First Thoughts on Supernatural

[fangirljen]

I decided to start S4 (never having seen S1-S3 except a few eps here and there) because I want to be educated on the latest happenings before I go to a SPN convention with my friend brokenbacktango.

I have to admit that the first five minutes of ep 4.01, with the catch up and Dean coming out of his grave, was better than any of the Heroes eps I've seen in a long time. This show runs so smooth. Stuff happens. People die. I imagine if your profession is hunter and people don't die, then something is clearly wrong.

Things really don't feel contrived. And I really hate to say this, but I am wondering if Heroes is written for someone who doesn't want to think about their Scifi but be spoon fed it because they don't have the brains to get it/don't want to think that much to get it.

Supernatural is cool because it makes both Star Trek and Star Wars references, even coming from Dean, and even after he came back from Hell. And how about his line about going to Hell again because he thought his mom was hot? LOL I liked the one about having to go to the Star Trek Experience because of the impending Apocalypse. Hate to break it to you, Dean, but the Star Trek Experience's last day at the Hilton was Sept. 1st, 2008, a month before you came back from the grave. :(

I am also delighted that there is incest, and it's not just in the subtext way. It's in the "we know what you're saying and we know that you know we know what you're saying" way. Ruby with her "are you two together?" comment and then, the big one, The yellow-eyed demon, who had just murdered Deanna (I love that the grandparents' names!), made Samuel stab himself, and then killed John Winchester, and then had Mary give up herself and Sam, started making out with her while he was in her father's body! Dood! That's some hardcore stuff there. Makes me wish we had some making out between Sylar!Nathan and Angela on Heroes. Because levels of fucked up when they do not involve blonde cheerleaders who are pretty much used as pieces of meat are kinda cool. Damn. I feel a little bad that part of my enjoyment from watching SPN is judging Heroes for the bad path it has been made to go on, but it's fun.

I hadn't realized that Ben Edlund is a staff writer for SPN. That is part of the coolness factor. I have adored his writing since The Tick. And then on Angel he did the awesome Smile Time. Guy has been around and knows how to mix humor with drama. This is good crack. I was watching an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer with my parents the other day and told them that you don't get shows like that anymore. I think in Supernatural I am proven wrong. You get a good mix of (meta?)humor, drama, good pacing, character development, all the stuff that makes me really dig a show. I have avoided SPN so far because my mom is uncomfortable with the subject matter. But being how I am watching the show on my comp, she doesn't have to see it. I knew the boys are pretty, but the quality of the show goes well beyond that.

To be honest, I've wanted to know what the whole thing with Castiel was about for a while. Both character and actor seem to be beloved. I also am really digging Angels right now, so seeing him is really cool for that.

I'll post more as I go through the series. I hope the rest of S4 and S5 hold up

Comments

[whisper99.livejournal.com]

OMG I am SO excited you're watching SHOW!!!!!!!!!! *bounces around like a loon!* You're gonna love it! You are!! :)

[fangirljen.livejournal.com]

LOL Thanks. I'm enjoying it so far!

[claudiasharon.livejournal.com]

Hehe, I used to watch Supernatural, but I stopped because I lost interest. My dad still watches it though.

[fangirljen.livejournal.com]

Aww, that's too bad. I guess I like the thought that it's been there. It's kind of fluffy, but good fluffy. It's not like Lost in the way of if I want to catch up, I would have to lock myself up in a room for a couple of weeks.

[gloriatempest.livejournal.com]

I've recently gotten into this show too. Sometimes I think it has gotten way out there, but then at the same time, I think the new stuff has its own appeal and stands on its own. I liked it ok during season one; but from season two out, it has completely absorbed my attention.

[fangirljen.livejournal.com]

I can see how some of the things were hinted at in the earlier seasons--or those events were logically tied to what is happening now. The Yellow Eyed Demon stuff, for example. And then Dean goes to Hell and that brings things to a whole new level.

I will be going back, but I may be slow on that. Just want to focus on the new stuff now. It's nice seeing kickass Angels on TV.

[ev-vy.livejournal.com]

I think the rest holds up, but I might not be too objective. *g* May I ask to which convention are you going?

[fangirljen.livejournal.com]

I have this feeling that anything I watch of the show is going to be better than what I've gotten from my fav show lately, sadly. It's kind of nice not being hurt by the canon of a show.

