Buffering the Vampire Slayer - podcast cover

Buffering the Vampire Slayer

Buffering: A Rewatch Adventurewww.bufferingcast.com
Hosts Kristin Russo & Jenny Owen Youngs are heading back into the Buffyverse for Buffering the Vampire Slayer: Once More, With Spoilers! After a critically-acclaimed, spoiler-free watch of the series from 2016-2022, your hosts are returning to the Hellmouth to discuss all 144 episodes of Buffy for a second time, but this go-round *with* spoilers — a never-before-attempted feat of love and chaos! Buffering the Vampire Slayer is part of the Buffering: A Rewatch Adventure network of podcasts.

Episodes

0.39 Unbury Your Gays

As a part of a four-episode series surrounding 6.19 Seeing Red, Kristin curated a conversation with Emma O'Sullivan — a former Kitten Board member who met her wife on the Willow & Tara boards in the early aughts — and Jen Malkowski, our very favorite "scholar of death," who also happened to be hanging out on The Kitten Board when the show aired. This conversation is both its own capturing of queer history and also a more comprehensive look at the importance of queer representation, the impact of...

Oct 13, 20211 hr 21 min

6.22 Grave

We are heading out of the grave and into the light, dearest scoobies — it is the end, the end of Season Six! WE MADE IT!!!! Dark Willow did not destroy the world, Giles did not die (but did smolder), Dawn efficiently fought off the lobster tree demons alongside her big sister slayer just like she always wanted, Spike, um, well... also got what he (maybe?) wanted?? Hard to really SAY, but we have a lot of feelings as you'd expect and we are so incredibly grateful to have had your company in a sea...

Sep 15, 20212 hr 58 min

Angel On Top — 3x22 Tomorrow

It's the season finale, scoobies!!! We've got a whole entire family feud up at the top to kick us off into Angel's S3E22: Tomorrow — and don't you worry because Justine is also here, along with her new... theme song? ... to let us know that despite Angel being at the bottom of the sea and Cordy being up in the sky, we still have true hope here on earth complete with wallet chains and chunky boots. Use the links below to follow us on social media as we will be updating our feed before we return w...

Sep 14, 20212 hr 40 min

6.21 Two To Go

Oh mannnnnnn Dark Willow needs to kick every square inch of Buffy's ass and is also driving a truck by standing on top of it and is also making cops take naps and by the way did you know she also has some shit to do with Rack and *also* she would like to do an impression of Dawn whining?!?! A busy day. It is S6E21: Two To Go.Oh, and one more thing? Daddy's home.+++ LOCATE YOUR HOSTS UPON THE INTERNET Jenny Owen Youngs: @jennyowenyoungs; jennyowenyoungs.comKristin Russo: @kristinnoeline; kristinn...

Sep 08, 20211 hr 18 min

Angel On Top — 3x21 Benediction

Hello, Scoobies. Naturally, Angel Season 3 continues its focus on fathers and sons (sons and fathers) with "Benediction," an episode where our heroes really need a nice, hot shower. But you know what this episode also continues? The season's focus on its breakout character: JUSTINE. (Pause for applause.) So join your hosts LaToya Ferguson and Morgan Lutich (AKA the Cordelia and Fred of the Bufferingverse, AKA the Gunn Squad, and so much more) as they continue to talk good and/or bad parenting, H...

Sep 01, 20211 hr 26 min

6.20 Villains

She owes you! She owes you paaaain! Whewwwww, that's right scoobies: Willow has gone and smooshed her vengeance seeking hands into *all* of the dark magic books and slurped up so much dark magic that her hair and eyes have turned black and her voice got an octave lower. This is not a drill! Dark Willow is here and she doesn't need anyone's help because she is going to avenge the death of Tara and, according to her... "she's not coming back." It's Season 6 Episode 20: Villains and we are IN IT NO...

Aug 25, 20212 hr 44 min

Angel On Top — 3x20 A New World

Slow motion. Questionable CGI. Whatever the plural of "chamois" (which is NOT spelled "shammy") is. Consider it what to expect when you're expecting "A New World." (That's the Angel episode title there, Scoobies.) Join your hosts LaToya Ferguson and Morgan Lutich (AKA the Cordelia and Fred of the Bufferingverse, AKA the Gunn Squad, and so much more) as they attempt to talk good and/or bad parenting, Connor Angel Stephen Holtz's whole deal, and yes, how hot Wesley is in this episode.LOCATE YOUR H...

