Conversations With Dead People

“I got dangerous for a while.”   DALE! You guys, it’s Dale! Dale Guffey, author of Faith and Choice in the Works of Joss Whedon (among other things) is finally here! And she makes an enthusiastic addition to the graveyard chorus. She brings her wit, charm, and scary brain to the discussion of, well, Faith coming back to Sunnydale, and the various choices of Caleb the Minister of Murder. Episodes 718, “Dirty Girls” and 719, “Empty Places” bring some genuine horror, real world horrors that were uncomfortable to watch in 2003 but are even more gut wrenching in today’s climate. We certainly get some humor and heart, such as Spike continuing to insist he’s nothing like Angel, and Clem sweetly suggesting maybe Buffy should get out of town. But it’s the misogyny and eye-gouging that really stands out.   NEXT: Late-comer but already a fan favorite, Dale sticks around to discuss two more episodes with me, 720 “Touched” and the penultimate episode of the entire series, 721 “End of Days.”     BREAKDOWN 00:00:55 

My friends, I’m not 100% sure, but I think it’s possible that this set of episodes, and the discussion with fan favorite repeat guest Elizabeth Rambo about them, may have performed a damned Buffy the Vampire Slayer miracle on your oh-so-humble host…   Next: We’ve ALL been chanting and praying and calling upon the dark forces to get her here, and at long last we’ve summoned the inimitable Dale Guffey, author, scholar, artist, and my dear friend, to the CWDP cemetery! She crawls from her podcastless grave to help me examine episodes 718, “Dirty Girls” and 719, “Empty Places.”     THE BREAKDOWN 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:03:40  -  Main Topic 01:53:58  -  Outro / Next     THE LIBRARY Buffy Goes Dark: Essays on the Final Two Seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Television, edited by Lynne Y. Edwards, Elizabeth Rambo, and James B. South     THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Early One Morning” by Kellianna, Traditions (2013)     THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Assoc

“It’s almost like this sort of metaphor for womanhood, isn’t it? This sort of flowering that happens when a girl realizes that she’s part of a fertile heritage stretching back to Eve…”   Author and philosophy professor James Rocha is back in the graveyard with me again to discuss three more episodes of this, the final season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In “Potential,” Buffy (the character and maybe the show?) get the details of Slayer ascension wrong yet again, and Xander shows us how Speechifying(™) is supposed to work. “The Killer in Me” gives us a sadly truncated version of what, in my not-so-humble opinion, the entire season should have been about, and hey, I don’t hate Kennedy like the rest of y’all do. Who’s surprised? Lastly, “First Date” asks cutting edge questions like, “Why the hell doesn’t Principal Wood know who Spike is?” and “How does Wood stare at Spike in the rearview mirror of his car and not notice he’s a vampire?”   As a bonus, James schools me on the difference between Existentialism

‘Verse-y author/editor Vickie Willis Navarra returns at long last (my bad, sorry) to try and help me over my growing Season 7 apathy as we begin our slow, tortured crawl to the finish line. Episode 710, “Bring On the Night” is the first appearance of Kennedy and the final appearance of Joyce. So yeah. It’s also the beginning of the interminable Buffy Speechifying(™). Sooo...yeeeeeeeah. And in 711, “Showtime,” Buffy welcomes Potential Slayer Rona to the Hellmouth, we get some charmingly awful rubber monster practical effects, and I defend the cool (and previously established) Willow-telepathically-links-the-Scoobies trick.   BONUS: I begin in earnest to dunk on The First as the most ridiculously inconsistent and ineffectual Big Bad of the entire series. Good times.   Next: author and Philosophy Professor James Rocha returns to help me make sense of episodes 712, “Potential,” 713, “The Killer In Me,” and 714, “First Date.”     THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:44:09 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:10:04  -  Ma

I have no idea what Anya is talking about. For me, Souled Spike IS Happyland! But whatever. This week I’m joined by fan and amateur Buffyologist Tami Anderson to discuss the Pavlov’s Bell-ness of episode 708, “Sleeper,” and how I will never forgive episode 709, “Never Leave Me” for turning the death of my beloved Jonathan into nothing more than a lame (and medically specious) punchline.   Next: Author Vickie Navarra returns to the cemetery to converse on episodes 710, “Bring On The Night” and 711, “Showtime.”     THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:21:30 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:09:22  -  Main Topic 01:16:30  -  Outro / Next     THE LIBRARY Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow     THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Pavlov’s Bell” by Aimee Man, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Radio Sunnydale - Music from the TV Series (2003)

