Listen to the Episode Here.
Download the PDF of the Script Here.
Read Present Memory’s Review Here.

I’m writing up two episodes in one go here which I know is just wrong, but I listened to episode three at once, I’m falling behind and don’t have time to re-listen because I’m getting desperate to race on ahead and listen to the next ones (and listen to all the extra twiddly bits like the feedback and special commentary episodes I just discovered existed!).

The praise I’m going to start lavishing on this show is going to start looking pretty sycophantic fairly shortly, I’m almost hoping that these guys put out a few clunkers so that I get the chance to shower on them some of my trademark abuse. But I can’t just yet. As much as I loved episode 2 I’d secretly been expecting the show to tail off a bit, maybe present a quality monster of the week, some good dialogue and funny scenes etc but ultimately not to nail the characterization angle as deftly as Joss Whedon did or to pull of anything major; after all, it’s pretty damn thing to do and frankly if you achieve something like that, you’re probably a writer of note.

It looks like Gwendolyn Jensen-Woodard (episode 3), Emma Rawlin and Tabitha Grace Smith (episode 4) are writer’s of note then, as they’ve managed to, not just achieve the unthinkable and bring real character depth and pathos to their work on Buffy, but they’ve managed to do it, yet again, using characters and in ways that are were completed unexpected. Finding ideas and angles that no-one could have predicted were coming. At this point if it were to be announced that these guys had won them selves a writing gig on Buffy Season 8 or a related project I’m sure there’d be much skepticism amongst non-listeners of this show but I’m fully convinced that they’d be more than up to the task; far more than, say, established but uninspired comic writers like Brian K Vaughan whose character writing simply goes through the motions.

Episode 3, “Never go Up Against a Sorcerer When Death is on the Line” is a character episode of the finest order. An Ethan Rayne story (introduced at just the right time in just the right way and played expertly with all the ticks and mannerisms in place by Alex Gilmour) with all the hallmarks of the finest Ethan stories as Ethan’s trouble making brings out the personal insecurities and troubles of the character he happens to be harrassing. Giles, unable to cope with Buffy’s death, slips into alcoholism and Ethan only makes it worse by sending him on a trip into his own unconscious, bringing his worst demons and fears to the surface. This episode plays like a trip with different characters and scenes from Giles life being played over in truly scary fashion with the people he’s failed like Jenny Calendar and Buffy coming back to mock him. Brian Brown as Giles has a lot to carry here and I’m glad to say that despite my reservations about his appropriateness in the first episode, he does a terrific job of making us believe in and feel for Giles pain.

In good Buffy tradition, you always get a little bit more than the main storyline and here we are, amongst other things, treated to a look at how the trio came to meet up. Now I’m an unashamed fan of these guys who are a huge part of the reason why Season 6 is my favorite Buffy series, so it was a real treat to get this scene. It so easily could have been a huge disaster, but… how perfect that the three should meet at a role-playing game organized by Ethan who doesn’t show and featuring comments like “I’ve got this great dungeon I made in 10th grade (or something….shifty) , you guys are gonna love it” had me rolling on the floor

Episode 4, the wonderfully titled “Ctrl-Alt-Del” proves that I was completely wrong in my assessment of Kim Butler before. In an audio drama, no matter how good the script, if the central performer isn’t up to it, it’ll be a disaster. Kim Butler is up to the role of the BuffyBot and then some, creating a fully fleshed character out of what could be cynically seen as just a hilarious extended joke in the series. BuffyBot in this episode is almost reminiscent of a Data from Star Trek without the massive intelligence or self knowledge, trying to find her place in a world that she knows she doesn’t quite belong to. It’s another episode lacking a weekly monster but that doesn’t mean that it lacks the requisite dramatic impetus. Alongside Buffybot’s rise to self awareness we are treated to some story surrounding our series Big Bad, Javert (or one of? Who is this mysterious “Air?”). I haven’t mentioned how much I like Javert as a character yet as it’s really only in this episode that he gets some decent airtime. He’s a really smooth, suave leader of a vampire gang but unlike, say the Spike of S2 he’s not quite so self-assured as his image would have others believe and has these niggling uncertainties that he actually has any control over his minions. He’s a wonderful villain, perhaps not as large as life as some of Whedon’s best, but certainly more intriguing and with more depth than Adam or Glory. This extended time we’re getting with him is really making me anticipate the eventual end of season showdown. The neat twist to this episode is that we are treated to a showdown of sorts, between Javert and Buffybot that ends in the perfect anticlimax as Buffybot runs out of battery and Javert leaves thinking he’s killed the Slayer.

