Author: spnfans

Author/Editor of 'There'll Be Peace When You Are Done: Actors and Fans Celebrate the Legacy of Supernatural', 'Family Don't End With Blood', 'Fangasm Supernatural Fangirls' and many others
Jensen Ackles Returns to Tracker and We’re Loving Russell!

Jensen Ackles Returns to Tracker and We’re Loving Russell!

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Jensen Ackles returned to my TV screen this week in the second episode of this season’s Tracker, and it was so good to have him back! We all loved Russell Shaw in his first guest star episode last season, but this time we got to know Russell a little better – and see him be both a smart, competent badass and adorably hilarious. We also got some shout outs to Jensen Ackles’ iconic Supernatural character Dean Winchester, which was a lot of fun and left me with a nostalgic grin on my face repeatedly.

Some fans seem concerned that when many of us love and appreciate those shout outs, that it somehow means we think Ackles is a one horse pony who keeps playing the same character. Pretty sure nobody thinks that, because it’s just plain not true. He’s such a talented actor, he can play all kinds of roles – and he also loves Supernatural and Dean Winchester every bit as much as I do. And that is really saying something! He’s enjoying those Easter eggs as much as we are, and crafting a character that’s true to the book series, a believable big brother to Justin Hartley’s Colter, and also sometimes reminiscent of Dean Winchester. That’s clearly not something he has to do, or something that makes him a one-note character actor – it’s something he wants to do. And I greatly appreciate it (while also appreciating characters like Soldier Boy who are nothing like Dean Winchester at all)!

I had a big smile on my face from the second Colter (who was abducted by some shady military possibly UFO hunting types while searching for a woman’s missing dad) was surprised to see Russell on the other side of the door, there to rescue him.  The episode leaves up in the air whether there really was some supernatural – I mean, UFO – I mean, UAP — activity, with Russell being willing to believe after having “seen some things” and Colter more skeptical. Shades of Mulder and Scully!

Russell: UAP is the proper nomenclature.

That’s unidentified anomalous phenomena, fyi. (I learned that from this episode).

Colter: You’ve seen some things?

Russell: Some things that’d blow your hair up.

This was a great episode, right from the spooky X-Files/Supernatural opening with some Blair Witchy video selfies in the beautiful Vancouver woods through the brothers being badasses and taking out the bad guys and especially through the brothers very much being brothers.

Ackles and Hartley have been friends for a long time, and their comfort with each other comes through in the easy and realistic banter (and squabbling) the Shaw brothers fall into.

Unlike Sam and Dean, there’s a girl for them to compete over (kinda) – while Colter and Reenie are just friends for now, there’s some spark there, so Russell’s fascination with her is a source of some tension. (Lucky Reenie, who I really like – she’s the one who helps the brothers out of a jam in the end by sending a van to pick them up, swearing about “two dumb brothers”. So relatable). She also got the “sonofabitch!” line in this episode.

We also got a Supernatural nod with Russell having a hearty appetite and eating with gusto on camera, something Ackles regretted making a part of Dean’s character – but he’s a good sport, because Russell is apparently the same.

Russell to the taken aback scientist whose house they’ve broken into: Made myself a sandwich, that homemade sourdough is delicious…

Colter: Sorry, I told him not to, he’s an animal.

lol

Russell is actually far from that – he’s extremely competent, as we see again and again, and he’s smart. As he said, he’s seen some things, and we keep getting hints of his not-exactly-on-the-up-and-up past and his involvement with organizations as shady as the one they’re dealing with in this episode, but that just makes him even more interesting. Give me a complicated character every time!

I love that he thought ahead to leave this cheeky note on his car in case anyone stumbled over it. Like I said, smart!

And, I mean, we all remember Dean Winchester’s panic attack when Bela had the Impala stolen, so…

Russell doesn’t drive a ’67 Impala but he does drive a classic Chevy that looks similar – and he’s as proprietary as Dean was about driving it.

Colter: This is a sweet ride, I wouldn’t mind getting behind the wheel of this thing.

Russell: That’s never gonna happen.

He also insists on dropping Colter off at the edge of the woods to go find his truck after they’ve saved the day.

