The Watcher Files

The Sunnydale Swim Team is making the play offs... and turning into monsters. Carra and Clover discuss the origins of The Gill Man, and Sea Monster folklore!

 "Go Fish"  was written by Elin Hampton & David Fury and and directed by David Semel.

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Transition Music: Let the Music Unfold by Geoff Harvey
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Gill Man Information: https://www.parkcircus.com/latest/P2025-The%20Evolution%20of%20Gill-man

https://reactormag.com/in-and-out-of-the-lagoon-why-we-love-the-gill-man/

Ghosts are terrorizing Sunnydale before the upcoming Sadie Hawkins Dance! Clover and Carra give a history of poltergeists and exorcisms. Plus the two hosts discuss their love for Buffy and Angel in this iconic episode. It's definitely a Watcher Files Fave! 

 "I Only Have Eyes For You"  was written by Martin Noxon and and directed by James Whitmore Jr.

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There's a demon terrorizing the Sunnydale Hospital! Carra and Clover discuss the "Boogeyman," and the relationship dynamics between Xander and Cordelia, and Angel and Buffy.

 "Killed By Death"  was written by Dean Betali and Rob Des Hotel  and directed by Deran Sarafian.

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Angelus starts to show his truly evil side to Buffy and gang, unfortunately taking the life of Jenny Calendar. Carra and Clover talk the de-invitation ritual, letting vampires in, and always have the time to criticize Joyce's parenting. 

CW: discussion of animal death 

"Passion"  was written by Ty King and directed by Michael E. Gershman. 

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Unable to deal with the heartbreak after Cordelia breaks up with him, Xander blackmails Amy to perform a lovespell to get vengeance. However the love spell goes completely wrong, leaving every woman in Sunnydale after Xander. Carra and Clover talk the love spell trope and real life love spells when practicing witchcraft! 

"Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered"  was written by Marti Noxon and directed by James A. Contner. 

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Transition Music: Let the Music Unfold by Geoff Harvey
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Sources for the love potion trope:  https://www.vice.com/en/article/3dxgbk/love-spells-in-pop-culture-a-history

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/LovePotion/LiveActionTV 

There's a werewolf in Sunnydale and Buffy and friends must figure out who the werewolf is before it's killed by a werewolf hunter. Carra and Clover talk about the werewolf's Hollywood History and the several origins of the monster. 

"Phases"  was written by Rob Des Hotel and Dean Batali and directed by Bruce Seth Green. 

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Sources for werewolves in media: https://flipscreened.com/2021/04/02/the-progression-of-werewolf-stereotypes-in-the-media/

https://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3491208/beware-full-moon-history-werewolves-film/ 

Carra and Clover discuss the thrilling conclusion of Buffy's 17th Birthday! They talk about the marvelous acting of Sarah Michelle Gellar, David Boreanaz, and Anthony Head. Additionally, the two talk about virginity and the harmful depiction of Roma culture in media. 


"Innocence" was written and directed by Joss Whedon. 

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Information About Romani Depiction in Media: 
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jpcu.12259

https://thenewheroesandpioneers.com/magazine/2017/02/misrepresentation-roma-people-popular-culture/

https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1091&context=sociology_diss

Carra and Clover discuss Buffy's 17th birthday! The two cover on if they've ever played "Round Robin," the meaning of birthdays, and the return of Brian Thompson as "The Judge." Listen in as the two dive further into the Buffy and Angel relationship and prepare for the arc of Angelus. 

"Surprise" Was Written by Marti Noxon and Directed by Michael Lange.

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Sunnydale students are tasked with parenting by raising eggs while Buffy and Angel dive deeper into their relationship. While balancing slaying, a boyfriend, and two cowboy vampires, another Hellmouth creature tries to take over Sunnydale by using the eggs to possess students by doing their bidding. Carra and Clover talk parenting and parasites! 

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Buffy's mom starts dating Ted, a gaslighting robot who only Buffy senses as suspicious. Carra and Clover look into Buffy's reaction to Ted and his manipulation of her friends. Your hosts also discuss robots and cults! Also tune in to learn who gets today's Scooby's snack and if Carra and Clover have the same trivia question!

  "Ted" was written by Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt and directed by Bruce Seth Green.

Sources on robots: https://www.mouser.mx/blog/robo-pop-how-robots-came-to-dominate-popular-culture

https://www.mouser.com/blog/three-modern-laws-of-robotics-for-our-ai-driven-lives?_gl=1*n4be8w*_ga*ODk2NDI1NTI2LjE2OTUwNjQyNjk.*_ga_15W4STQT4T*MTY5NTA2NDI2OS4xLjAuMTY5NTA2NDI3MC4wLjAuMA..*_ga_1KQLCYKRX3*MTY5NTA2NDI2OS4xLjAuMTY5NTA2NDI3MC41OS4wLjA.

https://www.cnn.com/2013/12/19/tech/innovation/robots-pop-culture/index.html 

Slayer Audible Series: https://ew.com/podcasts/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-stars-returning-audible-series/ 

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It's the thrilling conclusion to one of our favorite Buffy two-parters! Spike kidnaps Angel to perform the restoration spell for Drusilla and it's up to the gang and new slayer Kendra to stop it. Carra and Clover talk vampire weakness, energy manipulation, and the differences between Kendra and Buffy. 

