Whilst the Buffy writing and production staff remain infinitely flexible in their duties in order to create the best show possible, Doug is keen to stress that there is a need for firm but friendly control from above.

Well, there is definitely a hierarchy,� he explains. �Everything springs from Joss and originally Marti Noxon and David Greenwalt were his right hand man and woman. Then there are the rest of us who all help out.�

"You can't run a show without [the hierarchy] but it also feels like the funnest after-school club you can imagine."

�So I think the people respect the hierarchy absolutely but it's very hard to think of your friends as your bosses. And it works incredibly well, I have to say. I've seen places where it doesn't. I think it's because the hierarchy is so respected.�

Whatever his place in Joss's great scheme of things, Doug Petrie certainly feels no inhibitions when it comes to exploring his creativity as a writer.

�You know, we're running around in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory here. Inhibition and frustrated desire just aren't issues. We're very happy here. There's nothing where [we think] �I wish I could do that but I'm not allowed to.�

�Right out of the box I have been given some wonderful opportunities here,� he enthuses. �To write episodes with Faith, to write dialogue for Sarah Michelle Gellar. I have been reunited with Michelle Trachtenberg. I'm wanting for nothing here.