Now I know what a masochist goes through...

Season 6 for supernatural has been welcomed with a lot of criticism by fans and non-fans as well. This lack of faith is not exactly kept in the dark by the fans, in fact, most of them have been very vocal about it. I'm one of those fans.

This episode is just a flat out disappointment.The storyline has been used and abused by fanfiction writers since the series started. It's just...*sigh* I don't know how to express my disappointment anymore...

Granted, there were parts of the episode that were just hilarious (like Kripke's death and the glorification of his character who kept on walking even though he was shot twice with a shotgun; the portrayal of Sera's character as a slightly clueless new producer who's trying to make her mark and prove to everyone else that she can do it; the insane photographs of Jared in his home and the seemingly bad acting by Dean and Sam) but most of the time, it was just painful to watch. I have to commend Misha though. I think he was the only one there who still has the enthusiasm and passion.

The characters have become so 2 dimensional. Seriously, Raphael comes back? How? Why did Balthazar finally decide to surrender the weapons to Castiel? And if they were in a world where there's no God, no Supernatural and no magic, how the hell did Virgil call Raphael? The whole thing is just too riddled with more holes than Swiss cheese.

And yet, I still watch the show every week. I watch it because I hope that there's a saving grace somewhere and I don't want to just judge them and end it at one episode. I want to make an informed decision and I want to be GBF. But trust me, it ain't looking good...

I know I haven't been writing much about Supernatural, but that doesn't mean I'm no longer a fan. I still very much am and in as much as I would like to write at length about what's going on, I've chosen to take a more laid back approach and see where this whole thing is going. I want to reserve my judgments until the very end, just so I can't be labeled as evil or a turncoat.

The truth of the matter is that this season really feels like it's trying to be cohesive with the previous stories and episodes. Let me put it this way - if you were to watch, let's say an episode from season 4 (any episode, you choose), it may look like it's an independent episode but it still is very logical and cohesive to the ongoing plot. It provides a connection to what has happened and to what is happening and to what will happen. This season's episodes do not feel like that for me. It kinda feels like it's being forced to be cohesive and relevant to the previous stories and plot.

I loved and disliked this episode for several (often, by the same) reasons. This new personality of Sam is both amusing to watch and is also very dubious. He finally developed a sense of humor (although some may look at it as sick. I thought the ball, whistling and condescending tone and questions he was throwing at Lucky was awesome! Comic gold!) I liked the beautiful parallel and contrast of differences in personality between the brothers. I'm still a bit wary about Sam now. He has admitted to all his (or lack thereof) feelings and how he admitted that it was harder being the old Sam. It's very understandable since Sam has always been a fount of moral dilemmas and ethics. This new Sam is easier to "manage" because there are no choices - he's only got one which is to finish the job. It seems rather poetic and sad as well because when you live your life like that, breathing becomes a chore and living day to day is just number counting.

I like the way a "monster" was portrayed here. It's like what Dave has said - "Do we think and believe they're evil just because they're monsters?"

Still, there are a lot of questions out there. How is the civil war in heaven connected to this war that everyone seems to be preparing for? Are the stolen "weapons" from heaven going to pop up in this war? Who's going to use them? What is Sam really up to? (Sorry, I still don't trust him)

Supernatural is shown on CW every Friday, 9PM EST.

There are a lot of things that are monumental to this episode, the first and most obvious is that this episode was directed by Jensen Ackles. I have to commend his directorial debut and it couldn't have happened to a better actor than that of Jim Beaver. I guess I have a biased love towards character actors and under-rated and under-exposed actors, seeing that I am one. (and yes, that was a huge hint Eric Kripke and Sera Gamble.)

We, as an audience, often look at support characters only as that - support characters. We put them in that box wherein the only thing that they are made and/or built to do is to support the lead characters in their success. We don't look at them as a complete and separate character that has a back story, a life, an entire different thing that we are not privy to or we just choose to ignore. The funny thing is, we do this in real life as well. We take a look at our friends or the people that surround us and we look at them and we oftentimes take them for granted and see them only as objects that can aid us in our successes.

We're offered a wonderful gift in this episode - a glimpse into Bobby's life and character. He really does a lot of things for The Life. The research, the phone calls (this was the one that cracked me up the most) and all this while he's working on his own personal stuff.

The episode also gives us a nice perspective on demons. They're just ghosts with a hyperactive ego.

