Ben Blacker
@benblacker.bsky.social
The Writers Panel // Cut+Run: http://bit.ly/CutRunAudible // Hex Wives: http://bit.ly/HWtrade // Thrilling Adventure Hour // Dead Pilots Society
Re:Writing: benblacker.substack.com
Re:Writing: benblacker.substack.com
All of that said, SMG gets to do some good worrying and some good comic performances. And I liked the tag a lot.
November 15, 2025 at 10:17 PM
All of that said, SMG gets to do some good worrying and some good comic performances. And I liked the tag a lot.
I can’t help but think that the Jenny Calendar/Giles exchanges could have been directed more specifically to hit the rhythms of classic screwball comedies. As it is, they just seem to hate each other?
November 15, 2025 at 10:15 PM
I can’t help but think that the Jenny Calendar/Giles exchanges could have been directed more specifically to hit the rhythms of classic screwball comedies. As it is, they just seem to hate each other?
The Willow stuff is really good though, and it’s nice to see Hannigan play slightly different notes. Writers have locked into the general positivity of her character, and it’s fun to see her happy, even if it’s misguided.
November 15, 2025 at 10:13 PM
The Willow stuff is really good though, and it’s nice to see Hannigan play slightly different notes. Writers have locked into the general positivity of her character, and it’s fun to see her happy, even if it’s misguided.
“I Robot, You Jane” is… so dumb. But it can’t help it. Any episode of TV about then-current technology is just immediately dated. It’s actually a good idea, the way in, but it’s just all fluorescent lights and incels throughout.
November 15, 2025 at 10:11 PM
“I Robot, You Jane” is… so dumb. But it can’t help it. Any episode of TV about then-current technology is just immediately dated. It’s actually a good idea, the way in, but it’s just all fluorescent lights and incels throughout.
That’s because, I think, Buffy has such a strong central metaphor on which to hang the initial seasons: high school is hell. Works for the horror and for character stories. “Angel” is the first proof of that. It works despite its flaws. And Angel would turn into a good character, eventually!
November 15, 2025 at 10:03 PM
That’s because, I think, Buffy has such a strong central metaphor on which to hang the initial seasons: high school is hell. Works for the horror and for character stories. “Angel” is the first proof of that. It works despite its flaws. And Angel would turn into a good character, eventually!
But then the monster-of-the-week episodes spawned a whole different family tree that included Supernatural, Smallville, Fringe, and dozens of network shows that were quickly canceled.
X-Files did MOTW the best, of course, but Buffy blended episodic + mythology (soap) better than anyone.
X-Files did MOTW the best, of course, but Buffy blended episodic + mythology (soap) better than anyone.
November 15, 2025 at 9:52 PM
But then the monster-of-the-week episodes spawned a whole different family tree that included Supernatural, Smallville, Fringe, and dozens of network shows that were quickly canceled.
X-Files did MOTW the best, of course, but Buffy blended episodic + mythology (soap) better than anyone.
X-Files did MOTW the best, of course, but Buffy blended episodic + mythology (soap) better than anyone.
Without “Angel,” there’d be no Twilight, True Blood, Charmed, Vamp Diaries, but also Veronica Mars, Gilmore Girls… the soapy side of Buffy. And I LOVED the soap opera once it got rolling, especially as it drew in the supporting cast. Really fun.
November 15, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Without “Angel,” there’d be no Twilight, True Blood, Charmed, Vamp Diaries, but also Veronica Mars, Gilmore Girls… the soapy side of Buffy. And I LOVED the soap opera once it got rolling, especially as it drew in the supporting cast. Really fun.
What’s most interesting to me in rewatch of this episode is how it’s kind of an inflection point for TV. Nighttime soaps were pretty much dead. X-Files was a hit + WB’s only other hit drama was 7th Heaven, and Buffy is kind of a combo of those shows. (Reductively)
November 15, 2025 at 9:43 PM
What’s most interesting to me in rewatch of this episode is how it’s kind of an inflection point for TV. Nighttime soaps were pretty much dead. X-Files was a hit + WB’s only other hit drama was 7th Heaven, and Buffy is kind of a combo of those shows. (Reductively)
The episode mostly works. The plot is a bit convenient in places but it moves along but you don’t really question it in the moment.
Production design, direction + especially make up are strong in this one. The Master (+ Mark Metcalf) are properly charismatic + scary. Buffy shoulda fallen for him.
Production design, direction + especially make up are strong in this one. The Master (+ Mark Metcalf) are properly charismatic + scary. Buffy shoulda fallen for him.
November 15, 2025 at 9:39 PM
The episode mostly works. The plot is a bit convenient in places but it moves along but you don’t really question it in the moment.
