Waiting for Goddard

After joining Buffy in its seventh and final season, writer DREW GODDARD is now making a name for himself on ANGEL. The self-confessed Buffy devotee tells Tara DiLull how he plans to raise the stakes on the show's fifth season.

For the seventh season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, creator Joss Whedon made one last addition to his esteemed writing staff before the series concluded. Instead of going with a writing veteran, Whedon handpicked from obscurity a new writer, Drew Goddard, to complete his creative team. A self proclaimed "Buffy freak", Goddard made his TV writing debute with the episode Selfless, which explored the history of vengeance demon Anya (Emma Caulfield). Fans deemed it an instant classic and Goddard went on to write or co-write four other episodes that season.
    When Buffy ended in May, Goddard packed up his office and moved down one floor at the Mutant Enemy building for his new writing position as executive story editor on Angel. Together with fellow ex-Buffy alumni David Fury and Steve DeKnight, Goddard has been helpin plot the course of Ange's fifth season. Taking a break from scripting, Drew Goddard talks to Dreamwatch about his whirlwind time at Buffy and reveals how he is faring after making the transitiion to Angel

Dreamwatch: How were you originally hired to work on Buffy
Buffy was my all-time favourite show. I knew that I wanted to do TV but you don't dare to deam about your favourite shows. I had a couple of strokes of dumb luck. I wrote some spec scripts and one of them found its way into [Buffy co-executive producer] Marti Noxon's hands and simultaneously the script found its way to [Angel consulting producer] David Greenwalt. Within the span of a week, I got phone calls from both of them asking if I would like to go in for a meeting. I hear David went up to Marti and said, "Oh, wait. I didn't realise you wanted him," and the Marti said, "Oh, wait, I didn't realise you wanted him!" they let Joss decide and he said "Well Marti found him first." And the whole time I'm thinking, "I don;t care! I'll work for either show!" [laughs]

How daunting was it for you to step into a writing position on Buffy considering the show's immense popularity?
It was absolutely horrifying. It was one of the most nerve-wrackign experiences but everyone was the kindest, most welcoming group of people. I was just so scared because these are the writers I adore and worship and study. This is the show that I hold to be standard [for great TV], so for the first two months, I was constantly looking around going, "Are they going to realise I don't deserve to be here?"

Your first episode for the series was Selfless, which focused on the character of Anya. How much of a challenge was that episode for you?
At the time, it was terrifying because every writer had to leave to do something else, which meant all of the writers were gone. I'm looking around going, "Isn't anyone going to help me?" Joss was directing Firefly but he said, "Come out to the set and you and I will break the story." I didn't really know Joss and I was still very intimidated because he hadn't been in [to the office] much, but because of that, I was able to just listen and get what he wanted. He is very clear, but if you don't spend time with him it can get muddied. We spent about eight days on set. I even got to be an extra on Firefly just because I was there so much. We talked about the episode and it didn't feel like we were working but just goofing off. It was one of those episodes where were just so excited about the story. Any time you can fill out a character's back-story is exciting. For my first time out, the comedy was very appeaking and it played to my strengths.

In your year on Buffy, was there a story idea or scene you write that you were particularly proud of?
I was really happy with the way I was able to send Jonathan off in Conversations With Dead people and wrap up that story arc. When you look at the episode, we basically have a lot of heavy stff so we decided to have some silliness with Andrew and Jonathan. I was just happy we were able to have some fun but also, becasue Jonathan was such an important character in the Buffy universe, it was important to me that he had an arc and finally figured out all the things he was trying to figure out. I remember being on set that night and watching Danny [Strong] giving his speech and falling down on the seal - dead. It just felt like, "This is what it is about and the moments you are shooting for." It felt good.

How do you feel about season seven overall? Do you think it was the right time for the show to end?
I was just thrilled to get to participate, but I was the guy going, "What? We're stopping? I just got here!" I wanted it to be like Gunsmoke, in year 28! But I was glad to be a part of it at all. As for the ending to the Buffy story, I don't think there could be a better way to end the story. I don't think there could be a better way to end a show about a Superhero and a normal girl. When Joss pitched it, I thought it was brilliant. What better way to go out?