This season's opening was very nicely done. I'm impressed by the way things were sewn together to make sense. I did have a few questions that got some answers to when I watched it for the second time. (Like the waitress, Bridtette)

I loved how they treated the opening sequence. The parallelism between Dean's past and present life was done very nicely. Although the part where Dean was handing out that beer felt kind of a jolt. I'm pretty sure there are better clips of Dean handing Sam a beer and that would've made it more fluid. But then again, that's just me. It could've been a juxtaposition of how different and yet the same Dean's life is - past and present. *shrug*

The Campbells were a bit of a dodgy thing too. Plus I never really trust any character Corin Nemec plays. Parker Lewis, yeah sure but this dude? They've also revealed a bit about their dodgy-ness when they've captured that jinn.

And what is up with Dean and yorkies?

The main thing you have to look at in this episode is how Dean struggles with himself with how he's going to lead his life. The crossroads are there and he has to make a decision. He ultimately does but not without the heartbreak of choosing his "family" over Sam.

This episode is a good one. Not a very "in your face, oh my god" kind of opening but rather a more mature one - realistic and yet keeping the Supernatural soul. The series started out young and learned along the way and we now see how the show, the writers and the actors themselves evolve and mature. I think it's great. Kudos to Sera Gamble and all the people at Supernatural!

This has to be said and I say this with all the love in my heart for Eric Kripke and the writers and staff of Supernatural; This was the grossest episode thus far. They weren't kidding when they titled the episode as "My Bloody Valentine" I found myself to be squirming and making faces and turning green at several intervals of the episode.

Gross stuff aside, I liked this episode for several reasons:

1. We're back on track. I was waiting when one of the freaking horsemen would come on in, seeing that Lucy has decided to resurrect them. The plot and the arc has finally come together and I'm hoping that they keep the ball running. Although there were rumors that the show will be on hiatus AGAIN. Seriously? WTF is up with that?

2. Incredible acting from Famine, Heartbreaker Jared, Jensen and Misha. Although this week's acting award goes to Famine. He was really freaking creepy. There's something about evil geriatrics with bad teeth that gets to me. I keep on remembering that creepy dude from the cartoon "Courage, the Cowardly Dog" *shivers* The best/creepiest scene for me was when Famine said "Delicious..." after he devoured a demon. That scene right there had the same creepiness level as to when Dr. Hannibal called Clarice in Silence of the lambs. *shudder*

Dean was already showing signs of exhaustion. I think this was the plan of the angels all along - just run him down until he says "yes". It was truly heartbreaking to discover that his hollow was just too deep that his hunger is practically non-existent... Dean, baby... Just so you know, a lot of us Gutter Girls would like to fill that hollow - just say the word (Eh, Tammy?)

3. The re-introduction of demon blood is, I think, an inevitable variable for the show. It had to come up again, sooner or later. I can't quite put my finger on it but I'm pretty sure that there is an important pivot to the plot that revolves around demon blood. I was screaming at the screen for Heartbreaker Sam not to do it.

Awesome episode, if I say so myself. It left me asking more questions, theorizing and just wanting more. That's how it should be...

I want to see Bobby now, please.

I wanted to be able to give a decent review this time. Unfortunately, life has got me by my neck with work and sick kids and a sick parent to boot.

So, I'm just going to put in a couple of points for this episode:

1. Finally! We're back on track with the whole apocalypse thing. It's about damn time, Kripke!

2. The constant emphasis on how destiny is something that is immutable and unmovable is almost too blatant now. We get it, Kripke...Destiny. No. Change. But. We'll. Try.

3. What did I say before about the whole Cain and Abel thing? I've said it before and I'll say it again... it really is going to be Winchester vs. Winchester.

I really would like to go indepth with the analysis of the bloodline of the Winchesters being the chosen one and all that but that would require time that I currently don't have. I do have this theory of bloodlines and the Winchesters - being descendants of David and Cain or Abel or even Seth! I'm still researching on it and I will make sure to share my findings once I get to streamline it.


*click on view orignal post to see the video*

Sam's body gets swapped with a teenage satanist wannabe while on a salt and burn job. I liked this episode mainly just to see the acting range of one Jared Padalecki cheater, actor.

I might have to agree with my dear friend, Louise though. There's an apocalypse out there man! Focus on that and not these stand alone type of episodes!!

Plus, I wanna see Bobby and Castiel already!

*snaps fingers* Now, get on with it.

Hell-atus is over and after the whole announcement of Jensen and Jared getting engaged (How dare they?! LOL!) this was exactly what we needed.

I think the key word to this episode would be "Pudding" and fan girls everywhere let out a squeal of delight when they heard the flapping sounds. (Oh christ...)

