J&J Panel photos from VanCon

Here are my panel shots from VanCon. I was row C but off to the side a bit (Jensen's side).
My camera is a Canon EOS 600D - with a 70 - 300 lens.
I used an ultra-fast memory card and was mostly set on creative auto - continuous shooting.
I didn't use a flash so as not to get red-eye, so some shots are not as sharp as I would like.
Also, this was only the 2nd time I used this set up....still learning.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy them. Some turned out awesome!

Bears and Mooses and Jensen, OH MY! Supernatural VanCon 2012 - Part 3

J-Day and Jensen’s Q&A….The Happiest Day Of Them All.

So Sunday arrived. It’d had been an awesome convention so far. I’d run into loads of people I’d met before, had a few nights out with fellow fans and generally had a blast.

I’d seen Steve Carlson for the first time and enjoyed him playing Jensen’s guitar! I’d seen Mark Pellegrino sing “Sweet Transvestite”, quite possibly one of the hottest things I’ve ever witnessed! I’d watched the wonderful Jim Beaver be a somewhat calming influence on the wonderfully kooky Misha Collins. I’d had a hilarious conversation with Richard about his porn-stache and what he calls “the ever evolving story” of my hair. Bless. It’d been a fabulous week leading up to the convention and a fabulous 2 days of the convention so far….but now….finally….it was J-Day!

As usual Hazel, my convention cohort, and I had the Jensen Q&A to look forward to. Ever since our first Q&A with Jensen in Chicago, we’ve vowed to always be there in that room with him for those magical 30 minutes…

But first up, it was breakfast with the boys and some photos!

I’m always shocked at how nervous I am on the Sunday. It didn’t help that I’d had some kind of allergic reaction to something and was covered in angry, swollen, blistering welts! They’d started coming up on Saturday and were in their full glory by Sunday. Itchy and MASSIVE and hot! Thankfully…most were coverable with a sleeve. I only had one of my forehead and I have a fringe so that was ok, but there was one threatening to take over my eye. Hazel gave me an antihistamine and I stashed my sunglasses in my bag, just in case by the time I saw the boys, I looked like some monster from one of their episodes! I covered it with make-up and said a silent prayer to the convention Gods that if I just left it be, it’d stay mostly invisible. Thankfully, it did!

Breakfast was, quite frankly, brunch! But I wasn’t complaining. Usually you have to get up at sparrows-fart for these things, but this time, it didn’t start until 10am with the boys not arriving until 11. My tummy was all over the place as usual…somersaulting here, back-flipping there…going for Olympic gold again. I wonder if there’s ever going to be a time where I’m not all nervous when I meet the Js? Probably not and I’m kind of glad about that.

We found our breakfast table over to the side and as far away from the stage as a side table could be. I have no idea how Creation do the layout. We had 3rd row seats and yet were at a table further away from the action than people we know who had seats a couple of rows behind us. It was still a good seat though. I could see clearly…and I was on Jensen’s side.

The boys arrived with little fanfare. Normally we get a 5-minute warning or something, but this time Adam introduced them and then they were there.

I don’t know what it is, but I always feel so damn good when I see Js! Endorphins maybe? Ok dumb statement there I know, we all feel good when we see them. But I feel like their presence washes over me. It’s like I exhale. I guess it’s all the excitement building and then finally seeing them. They’re just such a wonderful duo. I love watching them interact, I adore watching their friendship on display, I love how they concentrate on each other as the other speaks. They truly are each other’s biggest fans and supporters and it’s a thing of beauty to behold, as are both of them!

Of course, Jared instantly broke his microphone, causing Jensen to use his stern (read: smokin’ hot) voice. There were the usual shenanigans. Jared making a snowflake out of a napkin – it was an attempt by Jensen to keep Jared’s hands busy and away from the mic…Jared then wore it like some Jason Voorhees mask. Jared did the 50 States song…with encouragement from Jensen. When he got to Texas they turned to each other and said “Hi Y’all” with a hearty wave. Seriously, I’ve watched the video of that about 500 times since then and it still makes my face ache from smiling! Jensen talked about directing this season and how he was in the episode so much he found it very difficult to keep up with the work. They discussed learning and running their lines in the car on the way to set or location and consequently not knowing where anything is or how to get anywhere, because they’re never paying attention. I love how they laugh so easily at themselves. Jensen fiddled with his water bottle and somehow managed to pop the lid off across the room – I think it surprised him more than anyone else! He kind of looked around to see if anyone noticed! They chatted about the up coming season. Jensen said there’s been a lot of Dean so far and he wants us to make some noise to get more Sam so Jensen can have some time off! They said it balances out though, so we’re not to worry. They also discussed the Edlund script for episode 5 they were currently shooting – the one I watched them doing scenes for – and Jensen said it was his favourite of the season so far. Apparently episode 4 is a bit different, kind of in the vein of “Chronicle” and they really dug it. I love listening to them talk about the show, they’re always so passionate. They finish each other’s thoughts and look to each to other for affirmation. As usual, it was all over way too quickly.

Time for photos!

Jensen was up first. I got another fabulous cuddle. Gosh he’s so very nice to cuddle. This may sound weird, but he seemed more relaxed with me. Maybe it’s because I’m a little more relaxed and can speak to him a little bit more like a normal human being now! Only slightly though. It’s still sensory overload. I find it hard to look into his eyes for any length of time. That chick in “Tall Tales” was right…it’s like looking into the sun. He’s just blinding! He’s so damn lovely. I pretty much have no idea what goes on in the ops until I get my photos back! Then I’m like…hey, he’s resting his head on my head! He was resting his head on my head! Why didn’t I notice that at the time!? SENSORY OVERLOAD! He’s so polite and sweet and fun and gah! Sorry….remembering makes me all fan-girl!

Then it was the Js together. I have to say the photo with Hazel and I with the boys is one of my favourite photos ever. We all look totally comfortable, like a bunch of buddies hanging out…me particularly as I’m resting my head on Jensen’s back! For my shot with the Js, Jared asked what I wanted. I said, how about a hug? He said, “You can have anything you want beautiful.” I went, “Ohhhhhhhhh” blushed and turned to Jensen! Seriously. Jared is a flirty boy. I actually turned to Jensen for support I think! Ha! I got a “Beautiful” “Girlfriend” “Love” and “Sweetheart” from Jared on Sunday. I wish I could’ve recorded each one of them. My sandwich shot is HILARIOUS! I’m grimacing! I don’t know if they discussed this before hand, but they basically squeezed the crap out of everyone that day! All the breath left my body! I made an “Ooof” sound and went “Oh God!” Then my back cracked! When they released me…laughing, I looked at them and said “Good grief!” I then said “Wow thanks for that Jared, I think you put my spine back in place.” “You’re welcome sweetheart.” Amy dies. Then Jensen goes…”Pretty good huh? You get a photo and an adjustment all in one.” Amy dies again. I appear to be standing in the middle of the Js having some form of conversation! Well they were conversing….my brain was dribbling out of my ears. When I saw the photo, I’m totally and utterly pressed into Jensen. Like totally. His arms are all the way around me. My face shmooshed against his neck. My boobs are crushed against his chest! I wish I could go back and pay more attention! Jared’s arms are fully flexed and around me onto Jensen, his fingers are digging into Jensen’s back. That’s how tight they were squeezing me! Everyone came out of the photo room going “Oh my gosh, my back!” I think they must have planned it! Bless their squishy hug hearts!

