The Light on Spoilers, Heavy on Squee Preview of Supernatural 9.20 "Bloodlines"

Well, here it is...the Pilot for the Supernatural spin off! 

This is what's known as a "backdoor" pilot (don't giggle), meaning they embed the pilot into the season of the existing show. This way, they have existing, experienced creative teams and crews already in play, which makes shooting the pilot less expensive as everything is already set up. It also capitalises on the existing audience of the show that the pilot is based on.

The CW have had success with this style of pilot with The Originals which was a spinoff of The Vampire Diaries and was a backdoor pilot in season 4 - episode 4.20 coincidentally (or not). Arrow has also done this, with the pilot for The Flash (episode 2.08), which should hit our screens later in the year.

So here we are with "Supernatural: Bloodlines"!

Let's look at the synopsis:

"Supernatural" Episode 9.20 - "Bloodlines" (airs 4/29/14, 9-10pm):

SAM AND DEAN INVESTIGATE MONSTER FAMILIES IN CHICAGO — Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) investigate a case in Chicago, where they discover that various mafia-esque monster families are, unknown to humans, running the underbelly of Chicago.

One is a family of shapeshifters run by Margo Lassiter (guest star Danielle Savre), whose leadership is thrown into question when her brother, David (guest star Nathaniel Buzolic), returns home. The other reigning family in town is made up of werewolves, lead by Julian Duval (guest star Sean Faris).

While in Chicago, Sam and Dean meet Ennis (guest star Lucien Laviscount), a man with a personal vendetta against the monsters. The Winchesters warn Ennis about heading into the hunter lifestyle, but Ennis refuses to listen and starts down a dangerous path.

Robert Singer directed the episode written by Andrew Dabb.

Here's a list of the characters you're going to meet:

ENNIS ROTH | The de-facto star of the potential series, Ennis is “likeable, strong-willed, resolute, with a strong sense of justice.” He’s the son of a cop who grew up in poverty. He’s en route to the police academy himself when someone he is close to is murdered — presumably by some kind of monster. He meets up with Sam and Dean and “learns the staggering truth” that Chicago is run by five families of monsters (including, but perhaps not limited to, werewolves and shape shifters). And with that, a new monster-hunter is born. Fun fact: Producers are looking to fill this role with an African-American actor in his early 20s.

DAVID HAYDEN | A shape-shifter from one of Chicago’s ruling monster families. He’s been living as a human for some time, but a tragedy propels him back into the life. David is in his early 20s.

MARGO HAYDEN | David’s “professional, strong-willed, determined, ambitious” shape-shifter sister. She’s an “ex-punk rocker gone corporate” who sets out to be the new head of the family in the wake of a tragedy. Margo is in her early 20s.

VIOLET DURANT | A werewolf and part of the wealthy, powerful Durant family. In a twist right out of West Side Story, the early-twentysomething is hot for family rival David (see above), but their love is forbidden.

JULIAN DURANT | Violet’s “savagely handsome, strong, arrogant” twentysomething brother and Ennis’ arch nemesis.

FREDDIE COSTA | A world-weary copy in his 30s, Freddie has a soft spot in his heart for Ennis (he knew his dad back in the day). Fun fact: Freddie’s got a secret.

I'm expecting this episode to be Sam and Dean light, for obvious reasons. We know the guys only shot for a couple on this, 2 days in Chicago...though they only shot 2 days in the Misha directed episode too and that didn't feel light on. But the job of this episode will be to introduce a whole bunch of characters, so I'm expecting the emphasis to be on the pretty CW people and not our fabulous boys.

Let's look at the promo:

Wisely, there is a good amount of Sam and Dean in the promo...this, after all, is an episode of Supernatural season 9! Let's not forget that!

If this was just an episode of the week and not a pilot for a new show, I would think it looked pretty good! It sure is shiny! I don't think "Bloodlines" is going to have the gritty, slightly grimy look that Real!Supernatural has.

To be perfectly honest, I don't know how I feel about this pilot! Supernatural is magical for two very big reasons, both of whom's name starts with J. Yes, it's an amazing story, yes it's wonderfully written and beautifully made, but it's Sam and Dean and Jensen and Jared's portrayal of Sam and Dean, (as well as their lovely friendship) that gives the show a shining light that glows out from within, makes it so very special and warms all our hearts. I can't imagine another show ever capturing anything near that kind of magic!