(there’s also a great cameo by yet another great soundalike, Andrew Ball as D’Hoffryn)

Both these episodes are Buffy writing of high magnitude indeed. Added to this, the cast are becoming more relaxed and confident in their roles to the point that there’s hardly a weak link amongst them and the production values are also steadily improving. Does this sound too sycophantic? Just wait until I get dissing on the Thanksgiving Minisode, OK?

[Make sure to check out Juss' New Time Radio Blog for more reviews of new audio dramas over at Playtime Magazine]

Listen to the Episode here.
Download the Script in PDF format.
Read Present Memory’s Review here.

I certainly didn’t expect Buffy: Between the Lines to turn itself into essential listening in just two episodes. Not without some of the technical issues that plagued the first episode, there is however so much Buffy goodness in this story it’s virtually a fanfic dream come true. This second story in the soon to be hot radio play offers us a slice of genuine horror in the excellently executed opening scenes, as a young opera singer is mysteriously murdered, the use of song and sound here being particularly exemplary. It then throws in some classic Buffyesque comic touches, some genuine mystery in the mode of Buffy Seasons 2/3 as the gang and in particular Tara (it’s so great to see Tara lead a story) try to work out who is behind the calling of this demon and finally treats us to a great twist ending.

You want more? With Willow going to L.A to let Angel know about Buffy’s death we’re even treated to a number of crossover scenes that never did but should have happened in the TV series (or at least the comics goddammit). No, it doesn’t quite fit in with the mad demon murdering university choir-singers storyline, but Willow’s trip also becomes a disaster as there’s a demon on the loose in Angel’s hotel and Willow has to stay cool and save the day. Even more importantly, praise the lord, we’re treated to a wonderful characterisation of Cordelia that casts aside the tedious uninteresting character from Angel and gives us something close to the uber-bitch of Buffy seasons 1-3 as she lays smack into Willow and Buffy when she turns up on their doorstep. Throw in an uncanny Fred impersonation and it makes one eagerly anticipate the inevitable (this is inevitable, right?) Angel Between the Lines spin off show.

There’s still work to be done in terms of keeping the script tight and focused. At nearly an hour even with the commercial breaks the running time is a little long and without the advantages that visuals give you I’d argue that a shorter 30 minutes would make this show pacier and slightly more effective. Also, whilst the writers are managing to capture the more adult and interesting side of the Buffy character’s effectively time will tell if there’ll be any sign of Whedon’s insight or bite. It doesn‘t help that without Buffy in the cast there’s no real main character focus yet. Willow is going to have to take over the reigns as main character, I presume, but what can the writers do with her between the season’s that is all that interesting? I’m not sure but curious to find out.

If you like Buffy the Vampire Slayer (and who the hell doesn’t?) this show just became essential listening. So listen already.

[Make sure to check out Juss' New Time Radio Blog for more reviews of new audio dramas over at Playtime Magazine]

[Editor's Note: We asked Juss, from the New Time Radio Blog over at Play-Time.com if we could repost some reviews he wrote of our first season. He happily agreed. Make sure you check out his blog for more reviews of audio dramas. Thanks Juss!]

Click here to listen to the episode.
Click here to read Present Memory’s Review.
Download the Script in PDF format.

Major kudos to Tabitha Smith and all the guys at Buffy Between the Lines for undertaking and pulling of such a bold and daring project.

I’ve kept away from expanded universe Buffy material including books comics and fan-fiction mostly as the quality of the TV show (and Season 8 comics) has been so high it would seem like desecration and only make me angry. However, having heard about Buffy Between the Lines, a radio production which follows the lives of the Buffy characters inbetween seasons 5 and 6, my curiosity got the better off me; this project was so ambitious It’d either be immensely gratifying to see it pulled off or at the very least it would give me a good laugh for 30 minutes listening to a bunch of Whedonites pretending to be Willow, Xander et al and falling flat on their faces.

There are immense difficulties involved in portraying characters so loved and cherished as the Buffyverse characters, with the acting styles and mannerisms of the Buffy actors so ingrained on our consciences it was always going to be difficult to convince listeners of the validity of this project, particularly with an amateur cast. Worse for them maybe is that Whedon and Co’s scripts are so tight, fast paced and funny whilst simultaneously containing such smart character development and genrebusting ideas that it’s going to take a scriptwriter of some talent to make it worth these actors getting out of bed for.

