Thank you so much for your words of support. I'm always amazed that people think I should think and write they way they want me to, but then, I'm even more amazed when my readers turn out with so much support, as they did this week. There's room enough for all kinds of opinions, isn't there.

I have enjoyed your lists and passion and comments through the seasons (yeah, more than one! hard to believe, right?), and I really hope that this continues to be a place where you express your joy about Show and love either boy, or, heck, BOTH, when and how you see fit.

Both Sam and Dean have their highs and lows, but they're still beautiful, still fun to watch. Sharing that with fans like you is what makes it even more fun. I especially like it when readers point out what I didn't see, because that makes a more well-rounded picture. And what's not to love about green eyes, and dimples, and a beautiful mouth, and long legs, and shoulders, let us not forget those shoulders. And, in this case, we get double of each. Except the dimples, 'cause I don't think has those……

Anyway thank you again, thanks for sharing the love of Show.

Best Regards,

Sylvia

Yes, I think it was a shout-out to the sexy dad.

Sam was a sexy MD. Yum!

Didn't Sam get it? I thought he did, the expression on his face looked to me like the comment hit home really hard. It was a very emo face, the way I saw it. Certainly the point of brothers betraying each other is a huge theme, and Sam's awash with guilt already, I think Gabe's statement added to the pile.

Oh the colors, so amazing! And bright, I'm right with you there.

I think Richard Speight Jr.'s been eating his Wheaties or something because he looked rather hot to me. : D

I'm a Samgirl, what of it? Is a reviewer not supposed to have a preference? Are they not allowed to have opinions? Isn't a review exactly that, a bundle of opinions? So my opinion is I like Sam a little better. It's not hurting anyone, and I can't be wrong for having an opinion, nor be called to task for talking about it.

I mean, with hair like that, it's a pure joy to talk about Sam and his Samhair and Jared Padalecki and all his many, manly talents. I keep being amazed when someone tries to call me to task for that joy, as in, "How dare you talk about Sam more than Dean!" Say what? My response is, "How dare you take me to task for that?" Being told I can't like Sam more than Dean, that I'm not supposed to write more about Sam (and his Samhair) than about Dean and his beautiful face is like being told that I HAVE to like (and write about) the funny eps with the same joy and love that I write about the serious or scary eps. But nobody ever seems to mind that I prefer the serious, emo eps over the funny ones, and I know I for one would be astonished if they did.

I'm not sure why some people feel it's okay to tell others who they can and cannot like. I mean, what's it to them, what do they care? Like you and others have said, Dean/Ackles gets tons of support and rightfully so, all the time and everywhere. What does it hurt that Sam/Padalecki gets some love and support of his own? I adore his hair and his sparkly green eyes and his long, long legs and his amazing talent and his bright smiles and his somber Sam-faces, and the way he throws himself into the funny, slapstick scenes with as much deftness and skill as he does the serious, emo scenes – so he's going to get that love and support right here and right now for as long as it pleases me to do so.

End rant and happy Thursday! (And thank you for providing me a little soapbox to stand on while I ranted.)

#17 A shout out to JDM? I took it more as a haha you're not here, wish you were here but you're not……

#18 Sam performing surgery on Dean seems to have more implications (going by the other comments here) than I gave it credit for! Or maybe it was just a cool scene where Sam got to dress as a doctor and redress the balance of being the instigator of destruction and mayhem…see? I was trying to talk about how sexy Dr. Sam was and there it went, off into analogy and metaphor land!

I haven’t done this in a while but I decided to share my thoughts on ‘Changing Channels’ because I believe this episode warrants further analysis. This particular episode was important and significant in the ongoing saga of the Winchester boy’s storyline.

First of all, Jensen and Jared continue to reveal hidden talents. As each season has progressed I find new reasons to love them even more. The subtle nuances; the seamless transitions from comedy to drama; the camaraderie these two men share continues to enthrall me after five seasons and I still look forward to watching them ‘fight the good fight’ week in and week out.

The shocking revelation that the Trickster is Gabriel did seem to come out of left field.
But, the more I thought about it, the more I believe it makes sense and the disclosure doesn’t seem so contrived. And, I honestly believe this has been Kripke’s plan all along. The trickster has been a part of the storyline in three different seasons. I think he identifies with Sam. He has taken a special interest in him and I believe he worries about him. In ‘Mystery Spot’ he told Sam ‘the bad guys knew Dean was Sam’s weakness and it was going to be the death of him’. He killed Dean, over and over again, to make Sam understand how dangerous that knowledge is. Because, after all, knowledge is power.