But then, "Bloodlines" doesn't have to. We know it's a totally different concept to Supernatural, more along the lines of The Vampire Diaries, with a large ensemble cast and a storyline that is more soap than horror with a dash of Romeo and Juliet. There's a definite difference! So it's not trying to BE Supernatural, it's simply set in the Supernatural Universe.

Still... I can't help feel a tiny bit gypped that we're losing an episode...at least that's how it feels!

Though... Andrew Dabb has said: "A big shoe drops at the end of this episode, which kind of kicks off into our last three episodes."  So we will finish "Bloodlines" with something important to the mytharc of Season 9...which will remind us that this IS an episode of Supernatural.

And you know what, I'll be there this week with bells on...(thank you Captain Obvious...d'uh it's Supernatural) and I'll definitely tune in and check "Bloodlines" out when the series hits the air (assuming it's picked up, which I assume it will be), because I can't help but want to support the Supernatural brand and the team putting "Bloodlines" together. Plus, I'm sure with Dabb and co. at the helm, it will be good. Hey, I'll always have Supernatural's back.

And here's a bit of trivia for you... The Impala used in Chicago belonged to a fan! A fan from Texas supplied her (yes, her) replica Baby for shooting. You may have seen Stefany's Impala at Dallascon. But seriously, what an honour to have your very own Impala being driven by our very own Sam and Dean around the streets of Chicago! It'd never wash the upholstery again. Just sayin'!

You can read a report on filming with a comment (1st comment) from Stefany about having her Impala on the show, here.

One thing's for sure, it's going to be wonderful seeing our boys in the big city, don't you think? (Boy they look cold in that photo!) (Also, it's alwasy wonderful to see our boys...I'm just stating the obvious all over the place this week!)

As I'm writing this, no sneak peek has been released,  why I do not know, but you can bet when/if it does and when/if the CHCH promo drops, you will find them here!

For more on the Bloodlines pilot, check out the SuperWiki entry.

And check out this great interview with Andrew Dabb - it's got a lot of cool info!

So what do you think? Are you looking forward to this pilot? Outside of the fact that you all always look forward to a new episode of Supernatural of course!

A spinoff. Who'da thunk it huh? 

Let me know what your thoughts!

-sweetondean

STOP THE PRESSES! A CLIP!

"Sometimes you gotta work with the bad guys to get to the worse guys" Um. Yessssss. Hmmm.

CHCH PROMO! New look at some of the monsters!

Women of Letters Supernatural Podcast - Episode 19 "Alex Annie Alexis Ann"

Here's a new Women of Letters Supernatural Podcast. This week Jules from SuperWiki and I talk about the show's continued exploration of the themes of family and grief...as well as super hot, super charged Mark of Cain Dean!

Spoilers Sweeties! Official Description of Supernatural 9.22 "Stairway To Heaven"

GASP!

EPISODE 22! THE PENULTIMATE EPISODE OF THE SEASON! (Who says penultimate :D)

Here's the synopsis:

SUPERNATURAL
“Stairway to Heaven” — (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET) (Content Rating TBD) (HDTV)

TESSA THE REAPER RETURNS — After a massive attack on the angels, Castiel (Misha Collins) calls Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) for help.  As they leave, Dean’s eagerness to bring the First Blade doesn’t go unnoticed by Sam who is worried about the cost to his brother whenever he uses the Blade.  Meanwhile, Castiel is shocked when he learns the angel that caused the attack was one of his followers and did it in his name.  Dean discovers there is a conspiracy amongst Castiel’s angel followers and at the heart of it is Tessa, the Reaper.  Guy Bee directed the episode written by Andrew Dabb (#922).

Okay, so Tessa. Is this where we find out that Reapers and angels are one and the same thing? That the Reapers are a form of angel or something like that? Which....as much as I know there are going to be a lot of people crying retcon and other words that stick in my craw...makes a lot of sense to me. I've always been of the school, just because we haven't seen it or heard of it before, doesn't mean that it can't exist. I mean...how much stuff in this world is there that we don't know and how often do you think you know everything about something only to find out that there's more to it. I personally like that 9 years down the track we're still learning new things about the entities we're introduced to. And to me, seeing as the Reapers reap souls for Heaven or Hell, to have them having some kind of Divine connection makes a butt load of sense. It also puts into perspective how the Reapers in "Taxi Driver" and "I'm No Angel" got killed with an angel blade and died in an angelic burst of light. Hey, maybe the writers of the show know more stuff about this story than we do! I know, I'm being facetious, but by this late in the season, my patience is about at the level of Dean Winchesters!