Russell: This Baby doesn’t drive on gravel.

Me: He called her Baby!!

The Supernatural shout outs weren’t the only enjoyable things about this episode. Russell Shaw is a badass (much like his brother) and we got to see that on full display in tonight’s episode too. Confronted by a bad guy with a gun on him, Russell is unbothered enough to be snarky.

Russell: Pro tip, if you’re gonna shoot me, you should shoot me now.

Five seconds later he gets the drop on the guy and knocks him out.

Russell (shrug): Should’ve shot me when you had the chance.

He takes a specimen from the lab case before he leaves, with an admiring “spicy”.

I don’t know why that was so attractive, but trust me, it was.

Russell is cocky, but so is Colter sometimes, so they play off each other and it’s thoroughly entertaining to watch.

Russell after rescuing Colter and letting him know that Reenie called him to help: I’m kinda that guy, I mean the results speak for themselves.

Colter: Here we go…

Both the Shaw brothers were raised to be competent and, for lack of a better word, badass.

When he realizes Colter’s been freed with a tracking device on his phone (and implanted in his neck), Russell unceremoniously shatters his cell phone and then digs the device out of his brother’s neck with a knife. Like I said, badass.

Colter later gets him back by tossing Russell’s phone into the woods just as Reenie calls.

Russell: I better answer this, she could be worried…

Colter: tosses it in the woods.

We get to see that great acting we all know Jensen is famous for, both in his playfulness and in the way he shows us without saying a word how hard it hits Russell when the bad guy brings up knowing about his father. He plays it off and stays snarky, but there’s a moment when you can see he’s caught off guard by that.

Hartley and Ackles are both so good that they boost each other up even more, and the results are some great onscreen chemistry and some damn good acting.

The brothers parted ways at the end of the episode, but we know Jensen will be back. Russell shared what the bad guys said about their dad, and Colter shared about the box of their dad’s stuff that their sister has, so the brothers are a little more on the same page now.

Russell’s way of saying goodbye and I love you: Saved your ass.

Colter’s way of saying the same: You did not save my ass.

Russell (grinning): ‘Little bit

Colter (walking away): Hey Russ? Thanks for saving my ass… a little bit…

Brothers, man.

As Ackles films Countdown in LA, which I’m so looking forward to, I’m also very much looking forward to more of the brothers Shaw! Thoroughly enjoyed this episode.

The only thing I might quibble with is when Colter and Russell are driving along in Russ’s convertible (going extremely fast if you judge by the scenery FLYING by), Russell’s hair isn’t the least bit disturbed. But I’m not gonna quibble because Russell’s hair looks like this and I don’t CARE if it’s not realistic!

Also, eyelashes for days catching the sun.

Anyway…

Much like Fire Country, which I love all on its own and so am very much looking forward to Jared Padalecki’s Camden enriching an already enjoyable show, I’m loving Tracker. Jensen is the icing on the cake, and I’m thrilled we get to have him join the fun for a few episodes. Looking forward to next week’s episode – You can catch Tracker on Hulu, Paramount Plus and on CBS on Sundays!

Gifs jarpadandjensens, elainamarie89. Caps acklesism, justjensenanddean, esmecantsleep, ackleshair, hollywoodnorthbuzz, keepfrmdrowning

– Lynn

You can read all about how fandom has impacted

Jensen Ackles and how he feels about Supernatural

and Dean Winchester in the books ‘Family Don’t

End With Blood’ and ‘There’ll Be Peace When You

Are Done”. Info and links at:

 

Supernatural at the Nation’s Capital – DC Con 2024!

Supernatural at the Nation’s Capital – DC Con 2024!

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DC con will always remind me of my friend Krista Martin. Last year, it was her last con, and the actors and the rest of us tried to make it as special as humanly possible. I hope we did; I think we did. But being back in that same hotel brought back a lot of memories for those of us who were her friends, so the con had an extra emotional edge to it. I’m often emotional at Supernatural conventions, but this one, more than usual. It’s also one of my “local” cons, so I got to drive instead of fly, yay! I picked up my friend Rita and we drove down together, stopping for lunch along the way and getting there just as rush hour hit – but we made it in one piece! (I am not a big fan of driving on crowded highways at rush hour, but oh the things we do for the show we love.)