Lastly, it was Jared’s solos. Hazel and I had to be up first for Jared’s op because we had to go to Jensen’s Q&A. More fabulous cuddles… This time it was…”What’re we doing girlfriend.” Well Jared, if you’d stop being so damn adorable for one moment maybe I’ll be able to get my brain into gear and answer you intelligently! At one point his collar was in my face and I kinda pulled back to try and get it out of the way and he said with a great big grin, "What's going on, do I smell bad or something?" and I said "Yes horrible." He laughed. I mumbled... "No you smell great as usual." I could feel him kind of chuckling in the hug. Somehow my photos with Jared are always amazing. I have no idea why.

Photos done! Boo. They’re way too quick!

Now it was time for what I’d been looking forward to all day, actually for about a month, ever since I won the auction. It was time Jensen’s Q&A.

Here’s a funny thing. From the night before I started saying to myself. I’m going to be front row; I’m going to be front row. Then…I think I’ll be in seat 3…seat 3…seat 3. So all the way down the escalators as we sprinted to the room for the Q&A, I was going 3, 3, 3 in my head. It’s a lucky dip for seating. I put my hand in. I pull out…..3! WEIRD! I am so doing that next time! In actual fact I sat in seat 9…because Hazel was in 10. Still front row, so 9 and I swapped seats so Hazel and I could sit together.

Then, we waited for the boy to arrive.

Jensen strode in. He strides. I totally love the way he walks. He has a certain gait. He’s kind of languid. Maybe it’s those legs! I’d recognise his walk anywhere. Jensen was in a great mood. He was very chirpy and a little cheeky. He seemed to be having a really fun day. He started off asking if anyone had embarrassed themselves at the convention. Somehow we got on to Russ Hamilton and Jensen made some comment about how Russ could be embarrassing at a coffee shop! I’d say that’s true! Then he asked us for questions, as we all know 30 minutes goes very quickly. I’ve said this before in past reports on Jensen’s Q&A; he gives you his full attention when you ask a question. He focuses on you, listens, thinks and then answers you without breaking eye contact. It’s like you have him all to yourself for that fleeting moment. He really gives you his time. If you’re anything like me…the room around dissolves and the only thing highlighted is Jensen. It’s like he glows. Maybe that’s just me…but I bet you anything it’s not.

He spoke again about how difficult his episode was to direct this season. There’s a lot of Dean and there were new guest stars who needed his director’s input, but he was also concentrating on finding Dean again and he found that balance very difficult to achieve. He spoke about how he found it difficult to go from the clear head of an actor to the busy mind of a director. It was a pretty long answer! He stopped after awhile and sort of apologised for taking so long to get to his point. As if any of us would mind. Hearing him speak about his work is a joy.

He discussed the fact that Jared and him had agreed to do season 9 and 10. He said the deal wasn’t officially done, but yeah there’d been the discussions and yes they’ve agreed to do it. Then he reminded us that it was up to us to keep them on the air that long, we’ve got to keep watching if we want them to be able to do those seasons 9 and 10. Um, I don’t think there’s much of a worry on that front Jensen!

He discussed his music. On Friday night Steve had told us the news that Jensen would be singing a song on Steve’s new covers album. He told us Jensen actually approached him and made the suggestion. They recorded the song in the ADR van on the “Supernatural” set and Jared shot a video for it on his iPhone! So Jensen talked about that project a little. He said he simply enjoys music as a way to relax and enjoys playing music at the end of his day. He doesn’t consider himself a musician. As someone who’s lucky enough to have heard him sing, I beg to differ. He is a musician. But he sure doesn’t think so.

Jensen talked about how he’s never been great at anything but he’s good at a lot of things. He talked about sports and how he was never the stand out star, was always good, just not great. He said he’s a good actor, but not a great one. He’s a very modest guy is Jensen. My friend Kim interjected at this stage and told him that yes he was great, then added with a smile…ok maybe there was one better than him. Kim’s a Jared girl! Jensen, as quick as a whip and deadpan, “Not on our show.” Oh, how we all laughed!

Hazel asked a question about whether he’d ever got any advice or learnt anything from a fan. We’d been discussing how being a fan of the show had opened us up to so much, introduced us to new music and all sorts of creativity. So we wondered if Jensen had ever had an experience with a fan that opened him up to something new, or that he took a lesson from. Thoughtful as always, he said he’d have to have a think about it if he was going to speak in specifics, but that he’s learnt a lot from the fans. Hazel said, “Like how crazy we are?” We all chuckled at ourselves. Jensen laughed too, “No…” Then he went on to discuss how much the fans bring to the show. That when they’re well into the season, exhausted, shooting at night, in the rain, having the fans and knowing the fans are out there reminds them of why they’re doing this crazy stuff, that it’s for us and that they’ll have stories to tell us. He said coming to the conventions allows them to put faces to the fans. At this, he looked from Hazel, to me, and then back to Hazel. Hazel and I discussed this comment later and the fact that he looked between us both. It felt like a quiet moment of recognition because we’re always together when we see Jensen.

Then my friend Amy, who was sitting behind me, asked how they learned all their lines. Jensen said it was pretty easy now, but I thought it was really interesting when he said once he had the lines in his head, getting on set made everything fall into place because then he has the spatial association and the lines take form within the action. I could sit and listen to him talk about acting all day. Actually I could sit and listen to him read the phone book quite frankly. His voice and the way he speaks with such consideration, is compelling.

Next it was my turn! As some of you may know, I work in TV in promos and sometimes it can be hard to keep the creative juices flowing doing the same thing day in day out. It’s easy to lose your mojo. I asked Jensen about whether there were any creative challenges to playing the same character for 8 seasons. Jensen did that laser vision thing on me. He said the difficulty was in keeping it fresh, keeping Dean fresh and making the dialogue and action seem fresh season after season and for each take. But he said they’re lucky, because they have great writers who are passionate about the show and their passion helps keep everyone else’s passion alive. He said that he thinks that it’s a really good show, so it hasn’t been that hard to play Dean for as long as he has. Then he said he’s playing Dean a little differently this season. We all gasped! He laughed and settled us down and told us not to worry, Dean won’t be that different, just a bit edgier. He reckons we’ll be able to pick it when he doesn’t do it that well. Bless. My question was answered; Jensen looked away….and….I breathed again.

Then the lone man in the group asked what Jensen’s next challenge was. Jensen put on that fake stern voice of his and said “Geeze isn’t that enough for you? What do you want me to sing and dance? Shine shoes?” We all giggled. I love it when Jensen pretends to be strict with the fans! He then went on to talk about how he’d like to get better at photography, but that these days he always forgets and leaves his good camera at home and takes shots on his iPhone. Which reminded him…. He hopped down off the chair, pulling his phone from his front pocket and showed us all a photo he’d just taken of the Impala. He walked around the group so we could all see it. Then he got down on his knees and showed us all how he took the shot, said he put an effect on it…he was a bit excited! It’s moments like this that make these Q&As so special. These small personal moments when Jensen takes the time to share something with us that no one else gets to see.

Then it was over. Damn. He thanked us. We all clapped and thanked him and Jensen strode from the room. As usual, Hazel and I sat for a moment absorbing what just happened. 30 minutes is nowhere near enough with this man, but I feel so blessed to have these fleeting moments with Jensen.

Of course next up was the panel with the Js. It was a really good one I thought, with not too many dumb questions. Some highlights were when Jared talked about Dean’s performance and then realised he said Dean instead of Jensen and ran around the stage in mock confusion. Jensen, quick as a whip “It was just that good.”

Jensen kept saying things that were just a little inappropriate. For once Jared was forced to take Jensen’s mic! When a girl came up dressed as pie and Jensen said “Yummmmmm…” Jared took his mic! At the end of the question, Jensen asked what kind of pie she was, she said cherry, Jensen said, “Yeah you are…” then offered his mic to Jared to take away! Like I said, he was in a cheeky mood!

