Still Slaying: a Buffy-verse podcast

“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 Faceboo...

"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, th...

“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...

“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 mil...

“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."Nex...

“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 Ge...

“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-...

“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, teenag...

“Our love is God. Let’s go get a slushie.”Content warning - discussions of suicide, sexual assault and violenceFor this mid-season break, the Scooby Duo are joined by Jason to talk about the Gen-X classic black comedy, “Heathers.” Topics include bad boys, John Hughes films, slang, “Mean Girls,” high school, teen angst, drug abuse prevention programs, 80s nostalgia, cow tipping, bullying, sexual as...

“It’s a game. We’re not going to play by the rules, but that doesn’t mean we’re not going to play.” Join the Scooby Duo to discuss this scary episode of BTVS, featuring a visit from the Watchers Council, a new villainous vamp, Buffy’s birthday tradition of gut-wrenching misery and horror. Kara and Penny cover myriad vampire conventions, ugly hats, exploitation of athletes and artists, talented cha...

Content Warning: discussions of trauma, domestic violence, and transphobia“I need to go on one of my fruitless patrols and react to some vampires.” Kara and Penny are joined by Sam to cover yet another iconic episode of BTVS. Joyce leads the Sunnydale adults in a quest to rid the town of bad influences and the occult. The trio laugh through the darkness of MOO, censorship, mass hysteria and group...

Content warning: discussion of suicidality, depression andsexual assault. “Angel, you have the power to do real good, to make amends. But if you die now, then all that you ever were was a monster.” Kara and Penny are joined by Kelly to cover this very special Hellmouth Christmas episode that shows us some of Angelus’s backstory, brings back Jenny Calendar and blankets Sunnydale in snow in the midd...

“I wish Buffy Summers had never come to Sunnydale.” Be careful what you wish for, especially if you are making that wish to a stranger with a pretty necklace. Kara and Penny are joined by Jim again to cover this iconic alternate timeline episode. Join this trio to relive the ups and downs of Dark Willow, the return of the Master, the introduction of Anya, Giles without tweed, the puppy, and army B...

“Do you have any of those little marshmallows?”Our favorite platinum punk agent of chaos stumbles drunkenly through town, sharing his tale of woe with all. Penny and Kara are joined by Jim to convene a meeting of the Spike Appreciation Society. The trio highlight the many ways James Marsters delivers the impossible and improbable by making everyone love and hate and love to hate Spike. His visit t...

“Remember to use your I Statements.”Kara and Penny are joined by Steve from Panels to Pixels to pull apart this plot-critical episode about trust, betrayal and deception. The trio talks about making sure your TV crushes are age appropriate, interventions, Princess Diana, the curse, fighting styles, how insecurity and trauma affects our favorite characters’ behavior, Xander’s pros and cons, the spe...

“Something’s Weird.” “Something’s Not?”This iconic episode is a fan favorite and routinely is included on lists of top 10 Buffy episodes. Join us for an especially nostalgic trip to the 90s to ruminate on our own teen foibles, “Joyles” shipping, the appeal of bad boys, the cultural impact of Gap khaki ads, wondering what teenage Ripper would have listened to in the 90s, feathered coats, cultural a...

"Dont mess with Cordelia"Mr. Trick returns, bringing us “Slayerfest 98." Buffy and Cordelia are forced to work together to defend against a panoply of predators, despite how high hostilities are between them over the race for Homecoming Queen. Penny is joined by Mark from Panels to Pixels, Adrenaline Cinema Podcast and Monarch, Legacy of Monsters on House Podcastica and Willhelm to compare notes o...

Trigger Warning: Discussion of Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence“There’s no shame in losing yourself to love. They write songs about it.”Surprisingly, the school counselor managed to reach Buffy when she really needed an outside perspective. When he’s killed, Buffy hunts down the perpetrator and tragedy abounds. Kara and Penny pull from personal experiences to shed some light on one of the mo...

Hello Buffy’s life, how we’ve missed you! Buffy is back in the swing of things and getting back to what passes for normal on the Hellmouth when three new people enter her life to rock the boat. Join Penny and Kara as they praise Mr. Trick, objectify David Boreanaz a little, dig into how childhood trauma affects relationships and try not to be too hard on Xander. Next time, Season 3, Episode 4, “Be...

“Chock full of hoot, just a little bit of nanny.”Back in Sunnydale and swimming in awkwardness, Buffy tries to reconnect with her mother and the Scooby gang. Unspoken resentments don’t stay buried for long and things come to a head at Buffy’s unwanted party when the Summers house is beset by zombies. Penny and Kara get into it about the constant destruction of the Summers house, the polarizing nat...

TW: Discussion of Human Trafficking starting at about 10 minutes until about 21 minutesSeason 3 starts off with a whimper and ends with a bang, Buffy is hiding out in a bad part of Los Angeles, pretending not to be the Slayer when her calling finds her. Join us to reminisce about the 90s, dish a bit on law school, and admire the fight choreography and cinematography of this season opener. Where do...

Celebrate the highest highs and lowest lows of Season 2. Revisit the quips, fights, betrayals and triumphs with Kara and Penny as they recount the moments that still slay. Season 3 is next and we’re covering all episodes so we start with “Anne.” Keep Slaying! Join the conversation! You can email or send a voice message to stillslayingfeedback@gmail.com or join us at facebook.com/groups/podcastica...

A camp classic of late 90s aesthetics with a killer soundtrack, Cruel Intentions delivers on its promise of salacious teenage hijinks and tragic consequences. Kara and Penny are joined by Jim to discuss the ups and downs of Kathryn and Sebastian’s bet. They ask, what is “Camp”? Who is the real villain of the story? How does this film hold up after 24 years? Next time on Still Slaying they'll be wr...

Hello, Cuties! Frequently named among the best season finales on TV, “Becoming, Part 2” offers suspense, romance, strange alliances, unsupervised teenage magic and the saddest of the sad endings. Join us as we relive the thrilling moments of Spike and Buffy’s first alliance, grieve with Giles again for the loss of Jenny and marvel at the depths of sadness this show can make you feel. Penny and Kar...

“The big moments are gonna come, you can't help that. It's what you do afterwards that counts. That's when you find out who you are.” Widely regarded as one of the best TV finales of the 20th Century, Becoming Parts 1 and 2 deliver flashbacks, action, comedy, heartbreak, mystery, love, betrayal, confrontations, strange alliances, hope and sacrifice. Immerse yourself in 1998 pop culture and events...