“It's the end of the world. Everyone dies. It's rather important, really.” Penny, Kara, Sam, and Steve dive into this nostalgic episode where the Scoobies go back to high school. The discussion starts with the Y2K phenomenon and winds through the episode, touching on Spike’s chemistry with everyone, Giles’s failings, Forrest’s jealousy, mansplaining, dorm hygiene, the horrifying prospect of naked limbo, Supernatural, and The Boys. Next time we’ll be talking about Angel, Season 1, Episode 11, “So...
Aug 01, 2025•1 hr 56 min
“Blues wasn't forced on us like that religion. Nah, son, we brought that with us from home. It's magic what we do. It's sacred... and big.” Penny, Sam, Kara and Jason revel in the artistic and box office success of Ryan Coogler’s genre defying tale of family, fellowship, music, and freedom. The discussion ranges from the serious to the silly, with stops along the way for auteur theory, sports metaphors, representation, all art is political, zombie movies, sundown towns, the Tulsa Massacre/Black ...
Jul 26, 2025•2 hr 42 min
“Can't even shout, can't even cry / The gentlemen are coming by / Looking in windows, knocking on doors / They need to take seven and they might take yours / Can't call to mom, Can't say a word / You're gonna die a-screaming but you won't be heard.” Penny, Sam and Jim dive deep for this iconic and critically acclaimed episode about communication. Things get political, but the trio also find plenty of time for fun and monster appreciation. Topics include pet communication, the evolution of human ...
Jul 16, 2025•3 hr 10 min
“This is the crack team that foils my every plan? I am deeply shamed.” Dodie returns and she, Penny, and Sam have a lot of fun with this lighter episode. Of course, they veer into some tangents, including Mars lander errors, the allure of bad boys, the historical origin of picnics, the emotional pitfalls of adolescence, grief and healing, the practical aspects of chaining up a vampire in your home, age differences in relationships, veterans benefits, vampires on fictional vampires, Mystery Scien...
Jul 09, 2025•2 hr 27 min
"I'm gonna thrash you within an inch of your life. And then I'm gonna take that inch!" Penny, and Sam are joined by Becky to mourn the passing of Doyle, celebrate the arrival of Wesley and talk about the political metaphor of The Scourge. The tangents are many, including Sam’s prankishness (challenge accepted), fascism, the patriarchy, House of the Dragon, nonprofit brooding, addiction, Colin Robinson and “What We Do In The Shadows,” celebrity sightings, Ed McMahon Next time, we’ll be covering B...
Jul 02, 2025•2 hr 36 min
“Batten down the hatches. Here comes Hurricane Buffy.” Penny, Kara and Sam are joined by Dodie this week to find the light in the sadness of this iconic crossover episode. The four find plenty to laugh about, including fashion, clocks, Lois Lane, alternate universes, free will, snail mail, the butterfly effect, time loop stories, regret, quippy dialogue on other shows, sewers, possible career paths for Angel, and pure speculation about the reboot. Next time, we’ll be covering Angel Season 1, Epi...
Jun 25, 2025•2 hr 8 min
“ Over bickering and confusion, I'll take pie. ” The Slay Squad returns from hiatus with a double episode - Sam, Kara and Penny dig into this pair of episodes that each address the cultural clashes in very different contexts. The trio digress for some tangents as usual, like parental advice not to take drugs from a stranger, boring dates, general appreciation for the men of Angel, Rachel Dolezal, vampire eyesight, Aragorn, symbolic cannibalism, patriarchy (as always), Dickensian orphanhood, vamp...
Jun 18, 2025•3 hr 14 min
“ I've seen honest faces before. They usually come attached to liars.” Penny, Kara and Sam have almost too much fun discussing this pivotal episode where secrets are revealed, hair is pulled and everyone talks about cheese. The trio indulge in many tangents, including international travel, dating strategies, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, clumsiness, rape culture, Matilda, fashion trials and tribulations, character likeability, shoes in bed, and how Kara’s cat doesn’t like it when she swears. We’...
