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LJ Meme | SPN
I saw this Supernatural meme popping up on several other blogs, and since I was in the mood to write but had no review to occupy my time, I decided to give it a shot. In the end, it took me longer than I anticipated, mainly because I can never just give a simple answer and be done with it, so prepare for some lengthy rambles under the cut.
1. Deangirl or Samgirl?
Once upon a time, when the Supernatural fandom was still shiny and new, the terms Deangirl and Samgirl used to be harmless fun. It was a simple way to express your love for one of the characters without demoting the other. Nowadays, however, I have grown wary of those terms, mainly because I came to associate them with one of the most frustrating facets of fandom, namely Sam versus Dean wars. I am often repulsed by the viciousness and hate with which rabid fangirls crusade against either of the brothers and, honestly, it’s a mystery to me how a show that is all about love, loyalty, understanding and forgiveness can bring forth a fandom that is so torn and filled with rage and hate. Anyway, I tend to categorise myself as 'bibro with Sam leanings'. Even though I may relate to Sam a tad more than to Dean, I genuinely adore both brothers, and I simply can’t imagine the one without the other. I honestly believe that the only way to truly enjoy the show is to love both Sam and Dean, warts and all.
2. Casgirl, yes or no?
No, not even a little bit. In fact, the character has long overstayed its welcome for me. Let me take this opportunity to talk about my conflicted relationship with Castiel. My main problem with the angel is that I was never able to completely buy into his friendship with Sam and Dean. I mean, the writers may constantly tell us that Castiel is the brothers’ best friend, but they failed to actually show that in a believable manner. See, unlike the relationship between Sam and Dean, for example, or the relationship between the brothers and Bobby, Castiel and the brothers had no history when then angel entered the scene, hence it was crucial to carefully establish their relationship on-screen in order for the audience to become invested. However, while the step from strangers to allies was reasonably convincing, the step from allies to friends skipped several important stages for me. Let’s take Sam and Castiel, for example. Throughout S4 and the first half of S5 they had barely any interaction, and what little interaction they did have, was rather tense and awkward. We never saw them actually becoming friends, i.e. spending time together or sharing intimate moments, so it seemed terribly forced when Castiel suddenly claimed that Sam is his friend or Sam declared that he would die for the angel. While the writers made more of an effort to at least establish Dean’s personal relationship with Castiel, I always felt that the angel’s otherworldly nature stood in the way of true closeness between them. And that feeling was deepened by the fact that Dean never And that feeling was deepened by the fact that Dean never sought out Castiel's company just for the sake of companionship, to hang out or share his feelings or inquire after the angel's well-being; he still only ever contacted the angel if he needed something from him, and hence Castiel always came off as a valued ally to Dean, but not so much as a confidante and friend.
The problem was only exacerbated by the fact that we knew things about Castiel that the brothers were not aware of – most notably that Castiel betrayed Dean’s trust when he let Sam out of the panic room – and since Castiel never told Sam and Dean about his transgression, he appeared unrepentant and secretive. There is little doubt that Dean’s relationship with Castiel in S5 would have taken a different course, had he known of the angel’s betrayal, and I found it really difficult to develop positive feelings for their so-called friendship, knowing that one of them kept a secret of that magnitude. I mean, look at Sam and Dean, for example. Whenever they lie/betray each other, it always comes to light one way or the other. So, when they work through their conflict and reconcile, we usually take those steps with them and hence achieve closure as well. We never got that sense of closure where Castiel’s betrayal in S4 was concerned and, as a result, I have never been able to fully trust him or accept that Sam and Dean do. The fact that Castiel often refused to take responsibility for his own actions by blaming his choices on Dean and frequently berated the brothers for their shortcomings but failed to admit to his own, certainly didn’t help matters. Overall, I will not deny that Castiel took some serious personal risks to help the brothers and that he genuinely cares about them, but there has been a lack of openness and equality in his interaction with Sam and Dean these past four years that I find detrimental to a newly formed friendship. Hence Castiel’s alleged position as the brothers’ closest friend often feels contrived to me, which in turn prevented me from embracing the character as a part of Sam and Dean’s extended family. For me the brothers best friend has always been Bobby, who stood by them through thick and thin, who treated them as equals and on whom both brothers were always able to lean for emotional support.
