Episode 72 – Not Really the Marrying Kind

Episodes discussed: Doctor Who 5×10 Vincent and the Doctor and Angel 1×7 The Bachelor Party

Vincent and the Doctor

Written by Richard Curtis; Directed by Jonny Campbell

The Doctor and Amy spend an emotional couple of days with Vincent Van Gogh. Discussion points include:

• Richard Curtis and the real Van Gogh
• Subtle Rory subtext
• Avoidance or convalescence?
• Vincent’s artistry and depression
• Amy and Vincent’s connection
• The Doctor’s realism

The Bachelor Party

Written by Tracey Stern; Directed by David Straiton

Things get wacky and kinda sad when Doyle’s surprise ex makes a surprise appearance. Discussion points include:

• Doyle’s wholesome upbringing
• The tragic, failed marriage
• Delayed Cordy/Doyle gratification
• Is this episode funny or sad?
• The hilariously integrated demon family
• Cordy reaches out to Doyle

Next time: Buffy 1×8 Pangs and Doctor Who 5×11 The Lodger.

Episode 71 – There’s Always a Military, Isn’t There?

Episodes discussed: Buffy 4×7 The Initiative and Doctor Who 5×9 Cold Blood

The Initiative

Written by Douglas Petrie; Directed by James A. Contner

Spike finds himself a prisoner in a lab while Riley starts to pursue a relationship with Buffy. Discussion points include:

• The Initiative: cruel or kind?
• Walsh, Riley, and the undercover gang
• More Spike! (and James Marsters)
• Sexual innuendos with Spike and Willow
• Poor battered Harmony
• Riley courts Buffy

Cold Blood

Written by Chris Chibnall; Directed by Ashley Way

The Doctor and Nasreen investigate the Silurian civilization while Rory and the others try to keep their hostage safe. Discussion points include:

• The voice-over frame
• An uncertain future
• Rory’s death and erasure
• TARDIS shrapnel
• Rewritten memories
• Silurian/Human diplomacy

Next time: Doctor Who 5×10 Vincent and the Doctor and Angel 1×7 The Bachelor Party.

Episode 70 – I Feel You Judge Me

Episodes discussed: Doctor Who 5×8 The Hungry Earth and Angel 1×6 Sense and Sensitivity

The Hungry Earth

Written by Chris Chibnall; Directed by Ashley Way

The Doctor, Amy, and Rory visit a Welsh mining community in the near future where something is burrowing towards the surface of the Earth. Discussion points include:

• Separation anxiety
• Rings and future selves
• “A young man assembled by old men from memory”
• Not-scared kids
• The sympathetic Silurians
• Graves and claustrophobia

Sense and Sensitivity

Written by Tim Minear; Directed by James A. Contner

Kate and her fellow police officers undergo some intense sensitivity training. Discussion points include:

• Tim Minear enters the Whedonverse
• Cops with feelings
• Emotionally damaged and repressed Kate
• “I always have pensive face”
• “No hugging, no crying, no learning”
• Tony Soprano and Wolfram & Hart

Next time: Buffy 4×7 The Initiative and Doctor Who 5×9 Cold Blood.

Episode 69 – Bad Dream I Guess

Episodes discussed: Buffy 4×6 Wild at Heart and Doctor Who 5×7 Amy’s Choice

Wild at Heart

Written by Marti Noxon; Directed by David Grossman

Oz grows closer with Veruca, changing his relationship with Willow forever. Discussion points include:

• Farewell, Seth Green
• Seductive Veruca
• Rape, consent, and cheating
• Oz’s denial and betrayal
• Old injuries resurface
• Riley’s niceness, Spike’s ineffectiveness, and Giles’ boredom

Amy’s Choice

Written by Simon Nye; Directed by Catherine Morshead

The Doctor, Amy, and Rory are trapped trying to distinguish between dream and reality. Discussion points include:

• Dreams and reality
• The Doctor’s subconscious
• Has Amy really chosen?
• False dichotomies
• Conflict in the Doctor
• Amy’s suicide

Next time: Doctor Who 5×8 The Hungry Earth and Angel 1×6 Sense and Sensitivity.