First up, it’s totally OK that you are a big fan of Dean and Jensen and for you to comment here about that; he’s got an enormous fanbase and he deserves it, not just for the pretty (I mean, just look at the guy!) but also for his talent and his devotion to this character. Jensen doesn’t seem to do things by halves, and he’s given fans so much already, and now we’re going to get more. Dean with his own mytharc/storyline? What’s not to like? I know I’m terribly interested to see what’s going to be happening with Dean, and looking forward to more of Jensen’s expressive eyebrows. (And the rest of him, frankly.)

Fangirls are moaning about the dearth of Sammy, but I’ve also heard Deangirls asking what’s going on because even they know that Dean is only one half of what’s good about Show. If you think Kripke is holding back on purpose to draw out the mystery, well, it’s a pleasurable torture, and I, a True Fan, will keep my tattoo intact. This season is ROCKING anyhow, so I’m here for the duration.

As for the ep, you liked what I liked. I enjoyed seeing another side of Dean, even if it was fever induced. The boys haven’t been sharing and caring as much this season (which kind of makes sense), and it was good to see a little of that, especially in light of what Dean had to say! Because what they do really is crazy in a way, they’ve given up their lives for something that no one will know about, let alone appreciate. Although, when you think about it, most people live those kinds of lives, where they work and struggle and never (or seldom) get thanked. Except in the Winchester’s case, their lives are dangerous and rootless with demons on their heels and angels bugging them to do the right thing. (Like they’re not already!)

PTSD? Yes, bring it! When I heard that Dean was going to be exhibiting this, I was expecting more than we’ve seen thus far. Not that Dean is normally the jumping at shadows type, but after four months in hell, surely he would be more jittery? I mean, if you follow the theory that every second in hell is like an eternity, and Dean spent approximately 120 days in hell, that means he underwent hellfire and brimstone torture for 10,386,000 eternities, which is a very LONG time. The flashbacks we’ve seen are not enough! I’m mean! I want Dean to have nightmares, panic attacks, hyper-vigilance, all of it. I want to roll in Deanish anxiety; I want to see a Deanish meltdown. Come to think of it, I think Sammy’s due for a meltdown too; I’ve not seen him rant, or pontificate, or even cry in ever so long! Surely he’s about to come apart any minute now.

Thank you for the lovely compliment about my description of Dean! I do rather think Show played Dean’s troubles for laughs, and it mostly pulled it off, mostly because Ackles pulled it off. He sold whacked-out Dean to me like nobody else could. Although, seriously, I’d be willing to beta read for Show and give them feedback about any troublesome plot points. I don’t work for Show, I’m not trying to cater to the boss, I have nothing to loose and lots of opinions, not to mention a total devotion to getting it right. They could send me a rough draft anytime, and I could help Show avoid the pitfalls of the whole “dick” conversation. Kripke surely loves his fans to step down and explain it to us, though I still think he could have worked the resolution to that issue into a future script. I’ll keep watching Show, though, until there’s not more Show to watch.

Best Regards,

Sylvia

Hey, thanks for coming by and commenting on Show! I agree with you, this is turning out to be a pretty good season, even if I can’t quite figure out what’s going on yet. But that will come with time. As for the Dean vs. Sam focus, I always thought the show was about Dean anyhow; but there’s tons of people who think about it the way you do, that it was always about Sam! I guess it depends on your perspective, eh? Bimbo girls gone, lots of brotherly angst, and we’re well underway to having yet more fun. Yeah, Bobby fixes the corners Show writes itself into, but I wish Show wouldn’t DO that! The boys seem to like Bobby pretty well, but I don’t. : D

Best Regards,

Sylvia

Thanks for the comment. I so adore the comedic episodes because they give me a chance to breathe but I crave the dark episodes even more because I truly believe that is where this awesome show truly shines.

And, the core of this show is Sam and Dean and they make this show what it is. Jared and Jensen have such a close bond offscreen and that bond spills across each and every week on the TV screen.

They have chemistry to spare in spades and chemistry is what always draws me into a show.

I want them to be close again and stop keeping secrets from each. I have faith they will be okay again. They love each other too much. I know they’ve never actually said it out loud but we all know they do.

I have never been so passionate about another TV show.
I have had favorites in the past. I never missed an episode of Alias but nothing can compare to my love of all things Winchester.

It’s Thursday!

Joan

“And Dean is such a contained, specific character, with lots of angst and broken dreams lingering just below the surface of a tightly controlled and beautiful you’ll-never-find-out-what-I’m-really-thinking package. Who for years has been the first in line to wade into the ectoplasm, to get soaked to the hips in blood, to thrust his hands into the burning fire and save Sammy for the gazillionth time. So it must have been a nice break for Ackles, who, really, has missed his calling as a comic actor.”

