More Mainstream D&D References Now!

[Akrasia]

In Angel Season One where this rich, socially incompetent billionaire geek relates his D&D playing to Angel, Cordelia and Wesley, and how it led him astray. IE. Making him a patron of a demonic brothel.

Ummm ... I think you're misremembering the episode in question. D&D has never been portrayed as a 'negative influence' by Joss Whedon. And that character returned a few times later in the series -- and was still playing D&D.

There was an episode of Buffy where they played D&D...

Actually, there have been more than one. During episode six the three evil villains decide to 'take over Sunnydale' while playing D&D. And during the final expisode of the series, Giles and a few others play some D&D (Giles' character gets damaged and he says something witty -- I can't remember what).

I'd say that D&D had a very noticeable influence on Whedon's writing. And yes, mainly 'geeks' play D&D in the Whedonverse -- but then again, the 'geeks' are also the main heroes and villains in BtVS and Angel.

 

[Akrasia]

Yeah, and getting drunk and deaf in clubs hooks you up with SUCH a healthy crowd.

You can do that and play D&D as well. They're not mutually exclusive.

 

[hexgrid]

And during the final expisode of the series, Giles and a few others play some D&D (Giles' character gets damaged and he says something witty -- I can't remember what).

The best part about this scene is that before the camera pans down, you think they're discussing the plot of the episode itself.