I was on my own in the vendor room for a lot of the weekend, so I wasn’t able to catch too many panels, but I was able to see some of Alaina Huffman on Friday. I’ve really enjoyed my interview chats with her, and I think she did an amazing job with Abaddon, so I was glad I caught some. I love her sense of style!

Alaina: I don’t get recognized as much as some of my friends. At Comic Con my Supernatural friends all got recognized more. Then when they asked one fan who their favorite was, they said Abaddon!

What would she give Abaddon as a gift?

Alaina: A whip. For me too, we’re not that different…

Let’s hope that’s at least partly not true…

Alaina said she’s still pursuing directing, saying she’s forging her own path.

A fan asked if she would shave her head for a role.

Alaina: Depends on the paycheck!

Smart answer.

I also had to watch some of Adam Rose and Matt Cohen’s panel. The two of them together are both sweet and hilarious, and so very entertaining! It’s a great example of actors who didn’t even work together on the show, but are just a great duo in person. When I came in, they were talking about the time Adam did a TikTok with Jensen Ackles wearing the famous blue cardigan.

Matt: Jensen put on the blue cardigan and it literally had an orgasm.

Adam: I made a mistake letting someone so good looking put it on…

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Two In A Row – Supernatural Indy Con 2024!

Two In A Row – Supernatural Indy Con 2024!

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For those of us who were in Austin for a con and concert the week before, Indy the very next weekend was a con we came to already tired – but it was also a smaller, surprisingly emotional, thoroughly entertaining one.

I had friends to help me in the vendor room at Indy, which is SO glorious – and means I was able to catch more panels than usual. Friday I got to enjoy some of Osric Chau’s panel – I missed him! As I walked in, he was telling a hilarious story about how he had to try to block both Jared and Jensen’s long legs in a scene because they were both poking him.

He wasn’t really complaining though. Like everyone I’ve talked to who worked on Supernatural, they all appreciated the playful atmosphere that Jared and Jensen created.

Osric: The first AD told me, we run a well oiled ship. We finish on time, and that’s because we schedule in playing around time. And that’s so smart!

He said he’ll always compare every set he’s on to the Supernatural one.

Osric: Supernatural is that show you don’t expect that changes your life.

Isn’t that the truth!

He also joking complained about how confusing it was having two tall guys with J names as leads.

Osric: I got there and was so confused! Like why did they hire two tall white guys with J names? I kept calling them each other’s names!

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Radio Company Live in Austin 2024!

Radio Company Live in Austin 2024!

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It’s a rare event when Radio Company, the band that consists of musician Steve Carlson and actor Jensen Ackles (he would dispute it if I called him a musician, even though….), does a live show. I was fortunate to be at their first two years ago in Nashville, which was amazing. So I felt extra lucky to be at their second live show, this time in Austin at Sagebrush. It was another amazing show, just as joyous as the first, but also completely different.

Sagebrush is an Austin music institution. It’s not fancy – it’s a Texas dance hall with wood floors that you can stomp on and pool tables and colorful lights strung around the place for some ambience. The stage was very low and the dance floor pretty much right at the foot of it, so once the place started to fill up, the people who were able to both stand for hours and endure the heat and stood up front were literally at Steve and Jensen’s feet.

(Sagebrush photos by @waywrdaughter67)

Ten years ago, I would’ve probably been one of those people crowded up front, but that isn’t possible anymore. I had a bit of a saga with the management beforehand about how they would provide accommodations to people who needed them, got conflicting advice, and finally just gave up. The venue did end up having a table off to the far right with chairs so I sat there with others who couldn’t stand for a long time, but unfortunately the rest is standing room only so that meant we couldn’t actually see anything at all other than the occasional glimpse of a singing head onstage.

I’m fortunate to be able to stand up for short periods of time, so even though I was far away I was able to see the bands (well, their heads) at least for a bit when standing. It was approximately 8000 degrees inside so standing was extra hard, however. Those of us in the seats all passed around those little portable fans that look like something else and wrapped paper towels soaked in water around our necks and several friends were lovely enough to bring me cold club sodas with lime, but it was … challenging.

