Ian Martin

Fan
Name:	Ian Martin
Alias(es):	Passion of the Nerd, TPN, PoTN, TPTN
Type:	YouTuber, Video Essayist
Fandoms:	Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly
Communities:
Other:
URL:	Youtube Channel
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Ian Martin, better known as Passion of the Nerd, is an American fan, best known for his Youtube series. His reviews of first Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and then Angel and Firefly, are well known within fandom, with his vids often recced and his theories often discussed in fandom spaces. He has featured on and hosted convention panels, and was Guest of Honour at the 2018 Whedoncon.

His first vid Why You Should Watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer was posted on Aug 19, 2014. By June 2020, Ian had produced over 200 videos with his Buffy Guide series complete up to Season 5 Episode 6. His Angel Guide series is on Season 2 Episode 5 and his most recent addition, the Firefly Guide is on Episode 4. He plans to complete these series, with a vid devoted to each episode of the three shows.

In Ian's guides, each vid is a review of a single episode, placed in the context of previous episodes and the overarching series arc. His in depth critical analysis of the source material, with discussion of theme, metaphor and parallels are highly praised, but he also delves into fan theories and headcanons. For examples, his multiple attempts to make sense of the convoluted and contradictory canon explanation of the soul and Angel's curse in the Buffyverse. He's also been praised for his humorous approach to some topics, such as his use of a Lesbian Subtext Bell from mid season 3 of his Buffy Guide.

Comments by Passion of the Nerd

It took me a long time to figure out what Passion of the Nerd was but I started to find it’s shape through the journey it was taking ME on. On any average day it’s a chance to make someone laugh over our shared interests. But my favorite experience of art is the one in which we find ourselves. That movie, piece of music, performance, or show that makes us feel like it’s creator opened up our heart to take a picture of it’s inner depths. And I love talking about why media MATTERS and finding those moments in popular culture. Sometimes I get to distill those moments for other people and when I do, I hope it does for them what the channel has done for me.

Strip away the pretense and allow you to see yourself.