Wait. I gotta remember that thing that I keep forgetting... Let me go read my own words...

Okay, I'm back and balanced.

So it sounds like Dean gets the Blade back in episode 21. I wonder if that means he does away with Abaddon in 21? Then the angel thing comes to a head in 22/23? Leaving us with what is bound to be a cliffhanger of painful proportions.

Say he has given Abaddon the chop, he'll be full to the brim with Cain fury! Even if she's not been done away with, Dean having his hands of the First Blade does not bode well for our oh-so-sexy-when-he's-burning-with-rage Winchester! GAH! (And... YESSSSS!)

Sam needs to say his words to Dean about how his bro is jonesing for blood when he's all Mark of Cain fired up. He's certainly noticing and he's most certainly worried...he keeps looking at Dean with those adorable, swirly frown lines of his...but he needs to say something and soon, because Sammy is the only one who can pull Dean back from the brink. And we all need/want him to do that! Mind you...at this stage (or any stage), would Dean listen? GAAAAHHHHHH!

Angels or not, I love the Reapers, in all their forms, they're probably my favourite supernatural beings and I really adore the Tessa character. I'll be happy to see her. I hope they don't kill her, but if she's gone rogue... I hope not, because she's been cool in the past and I've always enjoyed her popping up here and there. Oh boo, I just made myself sad. Like, Meg level sad. Well...maybe not Meg level...but sad.

Directed by Guy Bee and written by Andrew Dabb. What a great duo! Guy's a lovely director and I particularly like his action scenes and Andrew Dabb has become one of my favourite writers on the show, he did "Devil May Care" and "Road Trip" this season...as well as the yet to be seen Bloodlines pilot.

So the next synopsis we get will be for the FINALE! I literally have zero idea where this is going (except probably somewhere painful). I'm so excited for the last 3 episodes of this season! Sooooo excited!

Bring it on!

Oh and...I hope they forked out the cash to get the Zeppelin song for this ep!

Let me know your thoughts and theories!
-sweetondean

The Light on Spoilers, Heavy on Squee Preview of Supernatural 9.19 "Alex Annie Alexis Ann"

That week went quick! Geesh. I feel like I haven't even finished absorbing the last ep and here we are at the new ep. Yay! But oh noes, only 5 eps to go until the end of the season, and this week the crew wrap season 9. They wrap season 9! Didn't it just start?

Anyhoooo... When we last saw the brothers Winchester they had joined forces with their fine feathered friend, Castiel to get the jump on Gadreel and Metatron. But it all went pearshapped as these things tend to do and Cas got nabbed by Meglomaniacatron and the boys had to trade their prize catch, Gadreel to get their buddy back. But not before Dean, fuelled by the Mark of Cain, beat the snot out of Gads. Like, the snot. Like beat himsenseless. Like an angel. Senseless. Unconcious even.... NOT GOOD. NOT GOOD.

Oh and Gabriel was back! Except he wasn't.

And Dean took a shower..... *sigh*

Which brings us to this week's episode! Let's check out the synopsis.


SUPERNATURAL “Alex Annie Alexis Ann” 

SHERIFF MILLS TRIES TO SAVE A YOUNG GIRL FROM A VAMPIRE NEST — Sheriff Mills (guest star Kim Rhodes) calls Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) after she kills a vampire who attacked a prisoner named Annie (guest star Katherine Ramdeen). They discover Annie was kidnapped by a family of vampires who use her as bait to lure in humans they can then feed on. Sheriff Mills tries to rescue Annie from her captors, but finds out the hard way that family always comes first. Stefan Pleszczynski directed the episode written by Robert Berens (#919).

This is Mr Pleszczynksi's first episode of Supernatural, but he has quite a TV directing pedigree. This is Robert Berens' third episode, having written 2 others this season, "Heaven Can't Wait" and "Captives" both of which I thought were pretty good! But then I haven't thought any of season 9 isn't pretty good. First season ever where there's not been an ep I consider, meh!

Kim Rhodes. I loves her. I harbour an epic girl crush on Ms Rhodes. She's all kinds of awesome as is her character, Jody Mills.

I love Sheriff Mills' relationship with the boys. She's not a mother figure but she's a grown woman figure who can and will put those two in their place if needs be (because they need it sometimes). I particularly like her relationship with Sam. She's spent more time with Sam than with Dean and there's a comfortable closeness to their relationship that I like. I can see them talking, hours into the night, I could totally see them doing that. I wish they would.

