MOONLIGHT VAMPIRE SOCIETY

No one and I mean NO ONE gets this show like Alice! She doesn't miss a quote, a nuance or a look and interprets everything with such great humor and insight! Even if you've seen the episode many times I highly suggest you read Alice's take. I cannot wait until she recaps "On the Head of A Pin!"


Recap - "Death Takes A Holiday"
Written by Alice Jester
Tuesday, 17 March 2009 14:32

“Death Takes A Holiday” is one of those episodes loaded with so much, that this means an ultra long recap. I’m just going to get started, since there’s plenty to cover.

In what is one of the shortest teasers on record, two guys come out of a bar are having a spirited discussion about fantasy football. You know, I work in a male heavy field and you would think with all the talk that goes on in the cube farm about fantasy football, I’d understand and crave the phenomenon. I don’t. I’d rather talk about real games. About how much The Detroit Lions suck.

Guys go by an alley, robber comes out, gets surprised by an employee by the dumpster and a shot goes off. One guy is hit point blank in the chest, goes down, and then comes back to life with a wound that isn’t bleeding. Something tells me Sam and Dean will be hearing about this.

Birds. You know what kind. Logo in Red. Its serious crap.

Dean messes with a malfunctioning juke box in a diner, while Sam is at the table with his shiny MacBook and talking on the phone. I suppose they made an impression with Apple after the iPod incident in “Lazarus Rising.” Hey, if it means revenue for the show, I’ll accept the plugging of their stuff. Sam’s talking with “Bobby” (more on that later) and Dean comes over to the table looking sad that he can’t get any tunes going. Apparently, people aren’t dying in Wyoming. That sucks. If I lived in Wyoming, I’d be praying for death (just kidding!). Sam tells him about Bobby’s tip, and Dean listens, but is willing to buy the “miracle” explanation. Sam thinks it’s weird though, and is eager to go.

Sam gets up, tells Dean to take his food to go. Dean doesn’t move though, continuing to eat his burger, reluctant to follow his brother’s charge. Actually, he looks outright sad. “What?” A confused Sam asks. “You sure you want me going with you?...I don’t want to be holding you back.” Sam rolls his eyes and apparently for the hundredth time explains that was the siren talking. Yeah right Sam, I don’t believe you either. He asks Dean to get past this. Dean agrees, although he doesn’t sound convincing.

This is just my take, but as we see later in this episode, it isn’t Sam’s words that are hurting Dean. It’s the fact that Sam wants to sweep that revelation that he and Ruby are going after Lilith under the rug. Dean knows he’s hiding something and has given Sam the opportunity to talk, but he won’t. Dean doesn’t know what to do anymore to get the truth out of Sam, so he’s actually depressed. That’s a new reaction for Dean. Let’s see how long it sticks.

See that? See that amazing grill shot of the Impala? Freeze the TiVo or DVR, pause and admire, for it’s the only appearance of the car this episode. Ah, what a thing of beauty. At least this episode doesn’t become another trivia question. Anyway, according to the caption, they’re in Greybull, Wyoming. This week they’re bloggers, and “flooredbythelord.com” is quite clever. I wonder if the show registered the site. I’m too lazy to check. “All of God’s glory, fit to blog.”

Sam mentions everyone in town says it’s a miracle and wants to know why the guy is so sure it is. “How else can you explain it?” He mentions how he hasn’t exactly led the life of a saint and that he’s been given a second chance. “I feel like angels have been watching over me.” Dean listens, believing the story. Sam ruins the fun by asking if the man has been near a crossroads, or seen anyone with black or red eyes. Oh Sammy, now you’re the cynic. The man starts to take offense, so Dean ends it.

Dean is in this week’s motel room on the MacBook (see, I can play product placement games too) when Sam enters. Sam says the cancer patient had the plug pulled, and now he’s taking his wife out for their twentieth wedding anniversary. No sign of a deal there either. So, does that make you feel bad Sam about being a jerk to the other guy? No, I didn’t think so. Anyway, Dean finds out the last person to die is a kid named Cole Griffith, about ten days ago. Dean thinks they should leave well enough alone. Maybe it just is a miracle. Sam, who’s into raining on parades these days, points out “In our experience, when do miracles just happen?”

Dean points out the souls aren’t getting dragged into the light. Sam buys that, and theorizes that’s because death ain’t in town. In other words, the reaper is gone. Dean isn’t convinced. “The local reaper is on strike, playing the back nine?” Sam decides he’s going to talk to someone who might. “Last I checked Huggy Bear ain’t available,” Dean jokes. Too bad, that dude always had some great intel (that’s a Starsky and Hutch reference for all you young-ins). Sam wants to talk to the kid that died. “Look how matter of fact you are about that. Strange lives.”

Sam and Dean are at the graveyard, setting up a séance, and they’re wearing black leather gloves. I was told that happened in “Route 666” too. So they’ve worn gloves in like two entire episodes? Maybe it’s just something I haven’t noticed. In this season, we’ve learned just how long Jared’s fingers are thanks to the hand of demon doom (I’m still not calling it ipecac). What size are those gloves? They look huge to me.

(Shakes off big hand distraction), Anyway, Sam is doing the work while Dean is reading John’s journal. Have we seen that journal at all this season? Heck, I can’t remember when we saw it last season. This episode definitely has a lot of season two undertones to it and I’m not complaining. Dean asks Sam if he’s sure this is going to work. Sam answers without hesitation, “no.”

Dean is still having problems with the whole thing. “This job is jacked, that’s what.” If they fix whatever’s wrong, people start dropping dead, good people. Sam looks at Dean like he’s gone nuts. I’m just going to transcribe the dialogue here, because it’s too perfect.

Sam: Look, I don’t want them to die either Dean, but there’s a natural order.
Dean: You’re kidding, right? You don’t see the irony in that. I mean you and me are the poster boys of the unnatural order. All we do is ditch death.
Sam: Yeah, but the normal rules don’t really apply to us, do they?
Dean (incredulous): We’re no different than anyone else.
Sam: I’m infected with demon blood, you’ve been to Hell. Look, I know you want to think of yourself as Joe the plumber Dean but you’re not. Neither am I. The sooner you accept that, the better off you’re gonna be.
Dean: Joe the plumber was a douche.

Their fun in interrupted by a man with a flashlight, appalled that what they’re doing looks like “devil worship.” Dean tries to lie his way out of it, then admits, “I don’t have a good answer.” Sam says they’re leaving, and the man breaks out of bible thumping character and tells Sam they’re not going anywhere, ever again. He says Sam’s name and his eyes go white. Sam puts on his demon hating stare, while Dean announces for the rest of us who it is. “Alastair.” It seems only the pediatrician he was riding went into that white light in “Heaven and Hell.”

Okay, okay, this is where I get really excited, because it’s all loaded with awesomeness! Alastair flicks his hand and Dean goes flying into a gravestone, getting knocked out. Sam stands firm, still holding the demon hating glare, and Alastair flicks his wrist, but nothing happens. He tries again, same result. “You’re stronger Sam. You’ve been soloflexing with your little slut?”

“You have no idea,” Sam answers all tough, before doing a hand wave of his own. Alastair goes flying into a tree! How cool is that! Finally! Sammy is using that telekinetic mojo that he’s been denying since “Nightmare.” That was sixty episodes ago! Sam extends out the other hand, ready to do his black smoke vomiting ritual, but Alastair quickly escapes. Black smoke flies over a seething Sam, who’s itching for revenge. What have you and Ruby been doing Sammy??? Where do I get some of that?

