Still Slaying: a Buffy-verse podcast
by Podcastica
Penny and Kara take you on a journey of appreciation, nostalgia and deep analysis of all things Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Currently in BTVS Season 3 and we plan to rewatch the whole series (& Angel) in chronological order. New Episodes are published on Tuesdays. Why revisit the Buffy-verse? We think the show Still Slays. Buffy is both iconoclast and icon. 25 years ago she broke new ground for women characters as superheroes and women as people by subverting tropes, using kindness as strength and love as power. The cheeky vibe of the show provides a campy canvas for exploring some deep themes about trauma, societal ills and human nature all while delivering its signature witty dialogue. BTVS remains relevant and held in high critical regard 25 years later. For first time watchers of the series we try to avoid too many spoilers until the end of the podcast so it’s easy to skip. You can be a part of the discussion: Send us a text or vo
Episodes
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94: BTVS S5E8 “Shadow”
“Just once, I would like to run into a cult of bunny worshipers.” Penny and Kara talk through this snake-tastic episode, lamenting Joyce’s scary diagnosis and Riley’s downward spiral while finding plenty of tangents along the way, including apocalypse preparations, HR departments, the patriarchy,...
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93: Angel S2E8 “The Shroud of Rahmon”
“I hate waiting. You got anybody to eat around here?” Penny and Kara talk through this noir-heist episode and find some tangents along the way including ads on streaming platforms, Las Vegas as the perfect city for vampires, Heist movies like Ocean’s Eleven and The Thomas Crown Affair, Pierce...
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92: Angel S2E7 “Darla”
“They cry out for mercy.” Penny and Kara journey to the colonial era to follow Darla’s origins and the progression of her love story with Angelus. They find plenty of tangents, including Y2K telephones, children’s misunderstandings of the world of adults, Cersei Lannister, vampirism benefits...
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Slaying 91: BTVS S5E7 “Fool for Love”
“Lesson the second... Ask the right questions. You wanna know how I beat 'em...? The question isn't how'd I win. The question is, why'd they lose?” Penny, Kara, and special returning guest Dodie celebrate this Spike backstory episode and meander through related topics like Election drama in 2000,...
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90: BTVS S5E6 “Family”
Content Warning - discussion of domestic/child abuse “Thank you for coming. We value your patronage.” Penny, Kara and returning guest Dina delight in the Tara backstory. True to form, the trio find many opportunities for tangents, including voting, representation, kittens, the patriarchy, shame,...
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90: BTVS S5E6 “Family”
Content Warning - discussion of domestic/child abuse “Thank you for coming. We value your patronage.” Penny, Kara and returning guest Dina delight in the Tara backstory. True to form, the trio find many opportunities for tangents, including voting, representation, kittens, the patriarchy, shame,...
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89: Angel S2E6 “Guise Will Be Guise”
“How many warriors slated for the coming apocalypse do you think are gonna be using that hair gel? Don't get me wrong. You're out there, fighting ultimate evil; you're going to want something with hold.” Penny and Kara accompany Wesley on his undercover mission while Angel is consulting with the...
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89: Angel S2E6 “Guise Will Be Guise”
“How many warriors slated for the coming apocalypse do you think are gonna be using that hair gel? Don't get me wrong. You're out there, fighting ultimate evil; you're going to want something with hold.” Penny and Kara accompany Wesley on his undercover mission while Angel is consulting with the...
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88: Buffy the Vampire Slayer S5E5 “No Place Like Home”
“And feel free to tell me if this next bit gets a little too personal, because I've been told I've got *boundary issues!*” Penny and Becky revel in the many revealing revelations in this episode, and find tangents along the way including the Kennedys, sibling shenanigans, favorite villains, Ted...
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88: Buffy the Vampire Slayer S5E5 “No Place Like Home”
“And feel free to tell me if this next bit gets a little too personal, because I've been told I've got *boundary issues!*” Penny and Becky revel in the many revealing revelations in this episode, and find tangents along the way including the Kennedys, sibling shenanigans, favorite villains, Ted...