They both told embarrassing stories about their wedding days. Jared’s was about wrestling on the floor at his buck’s party and cutting up his back. Then having to have his shirt pinned by his brother and Clif on his wedding day so he didn’t bleed all over it. Jensen’s was about his wedding photographer using the F word constantly and Jensen being worried for his grandmother (nawwww).

Jensen talked about his dad being in the episode that he directed and how his dad was worried about embarrassing his son and Jensen had to say, “Dad, get on a plane and get up here.” Stern voice again….

As usual, it was fun panel, which went way too fast. It ended in an auction for a gift pack from Jared’s 30th that Gen had made for him. The party was on a boat, so there was a towel and a life jacket with a beer opener attached! Jared said all the guests got one and Jensen pouted because he didn’t. Jared made excuses because Jensen was overseas at the time and then said, but all my family and friends got one and Jensen pouted again and Jared said “Except those that weren’t there”. Cuties.

The party pack went for $8,000. There was a hilarious moment when it was getting close to 8 grand when Jared said, “If we make it to 8,000 you’ll get Jensen too.” Nearly every hand in the auditorium shot up. Jensen completely lost it. Full-body-belly-laughter! You know the one that makes him bend backwards and then forwards and put his hands on his knees? He came back giggling going “All of a sudden, hundreds of hand shot up into the air!” Of course they did!

Jared was blown away but how much the auction went for. The money raised was for a war vets charity. Later Hazel and I witnessed Jared give the girl who won the auction the shirt off his back. Literally. He literally stood there, while we were waiting for our autographs and took his shirt off and put it around the girl’s shoulders. He was wearing a t-shirt under his shirt don’t worry. He later told Hazel he was “F***ing humbled” but the experience.

Then it was on to the autographs. Jensen commented on how well I’d cropped my photo I was getting signed! Too funny! I’d put 2 of my favourite Jensen and Jared hugs together! Clif said, “That’s your twitter picture isn’t it?” I said yes and Clif said, “See I know something” and Jensen said “Yeah, not much.” I thanked Jensen for another wonderful day and he said “Oh you’re so very welcome” and gave me a beautiful big smile.

Jared loved the photo too and commented on it. I also had a moose dressed in Sam clothes for him to sign, which he thought was pretty funny, even funnier when I told him I couldn’t find a moose big enough for the Sam outfit. Hazel and I gave Jared a Boba Fett M&M dispenser full of M&Ms to get him through the autograph session, which made him laugh. I wonder if it made it out of the auditorium….

And that was it. It was over. Over for another year. Over until VegasCon. We’d been planning VanCon for nearly 12 months and suddenly it was done. It felt so fast. Like it flashed by. But it was a wonderful. A wonderful convention with a wonderful cast and wonderful friends, culminating in the happiest day of all…… J-Day.

Well that’s it from me for now. Thank you for reading and joining me for my VanCon adventures! See you next time.
-Amy

J&J Breakfast panel photos from VanCon 2012

These are my photos for the Jensen and Jared Gold Breakfast panel at this year's Supernatural Vancouver convention.

Enjoy!

Bears and Mooses and Jensen, OH MY! Supernatural VanCon 2012 - Part 2

On Set - A Supernatural Miracle!

The one thing I was hoping for when going to VanCon was to see “Supernatural” filming. It was something I so desperately wanted. I wanted to see the boys at work. I wanted to see Jensen as Dean.

Hazel and I had got to our last day in Vancouver and still no luck. Some of our friends had managed to find out where “Supernatural” had been shooting over a couple of days and had seen the crew at work, but unfortunately, not Hazel and I. We could only read about their experiences on twitter and wonder disappointedly, why we weren’t lucky enough to be there too.

It was Friday and Hazel and I were not flying out until 11.45pm that night, so we’d organised to spend the day with Kim and Amanda (Encyclopaedia Amandica) at Grouse Mountain. I really wanted to see the bears. Kim picked us up in the morning and we headed back to BigGerson’s, AKA Denny’s, for breakfast. We also got the chance to go around the back of the motel next door, (which we’d missed out on last time we were there, because it was blocked off as a crime scene!), to re-enact the ridiculous fast walk past the motel window that Jared did in that gag take where he does the stretching. Yes…I power walked, arms flailing, like a nit-wit past the window Jensen had been sitting at, while Hazel took a photo. Ridiculous, but oh so funny! Then it was off to see the Grizzlies.

We spent a lovely morning at Grouse taking photos of the bears lumbering around, the wonderful view and the birds that would feature in the Raptor show. It was after lunch and we were sitting, waiting for the Raptor show to kick off when I got a message from a friend that she’d heard “Supernatural” may be at the same location as the day before, she wasn’t sure if the info was good or not, but she was passing it on just in case, as she knew how disappointed we’d been to have missed out earlier in the week. The four of us looked at each other and decided, “Supernatural” was way more important than a bunch of birds, so we headed off back down the mountain in nervous anticipation, to see what we could find.

We got to the location from the day before, but there was nothing and no one there and no sign that they would be returning. We tried a few different spots in the vicinity, but alas, still nothing. The mood in the car went from nervous silence, to sad silence. It seemed, it just wasn’t meant to be.

Then….. a “Supernatural” miracle happened.

While driving around and considering looking at some old locations, we literally stumbled across them at the 2400 Motel, a location previously used in “Born Under A Bad Sign”.

We parked the car and went to speak to the P.A. out the front of the location, who confirmed to us that it was indeed, “Supernatural” shooting there. My heart started racing! She was very nice and told us we were welcome to go and watch, there were already a few fans there and she pointed us in the direction of a grassy walkway in between the motel bungalows, that would get us to the back of the set with out us being in the way.

Honestly, I couldn’t believe it!

We walked up the grassy hill and made our way to the car park at the rear of the motel….and were greeted with one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. A shiny black trunk, on a shiny black car, sitting there gleaming in the sun. We walked into the car park and the first thing we saw, was Baby. My heart leapt straight into of my mouth and my jaw dropped. Right there in front of me, windows open, casually parked, was the most important object in pretty much the whole Universe…the Impala.

We resisted the urge to run over and throw ourselves across her and made our way up to where the other fans were standing. We knew a couple of them as VanCon goers, said hi and sussed out what was going on. Jared was shooting interior scenes, with a dog, in one of the motel rooms. They hadn’t seen much. Jensen would be on set later.

We had our own crewmember standing with us, calling quiet on set, rolling and cut. We stood there for a while seeing basically nothing, but occasionally hearing Jared’s laughter peeling out from inside the motel room. Janice the P.A. who had been with Russ Hamilton on Monday’s Location Tour popped out and excitedly said hi to those of us that she recognised and a few crew members came over for a chat. It was a very sunny day, so we shuffled to another spot to get out of the sun. Hazel and I then went and spoke to the crewmember that seemed to be keeping an eye on the Impala and asked if we could take some photos of her. He said, sure. So we went and grabbed some shots of the car and a guest from the motel, who was going back to his room, was nice enough to get a couple of shots of Hazel and I together with Baby behind us. We had a really good look in the window, being careful not to touch her and then went back to stand with the rest of the fans.

Hazel was just off to my right when I saw Jared come out of the motel room. I clicked my fingers at her urgently! She rushed over and we stood there trying not to gape as Jared chatted and laughed with Clif and Guy. To say he looked spectaculacular would be an understatement! And of course he was dressed as Sam…which kind of looks like how he normally dresses to be honest! But boy howdy, did he look beautiful! Then Johnny, his driver, whisked him away.

At that stage they set up for the turnaround, so we were moved to a different area to ensure we weren’t in shot. They set up some shrubbery and screens, lit the scene and then Jared must had come back, but unfortunately we didn’t see him again as by now he was out of eyesight.