That’s not to say I didn’t have a great time. I most definitely did.

Before I was a passionate Supernatural fan, I was a passionate music fan of a couple of bands who I saw live many times, often happily crushed up against the stage. I love live music, it’s one of my favorite things. There are few things more joyous than singing along with a crowd of people who all love the music and the band playing.

I love Louden Swain, alot.

And I love Radio Company, alot. I’ve been a fan of Steve Carlson’s music since the year I discovered it, back in 2007 – the same time I fell head over heels in love with Supernatural. And now that he’s teamed up with Jensen – I mean, who doesn’t love Jensen singing?? I was blown away the first time I witnessed him turn into a rockstar in front of our astonished eyes at that long ago Vegas con, and he continues to evolve as a performer.

Sidebar: Long ago, even before that night in Vegas, I was part of a group of twenty people who got to hear Jensen and Steve play some songs for us at (I think) the first Nashville convention. He was nervous, although it was the most receptive audience ever and they actually sounded amazing. Later that day I was in the green room and he came over to ask me to tell him honestly how he was, was he any good?  I think I convinced him that a) he was great and b) he should do that more often.

I’m really glad he eventually believed it.

So while I considered saying nope and leaving to find some AC, once the music started, I was captivated enough to put my discomfort aside for the most part (and privileged to be physically able to do so at least for a limited time). Swain was amazing as always, and then there was a huge cheer as Jensen and Steve and their awesome back-up band took the stage.

Apologies for being shallow, but WHOA. Everyone knows I love Jensen’s long hair, and along with mostly-bare-arms-black-tee-shirt, hair blowing in his face – let’s just say I was screaming my enthusiasm right along with everyone else.

I thank Chuck every day that Danneel loves his long hair and Kripke kept it for Soldier Boy, because nobody cares what I think, but do I ever agree with them!

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Supernatural Brings the Heat to Austin 2024!

Supernatural Brings the Heat to Austin 2024!

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It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks for me, and for a lot of the SPN fandom – two back to back conventions plus a Radio Company concert, plus Jared and Jensen heading off to film on new shows and Misha jumping fully into the political sphere. It’s been fun, exciting, inspiring – and exhausting!

I was in Austin a few months ago to give a talk on fandom at a conference, and it was super hot then. Or so I thought. When I got off the plane this time, I realized I hadn’t actually known what super hot means. Most of the time we were there for the con, it was over 100. And that wasn’t the heat index; that was the temperature. Ooof.

Still, there’s always a thrill being in Texas, the state the boys call home (even when they’re not currently living there full time).

The con hotel had an amazing rooftop pool that you could wade right into and lounge halfway IN the pool. I spent time hanging out with friends at night in the poolside cabanas, and had a nice lunch with other friends at the rooftop outdoor restaurant. Night was definitely the only comfy time to be outside.

I also got to do a little bit of shopping on South Congress and have a delicious lunch at Magnolia Café with good friends, so I felt like I at least got to do a little bit of Austin while I was there.

I love the city, just not the 100 plus temperature!

So, the con! (I’ve included some of my tweets with short video clips in them if you want to click and watch those too).

I caught some of Adam Rose and Matt Cohen’s panel on Friday, just in time to hear Matt do a hilarious retelling of the time some of the cast went out for BBQ and Matt missed it because he slammed his finger in a door (or maybe Adam shut the door, but at any rate, OUCH).

Matt: Now I have a piece of the blue cardigan on my finger!

Apparently the folks at the restaurant weren’t all that impressed by Supernatural actors, but blue cardigan guy from TikTok? Oh hell yes!

Not everyone knows him though. Adam said he worked with the Jonas Brothers.

Adam: I don’t think Nick had any idea who this bearded guy putting on a wig was…

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Supernatural Cons 2024: Back to the West Coast for San Fran!

Supernatural Cons 2024: Back to the West Coast for San Fran!

