MOONLIGHT VAMPIRE SOCIETY

That was really nice. Alice is so cool.

Alice always makes my day! Check out her latest blog entry entitled Top Ten Dean and Sam Moments! I'm with her on every one although she mentioned some little nuances about some of these schenes that I'm just going to have to look into! Oh, the pain... LOL!

Anyhow, here's Alice's intro and rules for choosing her top ten and the link to read the whole thing!

In between the mass insanity known as my family's holiday rituals, the hubby and I managed to filter through some Supernatural DVDs to help our withdrawal symptoms over this long hiatus. During that process, my warped brain threw together an arbitrary and subjective list of the top ten Winchester brother moments. In generating this list, rules had to be made. There was no other way to narrow the one hundred moments on my initial list to ten.

Rule 1. The scenes must involve both brothers either making me laugh or cry. Dean breakdown scenes in “Children Shouldn’t Play With Dead Things,” “Wishful Thinking,” and “Heaven and Hell” are awesome, but a glassy-eyed Sam playing pretty wallpaper behind Dean’s speeches of woe doesn’t give strength to a “brotherly” moment. The reverse holds true for Sam pouring his heart out in “Houses of the Holy” or crying like a girl at the end of “Heart”.

Rule 2. The scene has to involve a conscious and alive Sam and Dean. While the exorcism scene in “Born Under a Bad Sign” is all kinds of awesome, it's Meg, not Sam, so it's disqualified. Same with Dean’s meltdown in “All Hell Breaks Loose Part II” since Sam is a corpse. Ditto with Sam crying over Dean’s corpse in “No Rest For The Wicked”. I could go on, but hopefully everyone gets the gist.

Rule 3. This is the strongest scenes, not the strongest episodes. “Hell House” has a fantastic string of brotherly moments, but not one prank scene trumps the other.

Finally, sorry, season one fans, but nothing from that season made the list. While there are many great moments in that season, the ones from the other three end up outdoing all those.

I know, get on with it.

Read the rest of her entry here: http://blogcritics.org/archives/2009/01/06/071354.php

Enjoy! I know I did!

Alice's latest blog entry on "Family Remains!

Here's an excerpt from Alice's Blog - Winchester Family Business. If you like what you read follow the link to the rest of the article! Alice makes some very good points about Dean's Post Traumatic Stress and Sam's disconnect from both Dean and the family. She's right - normally Sam is the one who chats up the family and gets to know them and this time there was NONE of that. Dean was the one making connections... very, very interesting. Thanks as always to Alice for her insightful review of each episode. She has really given me some food for thought this time and thankfully the food is not rat or dog. And BTW, I don't necessarily agree with Alice's point about the "Impala Confessionals" - I've come to look forward to them. I can't think of anywhere more appropriate for Sam and Dean to have their heart-to-hearts than in or on the Impala while on some dusty road in the middle of nowhere. It fits and it works for me. What do you think? Cheers - Flo


When tragedy strikes, when all is lost and lives are shattered, all that’s left are the pieces and the survivors. The family remains.

Ah, the double meaning title. Two families remain together, but they remain apart. So, why not put to them to the test through a horrific nightmare with a creep factor that we haven’t seen since season one?

On one side are the Carters, getting a new start in the country with a new house after a recent tragedy. Mom and dad aren’t on the same page, and their two kids are having issues over all the changes. Each one won’t listen to the other. Sound familiar? Yep, the Winchester brothers. Dean is not recovering well from his return from Hell and Sam is growing weary of humoring him, but neither will talk about it.

As the chilling mystery unfolds, we learn that despite the differences, these family members are still devoted to one another. They are willing to do what it takes to survive. The ending isn’t happy though, for both the Carters and the Winchesters are wise enough to admit they’re not okay. Healing is a long, arduous process. Watching this episode is arduous at times too, but overall, it’s entertaining and we’re thrilled to see the show back.

So What Happened?

First, the scorecard. Jeremy Carver is the writer (yes, my love for him is still strong), Phil Sgriccia is the director (plenty of blind love for him too), and the guest actors are Helen Slater (aka Supergirl) and David Newsom (a HITG from every TV show out there). Throw in Jared and Jensen, and the episode has many strengths.

After a teaser where some derelict in his own house meets a bloody end, “Family Remains” picks up one month later after “Heaven and Hell.” An exhausted Sam is stretched out in the back seat of the Impala (and looking pretty doing it), while Dean is researching the next case. Sam protests that they’ve been going non-stop for the last month and they won’t talkabout what Dean confessed. Dean ignores him, for there’s a ghost in Nebraska that needs their attention.
With that, the picture is clear of how fractured the brothers’ relationship is at this time. Sam is not only tired of the excessive hunting, but tired of humoring Dean’s saving people obsession. Oh Sammy, how easily you forget two years ago. Dean won’t listen, for taking cases is the only thing right now from preventing him from imploding. It’s post-traumatic stress with a capital P.