It was about this time that it dawned on me, that Hazel and I were not going to get to see Jensen. They were set to break for lunch at 7pm. It was now around 5.30. The way the shots were going, I figured Jensen’s scenes would be after lunch, which I later got confirmed. Guy and Kevin Parks were discussing another shot out the front of another area of the motel, which I assumed would be the next set up. Just looking at the set up for the shot that Jared was currently shooting and then the shot change, I knew there was no way in the world they’d get another scene in before lunch. Devastation. So close and yet so far.

In actual fact, they broke early, at 6.30pm. Lunch was an hour. Hazel and I had a flight to catch. We went back to Kim’s car to grab our stuff and told Kim and Amanda we’d whiz into town and get our suitcases and come back to stash them in Kim’s car until we had to get to the airport. Somewhere inside us we knew there was little chance that this plan would work out.

It took too long to get a cab….we were running out of time. Luckily though the traffic was good and we got to our hotel more quickly than expected. On the way we’d decided we’d see if the hotel had a car service that could take us back to the 2400 Motel and wait for us. But the car service was finished for the day. It was while I was standing with the Concierge discussing options, that I got a text message from Amanda saying they wouldn’t be shooting Jensen’s scenes until after dark. Damn. I told the Concierge not to worry and went and broke the news to Hazel. We wouldn’t be going back. We wouldn’t be seeing Jensen. We jumped in a cab and instead, headed to the airport.

I couldn’t believe it. We’d been so close. We knew that in little while Jensen would be where we just were, shooting scenes. Our friends would get to see him working, but we wouldn’t. I’ll be honest with you, I might have cried. Hazel sat there patting me on the back while I silently teared up in the back of the cab, behind my sunglasses. I really just couldn’t believe it. I was so happy we saw Jared and I was so happy we saw Baby…but I so wanted to see Jensen.

However, it seems Angels were watching over us….but in a good way!

We had really great traffic and got to the airport in excellent time. There were no queues at the Air Canada desk and our check-in went smoothly. We were all sorted with boarding passes and whatnot and it was only about 8pm. Hazel looked at me and said, “We can go back, if you want to, we can go back.” I nearly ran over and hugged her…maybe I did, I can’t remember. We checked what was the latest time we’d have to be through security and it wasn’t until 10.30pm. We figured if we got back between 10 and 10.15pm we’d be golden! We practically sprinted downstairs and put our hand luggage in storage and then went out to grab a cab….but saw the car service first. By this stage I was committed (and probably should be) and didn’t care what I had to do to get back to the location. So we went and talked to one of the car service guys who agreed to take us to the motel, wait for us and then bring us back in time for our flight. He walked us over to a….STRETCH LIMO! We asked if he had another car! But he told us that was all he could do for the deal we’d worked out! We instructed him very sternly, that there was no way on God’s green earth we could be seen getting out of that car at the 2400 Motel! So he agreed, a tad confused, that he’d drop us down the street and wait for us away from the motel! It was one of those disco limos too! All weird flashing lighting in the back! Honestly, you have to laugh!

Are you still with me…or have you left because you’ve realised I’m a little insane?

We got back to the 2400 Motel before 9. We told the driver we’d be back around 9.30ish…don’t go anywhere! We headed back to the same, poor P.A. still out the front of the location; there were a few fans out on the street by now. We explained to the P.A. that we’d been there earlier in the day and that our friends were somewhere inside. She told us we could go around the back and showed us where to walk. We scurried over cables and shimmied between cars to arrive back at where we’d been some 2 hours earlier. Kim and Amanda shook their heads when they saw us. We told them we’d checked in to our flight and had a car waiting. I think they laughed at our tenacity. There were probably around 15 or so fans watching. Amanda and Kim kindly gave up their spots on the little wall for us. The same crewmember was there calling quiet please. He flashed his little light on his head so we’d all be silent. Hazel and I held our breaths.

ACTION.

Jensen walks out of the motel room, closes the door, pulls out his cell phone and talks to someone as he walks around the Impala and rests against her.

Jensen as Dean. Jensen. As. Dean.

Happiness.

We watched Jensen do this scene numerous times and then do the same scene, but a tighter version. But what was really amazing, was in between takes, he didn’t go and hide, he didn’t go and sit in the crowd of crew, he didn’t go sit on his chair, he didn’t go back to the motel room, he sat on the Impala in plain sight of all the fans. He chatted to the crew. He did some kind of golf swing. He did some kind of fake shooting at something in the sky. He laughed and talked. He blew bubbles with his gum. He sat on the trunk of the Impala with his feet dangling over the edge while he played with his phone. Then….like some kind of fan-girl fantasy….he layback across the trunk! Jensen, sprawled and lolling across the trunk of the Impala! I think every fan there watching, moaned! At one point he kind of commando rolled off and jumped up giving us a hearty wave. BLESS HIM. He was obviously in a great mood and we got to watch it all. Got to watch Jensen being Jensen and then putting on Dean. Got to see how his entire body changes, his stance, the way he moves. Even typing this now, I find it hard to believe.

At some point when he went back to the motel door, I realised Jared was there. So the scene involved Sam at the motel doorway, Dean coming out of the room and closing the door behind him, before making a call and resting on the Impala.

Time was ticking by. Our flight was getting closer and closer. We were just about to leave when Jensen and Jared walked out of the motel room together. The crew all milled around as they discussed the next shot. We then watched as Jensen and Jared rehearsed a scene over the roof of the Impala. We could hear Jensen…so there’s a bit of yelling involved. Also some pointing. We watched them rehearse the scene a few of times. The crew then started to set up for the change of shot. Hazel whispered for about the 10th time, “We really need to go.” We turned around and gave Kim and Amanda big hugs, they were such great company on our trip and I was so thrilled to share this night with them and just as we were leaving our other Aussie friends, known as The Posse, arrived. They were so excited to see me there! They were all… “But we thought you’d gone!” I explained that technically I have! They couldn’t have been happier for me that I got to see Jensen filming. I gave them all a squeeze…whispering to them to enjoy the night with “my boy” and Hazel and I took a deep breath, one last look and I sprinted back to our LIMO, jumped in and hightailed it back to the airport. I may have cried again…but this time out of joy.

I had to leave before the night was done, but that was ok, because…. I saw Jensen being Dean. I saw Jared being Sam. I saw Guy Bee directing a Ben Edlund script. I saw Guy and Serge and Kevin working up shots. Jerry Wanek came and said goodbye and wished us all a good weekend. I got to have my photo taken with the Impala. And I saw Jensen and Jared work up a scene together.  I saw them doing their jobs, putting on their characters. I saw Jared and Jensen being Sam and Dean. It was all I wanted, it was more than I could have hoped for. It was just simple dumb luck, but somehow, I felt like it was meant to be. I wasn’t meant to be at those other locations on those other days, because I was meant to see Jensen and Jared working together. To see Jensen hanging out and having a good time. To be able to have a really good look at Baby inside and out and have my photo taken with her. And to see Jensen and Jared doing a scene together, over the roof of the Impala. It was unbelievable. It really was a “Supernatural” miracle.

Hazel and I got on our plane with a fifteen and a half hour flight ahead of us, grinning like idiots. I don’t think we could even process it. I don’t know that I’ve even processed it now. I still tear up a bit just thinking about it! I am rather emotional when it comes to Dean Winchester…

It made my holiday complete. VanCon was a brilliant experience and seeing the boys making the show I love more than I can put into words…well, saying it was the icing on the cake just doesn’t do it justice.

I managed to get a couple of shots. The crew were nice enough to let us get some photos in between takes, but it was very dark and so they aren’t very good…bit shaky and I didn't take many, because I wasn't comfortable doing it, but here are a few for you all to enjoy! (Please don't publish them anywhere else).