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I’m finally catching up with posting about the most recent Supernatural conventions before I head to Austin for the 150th Supernatural con there this weekend (please wish me luck surviving the Texas heat…)

Mid July was a convention in San Francisco, which for me also means flying out a week early to spend time with my daughter – so this con was family of all kinds, both the ends-with-blood kind and also my SPNFamily, the don’t-end-with-blood kind!

I made it to the con hotel on Friday early enough to catch some karaoke, which drew a good sized and very passionate crowd. Lots of the cast joined the fun, including of course master of ceremonies DJ Qualls and Matt Cohen. Lisa Berry, Osric Chau, Samantha Smith and Adam Rose also helped make every single song sound pretty damn good.

The theme was “prom” so we had some beautiful prom dresses and tuxes and Matt Cohen in a prom king crown because of course he was!

I was a happy camper because we got not one but two Abba songs, including my favorite Dancing Queen.

Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?

https://x.com/FangasmSPN/status/1811984612740202556

I had no idea Adam Rose was such a talented performer – he sang a rendition of Sonofabitch or whatever that song is actually called that may have rivaled Jensen Ackles! Helped along by Matt Cohen.

https://x.com/FangasmSPN/status/1811987672535302195

If you haven’t been to con karaoke in a while, check it out – it feels reinvigorated, with lots of the cast having a blast with the fans. Similar to how it started way back when!

And at this con, you got your very own crown or tiara to take home if you took the stage.

We also got the good news on Friday at the con that Season 2 of ‘Tracker’ will be premiering in October – and that Jensen will be back as Russell in at least two episodes! That definitely put everyone in a good mood.

Saturday I caught Misha Collins’ panel, as I always try to do. For some reason he and Rob re-enacted Richard Speight Jr. touching Misha’s jacket backstage. Creepily.

He told some parenting stories, as he often does, including that time he took infant West to a rave – and had the horrifying realization in the middle of the chaos that perhaps they did need to change the way they were living their life a bit now that they were parents.

Oops.

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Supernatural Conventions 2024 – Return to Seattle!

Supernatural Conventions 2024 – Return to Seattle!

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Seattle is a city full of memories – some of them wonderful, some of them not, and some of them bittersweet. As I flew into the city, I was thinking of my friend Krista, who we lost not long ago. I spent one of the most fun days ever with her and a group of other Supernatural fan friends in Seattle. Krista was our unofficial tour guide, taking us to the original Starbucks and demonstrating how to navigate the fish markets with her trademark finesse and sense of humor. And then we all returned to the con to indulge our mutual love of Supernatural.

Beautiful memories…but I miss her.

Some of my other really fun times in this city have been with my friend Alicia, who picked me up from the airport like old times. We hadn’t seen each other in WAY too long. We had lovely coffee and catch up chat time on another Starbucks patio, reminiscing about some of the best days of my life – the ones we spent on the Supernatural set, driving across the border after a con here in Seattle to spend the day sitting behind Bob Singer or Phil Sgriccia or whoever was directing, watching the boys film our favorite show and overcome with gratitude.

Again, beautiful memories…but I miss my friend and I miss my Show.

Then of course there was that memorable Supernatural con in Seattle that got cancelled after half a day by an unexpected snowstorm. Snowpocalypse made for an interesting Friday afternoon, especially because I also was coming down with a terrible cold. I was lucky to escape on one of the few flights that got out, back to the East coast but sad about missing the con.

This time went a lot more smoothly. (There were penguins to remind those of us who’d experienced it of Snowpocalypse though).

I caught some karaoke on Friday night, with some of my favorite people – Matt Cohen, Osric Chau, Adam Fergus, Julian Richings, Alaina Huffman and of course DJ Qualls.

It was like karaoke in the old days, with Adam Fergus dancing on chairs in the audience.

I missed most of the panels on Saturday since I was on my own in the vendor room, but this con was fresh off the series finale of Walker and Jared’s candid comments about the disappointing state of the network that was Supernatural’s home for so long, the CW.  Matt Cohen talked about how important those comments were in his panel.

Matt: From his position of success, it’s very important for a guy like him to use his voice and reflect exactly what’s going on in the industry.

He said that so many in their industry are in a crisis of not working, there’s the threat of AI, etc.

