I have no words currently for how I feel about the finale of Supernatural this season. I will gather my thoughts and put together the Tumblr posts I made during the two hours and explain or something. I am not even sure.
My brain is on fire and I cannot breathe properly.
Soooooo. I'm going to watch Parks and Recreation until everything is better and I remember how to laugh again.
The next post I do will not be SPN related because I'm sure you are sick of hearing about it at the moment. Perhaps an entry about Doctor Who series 5? I think that would be good. (Plus I could re-watch episodes!)
-Wednesday
Friday, May 20, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Supernatural Post Two: Things I Learned From Season One (Part One)
I should be sleeping right now. We should all be sleeping right now. I, however, just watched the newest episode of United States of Tara and I am too jazzed up at the current moment to actually fall into any kind of restful sleep. So, a blog entry about things I've learned from the first half of the first season of Supernatural episode by episode and a little commentary seems in order.
I'm at the beginning of season two in the great SPN re-watch, but that's only because my sister got into the show while I was watching S1 and she had to work doubles and wasn't home for three days and I didn't want to watch it without her. In her absence, and therefore SPN's absence, I have been watching Dark Angel which is a show I'll more than likely blog about once I finish. Okay.
A breakdown of the first half of season one of Supernatural.
I'm at the beginning of season two in the great SPN re-watch, but that's only because my sister got into the show while I was watching S1 and she had to work doubles and wasn't home for three days and I didn't want to watch it without her. In her absence, and therefore SPN's absence, I have been watching Dark Angel which is a show I'll more than likely blog about once I finish. Okay.
A breakdown of the first half of season one of Supernatural.
Things I Learned from Season One: Part One
1.01; Pilot - Never pick up a hitchhiker, no matter how attractive.
I adore the pilot episode of Supernatural. I really do. For all it's cheesiness, it also had it's own amazing appeal of sexy men, the (hardy-har-har) supernatural, the children's quest (which is to say to always be looking for your parents and their approval), and the famous SPN twist.
1.02; Wendigo - Generally, camping is never a good idea.
I hated this episode. Seriously. I have always thought this episode was the most boring episode, even the first time I saw it. Also, I've never liked camping and the very thought of this happening while camping is totally off-putting. The redeeming factor in the re-watch is that Callum Keith Rennie, who played my favorite Cylon (Leoben) in the reimagined Battlestar Galactica, was a guest star. Even that, however, didn't make me get off my computer long enough to pay attention to the entire episode. Sad, but true, fact.
1.03; Dead in the Water - You should always check the water around you; if it goes dark then you should just stay away from it. It can't be good.
I remember liking this episode, but not totally loving it. I mean, it's a lovely episode on the whole, but there are bits of it that just make it drag on forever. The twist was nice, I've always liked it. I adore Amy Acker, who some might remember from Angel: The Series and Dollhouse. She's lovely and brought something really nice out in Dean in the episode itself. Her son, while adorable especially with the "Zeppelin rules" bit at the end, always made the episode feel fake and forced with his pictures of the future, or what have you. It always felt forced.
I remember liking this episode, but not totally loving it. I mean, it's a lovely episode on the whole, but there are bits of it that just make it drag on forever. The twist was nice, I've always liked it. I adore Amy Acker, who some might remember from Angel: The Series and Dollhouse. She's lovely and brought something really nice out in Dean in the episode itself. Her son, while adorable especially with the "Zeppelin rules" bit at the end, always made the episode feel fake and forced with his pictures of the future, or what have you. It always felt forced.
1.04; Phantom Traveler - Nothing good ever comes from black smoke.
I've always hated episodes and shows where there's a very limited space. The episode on a plane was no exceptions. Honestly, I hate when movies or shows put their characters on planes. It's boring. There's not a lot you can do shooting wise. The space is really small and a lot of film makers rely on "Dutch angle," or when you tilt the camera, to make shots in cramped places seem more interesting. I liked that they showed the first demon-like creature, besides Azazel (The Yellow Eyed Demon) but I didn't actually like the episode all that much. The best part is probably when Dean is freaking out because he's afraid of flying and hums Metallica to calm himself down. It's a really lovely characterization.
I've always hated episodes and shows where there's a very limited space. The episode on a plane was no exceptions. Honestly, I hate when movies or shows put their characters on planes. It's boring. There's not a lot you can do shooting wise. The space is really small and a lot of film makers rely on "Dutch angle," or when you tilt the camera, to make shots in cramped places seem more interesting. I liked that they showed the first demon-like creature, besides Azazel (The Yellow Eyed Demon) but I didn't actually like the episode all that much. The best part is probably when Dean is freaking out because he's afraid of flying and hums Metallica to calm himself down. It's a really lovely characterization.