I also want to say how wonderful the crew were to all us fans. They were welcoming and friendly. There was never a moment when we felt we were intruding. Later, Jared, Guy and Kevin all tweeted thanking the fans who turned up at the 2400 for hanging out and supporting them. Classy. Classy bunch.

It was a crazy, crazy night....but oh so worth it!

Next up is my report on J day and the Jensen 1/2 hour Q&A session I was lucky enough to attend!

-Amy

Supernatural VanCon 2012 Part 1

Bears and Mooses and Jensen, OH MY! Supernatural VanCon 2012 - Part 1

“Supernatural” Immersion!

So this was my first VanCon. I’ve done a couple of LACons, a Chicago Con, and a couple of Aussie cons, but I’d never made the pilgrimage to where it all happens. I use the word pilgrimage because that’s what it was like for me…a journey to worship at the shrine of everything “Supernatural”!

It’s a 14-hour flight from Australia to Vancouver, and on this particular flight there were 8 “Supernatural” fans… 7 Aussies and 1 Kiwi… all heading towards the thing they love most! It was a pure coincidence that we all ended up on the same flight! As usual, I was travelling with my convention cohort Hazel. We’d booked our first lot of accommodation not at the convention hotel, because that’s kind of expensive, but a hotel that seemed to be close so we wouldn’t have far to travel when we moved to the Sheraton for VanCon. This was us in the taxi driving up Burrard Street…. “Hey, oh wow! There’s the Sheraton!!! Yay! Wait….why are we pulling in across the road? Wait…. WE ARE ACROSS THE ROAD?!” Yes, unknowingly, we booked the hotel directly across the road! The other exciting thing about this accidental hotel bookage was our room looked directly over the “Houses Of The Holy” church….right onto the steps where Sam and Dean stood. The “Supernatural” experience had well and truly kicked off!

The thing about being in Vancouver is you’re on high alert, constantly on high alert. The boys live here, the crew lives here, the show shoots here…everywhere you look is a past location, everywhere you look you’re hoping to see someone or something to do with the show. The other thing is, being convention week, there are fans everywhere…and that’s one of the best bits of the whole thing, catching up with other fans.

On our 1st day, we had our first “Supernatural” experience; we ate at the Guanaco Food Truck. Yum! Did you know there’s an iPhone app that tells you where all the food trucks around Vancouver are situated at any given time? We actually just came across the Guanaco Truck. We knew that they were often on the corner of Seymour and Robson, so we happened to be in that area and saw it. Like I said, yum! We sat on the steps of one of the University’s campuses and scoffed it while watching this huge Pickle mascot resting on a seat, trying to keep out of the sun. It was hot! Not something you see everyday…a big pickle, just hanging out! That night we caught up with fellow Aussie fan, Amy (different Amy to me, obviously) and had a few drinks and chatted about the coming weekend and how excited we all were!

Guanaco food!

On our 2nd day, Hazel and I got some new tatts. Yes, we always get new tatts to mark each convention. This time around we both got 2, but one of them is secret squirrel….a girl’s gotta have some secrets! My main one, though, is definitely "Supernatural inspired." It was designed by my friend Stars, a fellow fan who for the last couple of years has co-hosted the Crossroads Podcast. So, not only is it special because it represents my love of the show, but it also represents the fandom and was created by a pal and fellow fangirl…special all around! That night, we caught up with more Aussie fans, Shelley and Scott. I’d met Shelley and Scott in May at All Hell Breaks Loose 3, but this was their first Creation con.

New Tattoo

On our 3rd day, we’d arranged to have dinner with another couple of Aussie fans and friends, Kim and Amanda, at The Old Spaghetti Factory in Gastown. We headed into Gastown early to check out the sights and grab some lunch at The Steamworks…where we ran into Shelley again! Then when we left The Steamworks, we walked straight into Kim! Ok… I need to say that Vancouver is a big city, so this was all kind of weird! Anyway, the three of us then spent the afternoon checking out the area before meeting up with Amanda for dinner. Now, you need to know something about Amanda; this was her fourth VanCon and she is the fount of all things "Supernatural" locations! I’m pretty damn good on the show, the mythology, the titles and even the actors, but Amanda knows where everything was shot! Everything! She’s put together the most amazing catalogue of locations, maps and images…. We now call her Encyclopaedia Amandica!

On our 4th day, we had a special set visit to “Arrow”. I’m a promo producer, well, head of a promo team, in Australia, and the network I work for will be showing "Arrow" later this year, so they teed up a set visit for me via Warner Brothers. Yes, I did try for “Supernatural,” but the set was closed to visits during the dates I’m in Vancouver…I can only assume because of VanCon. Anyway, Hazel and I spent about 4.5 hours out at the “Arrow” studios, getting a guided tour of some of the 8 standing sets, and watching Stephen Amell shoot various scenes. We also got introduced to Stephen and had a great chat to him. He’s a lovely guy and very, very pretty! He’s also super excited about the show, as were all of the crew I managed to speak with. They were a lovely bunch…but then, TV people generally are. It was a fantastic day…and I’d tell you more about it, but I’m not allowed! Sorry…. Afterwards we met up with a whole lot of fellow fans, some old friends and some new friends, for dinner and drinks at a the Fountainhead pub the location of the “No, I'm Mulder. You're a red-headed woman” scene from “The Usual Suspects”.

On our 5th day, we took a Supernatural road trip! ROAD TRIP! Hazel, me, Shelley and Scott all hired a car and Kim and Amanda had Kim’s hire car and we formed a convoy to head to Whistler….via some locations! First stop was just out of Squamish at the mine that featured in the season 3 "X-Files" episode “Paper Clip”…we’re "X-Files" fans too, but most importantly….this is also the location which has the General Store from “Wishful Thinking”. We got to see the bridge that the boys walk over, where the suicidal, girl-drink-drunk teddy smashed through the rear entrance of the store and the store itself, where the boys sat outside and pondered what on earth has huge feet, drinks girly booze and likes porn? We went in the store too, where the owner was pretty blasé about us taking photos of his booze shelf!

“Wishful Thinking”

Next stop was Squamish proper, with more “Wishful Thinking” locations. The martial arts gym that doubled as the Chinese restaurant, the pier where Sam and Dean identified themselves as FBI agents, the path where Dean yelled out “Run, Forrest, run” and the steps where Dean lamented over not being able to save naked chicks! Yes…I did sit on the step and have my photo taken. Then it was off to Whistler….except we got side tracked!

“Wishful Thinking”

So we’re whizzing along the highway, just outside of Squamish, looking at the pretty views. I was driving (wrong side of the car, wrong side of the road!), following Kim, when she suddenly turned off down a side street. At first we were confused, until we saw a filming sign! Kim pulled over and I pulled along side and we looked at each other shrugged and everyone agreed we’d be crazy not to investigate. So we drove…and drove…and drove…and drove… down some back-road in Vancouver…and drove…and drove…then we drove some more! It was a long road! Finally we came across the film crew…which was nothing and no-one we recognised, (mass booooooo) but what we did discover was a fantastic view of a snow-capped mountain with a glacier, very beautiful, and a lovely glacial river. So all was not for naught, we got some pretty photos! Then….finally….we went on to Whistler!

After Whistler, we had one more location stop on the way home, Shannon Falls, where they shot “Wendigo”. There was much joking about disappearing into the woods, not answering if someone yelled for help, did anyone bring the peanut M&Ms, oh, sweetheart, I don’t do shorts…you get the picture. It’s super pretty there but a bit creepy! It was the last part of a brilliant day!

“Wendigo”

On our 6th day; oh, our 6th day was soooo much fun! It was a great big “Supernatural” Day! Kim picked up me and Hazel and Encyclopaedia Amandica, and we hit the road to spend the day looking at past locations. Encyclopaedia Amandica had her trusty "Supernatural" locations folder and led us on a grand adventure! First stop was the Denny's that doubled as BigGerson's in “Bad Day At Black Rock”.