Well, Between the Lines was certainly something of a nice surprise. By no means a masterpiece or an essential part of the Buffyverse, this is however a pleasantly enjoyable listen. There’s obviously been a lot of love and care gone into this at every stage, from acting, scripting to production. Different actors have been chosen from around the world based on their ability to act like rather than sound like the characters an for the most part this has been an astute and successful strategy. There are some real gems on the cast; Chris O. as Xander and Tabitha Smith as Anya particular stand out as being not just good mimics but able to time their lines and deliver good comedy in a similar way to the original cast. Tasha as Dawn, Cliss as Tara and Nick Edwards as Spike all make the most of their roles too, although if anything Edwards isn’t quite over the top enough to be any kind of a match for James Marsters. There are some disappointments; Willow’s gentle but passionate manner was a little too much for xMadxScientistx to capture this time around whilst Anthony Stewart Head’s obvious theater background is obviously missing from Brian Brown’s performance and it hurts it, though it seems churlish to blame Brown for that!

Scriptwise, Tabitha Smith tried to do too much too early. Given the post Buffy death setting it was inevitable that there had to be a grieving scene but it’s far too long and overwrought. In the first episode it a big enough call to get the listener to accept a brand new Buffy cast and a new format; to have to buy heavy emotional drama all on top of this is too much. A better decision would have been to find a way to put off the grieving scenes and start out with some action/comedy adventure instead. When the action comedy does finally kick in the show improves tenfold. Tabitha Smith’s narrative pacing may be a bit off but she sure knows how to write a good joke in the Buffy style and when the delivery is good, that’s when it all feels worthwhile. Another tough call for the scriptwriter is going to be bringing these characters up to the point they’re at in “Bargaining” in an interesting and entertaining manner without giving them too much to do that they become overly experienced. Willow has to become powerful but with reservations, whilst the rest of the gang will still have to look a little lost without Buffy around to save their necks. Doc was a good stop gap villain for this and that the gang are saved from needing to dispatch the guy worked out well. I like how Smith, in Buffy tradition attempts to weave together the personal drama and the evil threat, allowing the two to bounce off of each other and if the script was a little disjointed for it to work out this time around, I’ve confidence that after a few episodes she’ll nail it.

On of the major problems perhaps come with the production. Having different actors from across the globe is a wonderful and exciting thing, but it does mean icky and imbalanced sound quality that’s hard to make consistent. Sound effects and scene transitions are not always implemented well and even though the idea is nice, those damn persistent commercial breaks really are unnecessary. All these criticisms may sound like quite a big deal, but really they aren’t. If you listen to this expecting high quality audio production then you’re probably listening to the wrong thing anyway. If you’re listening to Between the Lines for the right reasons then it’s easy enough to gloss over these inconsistencies and problems which I’ve no doubt will improve as the series continues anyway.

Buffy Between the Lines is unfortunately not going to replace the TV show or your monthly comics fix. However, if you enjoy the Buffyverse, are open to the idea of fan interpretations and enjoy good quality audio plays then you could do far worse than to check this show out. I’m certainly eager to see what Tabitha Smith comes up with next.

Lights! Camera! Action!

Okay, so there probably weren’t any lights, there definitely weren’t any cameras, and the action quota was unusually low. But rejoice! For Buffy Between the Lines is back! Returning for a much anticipated second season, BBTL takes us back to a simpler time of studying for exams, nights out at the Bronze, and demon monkeys attacking the school play. Ah, high school.

Picking up where season two left off (sans the depressing Sarah McLachlan music.) “Proceed As Planned” wastes no time in catching us up with the characters we know and love. His brief alliance with Buffy now over, Spike heads to South America with an unhappy Drusilla. Distraught after killing Angel, and unable to return home, Buffy heads to L.A. Meanwhile, the remnants of the Scooby gang, Willow, Xander, Giles, Oz, and Cordelia are left in Sunnydale, wondering if they can go back to just being normal. And tucked away in the gleaming offices of Wolfram & Hart, Holland Manners sets plans in motion to bring Angel back into the game.