3. Favourite season?
My favourite season is without a doubt S2, mainly because I feel that Sam and Dean are closest in that season. S2 gives us protective big brother Dean in all his glory, a vulnerable Sam, who desperately tries to escape his destiny, and plenty of hurt/comfort moments. So, what’s not to love? Moreover, the four episode mini-arc that deals with the aftermath of John’s death is one of the best emotional arcs of the show, and the events in the S2 finale create a ripple effect that is still tangible several seasons later. Basically, S2 is the lynchpin for the entire mytharc. Overall, there are a couple of episodes I find subpar, but generally I think the writing is really strong throughout the season.
4. Favourite episode(s) from your favourite season?
My Top5 S2 episodes are:
5. Season you're most likely to re-watch?
Well, since S2 is my favourite season, I am most likely to re-watch it. However, it’s probably almost as likely for me to re-watch S1 or S7. I love to go back to S1, because I often miss the simpler times. Times, when Sam and Dean were still (relatively) innocent, and their most pressing concern was to find their dad. Times, when Dean was still optimistic and full of life and Sam still believed that he has a future outside of hunting. While S1 is the season where the brothers still have the worst ahead of them, S7 is the season where they have the worst behind them and grapple with the consequences of everything that happened to them, and I find that an equally fascinating point in their story. Moreover, Sam and Dean are more mature in their interaction and more on an equal footing with each other nowadays, and I enjoy that as well.
6. Season you hate the most?
Well, hate is maybe too strong a word – I don’t think I truly hate any Supernatural season – but my least favourite season so far is S4. I have written a long essay about the various reasons why I am not particularly thrilled with S4, but here’s the short version:
7. Favourite episode of the current season?
My favourite episode of the current season is Hello, Cruel World, mainly because it’s the most emotional Sam-and-Dean episode S7 has to offer. The warehouse scene in particular is one of the best brotherly moments in the entire show for me. That being said, the episode is closely followed by Death’s Door (for the emotional impact), Repo Man (for Sam’s story), Defending Your Life (for Dean’s story) and Time After Time & Slash Fiction (for the sheer fun).
8. Least favourite episode from the current season?
Is there any other choice than Season Seven, Time For A Wedding? Well, at least at this point in the season. Who knows what the next five episodes will bring!
9. Favorite angel?
It's commonly known that I am not a big fan of the angels, but if I had to choose, I think it would be a toss between Zachariah and Lucifer. Zachariah was just so much fun to watch. The combination of sarcasm, pettiness, ambition and viciousness in Zachariah’s character made him one of the most entertaining villains of the show, and Kurt Fuller brought him to life with visible enthusiasm. Lucifer, on the other hand, was one of the creepiest villains for me. His cruel psychological mind-games were chilling, and the raw brutality hidden behind a calm and seemingly sympathetic demeanour was really unnerving. Mark Pellegrino (and the writers) really did an excellent job with the character.
10. Least favourite angel?
I think my least favourite angel is Anna. I liked her well enough in the mid-S4 two-parter, but her subsequent appearances quickly turned me off the character. She often came off as condescending, arrogant and self-righteous to me, especially in The Rapture. That being said, I am not particularly fond of Raphael either. Like with Anna, I enjoyed his first appearance, but in later episodes I found him pretty boring. He was very ineffectual as a villain as well.
11. Favourite demon?
As much as I love Crowley, my favourite demon overall was Azazel. He was one of the very few villains of the show that I found truly menacing. The open cruelty in his whole demeanour was quite unsettling. I mean, he could have killed Mary and Jessica in any number of ways, but he chose to burn them alive while John and Sam were watching, and that tells us everything about his character. Azazel’s cruelty was always so personal, and that made his relationship with the Winchesters so much more intimate than that of the subsequent Big Bads, except maybe for Lucifer's. That’s why it was so immensely satisfying when Sam, Dean and John finally managed to take their revenge on the demon, despite the price they paid for that victory.
12. Least favourite demon?
I admit, I am not particularly fond of Meg or Lilith or Ruby. However, Lilith and Ruby at least played a vital role in the overarching story, which is why I am more inclined to accept them, even though I think they have not always been the best written (or acted) characters. That leaves Meg, and while I don’t really hate the character, I could well live without her. The fact that I find Rachel Miner’s acting subpar for the show doesn’t help matters. I enjoyed the character more when Nicki Aycox played her, but overall Meg was never a favourite of mine.