“Bad Day At Black Rock”

At first we didn't get THE booth, it was free but they said no when we requested it and sat us somewhere else. But when we sneakily ran down to take a quick snap shot at it, the manager succumbed to our fan-girl persuasions and gave in to us! So we sat and had breakfast at Sam and Dean’s booth! I sat in Dean’s seat….of course….my excuse was, I’m the one with the freckles! We went outside and took some goofy photos with Hazel pretending to fall over and me telling her she sucked. We then wandered the area looking at a few different sites, including the hotel where Dean dropped Sam before driving off and killing Amy and the hotel from “Party On, Garth” where Bobby reappears.

After that, it was a visit to the dam and the bridge that featured in “Simon Said”, before heading to “Asylum” and Riverview. It’s open, so you can drive through there, but you aren’t supposed to take photos, not that there are any signs or anything. But when we got to the front of the deserted building we did a super slow drive by and took a few quick snaps and….got busted! Some PA who was part of some tiny crew that we had no interest in, came over and tried to throw her weight around. We weren’t fazed. Don’t mess with "Supernatural" fans, lady, we don’t scare easily! Also…learn some manners! Seriously, she was plain rude and there was no need. Anyhoooo, empty threats of calling security on us and bluster completely ignored, we drove through the rest of the complex that is open to the public before heading out to our next location, Port Moody. On the way into Port Moody, we swung by the location for “Plucky Pennywhistle’s Magical Menagerie” Isn’t it awesome? Do you recognise the crazy mascot on the wall that was in the background of some of the scenes?

“Plucky Pennywhistle’s Magical Menagerie”

We checked out the woodchip mill from “Yellow Fever” and the pier from “Wishful Thinking” where Dean tells Sam he remembers Hell. Yes, I sat in the seat….well both seats, as apparently there is a bit of a continuity issue in that scene! We also saw a seal! But he was screwing with us and wouldn’t surface for enough time for us to get a good photo! We then checked out the location of the “Kneel before Todd” scene from “Wishful Thinking” and where Todd sent Dean flying into the garbage bins.

“Yellow Fever”

Next stop was the building from the end of “The Man Who Knew Too Much”. This was a fantastic location. The building is brilliant! It’s an artist’s studio, and when they shot there, they had to remove all the art, as they were worried the heat from the lights would melt the paint. We got bailed up by a couple of huge noisy and harmless dogs, but once they were contained…and after they’d tried to kill us with love… we were able to get some great shots of the location!

“The Man Who Knew Too Much”

After that, it was on to Fort Langley, which is totally location heaven. We checked out the main street which had featured in “Out With The Old” and “Shut Up, Dr Phil” as well as Jared's movie “The Christmas Cottage”. We re-enacted the scene by the river from “Croatoan” and “Hunted” where Dean tells Sam that he might have to kill him. We hung out where Dean confessed his love of “Black Swan”.

“Croatoan/Hunted”

“Shut Up, Dr. Phil”

We saw the “99 Problems” pub and went to the church from that episode and were lucky enough to be welcomed inside. They were getting ready for a wedding, but they didn't mind us having a poke around, and we seriously just lucked out because it’s usually all locked up. It’s an absolutely gorgeous old church with a lovely memorial garden, and yes; we slid into the back pew!

“99 Problems”

Then we headed to a block of shops that doubled as the “Croatoan” doctor's office as well as the location from “The Song Remains The Same” where Cass collapses, and the hotel where Dean takes him and gets offered dope!

We then headed home via the 'apple grove' - actually hazelnut trees - from “Scarecrow “ and checked out the neighbour’s house from “Weekend At Bobby’s” and the patch of grass that doubled as Crowley’s gravesite in Scotland. We also saw the dog that comes out to visit Jensen when he’s doing his walk through as part of his director tech check on that episode! Remember? In that little mini-documentary about his first outing as a director?

“Weekend at Bobby’s” The dog is on the back porch!

It was an absolutely fantastic day and so much fun to see where all these episodes were shot and share the experience with fellow fans that understood ALL the references! And let me tell you, there were plenty of references!

Well, that’s the end of part one… part 2 is about how I accidentally got to see Supernatural filming!

-Amy

Supernatural VanCon 2012 Part 2

SUPERNATURAL FLASHBACK - SURVIVING THE HIATUS ONE SEASON AT A TIME - SEASON 3

The thing about season 3 is, I always wonder what those other 6 episodes would’ve looked like. You know the one’s we missed out on seeing. I mean, had there not been the writer’s strike and we ended up getting the full 22-episode season, what more of the story would’ve been revealed? Did the creative team have it all planned out, partly written? How many of those ideas were fleshed out in coming episodes or utilised in later seasons, or are there some that couldn’t be reworked and were shelved or simply shoved into a draw somewhere? Sure, there would’ve been a couple of fillers in amongst the 6, but what more would we have seen of the over-all arc? What more of Dean’s plight, his desperation. What more of Sam’s struggle, his sadness as he coped with Dean’s impending death. How many more beautifully penned conversations would there have been as the boys bantered the problem back and forth. Would we have found out more about Bela, about Ruby, about Lilith? What would season 3 have looked like had it been a full season. Gosh, how I’d love to know. How I would love to see those episodes.

Still, for a season that was cut 6 episodes short, it doesn’t feel at all rushed. I look at the list of titles and I’m baffled by the strength of every single one of them…well except the season opener which is a bit of a disappointment, and maybe the ghost ship episode, but the rest of season 3 is super strong. I also realised that I must watch season 3 a lot, because I found that I was spouting dialogue left and right! I know a shocking amount of dialogue by heart! Makes me laugh…

Season 3 is kind of hard to watch. There’s this overwhelming sense of dread hanging over the whole thing, that kicks off right from the get go and never lets up. Even in the episodes not specifically about Dean going to Hell, that darkness is still dancing around the corners of the storyline. There’s a building sense of panic and hopelessness in both the brothers as they get closer and closer to the end of Dean’s year. They fight it right up until the very last second. At times they’re at odds as to how to do it, but in the end they stand side by side as brothers to face the inevitable. They’re there for each other to the very end. Sam never gives up trying to save Dean. Which got me to thinking. Off the back of a lot of what came out of Comic-Con there were questions around why doesn’t Sam ever get the chance to save Dean? But watching seasons 1, 2 and 3 with a more analytical eye than usual, it seems to me, he’s always trying to save Dean. If you look at my last two season write-ups, both the episodes I chose to focus on are about Sam trying to save Dean. Sure, he’s not always successful, but then, the only time Dean truly saved Sam successfully was when he made a deal and threw himself to the dogs, literally. Sam, to save his brother and the whole of humanity, threw himself to the Devil, literally. It seems to me these boys are even in both their successful and failed attempts to save each other. Saving each other is what they’re always doing in some way or another. Sam saving a dying Dean in “Faith”, Dean trying to save Sam from falling into darkness, Sam trying to save Dean from the Reaper, Dean saving Sam by selling his soul, Sam trying to save Dean from his deal, Dean trying to save Sam from Ruby, Sam trying to save Dean from throwing it all away for the Angels, Dean trying to save Sam’s soul….it goes on and on and on, season after season. They’re even-stevens in my eyes. I simply don’t get the argument. They are each other’s greatest strength and each other’s Achilles heel and season 3 is an excellent example of both.