“Do the words ‘superiority complex’ mean anything to you?”   This week I’m joined by Broken Magic author and my very frequent collaborator Eric Sipple, here to discuss arguably the most important episode of the series (being the namesake of this clearly revolutionary podcast) episode 707, “Conversations with Dead People.” We break down the four (five?) titular conversations; wax rhapsodic about Jonathan Woodward; condemn the pointless death of Jonathan Levinson; lament the horribly wasted potential of the First Evil; and ask whether the episode is better in isolation or if the shocks and twists of this episode actually pay off in a satisfying way through the rest of the season.   Is it just a coincidence that this podcast takes its name from the only episode in the entire run of Buffy the Vampire Slayer with absolutely ZERO Xander Harris? You be the judge.    Next: Tami Anderson, fan and amateur Buffyologist, joins me to discuss episode 708, “Sleeper” and 709, “Never Leave Me.”   THE BREAKDOWN Run Ti

Michael Adams, author of Slayer Slang: A Buffy the Vampire Slayer Lexicon, joins me as I continue my march to the end here in Season 7 with the next three episodes. “Help” introduces us, for a tragically brief time, to the delightful Azura Skye as Cassie, doomed teenage poet and seer. “Selfless” features a fun flashback and a “lost” musical number from “Once More, With Feeling.” (It is also the point at which my uncharacteristic love for Buffy Summers I’ve been feeling for the first part of this season finally wears off.) And “Him” provides a mildly troubling Buffy-channeling-Darla seduction scene, and a waka-chicka-waka-chicka Charlie’s Angels-esque split screen montage.   Next: Broken Magic author, and my co-author/co-editor on The Deli Counter of Justice, Eric Sipple joins me for what is arguably the most important episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer ever (being the namesake for this very important podcast), 707, “Conversations with Dead People.”   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:46:35 00:00:55  -  Intro

“Can we rest now? Buffy...can we rest?”   The seventh and final season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer starts much stronger out of the gate than I had remembered. 701, “Lessons” takes us back to the beginning (not the Bang, not the Word, but the true beginning) as a beautiful little parade of every Big Bad from seasons past welcomes us to the brand new Sunnydale High. In 702, “Beneath You,” James Marsters gives what is arguably his greatest single scene performance of the entire series, getting all smoldering and confessional with Buffy about what he did over Summer vacation. And 703, “Same Time, Same Place” gives us another chillingly creepy fairy tale villain eager to welcome Willow back to the Hellmouth. Theresa Fortier, Spike superfan and Nicholas Brendon travelling companion, joins me to discuss all these tasty morsels and more (particularly Spike!) as I make my uncomfortable peace with actually LIKING Buffy Summers for several episodes in a row.   Next: I’m joined by Michael Adams, author of Slayer Slan

“She's a truck-driving Magic Mama! And we've got maybe seconds before Darth Rosenberg grinds everybody into Jawa-burgers, and not one of you bunch has the midichlorians to stop her.”   - Andrew Wells   Never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee, Season Six. We’ve come to the yellow crayon end of the darkest Buffy the Vampire Slayer timeline, and Mistress of the Dark herself, Elizabeth Rambo is back again to help us all get through it. In 621, “Two to Go,” we talk about the Dark Phoenix of it all, Doritos taste tests with prosthetic teeth, and the coolest scene transition effect in the entire series! And in 622, “Grave,” Giles is a Trojan Horse; Dawn gets to swing a sword; the Zeppo saves the day; and how the hell was the crawling out of the grave circular storytelling NOT part of the initial draft of this finale?!   Bonus: AITA for thinking things would have gone differently if Jonathan had ever been given a real shot at joining the Scooby Gang? (Possibly, since I literally almost die o

“What have I done? Why didn’t I do it?”   Fan-favorite Elizabeth Rambo sticks with me for another light-hearted discussion about Season Six. This time around we get misogyny and magic balls and whether the [CW: sexual assault] scene was really a necessary part of Spike’s journey or if it was a metaphor too far in episode 619, “Seeing Red,” also known as “The One That Broke the Fandom.” And leaving all that darkness behind us, we talk about 620, “Villains,” and Joss Whedon’s pathological inability to portray lasting happiness in his shows. Also, was Amber Benson finally making it to the opening titles for the first (and last!) a cruel mind@$#&, or a sweet farewell to the actress?   (Elizabeth is, as always, a treat! But I personally am really uncomfortable talking about at least one of these episodes, so it’s awkward and you’ll probably hate me. But hey, podcasting is dangerous, I’ve always said so.)   Next: it’s all been leading to this, kids! The payoff for all the pain and suffering the Scoobies (