I've been working my ass off so I haven't gone around to really reviewing the eppy as much as I would want to but if you have comments, feel free to drop a line.

Please tell me the hell-atus will be over soon... I need my Winchester fix. I'm starting to geek up and that's not a good thing. I need my Sammy.

***

Damn you, Eric Kripke...Add to my depression, why won't you?

Told you, the very funny episodes are preparations for the next heavy episodes.

I can't write a review right now as I am emotionally drained...

****

Will write review when my head feels like it's not going to explode.

It's just the trailer and already I'm laughing my ass off... I can't wait!

The effort to save the earth is one of Supernatural's most important missions. They recycle. Here's proof:

(The Usual Suspects - Karen [the grieving widow] Season 2 Episode 7)

(Monster at the end of the book - Publisher; Season 4 Episode 18)


(The Magnificent Seven - Lust; Season 3 Episode 1)

(Free to be you and me - Chastity; Season 5 Episode 3)

Supernatural will be on hell-atus after the November 19 episode and will return on January 7. Damn you, Eric Kripke...




I needed this episode. I needed this episode for a lot of reasons: One - I needed that good laugh-out-loud-belly-aching-tears-in-my-eyes laughter. I loved every minute of it. Second reason was, I needed to feel that we were going back to the story line. It was a wonderful transition. Very well written and very well executed.

I don't think a lot of the "younger" generation would appreciate the beautiful parodies that this episode did. Suddenly, thoughts of my youth came rushing back. I remember the sitcoms of those years - Three's Company, Diff'rent Strokes, Who's the Boss, etc. The OBB had me in stitches! The opening song was the final nail to my laughing coffin. Oh, and the terrible acting.

For the life of me, I can't think of the right words to use to describe the sheer joy I went through with their parody of Grey's Anatomy. It's even more satisfactory for me when they brought up Denny. I would've given anything to be at JDM's side just to see his reaction as he watches that scene.

I'm honestly starting to think that I over-analyze every SPN episode. I'm pretty sure that they wrote it as that - just to have fun and not think of the socioeconomic relevance of the episode. However, I'd like to think that it really does go deeper than that. If you were to ask me, I thought that this was a great episode to showcase how American culture has become so defined by its television shows. It also shows the high dependency people (not just Americans but almost everyone) have on entertainment, particularly television. Now, don't get me wrong and think I'm a freakin' hypocrite. I'm not saying I'm not one of those people - I am writing a review about a TV show I am obviously obsessed about, hello? - all I'm saying is that we are so affected by pop culture.

My favorite part was the CSI sequence. I have expressed my disdain for Horatio Caine and David Caruso's acting time and time again. Jensen could not quite get it but Jared (Hey hun!) nailed it! (excuse me while I watch that scene again and laugh my ass off). That was absolutely perfect. Another perfect sequence? The Knight Rider sequence! I never liked the remake. And it could be just me but doesn't Jensen have an uncanny resemblance to The Hoff? (Maybe that's why they did the KR thing)

I have to admit though, the whole Trickster being Gabriel twist floored me. Very very Gaiman-ish. Kudos to your team of writers, Kripke. Make sure you pay them well.

Another awesome episode. *applause*

***

In honor of Halloween, allow me to dedicate the first few sentences of this review to my hormone driven, shallow and girly personality. (makes a hand gesture and out comes "the girl")

I don't know about you but Patrick (Hal Ozsan) is hot! There's something about his accent and his hair and his lips that make me go hmmm... His eyes are so hypnotic as well; like he's undressing you with it. Of course, Jared's hotness is already a given (don't be jealous, baby)

Chad Everett was kind of adorable as well and maybe (yes, maybe) even hot. For a senior citizen, he's still kinda hot. Okay, maybe it's just me. But he is really cute.

Okay...girly moment over. I'm stuffing her back into the bottom of the chest and will not come out until next Halloween.

For me, the episode was all very moving and very poignant. If there's one thing I like about Supernatural is that even if the show's whole theme is fictional - they try to humanize the characters in it - yes, even the supernatural beings in it. I thought this episode was very moving because it dealt with a lot of human emotions and conflicts.

First, there's that struggle between chasing after hope out of desperation. Often, we find ourselves struggling and searching for hope but we search for it in the wrong places. Bobby was searching for hope in that card game, hoping to gain his self respect back by gaining the use of his legs. He was measuring his worth against his capability to hunt, not even considering how important he truly is to the brothers, with or without self mobility.