Matt: I want you to look up what Jared said and support our guy.

I love how they all support each other, then and now and always.

I did make sure to catch Misha Collins’ panel on Saturday – it’s one I never miss.

Misha had some memories of Seattle too, including the GISH French maid world record attempt with tons of people packed into a sweltering gym.

Misha: Eventually seven ambulances came because French maids were passing out, but people still held hands to break the record!

(Despite this, most of us who did GISH regularly still miss it lol!)

Misha has been quite active in politics recently, and said he’d just realized the debate tactic recently used (overwhelming with lies) is called “Gish gallop”!

He brought on stage a student who had selected him to interview as someone from Washington who’s had a positive impact for a school project – good job, Addy!

Someone asked what he was interested in at school.

Misha: I was a bit shy. I was always the new kid at school, so I would observe people a lot.

He said he was always getting hurt or injured on his birthday for some reason.

Misha: Shit, it’s about to be my 50th, I’d better be careful!

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Supernatural Cons 2024: Columbus Con!

Supernatural Cons 2024: Columbus Con!

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Columbus, Ohio is a city I don’t think I’ve ever been to before so I was excited that there was a Creation Supernatural convention there in June. It’s also a city where two of my friends who I do not get to see NEARLY enough live, so I was extra excited!

My friend Alice is one of those friends, the lovely person who founded the Winchester Family Business website that, along with this one, has been covering all things Supernatural and Supernatural-adjacent since the very beginning of this wild ride. She picked me up at the airport and joined me at my vendor table all weekend, which made vending even more enjoyable than it always is.

We had a lovely dinner on her back deck with her hubby and some rambunctious dogs and cats, and then joined in some of the karaoke fun. It’s so awesome to have Matt Cohen back at karaoke, and DJ Qualls was made to be the host. Don’t miss the Friday night fun if you’re at a con – or even if you just stop by for that!

Saturday I caught a bit of the R2M panel, which I also love having back – Matt, Rich and Rob are inevitably hilarious together.

Rob: I’m a fanboy when it comes to music.

Matt: Did you just say a hot dog shoved inside a pickle??

A fan asked the three about the history of that time they wore pink pants in Paris. Richard proceeded to give the entire history of pants.

Rich: Did I answer your question?

Fan: Uh, no…

They all laughed about going shopping together for salmon pants and having a blast.

What is the episode that best represents Supernatural to them?

Matt: ‘Baby’, and not just because I’m in it. It’s the boys in the car on the road.

Matt gets it.

Rob: Swan Song, with its great recap up til that point.

Another great choice.

Rob was asked about his musical influences and he said Pearl Jam.

Someone asked Rich about his role in Band of Brothers and he said he did a lot of research for Skip’s backstory.

Rich: There was no google then!

Rich on directing Supernatural: The violence is very carefully planned out and storyboarded.

Matt on directing Supernatural: You want to do a lot of planning and you also want to make sure you tell the entire story.

Before the ladies panel, we got to wish Kim Rhodes a happy birthday. Thank you for your beautiful chapter in Family Don’t End With Blood, Kim – I know it has inspired so many people who have read about your experience with the show and how fandom changed you.

Kim Rhodes, Briana Buckmaster, Samantha Smith and Lisa Berry were a fab foursome.

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Supernatural Conventions 2024: New Jersey and Jensen’s Real SPN Baby!

Supernatural Conventions 2024: New Jersey and Jensen’s Real SPN Baby!

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The New Jersey Supernatural convention is my “home con” – at least until next year when we’ll finally have one in my actual hometown of Philly. That means I get to drive there! (I hate driving but it’s better than flying…) My friend Rita joined me on a lovely spring day, and together we managed to navigate our way there with only a few wrong turns!

Leading up to the con there was a lot of excitement, for several reasons. One, unlike the con in Burbank a few months ago, Jared Padalecki was at this con – so yay!! Two, everyone was charmed and just plain thrilled at the news of Supernatural actors DJ Qualls (Garth) and Ty Olsson (Benny) being engaged, and couldn’t wait to see DJ to congratulate him. And three, Jensen Ackles was bringing his Impala to the con – the actual screen-used Hero #1 Baby. There was as much anticipation for that as for any other guest!

