Steph and Kara discuss the first season of Angel. Evil lawyers, hegemonic systems, and men with feelings: Angel’s first year in the city named after him was an eventful one. Spoiler section starts at 42:20. Hear us discuss… So many men on this show!! Best and worst episodes The thesis of this season, maybe the whole series? Wait … did Angel … win ……

Angel has stolen a valuable prophecy scroll from Wolfram & Hart. Determined to retrieve it, they dispatch their best warrior: the Phantom of the Opera. He hits Angel where it will hurt the most. not only does he disable Cordelia and Wesley, but he destroys Angel’s sole joy in life. Angel vows revenge, and no lawyer or demonic entity or prophecy wil…

First, a techbro billionaire (90s style) hires Angel to retrieve incriminating photos of his demonic peccadilloes. This leads Angel to get mixed up with Charles Gunn and his crew of homeless vampire fighters. When a white boy vampire gang kidnaps Gunn’s sister in retaliation for the crew’s activity, Angel tries his best to help these not-so-helples…

First, the slayer arrives in the City of Angel, but it’s not the one you’re thinking of. Wolfram & Hart hire her to kill Angel, a task Faith sets to with gusto. When she threatens to take Wesley off the board, Angel has no choice but to take her out. Then, the two-parter concludes with the other slayer—yeah, that one—showing up just in time to see …

Angel is in the right time, right place to save the life of a dusty, old, dried up actress in her late twenties. When she learns he’s a vampire, she realizes she has a unique opportunity to stave off her withering descent into cronehood. But how to convince a vampire with a soul to sire you? Hear us discuss… Cordelia is a brilliant actor as long as…

First, a flashback-heavy episode finally gives new viewers Angel’s backstory … more than halfway through the season. Back in present day Los Angeles, Angel and Kate cross paths again as he works to down some demons smuggling demon drugs. Then, shady characters take advantage of Angel’s trust, kidnapping him and forcing him to participate in a demon…

First, Angel gets mixed up with a mysterious, enticing demon from another dimension whose ko glows red. She’s trying to save her girls from a wannabe boy band, and she doesn’t care what kind of body count she racks up in the process. Then, Angel investigates the strange goings-on in a suburban household. Is one of the kids possessed? Or is this jus…

First, Angel has brutally vivid nightmares of stalking and feeding from people off the streets of LA. He correctly deduces this means a vampire he sired in the eighteenth century is in town, and unfortunately for all of us, Kate is on the case. Meanwhile, Cordelia and Wesley inadvertently start a feud with the neighbouring dental office. Then, Cord…

As they reel from Doyle’s sacrifice, Angel and Cordelia discover he left Cordelia a painful bequest. A demon comes to Angel Investigations look for help against the new player in town: a bad boy rogue demon hunter who doesn’t play by the rules. But the tables quickly turn, and Angel is the one who needs help if he doesn’t want to be down two employ…

The Dark Avenger is on the case, and his rats are low. But if he isn’t available, maybe Doyle can help you out. That’s what he reluctantly tries to do with a group of demons fleeing the Scourge, demonic Nazis bent on eliminating any demon who isn’t “pureblood.” With Angel and Cordelia’s help, the demons almost escape from LA. When the Scourge catch…

This is a rerelease of our June 2022 bonus episode where we covered “I Will Remember You.” Fear not, a fresh take on this episode is also in your feed just prior to this one. Watch the episode along with us, and then listen to Steph and Kara of three years ago! Original episode notes No, you are not hallucinating. We take a special road trip to LA,…

Something different: Steph and Kara watched “I Will Remember You” together and recorded their commentary. We start watching the episode at 06:11. Watch along with us as Buffy visits Angel in Los Angeles for the first time. She’s not happy with him, but their fight is interrupted by a demon attack that accidentally transforms Angel into a human. At …

First, in the “Beer Bad” of the series, Detective Kate Lockley is stymied in her long-running investigation into mobster Little Tony until Angel lends a helping hand. A consultant with a talking stick has other ideas, however, and soon Kate’s entire precinct is trauma-dumping all over each other. Then, Doyle’s wife rocks into town to serve papers, …