Aug 18, 20211 hr 28 min

0.38: A Conversation with Amber Benson

Amber Benson is here with us, in conversation with Kristin & Jenny, and we could not be more overjoyed!!!! We talk about witchcraft, memories from the set of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the impact of queer characters on television, the beauty and power of the Buffy fandom, and even that time that Amber thought no one noticed her dancing into a pole in Once More, With Feeling... The biggest of all thank yous to Amber for spending time with us this week, and for everything she has done and continues...

Aug 12, 20211 hr 20 min

6.19 Seeing Red

Seeing Red is here, whether we want it to be or not! This is one of FOUR episodes we produced and recorded to cover the episode as responsibly as possible. Making space for nuanced conversation on both the bathroom scene (a link to our episode with Jess Clark is below) and the Bury Your Gays trope (episode airing tomorrow on Patreon!) means that here, today, we get some space to have fun with Anya's hatred of men, fish metaphors, Andrew's pina colada, and Kristin singing Jenny's own songs at Jen...

Aug 11, 20212 hr 49 min

Angel On Top — 3x19 The Price

Now, we're not sure if you've heard, but there is always a price to using dark magics. That's a lesson our foes over on Buffering the Vampire Slayer learned earlier this season (with "After Life"), and it's a lesson we're all learning this week on Angel on Top (with "The Price"). So prepare to have an answer to the inevitable "Who Wore It Better?"-esque question when it comes to talk of all things thaumogenesis, Scoobies. And join your hosts LaToya Ferguson and Morgan Lutich (AKA the Cordelia an...

Jul 28, 20211 hr 27 min

6.18 Entropy

If Spike and Anya doing it on the Magic Box table wasn't enough for you (Giles would be scandalized!), then how about Ira Madison III here in-episode with us talking about all of his hottest takes on Season 6?? One thing we all agree on: Xander, shut the f*ck up. +++ LOCATE YOUR HOSTS UPON THE INTERNET Jenny Owen Youngs: @jennyowenyoungs; jennyowenyoungs.com Kristin Russo: @kristinnoeline; kristinnoeline.com Buffering the Vampire Slayer: @bufferingcast on twitter, facebook, and instagram Learn m...

Jul 21, 20212 hr 40 min

Angel On Top — 3x18 Double or Nothing

Scoobies, a question: Is "Double or Nothing" a fun episode of Angel or is it quite a sad episode of Angel? Depending on who you ask during this episode of Angel on Top—and possibly despite the iconic Coolio needle drop—the answer might surprise you. Join your hosts LaToya Ferguson and Morgan Lutich (AKA the Cordelia and Fred of the Bufferingverse, AKA Bones and Also Bones, AKA the Gunn Squad, AKA Theodore K. Mullins and Frank Scabopolis, and so much more) as they attempt to answer this very diff...

Jul 14, 20211 hr 22 min

6.17 Normal Again

The bells of hell stopped ringing just long enough for three asshole men to gaslight Buffy (AND US?!) into doubting her own reality! How cool. How sweet. How lovely. HOW CHARMING. Fuck everyone, because yeah it's S6E17: Normal Again and we are pissed. Oh, also, we play a game where we guess all of the groceries that Spike is carrying in his brown paper bag, because we care about you! And hey, if you care about US, go on over and take this short survey to let us know your hopes and dreams for the...

Jul 08, 20212 hr 34 min

0.37 Normalizing Harmful Shit, Again: Talking Mental Health + Pop Culture

Sarah Duncan, a Pop Culture Scholar, Multidisciplinary Artist & Cultural Worker, is here in conversation with Kristin & Alba — we are talking about the harmful mental health tropes found in Buffy's Normal Again, how common they are across pop culture, and how harmful and dangerous those tropes have been and continue to be!Kristin & Jenny will be here with your episodic conversation on S6E17: Normal Again tomorrow!+++ July is Disability Pride Month!Please, if you are able, donate to Students With...

Jul 07, 20212 hr 33 min

Angel On Top — 3x17 Forgiving

Scoobies, a wise woman once said: "Forgiveness... is more than saying sorry. Forgiveness... means accepting people's flaws." And that is a lesson that the "Dark Avenger" himself must learn in a little episode called "Forgiving." Now, does Angel actually learn that lesson? Join your hosts LaToya Ferguson and Morgan Lutich (AKA the Cordelia and Fred of the Bufferingverse, AKA Bones and Also Bones, AKA the Gunn Squad, AKA Theodore K. Mullins and Frank Scabopolis, and so much more) to find out. We p...

