Tag Archives: supernatural

May 13, 2013 · 8:07 pm

10 Things I’d Like to See in the ‘Supernatural’ Season GR8 Finale

Sacrifice

The Supernatural Season 8 Finale is right around the corner. An episode entitled, “Sacrifice.” And while I have been mostly ECSTATIC about this year in SPN, I feel like there are a few things I need in order to make it right. I am in no way, under any kind of delusion that even half of my demands will be met. But, it’s always better to fill your boat with wishes instead of rocks, right? And my boat is FULL of wishes. My top ten:

Dean Shirts1.) I want to see at least one of my favorite Dean shirts. I’m sure you all know which ones I’m talking about (see right). Both of them have made several S8 appearances. The black & gold one is my old school fave, dating all the way back to Season 2. The multi-color is new and stunning. It should stay forever. No shirt, is always preferable but, these two are the best options if a shirt MUST be worn. I really don’t feel like I’m asking too much here.

2.) I do not want the gates of hell closed just yet. I know this has been the major goal since Kevin first read the tablet, and I know that maybe I did want it closed at one point. REALLY wanted it. But I’ve thought about it and I have changed my mind. This show, our boys, are tied too tightly to the demons. It was a demon who started their story, their journey, in the first place. However, I do want an acceptable reason to why the gate will not be closed at this time. And I am hoping this team of writers can give us a great reason that we’ll need to put off the gate closing for a little bit longer.

3.) I hate to say it, but Crowley must go. I’m not sure I ever thought I would want that. I love Mark Sheppard. To no end. And Crowley has been one of the most fun, scary, interesting, flexible characters Supernatural has ever seen. Still. It’s his time. Threatening to eradicate the Winchesters’ life work? To undo everything they have done? To trivialize and make meaningless, every. Single. Sacrifice? They have given up absolutely everything. Their safety. Their happiness. Their lives. EACH OTHER. Many times over. And to have it mean NOTHING?? To negate the meaning of every last injury and heart break? That would be the most devastating thing of all. Sorry, Crowley, but this has to mean goodbye. Being Supernatural and all, I am sure we will see you again someday. In the mean time, Abaddon is probably out and about looking for a job. I can think of a possible opening.

4.) I want to see Sam find a means of recovery. Or an idea of how to get better. Even if they fail the trials or decide not to Sacrificefinish them. Maybe there is a loophole Kevin missed? Sam must live and with the possibility of health. We all love big brother/caretaker Dean but he cannot make and serve soup for the rest of his life. I mean, he can, but only because he wants to. Not because he has to. Are there repercussions for starting the trials but not finishing them? Is there a way to delay without Sam suffering every moment until they are actually closed?

5.) I may be too lame and too late to ask, but I would love an explanation of how the boys have all of a sudden visited the Grand Canyon. Or, who that guy was who was standing outside of Sam & Amelia’s place in the season premiere (was it really just her long lost husband?). And why was there an Amelia in the first place? I want to be okay with the explanation we were given for Sam refusing to look for Dean, but I am not okay with  it, at all, to be honest. I just feel like we are owed a bit better explanation of these things. No one depends on completion and continuity like SPN fans do.

6.) I want to see Cas and Metatron put their plan to close Heaven into action. And I want it to be made clear that we can trust Metatron. Because I really want to. Though, with this show, you never can tell. If they do close the gates of heaven, what will that mean for Earth-living angels like Cas and Metatron? Is there any way closing the gates of heaven could mean the return or Balthazar and/or Gabriel? Also, what will happen to Naomi?  And shouldn’t closing the gates of Heaven require Dean’s involvement in the trials? They need a warrior, he is tied to Heaven.  It only makes sense.

5x22 Chuck7.) After Supernatural book references from both Charlie and Crowley this season, I am going to go ahead and demand an update/confirmation on the fate of Chuck. LOVE Chuck! NEED Chuck. Between Cas’ off handed statement of his death and the boys’ emotionless acceptance and/or dismissal of that news, I am unwilling to let go. I need a story. I need to see his face again. Endings are hard. It’s even harder when you don’t get one.

8.) I know that we will get to hear “Carry On Wayward Son” on Wednesday. And even though it means the end of another season and the beginning of another hiatus, I cannot wait to hear it. I look forward to it every year. This song is our anthem and it means so very much to all of us. But… if it’s not asking too much, would it be possible to squeeze one more classic rock jam into the episode? It’s one of the things I miss the most from the earlier seasons. This show would never be the same without Foreigner and Boston and AC/DC. I think we’ve earned at least one more of THOSE. And how perfect would “All Along the Watchtower” be for this show?