First, Cordelia urges Angel to start charging for helping the helpless. A Doyle vision sets them on the case of Melissa, an office worker with an ex whose stalking game puts Spike to shame. Angel goes undercover to take the ex apart, only to find that the ex has beat him to it. Then, when Cordy finds her dream apartment, it seems like her luck is c…

First, a vision from Doyle sends the newly formed Angel Investigations team into the heart of the LA nightclub scene. There, Angel meets a fierce ladycop hot on the tail of a serial killer who’s literally jumping the bones of its victims. Then, Spike arrives in LA ahead of the Gem of Amara after Buffy rudely stole it from him over in Sunnydale. He’…

Angel, a 240-year-old vampire with a soul, moves to the city named after him for a fresh start after a break-up. Relatable. The Powers That Be won’t let him brood in peace, however. First they send Doyle his way to act as his new Whistler, complete with painful visions and Irish stereotypes. Next they arrange for Angel to bump into Queen of Sunnyda…

Steph and Kara “reintroduce” themselves in case there are any new listeners joining the podcast for the Angel rewatch. Additionally, they talk about what they’re most anticipating for this series and predict how they might react to some of its differences from Buffy. Most of the episode is spoiler-free for Angel. Spoilers start around 43:25. This w…

Steph and Kara are still plotting their move to the City of Angel (yes, just the one), but they spent some time opening your mail and reading your hot (s)takes. Hear us discuss… Buffy and astrology The ins and outs of abusive characters on the show Rings, poems, and the meaning of love Why are vampires-with-a-Y easier to kill at the end of season 7…

Ready? OK. Steph and Kara review this classic teen comedy, ostensibly because of its Buffy connections but really because we want to get our cheer on. This movie is a ray of Californian sunshine as we head into Canadian winter. Hear us discuss… The splendour that is a non-cynical teen movie Kirsten Dunst is an acting treasure Queerness and queer-co…

We survived. Not the battle. High school, er, the podcast! After recapping all seven seasons of this incredible show, Prophecy Girls is closing this chapter. We’ll be moving on to Los Angeles to check in with bae later this year. Before we go on our break, though, it’s time to look back at this entire show. Hear us discuss… We rank the seasons and …

Hear ye, hear ye, all rise for the Honourable Judges Chow and Babcock: court is now in session. The defendant: Spike, aka William the Bloody, once vampire menace and now vampire with a soul. The charges? Everything from aiding and abetting apocalypses to perversion and pooping. Hear us discuss… Does seeking out a soul change anything about Spike’s …

The Ultimate Evil. A vampire with a soul. A vampyre with a Y. A final season of Buffy that’s all about power. She has it, and she decides to share. Join Steph and Kara one last time as they discuss the last season of this amazing show. Hear us discuss… Best episodes of the season Does the First measure up as a Big Bad? How Kara would have ended it …

Reinvigorated by a VIP’s visit, Buffy elects to take the battle to the First. She concocts a plan to use the scythe and Willow’s magic to level the playing field for good. Scoobies, Potentials, and allies assemble one last time in this series finale. Hear us discuss… Angel’s versus Spike’s role in the finale The First, like so many Big Bads, just c…

Buffy rallies against Caleb and the First and rejoins the Scoobies and potentials. As Giles and Willow seek the origins of the scythe Buffy has acquired, everyone else prepares for the final battle. They know it’s coming, and they know not everyone will make it out alive. Hear us discuss… Rise of the flippity-dos part 2 & return of the research gir…

An exiled Buffy seeks solace from a surprised Spike. Back at the Summers residence, Faith rallies the army for an assault on an arsenal. Everyone is very horny. Hear us discuss… We enjoyed this glimpse of Faith as “the boss” and wish for more! OK, Spike, you get this one night, but don’t get any ideas Where are the Potentials during the 3 hookups, …

Still reeling from their losses at the vineyard, Buffy and the Scoobies try to find a moment to breathe. Yet the First and Caleb don’t want to give them that luxury. When Buffy resolves on another risky plan of attack, she encounters unexpected resistance. Andrew and Spike go on a road trip together. Hear us discuss… Giles is suddenly OK with Willo…

