Ben Blacker
@benblacker.bsky.social
The Writers Panel // Cut+Run: http://bit.ly/CutRunAudible // Hex Wives: http://bit.ly/HWtrade // Thrilling Adventure Hour // Dead Pilots Society
Re:Writing: benblacker.substack.com
Re:Writing: benblacker.substack.com
I think many of the ideas were better in concept, maybe due to budgetary constraints and maybe not yet having a strong stable of directors.
Dodgeball scene is a fun idea but fails because it’s shot too… traditionally? Obviously? Likewise, when the show leaves its standing sets, it just feels off.
Dodgeball scene is a fun idea but fails because it’s shot too… traditionally? Obviously? Likewise, when the show leaves its standing sets, it just feels off.
November 14, 2025 at 12:45 AM
I think many of the ideas were better in concept, maybe due to budgetary constraints and maybe not yet having a strong stable of directors.
Dodgeball scene is a fun idea but fails because it’s shot too… traditionally? Obviously? Likewise, when the show leaves its standing sets, it just feels off.
Dodgeball scene is a fun idea but fails because it’s shot too… traditionally? Obviously? Likewise, when the show leaves its standing sets, it just feels off.
106 The Pack doesn’t really work, though not for lack of trying. Problem is that the metaphor is muddy. Is it about toxic masculinity? Cliques? Not helped either that Buffy is pretty sidelined.
Still there is some good stuff here.
Still there is some good stuff here.
November 14, 2025 at 12:40 AM
106 The Pack doesn’t really work, though not for lack of trying. Problem is that the metaphor is muddy. Is it about toxic masculinity? Cliques? Not helped either that Buffy is pretty sidelined.
Still there is some good stuff here.
Still there is some good stuff here.
“Buffy wants to be a normal girl but her responsibilities as Slayer prevent her” was surely part of the initial pitch. It’s flirted with in 101-104 but someone must have left Spider-man comics in the writers room because it’s front and center here and that clarity makes the episode sing.
October 25, 2025 at 1:02 PM
“Buffy wants to be a normal girl but her responsibilities as Slayer prevent her” was surely part of the initial pitch. It’s flirted with in 101-104 but someone must have left Spider-man comics in the writers room because it’s front and center here and that clarity makes the episode sing.
It really is fun seeing them figure out the show. You don’t really get that any more. Everything (scripted) arrives in its final form.
So worth watching series that did 22 eps per season for multiple yrs to see how they cracked the show in real time.
You’d never get a pointless shot like this now
So worth watching series that did 22 eps per season for multiple yrs to see how they cracked the show in real time.
You’d never get a pointless shot like this now
October 24, 2025 at 9:43 PM
It really is fun seeing them figure out the show. You don’t really get that any more. Everything (scripted) arrives in its final form.
So worth watching series that did 22 eps per season for multiple yrs to see how they cracked the show in real time.
You’d never get a pointless shot like this now
So worth watching series that did 22 eps per season for multiple yrs to see how they cracked the show in real time.
You’d never get a pointless shot like this now
“Teacher’s Pet” doesn’t work. The elements don’t come together. But there’s good stuff in it. Characters are aligning more closely with the actors. You can hear the writers start leaning on Alyson Hannigan/Willow’s pov for some strong comedy.
(Don’t love incel COMIC RELIEF Xander though)
(Don’t love incel COMIC RELIEF Xander though)
October 24, 2025 at 9:30 PM
“Teacher’s Pet” doesn’t work. The elements don’t come together. But there’s good stuff in it. Characters are aligning more closely with the actors. You can hear the writers start leaning on Alyson Hannigan/Willow’s pov for some strong comedy.
(Don’t love incel COMIC RELIEF Xander though)
(Don’t love incel COMIC RELIEF Xander though)