This week on Buffy and the Art of Story: Reptile Boy (Season 2 Episode 5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

This podcast episode covers (1) theme woven into story; (2) a huge turning point for Buffy and Giles; (3) escalating conflict and why the Midpoint of your story matters; and (4) the first of many demon snakes in Buffy. 

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

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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 Reptile Boy

Hello and welcome to 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 were talking about Season Two Episode Five, Reptile Boy.

In addition to the usual breakdown of the plot points I will be talking about:

a huge turning point for Giles and Buffy;

highlights from the DVD commentary by the writer and director of Reptile Boy, David Greenwalt;

and the first of many demon snakes that we will see in Buffy.

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.

Opening Conflict In Reptile Boy

The opening conflict is quiet at first. Xander and Buffy are braiding Willow's hair as the three friends try to figure out what's happening in an Indian soap opera. The dialogue is in Hindi, and there are no subtitles.

Willow and Xander sort of complain about having no money and nothing to do. Buffy, though, says she's happy because it's quiet all over Sunnydale.

We then move on to a more conflict. About 2.5 minutes in we see a large house with many windows. A girl crashes through one on the upper floor, climbs down, and runs. Someone in a monk like robe follows her, chasing her. And she runs through the trees and climbs a wall to go into one of the many cemeteries in Sunnydale.

In the cemetery, three guys in robes are chasing her. Yet another one appears in front of her and grabs her. He calls her Callie and tells her she can't get away. After taking his hood off, he e looks right at the camera so we cannot miss seeing his face. He’s blond and good-looking and looks to be around college age.

This could be our Story Spark or Inciting Incident. This is a little bit early because normally that comes at about 10% through our story. Here, while it does set off a story, it does not set off the true arc of the episode. That arc has to do with Buffy and the choices that she mak...