9.) I want the return of the Samulet, and I want it NOW. Jensen mentioned at a recent convention that it could come back with the right story. S8 has been chock full of throw backs and GREAT stories. I don’t see how they can’t make two minutes for this VERY IMPORTANT thing to make its re-entry into the Supernatural universe. The brothers seem to be on the same, honest, supportive, loving, page. For the first time in a long time. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful, emotional, perfect, l thing, for Sam to re-gift this symbol of love, back to his brother? Who wouldn’t love to see that beautiful thing, at home around Dean’s neck, once again.

10.) One of the things I’d love most to see would be Sam, Dean and Cas, working together. Saving People. Hunting Sacrificethings. The resurrection of Team Free Will is far over due. Especially if we are expecting Cas to be with us full time next season. No secrets. No lies. No agendas. Just three, hard working warriors, teaming up to make the world better. There are a lot of hatchets to bury, but if anyone has cemetery experience, it’s these guys.

Don’t miss my recap of the Supernatural season 8 finale, Wednesday night at TheTelevixen.com.

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April 2, 2013 · 7:31 am

10 Random Questions with Clarissa

Clarissa (@clarissa373 on Twitter) is not only a managing editor for TVovermind.com and a BIG Supernatural fan, she is also a good friend, a wonderful writer and a bit of a mentor to me. Despite her busy schedule, she was kind enough to take some time to answer a few of my random questions. Be sure to follow her on Twitter for all of the latest news and reviews for Supernatural and many of my other favorite shows.

The name of your secret spy identity:

Anastasia Beaverhausen. If it’s good enough for Karen Walker, it’s good enough for me.

Tumblr. Yes or no?

I still don’t understand what Tumblr IS. What is it? What does it want? I’ve been on it a few times and it just confuses and frightens me.

Waffles, Pancakes or French Toast?

French toast. The other two are too dry, no matter who makes them.

Travel and/or flight ritual?

Ignoring everyone around me. I like to be left alone when I travel.  That’s Clarissa’s quiet time.

First concert:

New Kids on the Block.  Oddly enough?  My next upcoming concert is also New Kids on the Block.

Cake or Bacon?

Is there bacon cake? Because I might eat that. I don’t see why I should be forced to choose.

Pajamas in public. Yes or no?

No. Put on some real pants, lazy.

Ferris wheel, Roller Coaster or Arcade?

I’m scared of rides, but an arcade is close enough to gambling to keep me interested.

Holiday you’d most like to abolish

Arbor Day. I don’t even live in the United States, but that seems silly. Why do they allow this to continue happening every year?  And why do they celebrate arbors but not fences? Fences are much more practical.  P.S. Seriously, what IS Arbor Day?

Favorite smell?

Apple-cinnamon-vanilla-caramel. Basically any of those in any combination.

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January 22, 2013 · 10:34 am

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things: 1/22/13

Just wanted to share with you all a few of the things I am in love with today/this week/in general. I promise to try and be better about posting a list at least weekly. It’s fun and it gives me a chance to rave about the pop culture things that are making me happy! Hopefully you will listen to me and love them too! Enjoy!

Argo PosterArgo - This movie came out AGES ago and I feel like I might be the last person on the planet to see it but HOLY CRAP am I so glad that I finally did. Amazing film. I was on the edge of my seat for the entire two hours, wringing my hands to a painful degree. The moments of Hollywood levity were greatly appreciated and really helped balance out the entertainment value. A very well told and exciting story that left me with a happy feeling (and an ulcer) in the end. My favorite of the Oscar films I’ve seen so far (which include Silver Linings Playbook and Zero Dark Thirty). I will also be jumping on the band wagon raging about Ben Affleck’s Best Director snub. His acting in the movie wasn’t too shabby either. Run, do not walk to the nearest theater to see this movie if you have not done so and then come thank me. I’ll wait here.

Following PosterThe Following - An incredible new TV series airing on Fox. The pilot was an absolute blast to watch and not just because I have a totally healthy interest in serial killers. Kevin Bacon is the bee’s knees as a former FBI agent assisting on a case he once thought was closed for good. The show is scary and intense with just the right amount of intrigue and gore. I loved almost everything about the Pilot episode, including the best ever use of Marilyn Manson’s cover of “Sweet Dreams.” I am really excited about the upcoming season of this way creepy and exciting new drama. You can catch an encore airing of the first episode on Friday night on Fox and I really think that everyone should.

JTJustin Timberlake – “Suit & Tie” ft. JAY Z - I have talked to a TON of people about JT’s latest and I would say it’s split pretty evenly down the middle between people who love the new tune and people who feel like Justin somehow owes us something more after all his time away from the recording studio. I am definitely one of the former. The song is smooth with a great beat. It gives me a lot of the same feelings I had with JT’s first solo album and it makes me shake my butt. That’s good enough for me. And honestly JAY-Z can do no wrong. Speaking of JAY-Z, I am also totally obsessed with his new song from the upcoming Jackie Robinson movie. What a JAM. Listen to both below (YouTube links) and let me know in the comments what you think.