Back at the motel, Dean is stretched out on the bed, ice pack on the back of his head. Sam walks in, wearing a nice brown hooded sweatshirt. It’s good and form fitting, which always works with Sam. Dean complains he’s in pain and has a concussion. Sam offers aspirin, for he knows what a mean headache is like. “No thanks House.” Oh Dean, always finding time for the funny.

Dean sits up. “Demons, huh?” “So much for miracles,” Sam says. Dean wants to know what happened with Alastair again. Too bad you weren’t awake for that Dean. It was really something. Sam repeats his flimsy story, that Alastair tried to fling him but couldn’t so he bailed. Dean wants to know why, since Alastair had no problem flinging him pretty good in “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” Sam shrugs, not sure why. Liar!! Dean looks at him, and says, “Liar!” No, actually what Dean says is even better. “Sam, do me a favor. You’re gonna keep your little secrets and I can’t really stop you, but just don’t treat me like an idiot, okay?” Sam responds by saying “What, Dean I’m not keeping secrets” which is essentially treating Dean like an idiot. Dean drops it with a frustrated “whatever.” No Dean, push him around a bit. See if he flings you against the wall.

Dean asks Sam if he ever got back to talking to the dead kid, and he didn’t have to because Bobby called. He thinks Sam is right about the reaper being gone. Sam reads from a book in his hand, “A bloody death under the new born sky, sweet to taste, but bitter from once devoured.” He’s reading from the very obscure and very arcane version of “Revelations.” I know, it should be “The Book of Revelation,” but do we really know what the books are called in this is the arcane version? In other words, kill a reaper under the solstice moon, a seal is broken. Sam wants to know where the angels are. So do I!

Okay, this is where it gets crazy. I know, it hasn’t yet? How do they see a reaper? Only the dead or the dying can do that. Now Dean is full of “matter of fact” ideas. They become ghosts. Sam has the right reaction. “You do have a concussion.” So how is this going to be done?

Enter Pamela Barnes, who’s a very cranky psychic. “I can’t even begin to tell you how crazy you are.” So Sam tries to butter her up. “Well Pamela, you’re a sight for sore eyes.” She is not happy. “Aww, that’s sweet grumpy. What do you saw to deaf people?” She wants to know which brainiac came up with astral projection. Dean gives her a “yo.” “Of course, Chachi.” (A Happy Days reference for all you young-uns). Jeremy Carver, this week’s writer, is going all out on the pop culture references, isn’t he? We aren’t even a third of the way in to the episode and there’s tons more coming.

The idea is for Pamela to rip their souls from their bodies and have them take a stroll in the spirit world. Except that’s dangerous. Plus they don’t know what they’re doing. Pamela doesn’t want part of their angel/demon, soc/greaser crap (The Outsiders reference. Even young people should know that one). Dean pulls the “this is the end of the world” speech, even throwing leather pants and Ramones CDs in her face. Next thing Sam is drawing the curtains and Dean is lighting the candles, while Pamela points out that they won’t be able to do much once they get there. “You’re going to be two walking pieces of fog. You can’t move or touch anything.” Sam recalls ghosts beating the crap out of them, but they’ve had time to practice. Dean resolves that they’ll have to do some cramming. “Wow, a couple of heroes.” I love how Pamela doesn’t buy into the nobility of a suicide mission. That’s the problem. Sam and Dean always come out of things but others involved, not so lucky.

Pamela has them lie down and does the incantation, albeit with a ton of attitude. Anyone notice how Sam is too big for the bed? He has to lie diagonally. She finishes, Dean sits up, and everything is now a blue tint. He asks what’s plan B, but Pamela doesn’t hear him. He sees Sam’s body, and then Sam behind him. Then he notices his own body. “Oh, I’m so feeling up Demi Moore.” Okay, for those keeping track, that’s a Ghost reference. For more trivia, that’s also the same point of reference for “I full on Swayzed that mother” in “In My Time Of Dying.” There are plenty of callbacks to that episode in this one.

Pamela talks to them like they are far away someplace, and whispers the supposed words to bring them back in Sam’s ear. “You have got a great @ss.” Ghost!Sam smiles, but won’t share it with Dean. I’d keep that to myself too. The next part is the comical portion of the episode, with the boys walking down the street and a jogger running through them. Dean thinks that’s cool, and puts his arm through Sam next. “Am I making you uncomfortable?” Dean asks. “Get out of me,” Sam commands, bitchface and all. “You’re such a prude.” No Dean, I wouldn’t want my brother sticking his hand through me either. It’s sick and wrong.

They walk around and eventually find Cole staring at them through the window of a house. We see Cole’s mother entering his room, talking to him like he’s there, so he starts throwing balls at her. She freaks out and leaves, so Sam and Dean enter, curious how he’s throwing things. Sam tells him in a diplomatic way he’s dead, so he says “Thanks Haley Joel, I know I’m dead.” Score another reference for The Sixth Sense.

They all watch Cole’s mother with sympathy from the dining room pour herself some vodka, and Cole explains how he died after an asthma attack. He saw the reaper, and the black smoke got rid of him. He knows where the smoke is, but he won’t tell them. As they’re talking, something else blows in. Cole disappears, Sam and Dean go after it. It’s Tessa! The reaper from “In My Time Of Dying.” She greets Dean by his name. “Do I know you?” He asks confused. “We go way back.”

During the break they move to the living room, and Dean and Sam are both still confused over Tessa knowing Dean. Dean wants her to freshen his memory, so she kisses him, and all that spirit walking in “In My Time Of Dying” comes back to him. “Tessa,” he says. That’s one of her names. Dean’s got multiple names too. Just call him “pookie.” Dean tells Sam he knows her from the hospital after the accident. “The accident with dad?” Yeah Sam, how many hospital scenarios have involved Dean in a coma while being chased by a reaper? That one.

While they’re talking about how Tessa is in danger and should stop reaping until they figure this out, mom walks in, grabs her purse, and leaves. That’s an interesting touch, just to remind the audience that they are actually spirits having a conversation in some poor grieving mother’s living room. Sam notices, and surely found the whole thing pretty weird too.

Tessa doesn’t care for their whole “angel/demon dance off” either. Why is it that everyone else realizes what bad news this whole mess is except the brothers? Everything they do just gets them deeper and deeper into it. Dean begs to hold off until they fix this, and Tessa agrees, but she gets the kid when it’s all over. Sam and Dean agree, and Sam goes to talk with Cole, realizing he’s going to have to do whatever it takes to get the kid to talk. Sam goes into Cole’s room, and did anyone else notice the iMac on the desk? I usually give my kids the old pieces of crap computers too. iMacs may have looked cool, but they were slower than mud.

Sam finds Cole in the closet, and does the whole relating thing. Cole is sad over his mom, how she’s always talking to him, and keeps getting sadder. Sam listens, and then tells Cole that if he helps him, he won’t have to leave there ever. He’ll make sure Tessa leaves him alone. You see, I’ve read several different interpretations on this scene, but in watching Sam tell Cole these blatant lies, I think he gets through it without too much remorse. He’s shutting out his personal feelings to get the job done. I’m not saying Sam probably doesn’t feel guilty, but he’s learned by now to make the hard decisions. The Sam of old would have hesitated, giving an “um” or saying with sadness and uncertainty, “I swear.” Here, he said it directly, without breaking form. Did it tear him apart to say that? Maybe, but he lied anyway, and I found Sam’s actions here chilling. He’s throwing out that rulebook again. I don’t think Dean would have done the same thing.