Jun 30, 20211 hr 9 min

6.16 Hells Bells

Okay. Well. In today's episode — S6E16: Hell's Bells — Spike has brought a date to Xander and Anya's wedding (a date, did you know, it is a date) but only cares about Buffy's happiness, Dawn has met a cute demon teen, Clem looks absolutely excellent in his suit, Tara and Willow can't stop giggling, and Buffy is really good at juggling (less skilled at charades). Also in today's episode, Xander's family is a living nightmare worse than any demon we've yet seen, and Xander's lived history of traum...

Jun 23, 20212 hr 41 min

Angel On Top — 3x16 Sleep Tight

Look, Scoobies... We promised you that things would never get bad on Angel and that we'd always be happy here on Angel on Top, and... Well, hey—we're still doing better than our nemeses over at Buffering the Vampire Slayer right now, right? Right. So just "Sleep Tight," because we'll get through this particular emotional hurdle together. (Do you like how I used the episode title in context like that?) Sure, Angel might not get over losing his son to Holtz and a Hell dimension, and Wesley might n...

Jun 16, 20211 hr 5 min

6.15 As You Were

In our last live-taping of the season, Captain Can-Do is BACK and he has a SCAR and he wears GLOVES and a LEATHER VEST and he has a WIFE named Sam and we LOVE HER. Listen, this is the one where Riley comes back to town to find some demon eggs, Buffy is horny for anyone with or without a pulse, and we ruminate on the temperature of vampire penises? You're incredibly welcome, and yes it is S6E15: As You Were. Link to the LIVEJOURNAL article that blows the lid right off of this episode, thank you t...

Jun 09, 20212 hr 43 min

Angel On Top — 3x15 Loyalty

Remember Holtz and Justine? Well, they're back. Please don't hold that against the episode, because it's otherwise pretty great — just like Mr. Dad! Join your hosts (a couple of goofs) LaToya Ferguson and Morgan Lutich (AKA the Cordelia and Fred of the Bufferingverse, AKA Bones and Also Bones, AKA the Gunn Squad, AKA Theodore K. Mullins and Frank Scabopolis, and so much more) as they discuss "Loyalty," an episode about, you guessed it: loyalty. And that pesky Nyazian prophecy. (And how "terrible...

Jun 02, 20211 hr 23 min

6.14 Older and Far Away

Ah, it's the annual tradition of marking the birth of Buffy Summers with interdimensional chaos! Halfrek has capitalized on Dawn's wish to keep everyone inside the house, Anya is hoisting a red-shirted boy into the mix (lookout, buddy), there's a demon who uses his sword like a Polly Pocket, Spike has too many muscle cramps to count, and WE LOVE SOPHIE. Yes, that's right — it's S6E14: Older and Far Away.+++ LOCATE YOUR HOSTS UPON THE INTERNET Jenny Owen Youngs: @jennyowenyoungs; jennyowenyoungs....

May 26, 20212 hr 36 min

Angel On Top — 3x14 Couplet

Scoobies, our friends at Angel Investigations are coupling up. Well, some of them are. (Sorry, Angel and Wesley. And Lorne too, though he doesn't seem to have any major issues with it.) Join your hosts (a couple of goofs) LaToya Ferguson and Morgan Lutich (AKA the Cordelia and Fred of the Bufferingverse, AKA Bones and Also Bones, AKA the Gunn Squad, AKA Theodore K. Mullins and Frank Scabopolis, and so much more) as they discuss "Couplet," an episode about love (both unrequited and requited), tec...

May 19, 20212 hr 42 min

6.13 Dead Things

If only we could go back in time and be held by the sweet embrace of robot boyfriends, demons on the internet, snake mayors, and bad eggs. Alas, we are here together in Season 6, and today we are discussing Episode 13: Dead Things. Somehow, despite the heaviness of the episode itself, we find ourselves having a LOT to say about one Fatih Lehane, ranting on middle parts and Gen Z, and delighted in sheer horror at what has been done to Buffy's green t-shirt. Join us, we shall journey forth togethe...