This will be Jody's 8 appearance in Supernatural. That's a lot! And a worry. The longer she sticks around the more terrified I am they're going to kill her. I don't want that to happen, I like her a lot. She's my favourite human female character on the show and I don't want her to die. But I feel like that might be inevitable! And that would make me terribly sad...even if I understand from a story point of view, why.  Like Kevin. With hindsight, we can see that his death was the catalyst for the story to come around the brother's relationship, Dean's mood and how that led to his accepting the Mark of Cain willy nilly and Metatron and Gadreel being on their hit list. So yeah, heartbreaking as it was, I now can see the place that Kevin's death has taken in context of the story. Doesn't make it any less sad, but does make it somehow understandable. But I still don't want anything to happen to Jody! Story be damned!

I'm looking forward to seeing her fresh take on the brothers' situation and her fresh take on Dean. I'm hoping her and Sam with have a natter...because I love those two together and Sam could do with having someone to talk to right now. So I hope that maybe that might happen. Someone from the outside always gives the boys and us a new slant on the picture.

This episode does sound monster of the weeky but I bet you anything there's some reference to the MoC. Because Dean seems to be getting really rather strong (and buffer). Oh looky...I think he's going to cut off that Vamps head pretty easy. I hope that quenches the rage inside for a minute!

Oooo I've been crapping on! Let's look at the promo from the CW!

GET YOUR FANGS AWAY FROM JODY!

Okay...let's look at the sneak peek, then we can talk.

I had to watch this clip like 5 times because I kept getting distracted by the pretty. SO MUCH PRETTY. Dean's eyes are the colour of happiness! Seriously....play it again and concentrate on Dean's pretty eyes....

Are you back? 

Okay...

Vampires. I kind of like vampires and the vampire episodes. The bros are right, they have seen this behaviour in vamps before, if you think of the Alpha and his children that he kept around for feeding (I was always icked out by that).

But I do not like Jody all trussed up...they better not bleed her dry. I'll go all Mark of Cain on everyone's ass if they do!

Look who else is trussed up... must be Tuesday.

Poor Sammy! Geesh, that's the last thing he needs after all his poor health in the past couple of seasons due to Heavenly trials and broken brains and sleep deprivation! He looks all pasty (but his hair still looks pretty.)

Well this ep looks like a plaidtastic Vamp romp...but I bet it's not...because that would be way too easy on us...but I hope it is...

Either way, I'll be happy to have the bros and their favourite sheriff working together on a demon and angel free job! 

Oh and, I love how Jody has embraced not only the supernatural but also the hunter's wardrobe!

Have fun with the epi! Let me know what you think!

-sweetondean

STOP THE PRESSES! Here's the CHCH promo.

Not much here...except that kiling things that need killing it's kind of our job thing, which sounds like their having a conversation about whether to killing one of the things that may or may not need killing.

Okie dokie. Not long to go now!

Have fun!

-sweetondean

What I Learned From "Meta Fiction" or Remembering The Thing I Sometimes Forget...

“What makes a story work? Is it the plot, the characters, the text? The subtext? And who gives a story meaning? Is it the writer? Or you? Tonight, I thought I would tell you a little story and let you decide.”

I wasn’t planning on writing anything around “Meta Fiction”. After my hour and a half podcast on the subject with my podcast cohort, Superwiki’s Sister Jules (listen here), I felt like I’d said all that I needed to say, but yesterday I realised that maybe there was just a little more.

There was a story swirling around after the story of “Meta Fiction” that would not leave me alone and it got me thinking…

I’m not one for talking Meta or canon or any of those deeper elements of Supernatural that light up other writer’s worlds. My primary dialogue is usually based on the emotional aspect of the story, or at least how the story affects me emotionally. I watch this show with my heart and my mind, but when it comes to Supernatural, my heart rules the roost. I make no apologies for that. It is, after all, why we’re all so passionate about this show. Because it touches our hearts.

I don’t look at the primary relationship in Supernatural as having ever been perfect, nor do I need it to be perfect. For me it’s the flaws and the constant struggles that make the brothers’ relationship so compelling. The fact that their relationship is deeply flawed and damaged and yet they stay united is the thing that keeps me coming back week in week out. Because I’m rooting for them ever step of the way. It’s their journey, their ups and downs, their sometimes seemingly impossible battle to love each other against everything that is thrown at them and that they throw at each other, that keeps me engrossed and in love. Passionately in love. It’s the flaws in their relationship that to me, make it perfect. They live in an extreme world and it makes sense to me that their problems should match that environment. There is a truth to their relationship that I find profoundly satisfying, even when it’s breaking my heart.