Back to Dean and Tessa, and Tessa reminisces how they’re together again. Dean is the one that got away, and that rarely happens to her. Dean asks if he can tell her something “between you and me.” “Who am I going to tell?” She admits. Don’t listen to her Dean, the entire ghost world will be snickering behind your back. Anyway, Dean confesses that for a year after their “experience” he felt like he had a hole in his gut, that he was missing something. It was her, the pain of losing his father and Sam, and he wishes he’d gone with her for good. It’s all different now though, thanks the angels. “The ones I know are dicks with wings.” Notice how Tessa didn’t argue that? Dean admits how he’s done horrible things, and someone upstairs still decided to give him a second chance.

Before Tessa could answer (and as we find out later, takes the wind out of his sails), Sam arrives with Cole. The black smoke is at the funeral home. Of course the black smoke then sweeps in and takes Tessa away. Uh oh! They don’t know how to fight that, and have to learn some ghost moves. “Yeah, sure, I’ll meet you back at Mr. Miyagi’s,” Dean sarcastically says. Cole doesn’t get the reference. For those of you that don’t either, it’s The Karate Kid. Speaking of that film, Ralph Macchico’s signature move is just a simple jump front kick. After studying Taekwondo for two years, I know now I could easily kick Daniel’s @ss with a simple round kick to the head.

Now the story copies Ghost again, as Sam and Dean learn ghost moves from Cole. They don’t learn just the fighting stuff, but how to move things with their mind. Psst, Dean, I got a secret. If Sam was in his body, he can already do that. Learning it here should be second nature to him. Cole gets to knock Sam and Dean around, showing off his superior ghost fighting skills, and I’m sure this kid was having a blast filming the fact he could beat up on these two big guys. Cole even shows off the phasing in and out move, and Dean is blown away. “Whoa, you’ve gotta teach us that.”

Sam and Dean go to the funeral home, and there are tons of demonic sigils on it that only ghosts can see, aka, demon invisible ink. Um, I don’t need to point out the New Jack City reference since Dean mentioned it, do I? Whatever it is, it won’t stop them and they enter. They find the two missing reapers unconscious in the center of a trap, and a demon goon watching over them. They use their ghost moves to beat up on the goon, but another one walks in with an iron chain and traps them by surrounding them with it. Those ghosts and their silly aversions to iron. It’s always getting them in trouble.

You know what else gets them in trouble? Alastair with a rock salt gun. You have to admit, as many times as Sam and Dean have shot ghosts with rock salt, they earned a taste of their own medicine. Alastair is now in the form of Christopher Heyerdahl, and he’s awesome. No Daffy Duck this week. Dean goes poof! and then comes back. Alastair taunts Sam for not having any abilities without his meat. So the best you can say Sam is “Go to hell”? Don’t you know Alastair prefers hell? It’s like telling me to “go to the beach” or something. Alastair laments how he has to keep coming up to this “arctic craphole” to kill death twice, since it takes two reapers to break the seal. He figured another one would show up. “They’re like lemmings.” Sam goes poof! from the rock salt next.

That gives Alastair and Dean some quality alone time. Dean points out he can’t kill them. Uh, shush Dean, he’s apparently figured out how. Next shot is Pamela hearing something while watching over Sam and Dean’s bodies. She locks the door. Back to Alastair who has a scythe. “An old friend lent it to me. You know he really doesn’t ride a pale horse, but he does have three amigos.” In other words, it’s death, one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Alastair grabs the reaper that is not Tessa, does his latinating in dramatic cadence, and then kills him. He goes for Tessa next, and by now Sam is doing the twisty face, googly-eyed stare at the chandelier. Dean does it too, but doesn’t look anywhere near as ridiculous.

Back to Pamela, who closes the window, feels around, and taunts the intruder, knowing there’s a demon there. There is. She runs to Sam and starts calling him back, but the demon grabs her. She kicks him off and continues the incantation. Back to Alastair, who is now latinating while holding the scythe at Tessa’s neck. Dean and Sam stare, the chandelier shakes, and then falls to the ground, breaking the trap. Tessa phases out, appears by Dean, takes down the iron chain, and then she, Dean and Sam all disappear. Cool!

Tessa and Dean reappear outside the funeral home, but Sam is not with them. Dean is going to find him, he tells Tessa to leave. Back to Pamela, who’s fighting off the demon, shouting the mystical words at Sam. She’s thrown against a dresser, and is stabbed right when Sam wakes up. Sam, who’s really pissed, throws out his hand and the demon goes flying against the wall. Sorry, but I pause here to watch that move over and over again. I’m never going to tire of Sam doing that. I’ve waited way too long.

The shot goes to Pamela, who’s very disturbed by what she’s sensing. Sam twists his other hand and makes a tight fist, pretty much yanking out the black smoke from the demon before it goes through the floor. Pamela is really disturbed now. Sam goes to her and she has a wound, but it’s not bleeding yet. She can’t die yet. Sam wants to get her to a doctor, but she demands a drink instead.

Dean’s walking around in the back alleys alone (not a good idea even when you’re a spirit), and there’s Alastair, looking all evil. “I’m inside of that angsty little noggin of yours.” It’s about time someone used the word angsty. I use it so much, I thought about applying for a trademark. Then, a giant strike of lightening comes out of nowhere, strikes Alastair and he goes poof! Dean, rather shocked, says “What the Hell?” “Guess again” says the voice behind him. Castiel! D*mn, another perfect entrance!

Might I say, I’m very happy to see a Reaper promo. That show is decent. It’s light hearted demon crap, and I enjoy watching it each week. Supernatural fills the hard core stuff, Reaper fulfills the quirk. For those that haven’t seen it, I recommend giving it a try.

Castiel is looking mighty smug, savoring a victory for once. They saved a seal and captured Alastair. “No thanks to you” a bothered Dean tells him. “What makes you say that?” Castiel asks confused. I love Castiel’s confusion over Dean. Dean figures out Castiel’s been there the whole time. He thanks him sarcastically for the help with the rock salt, and Castiel admits that those markings on the wall meant they couldn’t penetrate the funeral home. “That was angel-proofing,” Dean realizes. “Why do you think I recruited you and Sam in the first place?” Castiel admits. Those angels are so damned clever.

Dean isn’t sure how he recruited them. It seems those calls to Sam weren’t from Bobby, they were from Castiel. So, a furious Dean asks, “If you wanted our help why the Hell didn’t you just ask?” Castiel gives the best damned reason ever. “Because whatever I ask, you seem to do the exact opposite.” Sorry Dean, but you brought this on yourself. Dean is upset that people will start dying now. Castiel gives the popular “To everything there is a season,” quote. Dean is still mad, reminding Castiel that he made an exception for him. “You’re different,” Castiel says, and then flies away. Ooh, just what Dean didn’t want to hear.

Tessa appears, asking Dean for help. They go back to Cole’s and Tessa is now in white. Cole sees them and tells Dean, “Tell your brother thanks for nothing.” Sorry Cole, but Sam has far greater issues than lying to you right now. Tessa goes all angelic, appealing to Cole, pointing out how much his mother is in pain. As long as he lingers, she can’t let go. “Why won’t anyone tell me what’s on the otherside?” Cole asks. “Maybe nobody wants to ruin the surprise,” Tessa replies. Cole hates that answer, and Dean tells him that reapers won’t answer that question, but staying here is a whole lot worse that what’s over there. Why? Because one day his family will be gone, and there will be nothing left for him there.

Dean tells Cole it’s alright to be scared. “We’re all scared. That’s the big secret. We’re all scared.” Cole asks if Dean is going to come with him. “Oh, I’m sure I’ll be there sooner than you think.” Oh, come on Dean. Don’t you want to grow old with Sam, get a little cottage in the mountains somewhere? Play Jenga with the Walshes? Shutting up now. Cole nods and moves into Tessa’s warm embrace, before going off into a burst of white light. Cole’s mother instantly notices too. Crap, I’m emotional, and I never got this way when they repeated the same scene countless times in Touched By An Angel.