Justin Timberlake – “Suit & Tie ft.” JAY Z

JAY-Z – “Brooklyn (Go Hard)”

photo credit: nhl.com

photo credit: nhl.com

Boston Bruins Hockey - To say that the NFL post season has been a disappointment for me is like saying the Grand Canyon is a little hole in the ground. Thank the heavens that hockey is back. JUST IN TIME. And the Bruins get all of the credit for healing this sport’s girl’s grass stained heart. The season opener was fantastic and yesterday’s game (which I got to attend thanks to the world’s best BFF) was a total thrill ride. No matter who your team is, I hope you are enjoying hockey being back in our lives as much as I am. Football what? The Bruins face off against the New York Rangers again on Wednesday night at 7:30 PM EST. GO BRUINS!

photo credit: cwtv.com

photo credit: cwtv.com

Felicia Day on Supernatural - I have been a big fan of Felicia Day for a long time, longer even than I’ve been a fan of Supernatural. She was great in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, mind blowing on Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog and hilarious on her web series, The Guild. Her first appearance on Supernatural was a real highlight of Season 7 and on Wednesday  night (9:00 PM EST on The CW) she returns as Charlie Bradbury, the geek girl we all want to be. The photos of her and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles) all decked out in costume are making me positively giddy. If you’re a fan of hers but don’t watch Supernatural, you should still probably check it out. This one looks like a lot of fun.

*Is there anything you are absolutely in love with right now? Tell me all about in the comments! I want to love more things!

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January 16, 2013 · 1:14 pm

Supernatural: Addressing the Award Winning Family

The other night Jules from SuperWiki asked on Twitter, “What’s your fav thing about being a Supernatural fan?”

J2 PCAs 2013She re-tweeted a bunch of answers and they were all really lovely and inspiring (and funny and pervy). It was great to read all of the reasons people love being a part of this fandom. It really is such a great group of brilliant, creative, fun (pervy) and generous people. The show and the fandom have actually changed lives. The fact that we have such an amazing show to build this kind of fanbase around is MY favorite thing about being a Supernatural fan. I love that we can come together and raise tens of thousands of dollars for charity and win People’s Choice Awards on a pretty consistent basis, even getting the PCAs to finally acknowledge us AND the guys that make our show so wonderful. We are certainly a force to be reckoned with.

Of course, nothing is perfect. There are things about this fandom I don’t care for so much. One of them is the near constant complaining that goes on about almost everything. Don’t get me wrong, complaints can be good! They breed discussion and can inspire change when change is needed (coughPCAcough). But they can also be disheartening and distracting. I decided I would address a couple of the complaints I am seeing most often these days and not only get some things off of my chest, but see if I can ease a few other worried minds out there as well.

It’s not fair that Dean gets to be in a costume for 8×11 and Sam doesn’t.

I’m not sure that he WON’T be. I think it’s unfair to complain about an episode we haven’t seen yet, based on a couple of promotional photos that the network chooses to show us. A recent TV Guide article suggested that we’d get to see them BOTH in “tight” costume so I don’t think anyone should wad their panties up just yet.

I wish Supernatural was more like it used to be, just hunting wendigos and vampires. 

I think it’s easy to become nostalgic for the “good ol’ days” when things get difficult. In life and in TV. But without the constant revolution of the mythology, the story and the brother’s relationship, we’d be stuck with a procedural. I would probably still watch it because Jared & Jensen are amazing. But there’s no way I would be as involved and there is no way that kind of thing 8 years in a row would inspire the kind of fans that are still drawn to Supernatural right now. The world has enough CSI.

I don’t even want a Season 9 if it’s going to continue like this. 

8x06 DeanI have seen this one A LOT. Listen, we’re all hurting from all of the brother fighting this season. Two things, though. One: it’s not new. They have been fighting in one way or another for a LONG TIME. In Season 1 they fought about finding John, in S2 it was about Sam’s destiny and Dean’s grief. Season 3 was Dean’s deal and disregard for his own life. It got REALLY bad in S4 with Dean’s time in hell and Sam’s special time with Ruby and continued into S5 as they dealt with the ramifications of their actions and tried to trust each other again. In Season 6 Sam had no soul for long enough to drive Dean crazy and in S7 they had to get past Sam’s inner hell and the loss of Bobby. There is no doubt that what is going on so far in Season 8 is the worst we’ve ever seen but they are dealing with all new issues concerning their year apart AS WELL AS dealing with all of the stuff from the previous 7 seasons, none of which they ever REALLY moved past. The second thing we have to remember is that we still have a lot of Season 8 left. Perhaps I am just a softhearted optimist with too much faith but I honestly believe that we will get some peace between them and I think it will be sooner rather than later. It could get worse before it gets better but I really, truly believe that it will get better. And not just in the short term like we’ve seen before. In my mind, there will be TRUE resolution of a lot of their long suffering issues. My mind is a wonderful place sometimes.

