Episode 161 – We Don’t Live in Normal Circumstances

Episodes discussed: Angel 3×6 Billy and BSG 2×2 Valley of Darkness

Time Stamps: Angel 00:00-1:05:30; BSG 1:05:30 to the end

Billy

Written by Tim Minear & Jeffrey Bell; Directed by David Grossman

Billy, who Angel set free from imprisonment by The Powers That Be, comes back to cause trouble for Angel’s friends. Discussion points include:

• Billy, the (evil) boy next door
• Powerful family ties
• A darker form of misogyny
• Cordy’s empowerment
• Lilah the battered woman turned hero
• “You just keep laughing”

Valley of Darkness

Written by Bradley Thompson & David Weddle; Directed by Michael Rymer

The Cylons invade the Galactica while the Kobol mission deteriorates. Discussion points includes:

• The CIC’s longest day ever
• Horror in the belly of Galactica
• Billy and Dee’s false starts
• Tigh and Lee’s acknowledgment
• A trip into Starbuck’s past
• Baltar’s dream baby

Next time: BSG 2×3 Fragged and Buffy 6×6 All the Way.

Episode 160 – Completely Without Focus

Episodes discussed: BSG 2×1 Scattered and Buffy 6×5 Life Serial

Time Stamps: BSG 00:00-1:23:15; Buffy 1:28:15 to the end

Scattered

Written by Bradley Thompson & David Weddle; Directed by Michael Rymer

In the aftermath of Adama’s shooting, the BSG loses the rest of the fleet. Discussion points include:

• The oldest 30 year olds ever
• Adama and Tigh’s one-way relationship
• Kelly’s resistance and Gaeta’s ingenuity
• Tigh’s leadership
• #nevertigh
• Incompetent leadership on Kobol

Life Serial

Written by David Fury & Jane Espenson; Directed by Nick Marck

The Trio decide to have a contest to see who can harass Buffy the most effectively. Discussion points includes:

• Buffy’s long-term life goals
• Geeky villains
• Harassment of Buffy
• Stuck in retail hell
• Playing for kittens
• Giles’ uncertain status

Next time: Angel 3×6 Billy and BSG 2×2 Valley of Darkness.

 

Episode 159 – You Haven’t Run Far Enough

Episodes discussed: Angel 3×5 Fredless and the BSG Season 1 Recap

Time Stamps: Angel 00:00-48 mins; BSG 48 mins to the end

Fredless

Written by Mere Smith; Directed by Marita Grabiak

When Fred’s parents come looking for her, she has to make a decision about whether to stay or leave. Discussion points include:

• The Fredisode
• What is Fred’s “thing”?
• Fred’s too normal family
• Running from demons in order to face them
• Lorne’s pity party
• Part of the team

BSG Season 1 Recap

We discuss the broader themes and character development of Season 1 of Battlestar Galactica. Discussion points includes:

• A strong, steady start to the series
• Assembling a good ensemble
• The struggle for survival
• Big picture philosophy
• Humanizing the other
• Satisfying resolution

Next time: BSG 2×1 Scattered and Buffy 6×5 Life Serial.

Episode 158 – I’m Not a Bad Guy

Episodes discussed: BSG 1×13 Kobol’s Last Gleaming: Part 2 and Buffy 6×04 Flooded

Time Stamps: BSG 00:00-1:04:49; Buffy 1:04:49 to the end

Kobol’s Last Gleaming: Part 1

Written by Ronald D. Moore, Story by David Eick; Directed by Michael Rymer

Roslin recruits Starbuck for a mission while the crew of the BSG prepares an attack on a Cylon basestar. Discussion points include:

• Shock and awe in the writing and music
• Tension between Crashdown and Tyrol
• Magic enters the scene
• Convergence at the arrow
• Adama’s coup and Lee’s mutiny
• Boomer’s betrayal

Listen to Bear McCreary’s “Passacaglia” & “The Shape of Things to Come”

Flooded

Written by Douglas Petrie & Jane Espenson; Directed by Douglas Petrie

When Buffy’s basement floods she’s confronted with her financial obligations. Discussion points includes:

• Transitioning into adulthood
• Buffy’s financial woes
• Jonathan still doesn’t get it
• The Geek Trio
• Getting warmer with Spike
• Giles dresses down Willow

Next time: Angel 3×5 Fredless and the BSG Season 1 Recap.