The cast and crew came out swinging with an opener that should make lesser audio dramas cry out for someone maternal. While not as emotionally charged at season one’s grief stricken premiere, the episode wove all its plotlines together seamlessly with snappy dialogue worthy of Whedon. It was smart, fun, and over much too quickly. We also got the added bonus of some great new voices with Cordelia, Drusilla, and Oz, who were captured wonderfully by Lisa, Emma, and Sam. And if you listen real closely, you might just notice a little Four Star Mary, the band that leant its music to Oz’s band, Dingoes Ate My Baby.

The team has obviously grown (just listen to Tabz rattle off that list of editors!) and they’re working harder than ever to make sure that season two is everything its predecessor was, and more. Make sure to show them your support by leaving feedback, reviews, and spreading the Between the Lines love.

Quote of the Episode Award:

Oz: When I start using more words than you, be afraid.

On October 6th, Between the Lines Studios debuted with its first episode of Buffy: Between the Lines,” Beginning At The End.” Now, over seven months later, Season one finally comes to a close with Episode 12, “A Slayer’s Job Is Never Done.”

It’s been a long, hard summer for our Scoobies. They learned the hard way that the Hellmouth waits for no Slayer. While struggling to deal with Buffy’s untimely death, they’ve had to battle a steady stream of demons and beasties, and it hasn’t been easy. As they rush to find Dawn and stop Javert, the last of the Summers girls decides to make a sacrifice of her own. Meanwhile, the Navajo Spirits watch everything with growing concern.

Between the Lines Producer and Ringleader, Tabitha Grace Smith, wrote the finale, taking on the somewhat daunting task of saving Dawn, killing Javert, tying up all the loose ends, and bringing the characters back for Joss and Co to pick up in Season 6. Oh, and let’s not forget, turning everyone into kittens. She does a spectacular job of bringing everything together, and in true Buffy form, throwing us a curveball or two.

This episode hit all the right marks. High, low, funny, sad, it was all there. The music of composer, Austin Wintory, tied everything together beautifully. And just as episode one picked up directly after the end of season five, episode twelve takes us right up to the moment season six begins. Which was a fun and unexpected touch.

With dedication and awesome performances from everyone, Season one of BBtL definitely ended on a high note. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has taken part in this amazing project. From the producers to the street team members, the actors, editors, writers, and everyone in between. You’ve heard it before, and I’ll say it again. Thank you for bringing Buffy back.

A few parting thoughts as we leave BBtL for the summer. Do what you can to spread the love. There are still a lot of Buffy fans out there. Let’s see how many of them we can hook before season two. And in the meantime, why not pull out your DVDs and brush up on the good old days of Sunnydale High before BBtL comes back for its second season in August.

See you in Season Two!

P.S. I want a Kitten Spike plushie.

Quote of the Episode Award goes to:
Dawn: Maybe I’ll never be a super strong superhero like Buffy, besides who wants to work nights anyway? But if I’ve learned anything this summer, it’s that all of us are heroes. Even when we don’t feel like it.

Time is running out for the Scoobies. Dawn is missing, Javert moves his final pieces into play, the BuffyBot is on the fritz, and men are turning up dead all over Sunnydale. Not to mention that Willow, Xander, Anya, and Tara are stretched to breaking point with worries about resurrecting Buffy. The moment of truth draws closer. Will the scoobs be able pull it all off?

Paving the way for BBTL’s final season one episode, Beer Good Foamy holds the pen responsible for Episode 11, Oldies Night. Filled with BGF’s trademark snappy dialogue (and one or two Angel jokes.) this episode is just another example of how awesome BBtL really is.

Dawn does some unexpected Bonding with Javert, the scoobies find themselves facing off against a man-hating vampire named Elizabeth, who is ripping her way through the citizens of Sunnydale. Even with everything coming up Doomsday in the background, I thought that this episode was an excellent look into Dawn’s character. Most fans would agree that Dawn Summers isn’t exactly the most beloved character in Buffy’s world. Yes, she can be annoying. Yes, she can be whiny. But in a touching scene, we get to see a bit of the inner turmoil that Dawn works her hardest to hide from those around her. She’s feeling lost and abandoned, and that’s never good when there’s a destruction seeking vampire in the neighborhood.

As Dawn lies sleeping on Javert’s couch, the rest of us are left to anxiously await the finale of season one. Who’ll live, who’ll die, and just how on Earth are the Scoobies going to keep California from becoming the next Atlantis?

Quote of the Episode Award goes to:

Rich: Dude, I wouldn’t touch her with a ten foot pole. She looks pissed. I bet she’s one of those feminimy…fenemin…pfft, lesbians.