The writers must hate Sam Winchester.

8x06 SamI might be alone but I don’t really feel that the writers favor one of the brothers over the other. I am not super happy with Sam’s story line this season but I think that we still have a few things to learn about that. I am throwing that “faith” stuff around again. Faith and hope. Also, I don’t want anyone to forget the YEARS of Dean’s bitter, self loathing, going through the motions, lifestyle. Purgatory seems to have refreshed him a bit and I could not be happier. I do not see Sam ever really quitting hunting and I *think* something has to happen to convince him of that. I look forward to the Winchesters working more in sync with each other in future episodes and I have every confidence that will happen before the end of the season.

~

Listen, if I am wrong about all of this, I will be the first to admit it and you can all come throw rotten food at me. In the mean time, I think we need to exercise a little patience and try to see the season as a whole puzzle still missing pieces. I am a big believer in the SPN family and like every family, we love, we fight, we argue and we hug & make up. If we can win an award together and have it announced on national television, there isn’t much we can’t do. So, let me know. Do I have it wrong? Did I miss something? Do you have a counter argument to make? I would honestly love to hear it.

Don’t forget to watch an all new episode of Supernatural tonight at 9:00pm EST on The CW!! And after the episode you can read my recap/review at TheTelevixen.com!!

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January 14, 2013 · 1:10 pm

You Win Some, You Lose Some

This last week has been quite a roller coaster of emotion for me when it comes to things I am a big fan of.

denver-broncos 2On Saturday my Denver Broncos lost their first playoff game in double overtime to the Baltimore Ravens. For anyone who is not a sports fan, it may seem silly for a loss like that to have any kind of weight on one’s mood or attitude. But I love football and I love the Broncos. As most of you know, I was born a fan of the Orange & Blue. And for the 2nd year in a row, we don’t get to move on to the AFC Championship game. Bruins Puck2It stings and it sucks and I’m not happy about it. I am trying to take to heart the, “there’s always next year,” speech I am getting from everyone but it’s not easy. One thing easing the sting some is the news that we are in fact getting a hockey season this year. The Boston Bruins face off against the New York Rangers on January 19th and I could not be more excited for some action on the ice. BRING ON THE B’s!

J2 PCAs 2013Another mark in the “Win” column this last week was at the 2013 People’s Choice Awards. My favorite Supernatural took home awards for both Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show and Favorite TV Fan Following. As a huge fan of the show, the TV Fan Following award was not just a win for them but a win for me and my fellow fans. It felt good. Especially since stars J2 PCA 2013 2Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles were there to accept after being snubbed from attendance last year despite winning two awards. In a very long awards season, this is the only show where we get to pick the winners and the only one where we have a chance of seeing our favorite guys. It was a great night. And this Wednesday we get a brand new episode of Supernatural after a long, 6 week hiatus.

When I think about that, it’s hard to be cranky about anything else anymore.

 

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December 6, 2012 · 4:35 pm

Recaps for ‘Supernatural’ and ‘The Vampire Diaries’

Hey y’all!!

Just a reminder that all Season GR8 Supernatural recaps are living at TheTelevixen.com!! Yay!!

And, for the next couple of weeks, my recaps for The Vampire Diaries will be living there as well.

Don’t forget to go check me out in my fancy new digs! You know how much I need your love.

Thanks, friends!

3x01edited

 

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December 5, 2012 · 3:30 pm

Sibling Rivalry Pt. 2: ‘Supernatural’ – Miles to Travel Before Winchesters Sleep

8x09 2.1Another Winchester Wednesday, another batch of disgruntled fans doing the character bashing and story line displeasure dance. Always a good time.

Don’t get me wrong, Supernatural is not above criticism. No show is perfect. My issues lie with the types of things that are being condemned and cut down. Many of them are simply answers to questions we have not yet been privy to and questions themselves that have not yet been asked. I’m not sure how often I should have to beg for patience. Season 8 will be exactly 23 episodes, of which we have only seen one third. I will play again the recording I made of “just wait and see” so that I don’t have to talk myself hoarse.

This week I am listening to the familiar chorus of “Dean should stop giving Sam a hard time for taking a year off,” followed by the repeated verse of “Sam should have looked for Dean.” We all have the freaking song memorized at this point. But the lesson to be learned from the lyrics hasn’t changed. It’s completely understandable that Sam would have felt so lost and alone that running was all he could do. His mind was just freshly Satan free and cleaned up or not, that kind of trauma is bound to leave a mark. Who hasn’t wanted to hide from the world when it all came crumbling down? On the other hand, Dean has every right to be upset. They are HIS feelings. I am personally not a big fan of other people telling me how or what I should feel about any given situation. Why is it different for Dean? He’s mad, he’s hurt and he is allowed to be. Period. And, being Dean, he’s much more likely to lash out and captain a nice long guilt trip than he is to sit with folded hands and talk about his feelings. This is not new information.

