Episode 120 – Can You Do Deep Cover?

Episodes discussed: Doctor Who 8×6 The Caretaker and Angel 2×8 The Shroud of Rahmon

The Caretaker

Written by Gareth Roberts & Steven Moffat; Directed by Paul Murphy

The Doctor goes undercover as the caretaker at Clara’s school. Discussion points include:

• Caring vs. taking care
• Can Clara keep this up?
• Looking for trouble
• Danny’s difference from Mickey & Rory
• Clara’s Doctorish perspective
• Soldier and officer

The Shroud of Rahmon

Written by Jim Kouf; Directed by David Grossman

Angel goes undercover in order to foil a plan to steal a dangerous magical shroud. Discussion points include:

• The mystery structure
• Wesley’s interrogation
• Angel does Ocean’s 11
• Friction between Gunn & Angel
• Angel takes control
• What’s the takeaway for Kate?

Next time: Buffy 5×9 Listening to Fear and Doctor Who 8×7 Kill the Moon.

Episode 119 – Tick Frickin’ Tock

Episodes discussed: Buffy 5×8 Shadow and Doctor Who 8×5 Time Heist

Shadow

Written by David Fury; Directed by Daniel Attias

Glory summons a monster to track down the missing Key, and Joyce undergoes some medical tests. Discussion points include:

• Her magnificence Glorificus
• Dawn’s reaction to the snake monster
• Buffy pummels a rubber snake
• The shadow monster
• Riley’s needs and Ben’s insight
• Tara’s growing confidence

Time Heist

Written by Steve Thompson & Steven Moffat; Directed by Douglas Mackinnon

The Doctor and Clara break into the most secure bank in the universe. Discussion points include:

• The basic watchability of Steve Thompson
• Does the plot make sense?
• The Doctor’s cluelessness
• Doctor Who does Ocean’s 11
• Competition over Clara
• “I hate the Architect”

Next time: Doctor Who 8×6 The Caretaker and Angel 2×8 The Shroud of Rahmon.

Episode 118 – Fear Can Make You Kind

Episodes discussed: Doctor Who 8×4 Listen and Angel 2×7 Darla

Listen

Written by Steven Moffat; Directed by Douglas Mackinnon

While Clara attempts to go on a date with Danny Pink, the Doctor becomes obsessed with a particular nightmare. Discussion points include:

• The return of the “Moffat Prestige Piece”
• The audience as silent companions
• Monsters and fear
• Danny & Clara’s awkward first date
• Rupert & Orson
• The Doctor’s origins

Darla

Written and Directed by Tim Minear

Flashbacks reveal Darla’s origin story, crossing over with Spike, Angel, and Drusilla’s. Discussion points include:

• Minear mixes it up
• Darla’s origins
• Angel & Darla, the old married couple
• Recontextualizing the China flashbacks
• Darla’s death/immortality drive
• Can Darla be redeemed?

Next time: Buffy 5×8 Shadow and Doctor Who 8×5 Time Heist.

Episode 117 – History is a Burden

Episodes discussed: Buffy 5×7 Fool for Love and Doctor Who 8×3 Robot of Sherwood

Fool for Love

Written by Douglas Petrie; Directed by Nick Marck

In the effort to discover why Slayers always get killed, Buffy delves into Spike’s surprising backstory. Discussion points include:

• Does Buffy “get off” on slaying?
• Riley gets more cocky and reckless
• The history of the Slayers
• Spike the scorned
• William the Bloody Awful Poet
• Spike’s obsession with Buffy

Robot of Sherwood

Written by Mark Gatiss; Directed by Paul Murphy

When the Doctor asks Clara who she wants to meet most in the world, she asks to meet the legendary Robin Hood. Discussion points include:

• Clara’s hero worship
• No-nonsense schoolteacher Clara
• “Stories can make us fly”
• The Sheriff’s plans to take over THE WORLD!
• No silliness or banter allowed
• Doctor/Robin parallels

Next time: Doctor Who 8×4 Listen and Angel 2×7 Darla.