflict. We basically have two plots here that merge into one, in a way.

Two Plots Merge

We have the plot, the main plot with Buffy, trying to have a normal life -- specifically to date a boy that she is very interested in -- while also fulfilling her Slayer duties.

And the other plot is the plot of Buffy trying to stop the Anointed One from rising or kill th...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Never Kill A Boy On The First Date. (Season 1, Episode 5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.) The podcast episode covers interweaving plot lines, theme, and cliffhangers versus game changers. As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Story Elements […]

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Never Kill A Boy On The First Date. (Season 1, Episode 5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.)

The podcast episode covers interweaving plot lines, theme, and cliffhangers versus game changers.

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

Story Elements in Never Kill A Boy On The First Date

In this podcast episode we’ll look at how Buffy handles:

* All the major plot turns in this standalone episode

* How the different story lines interconnect

* Theme

* The difference between a game changer and cliffhanger

Also discussed – Buffy Season 1 DVD interview with Joss Whedon. He says Never Kill A Boy On The First Date is important because it is all about Buffy maintaining a normal life, and it juxtaposes her vampire slaying directly with a date with a cute boy.

Next Up: The Pack, S1 E6

Last Week: Teacher's Pet S1 E4

Plotting Your Story

If you're working on your own novel, screenplay, or story, check out the Story Structure Template available free to all on my Patreon page.

Or you can check out Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide To Plotting And Writing Your Novel (Book 1 in the Writing As A Second Career series).

As a patron, you’ll also get access to bonus episodes.

Those episodes will include Buffy-adjacent stories (such as key Angel episodes). Also films or TV episodes that are intriguing from a story, theme, or character perspective.

Episode Transcript

Never Kill A Boy On The First Date S1 E5

Hello and welcome to Buffy and The Art of Story. 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 suspense, mysteries, and supernatural thrillers, and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com.

Each week I”ll talk about one episode of Buffy in order, covering plot turns and other story elements. The discussion will be spoiler-free, except at the very end, and I”ll give you plenty of warning.

This Week: Never Kill A Boy On The First Date

This week, we’re covering Season One: Episode Five, Never Kill A Boy On The First Date. It’s a standalone episode, so we”ll cover:

all the major plot points,

plus how the different storylines interconnect,

a little bit on the dialogue and

the difference between a game changer versus a cliffhanger.

Okay, let’s dive into the Hellmouth.

Opening Conflict

We start in the graveyard, Buffy slays; Giles critiques, and this sets up our roles of our two characters for anyone who’s new in the audience. Giles finds a ring and says he will consult his books. And we get a cut to a dusty book slamming down on a table.

It’s not Giles though, it’s the Master. And the Master hints at one of our plot conflicts, which is the Anointed One.

He quotes a prophecy about the Anointed One, says, “The Slayer will not know him. He will lead her into hell, and that he will rise from the ashes of five who die.”

Story Spark and Intertwining Plots

Right about ten percent in, at four minutes, 30 seconds of a roughly 43 minute episode, we get our Story Spark, or Inciting Incident. And usually this is right about when we will see this happen in the episode.

Buffy figures out that the ring relates to the Order of Aurelius. She sees this in a book in the library when Giles is saying he can”t find anything. And we get this nice line that shows the developing p...

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Teacher's Pet, Season 1, Episode 4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

The episode focuses on point-of-view, tone, and all the major plot points from opening conflict to the climax. 

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

Story Elements in Teacher's Pet

In this podcast episode we'll look at how Buffy handles:

Viewpoint Characters in a Xander-centric episode

Opening Conflict

Story Spark (a/k/a Inciting Incident)

The first major plot turn

The story mid-point

The three-quarter twist

The climax

Falling Action

Highlights from the Buffy Season 1 DVD commentaries by Joss Whedon are also discussed.

For more on the 5-point story structure the podcast covers, you can check out Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide To Plotting And Writing Your Novel.

The 7 Season Plan

Buffy and the Art of Story plans to cover every episode of Buffy in order and spoiler-free -- except at the end so I can talk about foreshadowing, but I'll give you plenty of warning.

Down the road there'll be a Patreon account where you'll be able to get a free story structure template. As a patron, you'll also get access to bonus episodes.

Those episodes will include Buffy-adjacent stories (such as key Angel episodes). Also films or TV episodes that are intriguing from a story, theme, or character perspective.

Requests will be welcome.

Next Up: Never Kill A Boy On The First Date, S1 E5

Episode Transcript for Teacher's Pet

Hello, and welcome, or welcome back, to Buffy and the Art of Story. I am Lisa M. Lilly, author of suspense, mysteries, and supernatural thrillers and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. 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.

This week we're talking about Episode Four of Season One: Teacher’s Pet.

Teacher's Pet is a standalone episode, so we'll cover all the plot points and turns. Plus, we'll talk about point of view, and prologue.

The discussion will be spoiler-free, except at the very end, and I'll give you plenty of warning.

Okay, let's dive into the Hellmouth.