Now it’s time for Tessa’s parting words to Dean, and she’s not going to sugarcoat things. “I’ve been around death from the get go. You know what I see most? Lies. He’s in a better place, at least they’re together now. You all lie to yourselves Dean, cause like you said, deep down, you’re all scared. Stop lying to yourself Dean. The angels have something good in store for you. A second chance. Really? Cause I’m pretty sure, deep down, you something nasty is coming down the road. Trust your instincts Dean. There’s no such thing as miracles.”

Dean wants further clarification, but she vanishes. So, does Tessa really know something, or is this just the cynic who’s been around death too long? We’ll wait and see.

Pamela is calling Dean back now and Sam is looking very worried. Sam helps her back to his bed, assuring that they can talk to Tessa and get her to stop until she’s better. She realizes it’s too late for that when blood starts spurting from her wound. Dean gasps and comes alive, then sees Pamela’s sorry state. Sam asks where Tessa is, but Dean’s look pretty much confirms she’s back in action. I’m also thinking the bleeding wound did that too, but sometimes these boys need bigger hints.

Sam tells Pamela he’s so sorry, and she doesn’t deserve this. Pamela happens to agree, cursing the Winchester name. “Yeah, I don’t. I told you I didn’t want anything to do with it. Do me a favor, tell that bastard Bobby Singer to go to Hell for ever introducing me to you two in the first place.” Ouch, bitter much? Dean gives her the “you’re going to a better place” line and she knows he’s lying. After all, she is a psychic. She accepts though we all gotta go sometime.

She waves Sam over, and whispers in his ear her dying words. “I know what you did to that demon Sam. I can feel what’s inside of you. If you think you have good intentions, think again.” She falls back, coughs up blood, and slips away. Sam is spooked out of his wit and while shell shocked, Dean asks him what she said. Sam is at a loss as the screen fades to black.

Then, just when I’m weepy enough, cue the sad season two score and two memorial pictures to Kim Manners. We miss you Kim. We really do.

D*mn you show!!!! Now I’ve gotta wait until next week to see the fall out from this? Way to leave me hanging. A blubbering weepy hanging. I'm so coming back for more.

Source: http://www.jesterz.net/supernatural/7-e ... idayq.html

As a result of reading this review earlier this morning I went out and got this collection of Supernatural Essays and look forward to sharing my own thoughts with you a bit later. In the meantime, take a look at what Alice has to say...




Alice's review of "In the Hunt: Unauthorized Essays on Supernatural"
Written by Alice Jester
Friday, 06 March 2009 00:00

In my recent interview with Sera Gamble, I asked her an off the wall question that transpired because of an intense discussion over “Mystery Spot” on this website. I asked whether she believed Jeremy Carver implied multiple meanings in his use of “Pig in a Poke” in season three’s “Mystery Spot” (trust me, theories over that were pretty wild). I still haven’t had the opportunity to verify this with Jeremy Carver (which is why I didn’t publish this question and answer initially), but her response is golden.

I certainly wouldn’t put it past him, in theory. But in practice? Bet you a hundred bucks he picked the food because the name is funny, and people are reading way too much into it. Whoever came up with that should consider applying their gifts to pursuing a graduate degree in Comparative Literature.

So why do I bring up this amusing anecdote? It ties in perfectly to the latest book available this week from BenBella books. “In The Hunt: Unauthorized Essays on Supernatural” is the latest installment of their Smart Pop series, and this time Supernatural has earned its shot at worthy deconstruction. A lot of thought and possibly over-thought is put into these pieces. The book manages to pull together 22 essays from a wide spectrum of writers, plus a foreword from author Keith R. A. DeCandido and an introduction from Supernatural.tv. I was sent a review copy last week and have spent plenty of mind blowing time analyzing each one of these well written and brain twisting collections.

It’s interesting this book came to me when it did. Recently I’ve run into some issues with fandom burnout. Fans are restless and coming up with less than ideal ways to pass time between new episodes on Thursday nights. Lately, I’ve seen intense fan squabbling over where Sam’s character is going vs. over where Dean’s character is going, or how Jensen’s acting is better than Jared’s acting. In the process I’ve seen several fans that just want to love their show walk away from all this madness. These essays can help with such hiatus boredom in that we fans are challenged to think about the show we love in introspective and constructive ways.

The question must be asked, is the book only for the die hard fans? Is this something that can be enjoyed by someone who casually watches the show? The answer is yes, although an interest in pop culture at minimum is required. Many references are made to the contributions of Joss Whedon and his Buffy universe and a few of the topics bring up other pop culture heroes like Superman and Batman (yes, there are some Smallville comparisons).

Heck, anything sci-fi like The X-Files and even Ghostbusters gets a mention here or there. The Impala is even compared to other great cars like the Gran Torino in Starsky and Hutch, the Ferrari in Magnum P.I., and the General Lee in Dukes of Hazzard. The pop culture references aren’t limited to other TV shows and movies either, for and the fact that Eric Kripke is influenced by Joseph Campbell’s The Hero With A Thousand Faces is brought up multiple times.

Coming up with an approach to this review became near impossible, for how do you summarize 24 different voices into one really neat review? I could tell just from reading the essays which authors are the casual fans and which are the obsessive diehards, but that didn’t mean that those authors with less of a heartfelt connection to the show didn’t have some great points. So how does this meta compare to the hoards of analysis I’ve read on livejournal and supernaturalwiki.com? It’s all a matter of perspective.

What I Really Enjoyed

The disclaimer at the beginning immediately caught my interest, since these essays only apply to the end of season three. It explains, “In just the first three episodes of season four, the show had already radically revised both its cosmology and its backstory…and rendered half a dozen carefully crafted essays not just out of date, but borderline incorrect.” After going through some of these essays, I easily found these discrepancies (like those that tackle the absence of angels) and at least give the authors an A for effort for knowing what they did at the time.

The grouping of the essays from one to another is well done and made it easy for me to drift from one thought provoking piece to another. I appreciate the differing perspectives, seeing points of view from essayists, novelists, bloggers, college professors, a psychotherapist and diehard fans. The variety of writing styles keeps the essays fresh, although some write an awful lot just to get in one or two good points. For the most part though, reading these got me thinking, and I like seeing my favorite show in new ways.

My favorite essay in the entire book is “Dean Winchester: Bad-Ass…or Soccer Mom?” by Tanya Michaels. Her writing style is light and fun and she isn’t afraid to interject a lot of her own personality and fangirl love for Jensen in between her solid observations. Two other favorites are on characters Gordon Walker (“The Evils of Hating…Um Evil” by Amy Berner) and The Trickster (“Another Roadside Attraction” by Maria Lima). Often these secondary characters are unexplored in the meta world, and not only are their characters given real justice here, but their impact on Sam and Dean is well presented.

I also loved both essays on the Impala (“Back in Black” by Jules Wilkinson and “Riding Down The Highway” by Mary Fechter), although both made many similar points. They are good ones though. It’s also to see Shanna Swendson contribute an essay to this collection. We’ve crossed paths in another fandom and it’s thrilling to see her tackle this one. I have great love of her flare for writing about folklore and fairy tales and her presentation on the true origins of the legends in the Supernatural world are fascinating.

I also didn’t see any inaccuracies in the uses of episodes as references, except for one quote that belonged to “Devil’s Trap” instead of “Salvation.” That tells me that any author that isn’t a hardcore fan still has great respect for the fan base, for they did their homework and have great attention to detail in their subject matter.

