In this episode of Dames Macabre, hosts Alex and Meaghan delve into the Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes "I Robot, You Jane" and "Puppet Show." They explore how "I Robot, You Jane" taps into 90s anxieties about technology, portraying the internet as a new realm for demonic influence, while "Puppet Show" brings the eerie charm of ventriloquism to life. The discussion highlights the episodes' medieval and gothic roots, examining themes of possession, the interplay between technology and magic, and the cultural fears surrounding the digital age. With their signature blend of sharp wit and thoughtful analysis, Alex and Meaghan unravel the symbolic layers of these episodes, showcasing how Buffy weaves together historical, literary, and pop culture elements to create a rich and subversive teen horror landscape.

*** Trigger Warning ***

This episode mentions and/or discusses self harm, suicide, and murder/death.

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Dr Alex Carabine: @decadence.and.dark.ages ; literatureunlocked.orgDr Meaghan Allen: @morbid.maeWebsite: damesmacabre.comEmail: [email protected].

.For more on Buffy studies and scholarship, check out: http://www.buffystudies.org/Check out our Bookshop Affiliate Page: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/damesmacabre

In this episode, we delve into Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s “Angel” (S1.E7), exploring the intricate dance between medieval lore and modern storytelling. We unravel the layers of Angel's character, a vampire cursed with a soul, and how his past intertwines with Buffy's present. The episode highlights the tension between ancient evil and contemporary life, as Buffy navigates her feelings for Angel amidst the backdrop of gothic horror and medieval symbolism. Join us as we dissect the show's use of historical references and its portrayal of complex relationships, all while Buffy remains the steadfast hero in a world teetering between light and dark.

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Dr Alex Carabine: @decadence.and.dark.ages ; literatureunlocked.org

Dr Meaghan Allen: @morbid.mae

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For more on Buffy studies and scholarship, check out: http://www.buffystudies.org/

Check out our Bookshop Affiliate Page: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/damesmacabre 

In this episode, we sink our teeth into Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s “Never Kill a Boy on the First Date” (S1.E5) and “The Pack" (S1.E6), examining how masculinity plays out in early Sunnydale. In “Never Kill…,” Owen represents the allure of brooding, bookish masculinity—Buffy’s desire for normalcy colliding with a guy who romanticises danger but can’t handle the Slayer life. Meanwhile, The Master is once again up to no good in his quest for finding 'The Anointed One'.

“The Pack” takes a darker turn, exploring toxic masculinity as Xander and his possessed crew channel predatory behaviours—harassment, dominance, and cruelty—under the guise of supernatural influence. But is the hyena really to blame, or just an unmasking of impulses already there?

Join us as we unpack the show’s problematic use(s) of 'magpie' cultural references to signify the 'supernatural' and its early messages about what makes a man—especially in a world where Buffy’s the one saving the day.

**Trigger Warning: This episode mentions sexual assault.**

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Dr Alex Carabine: @decadence.and.dark.ages ; literatureunlocked.org

Dr Meaghan Allen: @morbid.mae

Website: damesmacabre.com

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SOURCES

For more on the Maasai people see: http://maasaiwilderness.org/maasai/

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For hyenas & their cultural history:

https://talkinghumanities.blogs.sas.ac.uk/2021/03/16/hyenas-and-humans-millennia-of-myths-misrepresentations-and-persecution/

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For more about Emily Dickinson:

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/emily-dickinson#tab-poems

https://www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org/emily-dickinson/biography/

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For more on Buffy studies and scholarship, check out: http://www.buffystudies.org/

Check out our Bookshop Affiliate Page for books mentioned in our episodes: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/damesmacabre

Dames Macabre continue their journey through Buffy the Vampire Slayer by examining episodes 3 and 4 of season one, 'Witch' (S1.E3) and 'Teacher’s Pet' (S1.E4), framing their discussion through the lens of the femme fatale archetype and unpacking how each episode plays with and subverts this classic motif. From the twisted maternal ambition of Amy’s mother in 'Witch' to the seductive predation of the literal man-eater in 'Teacher's Pet', the hosts explore how female power is represented, feared, and punished in early Buffy.

With their signature blend of humour and academic insight, Alex and Meaghan dive into questions of gender performance, the fear of female autonomy, and how Buffy herself complicates the role of the femme fatale. They also touch on the campy joy of these monster-of-the-week plots, the continued development of the Scooby Gang (currently called The Slayerettes), and what these early episodes reveal about the show’s evolving moral universe. As always, the discussion doesn't shy away from critiquing the more dated or problematic aspects of the narrative, while also celebrating its contribution to feminist horror TV.