Read more here: http://blogcritics.org/archives/2009/01/18/210620.php

I love that the boys meet back at the only common ground they share as they travel state to state. It happens to be the Impala. It's like when a family always meets in the kitchen of the house because that's where everything is really happening. The Impala is something that's been with them since day one. Dean who is always eating uses it as his kitchen, its the living room where they chill and chat and it's where they bring their conquests. It's home.

Good read either way. Alice is so detailed in her thoughts.

Wow, you could give Alice a run for her money, Candy! You hit the nail on the head with your theory about the Impala. Well said!

LOL! I'm just a huge fan of the Impala! HA!

Once again I am blown away by Alice's insight and fearless honesty regarding this show and its characters. Alice is one brave woman to take on this topic as the Sammites and the Deanites can be pretty brutal in their defense of their favorite character. All in all Alice states that Sam's conflict is based on "choice" and I'm so glad that I didn't see this until after last night's episode "Afterschool Special" - if you haven't see the ep yet - there is one pivotal scene at the end where a former teacher askes Sam about his choices and whether or not he is happy. Either Alice has some inside info or she is psychic! If you're a Sam fan or just a fan of the show please read Alice's post - I guarantee it will give you lots to think about!

Supernatural: Who Is The Real Sam Winchester?
Written by Alice Jester
Published January 25, 2009
Part of The Winchester Family Business: Supernatural

For Sam fans, as promised, I’m taking on the common concerns many have voiced over the younger Winchester brother recently. I’ve been struggling with this analysis for a week now, unsure how to capture my views into coherent thought. Then I saw “Criss Angel Is A Douchebag” and all the pieces fell in place. Poor Sammy!

First, the ground rules. Any analysis of Sam’s character will not come at the expense of Dean. This isn’t pitting one brother against the other. Second, I won’t be blasting the writers, Kripke, directors, casting, etc. I’m going off what we’ve been given, and will avoid comments that harp on supposedly lazy writing.

This works simply: I list a common complaint in bold and then give my analysis.

Sam has been relegated to guest star in season four.

Season four is more than officially half over, and yes, the main parts of the story line have focused on Dean’s saga. Season four isn’t over yet though, so I’m holding all official judgment on that one until I see the entire package. This season hasn’t been without golden Sam moments, though. Allow me to share a few.

Read more here: http://blogcritics.org/archives/2009/01/25/104504.php

And here's Alice's take on Criss Angel is a Douchebag. You may be surprised to hear why she loved this ep but as always she has given me great stuff to think about and reminded me of the ROTF hilarious "Safe word" scene! That scene alone was worth it...

TV Review: Supernatural: "Criss Angel is a Douchebag"
Written by Alice Jester
Published January 26, 2009
Part of The Winchester Family Business: Supernatural

Just about any opinion of Supernatural these days is unpopular, so I’ll state up front I loved “Criss Angel Is A Douchebag.” Not just for the title either. This episode excelled in all areas; the writing, the directing, the acting. What puts it above others is though the superb guest acting. Who knew a magic themed episode could be so gut wrenching?

Yes, the story showed another slap-you-upside-the-head parallel between Sam and Dean and the guests of the week. While such parallels are heavy handed at times, this week’s managed to give the season plot a huge push forward.

By the way, considering the word is used so much it even made it to the title, I should share the official definition of “douchebag” according to the Urban Dictionary: “Someone who has surpassed the level of jerk and @sshole, however not yet reached fucker or motherfucker.” I’m sure everyone’s grateful for that clarification!

So What’s Your Safe Word?

The writer is newcomer Julie Siege, whose previous effort was the decent “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Sam Winchester.” She turned out a better script this time. The director is Robert Singer, who has a knack for bringing out the emotional elements of the story. He again excelled in this one. The guest actors are the fantastic Barry Bostwick, John Rubenstein, and Richard Libertini, plus a surprise guest I’ll mention later.

It’s Magic Week in Sioux City, Iowa and time to insert your own joke here. Jay (Barry Bostwick) decides its time to go out with a bang. He’s doing the table of death. With few people in the crowd watching, a clue that his glory days are long gone, Jay’s strapped securely to the table and behind a white curtain struggles to get free before the spikes come down and impale him. They do, but somehow he gets up unscathed. Another magician, a younger one that gave him crap earlier in the bar, ends up dead on a pavement with eight unexplained stab wounds. Sounds like a job for the Winchester boys!

Criss Angel, I mean Jeb Dexter, does a demonic card trick on the sidewalk that’s pretty ludicrous, but this is Iowa, so the crowd eats it up. Here’s something we haven’t seen in a while, fun brotherly teasing. Apparently Sam went through a magic phase at the age of 13 and Dean has no trouble reminding him of it. Already this episode feels right. Another fun thing that’s back is the amusing interrogation of the witness. The dead magician’s assistant talks while pulling out an outrageously long silk scarf that mesmerizes Dean, an adorable bunny and oh, a tarot card with swords found on the dead magician.