Apr 02, 2025•2 hr 15 min
“ My whole life... I've never loved anything else. ” Nobody’s favorite episode, but absolutely critical to plot and character development. Penny and Kara dig into the heartbreak of it all, while still finding plenty of time for 90s nostalgia and tangent topics like toothpaste flavors, “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari,” lust, dating options for Giles, the puzzling allure of “Entourage,” daughters of Presidents, intimacy coordinators, identity as a concept, plantar warts, and of course, the patriarchy...
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr 59 min
Content Warning: discussion of police brutality, acts of violence, and racism “No, I don't think 'urgh' is the magic word, if one would *call* it a word. And even then it's certainly not a magic one." The Scooby Duo rip into this episode that plays police brutality and sensitivity training for laughs. Kara’s background as a prosecutor really comes in handy illuminating some of the realities of the criminal justice system. The wide ranging tangents include: infomercials, Mad Men, Nickelodeon Slim...
Mar 09, 2025•1 hr 56 min
Content Warning: discussion of domestic abuse and abusive relationships. “The man doesn’t have a mirror. Like it would kill him to not see himself?” Penny, Sam and returning guest Becky go deeper than they anticipated about this relatively lighthearted Cordelia-focused episode about the difficulties of finding an affordable unhaunted apartment in Los Angeles. The trio cover a range of topics, as usual, such as classified ads in newspapers, the history of the word “Bitch,” the demon economy, demo...
Mar 01, 2025•2 hr 17 min
“ Giles, don't make Cave-Slayer unhappy. ” The Scooby Duo is back and revels in this silly episode, with topics ranging from running into exes, the evolutionary purpose of beauty, elitism, Xander’s Hogwarts house, Freudian psychology, consent, Wedding Crashers, Xander’s best moments, aspirational hair, nasty cocktails, and reboot news. Next time, we’ll be covering Angel, Season 1, Episode 5, “Rm w/a Vu.” Keep Slaying! News Links/Referenced Links Original Trailer/WB Promo: Buffy “Beer Bad” Origin...
Feb 19, 2025•2 hr 10 min
“ Oh, yeah? Well... so's your face! ” Things are a bit lighter this week for the Slay Squad as they accompany the scoobies to a Frat House Halloween Party. This is Sunnydale, so the party is upended by an accidentally invited demon. Penny and Kara power through some tech problems to discuss the spooky antics of Gachnar. The conversation topics include Fight Club, the Yankees, confidence, cultural appropriation, the lack of diversity in Sunnydale, sidekicks, Halloween, and fear, fear and more fea...
Feb 07, 2025•2 hr 20 min
Content Warning: Discussion of torture and violence against women in many forms, including sexual violence, stalking, dometic and intimate partner violence and rape culture. “I don't know about you, but I had a nice day. You know, except for the bulk of it where I was nearly tortured to death.” Slay Squad is doubling down on the quest for redemption this week and covering two episodes at once. Penny and Sam dig into these dark stories of violence with as much good cheer as possible, enjoying the...
Jan 27, 2025•3 hr 9 min
“ Fabric Softener” The Slay Squad starts off in the 90s discussing international gains for democracy and colonization then dive into the confusion of dating when you’re young… and when you’re old. Kara, Penny and Sam offer the wisdom of their own experiences and admit to each having fallen for their own Parker. The discussion also covers the fashion, red sheets, unwanted touching, toenails, pool, vampire rules, toxic relationships, Veronica Mars, door locks, Florida, child actors, angry puppies,...
Jan 15, 2025•2 hr 22 min
Angel: “It’ll be out there. It’s got to keep trying to make a connection.” Cordelia: “Why?” Angel: “Because that’s what lonely people do.” Kara, Sam and Penny dive headfirst into the dating scene in 1999 Los Angeles, swapping war stories from the the trials, tribulations and dangers of dating. The trio’s conversation meanders through the episode and hits on tropes of Film Noir, pick-up lines, LGBTQ+ representation, The 100, Sex Education, Heartstopper, Squid Games, The Walking Dead, Agatha All A...