13. Favourite one-episode character?
Over the years the show created plenty of highly memorable one-off characters, but Ronald Resnick (Nightshifter) is the first one that comes to mind here.
14. Sam's hair looked best in which season?
I think Sam’s hair looks best in S3/4, but I rarely think that it looks bad. Granted, there are some episodes where it seems entirely out of control, like in Everybody Loves A Clown for example, but overall I like all of Sam’s various hairstyles.
15. If the show would have ended the way Kripke wanted it to, with Sam and Dean battling each other and jumping into the hole together (and God might show mercy on them, idk), would you have preferred that?
I admit, I never heard it formulated like that. As I understand it, Kripke originally planned for Sam to give into his powers in order to save Dean and turn evil in the process. As a result, Dean would have been forced to hunt his brother down and kill him, just like John told him to. While I think that storyline would have been far more consistent than the one we got, I find it way too bleak, and I am eternally grateful that it never came to pass. Sam and Dean battling each other as Lucifer and Michael (if that is what the question refers to) would have been equally as bad in my opinion. If Sam and Dean had been reduced to mindless vessels in a petty fight between angels, it would not only have deprived them of their own agency, but it would also have undermined the meaning of their journey. As it is, I am very happy with Swan Song. Brotherly love triumphs over destiny – and that’s exactly what I wanted from the resolution to the apocalypse arc. It’s the only resolution that feels right to me.
16. Best casted character throughout the whole show?
That’s easy! I think it was stroke of genius on Kripke’s part to cast Jared and Jensen in the roles of Sam and Dean. I am pretty sure I wouldn’t still be here if it wasn’t for their outstanding chemistry and their ability to bring these brothers to life. Jensen and Jared’s performances infuse their characters with depth and layers – sometimes even in spite of weak scripts – and the way they play off each other in intimate brotherly moments is just marvellous. Often they communicate more in a simple look between Sam and Dean than in the words they say, and there is always a genuine sense of history and closeness in their interaction with each other, which makes them so believable as brothers. In short, Jensen and Jared are Dean and Sam, and I truly believe they are a vital part of the show’s success.
17. Do you think Chuck is God?
No, categorically so! In my review to Swan Song I have written in some length about the reasons why the assumption that Chuck is God makes no sense to me, and I stand by that assessment.
18. Who's the hotter psychic, Patrica Arquette, Jennifer Love Hewitt or Sam?
Sam, duh!
19. Freedom or Peace?
Why would that be mutually exclusive? Anyway, there is nothing I want more than for Sam and Dean to find some measure of peace at the end of the show, and I am not particularly picky about how the writers achieve that. As long as the brothers are together and not at odds with each other, I am good. My favourite scenario is Sam and Dean settling down and taking Bobby’s place as the go-to guy(s) for other hunters. I would also be happy with Sam and Dean riding off into the sunset, saving people, hunting things. I could even live with the brothers going out in a blaze of glory and finding peace in the afterlife. I mean, ever since Dark Side Of The Moon gave us the certainty that Sam and Dean will spend their afterlife together, I don’t feel quite as depressed when I think of their death as I used to. So, yeah, peace. There are no two fictional characters that deserve it more.
Edit: I was just reminded of the fact that, of course, this question refers to Castiel's question to Dean at the end of Swan Song. In that context I would choose Freedom, obviously.
20. Dimples, freckles, eye-crinkles, bowlegs, bangs, woobie frowns or jaw clinches?
Why choose, when I can love it all?
21. Favourite kind of monster?
That’s a difficult question. I enjoy most of the monsters, especially since they are usually designed to reflect/parallel Sam and Dean’s emotional conflicts. However, I find shapeshifters particularly fascinating. Their ability to assume someone else’s identity and thus wreak havoc on their unsuspecting families and friends – framing their victims as the perpetrators in the process – is just exceptionally cruel in my opinion. By the way, the fact that they’re shapeshifters is one of the many reasons why I like the leviathans so much.
22. Weapon of choice?
I don’t actually favour any of Sam and Dean’s weapons. I will admit, however, that even though I loathe guns in real life, I find the brothers’ casual competence with guns incredibly attractive. It’s possible that I watched that scene in Nightmare where Dean disassembles and cleans his guns way too often.