I’m happy simply to have my boys on my television fighting the good fight, whatever that may be and trying to find meaning in their lives as they battle evil and sometimes each other in their eternal quest to save the world and stay side by side whilst doing it! Yay! That’s all I need. That to me is my story of Supernatural and it’s all I need.

But other fans need different things.

And that’s it, that’s the point. Story is an individual experience and what you bring to story and what you need from story is personal. There is no right and there is no wrong because this story belongs to each of us individually and every single one of us is unique.

That is what I took out of “Meta Fiction”. I didn’t see Metatron’s narrative on story as chastising or disrespectful to fandom or excusing the writers for future canon erasures or continuity errors. That didn’t even enter my head! I just don’t watch the story like that. That’s not my Supernatural.

But what Metatron’s narrative on story did do was help me to remember exactly that. My Supernatural is not the same as everyone else’s. We each see this story and these characters through our own values, our mood on the day, our hopes and dreams, how we see ourselves, how we see others, how we see family. We each have a unique vision of our world and it affects every second we watch this show. What we bring to the story affects what we take out and our needs differ.

And though I actually believe that Metatron’s speech will be seen as something that reflects back on his megalomaniacal vision of his world, which he will find he doesn’t control because of exactly the thing he questions…“who gives a story meaning”, it was a good reminder to me to respect everyone’s view on the show. How we interpret it is up to us. How we all see it is different. Because story is personal and my feelings about it or your feelings about it are no less right or wrong than the next fans. 

I’m going to try to remember this next time I feel frustrated because my opinion seems to be flying in the face of what everyone else seems to be saying, or the next time I sit scratching my head at another writer’s take on an episode I love and they didn’t, or the next time I feel irrational rage about some tweet or another! Because none of that matters. This story is my story and just like the Winchesters do, I will write it for myself.

What makes a story work? Is it the plot, the characters, the text? The subtext? And who gives a story meaning? Is it the writer? Or you?

For me the answer is simple. It’s you!

Now…about that shower scene…

Come on... like I wasn't going to mention it! ;)

-sweetondean

Spoilers Sweeties! Official Description Supernatural 9.21 "King of the Damned"

OMG OMG OMG. So I totally read this title and wondered if this related to Dean. Oh wait... you better read it first.

“King of the Damned” — (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET) (Content Rating TBD) (HDTV)

ABADDON BLACKMAILS CROWLEY — Castiel (Misha Collins) captures one of Metatron’s angels (guest star Gordon Woolvet) and asks Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) for help with the interrogation. Dean eagerly accepts, which doesn’t go unnoticed by Sam. Meanwhile, Abaddon (guest star Alaina Huffman) demands Crowley (Mark Sheppard) help her kill Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles). When he refuses, she reveals her shocking bargaining chip. Also, Castiel (Misha Collins) sets a meeting with Gadreel (guest star Tahmoh Penikett). PJ Pesce directed the episode written by Eugenie Ross-Leming & Brad Buckner (#921). 

Seeeeee... THE TITLE HAS ME WORRIED(ER)  

Right. So this is the 3rd to last episode of the season and obviously things are going to be heating up. It's not unusual for Supernatural to have one or two filler style eps (though really, are any totally fillers? Most add to the mythology somehow, if not the over arching myth of the season, the over arching myth of the show!), close to the end of the season, but the last 3 eps are always when we start on the high speed rollercoaster to finaleland. EEEEEEEEEEP!

Two things here...  

1. "Dean eagerly accepts, which doesn’t go unnoticed by Sam." I hope this means Sam says something to Dean about the whole Mark = Dean being all megaviolent thing.

2. "When he refuses, she reveals her shocking bargaining chip." WHAT IS IT? WHAT IS IT!!!!

Oh, hey let's make it 3.

3. "Castiel sets a meeting with Gadreel" - Yup, I'm waiting for Gadreel to realise the road with Metatron is full of megalomaniacal bumps! Here's hoping this is when he has a change of heart. I still feel he may have a redemption arc. (Not for Kevin, no redemption there, but for his previous sins).

Okay there was also a very vague season finale spoiler on EOnline from The Carver. Of course it was vague... IT WAS FROM CARVER! If you want to read it... it says nothing really... but if you want to read it... scroll downwards. If not, get out now!

