So last week I listed and analyzed the Buffy episodes written, directed, and produced by the very misunderstood Marti Noxon. Today, I thought I'd take a closer look at my personal favorite (besides Joss, natch) Buffy writer, Jane Espensen. One thing of interest, before I start on Buffy, is that Jane also served as a co-executive producer for Season Four of Gilmore Girls.
Jane got involved in Buffy during Season Three. She was the "Executive Story Editor" for most of that season, as well as writing a few episodes (below). During Season Four, she became a co-producer, then a producer during Season Five. Season Six saw her as a Supervising Producer, and Season Seven a Co-Executive Producer.
These are the eps Jane wrote:
1. Band Candy (3.06)
2. Gingerbread (3.11)
3. Earshot (3.18)
4. The Harsh Light of Day (4.03)
5. Pangs (4.08)
6. Doomed (4.11)
7. A New Man (4.12)
8. Superstar (4.17)
9. The Replacement (5.03)
10. Triangle (5.11)
11. Checkpoint (5.12)
12. I Was Made To Love You (5.15)
13. Intervention (5.18)
14. Afterlife (6.03)
15. Flooded (6.04)
16. Life Serial (6.05)
17. Doublemeat Palace (6.12)
18. Same Time, Same Place (7.03)
19. Conversations With Dead People (7.07)
20. Sleeper (7.08)
21. First Date (7.14)
22. Storyteller (7.16)
23. End of Days (7.21)
The first thing that jumps out at me on this list is that she's had a knack for good stand-alone episodes (Gingerbread, Earshot, Pangs). She's also written some of the funniest episodes (Superstar, Storyteller). What is more interesting, though, is that she's also written some of the most overtly political episodes (Earshot, Pangs, Doublemeat Palace) and the ones where Buffy stands up to "patriarchy" the most (I Was Made To Love You and especially Checkpoint). She wrote some of Spike's best speeches as well (Harsh Light of Day, End of Days). Mostly, Jane's credits show her depth and breadth as a writer. There's a reason she's my favorite.