23. Favourite death?
I think that would be Sam’s death in All Hell Breaks Loose. It was the first major character death, and it came as a complete surprise for me. At the time I was naive enough to think that the writers would never be able to kill either Sam or Dean, because they are the only lead characters. Well, the show surely cured me from that notion. Moreover though, the scene where Dean holds his dead brother in his arms, desperately clutching Sam to his chest and crying out in anguish, is incredibly emotional; the intensity of the scene kills me every single time. Not to mention that Sam’s death gave us Dean’s monologue at Sam’s death bed, which is still one of the most heart-wrenching scenes – if not the most heart-wrenching scene – of the entire show in my opinion.
24. Favourite minor character's death?
Out of all character deaths that are not Sam and Dean, Bobby’s death has impacted me the most, and I think his goodbye in Death’s Door was truly momentous. Of course, I don’t consider Bobby a minor character. He has become such a central figure in Sam and Dean’s lives over the years that he earned honorary Winchester status in my book.
25. Pre-apocalyptic, apocalyptic or post-apocalyptic?
Pre-apocalyptic, definitely. I think the build-up to the apocalypse in S1–3 was a lot more interesting than the actual event in S4/5. The numerous narrative problems of S5 in particular prevented that the apocalypse storyline ever truly gained momentum. However, I do enjoy post-apocalyptic as well, mainly because we get to see the aftermath of the events that have shaped our heroes' lives. Sam and Dean prevented the end of the world, but what is the price they had to pay for that victory? How do they move on from the horrors they have suffered – if that is possible at all – and rebuild their lives? I love the exploration of these questions, and I am glad Supernatural got the chance to go there.
26. Scariest episode?
If we are talking about supernatural scares, Bloody Mary is on the top of my list. However, episodes that deal with monsters of the human variety, like The Benders or Repo Man, creep me out the most. I’m with Dean on that one. Demons I get, people are just crazy!
27. Best song that mattered for a scene? (you can't choose Carry on Wayward Son)
Renegade by Styx (Nightshifter)
28. Best and worst young versions of characters?
I think there is little doubt that Colin Ford is the perfect young Sam. He not only has the right looks, but also the acting skills and he easily manages to incorporate Jared’s mannerisms for the character into his performance. Colin was a truly lucky find for the show. ♥ I also have to mention Amy Gumenick’s young Mary here, because while I always loved Mary’s character, it was Amy’s impressive performance (in conjunction with the excellent writing) in In The Beginning and The Song Remains The Same that elevated her to my favourite female character of the show. I don’t actually dislike any of the younger versions of the characters, so I can’t name a worst version.
29. Characters I ship like crazy?
I don’t actually have any romantic ships in Supernatural. In fact, I like that the show never really focuses on romantic relationships and explores familial bonds and friendships instead. I adore Dean/Lisa and Sam/Jess and even young John/Mary, but I don’t actively ship them in the crazily obsessive manner I shipped pairings on other shows. That being said, I tend to refer to Sam and Dean as my gen!OTP. ♥ I consider them platonic soulmates who will always be each others’ stone number one, regardless of the relationships they may form with other people. Admittedly, I am crazily obsessed with Sam and Dean’s relationship, but I don’t think that counts as shipping, at least not in the conventional sense.
30. Favourite female character?
Mary Winchester! ♥ I never thought it would be possible for Mary to become such a vibrant, three-dimensional character over the course of the show, considering that she dies in the opening sequence of the Pilot. Jody Mills would come in at a close second though. Her competence, openness, warmth and maturity endear Jody to me immensely. ♥
31. Best and worst season intro and finale?
Okay, my votes go to:
1. Deangirl or Samgirl?
Once upon a time, when the Supernatural fandom was still shiny and new, the terms Deangirl and Samgirl used to be harmless fun. It was a simple way to express your love for one of the characters without demoting the other. Nowadays, however, I have grown wary of those terms, mainly because I came to associate them with one of the most frustrating facets of fandom, namely Sam versus Dean wars. I am often repulsed by the viciousness and hate with which rabid fangirls crusade against either of the brothers and, honestly, it’s a mystery to me how a show that is all about love, loyalty, understanding and forgiveness can bring forth a fandom that is so torn and filled with rage and hate. Anyway, I tend to categorise myself as 'bibro with Sam leanings'. Even though I may relate to Sam a tad more than to Dean, I genuinely adore both brothers, and I simply can’t imagine the one without the other. I honestly believe that the only way to truly enjoy the show is to love both Sam and Dean, warts and all.