Non Spoiler-phobes keep going.


Keeeeeep going


Just a little further


Just a little further still


Okay here we go


When to Watch: Tuesday, May 20 at 9 p.m.

What to Expect: A fierce battle! "All bets are off when Sam, Dean and Castiel take the fight to Metatron," boss Jeremy Carver warns. "Uneasy alliances and brutal choices await...all culminating in shocking consequences." Gulp.

SOUNDS LIKE EVERY SUPERNATURAL SEASON FINALE EVER!

Hit me with your thoughts!

-sweetondean

Promo photos from Supernatural 9.19 "Alex Annie Alexis Ann"

Okie dokie... We have a new episode AND new photos from the next episode! Awww CW, you're spoiling us! KEEP SPOILING US!

Here we go...  So remembering...there are vampires involved.

Dean has his trusty beheading machete! 

Sam: "How come Dean always gets to hold the knife?"

(I thought of dirty subtitles but decided to keep those to myself...)

Sam looking spectaculacular! I like his shirt!

Ruh roh!

Um... Um... Where was I?

Oh right!

*yells at computer* HE'S BEHIND YOU, DEAN!

2 boys and a Baby

Look at those male modelling sons of bitches!

Also, of import... THIGH HOLSTERS FOR THEIR GIGANTIC KNIVES! GUH!

Ruh roh! Sammy's all trussed up... again.

Not good. Not good. Though Sam... never mind.

Wait. What's this dude got....

ON NOES! Not only is Sam strapped to a chair...he's being bled! Noooooooo!

Usually I'm all down for a bound Sammy, but this looks serious!

I have a feeling this vamp is about to lose his head and it's going to be gruesome and awesome!

That'll learn him to mess with Dean's Sammy!

Guh!

Guh again!

JODY! In hunter uniform! Nice use of plaid and khaki, Sheriff Mills!

While Dean's not looking, Sam strikes a pose!

They look like twins! Jody has learnt the special hunter skill of.... LAYERING!

FAVOURITE SHOT!

They all look awesome. Oh yeah. Awesomeness abounds.

I love Sheriff Mills.

PLEASE DON'T LET ANYTHING HAPPEN TO HER! DO YOU HEAR ME, SUPERNATURAL?!

LONG LIVE SHEFIFF MILLS!

-sweetondean

The Light on Spoilers, Heavy on Squee Preview of Supernatural 9.18 "Meta Fiction"

Well that's it folks! We got through it! The last hellatus of the season and the toughest one, because this was SHOWERHELLATUS! Yes...we were made to wait and wait after a preview featuring Dean in the shower! I mean...how cruel! But before I get to THAT, let's look at where we've been.

When we last saw Sam and Dean, they were on the same page...well at least about Abaddon, everything else is anyone's guess! (It hurts, it hurts!)

It turns out, Abaddon is stealing souls to create her own demon army and take control of Hell and probably everything else in the bargain. So stopping Abaddon just became priority mission number 1 for the Winchesters.

Dean is feeling a lot of feels and some of them are because of the Mark of Cain and the First Blade. Having had his hands on the Blade, he's been jonesing for it ever since...and one person knows this for sure, Crowley. Of course, Dean is also just damn well down and out about everything. Having his brother distance himself like he has is never going to not make Dean hurt all over. Add to that guilt and fear and everything in between and Dean's back sneaky drinking the hard stuff and getting darker and darker and this is not going anywhere good! Gah! Thankfully, Sam is noticing and even if Dean trying to cover how he's really feeling, Sam is seeing that something is decidedly not right in Deanland.

Crowley most obviously knows a lot more about the Mark and the Blade than he's let on. He has a plan for Dean and he's playing Dean beautifully. He's appealing to all of Dean's insecurities, trying to bond over addiction and conveniently being the only person that will listen him. When Dean needs someone at the moment, he's reaching out to Crowley because he doesn't feel there's anyone else who would understand. He doesn't feel like he has anyone else full stop. For obvious reasons, he doesn't feel like he can reach out to Sam...even though I am quite sure Sam would be wide open to Dean in his time of need. Damn it, boys! Dean is sliding down a dark and slippery slope. This isn't going anywhere good at all!

As for the angel war. When last we saw Castiel, he was becoming the new leader of the angel revolution and Metatron was off doing whatever with his God complex and his lapdog, Gadreel (the dumbest angel in the garrison).