I was on my own in the vendor room with the books, so I didn’t get to attend as many panels as I wish I did, but every panel I did manage to get to was entirely happy making. The con is in a giant convention center (not my favorite type of venue) but it does make for a cavernous vendor room, as you can see. (‘The books’ are the two with chapters from the Supernatural actors, Family Don’t End With Blood and There’ll Be Peace When You Are Done, plus a few other behind the scenes books about the show, and the new book that’s a deep dive into The Boys, Supes Ain’t Always Heroes. Links on the home page here fyi).

I caught a little bit of Richard Speight, Jr., Matt Cohen and Rob Benedict’s panel, which invariably includes a lot of hilarious stories. Rob told the story of someone writing a part for him – and then he actually didn’t get the part! Only Rob.

The three were asked who would play them in a movie.

Matt: Drake Rodger!

(Makes sense to me)

Richard: The animated corpse of Don Knotts…

(If you don’t know who that is, look it up lol)

Matt reminisced about his time on General Hospital – and how his character was a neurosurgeon priest – and a stripper!

(Hey, he was versatile…)

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‘The Boys’ Gets It Right – Eric Kripke on Mirroring Reality, Soldier Boy and Supernatural Reunions

‘The Boys’ Gets It Right – Eric Kripke on Mirroring Reality, Soldier Boy and Supernatural Reunions

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This has been a week of exciting news for ‘The Boys’, with announcements at Comic Con that there will not only be a Season 5 (with Jensen Ackles’ Soldier Boy as a regular), but also a prequel coming up starring Ackles and Aya Cash! Vought Rising will be all about the early adventures of Soldier Boy and Liberty aka Stormfront.

The season 4 finale set up Soldier Boy’s return in the original series, as Homelander was reunited with his (unconscious) dad.

I was fairly certain that was happening but even so, when I watched the screeners, I squealed at that reveal. And I was definitely not alone!

Now we know we’ll be getting A LOT more of this fascinating character, including a focus on the complicated (understatement) father-son relationship between Soldier Boy and Homelander in Season 5. (Jensen and Antony Starr have a lot less complicated relationship – the two were overjoyed to see each other at Comic Con last weekend).

Kripke has also teased that father and son might be more allied than at each other’s throats, since they have  a mutual gripe with Butcher. I’m guessing Soldier Boy is gonna wake up mighty pissed, and honestly? I am here for it.

We’re also getting a 1950s era deep dive into what sculpted Ben into Soldier Boy and Clara into Liberty (and eventually Stormfront). The fact that Vought Rising is described as a “lurid pulp saga prequel” set in 1950s New York makes the prequel sound even more enticing – just imagine the LOOK of it! The costumes alone will have both Jensen Ackles and his entire fandom beyond happy.

And Season 5, which will be the final season of the original series, is sure to be as spot on with its parodies and as entertaining with its action, depth and surprising emotionality as the previous four seasons.

As if that wasn’t enough fantastic news, Creation Entertainment also announced its very first The Boys convention, in New Jersey in October!

Clearly the show continues to be a phenomenon, and I’m endlessly fascinated about all the reasons why it has captured so many people’s imagination. When I spoke with Eric Kripke before Season 4 had aired, we had a chance to talk a bit about the show as an eerie mirror of our real world, the power of its nuanced characters, and what Supernatural reunions might be on the way. Here’s some more of our conversation now that we’re not in worried-about-spoilers territory. You can read lots more about The Boys and its complex characters – with input from Jensen Ackles, Aya Cash, Eric Kripke and many others – in Supes Ain’t Always Heroes, including more of the psychological questions I can’t resist asking, to which they all have always given such incredible answers.

I asked Eric how it felt that the series keeps veering closer and closer to reality and being more explicit about being a mirror of some disturbing parts of our actual world. Was he worried that it was going to get a little too real for some people?

Eric Kripke: I never know whether something will work or not or what the response will be, I’m just trying to do something that means something to me and entertains me. It’s for sure a more explicit season, but like we’ve never been particularly subtle.

Lynn: That’s true!

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