 "What's My Line Pt 2" was written by Marti Noxon and directed by David Semel.

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It's career week at Sunnydale High. Buffy struggles with the idea of a career knowing her destiny as the slayer. Meanwhile, Spike sends three assassins on Buffy's trail to buy some time while his team works to decipher the code to restoring Drusilla's health.

Carra and Clover discuss hive minds! Additionally, your hosts dive into the scoobie's career fair choices and Kendra's accent. It's a wild episode from start to finish!

 "What's My Line Pt 1 " was written by Marti Noxon and Howard Gordon and directed by David Solomon.

Find out more about "The Worm that Walks": https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheWormThatWalks  

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This episode takes a dive into Giles' past. Carra and Clover talk demonic possession and the parallels between slayer and watcher. For once the two have different answers for their Scooby Snack!

"The Dark Age" was written by Dean Batali and Rob Des Hotel and directed by Bruce Seth Green. 

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Buffy catches Angel with Spike’s current lover Drusilla and finds her former LA friend Billy “Ford” Fordham transferred to her high school. Buffy wrestles with who to trust when she finds out about Angel’s past with Drusilla, and Ford’s true intentions in Sunnydale.

Carra and Clover talk about Angel and Buffy's developing relationship and provide a history on vampires in the goth club scene. Also tune in as the two discuss different media portrayals of vampire powers and the real life "Vampire Clan"!

"Lie to Me" was written and directed by Joss Whedon.

Sources: https://medium.com/@fayerie/the-evolution-of-the-goth-subculture-e36ca5480506
https://www.bu.edu/articles/2010/real-life-vampires/ 

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Buffy, Willow, and Xander are forced to take kids trick or treating in Sunnydale. While Buffy tries to impress Angel with her 18th century costume, a traditionally uneventful night for the Hellmouth turns into chaos when a costume shop owner performs a ritual that transforms people into their costumes. Listen in as Carra and Clover discuss Buffy's first Halloween episode, relationship dynamics, and provide some cultural information on Halloween traditions!

"Halloween" was was written by Carl Ellsworth and directed by Bruce Seth Green.

Articles discussing BTVS effects, Halloween specials, and Janus: https://deadline.com/gallery/best-halloween-tv-episodes-photo-gallery/l-r-ken-weatherwaxjohn-astincarolyn-joneslisa-loringjackie-coogan/ 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/buffy/interviews/bergstrom/page10.shtml

https://commonera.com/blogs/the-common-cause/janus-and-the-ritual-of-the-new-year 

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Buffy sneaks away from slayer duties to go to a frat party with Cordelia; the two almost end up dinner for the fraternity's snake god, Machida. Carra and Clover discuss Greek life and the combination of real and fictional horrors throughout the series. 

"Reptile Boy" was written and directed by David Greenwalt. 

Article discussing Greek life: https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/02/pop-cultures-war-on-fraternities/284126/

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On a field trip to the Sunnydale Museum, a student breaks a seal freeing an ancient mummy that poses as Buffy's cultural exchange student, Ampata. She quickly falls for Xander and the gang must find out the mummy's identity before she drains Xander's life force. 
Carra and Clover discuss Willow and Xander's dynamic and the introduction of some new long-term characters! The two also explore mummies in media and tell you which of these multiple costars appeared on Bones. A fun monster-of-the-week discussion you'll definitely want to check out! 

"Inca Mummy Girl" was written by Matt Kiene and Joe Reinkemeyer and directed by Ellen S. Pressman 

Sources for Mummy Information: 
 https://nhmu.utah.edu/articles/2023/05/how-hollywood-turned-mummies-monsters 

 https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Recap/BuffyTheVampireSlayerS2E4IncaMummyGirl 

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CW: mentions of suicide

Sunnydale has two new residents, a powerful vampire couple ready for "a little less ritual and a little more fun." Carra and Clover discuss the grand entrance of Spike and Drusilla, Die Hard, and Buffy's impeccable balancing act. 

 "School Hard" was written by David Greenwalt and Joss Whedon and Directed by John T. Kretchmer. 

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 Carra and Clover talk Frankenstein, Ace Ventura, and Angel's wardrobe change.  After a series of graverobbing of recently deceased Sunnydale girls, Buffy and the gang start investigating a Sunnydale student named Chris, whose brother Daryl had previously passed away. The scoobies soon find out that Chris with the help of his friend Eric have revived Darly’s body, and are aiming to find him a companion.  

"Some Assembly Required" was written by Ty King and Directed by Bruce Seth Green. 

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We're back! Carra and Clover dive straight into Season 2! Buffy comes back with a new haircut and a bad attitude. Spending the summer in LA, she still hasn't fully processed her fight with the master. Carra and Clover talk about how she isolates from her friends and Angel, it's a discussion you don't want to miss! 

When She Was Bad was written and directed by Joss Whedon. 

Halloween by soulprodmusic 

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