The other thing about season 3 that got me really excited was; it’s when Jeremy Carver first came on board. I love all 4 episodes that he wrote for Season 3, but particularly I love the interactions he wrote between the brothers. Admittedly, this was a season where they were facing being ripped apart for eternity, but the depth of their conversations, their resonance and how Carver captured their relationship, their chemistry, well damn, it got me so excited for him being our Showrunner for season 8. Because he gets these guys, he gets their relationship and he gets how important it is. He gets their ups and downs, their anger, their humour, their love. He just seems to understand the Winchester brother’s dynamic. As we head towards season 8, hearing Carver talk about how the brother’s relationship is the heart and soul of this show and central to the story, and then watching the episodes that he’s written with that ticking away in the back of my mind, well it makes me all tingly with optimism.

I actually found this season the toughest to pick an episode to focus on. First off I thought I’d do “No Rest For The Wicked”, but I think Nicole may have taken me out and beaten me up if I focused on another doomed Dean heartbreaker! Though…what a season finale. It has one of my favourite brother moments of all time. That whole speech at Bobby’s before they head off to try and kill Lilith, when Dean says, “We take this knife, and we go after Lilith our way. The way dad taught us to. And if we go down, then we go down swinging. What do you think?” and Sam responds, “I think you totally should have been jamming "Eye of the Tiger" right there.” Gah! Brilliant response! As was Dean’s “Oh bite me. I totally rehearsed that speech too.” I love that whole conversation. This is a close to perfect finale and don’t even start me on the boys singing “Wanted Dead or Alive” in the Impala, the fear on Dean’s face, he’s so damn scared.

I love how Dean can see behind the veil and sees the demon behind the human they’re wearing. I love that we’re given a hint of the possibility of Sam having some kind of power we’re yet to see. That Dean is being so stoic, trying to remain strong for his brother and for himself as his time ticks away. I love the pet murdering Lilith kid, by far my favourite Lilith and one of my all time favourite big bads. That kid who plays her is creepy! I love what Dean says to Sam as the clock strikes midnight. He apologises, “I'm sorry. I mean this is all my fault, I know that” and then as his brother asks him, what he’s supposed to do, Dean says, “Keep fighting. Take care of my wheels. Sam, remember what dad taught you... ok? And remember what I taught you.” Sam simply nods. His eyes brimming with tears. In that moment, he looks like a little boy, listening to his big brother. Kills me. Kills me every time. Then of course we have to watch Dean ripped to shreds as Sam cries out for it to stop and Sam cradling his dead brother as we hear Dean’s screams for Sam from Hell. Yep. Thank you Mr Kripke for the torture…sweet, sweet, wonderful torture. Plus this episode gave us “Family don’t end with blood” a very important quote.

But I started at the end, which is weird!

I love the moment in “Fresh Blood” where Sam rips off Gordon’s head. Actually I wasn’t going to say that, even though I really do (grrrr Gordon), what I was going to say was, I love the moment in “Fresh Blood” when Sam asks Dean to drop the, I’m not afraid to die act, “'Cause... just 'cause.” That gets through to Dean. I think this is the moment where Dean registers what his decision is doing to Sam. I mean, I’m sure he knew, but having his brother stand before him and ask him to just stop, just ‘cause, shifts something in Dean and that tough act of his pretty much stops from that point on. Then we get to see Dean showing Sam how to fix the Impala, preparing Sam for a future without him…. “..that's my job, right? Show my little brother the ropes.” A-wah!

In “Dream a Little Dream of Me” we not only find out Bobby’s tragic back-story, but we see a different side to Dean and different side to his desperation. We see his dream of a life with Lisa and Ben, or rather, the perfect life that he thinks they represent and we see him face his demon self, the one that he knows he’ll become when he goes to Hell. The anger spills out. The anger of having so much thrust upon him, of having so much responsibility and we finally see him start to aim some fury and blame at his father for all of the past, for what he’s going through now and for the future he faces. “I didn't deserve what he put on me. And I don't deserve to go to Hell!” He’s in his own head, facing himself and discovering some home truths. Man I love that whole scene. Then, he finally admits to Sam, that he wants to live and Sam vows to find a way. I also see this as the start of Dean looking to Bobby as a father figure. There is something in their interactions in this episode, which telegraphs their deeper relationship to come.

“Mystery Spot” is a funny one for me, because though I totally dig this episode, the more I watch it, the more powerful it becomes. I remember at first I simply saw it as a “Groundhog Day” kind of thing. It was smart and very funny. But as I’ve watched it more and more, it’s become really rather painful. It’s painful to watch Dean die over and over and it’s painful to watch Sam have to deal with that day in day out for 100 days, slowly but surely getting more and more despondent as he tries to figure out the mystery and save his brother’s life (again). For me the worst death isn’t actually the one at the end, but the one at the beginning, where Dean grabs at Sammy’s jacket and hangs on with a fistful as he looks into his brother’s panicked eyes, sputters and dies. Man….that scene is agony. For some reason I find that one far more painful than the one at the end which is final…sort of. One thing I have to say for Dean Winchester though, he’s one seriously pretty dead guy. Even when he’s hit by a car, he’s still pretty! Had to be said…sorry. 

Of course we also see how Sam deals with Dean’s death, something that’s somewhat of a prophecy as to how he really fares not far into the future. He becomes driven, robotic, single-minded. Without Dean by his side, he loses his Sammyness and is consumed by revenge. These two really are two halves of the one whole. Plus we have the Trickster’s conversation with Sam. Later in “Changing Channels” we find out that the Trickster is the Archangel Gabriel. In that episode, he wants the boys to play their rolls – that of Lucifer and Michael. Having that information when you go back and watch “Mystery Spot” adds a whole other layer to what the Trickster is saying to Sam. You’ve got to figure Gabriel/Trickster knows what’s going on, knows what Sam’s future truly holds. This was the last episode shot before the writer’s strike, but it was “Jus in Bello” that aired before the show went into the strike hiatus.

“Jus in Bello” is an all-time favourite of mine. It’s penned by Ms Gamble and I love everything about it. I love that they’re trapped. It’s one of those confined space, no escape scenarios that I dig. I love Henriksen. I love the other police officers and Nancy the virgin. “Nobody kill any virgins!” Gold. But the thing I love most about this episode is the genius plan! Dean’s idea to unlock the doors, let the demons in and fight (like men in tights) sounded a bit fool hardy, until they played the tape of Sam speaking an exorcism over the PA system. I think this is one of the best plans the show has ever seen. And I love that it was Dean who came up with it. We always think of Sam as the brains of the unit, but Dean is smart and resourceful and I love nothing more than seeing his mind in action…amongst other things.

An episode that’s grown on me is “Long-Distance Call”. I remember not being particularly taken by this one on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc. watch, but now…I love it. The dialogue between the brothers is beautiful. All through this episode Dean’s façade peels away in layers, revealing the frantic terror beneath. All through this episode Sam is trying to be realistic, but gentle with his brother. He can see his brother’s unravelling and though he must be feeling the same way, he manages to remain calm and clear headed. Even if it’s not what Dean wants to hear, Sam tells him what he needs to hear. The final scene between the boys, where Dean admits to Sam he’s scared and that the hope that it was dad on the phone was simply the last act of a desperate man, has to be one of the most poignant interchanges the brothers have ever had. Honest, raw and tragic…and yet it ends in a joke…

DEAN - “Deep revelation, having a real moment here, that's what you come back with? And me?”
SAM – “Uh...do you want a poem?”
DEAN – “The moment's gone.”

It’s the perfect smile moment to get us through the pain and it was written by Mr Carver….which brings me to the season 3 episode I chose to look at more closely:

A VERY SUPERNATURAL CHRISTMAS

Yeah, who doesn’t love this one? Well, if you don’t you’re a Grinch! This has become my compulsory Christmas viewing. I watch it every Christmas Eve and usually again Christmas Day (along with "Elf" – "you sit on a throne of lies!"). If I’m away for Christmas, I pack it to come with me. Last Christmas my Twitter pals and I did a rewatch together and had people from all over the world joining in to enjoy this episode with us, as we all watched as one, online. I simply love “A Very Supernatural Christmas”.