1.05; Bloody Mary - Secrets cannot stay hidden forever; everything is shown in time.
I love this episode. I love the way they used the Bloody Mary legend. They modified it, made it more suitable for the situation, and managed to have it retain both it's creepy factor and it's urban legend feel. Marvelous writing, for sure. I also love me a good Sam episode, and this one is the best. I love that they didn't pussyfoot around Sam's powers showing up. I love that they jumped right into them, even though they wouldn't be truly important until later in the season and in season two. I have things I didn't like about the episode, mainly the only girl's acting and the scene in the school, but those two things are made up for in full when the camera pans to Jess. For sure.
I love this episode. I love the way they used the Bloody Mary legend. They modified it, made it more suitable for the situation, and managed to have it retain both it's creepy factor and it's urban legend feel. Marvelous writing, for sure. I also love me a good Sam episode, and this one is the best. I love that they didn't pussyfoot around Sam's powers showing up. I love that they jumped right into them, even though they wouldn't be truly important until later in the season and in season two. I have things I didn't like about the episode, mainly the only girl's acting and the scene in the school, but those two things are made up for in full when the camera pans to Jess. For sure.
1.06; Skin - Hey, did you know that entering a crime scene without the police knowing is actually agains the law?
Such an amazing Dean episode. This episode is perfection in so many ways. It's scary as all get out. It's interesting and never dull. Having the middle-ish of the episode shown, sort of, at the beginning and then telling the story all the way through is a perfect devise to peak interest and keep the story moving the way it needs to. There's a good bit of character development with Dean's feelings towards his brother, which is lovely to see! Plus this episode leads into many others. In fact leads into a lot of things that happen in seasons other than the first. This episode is the catalyst that causes the boys to change their license plate. Imagine the shame. No more Kansas plates because of this episode.
Such an amazing Dean episode. This episode is perfection in so many ways. It's scary as all get out. It's interesting and never dull. Having the middle-ish of the episode shown, sort of, at the beginning and then telling the story all the way through is a perfect devise to peak interest and keep the story moving the way it needs to. There's a good bit of character development with Dean's feelings towards his brother, which is lovely to see! Plus this episode leads into many others. In fact leads into a lot of things that happen in seasons other than the first. This episode is the catalyst that causes the boys to change their license plate. Imagine the shame. No more Kansas plates because of this episode.
1.07; Hook Man - Just because a town is quiet and religious, doesn't mean it doesn't have dark secrets.
Another urban legend episode. I liked it for what it was worth. The twist of what the Hook Man was attached to was nice, but the rest of the episode was neither here nor there as for it's actual content.
Another urban legend episode. I liked it for what it was worth. The twist of what the Hook Man was attached to was nice, but the rest of the episode was neither here nor there as for it's actual content.
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| From musicalirony (@ deviant art)'s 12 Days of SPN collection. |
1.08; Bugs - Never build anything on a burial ground; it just isn't polite.
This is probably one of my other least favorite episodes. For multiple reasons. I shall give you two. First, it's boring as all get out. I could barely watch it the first time I watched season one. Second, the ending was hokey and wasn't realistic, not even by a supernatural standard. Honestly, it was like the writers were getting really into building up a great attack scene, realized how much time they'd actually taken up with the rest of the episode and made something up for how the guys and a family got out of it. It's really bad. Like, really awful. On the plus side, seems like the only one, it is the first time anyone references that Dean and Sam seem like a nice couple. And Wincest is truly born.
This is probably one of my other least favorite episodes. For multiple reasons. I shall give you two. First, it's boring as all get out. I could barely watch it the first time I watched season one. Second, the ending was hokey and wasn't realistic, not even by a supernatural standard. Honestly, it was like the writers were getting really into building up a great attack scene, realized how much time they'd actually taken up with the rest of the episode and made something up for how the guys and a family got out of it. It's really bad. Like, really awful. On the plus side, seems like the only one, it is the first time anyone references that Dean and Sam seem like a nice couple. And Wincest is truly born.
1.09; Home - Even in the darkest hours, our family can find a way to shine a light on us.