When will we ever learn? There are certain things in the Jossverse that just never end well. Relationships, high school, patching up the Summers’ living room window, and of course…birthdays. So as Dawn’s fifteenth birthday rolls around, and the scoobies make with the party planning, you can bet that things won’t be ending happily over Phoenix tongue sweetened cake.

The Dawn Chronicles continue in Episode 10, Summers Women Should Never Celebrate Birthdays, when the littlest Summers gets a new diary for her birthday. Through voiceovers and narratives, we’re given the inside scoop on just what Dawn has been going through. Meanwhile, Xander and Spike form an unlikely alliance when something starts causing trouble at good old Sunnydale High.

Written by BBTL super-gal, Emma Rawlin, this episode packed a lot into its forty-five minutes. I’ve found that in the eps penned by Emma, we are given the chance to view the characters through someone else’s eyes. In Episode 4, CTRL + ALT + DEL, we got to analyze the Scoobs through the BuffyBot’s processors, and now we’re given the chance to glimpse them from Dawn’s POV. Granted the diary of a 15 year old girl, is probably going to be a bit more self-involved…but we are slipped wonderful moments and insights throughout the episode. As an added bonus, we’re given some great interaction between Spike and Xander as well. Including one of the most heated arguments the show has seen thus far. Kudos to Nick and Chris!

Ending on a cliffhanger with the action coming to a head, we’re down to the final two episodes. Keep your iPods plugged in, because you aren’t going to want to miss what BBTL has in store for you.

Quote of The Episode Award goes to:

Xander: What the hell was that, Captain Peroxide?

Spike: I was making you look like an idiot with no real effort.

Screams of pain and terror fill the air as we join BBtL for Episode 9, “A Dish Served Cold.” In a rare flashback sequence, we join the powerful Anyanka as she and D’Hoffryn bask in the afterglow of destruction and chaos. (And discuss the following week’s cribbage game.) While Anyanka and D’Hoffryn are pleased with the carnage, young Magda, the woman responsible for the wish, takes her own life out of fear and despair.

Meanwhile back in the present, Anya receives her wedding veil, courtesy of ebay, and finds herself possessed by Magda’s vengeful spirit. While the Scoobies race to figure out how to save Anya, Sunnydale is overrun with body-snatching spirits, and Dawn is left lost and alone…until she comes across Javert.

The crew at Buffy: Between the Lines has managed something that takes some people years to master, the art of portraying emotion without going overboard. Some people beat their audience over the head with angst and melodrama, more often than Giles gets knocked unconscious. But those over at BBtL manage to keep things a bit more subtle. They played the reunion between Giles and Jenny Calender perfectly; it was heartfelt and bittersweet without being too emotional. (Giles is British, after all.) At the same time, they also manage to capture just how alone Dawn feels without her mother or big sister around. All the while, never losing the grief that still hangs over everyone with after Buffy’s death. That’s a lot of darkness to have to balance out, but the crew does a wonderful job of keeping everything in check.

Oh, but that cliffhanger of an ending? Does anyone else wonder if writer, Alyrenee Greaves was momentarily possessed by the spirit of Joss Whedon?

Quote of the Episode Award goes to:

Xander: Willow, did you know about this?

Willow: Oh, sure Xander. At my bar mitzvah the spirit of my late uncle Sidney possessed me and made me sing Old Man River.

Xander: You sang Old Man River? How did I miss that?

I’m sure there isn’t one of us out there who hasn’t wondered how the other half lives. Just a momentary glance into the mind of the opposite sex, you know, for a little looksie. In episode eight, “The Other Half of Me,” Xander Harris does just that after he is magically transfigured into a softer, curvier version of himself. (Herself?) After being mistaken for Spike by the Bian Xing demon, Xander wakes up to find himself in someone else’s shoes. Shoes that just so happen to be heels. And it’s up to the Scoobies to find a way to get him back before it’s too late.

I think the cast and crew made a bold move with this particular episode. A show like this could have easily become a caricature or a silly stereotype. And while the writers did allow themselves to have some fun, they kept the heart of the story in tact. I’d also like to credit a large portion of what made this work to Chris O’Connor, the actor who has brought Xander to life for this series. Many actors being asked to portray the opposite sex would take things too far, and blow certain characteristics out of proportion. Chris managed to find a nice balance and make Xander’s female persona sound feminine, without turning it into a joke, which would have taken away from the episode.