Los Angele Creation Supernatural Con

The boys, Misha, and Jim Beaver are all gonna be there! That's some happy time! \o/ I follow Jim Beaver on Facebook, too. I love how involved he id.

[pinkfinity.livejournal.com]

I'll be coming in for this! Can't wait to see you!

Also, lmk if you want the first seasons on DVD to borrow. I have spare sets from when they were priced at 15-19 dollars.

[mwmm23.livejournal.com]

I got into Supernatural a couple months ago, having sort of thought it wouldn't be that good/at least wasn't my type of thing for years, and it way, WAY surpassed my expectations! So I'm glad you're enjoying it. :D

[fangirljen.livejournal.com]

I knew it would be my kind of thing at least in some ways. I've heard of the strong characters (like Bobby! Woo!) and the bromance of the brothers. That was really appealing to me. A strong bromance. One that the writers don't shy away from in the least. And they seem to be okay with dropping hints of slash and incest. I was surprised at the writers being that cheeky. Or maybe that's just Sera Gamble? I knew a couple of things about the show, having had friends who talk about it, having read a little about it, and having come across some articles about it--one article I actually edited for a friend of mine. So I think I have some good times ahead.

[ewanspotter.livejournal.com]

It's not just Sera Gamble. XD

[fangirljen.livejournal.com]

LOL Really? All of them are?

[ewanspotter.livejournal.com]

I meant, it's not just her episodes that the references happen. I mean, you figure, if you can't beat the "these two guys are hot and they're always together sleeping in the same room but they're brothers" you have to just go with it. XD

d'oh

[brokenbacktango.livejournal.com]

I am so relieved you're enjoying it! To be honest, when I moved on from Heroes to Merlin, I was making crazy comparisons between the two as well. It's the nature of a beast as mightily fucked up as Heroes; it leaves a mark! As for Supernatural, I honestly don't think enough credit is given to the show considering how good it is. Of course it has its problems but beyond that, the writing is pretty damn solid.

If I may ask, what is it about the show that makes your mom uncomfortable? Is it the way the angels are portrayed? My mom can't stand it because she hates Jensen Ackles. He makes her skin crawl.

Have you seen this new Profit music video?

Re: d'oh

[fangirljen.livejournal.com]

Yeah. You just...yeah. And there have always been some similarities between Heroes and Supernatural. I'm still a fan of Heroes, just of what was. I've heard of some of Supernatural's problems, yes, but it's refreshing to see some things working too. Heroes has EPIC problems with female characters, too. And at least Supernatural has (erm, had?) Ellen. And I really don't mind Ruby. I thought Cassidy was in more episodes than she was. IMDB says something like 8? Wow. ilikethequiet had me thinking she was in a lot more than that.

My mom doesn't like the demons or the idea of them. They scare her.

Re: d'oh

[brokenbacktango.livejournal.com]

I hear you about Heroes. I still consider myself a big fan of season one but beyond that, I just can't.

Cassidy's interesting... it was popular to hate her until she left, then it seemed like the fandom loved her but hated the new Ruby. I liked both but that's apparently really rare. IMHO I think a large percentage of the show's fandom has as many issues with women as the show itself does, based on how they react to certain characters. Jo's perception in fandom was like a roller coaster of hate-love that could rival some of the insane shit they have at Magic Mountain. Other females were always hated--and their deaths are still celebrated. And then we get characters like Castiel, who have comms pop up for them overnight... Buuut now I'm soap-boxing, sorry. Just keep an eye out if you decide to join the fandom.

Oh, that sucks. The idea of possession is really frightening, especially the way in which it's described in the show.

Re: d'oh

[brokenbacktango.livejournal.com]

Oh, and did I ever link that Miracles music video I mentioned to you waaaaaay back in the day? It's here under Miscellaneous Fandoms, called "Darkness, Darkness." Not the best video quality but the story encapsulated in that four minute video is enough to make me want to go out and buy the series.

[autumndandelion.livejournal.com]

I will have to read under the cut once I get caught up. I've just finished season three.

[ewanspotter.livejournal.com]

Man, if you DO ever go back to the first three seasons, you're gonna be all, "WTF?" Season four zoomed off in another direction. (I mean that in a good way.)

It takes them a bit in the first season to really get the feel for the show. It's very monster-of-the-week and stand alone. It's not until about episode nine, "Home", where the showrunners went, "Wait, so we can have a monster AND parallel the boy's story with this? SWEETNESS."