Despite loving that they went back to Kansas, I really didn't like the episode very much. The one thing I really adored was Missouri who was totally awesome. I also liked that it's the first time you see Jeffery Dean Morgan as he is supposed to be. Despite an intense hatred for John until the day he died, I'm actually a really huge fan of John Winchester and love seeing him in old episodes. It took his death for that to happen, though.
Despite loving that they went back to Kansas, I really didn't like the episode very much. The one thing I really adored was Missouri who was totally awesome. I also liked that it's the first time you see Jeffery Dean Morgan as he is supposed to be. Despite an intense hatred for John until the day he died, I'm actually a really huge fan of John Winchester and love seeing him in old episodes. It took his death for that to happen, though.
1.10; Asylum - No matter how well you think your thoughts about someone are hidden, they always come up one way or another.
One of the best episodes of this season, by far. It was a really good Sam episode, for how he really feels about Dean. It was sort of, but not exactly, like Sam's "Skin" which is always nice. I love old mental institutions because they're creepy as fuck. Despite the fact that I feel like, even abandoned, they would never really look how they do in movies and television shows. Besides that, however, I really loved this episode and what it did for Sam's character and his relationship with Dean.
One of the best episodes of this season, by far. It was a really good Sam episode, for how he really feels about Dean. It was sort of, but not exactly, like Sam's "Skin" which is always nice. I love old mental institutions because they're creepy as fuck. Despite the fact that I feel like, even abandoned, they would never really look how they do in movies and television shows. Besides that, however, I really loved this episode and what it did for Sam's character and his relationship with Dean.
1.11; Scarecrow - Just because someone is associated with someone else, doesn't mean that they're guilty.
I adore this episode. I love that Sam has a bitch-fit and walks away from Dean, because it proved to me how happy I was that I was always a "Dean Girl." I love the creepy as scarecrow pagan god. I love the too perfect town and the niece who doesn't actually know what's going on. I love the scary as shit apple orchard. I love everything about Dean's part of the episode and nothing about Sam's. Meg is one of my least favorite female characters, even less so of all the evil ones. I didn't like her from day one, and I never grew to like her. Ever.
Alright. With the first half spoken for, I am actually going to sleep. I hope everyone has a lovely night and day and such. The next entry might be the rest of the first season, or maybe it'll be fandom related. I guess we'll all just have to see.
-Wednesday
I adore this episode. I love that Sam has a bitch-fit and walks away from Dean, because it proved to me how happy I was that I was always a "Dean Girl." I love the creepy as scarecrow pagan god. I love the too perfect town and the niece who doesn't actually know what's going on. I love the scary as shit apple orchard. I love everything about Dean's part of the episode and nothing about Sam's. Meg is one of my least favorite female characters, even less so of all the evil ones. I didn't like her from day one, and I never grew to like her. Ever.
Alright. With the first half spoken for, I am actually going to sleep. I hope everyone has a lovely night and day and such. The next entry might be the rest of the first season, or maybe it'll be fandom related. I guess we'll all just have to see.
-Wednesday
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Supernatural Post One: Intro into My Fandom Self. Sort of.
I've been watching Supernatural from the beginning again. I haven't done this since I originally started watching the show back in my freshman year of high school. Wow. I've been watching this show since the second season. Amazing how the years go by so quickly. (For the record, I just finished my freshman year of college.)
It's worth noting that, technically, I haven't seen it all the way through properly. I started watching it on YouTube two or three days before season two started. I watched the first few episodes and then realized that the second season was starting. I knew I wanted to watch the second season as it aired. So, I panicked, like you do. I watched those few beginning episodes and then watched the last three or so of the first season. This was shortly followed by watching the first episode of the second season. Thus began my undying love for the show.
While, I've seen every single episode, I just haven't watched them in exactly the correct order. After I watched about half of the second season I bought the first season on DVD and watched all the episodes I hadn't seen. It's an odd way to get into a television show, but I'd cite my getting in Harry Potter as a stranger way to get into something. That story is for another time, however.
So...Supernatural. Okay. I've always been a "Dean girl." Let me get that out in the open, first of all. I guess this will be a bit about fandom as well as the show itself. Maybe that's how this has to be, though. I mean, the show has gone meta many times. Super meta, actually, with an episode where the boys crashed onto the television set of Supernatural, during the current season. SPN and fandom cannot escape each other and even before I knew the fandom of SPN, I think I knew this to be true. Oh, and for those of you who don't know. Meta is, "a term, especially in art, used to characterize something that is characteristically self-referential," as per Urban Dictionary.
