American Vampire

Briana Finegan and Sid Branca
  • 5.0 (1)
  • BOOKS
  • BI-MONTHLY SERIES

American Vampire is a podcast about the Twilight Saga, created by Sid Branca and Briana Finegan. We are interested in thinking critically about the Twilight series with a focus on trauma narratives, issues of gender and class, and American national identity. We are equally interested in yelling excitedly about our genuine enjoyment of this goofy franchise.

  1. EPISODE 1

    The Golden Hour (Before Twilight)

    Before Briana Finegan (Noted Twilight expert) guides Sid Branca (Noted Goth) through the rollercoaster of emotion that is reading the Twilight Saga books for the first time, they have a pre-reading discussion. This episode covers their existing relationships to this franchise, their goals for this podcast, and why it's called American Vampire. NOTE: Unlike our future episodes, this episode *does* contain spoilers.

    43 min
  2. Wholesome Teens ("Twilight" Chapters 1-8)

    EPISODE 2

    Wholesome Teens ("Twilight" Chapters 1-8)

    Buckle in, friends. It's time to bite into this sucker. Briana and Sid discuss Chapters 1 through 8 of the eponymous first book of the Twilight Saga. Topics include the surprising importance of sports to the Twilight universe, why we suspect Bella Swan already has PTSD, and how much Mike sucks.

    1h 6m
  3. Bella Swan Talks to Cacti ("Twilight" Chapters 9-16)

    EPISODE 3

    Bella Swan Talks to Cacti ("Twilight" Chapters 9-16)

    In this episode Briana and Sid discuss the middle third of "Twilight", Chapters 9 through 16. Topics include musings on what Bella's life in Phoenix was like, what the unique powers of the Twilight vampires have to do with American Christianity, and the ol' Lloyd Dobler problem of the thin line between "this is romantic" and "I'm calling the cops".  PS: Did you know that the "lion and the lamb" line we talk about in this episode isn't actually in the Bible? Neither did we! Apparently the closest you get is: "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them." from Isaiah 11:6 (King James version bc we're classy).  PPS: Spoiler alert for that movie The Others I guess?

    1h 7m
  4. Team Alice (Twilight, Chapter 17-Epilogue)

    EPISODE 4

    Team Alice (Twilight, Chapter 17-Epilogue)

    In this episode Briana and Sid discuss the plot-packed final third of "Twilight", Chapter 17 through to the end. Topics include how Alice is by far the best vampire, how this whole plot arc low key sounds like a cover-up for domestic violence, and the Cullens' radical vampire animal liberation cult vibes.  Thanks for your patience over the holidays, and Happy New Year! For the next episode we'll be reading Chapters 1-6 of "New Moon".

    1h 12m
  5. When Vampires Ghost (New Moon, Chapters 1-6)

    EPISODE 5

    When Vampires Ghost (New Moon, Chapters 1-6)

    It's 2018 friends! New year, new me, New Moon. Sid finally stopped laying prone on the forest floor long enough to edit this episode in time for it to still be January! In this episode Briana and Sid discuss the oft-mocked beginning of New Moon, from the opening prelude to the end of Chapter 6. Topics include the gaslighting madness of stolen photographs and traumatic secrets, breakup coping mechanisms ranging from wholesome rebounds to auditory hallucinations, and how we both just really want Bella to live her truck-driving, motorcycle-repairing butch truth.  Apologies for the audio quality on this one; it was very, very cold the day we recorded this, and the heater was loud. We will be more vigilant about this in the future, and perhaps one day spring will come.

    1h 8m
  6. Some White Bullsh*t (New Moon, Chapters 7-12)

    EPISODE 6

    Some White Bullsh*t (New Moon, Chapters 7-12)

    In this episode Briana and Sid discuss the Jacob-oriented second quarter of New Moon, from Chapter 7 through the end of Chapter 12. Topics include how this entire werewolf plot line is low-key very racist in both its mundane and supernatural aspects, a general moratorium on the word "russet" except for describing literal potatoes, and adding Jacob to the list of characters who clearly have PTSD.

    1h 15m
  7. Third Eye Blind Jumper dot mp3 (New Moon, Chapters 13-18)

    EPISODE 7

    Third Eye Blind Jumper dot mp3 (New Moon, Chapters 13-18)

    In this episode Briana and Sid discuss the (gibbous?) third quarter of New Moon, from Chapter 13 through the end of Chapter 18. Topics include Bella's super casual and not at all morbid and disturbing passion for cliff-diving, the disappointing return of one of our favorite secondary characters, and how we just wish everyone would be nice to sweet baby Jacob and buy him some damn sandals.  Note that in addition to our usual references to PTSD and abuse, this episode features some frank discussion of suicide.

    1h 25m
  8. How to Get Blood Out of White Leather (New Moon, Chapters 19-22)

    EPISODE 8

    How to Get Blood Out of White Leather (New Moon, Chapters 19-22)

    After a brief hiatus, American Vampire has returned from its hellish slumber to cover Chapters 19 to 22 of New Moon. Topics include how you really don't get any whiter than Vampire Cops at the Vampire Vatican, some truly mind-boggling interior design and fashion choices, and how we feel personally gaslit by this series.  This episode was originally going to be New Moon Ch.19 - Epilogue, but we got a little bogged down in detail/yelling, so we'll cover 23 to the end next time.

    1h 17m
See All Season 1 (16)

Ratings & Reviews

About

American Vampire is a podcast about the Twilight Saga, created by Sid Branca and Briana Finegan. We are interested in thinking critically about the Twilight series with a focus on trauma narratives, issues of gender and class, and American national identity. We are equally interested in yelling excitedly about our genuine enjoyment of this goofy franchise.

Information

  • Creator
    Briana Finegan and Sid Branca
  • Episodes
    16
  • Seasons
    1
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    American Vampire