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87: Angel S2E5 “Dear Boy”
“You see, no matter how good a boy you are, God doesn't want you! But I still do.” Things are really heating up on Angel and the Scooby Duo are on the case. Penny and Kara talk through the trap set by Darla with Wolfram & Hart, Kate’s disregard for the 4th Amendment, and the existence of the…
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87: Angel S2E5 “Dear Boy”
“You see, no matter how good a boy you are, God doesn't want you! But I still do.” Things are really heating up on Angel and the Scooby Duo are on the case. Penny and Kara talk through the trap set by Darla with Wolfram & Hart, Kate’s disregard for the 4th Amendment, and the existence of the…
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86: BTVS S5E4 “Out of My Mind”
“Buffy, Buffy, Buffy! Everywhere I turn, she's there. That nasty little face, that fancy shampoo-commercial hair! That whole sodding holier-than-thou attitude!” Penny and Kara (with occasional commentary from Pixel the pod-cat) find a lot of tangents along the path to discussing this episode...
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86: BTVS S5E4 “Out of My Mind”
“Buffy, Buffy, Buffy! Everywhere I turn, she's there. That nasty little face, that fancy shampoo-commercial hair! That whole sodding holier-than-thou attitude!” Penny and Kara (with occasional commentary from Pixel the pod-cat) find a lot of tangents along the path to discussing this episode...
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85: Angel S2E4 “Untouched”
CW: Discussion of grooming, childhood sexual abuse, and trauma. “I'm still dealin' with this man's ugly ass living room set. Some people just shouldn't have money.” Penny and Kara find a way to laugh while discussing this dark episode that deals with childhood sexual abuse. The conversation winds...
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85: Angel S2E4 “Untouched”
CW: Discussion of grooming, childhood sexual abuse, and trauma. “I'm still dealin' with this man's ugly ass living room set. Some people just shouldn't have money.” Penny and Kara find a way to laugh while discussing this dark episode that deals with childhood sexual abuse. The conversation winds...
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84: BTVS S5E3 “The Replacement”
“So you bought the Magic Shop, and you were attacked before it opened. Who's up for a swingin' chorus of the "We Told You So" symphony?” Penny and Kara welcome guest host Anwen to talk about this Xander-centric episode, diving into the turn of the millennium history, twins, Sweet Valley High,...
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84: BTVS S5E3 “The Replacement”
“So you bought the Magic Shop, and you were attacked before it opened. Who's up for a swingin' chorus of the "We Told You So" symphony?” Penny and Kara welcome guest host Anwen to talk about this Xander-centric episode, diving into the turn of the millennium history, twins, Sweet Valley High,...
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83: Angel S2E3 “First Impressions”
“Oh, this isn't mere dust. This is 'son of dust'. This is the kind of dust that spawns countless generations of little baby dust.” Kara and Penny agree, parts of this episode didn’t age well, but it still slays otherwise, and they get into all manner of topics, like billionaires, racial...
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83: Angel S2E3 “First Impressions”
“Oh, this isn't mere dust. This is 'son of dust'. This is the kind of dust that spawns countless generations of little baby dust.” Kara and Penny agree, parts of this episode didn’t age well, but it still slays otherwise, and they get into all manner of topics, like billionaires, racial...
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82: BTVS S5E2 “Real Me”
“Which begs the question, what kind of an unholy creature fancies cheap tasteless statuary?” Penny and Kara get real about the two party political system, Gilmore Girls, voice over, sibling shenanigans, representation, board games, the cost of living, hoop earrings, Y2K decor, potato chips, laugh...
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82: BTVS S5E2 “Real Me”
“Which begs the question, what kind of an unholy creature fancies cheap tasteless statuary?” Penny and Kara get real about the two party political system, Gilmore Girls, voice over, sibling shenanigans, representation, board games, the cost of living, hoop earrings, Y2K decor, potato chips, laugh...
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81: Angel S2E2 “Are You Now or Have You Ever Been”
“Yep. It's not that vampires don't photograph, it's just that they don't photograph well.” Penny, Becky and Kara enjoy a trip to 1952 to experience some grade A paranoia in an overtly political episode with a film noir flashback. The conversation ranges from HUAC to iMac laptops and tangents...
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81: Angel S2E2 “Are You Now or Have You Ever Been”
“Yep. It's not that vampires don't photograph, it's just that they don't photograph well.” Penny, Becky and Kara enjoy a trip to 1952 to experience some grade A paranoia in an overtly political episode with a film noir flashback. The conversation ranges from HUAC to iMac laptops and tangents...
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80: BTVS S5E1 “Buffy vs Dracula”
NOTE: We had technical difficulties recording this episode. You may hear glitches in the sound. “I'm standing right here!” Penny welcomes Mark back to the ‘Cast and the two dig into the season opener and its visiting icon. The two talk comparative Draculas, fashion as character, hair aspirations,...
