a queer and pleasant danger

learnin' stuff

2013-05-21T00:45:48Z

So as I mentioned last week, Amy (sweetondean) and I decided to do a podcast during hellatus - The Women of Letters Half Hour Podcast. Now neither of us has done this before so there was a bit of technology wrangling involved, and of course doing the podcast. Then last night I started editing it in Audacity - cleaning it up, adding music etc. It was all very satisfying!

And thats something i love about fandom - I have learned so many things that i otherwise wouldn't have. I mean I've learned various sorts of coding, running a website, writing stuff obv, basic video/audio editing, and hey the things I can do in MS Paint... And thats not counting stuff like research for meta or fics which has had me delving into everything from religious mythology to film noir.

So what things has fandom learned you? Did you take up knitting so you good knit a Tardis dress, or learn Photoshop just so you could GIF pretty boys? Tell me of your mad skills!

smile!

2013-05-18T05:56:29Z

Jensen and Danneel at the UCLA Spring Fling tonight [x]

hot damn she looks so fuckable - all ripe and luscious!

you named a bee after me

2013-05-18T05:36:50Z

two other finales this week that were very satisfying - Scandal and Elementary. If you are not watching either of these shows - well now is the time to catch up!

* Oh Scandal! You big trash monster you! For those who don't know, Scandal is a Sondra Rhimes show. In S1 it was a pretty routine procedural about a group of political fixers in DC - people who manage and spin scandals. There were interesting characters and some political intrigue but I pretty much was going to let it go. The in Season 2 it just moved into an entirely new dimension of the most glorious soap and become a hit, helped probably in part to the explosion of twitter during every episode. The characters are all fucked and magnificent and in addition its an ensemble cast led by an African American woman, who gets to have hot sex with multiple people without being shamed for it and a gay couple that for once actually feels like a couple and who also have hot sex - shock horro even tho one of them is in his sixties! And everyone is morally fucked, and yet we somehow like them. The finale was all i wanted and more with a finale scene that literally made me laugh out loud.

* I've raved before about Elementary, the new Sherlock Holmes show, which has exceeded all my expectations. Comparisons to the BBS Sherlock are inevitable, and Elementary comes out miles ahead in my books, in terms of characterizations and the Holmes/Watson relationship. The finale centred around Irene Adler and Moriarty and suffice to say was shocking and moving. And while there's no doubt this was a Holmes centric finale, Watson is integral to it. her Watson is not only a crutch or tool for Holmes - they each complement the other, and are a true partnership.

If you watch either I'd love to know your thoughts on the finales.

don't you cry no more!

2013-05-17T03:30:05Z

Wow. Its pretty amazing after 8 years for a show to produce an episode as excellent as this, one packed with plot but with deeply satisfying character moments, as well as some challenging ones and some of the best damn writing and acting around. The ending managed to epic in imagery and concept, and yet it was also all about our boys, about Dean holding onto his little brother in the mud.

Cue "Carry On Wayward Son" and already the feelings swell, remembering not only the other 7 times this has played on the show, but also everytime I've sung it with a room full of fans. And hey Kansas even tweeted about it

"Tonight is the Supernatural season finale. Don't they have a pretty cool theme song to kick off each season finale?"

I particularly loved that as the lyrics "lay your weary head to rest" were sung we got a nice montage of the season's decapitations!

And then its into the teaser – and oh fuck its Sheriff Jodie on a date with Crowley!!!! And wow this hurst because she's hot, and he's being charming and I love her line "It's not a date till I've cried." And I don’t think I breathed at all during this.
Then wham she goes to the loos and he puts the hex on her! And then his phone plays Baby's Got Back and I die laughing.

Kevin diggs up the tablet from under the most gorgeous billboard with a grinning devil on it. Sam and Dean say they're going to deal with Crowley, and at this point I know they've got a plan but I am not sure what it is…

Next we are *clutches heart* back at Bobby's place and there's a gorgeous moment where Sam and Dean pause next to Bobby's car. I love these subtle touches, things the casual viewer might miss, but which mean the world to the hard core fan.

