Conversations with Dead People

The lovely and delightful Vickie Navarra joins me to discuss the rhetorical proficiency of evil, that dream sequence, and all the various graduations and ascensions that take place in the final episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s third season. Buffy is done with the Watchers Council; Oz panics with Willow; Anya feels barfy with Xander; Angel and Cordelia graduate to their own series; and the Mutant Enemy wears a mortarboard.

Also sex scenes, amirite?

Next: I’m joined by...a guest...to discuss episodes 401, “The Freshman,” 402, “Living Conditions,” and 403, “The Harsh Light of Day.”

THE BREAKDOWN

Intro / Guest (00:00:00 - 00:09:00)

Main Topic (00:09:00 - 01:39:59)

Outro / Next (01:39:59 - 01:46:10)

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

THE MUSIC

“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)

“Graduation Day” by Chris Isaak, Forever Blue (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/

Melanie Scala is back for the penultimate discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 3, and this podcast continues to come dangerously close to just being an open therapy session to work through my own personal issues. Sorry ‘bout that. But it’s not all about me...we also talk about episode 319, “Choices” and the cost-benefit analysis of trading the Box of Gavrok for Willow, and episode 320, “The Prom” where we see WAAAAAY more persons of color than we have ever seen before or will ever see again on the show.

Also the show very clearly sets the stage for at least two of our beloved main cast to leave forever; we discuss whether Joyce is more cruel than the Mayor; and I continue to be impressed by the hints, however tiny (or imagined) that Wesley was ALWAYS more than just the idiot comedic foil for Giles and the Scooby Gang.

Next: still trying to confirm my next guest, but whoever the lucky winner is they’ll be joining me to wrap up Buffy the Vampire Slayer - The High School Years as Season 3 closes on “Graduation Day (Part 1)” and “Graduation Day (Part 2).”

THE BREAKDOWN

Intro / Guest (00:00:00 - 00:08:24)

Main Topic (00:08:24 - 01:37:57)

Outro / Next (01:37:57 - 01:44:29)

THE LIBRARY

Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow

THE MUSIC

“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)

“Wild Horses” by the Sundays, Blind (1992)

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 really nice that you guys miss me. Say, y’all didn’t happen to do a bunch of drugs, didja?”

This week I remind everyone how awful I am by utterly and completely blanking on the name of that one amazing series where Tatiana Maslany gets to play a bunch of clones of herself. I’m sorry, I’m the worst. Joining me in spite of my awfulness is fabulous French philosopher (and soon-to-be-published author) Matthieu Cravatte. We discuss the mirroring and doubling of characters in 316, “Doppelgangland,” real vs. performative trauma in Faith’s arc through 317, “Enemies,” and Oz’s normally sardonic humor getting a really chilling twist in 318, “Earshot.” Plus, after breaking our hearts last week, sugared up mocha Willow brings the adorable back, and Wesley schools all y’all on how to ACTUALLY pronounce Angelus.

Also, somehow, in the midst of trying to get my guest to promote himself, I wind up pimping my own stuff...because as we’ve already learned, I am literally the worst. (Go listen to The Avatar Returns Podcast!)

Next: Melanie Scala returns for the penultimate discussion of Season Three with episodes 319, “Choices” and 320, “The Prom.”

THE BREAKDOWN

Intro / Guest (00:00:00 - 00:10:16)

Main Topic (00:10:16 - 01:41:10)

Outro / Next (01:41:10 - 01:44:56)

THE LIBRARY

Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow

THE MUSIC

“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)

“Virgin State of Mind” by K’s Choice, Buffy the Vampire Slayer (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/

My beloved, incomparable Wesley Wyndam-Price finally arrives just as Faith succumbs to the pull of the Dark Side, and Philosophy Professor James Rocha returns to the podcast to help me explore all the existentialism surrounding both events. The double whammy of episodes 314, “Bad Girls” and 315, “Consequences” forces us to ask some uncomfortable questions... Are to-do lists evil? Why do you need to have sex with all of your friends? And is Faith to Buffy the Vampire Slayer as P.J. is to Family Circus?

Next: first time guest Matthieu Cravatte joins me all the way from France to discuss the ethics and philosophy of episodes 316, “Dopplegangland,” 317, “Enemies,” and 318, “Earshot.” From what I understand, Matthieu learned everything he knows about America from watching...which may or may not be true, but it makes for an interesting tease, and hopefully you’ll all tune in to find out.

THE BREAKDOWN

Intro / Guest (00:00:00 - 00:03:22)

Main Topic (00:03:22 - 01:25:45)

Outro / Next (01:25:45 - 01:30:52)

THE LIBRARY

Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow

THE MUSIC

“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)

“Bad Girls” by Donna Summer, Bad Girls (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/

We’re back and we’re brief! Yes cats and kittens, this week we manage to keep the show down to under 14 hours. You’re welcome. Joining me this time around is writer, producer, Buffy scholar, and, most importantly, Twitter manager for Star Talk Radio, Jennifer Walsh. In episode 312, “Helpless” we talk about Buffy’s daddy issues, how well the premise of Giles’ betrayal has aged since its original airdate, and what kind of weirdo vamp ‘roids Kralik must be on to do the things he does. And in 313, “The Zeppo” I finally ease up just a little bit on poor ol’ Xander Harris as we discuss what may arguably be his high-water mark in the series, and recognize that it isn’t always about him doing or saying problematic things, sometimes problematic things are done or said to him.

Next: academics are so hard to pin down! Presumably I WILL have a guest with me, but I can neither confirm nor deny that at this time. Whatever the case may be SOMEBODY is going to be talking about episodes 314, “Bad Girls” and 315, “Consequences.”

THE BREAKDOWN

Intro / Guest (00:00:00 - 00:08:53)

Main Topic (00:08:53 - 01:29:55)

Outro / Next (01:29:55 - 01:33:41)

THE LIBRARY

Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow

THE MUSIC

“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)

“Father and Daughter” by Paul Simon, Surprise (2006)

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/

We’re back and we’re brief! Yes cats and kittens, this week we manage to keep the show down to under 14 hours. You’re welcome. Joining me this time around is writer, producer, Buffy scholar, and, most importantly, Twitter manager for Star Talk Radio, Jennifer Walsh. In episode 312, “Helpless” we talk about Buffy’s daddy issues, how well the premise of Giles’ betrayal has aged since its original airdate, and what kind of weirdo vamp ‘roids Kralik must be on to do the things he does. And in 313, “The Zeppo” I finally ease up just a little bit on poor ol’ Xander Harris as we discuss what may arguably be his high-water mark in the series, and recognize that it isn’t always about him doing or saying problematic things, sometimes problematic things are done or said to him.

Next: academics are so hard to pin down! Presumably I WILL have a guest with me, but I can neither confirm nor deny that at this time. Whatever the case may be SOMEBODY is going to be talking about episodes 314, “Bad Girls” and 315, “Consequences.”

THE BREAKDOWN

Intro / Guest (00:00:00 - 00:08:53)

Main Topic (00:08:53 - 01:29:55)

Outro / Next (01:29:55 - 01:33:41)

THE LIBRARY

Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow

THE MUSIC

“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)

“Father and Daughter” by Paul Simon, Surprise (2006)

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/