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80: BTVS S5E1 “Buffy vs Dracula”
NOTE: We had technical difficulties recording this episode. You may hear glitches in the sound. “I'm standing right here!” Penny welcomes Mark back to the ‘Cast and the two dig into the season opener and its visiting icon. The two talk comparative Draculas, fashion as character, hair aspirations,...
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79: Angel S2E1 “Judgment”
“Angel, it's been a long time. I'd love to see that boy.” Penny and Becky dive into the Angel season two opener, reveling in the new characters and broader world building and finding plenty of tangents along the way, like pay phones in movies, music licensing, karaoke, the Mos Eisley spaceport...
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79: Angel S2E1 “Judgment”
“Angel, it's been a long time. I'd love to see that boy.” Penny and Becky dive into the Angel season two opener, reveling in the new characters and broader world building and finding plenty of tangents along the way, like pay phones in movies, music licensing, karaoke, the Mos Eisley spaceport...
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78: “Blade” (1998)
“The world you live in is just a sugar-coated topping! There is another world beneath it: the real world. And if you wanna survive it, you better learn to PULL THE TRIGGER!” Note: For this R-Rated film, we’ve suspended our no swears policy. Penny is joined by Jason and Renaldy to dive into the...
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78: “Blade” (1998)
“The world you live in is just a sugar-coated topping! There is another world beneath it: the real world. And if you wanna survive it, you better learn to PULL THE TRIGGER!” Note: For this R-Rated film, we’ve suspended our no swears policy. Penny is joined by Jason and Renaldy to dive into the...
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77: Angel S1E22 “To Shanshu in LA”
“Don’t believe everything you’re foretold.” Penny, Sam and Kara come together to talk about what’s in the box. Along the way, they veer into some great tangents, including Djo, Y2K makeup and fashion trends, To Live and Die in L.A., Doctor Who, Edna Mode and the impracticality of capes, Afroman,...
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77: Angel S1E22 “To Shanshu in LA”
“Don’t believe everything you’re foretold.” Penny, Sam and Kara come together to talk about what’s in the box. Along the way, they veer into some great tangents, including Djo, Y2K makeup and fashion trends, To Live and Die in L.A., Doctor Who, Edna Mode and the impracticality of capes, Afroman,...
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76: Angel S1E21 “Blind Date”
“Evil white folks really do have a Mecca.” Penny and Sam have a lot of laughs digging into this Lindsey-focused episode about the struggle between morals and the pursuit of power. Along the way, the conversation ranges through computer tropes on tv, grooming, evil Sheldon Cooper, scarcity mind…
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76: Angel S1E21 “Blind Date”
“Evil white folks really do have a Mecca.” Penny and Sam have a lot of laughs digging into this Lindsey-focused episode about the struggle between morals and the pursuit of power. Along the way, the conversation ranges through computer tropes on tv, grooming, evil Sheldon Cooper, scarcity mind…
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75: Angel S1E20 “War Zone”
“I don't need advice from some middle-class white dude that's dead!” The Scooby Duo revel in the reveal of Gunn, and the conversation includes stubborn refusal to adopt new technologies, adults cast as teens, Percy Jackson, Los Angeles neighborhoods, conflict styles, wealth inequality, coffee...
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75: Angel S1E20 “War Zone”
“I don't need advice from some middle-class white dude that's dead!” The Scooby Duo revel in the reveal of Gunn, and the conversation includes stubborn refusal to adopt new technologies, adults cast as teens, Percy Jackson, Los Angeles neighborhoods, conflict styles, wealth inequality, coffee...
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74: BTVS S4E22 “Restless”
“You’re not the source of me.” It’s full spoilers for most of the episode and Penny, Kara and Becky pick apart the interrelated dream sequences of the Scooby Gang. Insecurities are explored, future events are foreshadowed, and there’s lots of cheese. The wide-ranging topics include parenting...
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74: BTVS S4E22 “Restless”
“You’re not the source of me.” It’s full spoilers for most of the episode and Penny, Kara and Becky pick apart the interrelated dream sequences of the Scooby Gang. Insecurities are explored, future events are foreshadowed, and there’s lots of cheese. The wide-ranging topics include parenting...