And that, ladies and germs, brings us to...

“Meta Fiction” 

METATRON OFFERS CASTIEL A DEAL — Metatron (Curtis Armstrong) attempts to get Castiel (Misha Collins) to join forces with him. Still furious with Metatron, Castiel (Misha Collins) refuses, which sets a surprising plan in motion.  Meanwhile, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) capture Gadreel (Tahmoh Penikett).  Thomas J. Wright directed the episode written by Robbie Thompson (#918).   

Oh boy howdy! It's a party! 

Robbie Thompson always delivers lovely episodes. He writes with equal amounts of humour and pathos and large dollops of perfectly positioned pop culture references. I love his stuff, so I'm wrapped that we have another episode from Robbie. The last episode Thomas J. Wright directed was "Holy Terror", which it really was!

So we finally get to see the brothers confront and beat the snot out of Gadreel. Weeee! I wonder how that's going to end. Does Metatron burst in and save Gadreel? Or will this be the end of him? What the hell is this surprising plan that Castiel sets in motion? 

It sounds like a lot is going on in this episode and all these characters are at some point together. Look!

So that's all exciting! 


Okay, shall we look at the promo?

It looks so goooooood, doesn't it? So much happening! I love that Metatron is writing the story here. How very meta of Metatron. It reminds me of Chuck! (Only in that he's writing about the characters in Supernatural....and maybe that he's little and a bit scruffy.)

Looking at the text on the page being typed, the Horn of Gabriel is mentioned, huh and Metatron has Cas saying "What if I fail again". Sooo interesting.

I also love seeing the bros work together to nab Gadreel in the Holy fire. That looks expertly played. I love me some smart Winchesters! Team Winchester activate!

I am wondering, with the showerhellatus and all, if this is just one episode in this promo. You know how sometimes they pop in stuff from a couple of eps after a haitus? But here's hoping it's all in this one, because it looks epic!

And then there's Dean showering and shirtlessly looking in the mirror...flashing his tatt *sigh* I have a feeling this scene is going to happen at the top of the episode and give us a bit more of an insight into how the MoC is making him feel, possibly with quick cuts to flashbacks, all whilst he's having a private, wet and drippy moment. But then I could be totally wrong! Happens all the time!

By the way, this will be the 4th time we've seen Dean showering, the others being "Bugs", "Mystery Spot" and "Of Grave Importance." He also looked at himself in the mirror in the bathroom in a simiar way as in this promo in "Lazarus Rising" when he was remembering Hell...even though he'd just said he didn't. We saw Sam coming out of the shower in "Hell House". These things are important. 

Okay, so what about the preview clip.

It's a bit of a short one! Only 10 seconds longer than the promo! Geesh. 

What's going on with the Mark? Wouldn't it be cool if it was like Harry Potter's scar and started to twitch when Abaddon was nearby! Yeah, probably not, but I do wonder if it's causing Dean pain or if it's just that he's so aware of it because everything in him is now screaming out for the Blade.

I wonder how long it's going to be before Sammy calls bullshit on Dean's "Yeah, I'm fine" nonsense. The way he's looking at his brother, he knows craps going down. I just hope he decides to put their bad blood aside and try to reach out to Dean. Remember when Jared said it's going to take something big to bring Sam and Dean back together emotionally? Is that where we're heading towards with Dean? Is Sam going to have to stop him giving into the First Blade entirely. 

Be interesting if Dean's faced with killing Abaddon. but that it means he'll be lost forever. What will the brothers do? It'll be kind of like Sam and the trials and closing the gates of Hell, huh? Is that where we're going? A reverse of Sacrifice? Where they have to decide again whether their lives and love and the future lives they could save outweigh the greater good of this one act? Is it going to be Sam who tells Dean to step away from the plan this time? Gosh, do you think that's where we're going? Dean being the one taken over by something supernatural and Sam having to talk Dean out of dying for the cause? Would Sam talk him out of it do you think? Will Sam have to come face to face his words from earlier in the season and decide whether he can hold true to them? OMG! I hope this is where we're going, because it's so intriguing and smart.

Like I said in the latest Women of Letters podcast, where Jules and I discussed "Blade Runners" and "Mother's Little Helper" (sorry about the lack of written reviews btw), where we're going with the bros seems to me to be all about understanding and maybe, hopefully, acceptance. The brothers continually go through similar experiences in a mirroring of each other's paths. Whether trying for a 'normal' life, trips to Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, the brothers share these experiences and it really should help them to be more understanding and accepting of each other. It should. But Dean has never had something supernatural coursing through his veins and Sam has never been on the other side of that. This is very much a flip of season 4 in that regard. Hmmmm. Eeeee! I'm clapping my hands with glee at the possibilities!