It's funny that Dean was actually given a gift in this episode. The presumption was that they'll never live to be that age - as hunters. Now, he was given a chance to know how it is to be a hunter AT that age. He has now understood how his "unhealthy eating habits" will affect him in the future. See? Something great came out of the ugly situation. (Of course I couldn't stop laughing with that entire sequence in the motel room: Dean in that robe, the "grumpy old men" comment, the old chicken junk comment, the "you're just like my grandpa" scene...hilarious!!)

Gray areas and perception was also a sub theme in this episode. We have fallen prey to a lot of presumptions and assumptions about people. I've always believed that in this life, it's all about perception management. It's about how people see you, how you want people to see you and the truth about who you really are. We put people in stereotypes and generalizations; we label them and we often can't see beyond that label - rich, poor, kind, evil, slut, flirt, nerd, etc. We often can't see beyond a label we stick anyone. The layering of Patrick's character was amazing - the character was well written and it kind of left me wondering if a lot of other people think about how one person can go beyond a label or a stereotype. Or, do we just fall prey into the stereotype - that people can't change; that once a (insert label of choice here) always a (repeat label here). Can a leopard really change his or her spots? Can we teach an old dog new tricks? If the only things constant in this world are death, taxes and change, why is it so hard for us to accept the concept of change?

Anyway... going back. I love veteran actors. They've got so much tricks and techniques that you just can't help but be amazed by their performances. Chad Everett got Dean down pat - from his little idiosyncrasies and mannerisms (the open arms gesture, the "twinge", the furrowed brows and even the delivery of the lines was down pat Dean. Chad is the man! I wonder what kind of prep work he had to do.

Here we also see Sam coming into his own as a man. Although they too, fall prey to the trappings of stereotypes (as seen in one sequence where Bobby asked for help to be wheeled up.) But we see Sam come up as a man of his own - trying to save his family and proving his worth on his own. *sigh* Makes me want to just hold him and make him feel all good about himself...(slaps girly self: "Didn't I stuff you in a chest with locks?!")

Great episode. It's almost cruel to say the cliche: I laughed, I cried, I had a great tme.

Supernatural is seen Thursdays on the CW. 9pm/8CT

You know, I'm starting to think that on his free days, Kripke goes on the internet and just googles the top fans of the show. I could be stupidly vain when I think this episode was a thank you to all the parent and Australian fans of the show. Don't get me wrong, I think it's awesome!

Oh, and I just would like to be a little smug about the whole anti-Christ being misplaced and all - didn't I mention this before? Well, technically, I didn't - it was a book by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (Good Omens). But I did call it, so there. *sticks tongue out*

This was a very light episode - sort of like a breather. I have my reservations when episodes like these come into play. Almost always, the next episode is something that blows our hearts into tiny little bits. It's like your breath is always hitched...and then...hiatus...(Damn you, Kripke)

I couldn't stop laughing at Dean's hairy palm. *Chuckles* I'm still laughing now... The comedic timing on that guy is superb. The writers have done an excellent job here too.

What really caught me (and has successfully lodged my heart in my throat) was Dean's litany at the end of the episode. I've said it time and time again - being a parent is the most stressful, most gratifying and most thankless job there is in the world. There's no manual on how to be a parent and there's not second guessing it and there's no reset button. I constantly live in fear that I'm somehow going to fuck my children's lives up. We lie to our children for a variety of reasons - one, as Dean has so eloquently put it, is because we want to protect them from the real evil things out there. Two, we want to keep their naivety for a little bit longer. No use in saying the Tooth Fairy isn't real if it makes them happy. (Although, my daughter had the same reaction when I told her about the Tooth Fairy. Then she complained that the coins I gave her weren't shiny)

I wish my parents lied to me on some parts of my life but I value the sincerity of cruel honesty now that I'm an adult because they didn't. I guess, it all depends...

Great episode...now if it isn't too much to ask, may I please have my shirtless Sammy now? *big grin*

***

The last episode has left us in a place where we were happy the brothers are back together yet, it also put us in a position wherein we are left wondering if it will ever be the same. Certain changes to a particularly strained relationship cannot render a relationship good as new or "Fresh" as Dean would've said. Again, good intentions but the motives behind it were a little skewy.

The episode in itself is a wonderful breather from the impending doom brought on by the apocalypse. Let it be said now, that Rachael expresses her dislike of the episode simple because it did not have any Castiel appearance in it. (I've done as you've asked, can I get on with my review now? lol!)