And its "Hello boys!" from Crowley who's as flirty and snarky as ever. I do LOVE the huge contract – okay it’s a cheap sight gag but it works so well. Also bureaucracy is the very embodiment of evil.

There's a nice touch where Dean and Sam pretend to argue a bit for authenticity, the irony being its exactly the sort of thing they WOULD argue about

And then Dean gets to snap! on the MoL special spelled up handcuffs, and sink his fist into Crowleys smug face.

The we cut to Metatron and Cas, who are onto what Cas thinks is trial #2 – stealing a Cupid's bow. I love the little bit of lightness here with Cas asking the bartender is he's inot "" "Nurse roleplay and light domination", and the guys nonplussed – "hey its before 10am on a Tuesday!" Because everyone knows you should only do nurse roleplay on every alternate Thursday.

And then Naomi and co. arrive, and I have to wonder if Metatron is not unhappy about this – knowing his plan maybe he thinks Cas will get the bow, and he can get some Angel grace in heaven, and cast the spell….

Sam and Dean have found a gorgeous little church for the last trial. One that the SPN construction crew built in 24 hours. I mean how incredible is that? (well the constructed the 2 sides we see, and the interiors were done on a sound stage)

When Dean offers Sam advice on what he could confess to – none of them are a surprise - but man knowing what will later find out about Sam's state of mind they must burn. And it says so much about their codependent fuckedupness, that neither of them can see how central they each are to their brother's universe.

Of course its hard for each of them to see this, because really they each don’t think they're worth caring about. So they view most of what their brother does through that lens. So Dean can only see that Sam didn’t look for him in Purgatory because he didn’t care, not because Sam simply fell apart. Sam sees Benny as a replacement because Dean thinks even a monster would be more trustworthy than him – not because Dean and Benny have a relationship based on their shared purgatory experience.

Sometimes – well its not all about you.

But as most of us know, relationships can be hard enough in the best of circumstances. And the Winchesters – aint been in that zip code their whole life!

First lets go to Dean and Cas and their bar chat. This is a wonderful quiet moment. But also sad. Its sort of like two friends who haven’t seen each other in ages, and meet just as one of them's aboutto leave the country. There's no doubt of the bond there, but they are both in quite different places, and have no chance to deal with whats happened. '

I do have to laugh that their het privilege totes make them miss the obvious pair-up! Obviously this a HUGE foreshadowing for next seasons Desitel. The one you really want is sometimes right in front of you!

Then Naomi turns up having learned that DUN DUN DUN Metatron is one crazy motherfucker bent on revenge, wanting to evict the angels from heaven. Oh and nto revealing that the trials will kill Sam.

It seems Naomi, really has only been trying to do what Castiel wants to, bring order to Heaven, protect her won. And like Cas has in the past, she sort of lost site of the slippery slope she'd gone down.

So we have Metatron draining Cas' grace to use in his spell, and dispatching him to Earth with a ":Have a nice life, come tell me a story when youre dead!" And not to go to meta, but remember Metatron (SEE HIS NAME IS META) seems to me a commentary – maybe on being a writer, where the story can become more important than anything, anyone. Some of the most self-centred people I have known have been writers.

But lets get to Sam and Crowley and what is an absolutely class A performance from both actors. I've seen everything Mark Shepard has ever done, and I think this is his best performance ever – bringing Crowley's humanity to the surface in a really moving and visceral way. And only Supernatural could base the central monologue around a discussion of HBO TV shows.

And Jared just pwns Sam's ruination. He's destroyed and yet still strong and you can literally feel the emotion boiling out of him. Toss the wonderous Abaddon into he mix and I think its one of my favourite sequences ever.

Then add Dean in and it definitely is.

Here's the exchange between Dean and Sam:

Dean: Metatron lied. You finish this trial, you're dead, Sam.

Sam: So? Look at him. Look at him! Look how close we are! Other people will die if I don't finish this!

Dean: Think about it. Think about what we know, huh? Pulling souls from hell, curing demons, hell,
ganking a Hellhound! We have enough knowledge on our side to turn the tide here. But I can't do it
without you.