I am thrilled the Trickster is Gabriel because it means he is really powerful and he will continue to be an integral part of the storyline. Of all the recurring characters we have been blessed with over the years, the Trickster seemed to know more about Sam and Dean than anyone else did. There is a history there and we have a vested interest in his character. I, for one, am glad Gabriel is someone we know and love. It makes the reveal ‘that much sweeter’.

People have said there was no mention of angels before Season 4 but there were subtle references to them, prior to Season 4. Dean’s mom told him ‘that angels watched over him while he slept’. Dean mentioned it several times in the past and it was the only thing she could have said to him in ‘What is and what should never be” to make him believe she was real. Sam’s strong belief in faith in ‘Houses of the Holy’. Dean’s lack of faith and unwavering belief if he couldn’t see it, it wasn’t real to him. He had seen demons so he believed in them. But he refused to believe in a higher power because he had never seen it.

This is not the first time I stared at the TV screen, in shock and disbelief, when revelations were laid on the table….and in those instances…things made sense that were unclear before. It all came together for me…. “In the Beginning” comes to mind. I never for once, thought Mary could have been a hunter. And, that hunting ran in the family. Or why Mary told Sam she was sorry in ‘Home”. And, last season, we found out about the ‘Winchester Gospels’.

I will continue to trust in Kripke and I will continue to watch the fabulous gem of a show.
I can’t help myself. I am way too invested in what happens to Sam and Dean. I understand my obsession may be considered unhealthy but that is okay. LOL.

There is so much more I want to say but I will reserve the right to save further ramblings for a later time. I don’t want to wear out my welcome.

Finally, Sylvia, I completely and utterly adore you. And, many people share my sentiments, based on the comments which have been posted since you wrote your review. . Because of you, I am able to share my thoughts and feelings without worrying about being slammed because of the way I feel. This place has become my safe haven. I don’t have to be concerned about finding spoilers and I never have to agonize over being judged because of my viewpoints. And, you love both Winchester boys equally. I know you are a ‘Sam Girl’ but you still express your love and adoration of Dean. You understand and appreciate how phenomenal both actors are and what they bring to the table each and every week. Because, after all, Supernatural wouldn’t be what it is without both Sam and Dean. And, most importantly, your reviews are thought-provoking and entertaining and fabulous! As I ‘card carrying Supernatural Fan Girl’ how could I ask for anything more when I have everything I need in one place? I can’t think of any reason at all.

Until next week!

Take care, Joan

1). Bravo to the lighting guys. There were so many scenes with brightness and deep colors and our boys just glowed! ‘Ethereal’ beauty I might even say. Oh my, there was so much pretty!

2). The return of the sublime Richard Speight Jr.

3). Our boys were together the entire time.

4). Tandem Bike! Mini scooters! Dagwood ‘type’ sandwiches. Ghosts wearing sheets with cutout eyes! The boys being scared and spooked by each other! Okay….lets just say the opening credits were superb. I am still laughing.

5). The Supernatural theme song! SNORT! Freaking genius!

6). Sam had top billing.

7). The way Dean said ‘Son of a bitch!’

8). The entire ‘CSI’ parody. OMG! I was on the floor. Kudos to Jared’s impersonation of Horatio. Stands up and claps loudly.

8a). The commercial

9). The revelation that the Trickster is really the Archangel Gabriel and the entire closing scene (more on that later)

10). The Japanese Game Show

11). “They have ghosts on this show? Why?”

12). Dean’s man crush on ‘Dr Sexy’

13). The Knight Rider spoof

14). "Supernatural is filmed before a live studio audience."

15). The fake commercial

16). The way Jared and Jensen delivered their lines in the sitcom. That entire scene was a hoot.

17). The shout-out to JDM

18). Sam performing surgery on Dean

19). The title of this episode

20). Seriously? Seriously!

End of Part 1

Joan

Also there is not enough Sam love in the world so thanks Sylvia, I for one love your reviews and always have.   Samhair forever!

Don't get me wrong – I HATE the angel arc, but the change in viewership is likely due to Fringe and the angst and heaviness of last season, not due to their newfound love of Dean and his angel buddy who's supposed to be finding God or something.