2. Casgirl, yes or no?
No, not even a little bit. In fact, the character has long overstayed its welcome for me. Let me take this opportunity to talk about my conflicted relationship with Castiel. My main problem with the angel is that I was never able to completely buy into his friendship with Sam and Dean. I mean, the writers may constantly tell us that Castiel is the brothers’ best friend, but they failed to actually show that in a believable manner. See, unlike the relationship between Sam and Dean, for example, or the relationship between the brothers and Bobby, Castiel and the brothers had no history when then angel entered the scene, hence it was crucial to carefully establish their relationship on-screen in order for the audience to become invested. However, while the step from strangers to allies was reasonably convincing, the step from allies to friends skipped several important stages for me. Let’s take Sam and Castiel, for example. Throughout S4 and the first half of S5 they had barely any interaction, and what little interaction they did have, was rather tense and awkward. We never saw them actually becoming friends, i.e. spending time together or sharing intimate moments, so it seemed terribly forced when Castiel suddenly claimed that Sam is his friend or Sam declared that he would die for the angel. While the writers made more of an effort to at least establish Dean’s personal relationship with Castiel, I always felt that the angel’s otherworldly nature stood in the way of true closeness between them. And that feeling was deepened by the fact that Dean never And that feeling was deepened by the fact that Dean never sought out Castiel's company just for the sake of companionship, to hang out or share his feelings or inquire after the angel's well-being; he still only ever contacted the angel if he needed something from him, and hence Castiel always came off as a valued ally to Dean, but not so much as a confidante and friend.
The problem was only exacerbated by the fact that we knew things about Castiel that the brothers were not aware of – most notably that Castiel betrayed Dean’s trust when he let Sam out of the panic room – and since Castiel never told Sam and Dean about his transgression, he appeared unrepentant and secretive. There is little doubt that Dean’s relationship with Castiel in S5 would have taken a different course, had he known of the angel’s betrayal, and I found it really difficult to develop positive feelings for their so-called friendship, knowing that one of them kept a secret of that magnitude. I mean, look at Sam and Dean, for example. Whenever they lie/betray each other, it always comes to light one way or the other. So, when they work through their conflict and reconcile, we usually take those steps with them and hence achieve closure as well. We never got that sense of closure where Castiel’s betrayal in S4 was concerned and, as a result, I have never been able to fully trust him or accept that Sam and Dean do. The fact that Castiel often refused to take responsibility for his own actions by blaming his choices on Dean and frequently berated the brothers for their shortcomings but failed to admit to his own, certainly didn’t help matters. Overall, I will not deny that Castiel took some serious personal risks to help the brothers and that he genuinely cares about them, but there has been a lack of openness and equality in his interaction with Sam and Dean these past four years that I find detrimental to a newly formed friendship. Hence Castiel’s alleged position as the brothers’ closest friend often feels contrived to me, which in turn prevented me from embracing the character as a part of Sam and Dean’s extended family. For me the brothers best friend has always been Bobby, who stood by them through thick and thin, who treated them as equals and on whom both brothers were always able to lean for emotional support.
3. Favourite season?
My favourite season is without a doubt S2, mainly because I feel that Sam and Dean are closest in that season. S2 gives us protective big brother Dean in all his glory, a vulnerable Sam, who desperately tries to escape his destiny, and plenty of hurt/comfort moments. So, what’s not to love? Moreover, the four episode mini-arc that deals with the aftermath of John’s death is one of the best emotional arcs of the show, and the events in the S2 finale create a ripple effect that is still tangible several seasons later. Basically, S2 is the lynchpin for the entire mytharc. Overall, there are a couple of episodes I find subpar, but generally I think the writing is really strong throughout the season.
4. Favourite episode(s) from your favourite season?
My Top5 S2 episodes are:
- In My Time Of Dying
- What Is and What Should Never Be
- Born Under A Bad Sign
- Nightshifter
- Hunted
5. Season you're most likely to re-watch?
Well, since S2 is my favourite season, I am most likely to re-watch it. However, it’s probably almost as likely for me to re-watch S1 or S7. I love to go back to S1, because I often miss the simpler times. Times, when Sam and Dean were still (relatively) innocent, and their most pressing concern was to find their dad. Times, when Dean was still optimistic and full of life and Sam still believed that he has a future outside of hunting. While S1 is the season where the brothers still have the worst ahead of them, S7 is the season where they have the worst behind them and grapple with the consequences of everything that happened to them, and I find that an equally fascinating point in their story. Moreover, Sam and Dean are more mature in their interaction and more on an equal footing with each other nowadays, and I enjoy that as well.