Citizen FangI recently read an article breaking down every single point of the series where Sam told Dean that he wanted more than hunting, and that Dean should have let him go. For starters, if that had happened, we’d have had less than one season and would not be here arguing about it today. Is that what we want? Right. Secondly, it’s unnecessary. We all know that Sam, on several occasions, has told Dean that he wanted out at some point. What the writer forgot to address were all of the times that Sam was fully committed to the fight, even when Dean himself was not. They keep each other on this path. No one has dragged the other along, tied up in chains. Even though that might have been fun to watch.

These characters are flawed and layered, created with so much care and precision, it’s sometimes hard to remember that they aren’t real people. They feel real and their battles with the world and with each other should reflect that. The brotherly discord and its complete and rounded basis in reality has been one of my favorite parts of this season so far. Are we supposed to believe in angels and demons but not in brothers, closer than most, occasionally disagreeing about how their lives should be lived? If you were raised in a family where every member was in constant acceptance of your life and decisions,  I might be just a tiny bit jealous. The fact is, when two lives are this intertwined, there are bound to be struggles and those struggles should feel gritty and honest. If they don’t, there is no consequence, no reason to care what happens to them next. Of course they love each other. More than anything. More than themselves. I sincerely hope that’s not being disputed by anyone. But they are not always going to walk hand in hand in harmony. That would be boring and disingenuous. I have every faith that they will find their common ground again but am glad to see that it isn’t happening over night. Heavy conflicts should have equally heavy resolutions.

BittenThe mystery and secrets surrounding both Sam and Dean’s relationship and the mythology this season are intense and feel well thought out. I am an extremely impatient person at my core, but the anticipation of answers and forward moving conflict has me nearly giddy with excitement for each new episode. This year the show is deeper and more involved than who is going to hell and how to do we kill the bad guy. It has made me a more engaged viewer and has bred dozens of intelligent conversations and theory discussions. Supernatural isn’t perfect, but what’s to complain about when television builds this kind of passion?

Happy viewing, friends. And be nice to one another.

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November 28, 2012 · 1:51 pm

My Interview: Writer, Dianne Sylvan

Dianne Sylvan is a well known author, blogger and tweeter. She has incredible insight on television, movies, and life in general. You will increase the value of your life by following her on twitter and by reading her blog. You can purchase all of her wonderful books on Amazon.com, including the novels in her “Shadow World” series. She was kind enough to take a time out from writing her next novel to answer some very important questions for me.

You write about vampires all of the time. Who is you very favorite vampire?

Aside from my own characters (I don’t think it would be fair to list any of them since I know them inside and out, so it would be like picking my friends first for dodge ball), I think I’d have to go with Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In the beginning he was just a murderous badass, and a gleeful one at that; you so rarely get to see vampires genuinely enjoying what they are. Spike was a big inspiration for my own work because the vampires I write about don’t waste time feeling all mopey about being vampires; they’ve got stuff to do, people to shag, lives to save. So did Spike. A lot of people hated when he fell in love with Buffy, but Season Six was my favorite because it was so deliciously dark and twisted, and the Spike/Buffy relationship was the best part of that. I understood people feeling like they de-baddassified
the character, but I found his evolution toward sort-of-hero fascinating.

According to me, television is better than it has ever been. Of everything you’re watching right now,
what is your favorite?

That’s so hard to say because all of my shows are so different! I wouldn’t want to rate Castle against The Vampire Diaries or Grimm – it’s apples and oranges. But The Vampire Diaries is the show that gives me the most agony as well as the most ecstasy, so I think it comes out on top.

You recap The Vampire Diaries every week and share an amazing amount of insight. What about this
show inspires you to write?

I think two things made me start recapping: one, the shipper wars were driving me bananas and I wanted to offer an alternative (At this point I’m Team Wickery Bridge), and two, both the show and the fandom take themselves so seriously (not necessarily a bad thing) that I absolutely had to snark on it. As I’ve said on the blog, it’s important to be able to poke fun at the things you love, because if you can’t, you begin to lose touch with reality. Speaking as someone who lives in her own world most of the time, reality does still have its benefits – it’s where your real three-dimensional friends live.

Anything you watch that you wish you could just give up?

Right now, no, but I definitely have in the past. I have this theory that all TV shows should have a maximum five-year lifespan. So many shows go on and on way past the point where they run out of story, but if every show had a time limit, the writers could plan the story arc and character evolution, leave a little room for surprises, and really devote themselves to those five seasons. Typically seasons two and three are the best, four and five are great, and after that it starts spinning its wheels – I’ve given up on two shows in the last few years right around that time because I just got tired of feeling jerked around by the writers. I was intensely devoted to both Supernatural and Bones, but finally, I just couldn’t do it anymore. I dreaded new episodes because I spent so much time throwing things at the screen. So I dragged myself away, and though I’ve heard both shows have gotten way better, I haven’t been terribly interested in going back.

