This week on the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story: Ted (Season 2 Episode 11 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer):

This episode covers (1) how a seemingly throwaway episode foreshadows key developments for the entire series; (2) many metaphors that might not mix so well; and (3) dialogue that illustrates what works in Buffy's relationship with Angel.

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

Next Up: Bad Eggs

Last Week: What's My Line Part 2

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More Episode Links

Catch up on Season One with: Buffy And The Art Of Story Season One: Writing Better Fiction By Watching Buffy

Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy: Fear and Trembling in Sunnydale

Book 1 in The Awakening Supernatural Thriller Series free for Kindle, Kobo, Nook, GooglePlay, and AppleBooks.

Or download and listen from Audible.

Where You Can Find The DVDs

Season 2 Buffy DVDs

Buffy DVD Complete Box Set

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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 Ted

Add intro

Today we're talking about Season Two Episode Eleven. Ted.

What It’s About

It's a seemingly throwaway one-off episode that foreshadows key developments for much of the run of Buffy.

It also defines the limits on Buffy's actions regarding humans, uses a lot of metaphors that might or might not mix very well, and has some wonderful Buffy and Angel dialogue that shows what works in their relationship.

Also, having been so familiar with guest star John Ritter as a comedy actor, it was really interesting to me seeing him in this ominous role.

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.

Ted was written by David Greenwalt and Joss Whedon and directed by Bruce Seth Green.

I am so excited to talk to you about it. It generally isn't one that I feel like fans particularly love. But as I rewatched, I was struck by how much was great in this episode.

Little Conflict To Start

So we start with, in a way, some non-conflict. Usually we’re starting with conflict. And there is a bit of mild conflict here in a joking way.

Because Buffy, Willow, and Xander are walking down the sidewalk at night and arguing about who had the real power. The Captain or Tennille. For those of you who don't remember, that was a singing duo.

Buffy has no idea who they are, but she's enjoying the quiet in Sunnydale.

As the characters talk, we get a little quick background that Spike and Drusilla are presumably dead. And the Order of Turaka has been called off. Essentially, we’re told that all's right in Sunnydale, at least temporarily.

But then we do very quickly get conflict at Buffy's house.

Surprise At Home