Nicely stated! Even though I was really worried about the show playing Dean’s fears for laughs, I do appreciate them pushing Dean outside of his comfort zone to reveal some things he probably would not have normally revealed to Sam. I just loved that “we are INSANE” rant of his. And I enjoyed Sam taking care of Dean as well. It was a nice role reversal. I do hope we see some of the PTSD that Kripke has talked about with Dean very soon.

I am a big fan of Dean and Jensen, so I hope it’s okay that I comment here. Lately I’ve felt that it’s bad to appreciate Dean’s inclusion in the mythology of the show this season. I think this season has been terrific precisely because Kripke has expanded the overall mythology and has given Dean his own mytharc storyline. I think he just needed some time to develop it. I also think he wants Sam’s storyline (about his powers and about whether or not he’s gone darkside) to be somewhat vague right now to draw out the mystery.

Anyway, I am looking forward to some juicy brotherly angst in future episodes. I adore both boys and the brotherly interaction is a big reason I watch the show. Thanks again.

As much as love the comedy I am SO READY for more angst. As a fan girl
I LOVE the dark episodes.

Finally I never, ever thought I would ever see Dean pick up the bible.

Talk about a 360.

At that moment, time almost stopped for me.

Take care
Joan
Joan

I am so GLAD you are okay. I am sorry to hear you have been sick but I am glad you are on the road to recovery.
I am also glad you had visitors. That is always fun.

Pollyanna! HE HE. You are so funny! Yes, I guess you have to call me Pollyanna Joan then too because I have a hard time finding fault with this show.

Thanks for comment on the word unhinged. It is one of my ‘fav’ words.

Take care
Joan

PS. Boy this episode sparked a lot of interest.

Beth,
I have a feeling there are a lot more Sam fans out there than it seems … they just avoid that particular forum. It is not the only game in town. Lately I have even come across a lot of Deangirls complaining about the lack of Sam all over the web.

Sylvia,
Your attitude is the best. I will put on my Pollyanna hat and hide my wavering faith for the long haul. Show is still the best on TV and even if they only feed me little crumbs of Sam, well I will learn to relish each and every one of them.

Thanks for allowing me to rant. Like Beth said there are few safe places that Samgirls can. We really are a frustrated bunch and it is only because we love the show, otherwise we wouldn’t care so much.

Ok, now I’m off to find a life!
Tonia

I’m so not here to tell you what to say or believe or feel; I know the kind of lists you mean where the moderators do a lot of wrist slapping and there’s so many rules that it rather defeats the purpose of joining a discussion. There are lots of good moderators too, but I’m not one of those either. : D You guys are all adults anyway.

And I’m curious now, what other fan forum? There are so many….

And I’ve heard all kinds of versions of this: that Dean is the hero, that it’s Sam’s story, and vice versa. (I’ve never read the Supernatural mag.) When I first got into SPN I got slammed when I dared to say “Hey, this all seems to be about Dean, so it must be Dean’s story!” I was told in no uncertain terms that Jared Padalecki was the STAR of the show and I was very wrong to think that Dean’s story was more important than Sam’s. It was then pointed out to me that Padalecki’s name came first and so there! Oooookay, last time I brought that up. So it’s nice to be able to discuss it and have different opinions.

I dunno, I’m a glass is overflowing kind of gal; even if Show is not exactly what we want, it’s still pretty good. The boys are pretty, and the fanfic they inspire is amazing. I’m just happy and glad to be here; hope I can help the ball club.

Best Regards

Pollyanna Sylvia

You said:
[i]As for Kripke saying that Dean was the hero from the beginning I beg to differ. It was in the August issue of the Supernatural magazine that he addressed the Dean fans (AGAIN!) who complained that Dean was a sidekick character (can you imagine?) that he said Dean would get a bigger part in the myth arc and that Dean was the real hero. From everything I had read before, Sam was the hero albeit the reluctant hero. [/i]

I wish I subscribed to Supernatural magazine! I had never read for myself where Kripke said Dean was the hero, but I’ve been told a million times by other fans that Dean is the hero, but that this is Sam’s story. So that’s where I got the idea that Kripke made Dean the hero from the start.

Have you been to “that other fandom forum” of which you speak? There are separate categories for the boys, but Dean/Jensen has three times more posts than Sam/Jared. I don’t get it.

Okay, Sylvia, thank you for allowing me to use your blog as my own personal pulpit. I never get to air my thoughts on other blogs without being called out or receiving a PM for being “devisive”, so it’s nice to find a place to feel safe.