The Prologue of Teacher's Pet 

We start with a prologue -- a woman is screaming, a vampire's attacking, Buffy seems really nervous. Already this scene just doesn't feel right. And I love that about it. Because although all those things could be happening in Buffy -- and this is only Episode 4 -- we already have a sense that the way Buffy is acting just doesn't feel like her.

Then we have that confirmed when Xander says, “May I cut in?” and he slays the vampires.

So we are in Xander's fantasy -- could be a dream -- but we find out it's a daydream. Because it ends with Buffy saying, “You're drooling.” We cut to the science class where she is really saying, “You're drooling.”

What Is A Prologue?

This is a prologue because it could be lifted out from the main plot without hurting anything because it really is giving us backstory.

But it does something key, which is to tell us that at least some of this episode will be from Xander's point of view. And that is -- it's not that we haven't seen scenes before that Buffy is not in. Sometimes we've seen scenes with side characters or with the villain, particularly the Master. But they haven't been specifically from the emotional point of view of another key character who is on Buffy’s side, at least not to this extent.

Is Xander the Protagonist of Teacher's Pet?

So I can see a reason to have this prologue. It is setting up Xander's internal conflict, which was hinted at earlier. There are his feelings for Buffy, and his feelings that he is not quite a man.

Earlier, he linked that to not being able to fight vampires. But we're going to see -- well, I shouldn't say ‘but’ -- we see that in this fantasy his feeling that impressing Buffy, being a man,

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Teacher's Pet, Season 1, Episode 4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

The episode focuses on point-of-view, tone, and all the major plot points from opening conflict to the climax. 

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

Story Elements in Teacher's Pet

In this podcast episode we'll look at how Buffy handles:

* Viewpoint Characters in a Xander-centric episode

* Opening Conflict

* Story Spark (a/k/a Inciting Incident)

* The first major plot turn

* The story mid-point

* The three-quarter twist

* The climax

* Falling Action

Highlights from the Buffy Season 1 DVD commentaries by Joss Whedon are also discussed.

For more on the 5-point story structure the podcast covers, you can check out Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide To Plotting And Writing Your Novel.

The 7 Season Plan

Buffy and the Art of Story plans to cover every episode of Buffy in order and spoiler-free — except at the end so I can talk about foreshadowing, but I'll give you plenty of warning.

Down the road there'll be a Patreon account where you'll be able to get a free story structure template. As a patron, you'll also get access to bonus episodes.

Those episodes will include Buffy-adjacent stories (such as key Angel episodes). Also films or TV episodes that are intriguing from a story, theme, or character perspective.

Requests will be welcome.

Next Up: Never Kill A Boy On The First Date, S1 E5

Episode Transcript for Teacher's Pet

Hello, and welcome, or welcome back, to Buffy and the Art of Story. I am Lisa M. Lilly, author of suspense, mysteries, and supernatural thrillers and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com. 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.

This week we're talking about Episode Four of Season One: Teacher’s Pet.

Teacher's Pet is a standalone episode, so we'll cover all the plot points and turns. Plus, we'll talk about point of view, and prologue.

The discussion will be spoiler-free, except at the very end, and I'll give you plenty of warning.

Okay, let's dive into the Hellmouth.

The Prologue of Teacher's Pet 

We start with a prologue — a woman is screaming, a vampire's attacking, Buffy seems really nervous. Already this scene just doesn't feel right. And I love that about it. Because although all those things could be happening in Buffy — and this is only Episode 4 — we already have a sense that the way Buffy is acting just doesn't feel like her.

Then we have that confirmed when Xander says, “May I cut in?” and he slays the vampires.

So we are in Xander's fantasy — could be a dream — but we find out it's a daydream. Because it ends with Buffy saying, “You're drooling.” We cut to the science class where she is really saying, “You're drooling.”

What Is A Prologue?

This is a prologue because it could be lifted out from the main plot without hurting anything because it really is giving us backstory.

But it does something key, which is to tell us that at least some of this episode will be from Xander's point of view. And that is — it's not that we haven't seen scenes before that Buffy is not in. Sometimes we've seen scenes with side characters or with the villain, particularly the Master.

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Teacher’s Pet, Season 1, Episode 4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The episode focuses on point-of-view, tone, and all the major plot points from opening conflict to the climax.  As always, the discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Story Elements in […]

This episode of Buffy and the Art of Story covers The Witch, Season 1, Episode 3.

Buffy and the Art of Story is for anyone who wants to learn more about plot, characterization, and other story elements by watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Every discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning).

Story Elements in The Witch

In this podcast episode we'll look at how Buffy handles:

Opening Conflict

Story Spark (a/k/a Inciting Incident)

The first major plot turn at the one-quarter mark

The Midpoint

The twist at the three-quarter point

The Climax

Falling Action

Continuing character arcs

We'll also talk about some highlights from the Buffy Season 1 DVD commentaries by Joss Whedon.

The 7 Season Plan

Buffy and the Art of Story plans to cover every episode of Buffy in order and spoiler-free -- except at the end so I can talk about foreshadowing, but I'll give you plenty of warning.