Sam: You can barely do it with me. I mean, you think I screw up everything I try. You think I need a chaperone, remember?

Dean: Come on, man. That's not what I meant.

Sam: No, it's exactly what you meant. You want to know what I confessed in there? What my greatest sin was? It was how many times I let you down. I can't do that again.

Dean: Sam --

Sam: What happens when you've decided I can't be trusted again? I mean, who are you gonna turn to next time instead of me? Another angel, another -- another vampire? Do you have any idea what it feels like to watch your brother just --

Dean: Hold on, hold on! You seriously think that? Because none of it -- none of it -- is true.
Listen, man, I know we've had our disagreements, okay? Hell, I know I've said some junk that set you back on your heels. But, Sammy...come on. I killed Benny to save you. I'm willing
to let this bastard and all the sons of bitches that killed mom walk because of you. Don't you dare think that there is anything, past or present, that I would put in front of you! It has never been like that, ever! I need you to see that. I'm begging you.

Sam: How do I stop?

Dean: Just let it go.

Sam: I can't. It's in me, Dean. You don't know what this feels like.

Dean (binding Sam's hand): Hey, listen, we will figure it out, okay, just like we always do. Come on.

Dean pulls Sam to him and holds him

Dean: Come on. Let it go, okay? Let it go, brother.

WHAT CAN I EVEN SAY ? IT WAS JUST PERFECT.

And as we do every season – there's a step forward, an evolution in their relationship. It's never going to be perfect, or easy, or even comfortable. That’s not the Winchesters, that’s not their life. But what matters is how they keeping fighting not only for each other, but towards each other is what matters.

The final scene Dean trying to save his little brother as the Angels fall like fireworks is both epic and pure art.

And back at the Bunker the sirens are going off and vintage equipment roars to life.

We're left us of course with a huge bagful of possibilities for next season. Maybe we'll spend half a season with Cas trying to get his grace back – or maybe that will happen in the first episode. Will he seek out Sam and Dean? What will all those fallen angels do? What will Sam and Dean do with Crowley? What's Abaddon up to? How has Sam changed? What other info is on the tablets? Where will Kevin Tran go?

And most importantly will Season 9 have more hugs than this season which had an all time record of 17 hugs involving one or more Winchesters!

inked up

2013-05-15T03:30:11Z

So had my art consult with my tattooist last night. Its always exciting but also anxiety provoking. You have to try and communicate what you want, your vision, and hope they get it. In my case I really wanted the artists input and expertise. Plus you want to like them, and them to like you - its a bit like a first date!

So i am having a i/2 sleeve done on my lower right arm. I had the upper sleeve done for my 40th, this time is for my 50th (which is partially to help me rationalise the $ I am spending!) . I might post abut the previous tattoo separately as it was an incredibly significant one for me, at a turning point in my life. In fact the tattoo helped me move forward.

So the new design in short so far involves Cthulhu-esque tentacles emerging from a skull, wrapping around my arm. Some of the tentacles will be grappling with some things - possibly a shark and a spaceship. Its going to be in oranges and aquas.

So subtle - not!

Women of Letters Half Hour

2013-05-13T22:48:39Z

So I was fangirling SPN on Skype recently with @AmyinSydney (aka sweetondean) and to cut a long story short, we decided we need to do it regularly to get us thru Hellatus. Which somehow then grew into...

The Women of Letters Half Hour Podcast!

Listen to our awesome promo hear to find out what its all about!

We plan on delving into hunts and characters from past seasons, particularly those referenced in Season 8. A great chance to look at how the Sam, Dean and Cas have changed, how past decisions effect them now, and ponder the state of Sam's hair and other important issues.

We'll post the first one next week - stay tuned!

needs more horses hearts

2013-05-13T11:50:58Z

So having read all the GoT books, tis fascinating to see how they adapt them for the TV series. Overwhelmingly its impressive, and in many cases I think it improves the story telling...