6. Season you hate the most?
Well, hate is maybe too strong a word – I don’t think I truly hate any Supernatural season – but my least favourite season so far is S4. I have written a long essay about the various reasons why I am not particularly thrilled with S4, but here’s the short version:
- I think that, to this day, the way the writers (mis)handled Dean’s post-hell arc is the greatest disservice they ever did to one of the main characters
- In their efforts to go epic, the writers at times sacrificed the demands of Sam and Dean’s storylines for the angel mythology, and I find that simply unacceptable
- The deconstruction of the brotherly relationship was utterly painful to watch; it just made me plain miserable to see their estrangement grow from episode to episode
- The season took the characters to very dark places, and I admit that I wasn’t quite comfortable with some of the plot points, like for example, Dean becoming a torturer or Sam killing Cindy
7. Favourite episode of the current season?
My favourite episode of the current season is Hello, Cruel World, mainly because it’s the most emotional Sam-and-Dean episode S7 has to offer. The warehouse scene in particular is one of the best brotherly moments in the entire show for me. That being said, the episode is closely followed by Death’s Door (for the emotional impact), Repo Man (for Sam’s story), Defending Your Life (for Dean’s story) and Time After Time & Slash Fiction (for the sheer fun).
8. Least favourite episode from the current season?
Is there any other choice than Season Seven, Time For A Wedding? Well, at least at this point in the season. Who knows what the next five episodes will bring!
9. Favorite angel?
It's commonly known that I am not a big fan of the angels, but if I had to choose, I think it would be a toss between Zachariah and Lucifer. Zachariah was just so much fun to watch. The combination of sarcasm, pettiness, ambition and viciousness in Zachariah’s character made him one of the most entertaining villains of the show, and Kurt Fuller brought him to life with visible enthusiasm. Lucifer, on the other hand, was one of the creepiest villains for me. His cruel psychological mind-games were chilling, and the raw brutality hidden behind a calm and seemingly sympathetic demeanour was really unnerving. Mark Pellegrino (and the writers) really did an excellent job with the character.
10. Least favourite angel?
I think my least favourite angel is Anna. I liked her well enough in the mid-S4 two-parter, but her subsequent appearances quickly turned me off the character. She often came off as condescending, arrogant and self-righteous to me, especially in The Rapture. That being said, I am not particularly fond of Raphael either. Like with Anna, I enjoyed his first appearance, but in later episodes I found him pretty boring. He was very ineffectual as a villain as well.
11. Favourite demon?
As much as I love Crowley, my favourite demon overall was Azazel. He was one of the very few villains of the show that I found truly menacing. The open cruelty in his whole demeanour was quite unsettling. I mean, he could have killed Mary and Jessica in any number of ways, but he chose to burn them alive while John and Sam were watching, and that tells us everything about his character. Azazel’s cruelty was always so personal, and that made his relationship with the Winchesters so much more intimate than that of the subsequent Big Bads, except maybe for Lucifer's. That’s why it was so immensely satisfying when Sam, Dean and John finally managed to take their revenge on the demon, despite the price they paid for that victory.
12. Least favourite demon?
I admit, I am not particularly fond of Meg or Lilith or Ruby. However, Lilith and Ruby at least played a vital role in the overarching story, which is why I am more inclined to accept them, even though I think they have not always been the best written (or acted) characters. That leaves Meg, and while I don’t really hate the character, I could well live without her. The fact that I find Rachel Miner’s acting subpar for the show doesn’t help matters. I enjoyed the character more when Nicki Aycox played her, but overall Meg was never a favourite of mine.
13. Favourite one-episode character?
Over the years the show created plenty of highly memorable one-off characters, but Ronald Resnick (Nightshifter) is the first one that comes to mind here.
14. Sam's hair looked best in which season?
I think Sam’s hair looks best in S3/4, but I rarely think that it looks bad. Granted, there are some episodes where it seems entirely out of control, like in Everybody Loves A Clown for example, but overall I like all of Sam’s various hairstyles.
15. If the show would have ended the way Kripke wanted it to, with Sam and Dean battling each other and jumping into the hole together (and God might show mercy on them, idk), would you have preferred that?
