This document discusses Joss Whedon's use of intertextuality and pop culture references in his works, and how it empowers geeky characters. It analyzes how in shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly, Dollhouse, and The Avengers, the intelligent characters that understand references have power and act as heroes. The document also examines how Whedon communicates that knowledge and understanding narrative constructs allows one to maneuver through life's challenges.

1. “I Understood That Reference”:
Inter-textual Power
and Whedon’s Geeks
ADJ. INSTR. WILLIAM L. PATTON
MOTLOW STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
JOSS IN JUNE CONFERENCE 2015
MURFREESBORO, TN

2. Whedon and Inter-Textual Power
 2000’s as the age of the Geek
 Whedon and inter-textuality
 Inter-textuality and Today’s youth
 The inter-textual geek
 Inter-textual empowerment, navigating problems
 Knowledge is power
 Empowered by an unconscious understanding of the narratives they are caught in, Whedon’s fanboy and geek
characters are often the most dynamic and uniquely powerful figures in his stories, and their knowledge allows them to
see through the genre constructs surrounding them. Whedon’s frequent use of intertextuality and pop culture savvy
characters communicates the theme that knowledge grants the power to understand and maneuver through life’s
ordeals. Whedon’s Geeks are not only Intelligent and powerful heroes. They are now the common man

3. BTVS and Angel
 BtVS: A show by Geeks, About Geeks, For Geeks
 The Scoobies as Geek Teamwork – geek community
 The Trio – Geek as Super-Villains
 - The Danger of the Geek’s Power and Obsession and Possessiveness
 - Out of touch with reality
 Inter-textual Language as Power
 Willow as Fan Scholar
 Nerdy outcast empowered through intelligence and vocality
 Buffy – the Slayer’s witty puns
 Xander as Geek Hero
 - “The Freshman”
 - “The Zeppo”
 - “Potential”
 Angel and Songs
 - Lorne as Geek Psychic Hero

4. Firefly and Dollhouse
 Firefly
 Browncoats as outcasts
 - Ancient Inter-texts
 1. Bible and Shan Yu, Ancient Mariner and the Albatross
 Wash
 - Voice of Reason and Friendship
 - Understanding of the System – Dino-play as Allegory
 - Easy-going attitude and passivity
 Dollhouse
 Topher as Geek Sculptor / Manipulator
 - References
 - Topher as Mad Scientist Manipulator vs. Geek Rebel
 - The Danger of Obsession
 - Topher’s Redemption and Sacrifice
 Dr. Saunders

5. Cabin in the Woods
 Cabin as Inter-textual Horror Narrative
 The Agency as Geek Manipulators and Audience
 Marty – the “Fool”
 - Marty – Stoner Paranoia or Deciphering the System
 - Survival through knowledge of the Genre
 - Geek as Hero
 - Choosing the End: Compassion to the End over Destructive Utopia System
 Geek as Rebel Scholar Hero

6. Marvel’s The Avengers
 Comic Geek Narrative
 Wit and Cool References
 Tony Stark as Geek Businessman, Intelligent Sarcastic Hero
 - References and Wit – AC/DC, Shakespeare in the Park, Point Break, Galaga
 - Inter-textual Observance and Heroic Strength
 Coulson as Geek Martyr

7. Whedon and Geek Heroes
 Whedon knows Pop culture and knows his audiences enjoy being in on the references/fan acknowledgement
 Inter-textual parallels disguising constructs and relatable heroic geeks
 - Whedon as eventually successful geek
 The art of referentiality and paying homage
 Being Geek can be turned into a strength