In the books, Jaimie actually has a vision/dream about him and Brienne and that's what compels him to return to Harrenhall for her. Which I think is much more Romantic than what happened in the episode as it strengthens the idea of some sort of fated bond between the two. Only a small thing, and i am sure the change was made for time/money but i missed it.

A good change has been that Gendry is the boy with kings blood that Melisandre finds. In the books its another bastard (Edric Storm) all together and Gendry just disappears from the plot. It makes sense to use someone we already have some connection with.

it continues to amuse me how much the House of Bolton's flayed man flag looks like the Union Jack!

Roman Holiday

2013-05-13T05:36:13Z

As usual Jus In Bello Con appeared to be be absolutely amazing and damn if i am not tempted to go next year.

* coverage here on the SuperWiki You must watch the Misha and Jen panel which involves both of them dancing - seriously hilarious!

* Have booked my flights for Vancon. I have two weeks first in LA, and then 2 weeks in Vancouver. And maybe a sidetrip to Seattle if I can fit it in.

* Osric Chau has been live tweeting as he starts watching Supernatural from the beginning. He plans on doing more, but here's the first part.

* I have had an essay accepted into another Supernatural essay collection. Its an expansion on my essay about the noir structure, themes and cinematography in Season Six. I am really thrilled as its a piece I got so much out of writing, which bought together to of my loves (noir and SPN) and which celebrates a lot i loved about this under appreciated season.

So that's the 3rd book chapter I have coming out in the next year - I also have one on Supernatural and social media, and another on Supernatural fanfic.

* Did have a rejection for a short story I submitted to an anthology, although not too surprised as it was a scifi collection, and my piece really didn't fit into that category. Also possibly it wasn't very good!

* Stay tuned for news of two more fannish projects I have coming - one a podcast, and another bookshaped thing.

* tattoo consult tomorrow so excited OMG.

jibcon 2013

2013-05-11T12:12:50Z

Jensen at Jus in Bello Con this morning. Unfortunately Jared, Gen and Thomas have had to fly home due to a family emergency. Hope is okay.

Squid Ink

2013-05-11T02:58:57Z

Booked in for a consult on my next tattoo! For my 40th I had a half sleeve done on my upper right arm, so for my 50th want to have a lower 1/2 sleeve done. And yes its gonna be TENTACLES!!!

SO EXCITED

into darkness

2013-05-10T00:22:04Z

Star Trek review - it will give you all the feels!

Ok so Into Darkness is a redo of Wrath of Khan. There's no doubt that, in comparison, Into Darkness is an action movie where Khan was a scifi movie. Its an excellent action movie, with great characters. There was a trailer for FastFurious6 beforehand, and Into Darkness has a similar feel. THIS IS NOT A CRITICISM!

The Kirk/Spock is OFF the charts - its basically the backbone of the movie. I think there were 5 times I said "oh just kiss already"! If you've seen WoK you'll know what the climatic scene is. Its a hard act to follow but they redid that, with some imp changes that for the characters, and there was audible sobbing thru the cinema!

Bones, Scotty Sulu and Chekov all get good screen time. I think they did really well with Uhura esp given the EPIC bromance she's caught up in.

Costume design for the Trek uniforms in the movie is ATROCIOUS.

Benny Cucumbers gives and excellent performance as Kahn. But I have one issue. He is called Khan Noonien Singh so it makes no sense that he's whiter than the driven snow. Its very obvious whitewashing. Even if the original character hadn't existed, it doesnt make sense.

Great movie though and I look forward to a summer of great fic!

Clip Show

2013-05-09T03:24:25Z

ARRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

I've nipped home from work in my lunch hour to watch the ep, and now i have to go back to work and then tonight i am seeing Star Trek - hope to do a detailed ep reaction tomorrow because there is SO MUCH to FUCKING SAY.

SUPERNATURAL YOU FUCKING MAGNIFICENT SOUL DESTROYING SHOW YOU.

ILU.

sexy and you know it

2013-05-08T02:45:09Z

NSFW

Dean aged 19 in pink panties

i've got oud

2013-05-07T10:21:15Z

Jensen and Jared at NJCon talk about.. well cologne but I think they're just flirting. Put on your tinhat, sit back and enjoy!

embarrassment squick free!