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73: BTVS S4E21 “Primeval”
“Xander, just because this is never gonna work there’s no need to be negative.” Penny and Sam dive into this plot and action heavy episode that wraps up most of Season 4’s stories. The conversation ranges from sadly relevant world events from the turn of the millennium, to sarcasm, favorite…
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73: BTVS S4E21 “Primeval”
“Xander, just because this is never gonna work there’s no need to be negative.” Penny and Sam dive into this plot and action heavy episode that wraps up most of Season 4’s stories. The conversation ranges from sadly relevant world events from the turn of the millennium, to sarcasm, favorite…
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72: BTVS S4E20 “The Yoko Factor”
“You know, for someone who's got "Watcher" on his résumé, you might want to cast an eye to the front door every now and again.” Penny and Kara fully enjoyed this Spike showcase episode as we rush toward the conclusion of this uneven season. The Scooby Duo’s conversation ranges from villains,...
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72: BTVS S4E20 “The Yoko Factor”
“You know, for someone who's got "Watcher" on his résumé, you might want to cast an eye to the front door every now and again.” Penny and Kara fully enjoyed this Spike showcase episode as we rush toward the conclusion of this uneven season. The Scooby Duo’s conversation ranges from villains,...
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71: Angel S1E19 “Sancutary”
“For a taciturn shadowy guy, I've got a big mouth.” Dodie returns, and she and Penny sink their fangs into this meaty episode of pain and redemption. The conversation ranges from 12 step programs to words hurting more than fists and along the way takes some tangents into the U.S. foster care...
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71: Angel S1E19 “Sancutary”
“For a taciturn shadowy guy, I've got a big mouth.” Dodie returns, and she and Penny sink their fangs into this meaty episode of pain and redemption. The conversation ranges from 12 step programs to words hurting more than fists and along the way takes some tangents into the U.S. foster care...
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70: Angel S1E18 “Five by Five”
“I hate failure when there's no one else to blame it on.” Sam and Penny revel in the chaos of Faith in Los Angeles, appreciating the fashion, anger, sultriness, violence, anger and darkness while finding their way to a discussion of buses, danceclubs, what makes a great villain great, the…
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70: Angel S1E18 “Five by Five”
“I hate failure when there's no one else to blame it on.” Sam and Penny revel in the chaos of Faith in Los Angeles, appreciating the fashion, anger, sultriness, violence, anger and darkness while finding their way to a discussion of buses, danceclubs, what makes a great villain great, the…
more -
69: BTVS S4E19 “New Moon Rising”
"Talk later. Stealthy escape now." The Scooby Duo, Penny and Kara get political discussing this landmark episode and its themes of bigotry, anarchy and identity. The conversation stretches and bends to include moon phases, bi-erasure, coming out, words, Bigotry, Oz love, fatphobia, Guillermo del...
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69: BTVS S4E19 “New Moon Rising”
"Talk later. Stealthy escape now." The Scooby Duo, Penny and Kara get political discussing this landmark episode and its themes of bigotry, anarchy and identity. The conversation stretches and bends to include moon phases, bi-erasure, coming out, words, Bigotry, Oz love, fatphobia, Guillermo del...
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68: Angel S1E16 & 17 “The Ring” and “Eternity.”
"Well, judging by the outfit, I guess it's safe to come in. Evil Angel never would have worn those pants." Penny, Sam and Kara find plenty to entertain them in these two episodes showing Angel really getting out into the community. The Slay Squad reminisces about the color of office equipment in...
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68: Angel S1E16 & 17 “The Ring” and “Eternity.”
"Well, judging by the outfit, I guess it's safe to come in. Evil Angel never would have worn those pants." Penny, Sam and Kara find plenty to entertain them in these two episodes showing Angel really getting out into the community. The Slay Squad reminisces about the color of office equipment in...
About this show
Penny and Kara take you on a journey of appreciation, nostalgia and deep analysis of all things Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Currently in BTVS Season 3 and we plan to rewatch the whole series (& Angel) in chronological order. New Episodes are published on Tuesdays.
Why revisit the Buffy-verse?
We think the show Still Slays. Buffy is both iconoclast and icon. 25 years ago she broke new ground for women characters as superheroes and women as people by subverting tropes, using kindness as strength and love as power. The cheeky vibe of the show provides a campy canvas for exploring some deep themes about trauma, societal ills and human nature all while delivering its signature witty dialogue. BTVS remains relevant and held in high critical regard 25 years later.
For first time watchers of the series we try to avoid too many spoilers until the end of the podcast so it’s easy to skip. You can be a part of the discussion: Send us a text or vo
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