Down the road there'll be a Patreon account where you'll be able to get a free story structure template. As a patron, you'll also get access to bonus episodes.

Those episodes will include Buffy-adjacent stories (such as key Angel episodes). Also films or TV episodes that are intriguing from a story, theme, or character perspective.

Requests will be welcome.

Next Up: Teacher's Pet, S1 E4

More On Story Structure

The plot points in Buffy and the Art of Story are outlined in detail, and with additional examples, in Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide To Plotting And Writing Your Novel. Workbook, ebook, and audiobook editions are available.

Episode Transcript For The Witch

Hello and welcome to Buffy and the Art of Story. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories or just taking them apart to see how they work, you are in the right place.

I am Lisa M. Lilly, author of suspense, mysteries and supernatural thrillers and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com

Each week I'll talk about one episode of Buffy in order, covering plot turns and other story elements. The discussion will be spoiler-free except at the very end and I'll give you plenty of warning.

This Week: The Witch

Today we're talking about Season 1, Episode 3: The Witch. This is a standalone episode. So we'll cover all the key plot turns. We’ll also talk about subplots and how this early episode sets expectations for this series by expanding the Buffy universe beyond vampires. That was hinted at in the pilot, but it's made explicit now.

Okay, let's dive into The Hellmouth.

Opening Conflict in The Witch

In the first scene, we have Giles giving Buffy a speech about her sacred duty and how she is now enslaving herself to this cult. We then get a shot of Buffy in a cheerleading uniform.

This is another great way to get across the exposition through conflict, which was done so well in the pilot. And it sets up, for audience members who have not seen the pilot, exactly what is going on in the show.

Remember, when this came out a lot of people might jump into a series in the middle or at least certainly in the first season or two. So, if you hadn't started a series at the beginning you could wait for reruns. But you were more likely to just start with a later episode.

So it was important to set up exactly what was going on and that was done well here. I videotaped a lot of episodes once I got to like the show. But I don't think that I saw it in the order it aired until years later when I got the DVD sets.

More Than Exposition

This opening conflict does exactly what it should do beyond the exposition, which is to grab the audience member right away.

Our opening conflict can really be about anything. It's something to simply draw the reader in. But it's ideal if it hints at what the main conflict is going to be for the story.

And here we get that because our main plot will involve somebody getting cheerleaders out of the way. It's not whether Buffy becomes a cheerleader or not....

This episode of Buffy and the Art of Story covers The Witch, Season 1, Episode 3.

Buffy and the Art of Story is for anyone who wants to learn more about plot, characterization, and other story elements by watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Every discussion is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning).

Story Elements in The Witch

In this podcast episode we'll look at how Buffy handles:

* Opening Conflict

* Story Spark (a/k/a Inciting Incident)

* The first major plot turn at the one-quarter mark

* The Midpoint

* The twist at the three-quarter point

* The Climax

* Falling Action

* Continuing character arcs

We'll also talk about some highlights from the Buffy Season 1 DVD commentaries by Joss Whedon.

The 7 Season Plan

Buffy and the Art of Story plans to cover every episode of Buffy in order and spoiler-free — except at the end so I can talk about foreshadowing, but I'll give you plenty of warning.

Down the road there'll be a Patreon account where you'll be able to get a free story structure template. As a patron, you'll also get access to bonus episodes.

Those episodes will include Buffy-adjacent stories (such as key Angel episodes). Also films or TV episodes that are intriguing from a story, theme, or character perspective.

Requests will be welcome.

Next Up: Teacher's Pet, S1 E4

More On Story Structure

The plot points in Buffy and the Art of Story are outlined in detail, and with additional examples, in Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide To Plotting And Writing Your Novel. Workbook, ebook, and audiobook editions are available.

Episode Transcript For The Witch

Hello and welcome to Buffy and the Art of Story. If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you love creating stories or just taking them apart to see how they work, you are in the right place.

I am Lisa M. Lilly, author of suspense, mysteries and supernatural thrillers and founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com

Each week I'll talk about one episode of Buffy in order, covering plot turns and other story elements. The discussion will be spoiler-free except at the very end and I'll give you plenty of warning.

This Week: The Witch

Today we're talking about Season 1, Episode 3: The Witch. This is a standalone episode. So we'll cover all the key plot turns. We’ll also talk about subplots and how this early episode sets expectations for this series by expanding the Buffy universe beyond vampires. That was hinted at in the pilot, but it's made explicit now.

Okay, let's dive into The Hellmouth.

Opening Conflict in The Witch

In the first scene, we have Giles giving Buffy a speech about her sacred duty and how she is now enslaving herself to this cult. We then get a shot of Buffy in a cheerleading uniform.

This is another great way to get across the exposition through conflict, which was done so well in the pilot. And it sets up, for audience members who have not seen the pilot, exactly what is going on in the show.

Remember, when this came out a lot of people might jump into a series in the middle or at least certainly in the first season or two. So, if you hadn't started a series at the beginning you could wait for reruns. But you were more likely to just start with a later episode.

So it was important to set up exactly what was going on and that was done well here. I videotaped a lot of episodes once I got to like the show.