NJ Con

2013-05-06T12:43:28Z

Links to vids, pics, reports and wank from the New Jersey Con.

the great escapist

2013-05-02T13:33:37Z

A great Ben Edlund script like The Great Escapist is like going to a dinner party with Noam Chomksy and Carl Sagan hosted by Sarah Silverman.

"At its heart Supernatural is concerned with exploring the stories people construct and tell about themselves and their relationships, in particular the stories that form, shape, and sometimes destroy families. It has examined the storytelling of pop culture through episodes satirizing movies ,TV and celebrity . It has explored modern morality tales (in the form of urban legends) and ancient ones (from folklore), and it is retelling the epic stories of society—the ones we call religion."

Yes I am quoting myself which is terribly pretentious (pretentious, moi? LOL) , but seriously I have been saying for years that this show is about storytelling so I was filled with GLEE at the appearance of Metatron.

I love that Metatron, aside from being Booger from Revenge of the Nerds, says "When you create stories, you become gods, of tiny intricate dimensions unto themselves." And he's talking about US fandom. I also love that he isn’t an archangel – just part of heaven's "secretarial pool" .

And of where to start with this episode? So much packed in and I have much to do so lets go all dot pointy:
• Sam. Jared . My god what a performance. Given we've seen so many extreme versions of Sam – evil, soulless, mad – he managed to play resonating Sam brilliantly From the LOLs of the farting donkey story, to the heartbreaking pathos of his remembering his childish thoughts of being unclean, and unworthy.
• Fascinated byt he idea that Sam thinks he is being purified. And that he may have felt "tainted" all his life. Its a twist on previous times when we've seen him become "monsterous" - in which case Dean rejected him - hell in both cases he got to the point of wanitng to kill him. Is being pure any better? Does it imply the loss of humanity as much as becoming a monster did?
• Dean – oh Dean. So much delicious hurt/comfort. Making John's kitchen sink stew for Sam, so desperate to take care of Sam, to fix him. Plus giving Sam an ice bath. Oh and finding out he read to wee Sammy ITS TOO MUCH FOR MY HEART. I love that an essential part of Dean being a hero, is also him being a nurturer.
• Yes Dean, we all wondered why you hadn’t moved Kevin to the bunker.
• CASTIEL! How much they've torn you apart! One has to wonder whats on the angel tablet …I love that Heaven continues to be present as self-serving and not at all "good". Much more in the Roman and Greek tradition of a pantheon – and deliciously intriguing. Will we ever find out where the fuck God is?
• The idea that even angels can have free will, and that a tight control is needed to turn them into the soldiers they've been makes sense and is also deeply depressing. How many times has Cas been rebooted. And Naomi's "you don't even die right" harkens back to Cas' referring to them as "punishment resurrections"
• There's a joke somewhere about "take 2 tablets and call me in the morning" but I am too tired to parse it.
• Loved that Crowely's R&D division turned an angel sword into killer bullets - i can just imagine the glee when they came up with that in the writers room! Also - Cas pushing the bullet into Ion's eye was BADASS!
• Kevin fucking Tran – his "last message" tape was brilliant – the anger , the grief. And his playing Crowley at his own game was brilliant. And great actoring by Chau. I hope maybe he and Metatron get to live happily ever after together.
• Ion kinda looked like Ryan Gosling. In fact the angels were both GQMFs
• "It's as if we're in every Biggerson's at once, trapped in a quantum super postion." Theres a whole commentary by Edlund there and I am not quite sure if its metaphsycial or socio-politcal.
• Crowley: Remember I want to distinct, authentic characterizations....I was born to direct! I have to wonder if Edlund based Crowley as director on anyone he knew?
• Metatron asking Dean to think about what he'd give to close the gates of hell, and what effect it could have on Earth… This isn't going to end well is it.? But I like the forefronting of the free will theme – as always as much as everyone wants it, it brings much pain with it.
• If the agtes of hell are closed - what effect could that have on Earth? Would that mean no souls could enter Hell? Where would they go - maybe all become vengeful spirits? Is Hell part of the natural order?
• And what will Sam and/or Dean need to sacrifice? I dont think its a life or death thing. I think it maybe something more precious and heartbreaking, like memory or love or something. I once started writing a fic where Sma and Dean saved the world but the price was they could never speak to each other again.
• Sam: But we're heading somewhere. The end. OMNIOUS MUCH?
• Basically all Edlund epsidoes are meta

