Episode 40 – Long Story, Got Hunted

Episodes discussed: Doctor Who 3×11 Utopia and Buffy 3×5 Homecoming

Utopia

Written by Russell T Davies; Directed by Graeme Harper

Captain Jack is back and the TARDIS takes the Doctor and crew all the way to the end of the universe just to shake him off.  Discussion points include:

• Narrative complexity and thematic convergence
• The multifaceted relationship of Jack and the Doctor
• Why is Jack’s immortality wrong (or is it?)
• “No place” and the end of the universe
• Fear of The Master and the Time Lords
• Reconciliation, rejection, and Rose

Homecoming

Written and directed by David Greenwalt

Mr. Trick organizes Slayerfest ’98, driving Buffy and Cordelia in a cabin in the woods on Homecoming night. Discussion Points Include:

• The Cabin Scenario
• Buffy and Cordy’s mutual envy, respect, and competition
• The first annual Slayerfest
• The emphatically ordinary Mayor
• What’s the point of Scott’s dashed hopes?
• Willow and Xander “spin the group dynamic out of orbit”

Next time: Buffy 3×6 Band Candy and Doctor Who 3×12 The Sound of Drums.