The Sunnydale Diaries - A Buffy the Vampire Slayer Podcast - Podcast Episodes, Ranking & Reviews

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

Episode 97 - It's the Bench! (Tough Love)

Things are getting very real in Sunnydale, as we cover Buffy S5 E19 "Tough Love". Buffy is forced into a new role as Dawn's caregiver, while Willow and Tara have a fight

Oct 5
52 min

Episode 96 - A Very Autumnal Episode (Intervention)

Buffy heads to the desert in search of answers, while back in Sunnydale, everyone gets a very unexpected introduction to...Buffy. Well, sort of. This week we’re talking

Sep 26
39 min

Episode 95 - Intentional Pigtails (Forever)

The grief of “The Body” doesn’t end when the episode does. This week on The Sunnydale Diaries, Melanie and Sean discuss Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 5, Episode 17,

Sep 7
36 min

Episode 94 - The Body

This week on The Sunnydale Diaries, we’re taking on one of the most acclaimed (and devastating) episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 5, Episode 16, “The Body.” F

Aug 24
28 min

Episode 93 - Cybernetics and Snack Foods (I Was Made to Love You)

Melanie somehow called it: robots have officially arrived in Sunnydale. In “I Was Made to Love You,” Buffy encounters April, a mysteriously strong young woman wandering

Aug 11
46 min

Episode 92 - Sweaters, Shrines, and Slayer Role Play (Crush)

Crushes can be awkward, embarrassing, and occasionally involve driving past someone’s house and getting caught. But in Sunnydale, they can also involve stolen sweaters, s

Jul 27
37 min

Episode 91 - What's up with Ben and Glory? (Blood Ties)

It’s Buffy’s 20th birthday, so naturally everything is about to go horribly wrong. During our episode discussion, we question Sunnydale hospital security, investigate th

Jul 20
50 min

Episode 90 - Interview with the Vampire...Slayer (Checkpoint)

Buffy faces one of her most satisfying power shifts yet in Season 5 Episode 12, “Checkpoint,” as the Watchers Council rolls into Sunnydale with their usual blend of tweed

Jun 29
53 min

Bonus Episode - HellmouthCon 2026 Recap!

Sean and Melanie are back from HellmouthCon, and they have a lot to report from their trip to Torrance High School (the real-life Sunnydale High!!) In this special recap

Jun 26
41 min

Episode 89 - Stuck in the MIddle with Xander (Triangle)

This week on The Sunnydale Diaries, Sean and Melanie discuss Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 5, Episode 11: “Triangle.” Giles leaves the Magic Box in Anya’s very enthusi

Jun 5
59 min

Episode 88 - The Wig MacGuffin (Into the Woods)

This week on The Sunnydale Diaries, Sean and Melanie head Into the Woods for one of Season 5’s heavier, less laugh-filled episodes. Joyce is finally out of surgery, Buffy

May 25
54 min

Episode 87 - The Crithering (Listening to Fear)

This week on The Sunnydale Diaries, Sean and Melanie are talking Listening to Fear...that title is still confusing. Between questionable science (“protein alkaloid” sure

Apr 27
50 min

Episode 86 - Rubber Snakes and Cat Pics (Shadow)

Buffy is used to saving the world, but what happens when she can’t fix what’s happening at home? In Season 5, Episode 8: “Shadow”, things get very real as Joyce’s health

Apr 13
56 min

Bonus Episode - Scooby Snacks - Lukewarm SpaghettiOs

In this special Scooby Snacks edition of The Sunnydale Diaries, Sean and Melanie head straight to Xander’s basement to revisit one of Buffy’s most questionable food momen

Apr 9
12 min

Episode 85 - Spike, Slow-Mo Shots, and Subways (Fool for Love)

In this episode of The Sunnydale Diaries, we dive deep into Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 5, Episode 7: “Fool for Love.” Melanie’s prediction (surprisingly close) lead

Mar 23
52 min

Episode 84 - Brooms, Balls, and Sweetbreads (Family)