I’m Scratching My Head Over…

As with any piece of work, there are some shortcomings. Similar themed essays are grouped together, and this often results in back to back essays bringing up the same scenes, thus creating some redundancy. Mary Winchester on the ceiling seems to be an overdone reference, for we understand the impact that tragedy had on John, Sam, and Dean from the pilot. I didn’t need to see it repeated in essays. Another heavily explored theme is the heroism of Sam and Dean, and many of those points also use the same references. By the time I read about Sam and Dean being heroes for the tenth time, I shouted “I get it already!”

The most ludicrous essay in my mind comes from a personal hang-up I’ve had ever since I first started exploring this fandom. “Scary Just Got Sexy” explores transgression in Supernatural and its fanfiction. I couldn’t take reading heavy words like “transgression,” “societal,” and “metaphysical” used to explain the concept of “Wincest” in fanfiction. The whole essay took the fandom a bit too seriously. Fanfiction is fun and exists to allow fans explore all sorts of strange taboos the networks can’t allow. Some dig it, some don’t. That’s all any essay needs to say. Also, there’s a piece that shows a series of letters back and forth called “A Supernatural Love Story.” While the concept is decent and creative, the results are not.

Overall, A Worthwhile Read

Given the fact that I pay careful attention to writing on this show, I do have to wonder if Eric Kripke, Sera Gamble, Ben Edlund, Cathryn Humphries, Jeremy Carver, and all the other writers in crafting scripts have spent hours contemplating the endless social and cultural impact their show provides like these authors did in this collection. I highly doubt it, and I’m sure if they read meta like this they’re both laughing and shaking their heads, wondering how many fans really need a life. Still, to see fans go this far, they must also feel some pride in their work.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, and find that it can be more than meta gold for those over-analytical fans that dream of that Comparative Literature degree. For any fan that wants to read about how heroism relates to Sam and Dean, how damaged they could be psychologically, how awesome the Impala is, how supernatural lore, traditional horror, or other shows like Buffy The Vampire Slayer relate to two fictional brothers fighting evil on the road, or how this show relates to many elements of pop culture in general, then this book has plenty to offer.

Other Notes

Three of the essays presented are from the winners from the Smart Pop essay contest on supernatural.tv. The other ten finalists are credited in this book (including my personal favorite meta analyst, Bardicvoice). Their essays can be found here. Below is the official press release from BenBella books, including ordering information.


BenBella Books and Supernatural.tv Team Up to Create the Essential Companion for the Serious Supernatural Fan

Supernatural fans know there’s more to their favorite show than meets the eye; so does In the Hunt!

DALLAS— Now in its fourth season, the CW’s often-neglected Supernatural has demonstrated marked ratings gains since last season and its season premiere showed the largest yearly increase among all entertainment series returning for the 2008–09 season despite its crowded Thursday night time-slot—thanks largely to the efforts of the series’ devoted fanbase, which Supernatural creator Eric Kripke has rightfully called "some of the smartest, most passionate, most intelligent fans of any show on television."

For In the Hunt, BenBella Books and Supernatural fansite Supernatural.tv have teamed up to give those fans the essential Supernatural companion.

In addition to the forward by Supernatural tie-in writer Keith R. A. DeCandido, and passionate, insightful essays by popular SF and fantasy author Tanya Huff, Supernatural RPG writer Jamie Chambers and many others, the book includes the three winning essays from the Supernatural.tv/Smart Pop Supernatural Essay Contest from early 2008.

From Sam and Dean Winchester and the Impala to the show’s demons, monsters and urban legend source material, In the Hunt gives Supernatural fans the in-depth, creative analysis they crave on their favorite television show. Book Details

Title: In the Hunt: Unauthorized Essays on Supernatural Floor, New York, NY 10016. To order: 800-343-4499 or orderentry@perseusbooks.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Authors: Dawn Bennett, Amy Berner, Mary Borsellino, London E. Brickley Jamie Chambers, Jacob Clifton, Keith R. A. DeCandido, Mary Fechter, Amy Garvey, Avril Hannah-Jones, Tanya Huff, Randall M. Jensen, Robert T. Jeschonek, Maria Lima, Tanya Michaels, Tracy S. Morris, Carol Poole, Sheryl A. Rakowski, Gregory Stevenson, Heather Swain, Shanna Swendson, Emily Turner, Jules Wilkinson, Dodger Winslow

Publisher: BenBella Books

Publication: March 2009, $14.95, Trade paperback, ISBN-13: 9781933771632

224 pages, 6 x 9 Available at bookstores everywhere March 2009 and through Perseus Distribution, 387 Park Ave. South, 12th

Source:http://www.jesterz.net/supernatural/9-misc/462-book-review-qin-the-hunt-unauthorized-essays-on-supernatural.html

Wow that sounds really cool. Yes, please tell us what you think when you get a chance. I could be living under a rock ore well a library but I never heard of this book. I'll have to add it to my collection of "Books to Read." LOL!

I hadn't heard of it either until I surfed into Alice's website this morning! It's not a big publishing house and I was actually surprised that my Barnes and Noble had it. C - you might like it as it is a collection of short articles from fans and professional writers about the philosophy, mythology, and back story of the show kinda like the VM book I told you about.

Okay if you are ever going to read one of Alice Jester's reviews of Supernatural THIS IS THE ONE TO READ! She says she struggled to find the right words to use to describe "On the Head of a Pin" and I find it hard to believe as this is her masterpiece! Yes, it is long but I think it is well worth the read! So kick back, grab a beverage and dig in... this is good writing peeps! I'm particularly excited to find out that Alice has the same questions I do about Angels and playgrounds and that she made note of Ruby calling Sam - Sammy and calls her out on it! In homage to its brilliance I have posted the entire article here and the link at the end so if you'd like to you can leave Alice a comment at her site. Brava Alice and Bravo to the amazing men and women behind Supernatural!

TV Review: Supernatural - "On The Head Of A Pin"
Written by Alice Jester
Published March 23, 2009
Part of The Winchester Family Business: Supernatural

Why are you doing this to me, show? Why are you subjecting me and millions of other fans to extreme heart failure after only two episodes back from hiatus? Why am I again reduced to a sorry pile of mush, unable to function? Why do I want to curl up with Dean in his hospital bed, hold on tight, and sob profusely with him? (Yeah, that doesn’t require a lot of thought.)

Why do I completely love you right now, Eric Kripke? And you, Ben Edlund?

After staring at a blank computer screen for a couple of days, trying with head-banging frustration to find a way to put words together that could possibly do this brilliant episode justice, I ended up watching it about five times. Or ten. This review, nor any other written analysis of “On The Head Of A Pin,” will never remotely capture its brilliance. So why am I trying? Easy, I’m nuts.

“This one goes to eleven.”

So why is this episode head and shoulders above the rest of the season, and perhaps the series? I can only explain it with one of my favorite Spinal Tap quotes. “This one goes to eleven.”

I ran out of ways a long time ago to describe how extraordinary Jensen and Jared’s acting is and how their versatility puts Supernatural well above many other shows. The greatest moments are the ones where these guys are allowed to shine together. So, when an episode comes along with great material that not only lets Jensen and Jared be at the top of their games but Misha Collins as well, an acting showcase results that’s unparalleled to anything we’ve ever seen. Castiel’s expanded story line allows Misha to deliver an Emmy-worthy performance of his own. These guys on screen together make each other look ten times better and the deep tension bouncing between them takes everything to a whole new level.