May 12, 20212 hr 38 min

Angel On Top — 3x13 Waiting in the Wings

Scoobies, the wait is finally over, and it is time for "Waiting in the Wings." That's right, the gang at Angel Investigations is stepping (and tripping) out — and The WB circa 2002 is absolutely buzzing about it. As are your hosts, LaToya Ferguson and Morgan Lutich (AKA the Cordelia and Fred of the Bufferingverse, AKA Bones and Also Bones, AKA the Gunn Squad, AKA Theodore K. Mullins and Frank Scabopolis, and so much more), who just can't get enough of "Giselle." (Psst. That's the ballet they see...

May 05, 20212 hr 36 min

6.12 Doublemeat Palace

Beef-flavored vegetables, dumpster sex, and a penis monster surprise can only mean one thing: we have arrived at S6E12: Doublemeat Palace! Please join us for conversation on the fast food industry, our deep love of Halfrek, Spike's fucking OUTFIT, and why the fuck the Slayer is not a paid position (rant #48656332). LOCATE YOUR HOSTS UPON THE INTERNET Jenny Owen Youngs: @jennyowenyoungs; jennyowenyoungs.comKristin Russo: @kristinnoeline; kristinnoeline.comBuffering the Vampire Slayer: @bufferingc...

Apr 28, 20212 hr 33 min

0.36 Clare Kramer + Fanaddicts!

We hung out with the always-wonderful and, of course, splendiferous Clare Kramer! We had so much dang fun talking to her about her new podcast, Fanaddicts (which launches today!), that we decided to put the entire conversation right here in the main feed. A little extra joy for your week, Scoobies! We talk about Jenny's deep knowledge on the mating rituals of stoats, Kristin's newfound-love-of-plumbing, Clare's penchant for using Sharpie on her children's arms, and we review our astrological cha...

Apr 22, 202138 min

Angel On Top — 3x12 Provider

Scoobies, we have been waiting all season, and finally, it is here: Angel Investigations has a paid case. Multiple paid cases, even!' Which is really good news right now, because Daddy Angel has mouths to feed. Join your hosts LaToya Ferguson and Morgan Lutich (AKA the Cordelia and Fred of the Bufferingverse, AKA Bones and Also Bones, AKA the Gunn Squad, AKA Theodore K. Mullins and Frank Scabopolis, and so much more) as they discuss "Provider" (AKA "Provider: Daddies All Around"), an episode tha...

Apr 21, 20211 hr 22 min

0.35: Willow + The Use of Magic

In today's episode we have a more in-depth conversation with Natalie Muskin-Press, taking a deeper look at Willow’s arc with her use of magic in this season. Natalie is a Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor who has been working in Higher Education for the last 10 years. Prior to that she spent 3 years working in the community providing Intensive OutPatient Treatment to adults and adolescents and running a residential Recovery Home for women. Her work centers on harm reduction with a focus on ...

Apr 15, 20211 hr 12 min

6.11 Gone

A trio of ding-dong boys accidentally turn Buffy invisible but then because they cannot stop yapping they wind up defeated anyway! TYPICAL. We also have Pylon Pudding, dial up internet at the E-Pump, Invisible Ear Lobe Nibbling, Doris the Social Worker and Magic Weed. It is Season 6 Episode 11: Gone! LOCATE YOUR HOSTS UPON THE INTERNET Jenny Owen Youngs: @jennyowenyoungs; jennyowenyoungs.comKristin Russo: @kristinnoeline; kristinnoeline.comBuffering the Vampire Slayer: @bufferingcast on twitter,...

Apr 14, 20212 hr 30 min

Angel On Top — 3x11 Birthday

'Allo, Scoobies! This is a special episode of Angel, innit? (Okay, that was for all the Tammy fans.) That's right, we have finally approached "Birthday" in our viewing schedule. Wait, whose birthday? Cordelia Chase's, of course! So, baby — stay awhile. Especially since this episode is one of your Angel on Top hosts' favorite episodes of Angel. Join said hosts LaToya Ferguson and Morgan Lutich (AKA the Cordelia and Fred of the Bufferingverse, AKA Bones and Also Bones, AKA the Gunn Squad, AKA Theo...

Apr 07, 20211 hr 19 min

6.10 Wrecked

In this episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, everyone gathers at the local pool to go swimming and talk about their feelings while sipping on ice cold Coca-Cola! Just kidding! This is the one where we meet Rack and strive to untangle the realities of destructive responses to trauma from problematic tropes attached to substance misuse, the one where Buffy re-dons her post-coital pleather skirt to storm off the set of 1080p HGTV, and the one where Dawn lands an amazing kick to the demon we've name...

Mar 31, 20211 hr 29 min