way back machine

2013-05-01T04:13:57Z

So tomorrow's Supernatural is by the genius of Ben Edlund, and on Twitter we've been discussing fav Edlund eps. Mine prob are On the Head Of A Pin and the French Mistake, but its pretty hard picking between them.

Anyway the first ep he wrote on the show was Simon Said. So I went back to read my reaction to it (from October 2006!), and found that i was really really impressed! In fact i said, in my usual understated way, that I felt the show had moved from "from adolescence into adulthood".

Pretty sure tomorrow's ep will be a soul cruncher from Edlund. Love that he's still with the show, and also that seven years later my passion evident in that review, that I felt back then for a show in its infancy, is even stronger today.

mind the moose

2013-04-28T07:09:10Z

Felicia Day at C2E2 in Chicago this weekend, talking about working on SPN, and Jared trying to make her break in a scene. Vid by 55Cait.

Am trying to track down vids of the SPN panel at the Calgary Expo with Misha, Mark S and Mitch

knot what you think!

2013-04-28T04:29:15Z

Thanks to fandom, even ads for macrame classes make me think of filthy porn!

Pac-Man fever

2013-04-26T13:52:14Z

My episode reaction, which contains much squee. Perfect episode was perfect. I had the most fun updating the Wiki page with all Robbie's pop culture refs. And it was wonderful to have both him and Jared tweeting about the episode. I think that should be a contractual obligation!

I always love the in media res opening, particularly when as intriguing a cold open as this. I am wondering if the smartly tailored uniform wasn't a gift to make up for the LARPing wig. Either way, Jensen looked dreamy.

But he's soon eclipsed by this incredible aerial tracking shot by director Bob Singer, enhanced by Serge Ladacaeur's beautiful noirish lighting. Just stunning.

Of course a scatter of bodies like that pings instant recognition against anyone who plays shooters. It’s a classic scene in a many games. Not that we know what it is, but the shadowy monster approaching Dean is likely to be BAD SHIT!

TITLE CARD

Note – thinking more how the theme of translation, decoding in the card, and the tablets, is really also a metaphor for Sam and Dean, making sense of themselves, and their relationship, the ungoing search for meaning in their lives.

Anyway – onto the Bunker! Love the domesticity in this scene ,a although hard to enjoy rumpled Sam when he looks like shit.

Note – Dean's line about getting the clippers to Sam's hair was adlibbed by Jensen!

Also Dean: This is why we can't have nice things Sam… He really is getting houseproud.

And... the bunker has a firing range. Who's writing me the steamy firing range sexy tiems fic? Hmmm

But seriously I love this dynamic between the boys. And, as opposed to the centuries long tradition of hurt/comfort fic, this is a difficult position for these men to be in. I love the struggle between them, and with themselves. There both angry at each other – Sam at Dean for feeling he doesn't trust him to complete the trials, Dean at Sam for not admitting he's in trouble, for not leaning on Dean. They are angry at themelves – Sam for feeling weak, and doubting he can complete the trials, Dean is angry at himself for failing to complete the first trial, and being unable to help Sam. As usual a hot Winchester mess of emotions.

Anyway Charlie turns up, and the hugging starts. Six Winchester hugs in the episode. It’s a record you know.

And she's read Carver Edlund's books! Love it! And her meta madness comment and reference to Sam's Peen of Death! And of course, it means in a way, Charlie knows them better know, than she would've otherwise, increases their intimacy even more.

And then Son of a Pant Suit it’s a MONTAGE. Felicia rocks this, and every single one of Jensen's expressions is perfect.