Jan 08, 2025•2 hr 36 min
“ Kathy's evil. I'm an evil fighter. It's simple. I'm gonna have to kill her.” Sam joins the podcast and the trio dive head first into dorm life at UC Sunnydale. The conversation wanders through a series of topics, including gum, Cape Cod, coastal Maine and lighthouses, neurodivergent demons, aggressive milk-drinking, that Peloton commercial, the Boston Museum of Bad Art (link below), romantic gestures, NYC subways, New Orleans, Swifties, reboots, payphones, predators, aliens, and evil toenails....
Jan 03, 2025•2 hr 27 min
“I don't wanna share my feelings. I don't wanna open up. I wanna find the guy who killed Tina, and I wanna look him in the eye. Then I'm gonna share my feelings.” Angel arrives in Los Angeles seeking redemption for his past sins, determined to help those in need. He rescues a woman named Buffy from a group of demons, showcasing his abilities and commitment to fighting evil. Angel meets Cordelia Chase, a former Sunnydale High student now struggling in LA, who reluctantly offers him assistance. Do...
Jan 02, 2025•1 hr 54 min
“I’m nice to meet.” The Scooby Duo are back and happy to be diving into the fourth season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer with “The Freshman.” We accompany Buffy through her first few days at UC Sunnydale, buying overpriced textbooks, signing up for classes, being intimidated by mean professors and annoyed by a perky roommate, and Sunday. Penny and Kara are back to their tangents like not a day has passed, including: use of cell phones in movie theaters, M. Night Shyamalan, doping in baseball, antit...
Dec 18, 2024•2 hr 4 min
“Awesome, oh wow! Like, totally freak me out! I mean, right on! ” Becky joins the Scooby Duo to dig into this competitive cheerleading film from 2000. The three touch on topics from submarine safety, Vivarin, redheads, diet culture, 2000s fashion, homophobia, the need for more of the Clovers, aging, self-image, antitrust and business ethics, superstitions, libraries, spirit fingers, and of course, cultural appropriation, white feminism and the patriarchy. Next time, we’ll be covering Season 4, E...
Dec 04, 2024•2 hr 26 min
“Congratulations to the class of 1999. You all proved more or less adequate. This is a time of celebration, so sit still and be quiet.” After numerous delays, Penny, Kara and Sam finally managed to get together to talk about this epic Season 3 finale. The trio dive deep into celebrity deaths, music festivals, pay phones, doctors of Sunnydale, collect calls, the neuroscience of pain and pleasure, HIPAA, dream logistics, our dreams for a 2024 version of Buffy, Muppet Babies, The 100 (again), Fear ...
Aug 21, 2024•2 hr 32 min•Ep. 36
“Orders? I don’t think I’m going to be taking any more orders.” Welcome back, Sam! The trio gets into it about late 90s culture, yearbooks, gum, optimism and pessimism, that pink dress, the leather pants, the Mayor as father figure, The 100, changes in representation for queer characters on TV, tropes, mansplaining, sass, toxic workplaces, graduations, tanning, high school dances and hamster happiness. A wicked good time was had by all! Check out our Facebook page for the hosts’ graduation pictu...
Jul 31, 2024•2 hr 24 min•Ep. 35
“The great thing about being a Slayer, kicking ass is comfort food.” Penny and Kara parse the big events of the episode as well as talking about the Backstreet Boys, The Greatest Generation, age differences in romantic relationships, prom fashion, prom music, Buffy’s fatalism, Joyce appreciation, word games, break-ups, Jonathan, Buffyverse tattoos, and personal prom stories. Check out our Facebook page for the hosts’ prom pictures! And send in your graduation pics! Next time, we’ll be covering S...