Production design, direction + especially make up are strong in this one. The Master (+ Mark Metcalf) are properly charismatic + scary. Buffy shoulda fallen for him.
Production design, direction + especially make up are strong in this one. The Master (+ Mark Metcalf) are properly charismatic + scary. Buffy shoulda fallen for him.
107 “Angel” is of course an important episode to the series, but this is where I admit I’m not an Angel fan. They’re finally writing for Boreanaz in this ep + he pulls off dark and brooding more than he ever could be quippy. But SMG is doing ALL of the heavy emotional lifting here (and for a while).
November 15, 2025 at 9:31 PM
107 “Angel” is of course an important episode to the series, but this is where I admit I’m not an Angel fan. They’re finally writing for Boreanaz in this ep + he pulls off dark and brooding more than he ever could be quippy. But SMG is doing ALL of the heavy emotional lifting here (and for a while).
I remember watching in 1997 and being so surprised they actually killed Principal Flutie. This show had teeth! Which I think shows that the writers were already thinking bigger—in story, metaphor, depth—than maybe the show was fully ready to execute.
Also, that tag btwn Giles + Xander is gold.
Also, that tag btwn Giles + Xander is gold.
November 14, 2025 at 12:56 AM
I remember watching in 1997 and being so surprised they actually killed Principal Flutie. This show had teeth! Which I think shows that the writers were already thinking bigger—in story, metaphor, depth—than maybe the show was fully ready to execute.
Also, that tag btwn Giles + Xander is gold.
Also, that tag btwn Giles + Xander is gold.
Still, there’s stuff that really works. Willow’s crush on Xander is codified, putting Buffy in the middle. And the scene between Willow and Xander when he’s locked up is really lovely.
November 14, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Still, there’s stuff that really works. Willow’s crush on Xander is codified, putting Buffy in the middle. And the scene between Willow and Xander when he’s locked up is really lovely.
I think many of the ideas were better in concept, maybe due to budgetary constraints and maybe not yet having a strong stable of directors.
Dodgeball scene is a fun idea but fails because it’s shot too… traditionally? Obviously? Likewise, when the show leaves its standing sets, it just feels off.
Dodgeball scene is a fun idea but fails because it’s shot too… traditionally? Obviously? Likewise, when the show leaves its standing sets, it just feels off.
November 14, 2025 at 12:45 AM
I think many of the ideas were better in concept, maybe due to budgetary constraints and maybe not yet having a strong stable of directors.
Dodgeball scene is a fun idea but fails because it’s shot too… traditionally? Obviously? Likewise, when the show leaves its standing sets, it just feels off.
Dodgeball scene is a fun idea but fails because it’s shot too… traditionally? Obviously? Likewise, when the show leaves its standing sets, it just feels off.
106 The Pack doesn’t really work, though not for lack of trying. Problem is that the metaphor is muddy. Is it about toxic masculinity? Cliques? Not helped either that Buffy is pretty sidelined.
Still there is some good stuff here.
Still there is some good stuff here.
November 14, 2025 at 12:40 AM
106 The Pack doesn’t really work, though not for lack of trying. Problem is that the metaphor is muddy. Is it about toxic masculinity? Cliques? Not helped either that Buffy is pretty sidelined.
Still there is some good stuff here.
Still there is some good stuff here.
A great new Writers Panel ep today with writer/director LESLYE HEADLAND (creator, The Acolyte, Russian Doll) about individuality and authenticity, loving Star Wars, crediting her team, how Russian Doll began + lots more.
Don't skip it.
Links here: benblacker.substack.com/p/leslye-hea...
Don't skip it.
Links here: benblacker.substack.com/p/leslye-hea...
November 11, 2025 at 6:42 PM
A great new Writers Panel ep today with writer/director LESLYE HEADLAND (creator, The Acolyte, Russian Doll) about individuality and authenticity, loving Star Wars, crediting her team, how Russian Doll began + lots more.
Don't skip it.
Links here: benblacker.substack.com/p/leslye-hea...
Don't skip it.
Links here: benblacker.substack.com/p/leslye-hea...
And in this week's Writers Panel pod, HUNTING WIVES creator Rebecca Cutter discusses why she thinks people have responded so positively to the show, hiring the writers’ room, regulating tone by instinct, quality without “prestige,” + more
benblacker.substack.com/p/rebecca-cu...
benblacker.substack.com/p/rebecca-cu...
November 6, 2025 at 11:32 PM
And in this week's Writers Panel pod, HUNTING WIVES creator Rebecca Cutter discusses why she thinks people have responded so positively to the show, hiring the writers’ room, regulating tone by instinct, quality without “prestige,” + more
benblacker.substack.com/p/rebecca-cu...
benblacker.substack.com/p/rebecca-cu...