Move over, Spike: there’s a new King of Misogyny in town. His name is Caleb, and he has a message for the slayer. Buffy must decide whether or not to risk the Potentials while also dealing with the arrival of another “old friend” in town. Hear us discuss… Hopefully Faith and Willow didn’t compare notes about their redemption arcs. Awkward. Faith an…

Seeking revenge for his mother’s murder, Robin Wood cahoots with Giles to distract Buffy so he can take down Spike. He assembles a killer playlist and sets Spike off on a series of flashbacks to his earliest days as William the Bloody. Will Buffy choose to turn an ally into an enemy over an enemy turned ally? Special guest Ryan B Talks TV joins us …

Come with us, gentle listeners, as recount for you the deeds of Andrew, Teller of Storyes. Sooth, if ever there was a noble scribe of a Slayer of Vampyre, ‘twas he. Middling of stature and dirty blond of hair, Andrew, Teller of Storyes, courageously chronicled the Hellmouth’s endest of days. Real-life Teller of Storyes Kendare Blake joins us to hel…

Between all your hot (s)takes and all our hot guests this season, we can’t keep up! To give your opinions the time they deserve, we’ve saved up some to share in this bonus episode of Sunnymail. Hear us discuss… Slayer lore and the slayer line Buffy’s leadership style Dawnterelle has more talent in her little finger than Xander has in his whole body…

Now aware of Robin Wood’s literal slayer provenance, Buffy shows him the operation: secret hideout, army of potentials, and of course, the big board. In return, Robin gives her a bag. Inside the bag is a box. Inside the box are shadow puppets. Will these figures hold the answer? No, they’re just more men telling Buffy how to be the slayer. Sarah an…

S7E14: “First Date” (feat. Lily Anderson) Buffy and Xander each have a first date. Buffy goes to dinner with Principal Wood, who is finally prepared to reveal startling details about his past. Xander picks up Ashanti at a hardware store. Only one of these two dates ends up with someone suspended above the hellmouth. Meanwhile, the First tries to ma…

Giles takes the potentials out to the desert to meet Sineya and Cougar. Buffy stays behind because Spike is being a simp. Kennedy also stays behind, hoping to canoodle with Willow, but this leads to unintended side effects. Hear us discuss… Dawn, Anya, and Xander are the best part of this episode Buffy should have just emailed Sam Did Amy learn not…

Buffy’s School for Slayers is in session, and you either graduate or you die. So, like regular school in Sunnydale. After a spell reveals Dawn has a destiny, she wrestles with the implications. But when Amanda shows up with a problem and Buffy isn’t available, Dawn has to step into her sister’s shoes sooner than expected. Hear us discuss… What we t…

No, this is not the dinner theatre sequel to last season’s musical. Instead, Buffy concocts a plan to take on the Turok Han while also showing the potentials what it means to be the slayer. It remains to be seen whether she can do this before Spike expires at the hands of the First’s minions. Hear us discuss… Familiar faces among the new potentials…

What if Buffy had been produced on the CW instead of its predecessor, the WB? Someone decided to find out, and The Vampire Diaries is the result. Steph and Kara watched the first two episodes of the series together, followed by a 50-minute recap of the entire eight seasons, and they have THOUGHTS. Watch @joshdfloyd’s incredibly detailed recap over …

Buffy has put a name to the faces Spike has been seeing: the First Evil is behind everything. But what is it, and how can they stop it? Just in time, Daddy Giles arrives, bringing with him three new stepdaughters and a grave warning. The First won’t stop until the slayer and every girl who could be a slayer is dead. Hear us discuss… Accents are con…

With more questions than answers, the Scoobies turn to research and interrogation. Willow runs into Andrew and, after a brief showdown, he joins Spike in the blonde male bondage club at the Summers residence. Just when it feels like they might make progress, the forces of darkness launch their most daring attack yet. Hear us discuss… If the princip…