And Sylvia, I will take your words to heart. I’m going to stick out this season to see where Sam and Dean go. I’m hoping (crossing fingers!) that Kripke and the writers will surprise us all with great storylines for both boys and make the entire fandom happy! Can it be done?? *Hope so!*

And Sylvia, Jen is so right … one of the many reasons I love your reviews is because you are one of the very few who pays attention to BOTH brothers. It’s only logical that a Dean-centric episode deserves a Dean-centric review. I have no problem with that. Dean and Jensen are deservedly great. What I realize now that is really bugging me the MOST now about all this ignoring Sam/Jared is that it is driving me to be resentful of Dean/Jensen and that is so wrong. Have no fear, I am strong and I will resist. I will not break!

As for Kripke saying that Dean was the hero from the beginning I beg to differ. It was in the August issue of the Supernatural magazine that he addressed the Dean fans (AGAIN!) who complained that Dean was a sidekick character (can you imagine?) that he said Dean would get a bigger part in the myth arc and that Dean was the real hero. From everything I had read before, Sam was the hero albeit the reluctant hero.

Man if only Samgirls would get a little bit of this attention. In any case, it is sad that as the creator of this show, he misses what is essence of the show and that is the relationship of the TWO leads and the eternal struggle for good to conquer evil all presented in the horror genre. How much more awesome the show would be if it explored both characters instead of the same one over and over ad nauseum.

I think Jared had more a known name due to Gilmore Girls and I think that was why he got first billing. Apparently, Kripke’s wife was a Dean Forester fan and urged Kripke to get Jared as Sam. I had not heard of Jensen before either.

Anyway I feel the same as Jen. I am losing faith in Kripke. I don’t mind at all Sam going dark if done properly but the way he has been ignored for so long I have little faith. It seems the only one fighting for Sam is Sera Gamble but she is not the head honcho.

Maybe all the Samgirls should post on that fandom forum and we all know which one I mean (best summed up as the SAM IS MEAN TO DEAN AND IS A RAPIST forum) to defend Sam in order for Kripke to take notice.

Ok, end of rant now.
Tonia

I meant to say: PS, thanks for the linkup!

Best Regards,

Sylvia

Thank you for the vote of confidence; some weeks I’m sure someone is going to scream about what I’ve written, other weeks I’m pretty sure they’re not; I usually get it wrong. As for focusing on the un-emphasized brother, I’ve always rooted for the underdog. : D

As for the outcry about Sam – I’m not sure Samgirls will ever get their way. Kripke’s bias is Dean and always has been, according to the “lore,” so were we ever promised as much of Sam as we’ve been of Dean? Are we howling at the moon? Not that we should stop howling, of course, or stop rattling cages. We know that Kripke/Show reads the boards and fan feedback; maybe a postcard campaign is in order to get the message directly to the source. More Sam! Don’t make him a guest towel!!

I’d love to see fanfic that deals with Sam’s issues the way you describe them. Sam’s handshy now, he’s been wounded beyond belief in Mystery Spot (six months at least of watching Dean die, not to mention the time he thought Dean was really dead), and over the summer (four months) thinking Dean was in hell. If he’s cold or disconnected, maybe there’s good reason, like you say. Because we’ve had a few references to attest to the fact that Sam moved on. He put an Ipod in the Impala, he went to see the new Raiders movie without Dean, and (perhaps) hooked up with some chick who turned out to be that skank Ruby. So, having moved on, it must be mighty hard to move “back” as it were. But we don’t know, because Show isn’t telling us!

But I think Show will, sooner or later. It has to. Not because fangirls (Deangirls and Samgirls alike) are banging on the door, but because Show has set it up that way. Show has introduced a nice, sweet boy in young Sam, has put him through the wringer (the list of all the bad crap Sam has gone through is LONG), and now, showing him as a detached, rather unemotional stranger, has some ‘splaining to do. Not coming through with the goods would not only be sloppy writing, but also sloppy planning, and downright cruel. And really, the ratings would tank, sharks would be jumped. Thus far, Show has come through with the stuff we wanted. If Sam seems out of sorts, there’s going to be a reason why. Plus, I still have that tattoo that says that I am Kripke’s bitch, so unless I want an ugly scar, I’ve got to stay the course. Till the end, no matter how bitter it may seem in the meantime.

Best Regards,

Sylvia

Thank you for the lovely compliment!

It’s too funny that you scared the neighboors! I got lucky enough to have a fellow fangirl over to watch this ep, and we’d polished off a bottle of wine by that time, and so, yeah, hooting and hollering was heard by the all. I personally laughed myself hoarse. And yours is a good idea – the outtakes for this would be PRICELESS. (The break in character added to the charm, and I want to focus on that, otherwise, it would be so terribly not like Dean to scream, even with ghost fever.)

And thank you for joining me in unashamed admiration of the bonus feature, well worth the replay. C’mon, what’s not to like? As for that fantastic guitar of his? Nice one! Lord, is it hot in here or is it just me?