Alos, I'M SO SCARED AND EXCITED!

We only have 6 episodes until the end of the season. I'm terrified, quite frankly and I can't wait to see what happens and where all of this has been going. I CAN'T WAIT (and then I'll be sad because the season will be over. THANK CHUCK FOR SEASON 10!)

Enjoy the episode everyone! *whispers* Enjoy Dean showering....

-sweetondean

HOLD THE PRESSES! Here's the CHCH promo!

 

Oh gosh, so it looks like the boys go to rescue Cas. Try to do a deal with Metatron. I guess they offer up Gadreel as a trade.  

"We can't trust Metatron" Too right Dean! Gahhhh!

"It's going to be a hell of a show" HELLZ YEAH IT IS!

Enjoy everyone!

-sweetondean(again)

Women of Letters talk Blade Runners and Mother's Little Helper - Supernatural Podcast.

In this edition of The Women Of Letters podcast, Jules from Superwiki and I talk about the episodes "Blade Runners" and "Mother's Little Helper".

We discuss the Mark of Cain and the affect it's having on Dean. Whether it's wholly the Mark or whether being emotionally disenfranchised from his brother is the cause of his return to hard liquor etc.

We discuss the brother's relationship and Sam's obvious growing concern for Dean and we talk Crowley's addiction and what his game may be!

All that and a whole lot more!

Enjoy and thanks for listening!

Promotional photos and SNEAK PEEK Clip - Supernatural 9.18 "Meta Fiction"

Soooooo just under a week to go and we've got some promo pics and a sneak peek! Now before you go getting excited, there are not promo pics of Dean showering and the sneak peek is not of him suddsing up. DAMN IT. But there is still plenty of awesome!

It looks like Cas has been cornered by fangirls...AGAIN!

Then freeze frame. Then cut to black, act out.

Freeze frame.

Um...Yeah. Freeze frame.

Serviceable.

Casually leaning on the Impala looking awesome.

I think keeping their distance from Metatron is a good idea. Also it doesn't make him look so wee in the frame next to the gigantic Moose and pretty big Squirrel!

Cas and his sexy angel girlfriends. Or maybe captors. Either/or they're sexy!

That's just your finger, Metatron...not a gun.

Did they have Gadreel stashed in the trunk? 

"Impala - with a trunk big enough for carrying demons or angels!" 

That should be the Impala's tag line.

The gangs all here (and their fists are balled, so they're either mad or it was freezing the day they shot this!)

Oh Dean and your frowny face. So purdy.

Um. Um. *sigh* Um.

Casual no tie Cas. I like. This is a lovely shot of him!

Action shot with Baby!

Wouldn't you just love to be driving down the road and see them hanging around the Impala like this? Or maybe not...because that would mean there was trouble about! Okay... I STILL WOULD!

DID CAS KEEP HIS PIMPMOBILE?

Popping by the gas-n-sip for a cold beverage and to kill an angel or two.

I should be looking at how awesome it is that Dean has Gadreel trapped...but I'm looking at Dean's legs. Because, legs.

It's like staring into the sun! Wait. That's probably not what Gadreel's thinking, I think it's:

"I must concentrate real hard so I don't stare at his sexy lips"

Yep, that'd be it.

Well really, he had it coming.

O.M.G.

I wanna kill him.

No, I do.

But Dean, he possessed me.

Yeah, well he tricked me and pretended to be this other nice angel.

Not quite the same Dean.

Okay, how about this...

I'm listening.

We both stab him in his smug angel face.

Like a team.

Yeah, but business team...because that's how you want it Sam, right? *drips with sarcasm*.

*rolls eyes* Whatever Dean, let's just do it.

Okie dokie! Here's the sneak peek clip!

Just call him on his bullshit, Sam because he's so not FINE. CRAAAAAAAAP. And is the Mark itching for action, like, literally? Or maybe it's like Harry Potter's scar and when he gets closer to Abaddon it twinges! That'd be cool. This made me think of ghost sickness itch! Except...I don't think this is going to end in an epic rendition of Eye of the Tiger.

I has so much worry for Dean. He's just.... ACK. I has worry *wibble*

-sweetondean