The plotting is pitch perfect. Sam, Dean, and Castiel all have their separate agonizing stories, and somehow in one episode TPTB fit a mind-blowing glimpse into each one. During the entire torture sequence, the scenes bounce furiously back and forth between Dean and his showdown with Alastair, Castiel and his struggles over what he’s doing to Dean, and Sam and his desperate need to be strong enough to help Dean. Each smooth transition manages to heighten engagement and build the tension to levels out of this stratosphere. Yep, that’s the fancy way of saying “freaking awesome!”

After Alastair breaks free, the episode becomes a fast-paced, tension-filled ride all the way to the final scene. There are two astonishing fight scenes for Castiel, a tale of intrigue and betrayal among the angels, Sam cranking up his abilities to scary new levels, and poor Dean comatose in a hospital with Sam by his side.

I knew Ben Edlund, this week’s writer, had something great like this in him. Many forget that he also wrote “Nightshifter” before taking on the screwball scripts like “Bad Day At Black Rock,” “Ghostfacers,” “Monster Movie,” and “Wishful Thinking.” The man proves that he can do action and intensity better than anyone. The directing of Mike Rohl (welcome back!) skillfully heightens the emotional levels of the multiple stories, showing how Kim Manners' influence is all over this one.

“Now I can kill.”

The mythology in this episode gets a giant push forward and man, is it good. Sam isn’t in the episode much, but the scenes he is in, boy, do they count. Two of them in fact make the all time Sam Winchester highlight reel. Oh wait, three. Sam shocks us all, and I’m not even talking about the sucking on Ruby’s blood thing. That all actually makes sense (even though it’s disturbing), for how else could he strengthen his abilities so much? What’s surprising is his motivation for doing so. It’s the only way to be stronger for Dean. His devotion to his brother isn’t gone after all and comes above all else. His words in “Sex and Violence” were truthful, for he knows Dean is weak. “Something happened to him downstairs. He’s not what he used to be. He’s not strong enough.” He’s determined though to cover that weakness, not expose it.

We know the saying, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Sam’s abilities are now beyond anyone’s imagination, especially the angels’. As he declares with a malevolent smile, “Now I can kill,” and does his new demon-obliterating mind trick, his love for that power is now obvious. He enjoys killing Alastair. Now that he’s had that taste, now that he knows he can be strong and powerful for Dean and humanity, it goes back to Dean’s “crack” comment in “Criss Angel…” Sam can’t stop now, good intentions or not, and those cravings can only get stronger. Sounds like an exciting setup for the rest of the season!

Sam’s gazes of worry while sitting by a comatose Dean (the nodes on his head are something usually reserved for monitoring brain waves in coma patients) prove once and for all that Dean is still the most important thing in his life. His anger against Castiel in the hallway, ordering the powerful angel to heal Dean (“Miracle, now!”) and pointing out how Dean is the innocent victim of their short sightedness shows Sam’s determination to take control over his and his brother’s welfare, no matter what the cost.

"Be Unafraid."

Castiel’s expanded story and lengthy screen time (he even got more than Sam and Dean) is long overdue. We’ve only learned a little about him from his brief appearances so far, so to watch him struggle with turmoil in the garrison and deal with feelings of doubt and isolation, it shows how naïve and almost childlike he really is on earth. I have rarely seen a character (or actor for that manner) that can tell an entire sad story by one pensive look. Castiel does this in many scenes, most noticeably when standing off to the side in the motel room and while waiting outside during Dean’s torture of Alastair.

Anna and Uriel both tell Castiel he can’t be afraid anymore, but everything that’s happening to him is terrifying. Castiel has always been about obedience. That’s what loyal angels do. So what happens when he’s forced to question the orders he’s given? First there’s the sudden appearance of Anna, who Castiel obviously has a soft spot for. He has orders to kill her but doesn’t, and listens to her words that the orders aren’t coming from God. “Stop him Cas, please, before you ruin the one weapon you have.” His instincts are telling him she’s right, instincts he’s mistaking as disobedience. Then comes Sam, newly fitted with brutal demon interrogation techniques of his own. Castiel learns the demons aren’t doing this. How does he know who is right?

The scene that gets me the most is when Castiel summons Anna. His vulnerable confession, “I don’t know what to do, please tell me what to do” confirms what’s often seen in his troubled eyes. He really hasn’t had to make hard decisions before and take his own course of action. He doesn’t understand the feelings he has either, and can’t find words to describe them. “I feel…”

Castiel in the end gets his moment of redemption, and it’s breathtaking. One glimpse at a faucet and it all comes together. “Strange how a leaky pipe can undo the work of angels when we ourselves are supposed to be the agents of fate.” Castiel demands the truth from Uriel, who pulls out his angel killing dagger, revealing that the only thing that can kill angels is another angel. He’s sick of bowing before humanity (like Dean, who he wants dead), just like their brother Lucifer did before he fell. Castiel listens with horror when Uriel admits he’s converting angels to help his fallen “brother” rise, and those that don’t follow are killed.

This is where Misha really nails it, for Castiel’s faith will not waver in this test. He tells Uriel for the first time in a long time he’s unafraid, and then punches him through a brick wall. He’s truly God’s warrior. When Uriel bests him after a brutal fight, Castiel’s on his knees, refusing to waiver even in the face of death. “You can’t win Uriel. I still serve God.” Uriel answers “There is no will, no wrath, no God.” Oh, but Anna has a soft spot for Castiel as well, and saves him by putting the dagger through Uriel’s throat.

It should be noted that Anna and Castiel together have some awesome magnetism. I threw out questions to the hubby like “What happens when two angels do it?” They are FAR better together than Anna and Dean. If her future appearances are limited to Castiel, than I’m all for Anna returning.

“Then you guys are screwed.”

Castiel’s best scenes are with Dean, continuing the explosive on screen chemistry that Jensen and Misha have. Oh Dean. Poor burned out, at the end of his rope Dean. He’s so depressed, so despondent over all that’s happened lately, he even hands the control of one of his biggest joys in life, the Impala, over to Sam. He gets no relief in the motel room, calling it with resignation “home, crappy home.” Dean’s outburst at the two angels in the motel room vividly shows how spent he is emotionally. What makes this scene killer is how Dean is bounces off between Castiel and Uriel, aka good cop and bad cop. He’s defiant with Uriel and tries to plea with Castiel, who’s no longer in control, so he’s taken by Uriel without regard to his objections.

Dean’s near tearful plea to Castiel in the warehouse is one of those tender moments of vulnerability that sucks us in each time. Dean maybe a smart @ss with Uriel (“Well get some donuts while you’re out.”), but has learned to trust Castiel enough to fully open up to him. Castiel is sympathetic, but can only plea to his sense of duty. The brilliant directing comes through here as the camera moves back and forth between Dean and Castiel, closing in on their pained faces over the task at hand, bringing out the raw nerves of both. A definite homage to Kim Manners.

Dean closes his eyes, and heartbreakingly accepts his assignment. He goes in with his game face on, but we know he’s terrified. The long torture sequences of Alastair is very painful to watch, and I’m not talking about the methods used to inflict physical pain. Alastair constantly taunts Dean and won’t give in. Each cut to the scene reveals a little bit more about Dean and his time in Hell, and it’s Dean that’s wearing down, not Alastair. Dean tries so hard to not let Alastair rattle him, even when he gets gruesome details about his father’s time in Hell. Alastair waits for the perfect moment to deliver the bombshell, like a predator going in for the kill.

I never felt my heart drop worse when Dean turns away from Alastair after hearing he broke the first seal. That wide-eyed crippling look of shock and devastation, that’s when something inside snaps. It’s especially hard on him that it was supposed to be John but he didn’t crack, so they went for Dean instead. Dean brought on the apocalypse. My eyes still water over the image, especially when Dean admits with agony, “No, I don’t think you are lying.” He toughens up though, ready to kill Alastair, but by that time the trap has been breached.

