But I Want More! Supernatural 10.03 Soul Survivor

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WB/The CW
WB/The CW

There was a lot riding on episode 3 of Season 10, Soul Survivor. Jensen Ackles was directing, so everyone’s anticipation was high. On the other hand, some of the episodes by these writers are not my favorites, so I was wary. And, woman of little willpower that I am when it comes to this Show, I was once again a little bit spoiled – particularly for the scene where a tied down Dean tries every trick in the book to hurt his brother. Ouch. Maybe it was merciful that I was prepared, since it still hit me hard enough to make me nauseous hearing Dean say those hurtful things to Sam.

I’m not sure I’ve ever loved Sam more than when he refused to fall for it. When he plunged that needle into his brother and countered “This is me yanking your lame ass out of the fire,” I shivered. When he looked back over his shoulder and said, “You’re welcome,” I think I gasped. And then tweeted in capslock THAT’S RIGHT SAMMY!!!

Damn. How so hot, Mr. Padalecki?

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Welcome to the Family – A Chat with Supernatural’s Gil McKinney

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gil 10

I had the pleasure of chatting with Gil McKinney recently – and was it ever a pleasure! Gil, who plays Henry Winchester (Sam and Dean’s grandfather) on Supernatural, is one of the newer additions to the conventions, but he’s already become an integral part of the experience, and part of the SPN Family. (In fact, at his very first convention, right after his singing knocked our socks off, Kathy and I looked at each other and said oh yes, he needs to stay!)

Gil started off by asking questions instead of answering, which is always the way we like it. He also gave an impromptu private piano concert in between photo shots. Which is definitely the way I’d like all our interviews to go.

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How Far Will We Go To Love a Monster? Supernatural’s ‘Reichenbach’

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Graphic by @izulec1992
Graphic by @izulec1992

At first I was tempted to just make this review a capslocked EEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! That’s exactly how I felt after watching ‘Reichenbach’, not exactly coherent but filled with an intense desire to scream from the rooftops that our Show is the BEST Show and always will be. I’m sure my neighbors would have loved that. It’s Friday now and I’ve calmed down enough to be slightly more articulate and to think a little more coherently, though all of that inarticulate squee is still very much there.

By the way, what’s your guess on this episode’s title? I’d like to think it was for the philosopher Hans Reichenbach, who apparently was one of the first professors to encourage open discussion and debate (the way most of us who teach do now). Is the title an invitation to fandom to engage in some free-spirited discussion and debate about what’s really going on in Supernatural this season? I like to think so. Of course it apparently could also just be evidence that Andrew Dabb is a Sherlock (or possibly a SuperWhoLock) fan.

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Feeling the SPNFamily Love – TorCon 2014!

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yourlove2

It’s Tuesday night as I’m writing this, and I’m so wired with excitement after watching the new episode of Supernatural, that I figured I’d put the energy to good use and post my convention thoughts. Then I can concentrate on a review of Reichenbach. Though I’m thinking that might just be a gigantic SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! OMG that episode was amazing! And after a wonderful weekend at TorCon, I’m feeling very lucky to have fallen for this Show and to be a part of this special SPN Family.

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Back in ‘Black’ – Supernatural Season 10!

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xxxx 10.01 guh

There was so much anticipation leading up to the start of Season 10 (10!), that it’s almost hard to believe I didn’t feel let down by the premiere this week. The night before, the CW did something it’s never done for SPN – ran an hour long special ‘retrospective’, looking back over the past nine years of Supernatural. The special was an emotional and heartfelt tribute, not just to the Show, but to the fans who have kept the Show on the air for ten seasons. Seeing Eric Kripke back in the SPN Family was enough to make me reach for the tissues – add to that Rob Benedict’s narration, the voice of Chuck himself, and I needed multiple boxes. Before the airing, fandom made sure that writer and S6 and 7 showrunner Sera Gamble wasn’t left out, tweeting about favorite Sera-penned episodes and her lasting contribution to the Show with the hashtag #thankyousera. (We may have let her know that was happening after the fact, and she may have said thank you.) Throughout the special, the cast talked about what they owe to the fandom, with clear appreciation and respect. Mark Sheppard commented that he wasn’t so sure about people who aren’t passionate about something (which is pretty much the plot of Fangasm: Supernatural Fangirls) and fanworks even appeared in the special itself. So we went into Tuesday night already at a fever pitch of excitement and full of love for Show.

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Supernatural S10 is Almost Here!