After the revelation of her vampire therapist, Buffy swaps her stake for a stake-out—of Spike. She tails him and confronts him about her suspicions that he is feeding off humans again. At first, Spike protests his innocence and reminds her of his new soul. Yet as the evidence mounts, no one, not even Aimee Mann, is prepared for the truth. The hosts…

Date: November 12, 2002. Time: 8:01 pm. Location: A cemetery. The Summers house. The UC Sunnydale library. Buffy thought vampires were bad enough when they wanted to kill her. Now she’s got one psychoanalyzing her. Dawn’s marshmallow microwave fun is interrupted when she starts to hear her mom’s voice. Willow’s late-night study session is derailed …

Razorbacks, Razorbacks, we’re gonna play! We got a secret weapon, and his name is RJ! He’s so dreamy; he’s so cool. He’s OURS, and you can’t have it. Neither can Buffy, or Willow, or Anya, or even Dawn. Hands off our RJ. Hear us discuss… Buffy, RJ would be a better roommate for Xander than Spike Who looks better in a letterman jacket (it’s RJ) Dawn…

Anya starts to question if she still wants to be evil. She experiences flashbacks showing how she got to this point. When Buffy learns about Anya’s latest trip across the line, she decides it’s time for the slayer to intervene. Xander is suddenly less interested in Buffy kicking someone’s ass when it’s his former-lover-turned-murderer doing the sla…

Cassie, a student at Sunnydale High, confides in Buffy that she has foreseen her own death. Everyone has a theory: Dawn blames Baby Mitch, Buffy and Xander shake down a deadbeat dad, and Anya would likely say it’s bunnies, but no one asked her. Hear us discuss… Missed opportunities to process Willow’s grief Nice to see the gang back together doing …

Willow returns to Sunnydale, unsure of what reception awaits. She finds … nothing. No one waits for her. The Scoobies are equally perplexed when Willow doesn’t arrive. When a flayed youth is found on Xander’s watch, Willow becomes the prime suspect before quickly becoming the prime prey. Hear us discus… Dawn’s sass levels are over 9000 Willow shoul…

A disturbing, subterranean monster besets a young woman. But enough about Spike. When Xander runs into a woman running for her life after something ate her dog, the trail leads the Scoobies to none other than his ex. Anya is firmly back in the vengeance demon camp, even if that puts her in the slayer’s sights. Hear us discuss… Principal Wood is a R…

Buffy, Dawn, and Xander are all attending the opening of Sunnydale High, and that’s not the only thing coming back from the dead. Has a summer of training by her slayer sister prepared Dawn for her greatest challenge yet? Is the new principal friend or foe? Will someone please take Spike to a hair salon? Hear us discuss… Daddy Giles IS ON A HORSIE …

Buffy the Vampire Slayer has rightfully garnered a sustained, international following of devoted fans. Within any such community, there can be a lot of love, as well as toxicity and harm. Is the Buffy fandom OK? It’s back-to-back trials as the Prophecy Girls weigh the evidence against the fandom itself. Ian Carlos Crawford of Slayerfest ’98 joins a…

Hear ye, hear ye, all rise for the Honourable Judges Chow and Babcock: court is now in session. The defendant: Willow Rosenberg, once a model student, friend, and Wicca, now Sunnydale’s most wanted. The charges? Everything from wanton destruction of a yellow crayon to near-destruction of the world. Hear us discuss… What is Willow’s worst crime and …

An unexpected resurrection. An unchecked addiction. An unhealthy obsession. An unwelcome advance. An unworthy death. Season 6: the hits just kept coming. We review the season in its entirety. Hear us discuss… The best episodes of this bad season Did the writers go too far? Missed opportunities with Xander and Anya Why we critique from a 21st-centur…

After Willow suckjobs the borrowed magicks out of Giles, her ambitions grow from ending Jonathan and Andrew to ending the entire world. With Buffy and Dawn otherwise distracted and Anya tending to Giles, it looks like it’s finally Xander’s time to shine. To quote Giles from Season 1, “The Earth is doomed.” Hear us discuss… We let out a breath we di…