Along with Xander’s misadventures, we also get another hard look into the conflict that Willow is dealing with after being thrust into her current leadership role. The stress is taking its toll on her, and she seems to be teetering between feeling lost and inept to a powerful and in control mamma-jamma. All the while, growing closer and closer to her magic addiction.

As the season draws closer the finale, tensions are beginning to rise, and it’s clear that things are going to be coming to a head soon. As Giles wisely observes, “Sometimes people in grief turn to the darker side of magic to solve their problems.” Reminding us all just what exactly everything is leading up to. And I, for one, can’t wait to see just how BBtL is going to get us there.

Quote of the Episode Award goes to:

Anya: I was really looking forward to being a lesbian. We could share clothes and watch stick flicks.

In the wake of their first loss following Buffy, the Scoobies seem shaken. None more so than the gang’s newly appointed leader, Willow. In the latest episode, “Fractures, Frogs and Fuzzy Sweaters,” we watch as she continues to delve into magicks that are growing steadily blacker. Meanwhile the Trio accidentally unleashes a plague of frogs onto the town of Sunnydale.

But this episode isn’t just magic bones and funny frog fears. There’s something dark running below the surface. Willow’s magick addiction has taken a hold of her. And people are noticing. While her friends may still tiptoe around the subject, there’s one individual who certainly won’t hold his tongue. The confrontation between Spike and Willow is heated. And Spike’s vehement concern for Dawn’s safety is heartfelt and sincere.

And in a rather shocking turn of events, we also learn that it was in fact Xander who first broached the subject of bringing Buffy back. “Chapter 60, onwards.” He says quietly to Willow while she lies in bed, stunned. “Think about it.” Well, I certainly will.

We all know what a huge project Buffy Between the Lines is, made particularly more difficult by the time frame of season one. Buffy’s season six is most notably the darkest of the series. So to preface that, can’t exactly be a walk in the park. So far through the show’s seven episodes, this extremely talented team of writers has managed to bridge the gap between seasons five and six; continuing and building relationships, foreshadowing, and throwing in a few surprise twists. And they deserve huge thanks and recognition for all their hard work and skill. If these crazy kids can do this much with season one, I most certainly can’t wait to see what they come up with for season two!

Quote of the Episode Award goes to:

Andrew: Ever since Candyce died, I…I mean, It’s like Luke was abandoned by his Leia. It’s like Mulder with no Sculley. J.D. without a Dr. Cox. I’m a broken man, I tell you! I’m broken and aimless without, without aim!

Sunnydale has been home to more than one wanna-be-bad. So when the Scoobies meet up with Javert and finally get the scoop on his plan o’destruction, it’s not surprising that they don’t immediately start quaking with fear. (Get it? Quake…oh, never mind.) After all, what’s a little earthquake when you’ve already faced down 5 apocalypses?

In Episode 6, “Followed Footsteps,” we finally learn the story behind this season’s Big Bad. After a night of heavy drinking back in 1940’s France, we learn that Spike got a little more than he bargained for from his midnight snack.. After unknowingly siring the young Javert, he disappears and sets into motion the chain of events that will lead to tragedy for the Scooby gang.

While in the present, the scoobs continue to spin further away from each other as they squabble and pick petty arguments. And they realize far too late just what sort of threat Javert truly poses. With the death of Candyce Wells on their shoulders and the prospect of California sinking into the ocean, the gang is going to have to put aside their differences and pull out that old Team Scooby magic if they want to make it through this one.

But this episode isn’t all doom, gloom, and untimely death. We’re also given a glimpse at the presentation of the famed “Boss of Us” plaque that Xander made for Willow. And an amusing little scene where we find out just how much Andrew loves … sprinkles.

From highs to lows, this episode hit all the right marks. Writer Emma Rawlin takes you from giggles to gut wrenching in true Joss Whedon form. And you know it just wouldn’t be Buffy without a few fallen soldiers along the way. (Here’s a tip: Listening to the episode again after the BBtL extra “The Tara and Candyce Chronicles” makes the ending even more heart breaking.) So, here’s to you Candyce. We’ll miss you.

Quote of the Episode award goes to:
Anya: I know what’s happening here. You’re trying to make me feel inferior, to diminish me in front of everyone else, because I dare to question your authority.