When did you find out writing for Angel might be in your future?
Angel didn't get picked up until the last possible moment. Midway in the seventh season, there was talk about a Buffy spin-off or a Faith spin-off and Joss was great and said, "Whatever it is, I'd love it if you want to be part of it." I said, "Of course!" but at the same time nothing was for sure, so I met with [the makers of] some other great shows. But at the end of the day Joss said, "I believe in my heart of hearts, Angel is coming back," so I just decided I don't want to go anywhere else. I love working with these people too much so it's worth waiting for.

What have been the biggest challenges for you switching from Buffy to Angel?
Angel always has that noir element and I am the biggest noir geek. When I was originally talking about going to either Buffy or Angel, there was a part of me that was saying maybe I would be better suited on Angel because that's what I love. Now I get to do it and it's thrilling.
I love a big season arc and character moments. Part of the deal with the devil for Angel to come back was that it had to become very stand-alone. But that being said, I do love a great stand-alone episode and I think there is a happy medium. If you look at any season of Buffy and Angel, there are great stand-alones within arcs and that is what we are trying to do.

Has the purpose and focus of the season been decided yet or is that still evolving?
There is definitely a season arc in place. If I had to equate it to something, I would probably equate it to season two of Buffy, in terms of structure. If you look at Buffy season two, it had all these great stand-alones but there was this building arc with Angel/Angelus and that is the model we are using. Joss came to us and he has a clear idea of where he wants the season to end up and what he wants these characters to be dealing with and you build that in. When the fans see episode eight, they'll see the arc is really kicking in - full speed ahead.
    The Shanshu prophecy is a key element. There is notning we could come up with that is better than to have Angel's world thrown out of whack by Spike showing up and being in a similar position. It's a no-brainer.

What's been most interesting for you to write this season?
I'm kike a kid in a candy store writing for Angel. There is no one more hard-boiled and tough than Angel and that's a character we didn't have on Buffy. I have also been the biggest Wesley fan since the beginning. He went from the mini-Giles to the toughest guy in the Mutant Enemy universe. They asked me what I was interested in writing and I said I wanted to write a story with Wesley because I love that character so much. And of course, having Spike is a comfort level. Spike's voice is the most fun, and I relate to Spike in that he says the thing that is the most uncouth and I have that smart-ass in me as well. Usually, when I'm writing a scene and I cam't bear how important I'm making myself sound, I have Spike come in and make fun of it.

Your first Angel episode this season is called Lineage and focuses on Wesley and his father, played by Beauty and the Beast star Roy Doltrice. What was the most satisfying element of this episode for you?
I ws just thrilled to see Roy and Alexis [Denisof, Wesley] together! They were like two heavyweights coming to play.

At the end of season four everyone but Angel has their memories of Connor erased. How is the staff approaching writing the characters when there are some key parts of their histories missing?
We approach it like they have holes in their memories and things aren't clear. It's almost like thinking back to your college years, or my college years, wher eyou can sort of remember but the specifics get hazy! [laughs] They can't remember anything specifically about Connor. You'll see as the season progresses, it starts to become problematic because when they start to talk about events, they start to realise something is wrong and we are going to play that off, starting in season seven.

There is still a swirl of rumours abotu whether Sarah Michelle Gellar will make an appearance as Buffy this season. Do you guys even know if she will appear?
I think the door's always open for Sarah but she has her own things going on. I don't think she has ever said, "No." it;s just a matter of when and making it work. Angel the show exists without Buffy, and these poor bastards have enough to worry about. [Laughs[

You are currently working on the 11th episode of the season with Steve DeKnight. Can you give us an idea of what we can expect?
We come to find the events of Chosen [the Buffy seires finale] have ramifications that will be explored though seeing some old faces from Buffy. Tom Lenk [Andrew] is my absolute favourite person to work with. He is coming back for episode eleven. I always love when we can tie up threads. It;s my favourite thing to do and I couldn't be more excited to be on this episode because it does all the things I love about the show. It's the first time I've written with Steve but we have very similar writing styles and backgrounds. Knock on wood - it was one of the smoothest experiences.

With the show doing well in the ratings this year, are you even talking about the potential of a sixth season yet?
I learned last year not to worry about it too muich because these are decisions that are not up to us. With Angel, everyone is having fun so it's just a matter of 'if the stars align'. But I keep saying I'm going tp keep working here until they the offices and make me leave - and even then I'll sill probably be showing up! [Laughs]