What Episodes of Buffy do you watch as a Writer?

[hobgoblinn]

I know I have a lot of very talented writers on my f-list. I was just re-watching an episode of Buffy to get back in the mind-space, and I wondered--

What episode(s) do you re-watch for
*getting a character mannerism just right
*reminding yourself of a particular theme
*checking a particular relationship dynamic

Or some other thing? I'd really like to know. Obviously, for Ethan Rayne, my options are limited, and yes, I know those.

Oddly, what got me thinking about this was some of Spike's exploring Glory/Ben's place in the first half of "Spiral" (S5)-- just the way his body moves, the mannerisms, the easy grace, the quiet, deadly efficiency. I don't write Spike much, but that was kinda nifty.

On a related note, are there fanfics you turn back to, to get your mind in writing/ creative space again?

Comments

[antennapedia.livejournal.com]

I've just watched "Amends" twice. Not my favorite episode, but it has some good stuff in it. Certain season enders ("Prophecy Girl", "Becoming" 1 & 2, "The Gift", "Grave"). Season openers. Episodes written by Joss Whedon.

To recharge my writing batteries I read anything but fanfic. I read something in the style I want to write in. Or something I find inspirational in the "some day I want to be able to write like that" sense.

[hobgoblinn.livejournal.com]

great episodes all. I wish I had a better handle on inspirational/ stylistic writing-- I stumble across things all the time that influence me or make me think about how I handle certain writing issues, but it's very hit or miss....

I'll ask the same question I asked rahirah-- now that the show's been over a while, how do you keep the passion for that world high enough to write it so well? What do you do to recharge that? I find myself slipping out of the mindspace a lot. Maybe it's just new things diverting my limited attention span, I don't know....