Jul 12, 2024•2 hr 26 min•Ep. 34
"I know it's complicated. I'm aware that my graduation may be, among other things, posthumous. But what if I stop the Ascension. What if I capture Faith?" Back after our hiatus and really excited to discuss the final episodes of BTVS Season 3. With Choices, Kara and Penny get into it about Kerouac, the college selection process, core trauma, how much Wesley should shut up, Cordelia’s senioritis, the multiverse, and appropriate heist fashion. Next time, we’ll be covering Season 3, Episode 20, “Th...
Jul 03, 2024•1 hr 52 min•Ep. 33
“No one else exists either. Buffy is all of us. We think. Therefore, she is.” Content warning: discussion of gun violence, school shootings, and suicide If you want to skip the main discussion of the Columbine shooting, it starts at 00:04:50 and ends around 00:16:11. Additional discussion of school gun violence occurs from 01:19:38 to 01:41:56. This episode holds up remarkably well. Along with some serious messages about pain and compassion and empathy, it delivers some classic quips and hilario...
May 29, 2024•2 hr 32 min•Ep. 32
“I’ve got two words that are gonna make all the pain go away. Miniature…. Golf.” Welcoming Randy back to Still Slaying, Penny and Kara dive headfirst into this pivotal episode. The team talks through the betrayal, the performances within performances, the ongoing creepiness of older men and teenage girls, true happiness versus sexual satisfaction, parental figures, fence posts, room temperature milk, face punching, demons as regular folks, Game of Thrones, Shōgun, naivete, vampire rules, religio...
May 08, 2024•1 hr 59 min•Ep. 31
“I’m a blood-sucking fiend! Look at my outfit!” Glad to welcome Jim back to the podcast to dig into this somewhat lighthearted episode about the return of Vamp Willow, the team has a lot of laughs talking about evil twins, licking, pool sharks, spin-off fantasies, what it’s like to work at The Bronze, the Bechdel test, the Duvernay test, Old Yeller, and that sweater. "Look at me. I'm all fuzzy." Next time, we’ll be covering Season 3, Episode 17, “Enemies” Keep Slaying! News Links/Referenced Link...
Apr 25, 2024•2 hr 44 min•Ep. 30
“First word jail. Second word bait.” With special guest, Kirk, Penny and Kara dive deep into this dark episode, watching Faith spiraling out of control in the wake of last week’s accidental murder. The three explore redemption, tragedy, addiction, emotional vulnerability, guilt, violence, the Watchers’ Council, Shōgun, the lack of diversity in Sunnydale, reboot potential, JW, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and law school exam questions. Next time, we’ll be covering Season 3, Episode 16, “Dopple...
Apr 17, 2024•2 hr 24 min•Ep. 29
“Whenever Giles sends me on a mission he says please, and afterwards, I get a cookie.” Kara’s back from her automotive adventures and Sam is guesting this week. The trio dig into the psychological reasons behind Faith and Buffy’s respective behavior and choices. They talk about PTSD, addiction, anger, myriad sources and signs of trauma, mirror-selves, Rick and Shane from the Walking Dead, the Kool-Aid Man, change, Zaddy Giles, comic strips, teenage girls and their capacity for meanness, Iliza Sc...
Apr 10, 2024•2 hr 45 min•Ep. 28
“There was no part of that, that wasn’t fun.” Penny makes the best of Kara’s absence this week by welcoming Steve and Jason back to the podcast to talk about this Xander POV episode. The three discuss the films of 1999, references that age well and references that age poorly, Michael Cudlitz, adults playing teenagers, bravery, zombies, bluffing, gatorade gambling, the zen of Oz, Donal Logue, teenage boys, cars, The Greatest American Hero, aging and the essence of cool. Next time, we’ll be coveri...
Apr 03, 2024•2 hr 6 min•Ep. 27