Dr Alex Carabine: @decadence.and.dark.ages ; literatureunlocked.org

Dr Meaghan Allen: @morbid.mae

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SOURCES MENTIONED:

'Julia Kristeva: Powers of Horror: An Essay on Abjection' by Theoryish, Season 2 Episode 9, https://open.spotify.com/episode/0QR0EcaywxGjHR3yIimgRy?si=fcfb9bfbf06e49c1

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For more on Buffy studies and scholarship, check out: http://www.buffystudies.org/

Check out our Bookshop Affiliate Page: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/damesmacabre

In this episode of Dames Macabre, hosts Alex and Meaghan sink their teeth into 'The Harvest' (S1.E2), the second half of Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s opening two-parter. Building on the foundations laid in 'Welcome to the Hellmouth' (S1.E1), they examine how the episode establishes the vampire as a figure that inverts and perverts Christian ritual—most notably through the Master’s grotesque communion of blood and the unholy “harvest” that mirrors sacrificial rites.

The conversation delves into the concept of the demonic soul, contrasting Buffy’s moral compass with the soulless hunger of the vampires, and situating the show within a larger theological and mythological context. Alex and Meaghan also unearth the episode’s medieval and folk horror roots, highlighting imagery and lore that evoke ancient fears of possession, predation, and ritualistic power.

With their usual blend of sharp wit and thoughtful analysis, the hosts explore how 'The Harvest' sets the tone for the series’ rich symbolic universe, weaving together Gothic, folkloric, and religious threads to create a uniquely subversive teen horror landscape.

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Dr Alex Carabine: @decadence.and.dark.ages ; literatureunlocked.org

Dr Meaghan Allen: @morbid.mae

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For more on Buffy studies and scholarship, check out: http://www.buffystudies.org/

Check out our Bookshop Affiliate Page: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/damesmacabre

In this episode of Dames Macabre, hosts Alex and Meaghan delve into the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, focusing on the two-part opener, 'Welcome to the Hellmouth' and 'The Harvest'. They explore the show's Gothic elements, character dynamics, and the significance of blood and the Hellmouth in the narrative. The conversation also touches on the problematic aspects of Joss Whedon, the nostalgia associated with the series, and the thematic depth of the characters and their relationships. Through a mix of humour and academic insight, the hosts provide a comprehensive analysis of the episodes while engaging with the audience's understanding of the show's cultural impact.

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Dr Alex Carabine: @decadence.and.dark.ages ; literatureunlocked.org

Dr Meaghan Allen: @morbid.mae

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SOURCES MENTIONED:

Greg Erickson, '"Religion Freaky" or a "Bunch of Men Who Died": The (A)Theology of Buffy', Slayage 4.1-2 (2004), http://www.buffystudies.org/uploads/2/6/2/8/26288593/erickson_slayage_4.1-2.pdf

Boyd Tonkin, 'Entropy as Demon: Buffy in Southern California', Reading the Vampire Slayer: An Unofficial Critical Companion to Buffy and Angel, edited by Roz Kaveney (London: Tauris Parke, 2003), pp. 37-52.

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For more on Buffy studies and scholarship, check out: http://www.buffystudies.org/

Check out our Bookshop Affiliate Page: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/damesmacabre

In this episode of Dames Macabre, hosts Meaghan and Alex delve into the film 'Sinners,' directed by Ryan Coogler. They explore its plot, themes of racial dynamics, the significance of music, and the representation of cultural heritage. The conversation highlights the film's commentary on Jim Crow laws, the role of vampires as metaphors for cultural appropriation, and the intricate character dynamics. The hosts share their thoughts on the film's strengths and weaknesses, ultimately rating it while encouraging viewers to engage with the material.

Who are we? Do we even know? Yes, yes we do. We are Dames Macabre.

In this inaugural episode of the Dames Macabre podcast, hosts Dr. Meaghan Allen and Dr. Alex Carabine introduce themselves and their academic backgrounds in Gothic literature and Medieval studies. They explore the intricate connections between Medieval influences and Gothic literature, particularly in the context of horror narratives. The discussion delves into the role of religion in horror, debunking myths surrounding the Dark Ages, and the scientific advancements of the Medieval era. The hosts also outline the unique structure of their podcast, focusing on the analysis of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its connections to Medieval concepts. They share personal quotes that resonate with their research and conclude with thoughts on the significance of suffering and the human experience in horror narratives.