Talk about my eyes watering, time for that final scene. Dean wakes up in the hospital, (out of the woods since he’s off the respirator), and Castiel is by his side. Dean sounds awful, not just physically, but emotionally as well. The weary tone in his voice says it all.

Castiel drops a bombshell of his own, and it’s more than Dean can take. Dean was rescued from Hell because the angels got wind of Lilith’s plan. They fought their way through Hell trying to get to him, but they were too late. Dean asks why they didn’t leave him there. “It’s not blame that falls on you Dean. It’s fate.” The righteous man who broke the first seal is the only one that can finish it. With an anxious edge in his voice, Dean demands to know what that means, but Castiel doesn’t know. They both are in the dark over what’s to come. Dean’s distress surfaces with his, “Then you guys are screwed.” Castiel tells him he’s the only one, but Dean can only melt down in tears. “I’m not all here, I’m not strong enough. I guess I’m not the man either of our dads wanted me to be. Find someone else. It’s not me.”

Whoa. Castiel is disheartened, as we all are. Dean has been broken. Anna’s warning has come true, Castiel may have ruined the one chance they have. Dean the warrior, Dean the man who’s survived every horrific thing in his life including watching his mother, father and brother die. Dean who came back from forty years of Hell. Dean the human who does have a breaking point. Yep, returning to earth has been a harsh experience on this angel.

The Other Stuff

Someone brought up a great question to me. How can Ruby’s host contain demon blood? Same with Azazel when he bled into baby Sam’s mouth. I went back to “Croatoan” for the answer. When the townspeople were infected with the demon virus, there were traces of sulfur in their blood. When the demons were gone, the sulfur disappeared. That tells me when a demon occupies the host, it affects the blood as well. It must be, since it looks like Sam got himself some pure stuff before doing his “stupid pet tricks.”

What is it with angels and playgrounds? I know angels are watching over us, but seeing two grown men in suits hanging at the playground is creepy.

Ruby is evil. We know it now, just by her wicked smile when Sam takes in her blood with complete desperation. She even calls Sam “Sammy.” She’s gone too far!

“Uriel’s the funniest angel in the garrison. Ask anyone.” The way Misha deadpans that line, it becomes one of the funniest lines of the season.

There is so much great directing, there isn’t enough time to point out it all. I’ll share my two favorites though. First is after Anna’s visit, when Castiel orders her to go. The camera fades out to show Castiel alone in the middle of the large room, giving the perfect visual of his deep isolation. The second is when Sam is driving the Impala on the way to rescue Dean (and ultimately Castiel). It starts by showing his hazel eyes, and as the scene progresses his eyes get darker and darker until they are almost black. Yikes!

Questions For Next Time

Uriel has converted others. Does this mean Castiel must go underground, unable to trust his own kind? Will he join forces with Anna? It’s likely Uriel killed the angels from “Are You There God, It’s Me Dean Winchester,” so how long and how deep does the corruption go?

Why did Anna show up when she did? Can she be trusted? Whose side is she on? Are her motives any cleaner than Ruby's? Does she want to use Castiel the same way Ruby wants to use Sam?

I do wonder if either Sam or Castiel told Dean how Sam killed Alastair. Sure, he’ll find out eventually, but is it now or later? Did anyone else love Sam’s look to Castiel after that happened? “Oh, you noticed that, huh?”

An A+ on this one. Definitely a classic. Next week is another comedy episode, and boy, do we need it. The rest of the season after that is going to be brutal.

Source: http://blogcritics.org/archives/2009/03/23/2201366.php

Thanks Flo for all your Alice posting. To be honest, I have read very little of this, mainly cause they are too long, and I'm too lazy (bad combination LOL). I have tried to read some before, but I have only gone so far as half of it or less.
Since you said and I quote: "this is the one to read", I did, and I have to say this is the first one I've finished and boy was it great!!! She totally speaks my mind, and a lot of things I didn't think were relevant before. You are right, I mean I always believed that Alice was great, but as I said before, I'm a lazy, lazy girl!
Thanks again Flo!!
xoxo

Wow, Alice has some serious Supernatural game. The woman knows this show like no other. What is she saying about Ruby? Are we to think a demon has anything other than positive happy intentions? LOL! I really did enjoy this episode. Good stuff by Alice, she really knows how to make you see things in a new light.

I'm so with Alice about most things SPN but now I'm ready to bow at her feet for taking on the fan fic writers. I stopped reading SPN fan fiction because the idea of "Wincest" which are stories based on a Sam & Dean sexual relationship just grossed me out! If you've got an extra ten minutes, pour yourself a drink and cozy up to the computer... Alice always has some thought provoking and just D*mn funny stuff to say! Enjoy!


TV Review: Supernatural - "The Monster At The End Of This Book"
Written by Alice Jester
Published April 06, 2009
Part of The Winchester Family Business: Supernatural

You know, I’ve had this chest cold all week and you know what’s not good for a chest cold? Laughing so hard in the first fifteen minutes of my favorite show that it triggers wheezing and gasps for air. I wasn’t sure if I hit my head on the coffee table from doubling over in laughter or from the lack of oxygen, but either way, the show got me!

Norms in the Supernatural universe have always been skewed, but this is as creative as it gets, mixing fan meta with the ancient concept of prophecy. Our beloved prophet, the one who knows and sees all Winchester, is nothing but a hapless recluse and drunk spending most of his days lounging in a bathrobe and writing the weird things that pop into his head. Now whenever I come up with a flash for brilliant story and must write it down for my own sanity, I’ll question whether I’m prognosticating or just have one warped imagination.

Fandom, You Had This Coming

I’m not sure if this is prophecy or just plain common sense, but poke a stick at something long enough and you’re gonna get a reaction. It’s usually a harsh one too. This time, it’s harsh and absolutely hysterical. Prophecy becomes THE golden opportunity to finally strike back at overzealous fans. Julie Siege, you have earned my medal of honor for gutsiest writer of the series.

The premise is too perfect not to go there. Sam and Dean are doing their FBI thing at a comics store and get accused of “LARPing” (live action role playing). Turns out this is exactly what happens in a series in the bargain bin called Supernatural. The stories didn’t sell too many copies and are an underground favorite (ah, the similarities). Sam and Dean’s eyes bug out of their heads when the first story is a detailed account of their episode with the Woman in White. This prompts a demand for the entire series.

Dean’s engrossed in “Route 666,” going through that debacle all over again. “Everything is in here, from the racist truck to me having sex. Dude, I’m full frontal in this one.” Sam’s more disturbed by what he’s seeing on the Internet. Yeah Sam, I know the feeling. When Dean takes a look at comments from the “few” fans, it’s even better. “For fans, they sure do complain a lot.” There are Sam girls, Dean girls, and oh… you’re going there!

Everyone who’s followed my work knows I’ve made several rants about how Wincest doesn’t sit right with me. They’re brothers, for Christ's sake! To see Sam and Dean actually react with the same amount of disgust is the best damned thing I could ever hope for. “They do know we’re brothers, right?” Dean asks. “Doesn’t seem to matter,” a very bothered Sam replies. “Oh come on, that’s just sick.” I’ve died and gone to Heaven!

page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Want to read more? Click here: http://blogcritics.org/archives/2009/04/06/221836.php

People really write about that? Why would yo... I can't, I just can't. These are probably the same people who got really upset about Dean being called a dick and the Bobby haters. You people are WRONG!

That is just so not right. You're right Kevin, those would be the same people who put the brothers together who say that it's wrong to call Dean a dick. Blah!