As always, there have been a LOT of new shows this season. Anything you are madly in love with?
Anything you were hoping to love but just didn’t?

I try really hard to keep the number of shows I watch to a minimum, so I haven’t watched a whole lot of what’s new this year. But during premiere week, I had a boring evening with nothing to do, and I watched the pilot of Arrow fully expecting it to be ridiculous. It was awesome. I’ve become hopelessly hooked. I can’t even say why; there have been some cringe-worthy moments and stumbles like any infant show, but I just love where they’re taking it and some of the storytelling decisions have been fantastic. Even if I wanted to look away I can’t because they brought in John Barrowman. Plus Stephen Amell spends a lot of time shirtless, and that’s never a bad thing.

Vampire Diaries Season 4 is well under way. What has been your favorite part of the season so far?

I think so far Damon’s character has been the best thing. He consistently gets the best dialogue, especially in the standout ep “Memorial,” which many people agree is the best so far this season. I love that he’s the one who asks the questions nobody else will ask, like whether Stefan wants to “cure” Elena for her sake or because he can’t love her as a vampire. I don’t especially want Damon and Elena to hook up because both brothers are way more interesting, smart, and enjoyable when they’re not with her. But the dynamic between the two brothers remains the best thing about the show. I love that their roles are so different from what was established in the first season – it’s not just a question of good brother/bad brother. It’s so much more complicated than that. Neither is wholly good or bad, and their dark sides bubble up to the surface over and over. I’m kind of hoping that we’ll get to see Damon go back off the rails…preferably for reasons unrelated to Elena. I think everyone’s done enough fretting and pining over Elena.

I hate using the term “guilty pleasure” because I never feel guilty about TV but, is there something
you’re embarrassed to admit you watch regularly?

I agree – unless you’re kicking puppies, your pleasures should never be guilty. Having said that, it’s surprising how many people my age give me the hairy eyeball when they find out not only do I watch a show about teenage vampires, I blog about it. I’m not into YA literature for the most part; my books are definitely for an adult audience. On the other hand I’m not into adult vampire shows like True Blood (I have a serious aversion to True Blood, in fact). But people who’ve never watched TVD think it’s just Twilight all over again, and if they had any idea how much more complex, mature, believable, and well-written it is, they might not make such a comparison. Not all adult women have to confine their viewing to medical and police procedurals.

Favorite television character of all time:

Willow Rosenberg from Buffy. Aside from the Buffster herself, Willow had the most dramatic and believable character evolution on the show, from awkward nerd to powerful witch to Darth Willow and eventually into her own woman. Two of my favorite episodes are the ones that feature Vampire Willow, an “evil, skanky, and kinda gay” version of Will from an alternate universe. As you might have guessed I’m a sucker for great character growth. All her doubts, insecurities, and strengths made her so real, and her goofy wit made her enduringly endearing.

Favorite Television moment of all time:

Oh, there are so many, but if I had to pick one right at this second I think that would have to be the moment in the season 4 premiere of Supernatural, Lazarus Rising, in which Dean, newly escaped from hell, first meets Castiel. That one moment completely changed the course of the show and turned its entire universe on its head – up until that point angels had never been mentioned, and bringing that mythology into the show was just a ballsy move on all fronts. A lot of people would disagree, preferring the monster-of-the-week format of the early seasons, but I love, love, love a good mytharc, and the possibilities that sprang up just in the wake of that one conversation made my little writer’s heart do a Snoopy dance. The phrase “game-changer” is way overused nowadays but that scene was definitely a game-changer.

The show you wished would have never ended:

I’m still pissed at the CW for cancelling The Secret Circle. Was it perfect? No. But it had so much potential – they really hit their stride midseason and that finale was amazing. Given some of the stuff they’ve kept on for years and years, it’s doubly galling that something smart and complicated with the potential to be even more awesome was thrown away…and has since been replaced with Beauty and the Beast, a wholly unnecessary remake that is one of the worst things I’ve ever seen on television.

If you could say one thing to all of the current TV watchers what would it be?

Calm down, guys. Seriously. Between the ridiculous shipper wars and people heaping abuse on showrunners on Twitter, online fandom is really showing its ass these days. Imaginary people are not worth hurting real people.