Interesting point about the PTSD, which I love the idea of and keep forgetting that Show is leaving out. I think Dean is remembering slowly but surely, certainly his fear of hell keeps rearing its ugly head. But I think what he said to Sam was more to put Sam off (as he does, as he always does) rather than being something specific about what Dean actually remembers about what he’s gone through. He also says, “Howler monkeys, Sam, you know how I feel about those.” Am I imagining it, or has he said something like that before about the howler monkeys? I’m definitely up for PTSD to come along and throw Dean for a loop – and NOT done for laughs. While I don’t mind a touch of comedy, I don’t watch this show to laugh.

Best Regards,

Sylvia

Oh, my. I think the bandwagon is getting awfully crowded, but in support of Sam, I’ll stay on board. I’m not sure, though, if I mind as much if Sam’s headed down a dark path (including the presence of that skank Ruby), as long as Show does it right. Sam’s messing with powers he ought not to be messing with, plus he’s lied to Dean about it, and Show needs to deal with it. The unflattering light could prove to be terribly interesting, I’m thinking, but I’ll want to know the story behind it before I cast my final vote. Like last season, I’m here for the long haul.

I like your ideas about why Sam seems so disconnected, esp from Dean. I was talking to a friend offline and I mentioned that Sam was displaying a snake-like apathy towards Dean’s predicament (hence the snakes in the ep, perhaps, to which Sam showed absolutely NO reaction), all of which could be in reaction to long years of training, like you say: Don’t show emotion, quit crying on Dean’s shoulder, soldier up, be a man, be cool. In other words, never let ‘em see you sweat. It’s a big fat “if” though if Show is doing any of this with purpose, or they are focusing on Dean’s troubles to Sam’s expense. But if Kripke said this has always been Dean’s story, are Samgirls asking for something that they were never promised?

Lots of fans seem to have followed Ackles to Supernatural; would you believe me if I told you I’d never seen him before? Ah, me. The fun I was missing out of. : D

It’s a two-man show, this. A show about the relationship between two brothers who (to paraphrase David Soul) HAPPEN to be saving people, hunting things.

Best Regards,

Sylvia

I also forgot to make another point re: Dean selling his soul to save Sam. What Dean accomplished by doing that was to put Sam smack in the middle of the “endgame” that Azazel cooked up. Sam is now a pawn in the middle of this demon war and is fighting his powers and his brother at the same time. Great going Dean. For me, if I could see Dean apologize for that, it would bring some sort of resolution to Sam, I would imagine.

Okay, NOW I’m through…unless I think of something else.

I think the outcry about the lack of Sam, and the way they’ve reduced his character is only going to grow louder until they address it. Samgirls are in the minority, their opinions are not always politely received by other fans, even if they are politely written, and thus far Show has completely ignored them. So the only thing they can do is get louder, in the hopes that they will become the squeaky wheel, and in return get some grease. Samgirls have been voicing their concerns for some time, but all we’ve gotten is a steady reduction of Sam, both in literal screentime, and in character terms. I like your analogy of the guest towels; unfortunately that fits Sam perfectly at the moment.

You’re right, the level of concern is skewed between the two brothers. Sam does seem very diconnected, and I can’t help but think it’s a defense mechanism. Everyone he’s ever been close to or loved has died and left him behind, and I think when Dean left him too, he pulled back, hoping to avoid future hurt by not letting anyone else in. That would fit in with him leaving Bobby too. Now that Dean’s back, either Sam doesn’t believe that Dean is going to stay back, or Sam doesn’t trust Dean not to hurt him in some other way. Based on Dean’s behaviour in Episode 4 of this season, that may be a valid fear on Sam’s part. That level of concern was missing on Dean’s part in that case, and Sam may still be reeling from it. Of course it would be nice to KNOW some of this, instead of speculating on it all, but perhaps time will reveal the answers.

Part of my problem, and I’ve spoken to a few other fans that feel similarly, is that my faith in Kripke to do the right thing, to ultimately tie it all together, balance everything out, and make it work has died. The problem has dragged on, and been allowed to worsen significantly, with nary a word of hope offered from Kripke and Co. He can step out to reassure the world at large, lest we think that Dean was being insulted, but he can’t be bothered to even try to reassure the portion of his fanbase that has been begging for help all this time? I agree with Tonia. Kripke seems to be showing a bias here, and it’s disheartening and infuriating.

Just like my faith in Sam’s storyline ever getting straightened out, or enlightened has died a cold death, any faith that I might have been able to muster in them concocting a surprise featuring Jared and sharing it with us. Maybe that’s overly negative of me, but I would ask anyone who thinks that to provide me with a reason to trust Kripke. If they could find one, I could be persuaded to change my opinion.

Now, negativity aside, I say again that I love your reviews and I look forward to them every week. I’m going to link to them from my LJ, so that other people will find them easier, because they’re definitely worth the read.