“I know the world feels like a hard place sometimes, but you’ve got people who love you.”   We live in interesting times, my friends. So returning guest Elizabeth Rambo and I first talk about how we’re both surviving the latest apocalypse, before diving into the uplifting palate cleanser that is Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Six. To lighten the mood we discuss the divisive and possibly controversial(?) episodes 617, “Normal Again” and 618, “Entropy.” In the former, there’s discussion of Didgeridoo Demons,  metacommentary, and how literally to interpret the “Asylumverse.” And in the latter, scary, re-Vengeance Demonized Anya provides some much-needed humor; my Buffy-rage returns with a, well, a vengeance; and gyres widen.   Next: Elizabeth is back for more good fun times as we take on episodes 619, “Seeing Red” [Note: I am NOT looking forward to this one] and 620, “Villains.”     THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:32:05 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:09:20  -  Main Topic 01:28:20  -  Outro / Next     TH

Look, my ability to establish and maintain a reliable podcasting schedule has degraded, to say the least, as this process has gone on. I know it. YOU know it. I’m sorry. But this past year of March and April has seriously thrown me off my groove, and not in the fun Disney way with llama faces and maniacal kitten laughter. It’s difficult I think for any of us to bring the fun in at the moment. But I will persevere! WE will persevere! We will get through this thing called Season Six if it’s the last thing we do. (Which it won’t be, because the threat of Season Seven looms menacingly in our future.)   Anyways, Jessica Hautsch is back with me again to share in the joy of James Marsters’ eyebrow acting in 614, “Older and Far Away.” She is also positively GIDDY that 615, “As You Were” is the very last time she’ll ever have to deal with Riley Finn. And how weird is it that Xander’s family cheers for him straight-up murdering a “circus folk” at his almost-but-not-quite wedding?   Next (Week? Month? Year?): Elizab

For my 50th birthday (ugh), my gift to you is the 50th episode (egads) of this podcast, which will focus on the 50th worst episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. (I made that last part up...it’s probably higher on most “Worst Of” lists. It’s a meat process.) Joining me this time is my good friend and frequent collaborator, first-time guest Eric Sipple. Together we share the DoubleMeat Medley that is the forgettable patty of 611, “Gone” above the mid-bun, and the processed trauma of 613, “Dead Things” below the mid-bun. But it’s really that bland, stale mid-bun of 612, “Doublemeat Palace” that gives us indigestion.   Am I straining the metaphor here? Well, it IS Season Six, so when in Rome...   Next: Jessica Hautsch is back with us to take a look at 614, “Older and Far Away,” 615, “As You Were,” and 616, “Hell’s Bells.”   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:23:05 00:00:55  - Intro / Guest 00:08:30  - Main Topic 01:18:48  - Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Broken Magic, by Eric Sipple The Deli Counter of Justice,

James Rocha, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Fresno State and co-author, along with his wife Dr. Mona Rocha, of Joss Whedon, Anarchist? A Unified Theory of the Films and Television Series, returns to help ease us into the poor decision making of the Scooby Gang, and the heavy-handed “metaphor” application of the writers headed into the darker half of the darkest season. In episode 608, “Tabula Rasa,” James does his best to get into the philosophy of it all, while I just question if Buffy has jumped the shark. In 609, “Smashed,” we talk about Willow’s reasons for finally de-ratting Amy; the debate over Spike’s reasons for trying to bite the blonde in the alley is rehashed; and Buffy (the “good” Slayer) has now slept with twice as many named characters as Faith (the “bad” Slayer). And 610, “Wrecked” reminds us how important Merrie Melodies cartoons are; the so-called subtext becomes painful, bludgeoning text hammered directly into our innocent, trusting faces; and my oft-referenced issues with one particul

So you know how time flows differently from one dimension to the next? Yeah, I was sucked into a hell dimension where it felt like only a week went by, but here in the real world you guys have suffered through three Conversations with Dead People-free months! Or maybe I was in Heaven...I think I was in Heaven. YOU guys were stuck here in THIS hell dimension without me. But anyways, I apologize for the unsolicited hiatus. The good news is I’m back! The better news is I’m back with Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode 607, “Once More, With Feeling.” The only so-so news is that guest Arlo Wiley is back too. And we may, we just may sing every word of our discussion. I mean you take the good, you take the bad, right?   The BEST news? Because you demanded it, as of 10:08 into the podcast the naughty words moratorium is officially ended. Bring on that EXPLICIT CONTENT warning!   Next: I’m joined by Assistant Philosophy professor and Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies contributor James Rocha, back to discuss epis