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November 9, 2012 · 4:09 am

Sibling Rivalry Pt. 1: ‘Supernatural’ – Thoughts on Winchesters in Distress

My sister has been visiting this week. She’s never watched Supernatural and I have been determined to get her hooked on it while she is here. We have been skipping around a lot, watching episodes from all of the seasons. I keep wondering if she is waiting for a big romantic story line or if she will be satisfied with the entire premise being all about the love between two brothers. I would hope that she would be. Her and I have always been very close. We have always had our differences as well. Neither one of us is happier than on the road, traveling to a new place. Together.

The Winchester brothers have always had issues, too. Starting even before season one. This week’s episode did a great job of pulling almost everything the brothers have ever fought about into one place. And we are all sitting around holding the pieces. Some of us are trying to keep score while others are doing their best to keep from falling apart.

There is something that people who are only children and people who are not close to their siblings need to know: we will say anything, ANYTHING to hurt the ones we love most, when we ourselves are hurting. Not because it’s true. Only because WE CAN. We do it to each other all the time. When we are in pain, the only thing that feels better sometimes is inflicting that same pain on the person we love, that person who gets us more than anyone else does. It’s wrong and it’s unfair but it is the way it is.

Sam and Dean are masters at it. Especially this week. They are finding every excuse to bicker and be snarky toward one another. They make faces and snide remarks in place of actual conversation. Of course, this has been going on since the beginning of season 8. And, if we want to look further, in many ways it has been going on forever. Newsflash: Sam and Dean are fundamentally different.

We know for a fact that Dean has always seen family differently. For him it is tied into his own circulatory system. He remembers losing his mother. He remembers rushing Sam from the burning fire of his nursery. He lived every day of his life trying to protect and take care of Sam. This is all that he knows. He was also raised under the tutelage of the John Winchester school of everything that isn’t human is bad. In most cases, that is true. And even though the Dean we know sees only black and white, he has seen the gray on occasion (Lenore) and the Dean of now sees gray better than ever before. John Winchester was cruel to tell Dean that he may have to kill Sam at some point. No one should have to carry that burden. But, in “Croatoan,” we learn, not for the fist time,  that Dean would never live without his brother.

Family is a different feeling for Dean. It’s the only thing that he has always clung to. The only thing that has kept him going at times. It was incredibly hard for him to accept Cas into his family and once he did, he was terribly burned by that. But he found a way to forgive. He always does. Dean holds his family to a higher standard than he does anyone else. Nothing in the world is more important to him. And even while playing golf and buying beers for buddies in season 6, he asked for Cas and tried to get Sam back. He would have traded anything to have his brother walking the earth again. He would have traded his own life. We know that, because he did it once before.

Dean has every right to be angry about Ruby. Sam got high and chose a demon over his own brother. Nothing could have devastated Dean more. Never before is Dean’s sense of family more apparent than in “Dark Side of the Moon.” Dean has been to hell, he has seen some GOD AWFUL SHIT. And still, one of his worst memories is Sam leaving him to go to college. The first thing he wants to know after getting into heaven: Where is Sam? So why is it any surprise that Dean would be upset when he learns that Sam didn’t look for him after he was zapped into Purgatory? Why is it a surprise that Dean would find family there? Not just any guy, but a guy that helped him AND Cas. A guy that saved both of their lives. Dean has never taken family lightly. Why would he with Benny?

Sam has always been different, too. and I don’t just mean in the demon blood kind of way. Sam does not remember his mother. Sam only remembers a father that was difficult at best, a tyrant at worst. Sam only remembers wanting a normal life. The exact opposite of the life he was born into. He is allowed to want that. Who wouldn’t? Sam has been dealt every wrong card in the deck and he has done the best he could with every single one. Being told at the ripe old age of 23 that something is wrong with you, cannot set well with any soul. And yet, he always did his best. To fight not just with his brother, but for his brother.

Sam made a terrible mistake with Ruby. He knows that. And he more than covered his recompense. He sacrificed himself into the pits of hell in order to save the world. And mostly, to save Dean. We all know that Sam cannot be held accountable for what happened while he was sans soul. It hurt Dean while it was happening but the real Sam never meant to do harm. He only wanted to save people and to make the world a better place. His intentions were always good.He dealt with Lucifer hallucinations time and again because he would never leave his brother out there alone.

I can only imagine what Sam went through after Dean disappeared. He must have been destroyed. Disparaged. Reduced.  I am beginning to understand why he didn’t look for him. Life has always held a different meaning for Sam. Dean has always lead the way. And when he didn’t have Dean, he had Cas or Bobby. When all of those options are gone, where do you go? Sam fled. To distances unknown. He met a girl, he found a life, he tried to live outside of everything he was born into. Just as he had always hoped to do. I don’t think that it means that he doesn’t love his brother. I don’t think that it means that he was able to live easily without him. I think that he was lost. And broken. And devastated. He did what he has always done. He tried to build a life outside of his family. Outside of the life he was destined for.