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bday 21

Well SPNFamily, the wait is almost over. Hellatus always seems endless and then suddenly it’s about to end and I’m not sure I’m ready! There’s more anticipation for Season 10 than I’ve felt in a while, from both the actors and the fans, and it’s building to a fever pitch right now. Kudos to the CW for giving us a Supernatural retrospective tomorrow night, which is certain to amp up the anticipation even more. It’s a good thing it’s fall break at my university for the next few days, because I’m pretty sure my excitement would have precluded any sort of coherent teaching anyway.

We thought we’d share some thoughts and some favorite moments from the last Supernatural convention in Dallas as we wait for the season to officially kick off. Moments that remind us why we’re still head over heels in love with this Show and immeasurably grateful for this diverse, passionate, sometimes-argumentative-but-tremendously-supportive fandom.

My favorite thing from DallasCon, hands down, was the celebration of Rob Benedict’s birthday. We’ve talked with most of the cast more than once about how they have all become bonded, as much from the experience of hitting the road and doing conventions together as from working together on Supernatural. Some of the actors never even shared the small screen, but they’ve become close friends after spending weekends together and singing karaoke together and travelling the world together to meet the fans. That closeness was evident as Jared, Jensen, Misha, Tahmoh and Richard surprised Rob on the day of his actual birthday.

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It’s #JaredLoveDay! Ten Reasons We Love Jared Padalecki

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Photo by Jeni Berry for Fangasm
Photo by Jeni Berry for Fangasm

It’s #JaredLoveDay on Twitter and Tumblr — we couldn’t contain our respect, appreciation and affection for Mr. Padalecki in 140 characters, so we thought we’d post here instead. And share a few of the reasons why we think he’s special. These are my personal reasons — we have no doubt you all have your own!

Keep in mind we’re counting up to #1 here, starting at the bottom of our Top Ten Reasons We Love Jared Padalecki list.

#10. He’s nice to look at.

Sure, he’s gorgeous – that’s indisputable. There are entire memes dedicated to his flowing locks (and ones dedicated to his chiseled abs and those lovely hipbones too). Even Saxx Underwear knows a good thing when it sees one, and tries to recruit him as a model every time he puts his hands over his head onstage at a con.

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As Excited About Supernatural Season 10 As I Am! Jensen Ackles at DallasCon

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Photo by Jeni Berry for Fangasm
Photo by Jeni Berry for Fangasm
Photo by Jeni Berry for Fangasm
Photo by Jeni Berry for Fangasm

It’s hard to believe there’s anyone anywhere who’s more excited about Supernatural Season 10 than me. But this past weekend at DallasCon I found lots of fans who could match me for hyper-ventilating, anticipatory squeeing, hand-wringing, bouncing excitement – and I have to admit, Jensen Ackles might give me a run for my money too. Which, needless to say, just made me MORE excited!

I’ve been struck with Jensen’s palpable enthusiasm for playing DemonDean for a while, but he seems to be equally excited about the rest of the season and Dean’s arc too. His energy – and Jared’s – has been so positive since last season ended, and especially since filming has begun. They’re both clearly enjoying using Twitter to put fandom into paroxysms of glee as they tweet photos during the Show’s 200th episode of Sam and Dean “where they belong” or of the two of them hanging out while we all celebrated the Show’s tenth anniversary. Season 10 seems to be agreeing with them both.

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Osric Chau on his Emotional Last Scene as Kevin – and the Perils of Wrestling with Jared

Osric Chau on his Emotional Last Scene as Kevin – and the Perils of Wrestling with Jared

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We were extremely excited to see Kevin mentioned on the S10 sneak peek promo with a big question mark, and to hear Bob Singer tease that maybe he’d be back – because we love both the character and the talented actor who plays him. We sat down to chat with Osric Chau over dinner at VanCon, and invited photographer Karen Cooke to join us and snap some photos (Karen’s beautiful photos are featured in Fan Phenomena: Supernatural too).

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Taking the East Coast by Storm: Jared, Jensen and Misha at NJCon

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NJ Con 2 105

After the 12 hour flight to VanCon a few weeks ago, we were ecstatic to be able to actually DRIVE to NJCon – and the East Coast was ecstatic to have a con to call their own. Jared always asks how many people are con virgins and we’re always blown away by the hands that go up and the screams of joy that accompany them. There haven’t been many Supernatural cons on the East coast, so a whole new group of fans were treated to the awesomeness that is the SPN cast at a con.

The success of a convention depends on every guest there, and on the ability of Emcee Richard Speight Jr. and house band Louden Swain to keep the energy level up, and they came through with flying colors at NJCon. But the con’s success also rides heavily on the shoulders of Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles and Misha Collins (and some very fine shoulders they are…) All three were in fine form this con, and I do mean that in every way possible.

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