I’m sure many complained about the length of scenes involving the older magicians, especially Jay and his best friend Charlie (John Rubenstein). While I agree sometimes this is an issue, it isn’t here. To see this small show attract this caliber of guest actors makes me very happy. Each scene they have is amazing and their chemistry is perfect. Their portrayal of their lifelong friendship, obsolesce in old age, and enduring love for magic is authentic and very touching. Every scene sucks me in, and it makes for a nice change of pace.

Read more here:http://blogcritics.org/archives/2009/01/26/213946.php

LMAO! You’ve gotta love the Urban Dictionary! Too funny! OH yeah I totally forgot about Sam and his magic phase. That was funny and yes it’s always good to see the brotherly teasing. They did a really good job with casting the veteran magicians. She’s right and it’s a big deal with such a low budget show. I enjoy the way that Alice puts things together.

Chief and “The Safe Word” was priceless. Good stuff…Thanks Flo.

ITA, she does bring up a few very good points. It was actually nice to have the boys step away from demons and angels and evil Lilith. I think the leather guy and Dean was so funny, those dirty old men sent poor Dean to a sex dungeon. Candy what's that S/M saying you used to always say? Something about Whips I know. Oh wait, should I not share that? Hehe. Alice really knows these Winchester brothers. Really good stuff.

Umm...LOL! The saying was "Sticks and Stones may break my bones but whips and chains excite me."

LOL! Now that's a great tagline!

LMAO!

Alice is back with another thought-provoking review of Sex and Violence. If you read through the whole thing you'll see that Alice has a theory about the red walls that appear in certain eps. Now I've become obsessed with checking it out and will probably spend part of my long weekend reviewing eps to see if she is right on... somehow I don't doubt it!

Here's page one of Alice's review...

TV Review: Supernatural - "Sex and Violence"
Written by Alice Jester
Published February 12, 2009
Part of The Winchester Family Business: Supernatural

Wow… whoa… erm… geez… I guess that’s one approach to family therapy.

From the word "go," in the previews nonetheless, the message is that this is gonna be an angry episode. Another clue — the title, “Sex and Violence.” There’s definitely that.

Just picture my strife on Thursday evening. I didn’t get to see this one live, much to my dismay. The clock approaches 9 PM and I'm frowning, wondering if I could convince some bar owner in the sticks to put it on for me. The next day I download the episode from iTunes and luckily have lots of stuff to do at the New York Comic Con, because it takes five hours over the slow but free wireless connection to download the whole thing. Later that evening, the hubby and I huddle by the laptop and watch with anticipation.

Once we pick our jaws up off the floor, we watch again.

This week’s theme is not uncommon in the history of man. Underneath sex and violence lays mistrust, unhappiness, dissatisfaction, and restlessness. Put it in the Supernatural universe though and the results are downright explosive. Cathryn Humphries is no stranger to depicting the Winchester brotherly strife in her scripts and again she went deep and raw. Unlike her brilliant “Metamorphosis,” she didn’t need obvious parallels, finding the perfect antagonist to screw with needy men and bitter brothers.

There isn’t much to the plot, but a rich plot wasn’t needed for this. Four men kill the person closest to them after being wooed by strippers all with Disney princess names. It doesn’t take Bobby long to figure out this week’s bizarre creature. A siren. According to Sam, “Sirens can read minds. They see what you want the most and cloak themselves.” In other words, they know how to F*ck with brothers.

The show certainly knows how to F*ck with us. The mistrust starts immediately after the title roll, when Dean pretends to sleep while Sam talks to Ruby in the bathroom on his cell phone. Dean still doesn’t trust Sam, so suspicious phone calls instantly get him going. He doesn’t tip off Sam that he knows, and they’re off to Iowa on a case. Later, when Sam carelessly leaves his cell phone behind, Dean is able to confirm Sam was talking with Ruby. You know, the worst person Sam could be sneaking around with.

After some gratuitous scenes involving strippers and rock and roll, which thrills Dean to no end, Sam makes nice with a potential siren of his own, a girl doctor with all the facts. Through Sam’s little encounter with the promiscuous Cara, we find out not all women that are able to meet a man’s deepest desire are supernatural or evil. She reads him well, tapping into his desire to let loose and have passionate sex with a woman who’s fearless, sexy, and brunette. A lot like Madison, isn’t she? In the end Sam has no problem leaving without saying goodbye, and judging by the bars she hangs out in, I’m sure Cara isn’t devastated. Yep, the ideal woman.

Read the review in its entirety here: http://blogcritics.org/archives/2009/02/12/092438.php

She really does know how to entertain us doesn't she? Thank you for this Flo.