I've been traveling and so haven't gotten to post about the past couple of newsletter drops. Right before Halloween, I offered up another round of horror movie recs, this one all about creature features: benblacker.substack.com/p/son-of-a-c...
November 6, 2025 at 11:31 PM
I've been traveling and so haven't gotten to post about the past couple of newsletter drops. Right before Halloween, I offered up another round of horror movie recs, this one all about creature features: benblacker.substack.com/p/son-of-a-c...
SMG has such confidence in this episode too. Maybe the “two people” theme hit home for her who Buffy is. And the writers must have seen her chemistry with Anthony Head (and his comic range as well) because they really lean on it here. All around a great ep, including some fun visual storytelling too
October 25, 2025 at 1:07 PM
SMG has such confidence in this episode too. Maybe the “two people” theme hit home for her who Buffy is. And the writers must have seen her chemistry with Anthony Head (and his comic range as well) because they really lean on it here. All around a great ep, including some fun visual storytelling too
“Buffy wants to be a normal girl but her responsibilities as Slayer prevent her” was surely part of the initial pitch. It’s flirted with in 101-104 but someone must have left Spider-man comics in the writers room because it’s front and center here and that clarity makes the episode sing.
October 25, 2025 at 1:02 PM
“Buffy wants to be a normal girl but her responsibilities as Slayer prevent her” was surely part of the initial pitch. It’s flirted with in 101-104 but someone must have left Spider-man comics in the writers room because it’s front and center here and that clarity makes the episode sing.
Did they figure it out over night? In 104, “Never Kill a Boy on the First Date,” everything clicks together. The characters sound like themselves, the show looks like itself, they’re all STYLED as they would come to be. Most importantly, the personal and monster stories work in harmony.
October 25, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Did they figure it out over night? In 104, “Never Kill a Boy on the First Date,” everything clicks together. The characters sound like themselves, the show looks like itself, they’re all STYLED as they would come to be. Most importantly, the personal and monster stories work in harmony.
It really is fun seeing them figure out the show. You don’t really get that any more. Everything (scripted) arrives in its final form.
So worth watching series that did 22 eps per season for multiple yrs to see how they cracked the show in real time.
You’d never get a pointless shot like this now
So worth watching series that did 22 eps per season for multiple yrs to see how they cracked the show in real time.
You’d never get a pointless shot like this now
October 24, 2025 at 9:43 PM
It really is fun seeing them figure out the show. You don’t really get that any more. Everything (scripted) arrives in its final form.
So worth watching series that did 22 eps per season for multiple yrs to see how they cracked the show in real time.
You’d never get a pointless shot like this now
So worth watching series that did 22 eps per season for multiple yrs to see how they cracked the show in real time.
You’d never get a pointless shot like this now
I like the creature design too! Ultimately, I think the ep is just too ambitious for this early in the run. The pieces don’t quite come together. And they’re still figuring out the parameters of the show. She-mantis is a bit too Dr Who, and it’s a fine line that they haven’t firmly drawn yet.
October 24, 2025 at 9:36 PM
I like the creature design too! Ultimately, I think the ep is just too ambitious for this early in the run. The pieces don’t quite come together. And they’re still figuring out the parameters of the show. She-mantis is a bit too Dr Who, and it’s a fine line that they haven’t firmly drawn yet.
The scene between Buffy and her (late) teacher really works. It’s well written and acted. A lovely little moment with real emotion.
The Angel stuff starts to codify too. Leaning into his brooding/don’t give him too much dialogue. Let the wordless connection do the work.
The Angel stuff starts to codify too. Leaning into his brooding/don’t give him too much dialogue. Let the wordless connection do the work.
October 24, 2025 at 9:34 PM
The scene between Buffy and her (late) teacher really works. It’s well written and acted. A lovely little moment with real emotion.
The Angel stuff starts to codify too. Leaning into his brooding/don’t give him too much dialogue. Let the wordless connection do the work.
The Angel stuff starts to codify too. Leaning into his brooding/don’t give him too much dialogue. Let the wordless connection do the work.
“Teacher’s Pet” doesn’t work. The elements don’t come together. But there’s good stuff in it. Characters are aligning more closely with the actors. You can hear the writers start leaning on Alyson Hannigan/Willow’s pov for some strong comedy.
(Don’t love incel COMIC RELIEF Xander though)
(Don’t love incel COMIC RELIEF Xander though)
October 24, 2025 at 9:30 PM
“Teacher’s Pet” doesn’t work. The elements don’t come together. But there’s good stuff in it. Characters are aligning more closely with the actors. You can hear the writers start leaning on Alyson Hannigan/Willow’s pov for some strong comedy.
(Don’t love incel COMIC RELIEF Xander though)
(Don’t love incel COMIC RELIEF Xander though)