Episode 60 – Do Yourself a Favor, Don’t Stay

Episodes discussed: Doctor Who 4×16 The Waters of Mars and Angel 1×1 City of…

The Waters of Mars

Written by Russell T. Davies & Phil Ford; Directed by Graeme Harper

The Doctor meets the first human colony on Mars in the near future.  Discussion points include:

• Primary-world Martian stuff and “realism”
• The collision of past and future
• The Flood and the importance of wateriness
• The inspired and inspirational Adelaide Brooke
• Free will or fate? Suicide or self-sacrifice?
• The Time Lord Victorious

Link: Penn’s Sunday School Podcast – Episode 122 – “First Woman on Mars!”

City Of…

Written by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt; Directed by Joss Whedon

Angel begins his new life in LA where he befriends a half-demon, bumps into Cordelia, and tries to rescue a damsel in distress. Discussion points include:

• Visual and tonal darkness
• Angel shows his range
• The Mission Statement: Saving people and being saved
• Doyle the fairytale “donor” and guide
• Subversion with Tina, Winters, and Cordelia
• The all-powerful Wolfram & Hart

Next time: Buffy 4×2 Living Conditions and Doctor Who 4×17 The End of Time: Part 1.

Episode 59 – Petty Larceny Seems So Petty

Episodes discussed: Buffy 4×1 The Freshman and Doctor Who 4×15 Planet of the Dead

The Freshman

Written and Directed by Joss Whedon

Buffy embarks on her most terrifying adventure yet: College.  Discussion points include:

• Season premier trend: Buffy becomes Buffy
• The humor and relatability of going to college
• Newbies: Riley, Kathy & Professor Walsh
• The Red Vip– I mean, Eddie the awkward Freshman
• Sunday and her snobbish and shallow clique
• Off-campus adjustments

Planet of the Dead

Written by Russell T. Davies & Gareth Roberts; Directed by James Strong

While investigating a random wormhole, the Doctor and a bus full of strangers end up on a remote desert planet. Discussion points include:

• Throw-away aliens and setting
• The Doctor sans Companion
• Does Christina deserve rejection?
• “He will knock four times”
• Malcolm and Magambo
• The Doctor’s cameo in The Sarah Jane Adventures

 

Next time: Doctor Who 4×16 The Waters of Mars and Angel 1×1 City of…

Episode 58 – You Were Never Alone

Episodes discussed: Doctor Who 4×14 The Next Doctor, Buffy Season 3 Recap, and the Angel Introduction

The Next Doctor

Written by Russell T. Davies; Directed by Andy Goddard

While enjoying a Victorian Christmas, the Doctor meets what appears to be a future incarnation of himself.  Discussion points include:

• The regeneration tease
• Victoriana and Steampunk
• The pseudo-Doctor Jackson Lake
• Memory, loss, and running
• The Wizard of Oz and the generic companion
• The Doctor is thanked and accepts Christmas dinner

Buffy Season 3 Recap

We take a look back at our favorite episodes and the broader themes of Season 3 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Discussion points include:

• Popular and critical acclaim for Season 3
• Kat and Curt’s favorite episodes
• Season-long mythological arcs and quality
• The Scoobies grow up and graduate into adulthood
• Couples and teamwork
• The Mayor and the minions

Angel Introduction

We give a brief introduction to the Buffy spin-off series Angel. Discussion points include:

• Characters crossing over
• Procedurals and Film Noir
• (Adult) monsters/metaphors of the week
• Showrunners Whedon & Greenwalt
• Alternation

Links:

• Doctor Who Mini-episode “The Music of the Spheres”
• The unaired Angel “Pilot”

Next time: Buffy 4×1 The Freshman and Doctor Who 4×15 Planet of the Dead.

Episode 57 – Today Is about Change

Episodes discussed: Buffy 3×22 Graduation Day: Part 2 and the Doctor Who Series 4 Recap

Graduation Day: Part 2

Written and Directed by Joss Whedon

Buffy and friends come together in the face of two forces of ultimate evil: The Mayor’s Ascension and his commencement speech.  Discussion points include:

• Snake-monsters and journey’s
• Kat begrudgingly admits the Mayor’s affection for Faith
• Forgiving Faith and sharing dreams
• Angel’s weakness and strength
• The student body comes together
• The most awkward kiss ever

Doctor Who Series 4 Recap

We take a look back at our favorite episodes and the broader themes of Series 4 of Doctor Who. Discussion points include:

• Popular and critical acclaim for Series 4
• Kat and Curt’s favorite episodes
• Donna’s growth, regression, and unfulfilled potential
• The themes of memory, cloning, and militarism
• What is the point of the companions?
• Why Donna Noble and Catherine Tate are awesome

Next time: Doctor Who 4×14 The Next Doctor and the Buffy Season 3 Recap.

Link: University Study on Sexism in Doctor Who