The Scooby Gang has always been a family of sorts. And an exceptionally strong family at that, because they’ve had each other. But now that Buffy is gone, we’re starting to see holes where she used to hold them all together. In episode 5, “She’s More Than That” we begin to see that as hard as they try to pretend that everything is alright, our rag-tag group of heroes are not coping as well as they would like others to believe.

Xander, hurt that Buffy chose Spike to protect Dawn above himself, has been throwing himself into his work. Meanwhile Willow continues down her path toward magick addiction. And Giles and Spike both continue their separate mourning, convinced that Buffy’s death lies on their shoulders.

The gang drifts further apart, hiding their feelings from one another, while struggling to con Child Protective Services in order to keep Dawn safe. All the while the vampire Javert reveals his own plan to turn Sunnydale into the Atlantis of the 21st Century. Can the Scoobs do it? Can they pull themselves together before it’s too late and Sunnydale becomes the world’s largest water-park?

It’s no surprise that nearly every episode of the original Buffy had an underlying theme. And a theme that we’ve seen time and time again within the Buffyverse, is that of family. This family not always be functional, and they’re certainly not normal. But they are a family. Even if they’re missing a member. They’re certainly lost without Buffy, but they also have the capability to be that family without her. I think this episode manages to capture that particularly well within one of its final scenes, when the group visits Spike in his crypt with housewarming presents. So let’s hope that the gang can keep it together, because if Buffy has taught me anything, it’s that you’ve got to stick by one another. Because when the chips are down, and an evil vampire is trying to sink your state, you’re going to want someone fighting by your side.

Quote of the Episode award goes to:

Dawn: He’s just moody because we caught him watching Dawson’s Creek.

Giles: Has Dawson reconciled with that Joey girl?

Spike: Well I’d know if the lot of you would button it. And any blind fool can see she’s going to end up with that Pacey bloke.

In the latest episode of Buffy Between the Lines, we are given a unique perspective on the Sunnydale survivors through a series of scenes narrated by The BuffyBot. We’ve all seen and laughed along with BuffyBot’s simplistic world views, but what happens when everyone around her is dealing with their very complex grief?

The answer, of course, is “CTRL + ALT + DEL” The episode was extremely well done, beginning to take a subtle look at how the characters begin to adjust to life A.B. (After Buffy.) The Bot’s simple words capture their grieving perfectly. She may be just a robot, but BuffyBot sees more than any of them realize.

Meanwhile trouble is a’brewin just out of sight. By this of course, I mean the antics of the vampire Javert, who was busy recruiting new accomplices. The first of which was D’Hoffryn, patron saint of the scorned! (Who now has a handy automated voicemail system.) I was also delighted to see the return of hellgod-minion extraordinaire, Jinx, who arrived with all of his complementary adjectives in tact.

As always, the script was very well written, staying true to the characters that we all love. And the actors seem to be growing evermore comfortable within their roles as well, but this time around, I would like to pay special tribute to the team behind the show’s wonderful music. From the theme song to the end credits, the music is a big part of what makes this show so extraordinary. The original music composed for the show is excellent, paying homage to the original series, without copying it. I especially enjoyed the song that played during Buffy Bot’s final monologue. It helped to make her simple words all the more poignant and meaningful.

Quote of the Episode award goes to:

Buffy Bot: Buffy was…scared, but very brave. I want to be Buffy now. Be brave, and help people. They think I don’t understand, but it’s not that. I don’t always comprehend, but I do understand. I’m supposed to make people happy, that is my programming. And that is what I’m planning on doing. It’s what the other me would have wanted.

Episode 3 throws another character driven show our way; this time around we (quite literally) delve into the mind of Watcher extraordinaire, Rupert Giles. Oh dear. After facing down a fire-breathing dragon and other painful reminders of his slayer’s untimely death, Giles hides away in the Magic Box with nothing more than a bottle of Scotch for company. That is, until the wonderfully devious Ethan Rayne shows up to lock his old friend up in his mind, where his pain and guilt keep him prisoner. The Scoobies are stuck waiting, searching for a way to help Giles, as he is forced to battle his own thoughts.

The episode had some truly amazing moments. Some, like Xander’s offer to get donuts and talk about old times, were subtle and incredibly sweet. Others, like Buffy blaming Giles for her death were powerful and heart-breaking to listen to. With a great mix of humor and drama, episode three proves that this show just keeps getting better and better.