Dean has always had a problem with keeping secrets. He knows that it’s bad and he he does it anyways. Sam will always try to rebel against Dean. It’s in is very makeup to do so. We must also remember that we’re not allowed to tell someone that they cannot FEEL the way that they feel, no matter how wrong we think their feelings are. If Dean FEELS betrayed by Sam, we have to deal with that. If Sam FEELS misunderstood by Dean, we need to deal with that, too.

These favorite brothers of ours must be able to communicate. To empathize. To understand each other. Sam cannot possibly understand the horror that was Purgatory. Dean cannot possibly understand what it must have been like to be left all alone. We have to understand that they never set out with the intention of hurting each other. But, if they do not meet eye to eye, there is little hope that they will be able to do what needs to be done. They are always stronger when they work together with understanding. Can we hope that they will find the common ground in time to save the world, yet again?

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October 24, 2012 · 6:11 pm

‘Supernatural’ Guest Star Ty Olsson Talks Benny & SPN Fandom

There’s a new monster in town on Supernatural and I know we’re all waiting on pins and needles to learn more about him. Though we won’t see Ty Olsson’s Benny in tonight’s all new episode, we’ll be getting lots of him in next week’s “Blood Brother.” He recently took some time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions for me and his responses are just too awesome to keep to myself for a whole week (very minimal spoilers below). Be sure to follow Ty on Twitter and don’t miss all new episodes of Supernatural, Wednesdays at 9:00 PM EST.

You have appeared on Supernatural once before. Can you tell me about coming back to the show as a new character and how that happened?

This is something that happens fairly frequently, particularly in shows that run a long time like Supernatural. In True Justice with Steven Seagal I played 2 characters in back to back seasons. I’m fortunate to have the ability to change my look easily and as well to have a range to allow this. Coming back to Supernatural was interesting because many of the crew had been with the show for many [years] ,so it was great having that moment of saying ” OH that’s where you’ve been. ” Other than being vampires, Benny and Eli really aren’t very similar. But they do look a little alike, don’t you think? ;)

What is your favorite thing about playing Benny? Your least favorite thing?

I love the storylines they’re giving Benny. He’s a complex character that struggles with the reality of what he is. A bloodthirsty vampire…Unlike a typical bloodsucker though his conscience and soul leave him in constant turmoil. Keeping his hunger at bay and searching for a place to fit in leaves him lost between the human world and his predatory one. I think in many ways Benny is still in Purgatory.

There really isn’t a down side to playing Benny, I do what I love for a living and have been given the chance to play this amazingly well written, complex character. What’s not to love? If I had to pick something it be that he seems to spend a lotta time dirty..hahaha.

Is there anything you have not yet been given the opportunity to do as Benny that you would love to do?

An on camera, epic bloodbath, fight scene … a beautiful and violent ballet of death with the song “Benny and the Jets,” playing in the background..

The Supernatural fandom is very passionate and protective of their show. What has your fandom experience been like so far?

Love the fans, little kooky (like me), very passionate and they make me laugh out loud every day. Been really enjoying being able to connect with them over twitter. We have a little unofficial contest going …who gets more blushes…I’m destroying them !!  It’s all in good fun and I’m grateful that so many people are enjoying my work as Benny.  Not only that but I seem to have my own little internet IT team!! They have all been so helpful!!

You’ve recently been announced as a guest for the Vancouver Supernatural Convention. Is there anything specific you are looking forward to? Anything you are secretly fearing?

I’m SOOO excited about getting the opportunity to do some conventions in 2013. What a great opportunity for me to travel, meet fans, and maybe squeeze a little R and R in ..I guess if I had a fear … losing a little bit of my anonymity. I’ve been fortunate to work a lot over the years,  but I’ve never really had to worry that if i do something dumb (my only other talent) everyone is gonna know about it . I’ve already promised some fans a drunken karaoke night out … .Sigh* I guess it’s inevitable.

Other than Supernatural, of course, is there a show on television you are really excited about watching?

I don’t have time to watch much TV to be honest…but I have recently started watching The Walking Dead and am enjoying the first season quite a lot ..

Anything you are embarrassed to admit you watch regularly?

I have two young girls so when they are with me the TV is perpetually on kids channels…and I will confess some of them get me watching …I actually thought Hannah Montana was a pretty damn good show hahaha…Nooooo I never turned it on myself … but I’d watch and yes was curious how the series was gonna end ..I’ve seen ALL the kids and teeny shows out there …Witches of Waverly Place is pretty well done too…and the Suite Life ..ok…..I’m gonna stop now .

What is the most important thing the Supernatural fans should know about you?

The most important thing fans should know about me? I wear boxers. Not briefs. And no, I will not smell Jared, Jensen or Misha for you. Although I’m sure they do smell amazing as you say.

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Don’t miss my weekly Supernatural Recaps at TheTelevixen.com. 

photo courtesy of CWTV.com

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