I admit, I never heard it formulated like that. As I understand it, Kripke originally planned for Sam to give into his powers in order to save Dean and turn evil in the process. As a result, Dean would have been forced to hunt his brother down and kill him, just like John told him to. While I think that storyline would have been far more consistent than the one we got, I find it way too bleak, and I am eternally grateful that it never came to pass. Sam and Dean battling each other as Lucifer and Michael (if that is what the question refers to) would have been equally as bad in my opinion. If Sam and Dean had been reduced to mindless vessels in a petty fight between angels, it would not only have deprived them of their own agency, but it would also have undermined the meaning of their journey. As it is, I am very happy with Swan Song. Brotherly love triumphs over destiny – and that’s exactly what I wanted from the resolution to the apocalypse arc. It’s the only resolution that feels right to me.
16. Best casted character throughout the whole show?
That’s easy! I think it was stroke of genius on Kripke’s part to cast Jared and Jensen in the roles of Sam and Dean. I am pretty sure I wouldn’t still be here if it wasn’t for their outstanding chemistry and their ability to bring these brothers to life. Jensen and Jared’s performances infuse their characters with depth and layers – sometimes even in spite of weak scripts – and the way they play off each other in intimate brotherly moments is just marvellous. Often they communicate more in a simple look between Sam and Dean than in the words they say, and there is always a genuine sense of history and closeness in their interaction with each other, which makes them so believable as brothers. In short, Jensen and Jared are Dean and Sam, and I truly believe they are a vital part of the show’s success.
17. Do you think Chuck is God?
No, categorically so! In my review to Swan Song I have written in some length about the reasons why the assumption that Chuck is God makes no sense to me, and I stand by that assessment.
18. Who's the hotter psychic, Patrica Arquette, Jennifer Love Hewitt or Sam?
Sam, duh!
19. Freedom or Peace?
Why would that be mutually exclusive? Anyway, there is nothing I want more than for Sam and Dean to find some measure of peace at the end of the show, and I am not particularly picky about how the writers achieve that. As long as the brothers are together and not at odds with each other, I am good. My favourite scenario is Sam and Dean settling down and taking Bobby’s place as the go-to guy(s) for other hunters. I would also be happy with Sam and Dean riding off into the sunset, saving people, hunting things. I could even live with the brothers going out in a blaze of glory and finding peace in the afterlife. I mean, ever since Dark Side Of The Moon gave us the certainty that Sam and Dean will spend their afterlife together, I don’t feel quite as depressed when I think of their death as I used to. So, yeah, peace. There are no two fictional characters that deserve it more.
Edit: I was just reminded of the fact that, of course, this question refers to Castiel's question to Dean at the end of Swan Song. In that context I would choose Freedom, obviously.
20. Dimples, freckles, eye-crinkles, bowlegs, bangs, woobie frowns or jaw clinches?
Why choose, when I can love it all?
21. Favourite kind of monster?
That’s a difficult question. I enjoy most of the monsters, especially since they are usually designed to reflect/parallel Sam and Dean’s emotional conflicts. However, I find shapeshifters particularly fascinating. Their ability to assume someone else’s identity and thus wreak havoc on their unsuspecting families and friends – framing their victims as the perpetrators in the process – is just exceptionally cruel in my opinion. By the way, the fact that they’re shapeshifters is one of the many reasons why I like the leviathans so much.
22. Weapon of choice?
I don’t actually favour any of Sam and Dean’s weapons. I will admit, however, that even though I loathe guns in real life, I find the brothers’ casual competence with guns incredibly attractive. It’s possible that I watched that scene in Nightmare where Dean disassembles and cleans his guns way too often.
23. Favourite death?
I think that would be Sam’s death in All Hell Breaks Loose. It was the first major character death, and it came as a complete surprise for me. At the time I was naive enough to think that the writers would never be able to kill either Sam or Dean, because they are the only lead characters. Well, the show surely cured me from that notion. Moreover though, the scene where Dean holds his dead brother in his arms, desperately clutching Sam to his chest and crying out in anguish, is incredibly emotional; the intensity of the scene kills me every single time. Not to mention that Sam’s death gave us Dean’s monologue at Sam’s death bed, which is still one of the most heart-wrenching scenes – if not the most heart-wrenching scene – of the entire show in my opinion.
