Short Essay - Assignment 3¶

For this assignment, we’ll be outlining and writing a short essay.

Pick one of the following episodes and discussion topics:

Lie to Me¶

S02E07 - Lie to Me - This episode touches on the consequences of lying to people you care about. Even wanting people to lie to you.

It is often easier to choose immediate self-interest over a course of action that is better long-term and for everyone involved. In S02E07 - Lie to Me people find it easier to just lie.

Writing prompts:

Who in this show lies to whom? Is anyone here not lying?
Explain how this episode parallels real-life issues people have.
In this show, there are people that want to turn into vampires. Is there anything that could be a metaphor for in real life? Some of these people don’t want to be saved. Does this type of thing really happen?
“Other viewpoints than yours may be valid.” When is that true? When is that not true?
“Some lies are necessary, the truth is worse.” True or not?
“I love you. I don’t know if I trust you.” Is trust part of love?
Why is doing/saying the truth so hard for the people in the show?
How can we encourage ourselves to be truthful? As a society, how do we encourage others to tell the truth?
“Nothing’s ever simple anymore. I’m constantly trying to work it out. Who to love or hate. Who to trust. It’s just, like, the more I know, the more confused I get.”
“I believe that’s called growing up.”
“I’d like to stop then, okay?”

Innocence¶

S02E14 - Innocence is the second of a two-part episode. The first episode being “Surprise” (which I did post, in case you want to watch it too.) In short, the story is that Angel is a vampire that is cursed with a soul so he feels empathy. (The curse came from a band of Gypsies that Ms. Calendar is part of.) That curse stays until he experiences a moment of true happiness. At the end of the first part, Buffy and Angel have sex, and unbeknownst to Buffy, Angel loses his soul.

Oh, and bad-vampires Spike and Drusilla are working to assemble a bad demon named “Judge.” Drusilla is healthy again, Spice almost died and is in a wheelchair.

Trigger Warning: This episode hits on experiences where a person changes after sex, and one person feels used. If you’ve had some sexual trauma in your background you might want to pick the other episode.

Writing prompts:

Explain how in S02E14 - Innocence, the show parallels the common experience of a bad sex experience.
Discuss why we create and watch shows that mirror experiences like this. Who wants to re-live this? Why?
The Judge says there is no humanity in Angel. What is humanity?
What’s up with Oz’s response to Willow?
Giles is dating Ms. Jenny Calendar. When he realizes what she’s done, he has to pick sides. Buffy or his romantic interest. Does this type of thing happen often?
After sex, Buffy says to Giles, “You must have been so disappointed in me.” How does Giles respond, and how does that mirror a typical parent/teen relationship?
What must it be like moving from an “innocent” relationship with your parent and peers, and one where you are now discussing sex?

Directions on Writing¶

First, create an outline with at least four main points.
For each point, pull specific things that pack your point. Don’t give me something vague, pull an actual event or fact. Even better, two or three.
Outline a conclusion. How do your points relate? How do they build off each other?
Leave the outline on top, I’ll be looking for it.
Use that outline to write your essay. Six paragraphs: intro with thesis, four points, conclusion.