In this episode of The Sunnydale Diaries, Sean and Melanie dive into Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 5, Episode 6 “Family.” Melanie’s prediction about the episode being

Mar 13
56 min

Episode 83 - Magic Sand and Evil Tea (No Place Like Home)

This week on The Sunnydale Diaries, we’re covering Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 5, Episode 5: “No Place Like Home.” And wow — this one changes everything. From runni

Feb 23
52 min

Episode 82 - Lavender Daphne and the Eye Gesture (Out of My Mind)

In this week’s episode of The Sunnydale Diaries, we dive into Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 5, Episode 4: “Out of My Mind", an episode packed with insecurity, power str

Feb 9
57 min

Episode 81 - X1 = X2 (The Replacement)

What if someone else could step into your life… and do it better than you ever have? In this episode of The Sunnydale Diaries, Sean and Melanie take on Buffy the Vampire

Jan 26
49 min

Episode 80 - Magic Slayer Handstand (Real Me)

Buffy has a sister. She’s always had a sister. And apparently… we just never noticed. No big whoop. In this episode of The Sunnydale Diaries, Sean and Melanie dive into

Jan 12
58 min

Chart trend

Position in the TV Reviews chart (US), last 90 days.

#1#88#175SepOct

#118

all-time peak

days in the top 200 since Jul 2026

Chart positions

Where The Sunnydale Diaries - A Buffy the Vampire Slayer Podcast ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Oct 16, 2026).

#161 ▲ 14 TV Reviews US

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

I love the dynamic between these two. I think a downside to the podcast is how much is conversation unrelated or only loosely related to Buffy. I think having a more succinct wrap up of the episodes and then following with a conversation about what they liked, what worked, what didn't, etc would be a better format. As it is, it doesn't really feel like anything new is being added to a conversation that's been happening in a more thorough way with other podcasts. I don't necessarily think that's a prerequisite to having a podcast, but it helps. Take the episode about Pangs, for example. There's a fifteen minute lead up that's just talk about Thanksgiving. Then they start going over what happened in the episode. There's some sidetracking, not much of a summary of what happens between the beginning and end aside from culinary commentary on Buffy's preferred method of mashing potatoes. There's no mention at all of the overarching theme of the episode: found family. Overall, it's cute and works well for anyone who enjoys more long form conversational pods. If you're like me and you prefer a show that's more of a deep dive, this might not be the best fit.

anotherunnecessaryopinion · Nov 2025

I decided to do a full Buffy rewatch this year in anticipation of a potential reboot of the show. Like Sean, I watched the first time through during its original run while I was in college and have a lot of nostalgia wrapped up in this show. As I'm rewatching now I can definitely see the flaws and appreciate Mel's unbiased takes, but I'm also hopeful that she will eventually come to love the show as much as Sean and I do! I'm almost caught up on the pod and may force myself to slow down because I love it so much and don't want to run out of episodes. I wasn't as obsessed with the Angel spinoff but I'd totally rewatch it if Sean and Mel would do a pod for that one too....hint hint Thanks for making my chores much more enjoyable while I listen to y'all banter!

LivelyKris · Oct 2025

If you’re into Buffy or just love smart, witty commentary, The Sunnydale Diaries is an absolute gem. Sean’s deep-dive fandom paired with Melanie’s sharp takes and hilarious side-eye make every episode a blast. They break down the show with just the right mix of nostalgia, snark, and heart along with their chemistry makes it feel like you’re hanging out with two friends who know their stuff but never take themselves too seriously. It’s the kind of podcast that makes you laugh, nod along and even rewatch a few episodes with fresh eyes.

Banky0961 · Sep 2025

This a fantastic podcast with a unique format that makes it stand out from other Buffy recap podcasts. I really enjoy Sean & Melanie’s viewpoints & appreciate the personal stories provided as additional insight. I can’t wait to hear their thoughts on the remainder on the series!

CharleyBoy115 · Apr 2025

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