8. References
 Burkhead, Cynthia and David Lavery. Intro. Joss Whedon: Conversations. UP of Mississippi: Jackson, 2011. vii-xii. Print.
 Fiske, John. Understanding Popular Culture. Routledge: NewYork, 1989. Print.
 Garrett, Kyle. “Failure of the Every-man: The Lost Character That Was Xander Harris.” Joss Whedon: The Complete Companion. Titan
Books: London, 2012. 56-60. Print.
 Gevinson, Tavi. “Yay, Geometry: An Interview with Joss Whedon.” Rookie. 11/07/2011. Web. 17 April 2013.
http://rookiemag.com/2011/11/yay-geometry-an-interview-with-joss-whedon/.
 Halfyard, Janet. “Singing Their Hearts Out: The Problem of Performance in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel.” Slayage. 5.1. (2005). Web.
 Moore, Robert. “Why Cast a Spotlight on Joss Whedon.” Joss Whedon: The Complete Companion. Titan Books: London, 2012. 11-21.
Print.
 Murray, Susan. “I Know What You Did Last Summer: Sarah Michelle Gellar and Crossover Teen Stardom.” Undead TV: Essays on Buffy the
Vampire Slayer. Duke UP: Durham, 2007. 42-55. Print.
 Nussbaum, Emily. “Must-See Metaphysics.” Joss Whedon: Conversations. UP of Mississippi: Jackson, 2011. 64-70. Print.
 O’Brien, Lucy. “Why The Avengers Belongs to Joss Whedon.” IGN. 5/27/2012. Web. 17 April 2013.
http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/28/why-the-avengers-belongs-to-joss-whedon.
 Robertson, Egan. “Learning About Culture, Language, and Power.” Journal of Literary Research. 30.4 (1998). Print.
 Wallis, Jason. “If You Don’t Like Horror, The Cabin in the Woods Will Make You Fall in Love.” Lodinews.com. 4/20/2012. Web. 17 April
2013.
 Wilcox, Rhonda. Why Buffy Matters. I.B. Tauris & Co. Ltd.: London, 2005. Print.

9. Whedon Texts
 “The Puppet Show.” Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Season 1 / Episode 9. Writ. Rob Des Hotel. Dir. Ellen S. Pressman. Pro. Joss
Whedon. Mutant Enemy, 1998. DVD.
 “Prophecy Girl.” BtVS. 1/12. Writ. Joss Whedon. Dir. Joss Whedon. Pro. Joss Whedon. Mutant Enemy, 1998. DVD.
 “Anne.” BtVS. 3/1. Writ. Joss Whedon. Dir. Joss Whedon. Pro. Joss Whedon. Mutant Enemy. 1998. DVD.
 “The Zeppo.” BtVS. 3/13. Writ. Dan Vebber. Dir. James Whitmore Jr. Pro. Joss Whedon. Mutant Enemy. 1999. DVD.
 “The Freshman.” BtVS. 4/1. Writ. Joss Whedon. Dir. Joss Whedon. Pro. Joss Whedon. Mutant Enemy. 1999. DVD.
 “Potential.” BtVS. 7/12. Writ. Rebecca Rand Kirshner. Dir. James Contner. Pro. Joss Whedon. Mutant Enemy. 2003. DVD.
 “Serenity.” Firefly. Episode 1. Writ. Joss Whedon. Dir. Joss Whedon. Pro. Joss Whedon. Fox. 2002. DVD.
 “Echoes.” Dollhouse. 1/7. Writ. Elizabeth Craft. Dir. James Contner. Pro. Joss Whedon. Mutant Enemy. 2009. DVD.
 “Instinct.” Dollhouse. 2/2. Writ. Michele Fazekas. Dir. Marita Grabiak. Pro. Joss Whedon. Mutant Enemy. 2009. DVD.
 “Epitaph Two: Return.” Dollhouse. 2/13. Writ. Maurissa Tancharoen. Dir. David Solomon. Pro. Joss Whedon. Mutant Enemy.
2010.
 Cabin in the Woods. Writ. Joss Whedon. Dir. Drew Goddard. Pro. Joss Whedon. Lionsgate. 2012. DVD.
 Marvel’s The Avengers. Writ. Joss Whedon. Dir. Joss Whedon. Pro. Joss Whedon. Marvel Studios. 2012. DVD.