Episode 109 – A Bad Influence on Himself

Episodes discussed: Buffy 5×3 The Replacement and Doctor Who 7×13 The Name of the Doctor

The Replacement

Written by Jane Espenson; Directed by James A. Contner

A spell gone wrong creates a Xander doppelganger, splitting into (supposed) strengths and weaknesses. Discussion points include:

• The twin dilemma
• Scaredy!Xander & Smooth!Xander
• Xander fights for Anya
• Anya’s awareness of mortality
• Riley’s unrequited(?) feelings
• Spike’s Buffy doll

The Name of the Doctor

Written by Steven Moffat; Directed by Saul Metzstein

When the Paternoster Gang are kidnapped, the Doctor must face Trenzalore to rescue them. Discussion points include:

• The nursery rhyming Whisper Men
• Seeing the effects on the Paternoster Gang
• Clara meets River
• The funereal tone
• The John Hurt Doctor
• Clara becomes the Impossible Girl

Next time: Doctor Who Series 7 Recap and Angel 2×3 First Impressions.

Episode 108 – Fear Makes People Do Stupid Things

Episodes discussed: Doctor Who 7×12 Nightmare in Silver and Angel 2×2 Are You Now or Have You Ever Been

Nightmare in Silver

Written by Neil Gaiman; Directed by Stephen Woolfenden

The Doctor and Clara take the kids for a day of fun and terror at Webley’s World of Wonders. Discussion points include:

• The deadly yet whimsical tone
• Making the Cybermen scary again
• Bringing the kids along
• “The poor blighter who had to press the button”
• The Doctor’s ignoble victory
• Clara is the boss

Kat’s Note: I would like to apologize for the frankly ridiculous factual error: Warwick Davis was not in Time Bandits. I don’t know why I thought that. But it’s still a great movie. Go see it.

Are You Now or Have You Ever Been

Written by Tim Minear; Directed by David Semel

Angel remembers his life in the 1950’s when he lived in a Hollywood hotel full of paranoid guests. Discussion points include:

• Backstory and non-linear structure
• Angel’s solitary life
• Prejudice and paranoia
• The haunted hotel
• Angel makes and breaks a connection
• Mounting hysteria and missed redemption

Next time: Buffy 5×3 The Replacement and Doctor Who 7×13 The Name of the Doctor.

Episode 107 – That Girl… You Haven’t Explained

Episodes discussed: Buffy 5×2 Real Me and Doctor Who 7×11 The Crimson Horror

Real Me

Written by David Fury; Directed by David Grossman

Dawn laments the fact that no one understands her to her journal. Discussion points include:

• Dawn’s metafictional introduction
• Is Dawn likeable? Does she need to be?
• Dawn’s maturity level
• Buffy’s increased work ethic
• Giles buys the magic shop
• Anya’s cluelessness, Tara’s compassion & Harmony’s minions

The Crimson Horror

Written by Mark Gatiss; Directed by Saul Metzstein

The Paternoster Gang investigate a series of gruesome deaths in Victorian York. Discussion points include:

• Bi-polar Victoriana
• Penny Dreadfuls
• The nutty Mrs. Gillyflower & Mr. Sweet
• Ada and her special monster
• Jenny takes the lead
• The non-explanation

Next time: Doctor Who 7×12 Nightmare in Silver and Angel 2×2 Are You Now or Have You Ever Been.

Episode 106 – Isn’t This the Well-Oiled Machine?

Episodes discussed: Doctor Who 7×10 Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS and Angel 2×1 Judgment

Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS

Written by Steve Thompson; Directed by Mat King

When the TARDIS gets broken, the Doctor ventures into its depths to rescue Clara. Discussion points include:

• The Eye of Harmony
• The miscast supporting cast
• Clara’s relationship with the TARDIS
• The Doctor’s weasely behavior
• The library, the book, and the name
• Open-ended questions

Judgment

Written by David Greenwalt (Story by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt); Directed by Michael Lange

Things go awry when Angel misinterprets one of Cordelia’s visions. Discussion points include:

• The merciful & charismatic Host
• Has the team become too cocky?
• Angel lets his guard down
• “Angel: the vampire with soul”
• New commitment from Wes & Cordy
• Darla & Faith

Next time: Buffy 5×2 Real Me and Doctor Who 7×11 The Crimson Horror.