In a lot of ways, I’m an uncomplicated TV viewer. Yes, after the fact, I will analyze and critique and categorize tropes and storylines and …
Mean Girl Nemesis
Buffy
Why is Dawn so freaking annoying?
There is no secret: Dawn is annoying. People don’t like her. She’s an annoying character, an annoying story devise, an annoying sister. (Background for the …
Oh The Earnestness!
I came across Vulture’s Teen TV bracket by chance last week, stumbling onto a link and spotting those 4 words I could not possibly avoiding …
The Arrogance of Innocence
It’s one of the most common accusations levelled at teens, right after “they think they’re invincible.” Despite their lack of experience and sheltered lives, teens …
Identity Processing
There is no question that Buffy the Vampire Slayer is one of the best teen dramas. Or at least, there’s no question to those of us …
How Cell Phones Kinda, Sorta, Ruined Teen Television
Back when I was a teenager, ten years ago, although cell phones were common in the outside world, they had yet to infiltrate the walls …
Super Secrets
Lately I seem to be watching a lot of supernatural teen drama. This particular niche of genre cross-overs features teen characters who are somehow supernaturally …
Six degrees of Rory Gilmore
I know I’m not the only one who gets a kick out of recognizing actors from one show when they pop up on a different …
Freaky Friday-ed
It’s a fairly common phenomenon on teen dramas to witness a parent-child relationship that is characterized by some form of role reversal. This can mean …
Oh, Phallic Snake Monster, Symbol of Male Power
In Season 2, Episode 5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Title: “Reptile Boy”), Buffy lies to Giles to get out of her Slayer responsibilities and …