Charlie also gets a chance to remind Dean that the Winchester can do anything if they work together. Which is a good reminder, but as always easier said than done!

I think the exchange also highlights the similarities, and not doubt part of why Charlie and the boys connect – she's an outsider too. As a lesbian, and a geek girl she should be even if she wasn't on the run from the law and living under assumed names. And as we are to find out, a shared tragic past.

And again, as has been a theme this season with other characters like Krissy and Aaron, we get a hint of how things could be different for Sam and Dean. Charlie is someone with a tragic past, living outside society, now actually becoming a hunter. But the Charlie we've seen has a life full of the things she's passionate about, and many people around her.

It’s a meta for another day, but I think Sam and Dean's lack of close connections with other people mean they haven't had that chance to see how people cope, or don’t cope with life. It's like when children are raised in a family with fucked values or abuse, and have little outside contact – its hard to realise life can be another way. I think season has started to counter that a little.

But moving onto the next corpse …Note: never poke anything with a stick. EWWW!

Love Charlie's "! don't want to miss the broment!"

Also – again love Bob Singer's direction – love seeing Sam and Dean in the background as Charlie interviews the vic, it gives that moment of seeing them as others do.

Plus, again the difficulty of the situation - Dean can get cross at Sam quoting his own lines back to him, but if the positions were reversed, Dean wouldn't sit at home either.

Charlie: You guys argue like an old married couple.

Oh we know Charlie, we know!

Back at the Bunker, I do love how Charlie's monster app can't compete with good old John's Journal. Man I love that they still have the journal!

Anyway lets skip ahead to the warehouse and Charlie's all tied up and her first comment is "Wilhem Scream" which is you're a film nerd is just too precious!

Now the boys are there in a flash and when the Djinn antidote doesn't work, they whip out some African dreamroot, which I assume they keep in the Impala's bottomless boot

Love Sam punching Dean without hesitation – get the feeling that felt good!

Inside Charlie's mind… I would so play that game, especially if it has been reprogrammed to reflect Charlies "Flaming liberal politics"

Then we get to face Charlie's fear – letting go of her mother. I really love the touch that it was her mum who introduced her to The Hobbit, and inspired her love of the genre.

Its Dean who works out that to break the trap, Charlie needs to "stop playing the game". You really have a sense here of Dean's maturity – it’s a lesson that’s taken him many years to learn, and its certainly not advice he could've given Charlie four or five years ago.

And I think that’s why on some level, Dean can understand why Sam didn’t look for him when he was in Purgatory – because some time to change things you needs to do things differently.

Dean obviously also connects with that desire for one more goodbye, one more I love you. But he doesn't give Charlie any comforting platitudes – that can't happen. All you can do is let people know you love them when they're alive.

The farewells bring about more hugs, and Sam's invitation to Charlie to return and be a "Woman of Letters". I love the scene with Dean and Charlie, and the call and response of "I love you; I know" because its such a geek thing, that its not the words that really have the meaning (although they do), but the fact that Charlie can say it, and Dean knows the quote, which bonds them in the secret society of geekdom.

The Dean knows that he has to make sure that Sam knows he loves him and we get what may be my favourite hug ever.

And of course we end with that reading from the hobbit, emphasising again what is new for the boys, that they now have their own hobbit hole. And that means comfort.

you know who i am

2013-04-24T12:33:23Z

Just saw Iron Man 3 - in IMAX in 3D and it was KICKASS! RDJ rocks it hard and many things exploded.

And the post credit sequence is something straight from fanfic!

This flick certain erases memories of the dull IM2. it puts the wisecracking and explosions front and centre, but also achieves some shading in Tony's character. The trailer I'd seen led me to believe we'd get more of a dark spiral for Tony, but it manages to tie his post-Avnegers issues in with a broader arc, rather than just make it an angst fest. I also thought the way the events of the Avengers movie are tied in were deftly handled.