“Mist...cemetery...Halloween. Should end well.”   Stephanie Graves is back with me to discuss two more episodes of the Happy Funtime Show, otherwise known as Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 6. In episode 605, “Life Serial,” we get some genuine laughs as the show finds the humor in young adults struggling to find their way in the grown up world. There’s ANOTHER damn numbered shirt; Jonathan has a magic bone; and the second most important character in the entire series (after Spike) finally shows up: CLEM! And then, in 606, “All the Way,” Tara’s not much into timber; Giles cleans his glasses; and Dawn goes parking.   Next: it’s gonna be an all-singing, all-dancing podcast extravaganza as we finally get to the Big Show...episode 607, “Once More, With Feeling.” (Note: I will not actually be singing or dancing.)   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:21:20 00:00:55 - Intro / Guest 00:04:06 - Main Topic 01:17:00 - Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Joss Whedon vs. the Horror Tradition: The Production of Genre in Buffy a

“Every night I save you.”   Clearly I’ve set my listener expectations in terms of my Season 6 feelings. So to keep myself honest, it seems I have decided to frontload those discussions of Depression: The Series with avowed superfans of said season. Following on the heels of last week’s talk with Season 6 expert Elizabeth Rambo, this week I’m joined by possibly the most passionate Sixer I’ve ever met, former Hollywood script doctor and Buffy scholar Faith Currant. After I get over the shock of her methods for introducing new fans to the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Faith and I go on to discuss Jungian psychology, the Buddhist idea of the bardo state, the disambiguation of “Normal Again,” and why, despite my troubled history with this era of the Slayer saga, “After Life” has always been and will always be one of my favorite episodes in the Whedonverse. (Hint: I like Spike. Surprise!)   Next: PhD student, author, and Mr. Pointy Award-winner Stephanie Graves returns to discuss episodes 605, “Life Serial

“Is this hell?”   We begin our 22 Stages of Season 6 Grief with the two-part season premiere “Bargaining.” Professor, author, and undeniable Season 6 expert Elizabeth Rambo makes her triumphant return to the Conversations graveyard to help us all get through these difficult times. We talk about the new Giles-less title credits, the amazing performance (again!) of Sarah Michelle Gellar, the clear difference in broadcast standards and practices between the WB and UPN, and how 9/11 may have played a role in the response some fans have had to this season.   Also, I wave the flag and light the fireworks to officially declare this and everything going forward Spike’s Time(™) at last!   Next: first time guest Faith Currant joins me to discuss episodes 603, “After Life” and 604, “Flooded.”   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:21:15 00:00:55 - Intro / Guest 00:05:30 - Main Topic 01:18:10 - Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Television Finales: From Howdy Doody to Girls, edited by Douglas L. Howard and David Bianculli

“But...you’re just a girl.” “That’s what I keep saying.”   We’ve come at last to the end. Well, *AN* end. We’ve reached what could have (and maybe should have?) been the end of all things Buffy the Vampire Slayer with the Season 5 finale “The Gift.” Michael Holland returns, with a shiny new job title, to help me wish a fond farewell to the WB era as our beloved hero takes the plunge (literally) into a darker, more confusing adulthood. We talk about a lot of things, as you might expect, including Giles’ angry push back, Xander’s big ball, Spike’s sobs, and Olaf’s totally unnecessary retcon into godhood. And in the end I try, with mixed success, to broach the potentially uncomfortable topic of Buffy’s final heroic act vs. her growing deathwish. [CW: suicide]   Next: back at last after literally ages, professor and author Elizabeth Rambo joins me to kick off the cheeriest season in the entire run of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. We’ll be discussing 601, “Bargaining (Part 1)” and 602, “Bargaining (Part 2).”  

“Do we suspect that there may be some kind of connection between Ben and Glory?”   Great question, Giles. First time guest Margaret Ann Robbins joins me to answer that and other ponderables. For example, in “Spiral,” is Buffy the Vampire Slayer really just a retelling of Milton’s Paradise Lost? Are the ren faire reject Knights of Byzantium a tonal bridge too far? If killing humans is a no-no, but killing Knights of Byzantium goes unmentioned from now to the end of time, does that kind of answer my previous question? And in “The Weight of the World,” why is it okay for Glory to whine, “Get out, get out, get out!” without catching grief from the fans? Does the Gollum / Sméagol scene between Glory and Ben work? And what if the Key were a velvet Elvis painting?   Next: we’re in the endgame now. Buffy’s world comes tumbling down, literally, in the Season 5 finale. Join me and returning guest Michael Holland as we discuss episode 522, “The Gift.”   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:28:13 00:00:55 - Intro / Guest