So, I was a "Dean girl" from the get go. A strapping young man who was blue collar in the best possible way, who had a muscle car (Metallicar, a '67 Chevy Impala) and the drive necessary to keep him and his brother going. So, yeah. I fell for Dean Winchester. Hard. Besides while Sam was attractive, in all honesty, I wasn't too pleased with Jared Padalecki's acting. Less so as I watch the show again.
Being a "Dean girl" is kind of the strong end of the stick, though. I mean I could have been a "Sam girl" and ended up with all the shit he's gone through and still had to defend him. Honestly, Dean is righteous and doesn't need defending too often. He's a very strong character, he knows exactly what he wants, how to get it, and what the right thing is. He's so many shades of gray that it amazing Eric Kripke was able to create such a real character. Plus, there's slash potential out the ass. The only fall back is that he's slightly sexiest. Not really in his actions, which is kind of amazing, but mostly in his language. The way I see it, though, it isn't really Dean's fault. The show isn't really that female friendly in multiple ways. The blunt sexism in the show is for another time.
Dean is one of those characters who brings out the best in the show. After watching season six, I've come to the realization that Dean Winchester is the main character of Supernatural and everyone else, including Sam Winchester, us just a supporting character. This, however, was not always the case. The first season had no real single protagonist, both Sam and Dean shared an equal number of experiences of growth. Season two showed Sam being the main character, but from season three onward Dean becomes the predominate character of the series. More on this in another entry.
The next entry will be deeper into the character of Dean from season one to season six and hopefully I can show why Dean Winchester is the main character of the beloved SPN. Or maybe the next entry will be strictly fandom based. Who knows?
-Wednesday
It's worth noting that, technically, I haven't seen it all the way through properly. I started watching it on YouTube two or three days before season two started. I watched the first few episodes and then realized that the second season was starting. I knew I wanted to watch the second season as it aired. So, I panicked, like you do. I watched those few beginning episodes and then watched the last three or so of the first season. This was shortly followed by watching the first episode of the second season. Thus began my undying love for the show.
While, I've seen every single episode, I just haven't watched them in exactly the correct order. After I watched about half of the second season I bought the first season on DVD and watched all the episodes I hadn't seen. It's an odd way to get into a television show, but I'd cite my getting in Harry Potter as a stranger way to get into something. That story is for another time, however.
 |
| Image from rocksaltandholywater on Tumblr. |
So...Supernatural. Okay. I've always been a "Dean girl." Let me get that out in the open, first of all. I guess this will be a bit about fandom as well as the show itself. Maybe that's how this has to be, though. I mean, the show has gone meta many times. Super meta, actually, with an episode where the boys crashed onto the television set of Supernatural, during the current season. SPN and fandom cannot escape each other and even before I knew the fandom of SPN, I think I knew this to be true. Oh, and for those of you who don't know. Meta is, "a term, especially in art, used to characterize something that is characteristically self-referential," as per Urban Dictionary.
So, I was a "Dean girl" from the get go. A strapping young man who was blue collar in the best possible way, who had a muscle car (Metallicar, a '67 Chevy Impala) and the drive necessary to keep him and his brother going. So, yeah. I fell for Dean Winchester. Hard. Besides while Sam was attractive, in all honesty, I wasn't too pleased with Jared Padalecki's acting. Less so as I watch the show again.
Being a "Dean girl" is kind of the strong end of the stick, though. I mean I could have been a "Sam girl" and ended up with all the shit he's gone through and still had to defend him. Honestly, Dean is righteous and doesn't need defending too often. He's a very strong character, he knows exactly what he wants, how to get it, and what the right thing is. He's so many shades of gray that it amazing Eric Kripke was able to create such a real character. Plus, there's slash potential out the ass. The only fall back is that he's slightly sexiest. Not really in his actions, which is kind of amazing, but mostly in his language. The way I see it, though, it isn't really Dean's fault. The show isn't really that female friendly in multiple ways. The blunt sexism in the show is for another time.
Dean is one of those characters who brings out the best in the show. After watching season six, I've come to the realization that Dean Winchester is the main character of Supernatural and everyone else, including Sam Winchester, us just a supporting character. This, however, was not always the case. The first season had no real single protagonist, both Sam and Dean shared an equal number of experiences of growth. Season two showed Sam being the main character, but from season three onward Dean becomes the predominate character of the series. More on this in another entry.
The next entry will be deeper into the character of Dean from season one to season six and hopefully I can show why Dean Winchester is the main character of the beloved SPN. Or maybe the next entry will be strictly fandom based. Who knows?
-Wednesday
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