Without giving too much away, Ben Kingsley's "The Mandarian" is also not the yellowface nightmare many were expecting, and he also steals his scenes in the second half of the movie. And even Gwenyth is enjoyable when she gets to be kickarse.

plus awesome trailers for Star Trek Int o Darkness (yes already have my tix for opening night!), Man of Steel and Fast and Furious. Next few months are full of SO MUCH awesome on the big screen.

think before you click

2013-04-23T13:25:57Z

So - four episodes to go! Under the cut is what we know, by episode, of what's to come. Very little detail really - but enough teasers to get us thinking!

Click on the episode titles to go to the Super Wiki for links to promo vids, pics and interviews.

24th April
Pac-Man Fever written by Robbie Thompson, directed by Bob Singer

Our last bit of fun before shit gets real!
Sam is suffering the after effects of the second trial. When Charlie turns up with a case, Dean decides to give her some hunter training. While happy to see her, the boys suspect Charlie is hiding something; a secret that could get her killed. And somehow Charlie and Dean end up trapped in a video game.

1st May
8.21 The Great Escapist – written by Ben Edlund, directed by Robert Duncan McNeill

When Sam and Dean receive a distressing video message from Kevin they set about trying to uncover the Third Trial. The boys make a discovery that sends them to a casino in Colorado, to find a mysterious recluse – who turns out to be the Angel Metatron who transcribed the tablets in the first place. Meanwhile, Crowley is on a winning streak and Castiel tries to elude Naomi and the angels hunting him.

Carver has said that in the final episodes, the brothers are "going to start to really ask themselves and deal with all sides of the question of, 'How far are you willing to go to get revenge?'"

8th May
8.22 Clip Show - written by Andrew Dabb; directed by Thomas J. Wright

Sam and Dean reunite with Castiel. Digging through the Men of Letters' files, they stumble upon an undiscovered film which could be the key to the third trial. Metatron enlists Cass to mull over problems at home. Meanwhile, Crowley digs into Sam and Dean's past.

“It’s an episode of nothing but flashback moments to our favorite hugs and kisses,” said Carver.

Unfortunately not – but there's certainly faces from the past turning up. There's Sarah Taylor, from the first season episode Provenance, Tommy Collins from Wendigo and Jenny Klein from Shut Up, Dr Phil (she who got the cupcakes with the tiny beating hearts!). The demon Abbadon from 8.12 As Time Goes By will also reappaear in this episode and the finale.

15th May
8.23 Sacrifice - Jeremy Carver; directed by Phil Sgricca

No synopsis yet but Carver has said "There are a lot of intersecting plots and personal motivations that are going to come to a head, several things will be changed forever . We will absolutely see the positive and negative effects of being legacies." And yes, there will be cliff-hangers!

So - what are your guesses about what's to come? Who's sarcificing what at the end?

Porn with Pot

2013-04-22T03:04:21Z

I have done a rec list here for spn_themes of fic featuring Wincest (mainly) while stoned. That is the boys are stoned, I can't account for the authors, although lets face it many probably were. As were the readers. I know I was :DD

Also - did you know that “Moby Dick’s Bong” pictured above has appeared in 3 Supernatural episodes - Simon Said, A Very Supernatural Christmas and Bitten. (yes I am currently doing a Wiki page on drug references!)

It amuses me that somewhere in the Supernatural props department is a box labelled “Giant Bong”. Unless they just keep it in Jensen's trailer.

Cut!

2013-04-19T04:17:50Z

Last scene that Jared and Jensen are filmining of the Season finale, specifically Jensen's last shot (pic by steadicam operator Brian Rose). The boys are on holidays from tomorrow, although there are 2 days of filming for the finale left.

LARP and the really awesome girl

2013-04-18T12:30:35Z

So during the rerun of LARP and the Real Girl yesterday, writer Robbie Thompson answered fan questions on Twitter. I've storified them here, and there's some great stuff. No spoilers, and some added insight into Goodbye Stranger.

In other great news, Jenny Klein, who's been a writers assistant on the show since season 4 has been promoted to staff writer for next season. This season she wrote her first solo episode the intense Torn and Frayed.