Okay, I know I sound a bit stalkerish but I love this woman! Her take on Supernatural is right on and she says all the stuff I think but aren't eloquent enough to say! Not only is she right on but she is funny as heck and her review of the SPN finale is nothing short of genius!

Here's page one and the link to the rest of the article! I give it an A+!

Lucifer Rising by Alice Jester
Can I get a “Hell Yeah!?” I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you. Louder. “HELL YEAH!!”

This time last year, I was weeping in devastation over the demise of beloved Dean and worrying over his horrific time to come in Hell (yes, I care about these characters too D*mn much). This year, while I’m still very frightened for our boys (and their now fugitive angelic companion as well), and let a “D*mn You Kripke!” slip at the cliffhanger ending, I find myself pumping fists more than breaking out the Kleenexes. That’s a way to cap a spectacular season!

Again, we must bow at the feet of the master. This year’s finale is especially bittersweet, for even though it’s the final exclamation point on an already spectacular season, it comes without the patriarch that usually closes the seasons, Kim Manners. Eric Kripke does an incredible job taking on all the stressful roles of writer, producer, and director for this truly brilliant piece of work. Even though he’s only directed one episode before, season two’s “What Is and What Should Never Be,” he proves that he has what it takes to use the camera to keep us on the edge of our seats and leave us begging for more. Awesome man!

We get answers! Sure, more questions too, but hey, we need something to take us into next season. The most satisfying resolution clearly comes from Ruby’s story playing out. After two seasons and plenty of ambiguity, the outcome isn’t too surprising. She’s evil, and was brought in to manipulate Sam to carry out the master plan of freeing Lucifer. Still, I feel a HUGE payoff from how it plays out, and looking back find her overall plan brilliant. It all comes full circle, right down to both brothers giving her a well deserved gutting like a fish.

Castiel goes rogue! He grows a pair! Man did he buy himself a mess of trouble, and all because he listens to Dean. It’s incredible how their relationship has progressed through the season and the impact they’ve had on each other. I’ve already got my season five wishlist going, and Cas tops it. He rescues Anna and together they go off to save the world, having some hot angel sex doing it. Hey, a girl can dream, can’t she?

Then we FINALLY learn Azazel’s part in all this, and what the “endgame” was all along. Lilith breaks the seals, and Azazel delivers the “special child,” the only one who can break the final seal. The plan is 37 years in the making, which is like 370 in Hell years. I have a feeling we have only seen the beginning of the “end game,” and there’s plenty more to be learned.

Read the hilarious rest here: http://blogcritics.org/video/article/tv ... er-rising/

HELL YEAH! I love Alice and the way she puts things so perfectly. I like how she says Cas grows a piar, HA. HA.

Hah... looks like Alice is going to be taking on the Vampire Diaries too! I'm not surprised and get a load of the suggested tagline that she has for CW on Thursday nights this fall.

Comic-Con: CW Thursdays - Hot Brothers Night?

Something felt different about Supernatural at this year's Comic-Con. Yes, show leads Jensen Ackles (Dean Winchester) and Jared Padalecki (Sam Winchester) weren't there, with Misha Collins (Castiel) and Jim Beaver (Bobby Singer) in their place, but that wasn't it. Sure, creator Eric Kripke, and executive producers Sera Gamble and Ben Edlund were there for the third year in a row delivering enticing teasers for the new season, but that was nothing new either. Neither was the massive line of fans winding outside ready to pack the large 6BCF ballroom. If anything, Supernatural's popular presence at the con (along with Smallville) warranted a larger room.

No, this year Supernatural established that it's no longer the show that could. It's now the show that did. Welcome to the status of established veteran.

(A light spoiler ahead if you squint hard enough).



"We never dreamt it would go five years. At least I didn't," Eric Kripke said about his show in the press room before the panel. Dreamt or not, the attending writers and cast had plenty of excitement to share about the upcoming season five story lines. As usual though, they only gave enough to tease, stirring up restless fans in the process. Judging by their wicked delivery at both the press conference and panel, that's exactly the way they like it.

"We’re supposed to be coy I’m told," Ben Edlund told us a couple of times with a grin during his session. Jim Beaver was a bit more honest when asked specifics about his storyline. "I'd love to answer these, but I’d still love to do so and still have a job. Since I can’t, I won't."

Despite the season five buzz, the issue naturally came up about a possible season six, a controversy that's lingered ever since Kripke was quoted in a February Entertainment Weekly article to be against doing it (he's only contracted through season five). His mind seems to have changed since then (although there's reliable info that suggests that quotes from everyone in that article came after a really bad day on the set). "I’m going to cross that bridge when I get to it. I am breaking episode six of this season, my head is so far away from season six that I honestly have no idea... I’m very interested and anything can happen."

Given the fact the show's actors are contracted through season six and CW president Dawn Ostroff recently told the TCA she'd like to see Supernatural around for a long time, any talk of the five-year only plan seems moot. Or does it? Kripke seems to have figured out the loophole. "There was a five-year plan and a five-year story. We are in the fifth year of that story. This is the last chapter of this volume and we plan on telling it well and climatically, but you know we are certainly also batting around ideas. There’s no reason there can’t be another volume, there’s no reason a new epic story can’t begin."

So what about the rumored strained relationship with their network? Kripke actually likes their arrangement. "They’ve been really supportive from the beginning in the key and most important way which is they’ve always let us do what we’ve exactly wanted to do. In the CW class we’re the goth kids sitting in the back row and they don’t try to pretty us up." Not that The CW needs to try. With Ackles and Padalecki as the Winchester brothers, along with Collins as the dreamy yet conflicted angel Castiel, that's all the pretty they need.

The Other Hot Brothers

On the other end of Thursday nights is quite a different story. The CW has called upon Supernatural to play strong anchor for their top rated night, pairing it with the new drama The Vampire Diaries and sending aging veteran Smallville to Friday nights.



The Vampire Diaries stars Ian Somerhandler and Paul Wesley as two centuries-old vampire brothers struggling over the soul of a young teenage girl, played by Nina Dobrev. The series is based on the novels of the same name by L.J. Smith.

While shuffling a proven lineup is considered by many to be a risky move for an already shaky network like The CW, the change was designed to secure Thursday's future stronghold with their niche audiences while calling upon their established veteran to fix their Friday night woes. Still, there are big questions as to how well The Vampire Diaries will do initially. "It's really weird because we don't have a lead-in," said co-creator and executive producer Kevin Williamson. "We are the lead-in and I don't know what that means. It means they really need to market the show. Because if they don't no one will know it's there."

The long term potential is there for Thursday nights, thinks executive producer Bob Levy. "Kevin and Julie have already thought out the first three seasons, but until we're on the air and see how the ratings are, you never know. Nobody's counting on anything but I really feel this has legs."

So what about the pairing with Supernatural? Co-creator and executive producer Julie Plec had a good idea for the CW. "I think if the network's thinking, they'll do 'Night of the Hot Brothers.'"

Hot brothers or not, there was plenty of good buzz about The Vampire Diaries pilot at the Comic Con, which aired during Wednesday's preview night and again at Saturday's panel. The five minutes from Supernatural's fifth season opener got the fans in a frenzy, so September 10th is looking very promising.

Now Supernatural can finally relax and enjoy the fact that they're no longer the underappreciated bubble show. Hopefully that status will help The Vampire Diaries overcome their "something to prove" hurdle. If anything, they'll get some stray Smallville fans that tune in not realizing their show has moved. "That'll only work once," Williamson said over that possibility. On a night featuring two sets ofgood looking brothers, maybe once is all they need.

(In a few weeks I'll have extensive preview articles on both The Vampire Diaries and Supernatural based on the Comic-Con press room interviews and panels).