This week on the podcast Buffy and the Art of Story: What's My Line Part Two (Season 2 Episode 10 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer):

This episode covers (1) a Midpoint reversal that spins the story and changes Buffy’s mindset about slaying; (2) why readers don’t always believe something that’s authentic; (3) quickly reminding your audience what happened before; and (4) crafting an episode around a great line.

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

Next Up: Ted

Last Week:  What's My Line Part 1 

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More Episode Links

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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 What's My Line Part Two

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 we are talking about What’s My Line Part Two, Season Two Episode Ten.

This is the second part of a two-part episode

What’s Included

We’ll cover:

the Midpoint Reversal that spins the story in a new direction and changes Buffy's mindset about slaying;

why readers and audience members don't always believe something even if it's authentic; and

how to quickly remind your audience what happened before without slowing down your story or losing their interest.

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.

What’s My Line Part Two was written by Marti Noxon and directed by David Semel.

And we will get commentary from Marti Noxon about this part of the episode.

Starting With Conflict

We still start with an Opening Conflict even though we are picking up from last time and that story Midpoint. Because we are right in the center of this two-part episode.

Kendra and Buffy are facing off against each other after fighting. Buffy says something like, “Once more. Who are you again?” Kendra says she is the Vampire Slayer, which is how we ended the last episode.