While the previous episodes had a large focus on fighting off the black hats, “Never Go Up Against A Sorcerer When Death Is On The Line” centered largely on the character’s internal struggles. While slightly less action-packed, it’s certainly not any less important. And I loved that writer Gwendolyn Jensen-Woodard was able to bring out just how much Buffy meant to Giles without venturing into the land of cliché. Character development was a huge part of the original series, and it’s nice to see that it’s importance hasn’t been lost on this show.

The episode also gave us a few great extras. Like the birth of everyone’s favorite troika, watcher diaries through the ages, and a sweet ending scene between Faith and Angel.

Once again I feel the need to praise the writers, actors, producers, editors, and everyone who has put together this amazing project.

Quote of the Episode Award goes to:

Dawn: I think I saw “Mystery Date” game in the lounge.
Anya: Oh! Is there money to win in “Mystery Date?”
Dawn: Nope. Otherwise it’d be called “Hooker Date.”

“Los Angeles! Home of the Dodgers. Movies. And a broody vampire who…”

Buffy Between the Lines is back for Episode 2, and they’ve brought along the Angel Investigations crew for good measure. “Requiem for a Demon” takes on the daunting task of interlacing two separate storylines. Willow joins Angel and his team in LA to bring news of Buffy’s death, and sticks around for a little impromptu monster fighting. Meanwhile the rest of the Scooby gang remains in Sunnydale, facing off with a demon that has started attacking the girls in Tara’s choir.

After breaking the news to Angel and Co, Willow realizes that demons aren’t just the Sunnydale town mascot when she gets wrapped up in the hunt for a hitchhiking demon that’s stalking the Hyperion Hotel. She also gets a taste of how they do things in L.A. while helping out her old friends Wesley and Cordelia.

Back in Sunnydale, Tara is put in charge when a “Puce colored Barney” starts ripping out the throats of her choir members. Without Buffy or Willow, the gang scrambles to put a stop to things before it’s too late. While unbeknownst to them, an even greater threat has just arrived on the Hellmouth.

It couldn’t have been easy attempting to tell two separate stories within the show, but the BBtL crew pulled it off nicely. With “California Blonde” serving as a bumper to segue into the Los Angeles scenes, it was easy to separate the two stories and keep things organized. And on top of everything else, we were given a great storyline with one of the shows more secondary characters. Tara, who is often overlooked because of her quiet nature or overshadowed by her relationship with Willow, was unexpectedly shoved into a leadership role. And while somewhat hesitant at first, she showed that she could handle herself, and proved herself to be an intricate part of the Scoobies. Any show that can manage all that in 50 minutes is worth a listen.

Quote of the Episode Award goes to:

Xander: You’re the new bearer of the Dork Baton. I knight you Dame Dork of Dorkshire upon Nerdom.

A Review of Episode 1 – Beginning at the End

The hardest thing in this world is to live in it.

We all know the beautiful sacrifice that Buffy Summers made to save her sister and the world. Her gift. She saved the world. A lot. But what happened after? What was the Scooby Gang busy with during those months without the Slayer? How about dealing with a menacing group of demon…bunnies?

Episode one of Buffy Between the Lines, “Beginning at the End,” does just that. Beginning directly Buffy’s death, the group begins to pick up the pieces, saying goodbye to their beloved friend and trying to make sense of the world without her.

But life on the Hellmouth waits for no one, and the Scoobies find themselves facing Doc, the demon who just won’t die, and a hoard of evil demon bunnies summoned by Andrew Wells (who was hiding safely in the closet.)

In just forty-five minutes, we’re given back story, answers to unanswered questions, a brand new character, and enough witty dialogue to fill the Joss shaped hole in all of our hearts.

What amazed me the most about this episode was all the groundwork that writer Tabitha Grace Smith was able to lay for future episodes. Not just for this awesome audio drama, but for the show as well. She showed us how lost Willow felt without her best friend, leading up to the spell which will bring the slayer back for Season Six. We got a glimpse of the nightmares that Spike spoke of, and a chance to see the inner turmoil of Rupert Giles through entries in his watcher diaries. And if you listen closely you might even catch a reference or two to the Buffy Season Eight comic series.

This show is a real treat for any Buffy fan that has been searching for more of their favorite slayer since the show ended its run in 2003. It’s already fantastic, and it’s only going to get better. The cast and crew deserve massive thanks for the enormous amount of effort and love they’ve put into bringing Buffy Between the Lines to life.

Quote of the Episode Award goes to:

Tara: We’re going to miss how you made us more. More than just—just friends. We’re family. Thanks for making us your family.