"A Very Supernatural Christmas" was written by Jeremy Carver, but the initial idea came from the mind of Eric Kripke. Kripke says he'd always wanted to do a holiday episode, but it had to be the most bloody and violent holiday episode ever! It had to have an Evil Santa. Of course it did! Kripke and the creative team came up with the teaser pretty early on because they all knew what they wanted to do…drag Santa UP the chimney! He says the scene where Evil Santa drags the father down the stairs in a sack as the kid looks on, and then turns around and eats one of the kid’s cookies, was one of the times his family rang him to ask, “What’s wrong with you?” Kripke also says he was obsessed with getting that Special Presentation opener because he remembered it from when he was a kid. It was on NBC. It took the production crew ages to track it down as no-one knew who owned it, who owned the music, how they could get permission to use it, but Kripke made them preserve until the piece was found and approved. It turns out; this is his favourite part of the episode. He also said they all wanted the boys to kill someone or something with a Christmas tree, but it had to be fully decorated! It’s those little details that make this episode so perfect and so deliciously twisted. And then thankfully, the idea was handed over to Jeremy Carver to pen and he worked some kind of Christmas miracle writing magic and created what is one of the most original and touching episodes of the series.

Though, the flashbacks to young Sam and Dean were not in the original script. They had to add in a few pages for timing and it was Ben Edlund’s idea to include the flashbacks to the dark, dank, festiveless motel room that was the Christmas home to the young Winchesters. Can you imagine this episode without them?

Part of the power of “A Very Supernatural Christmas” comes from the juxtaposition of the opulence and warmth of Christmas in all the homes the Winchesters visit, as opposed to their own situation both now and in the past. Nothing has changed. They’re still holed up in a grungy motel room with only each other.

In the flashbacks, we see young Sam’s desperate need to believe in his father, his need to believe that John would make it home to his sons for Christmas and we see Dean’s desperate need to try and make it right for Sam. He ends up sharing with Sam the family secret, telling Sam that their dad is a superhero and when John doesn’t make it back for Christmas day, rather than see the crushing disappointment on his little brother’s face, he nicks some presents from down the street and fakes it. He covers for John and tells Sam that his father came in the middle of the night and dropped the gifts off for him. Of course, Dean didn’t know the stolen presents were chick presents! But the thought was there. The need to protect his little brother from the truth, that they were left alone on Christmas day and the need to try and give his little brother some form of normalcy, a little happiness in his life. Dean was 12 years old. Poor little guy. Of course, Sam sees through it, sees what Dean is doing, knows that Dean must be equally as shattered. Sam’s a smart and empathetic kid even at 8. So he gives Dean the gift that Uncle Bobby had given him to give to John. He gives Dean the amulet. You get a great understanding of what these kids went through in this episode. Sure we saw a similar scene in “Something Wicked”, but this is Christmas for Heaven’s sake. These kids are alone, older and wiser and tragically, a little more jaded.

I wish that the amulet had stayed just as a gift from Sammy to Dean. I was so disappointed when it became something else. When it become some tool to find God. Its strength and power was in what it represented to Dean. That moment when he became the one his little brother looked up to over his father. It was the first thing Dean ripped from the Shapeshifter’s neck in “Skin”. It was the first thing Sam gave Dean back when Dean returned from Hell in “Lazarus Rising”. It represented so much of their relationship and giving it this extra duty, this extra reason for being, reduced its significance for me. Sure, I bawled my eyes out when Dean dropped that amulet in the bin. I was deeply shocked by that. But I recovered, because for me, the amulet had lost some of its shine, it no longer simply represented a young boy’s love and thanks. It no longer simply represented Sam and Dean. I think that was a huge mistake.

In the present, Sam and Dean are trying to solve a pesky husband dragged up the chimney case, complete with festive jumper wearing Pagan Gods with plastic covered furniture and an excess of Christmas paraphernalia! But what is really happening is that they’re both struggling with Dean’s deal. Dean has only one Christmas left. It’s making him reminisce about Christmas’ past and romanticise the Christmas’ that they did spend with their father. Sam won’t have a bar of it because his memories are very different. But what’s really happening is that Sam and Dean are both desperately hanging on. Dean to his one last chance, Sam to not wanting to opening acknowledge the last of anything. It’s painful to watch them grapple back and forth, neither quite reading the other right. Until they have that conversation…

SAM - “I mean, I just, I don’t get it. You haven’t talked about Christmas in years.”
DEAN – “Well yeah, this is my last year.”
SAM – “I know. That’s why I can’t.”
DEAN – “What do you mean?”
SAM – “I mean I can’t just sit around, drinking eggnog, pretending everything’s okay. When I know next Christmas you’ll be dead. I just can’t.”

All the pennies drop.

You know, the scene where Sam throws Christmas for Dean makes me cry my eyes out every time. But as gorgeous and heart-wrenching as this act is, this isn't what moves me the most. It’s not so much the fact that Sam did this for his big brother, doing for Dean what Dean did for him as a child, even though it must have hurt him to face the moment and I adore Sam so much for doing this for Dean, I mean, he bought fishing floats and air-fresheners to decorate the tree, he even made eggnog, I mean the look on Dean’s face says it all, but as gorgeous and heart-wrenching as this act is, it’s the gift giving that kills me. 

Here are these two guys, they save the world, save strangers and yet they have so little. They have only their clothes, weapons, car and each other. But look how happy they both are to simply give each other the most mundane of gifts. Wrapped in brown paper and the comics section and bought from some gas mart down the street. They both snuck out independently of each other and bought what little they could get in the boondocks, with the 5 bucks they have to their name. Each wanting to surprise the other with a Christmas present. I always, always sob my way through this scene, partly because it’s so lovely but mostly because they break my heart. They just break my heart. In this moment, with all that lies ahead of them, with all that hangs over them, these simple gifts, this simple act of love, what each will do for each other in even the smallest way, this tiny moment of joy written on both their faces, it makes my heart explode in every which direction. I love this episode. I love this scene. This scene and this scene alone makes me want to run around cheering that Jeremy Carver is back in the fold. I pray he writes more moments like this.

There’s so much fun in “A Very Supernatural Christmas”. It’s gory and ridiculous and tongue in cheek. But it’s the mirrored moments between the brothers in the past and in the present that pack the emotional punch.

Season 3 is full of those moments. I don’t think I sufficently noticed the depth of the interactions and conversations between the brothers before, or how Dean’s deal affects them both is such different ways, well I did, but not to the level I did during this rewatch. As I said at the very beginning, they may be each other’s Achilles heel, but they’re also each other’s greatest strength and season 3 might be the best example of both of these parts of their relationship. For now. Because who knows where this story will go…..

I have to tell you all something. I am so enjoying doing this project. It’s a butt-load of work, I really had no idea when I took it on, but it’s made me look at the seasons in a slightly different light and it’s made me appreciate this show even more. As fans we all know how special this show is. We have all fallen in love with it for our own reasons. But for me, re-watching the episodes with a view to writing up the season, well it’s made me fall head over heels in love with the show all over again and it’s made me even more head over heels in love with the Winchester brothers, their spirit, their souls and their bond. It just confirms to me that, no matter what, I’ll hang in there with them because, no matter what, I still believe in them, I still believe in what they represent to me and what they represent to each other and I still believe in this show. It makes me profoundly happy and reaches into my heart in a way that no other show ever has and I doubt ever will.

Wow, sappy ending was sappy! Anyhoo… Let me know what your thoughts on season 3 are. Do you love “Bad Day At Black Rock” best? Or like me, do you adore the episodes with all the deep and tortured emotion!

Coming soon: Season 4. Crikey!

Thanks for reading!
-Amy