Like in any kind of strained relationship on the mend, the brothers find themselves tiptoeing around each other, trying to find the rhythm to dance to. Dean easily falls into the alpha role as he is bound to do so, to which Sam feels a certain distaste to. (All will be explained in good time as the episode progresses)

I just have a quick question though - what was up with the shaky camera movement during the confrontation between the brothers? I'm sure they can afford a steady cam - as we've seen in previous episodes, especially a lot during season 3 (what, with the chase scenes between Dean and the Hellhounds and all?). But I feel like they just hand held the cams here - and those cameras are heavy. Were they going for the "reality tv" feel? There was some emotion in that mise en scene, a bothersome emotion. Perhaps that's what the director wanted us to feel - like everything was on shaky ground again between Sam and Dean; like anything can trigger another break in the already fragile and fractured fraternal relationship. It's cool and all but for someone who has vertigo - it isn't fun.

Oh...and I have to take a moment to rewind a particular scene in the episode over and over again...you guessed it - Sammy with the shotgun. Just seeing those beautiful fingers load the gun gives me the shivers *huge grin and gutter thoughts* Sigh...Kripke loves me...

We all had our apprehensions with Paris Hilton guesting in the show. Inasmuch as I hate to say this - she actually did a good job. Of course, the fight scenes were shot in extreme close up because I highly doubt it can look that good when shot from a different angle but still, she did like, totally awesome.

On an existential standpoint, what the "god" said hit close to home. At least in the olden days we worshipped gods - celestial beings that brought forth such magnanimous power of destruction and creation. Now, we worship fellow human beings whose only claim to being close to a deity is having a sex video and is a hotel heiress. It seems like it truly is the end of days.

I like the ending - there was a resolution and there was closure. It made a lot of sense for the brothers to end the past and start with the present this way. It's time and it's appropriate - especially if they're going to focus on the task of killing Lucifer.

Loved the preview for the next episode as well. Hilarious!!! Jared did a wonderful impression of Horatio Caine.

Supernatural - Thursdays 9pm/8ct only on the CW.

***

Disclaimer: I apologize if the quality of my review falls short of your usual expectations. I'm just caught up with so many things right now that I may not be able to deliver the same kind of quality. I will try though.

***

In my opinion, this entire episode is all about redemption (as what Sam had mentioned.) Think about it: even the most hardcore atheist has that small amount of thought at the back of his head that when he dies, he'd like to know what was that one thing that he did to change the world for the better. I'm agnostic and I think about that a lot. "The End" does not necessarily mean a stop or a closure or even a death. The end could actually be a good thing - ending a vicious unhealthy cycle, ending a bad habit, putting an end to apathy or the like. In the end, don't we all just want salvation?

Okaay....moving on (got a little waaay too existential there. LOL!) I chuckled at the sketch of Castiel's humanization. However, this episode left me totally slapping my knee and guffawing at how "human" Castiel has become. Although it also broke my heart to see him so broken and empty and helpless (exactly like a human) when he realized that not only did he not have Heaven's blessings, he doesn't have anything that resembles heaven anymore. He was trying to create his own version of heaven with the drugs, women and alcohol. How very human he has become. We strive to be like angels and now, Castiel searches for Heaven in pills and in between women's folds...

I highly doubt that this future IS the future destined for the brothers. I don't trust Zachariah at all so for me, this is just an elaborate and expensive ploy to get Dean to say yes to being Michael's vessel. Lucifer|Sam was mighty creepy. Kudos to Jared for his very understated yet effective acting. It was very disturbing to see Sam's face and his subtle facial expressions showing but his eyes were the ones that held the power. You could literally feel Lucifer in those eyes. It must also be so hard for Jensen to deliver an effective characterization. Great acting from his end too - although the technicality of the set up was more pronounced (Same character, in the same room two different motivations and back stories. That thought alone is giving me a massive nosebleed)

Going completely off tangent for a bit though - What if we had an episode where we see different futures or different universes of the Winchesters? Like, there's a universe where the Winchesters are sisters, instead of brothers. Or we have a universe/world where they're the ones who are evil and they're the ones being hunted, or where Sam's the older one and their roles are reversed. Sorry...just thinking out loud...And no, I'm not taking any kind of medication - I'm just sleep deprived. *sticks tongue out*

Going back to our regularly scheduled program: I'm happy that Dean made the right decision and I'm happy that Sam humbled himself. It doesn't make any sense for them to be apart anyway.

There's something about the humanization of Castiel that just makes me happy. ;D