Edlund was a consulting producer (or some title like that) for a while but didn't start writing until season two. His second episode (the first was okay, but the second is what he's really known for) is classic SPN (if there is such a thing as classic SPN). Good stood, characters you care about, and kickass use of Styx.

[fangirljen.livejournal.com]

LOL I have an idea what happened in the first three seasons. I have caught an episode here and there and some of those episodes were key ones.

That's not bad, really. I've seen shows that took a season or two to find their footing. Look at Highlander's first season, another show that was filmed in Vancouver. Its first season is kind of "Eh? O.o" with such gems as "Bad Day in Building A" which does have some charm to it, but is really kind of "Eh??? O.o"

I was looking for another brother pair to get into, truth be told. I haven't let go of the Petrellis, but for reason events...um, yeah. So I decided to finally check into what was going on in SPN. And I really dig Angels. :D

All writers have hit and misses. I don't blame them for that. I just like seeing writers who realize they have misses and try to do something about it. Even seasoned TV writers are still learning about their craft. I'm not sure if a lot of TV writers realize that or not. Some writing they try just isn't going to work, but if they are worth their salt they will find things that do. I've noticed that Edlund is consistency good, which is nice!

[ewanspotter.livejournal.com]

You should definitely catch up though. DVDs are way cheap now (and also because you'll see them as far less antagonist toward each other; it's been a trying few years). There's also daddy Winchester and the lovely fucked up Winchester relationships that come with that part of the story. (They all have so many issues.)

The angels have been fun, IA. Cas, but also the actor. He's kind of brought a bit of spark back to the fandom. (Love him or hate him.) Jensen and Jared are both very down-homey and gracious to fans, but they are who they are. Misha is so cracky, and knows exactly what he's doing when interacting. So he's been a real treat.

[ninkasa.livejournal.com]

I've mentioned this before, but Cas is the reason I slammed through S3 in one day and then marathoned the hell out of S4 (which we're about to re-watch as soon as ghosthunter_d gets home).

Um. . .yeah, everything I've had to say I've said already, but YAYS! Someone else who's just getting into it. I don't feel so alone now. =)

[ewanspotter.livejournal.com]

Season three makes me sad inside. Ick.

[ninkasa.livejournal.com]

I felt like the season was a bit drug out. Even though it was shorter, like there was so much of the Dean going to Hell angst that by the time he finally did go to Hell I was sort of emotionally empty. I'd already cried myself dry for the first like six or seven episodes.

[ewanspotter.livejournal.com]

Yeah, and I've always thought the season opener is probably the worst episode of the series. It was just... I don't even know. But the beats were all wrong. The strike took a toll for sure, but then again, maybe it was a good thing it got Dean in Hell faster. (If only so we didn't have to spend 22 episodes waiting.) I wasn't crazy about the new characters that season either. So, all in all, it's not a season I jump to throw the DVDs in for.

[thelackey.livejournal.com]

Oh, man. I'm so glad you've watched and liked. I will agree with a couple of people here, when you get a chance you do have to watch the first three seasons. I've got them all on DVD, so whenever you want to borrow them, just say the word. :)

I'll be hitting the convention as well. I think we're only going on the Sunday though - Jensen & Jared's day. Although, I do love me some Misha, so the day he's there, we might have to hit as well. Hopefully we'll see each other.

[fangirljen.livejournal.com]

I will definitely watch the earlier seasons, too. I forgot that you're all for Jensen! Cool! Thanks!

Yay!! We have to hang out. I was thinking about going one day, but then I saw that Jensen and Jared are one day and Misha and Jim are another...I have to go both days. Misha is incredible. Do you know very much about Misha's Minions? He's gotten A LOT of money in donations for Haiti. Over 20,000! It's kind of extraordinary!

[thelackey.livejournal.com]

I do follow Misha on Twitter (and anywhere else he wants me to ;)), but I really don't know what the Minions do on the site they made or anything. They kind of scare me a bit. I don't handle 'extreme fandom' too well, so I tend to stay away from that end of the pool. lol

Going on Saturday would probably be a hoot. Not only do you get Misha and Jim, but AJ and Travis will be there too! If you do plan on going, you should watch the Hell House and Ghostfacers eps beforehand so you know what AJ & Travis are all about. With watching season 4, you should've seen the boys in the ep, It's a Terrible Life, but you really need to watch the other two eps to get their full storyline. *nods*

And yes, hanging out is a must. Haven't had the opportunity to do much of that.