24. Favourite minor character's death?
Out of all character deaths that are not Sam and Dean, Bobby’s death has impacted me the most, and I think his goodbye in Death’s Door was truly momentous. Of course, I don’t consider Bobby a minor character. He has become such a central figure in Sam and Dean’s lives over the years that he earned honorary Winchester status in my book.
25. Pre-apocalyptic, apocalyptic or post-apocalyptic?
Pre-apocalyptic, definitely. I think the build-up to the apocalypse in S1–3 was a lot more interesting than the actual event in S4/5. The numerous narrative problems of S5 in particular prevented that the apocalypse storyline ever truly gained momentum. However, I do enjoy post-apocalyptic as well, mainly because we get to see the aftermath of the events that have shaped our heroes' lives. Sam and Dean prevented the end of the world, but what is the price they had to pay for that victory? How do they move on from the horrors they have suffered – if that is possible at all – and rebuild their lives? I love the exploration of these questions, and I am glad Supernatural got the chance to go there.
26. Scariest episode?
If we are talking about supernatural scares, Bloody Mary is on the top of my list. However, episodes that deal with monsters of the human variety, like The Benders or Repo Man, creep me out the most. I’m with Dean on that one. Demons I get, people are just crazy!
27. Best song that mattered for a scene? (you can't choose Carry on Wayward Son)
Renegade by Styx (Nightshifter)
28. Best and worst young versions of characters?
I think there is little doubt that Colin Ford is the perfect young Sam. He not only has the right looks, but also the acting skills and he easily manages to incorporate Jared’s mannerisms for the character into his performance. Colin was a truly lucky find for the show. ♥ I also have to mention Amy Gumenick’s young Mary here, because while I always loved Mary’s character, it was Amy’s impressive performance (in conjunction with the excellent writing) in In The Beginning and The Song Remains The Same that elevated her to my favourite female character of the show. I don’t actually dislike any of the younger versions of the characters, so I can’t name a worst version.
29. Characters I ship like crazy?
I don’t actually have any romantic ships in Supernatural. In fact, I like that the show never really focuses on romantic relationships and explores familial bonds and friendships instead. I adore Dean/Lisa and Sam/Jess and even young John/Mary, but I don’t actively ship them in the crazily obsessive manner I shipped pairings on other shows. That being said, I tend to refer to Sam and Dean as my gen!OTP. ♥ I consider them platonic soulmates who will always be each others’ stone number one, regardless of the relationships they may form with other people. Admittedly, I am crazily obsessed with Sam and Dean’s relationship, but I don’t think that counts as shipping, at least not in the conventional sense.
30. Favourite female character?
Mary Winchester! ♥ I never thought it would be possible for Mary to become such a vibrant, three-dimensional character over the course of the show, considering that she dies in the opening sequence of the Pilot. Jody Mills would come in at a close second though. Her competence, openness, warmth and maturity endear Jody to me immensely. ♥
31. Best and worst season intro and finale?
Okay, my votes go to:
- Best Opener: In My Time Of Dying
- Worst Opener: The Magnificent Seven
- Best Finale: I can’t really decide between Devil’s Trap and Swan Song here. I think the first is more tightly written, but the emotional impact of the latter is hard to top.
- Worst Finale: Lucifer Rising
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And that sentence, right there, kind of summarises the crazy relationship the show has with death!
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Ugh Meg, so much hate, even when she was the other actress I found her incredibly grating, especially on rewatches. I think she is part of why I so did not enjoy Salvation and DT on my most recent rewatch. I would definitely noit pick DT in general though. It pains me that the only female character who has consistently stuck around is the one I want to see gone more than anyone else...
And I think the "Freedom or Peace" question refers to that posed in s5--whether it's better to have post-Apocalyptic Paradise after Michael wins, or free will and the normal world as it is now. Like with Jasmine in s4 as well.
And s2 ftw! Though what is wrong with Sam's hair in RLAC?! :s. I thought s2 was his best hair...
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Yeah, I don't really get the Meg love. I mean, unlike you, I don't mind her in S1 and I think her use in Born Under A Bad Sign was truly inspired, but after that the character didn't really serve a particular purpose and Rachel Miner's performance only made it worse.
Ah, right. Yeah, I remember that moment. I guess my single-minded focus on Sam and Dean just redirected my interpretation of the question. LOL
re ELAC: Heh, there is this moment at the carnival where Sam's hair just seems to stick out into every direction. It looks ridiculous.
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Probably because 'she' was played by Jared at the time. LOL
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