This week on the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story: Lie To Me (Season 2 Episode 7 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

This episode covers (1) a two-part Inciting Incident/Story Spark; (2) a Midpoint reversal Buffy only recognizes in retrospect; (3) characters who talk about everything except what they really feel; and (4) Buffy and Spike reflecting one another and foreshadowing the season final. 

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

Next Up: The Dark Age S2 E8

Last Week: Halloween S2 E6

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Additional Episode Links from Lie To Me

Season 2 Buffy DVDs

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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 Lie To Me

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

Today will be talking about Season Two Episode Seven, Lie To Me.

What’s Included

I'll cover:

how the Inciting Incident or Story Spark here has two separate parts;

a Midpoint Reversal that Buffy only recognizes after the fact;

the way that the character's dialogue shows intense conflict by talking about the things that they're not mad about;

and how Buffy and Spike serve as reflections of one another and foreshadow the Season Two finale.

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

Okay, let's dive into the Hellmouth.

Lie To Me was written and directed by Joss Whedon.

Opening Conflict In Lie To Me

Our Opening Conflict occurs in a dark, deserted playground. There is a spinning merry-go-round, which will learn is never a good thing on Buffy. And there are swings with creaky old chains.

A little boy is alone. His mom is late picking him up. Drusilla, in a long gauzy white gown, asks the boy if he wants her to walk him home. And she sings a creepy sort of song. She says her mother sang to her. Or maybe the song is fine, it’s just the way she sings it.

Dru then says, “What will your mummy say when they find your body?”

Luckily for the boy at 1 minute 22 seconds into the episode Angel appears. He gets between the boy and Drusilla and tells the boy to run home. Which, quite sensibly, he does.

Drusilla says, “My Angel,” and seem surprised to see him there. Angel tells her to leave Sunnydale. To take Spike and get out of town. When she asks if he'll hurt her if she doesn't, he looks down. We can tell Angel feels guilty about whatever past the two of them have.

The Story Spark Starts: What Buffy Sees

Buffy is walking in an area of ground above the playground...