The Sunnydale Diaries - A Buffy the Vampire Slayer Podcast

Episode 14 - ReVivicaFoxication and the Bowling Nemesis (When She Was Bad)

Sean and Melanie kick off season 2 discussing summer break activities - their favorite family vacations, summer college classes, and just driving around. Hear all about the summer of Melanie's deepest tan and the gross act Sean performed on his 21st birthday!
Unpacking the events of the Buffy episode "When She Was Bad", Melanie questions where all the vampires went during summer vacation, and she and Sean express concern that the Master's bones are still pretty intact at the end of the episode. And what is around Buffy's shoulders in the final scene???
Thank you to Elysium Music for creating our intro and outro music! Check out more on his Youtube channel. 

Bonus Episode - Season 1 Recap

We couldn't dive into season 2 without first looking back on season 1! In this bonus recap episode, we discuss the highs and lows of the season, key points of each Buffy episode, and included a compilation of outtakes and other funny moments. Get ready to laugh and enjoy this recap. See you in season 2!

Episode 12 - The Jello Church is no More (Prophecy Girl)

In this episode, Melanie and Sean share their views on fate and prophecy, and describe their experiences with earthquakes. There's a short discussion of some apocalyptic movies and books, including The Day After, The Stand, and Resident Evil. 
Melanie was so pulled into the Season 1 Buffy finale episode, "Prophecy Girl" that she had to stop taking notes and just watch! Sean provides the definition of what a "fatling" is and shares his annoyance with Angel panting over an unconscious Buffy while also saying "I have no breath". 
We're looking forward to starting season 2 of Buffy but will have one more episode where we'll discuss season 1 overall. Want to discuss the podcast with other fans? Join us on our discord server: https://discord.com/invite/UakKS4rYJk

Episode 11 - Research Boy and Knowledge Girl (Out of Mind, Out of Sight)

Sean and Melanie start off this episode by describing their own prom experiences and some other fun high school highlights including class rings (a scam!) and yearbooks. They review the impressive filmography of Clea DuVall (who played Marcie in this episode) and discuss a few times in their own lives when they felt invisible. 
During discussion of the Buffy Episode "Out of Mind, Out of Sight", Sean points out what early 90s movie people may know Mercedes McNab (Harmony) from. Melanie drops some knowledge on what the "Twinkie Defense" is and they acknowledge that Cordelia may be turning over a new leaf (not to be confused with the cabbage leaf toupee also discussed.) Be on the lookout for flying baseball bats and check us out on Instagram at @thesunnydalediaries!

Episode 10 - Chocolate Hurricanes and Chicken Tender Subs (Nightmares)

We're 10 episodes in! In this one, Melanie and Sean explore their childhood nightmares (one of Sean's continues the puppet theme from last episodes) and discuss common fears and phobias. There's several good tidbits that will be useful at your next trivia game!
During discussion of the Buffy episode "Nightmares", Melanie asks who is responsible for lighting all the candles in the master's lair, and fondly reminisces when Buffy's father played a different role on the prairie. Sean questions the absence of Mr. Snyder and points out how Melanie is forming a bond with the characters on Buffy.
Do you have a recurring dream/nightmare you'd like to share with us? Send us the details at thesunnydalediaries@gmail.com

Episode 9 - Puppets, Reanimation Theory, and Organ Harvesting (The Puppet Show)

In this episode, Sean and Melanie discuss their own talent show experiences and moments on stage, including tap dancing to Wham and playing commercial jingles live. There's discussions about their favorite puppets (spanning decades from the 50s to today) and a lot of random bursting into song.
While walking through the Buffy episode "The Puppet Show", Sean compares Sid the Dummy to Mr. Game Show, an electronic toy from the late 80s. Melanie shares her thoughts on seeing Principal Snyder for the first time, and they both question the organization of the Sunnydale High Library. Sean also points out something unique in this episode that does not occur in any other Buffy episode. Watch out for the pitter-patter of little puppet feet and enjoy the episode!
Clip of the Beautiful Day Monster that terrified a young Melanie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUz13ywddqU
Commercial for Mr. Game Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My5d7i5SMAE
The Muppet Yule Log: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Dr9gjEiaOU
 
 

Episode 8 - Fritz and the Techno-Pagans (I Robot, You Jane)

This episode deals with several technological firsts - the first computers Melanie and Sean ever owned, first times on the internet, and first email addresses. It's also the first time a scene in Buffy made Melanie pause the show and walk away for 5 minutes! 
While analyzing the Buffy episode "I Robot, You Jane" Sean and Melanie question the sudden appearances of Dave, Fritz, and Jenny Calendar. Melanie provides some historical info about Moloch (come for the Buffy but stay for the knowledge) and Sean shares his issues with the acronym CRD. Stay safe on the internet and email us at thesunnydalediaries@gmail.com.
Thanks to Kyle Shaw from The Shaw Design Group for helping us update our logo!

Episode 7 - The Three and the Magic Number (Angel)

This episode of The Sunnydale Diaries has it all! Sean and Melanie discuss their first loves, then jump into Buffy episode 7 - "Angel". There's dodging, there's parrying, there's fumigation parties, there's barbecue forks and there's a very emotionally vulnerable Master. Sean struggles with the inaccuracy of the medical aspects of this episode, and Melanie catches us up on what Todd Oldham has been doing since the 90s.
Bonus points if you get the reference in our episode title! 
Here's a clip of the Daffy Duck/Porky Pig cartoon that we referenced: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBYfZOwKu4k

Episode 6 - Shoot Me, Stuff Me, Mount Me (The Pack)

Melanie and Sean start this episode off on a serious note, discussing the xenophobia in the portrayal of African and Maori mythology present in the Buffy episode "The Pack". They share their experience with bullying in middle and high school before moving on to the more lighthearted topic of school spirit (which involves Melanie in a penguin costume.)
As they get further into "The Pack" they touch on a variety of topics including geometry, croissants at the bronze (seriously what kind of club is this?) and how much of a jerk hyena-Xander was. There's also mourning of Prinicpal Flutie and Herbert, the Sunnydale High pig mascot. Although this episode starts with a significant topic, there's also a lot of laughter throughout. We're halfway through Season 1!
Here is the link to the "Joss Whedon and Race: Critical Essays" book that was discussed in this episode: https://www.amazon.com/Joss-Whedon-Race-Critical-Essays/dp/0786470100

Episode 5 - Emily Dickinson, Pork and Beans, and Crimping Irons (Never Kill a Boy on the First Date)

It's always fun when Melanie gets to do her "It was the 90s!" jingle more than once and that happens in this week's episode! Melanie and Sean describe their first dates (both memorable and not so memorable) then review the Buffy episode "Never Kill a Boy on the First Date."
Melanie questions if the Master is really a threat to Sunnydale and what kind of club the Bronze actually is, considering they've had tea and muffins on hand recently. Sean compares a vampire getting thrown into a creamator to a cookie baking mishap he experienced, and asks why people in their mid 20s keep getting casted to play high school students.
Do you know why that one vampire kept yelling "pork and beans" in this episode? Have an interesting first date story to share? Send it over to thesunnydalediaries@gmail.com!