{ I will be rocks, I will be water. }

[delga]

So, Supernatural. I watched the whole of the first season, about half of the second, and then that fairy tales episode from last year. I know the basic gist of what's going on because my flist is covered in SPN stuff, and so are some of the blogs I read. I read some of the fic (the gen stuff), and then I catch the fandom being batshit and am all righteously indignant from a distance. I really had no intention of ever going back there.

Then I watched the S4 premier and loved it. What's with that?

First things first: 50% of the 'previously' clips featured the Winchesters smacking various female characters about which almost made me switch off. But then it got a little more even handed, and I carried on. I'm tempted to go back and watch the major mytharc episodes because I'm pretty certain those are the ones with the strongest plots and a fuck of a lot less ridic humour which I have never been able to get behind.

Anyway, the opening was genius. I don't mean Dean in hell, and then him breaking out (the graphics were overkill for me), but every thing after. The absence of a soundtrack; the absence of other people; that weirdness with the trees, and the shattering glass etc. etc. That was beautifully put together. The conversation with Bobby on the phone, and then Dean trying to hotwire the car; the whole spiel with Bobby, actually, was marvellous. I think the "you're the closest thing I have to a father" was a hamm-fisted line, but I get the sense that it was supposed to be. I even liked Bobby tossing that holy water in Dean's face because whilst it was funny, it was also lightly sombre. I LOVED that we got through a good ten minutes of the episode with no-one on screen except Ackles. It was eerie and well-played.

The girl in the underwear/Ruby/whoever opening the door; the bra in the room; not having to pay for sex... all of these equal that boy humour that I'm not really up for, but it was underplayed because of the larger plot issues, so it was something I could gloss over.

The burnt-out eyes thing was brilliant, although I liked the seer (Pamela?) and would have liked to have seen more of her. I recognised the actress who played one of the trio of demons but I can't work out where from. (Is she a Battlestar actress? Seelix, maybe?) More beating up of women, blah, blah. I don't know; it felt semi-legit here if only because she was the one in charge, and if you're going to have female characters, they should be there for something. The Sam stuff was interesting only when they revealed who the brunette/Ruby was, and I don't even know Ruby's story. I think what I like about it (the eyes) is that it was a nice red herring. I knew an angel was going to turn up eventually, but I was thinking about Zeus through all of that, so it was a nice play. It works whether or not you know what's coming.

The mirrors shattering in the motel was one of the most dramatic scenes of the episode, and I loved it. I also love Castiel appearing, and the pace of his speech. I like the the climax of the episode had dramatic tension without being over the top. I was invested in the plot. I wanted to know what happened next. I was impressed with the script, the pace, the production. So. I don't know. Do I now watch those mytharc episodes, or do they not really matter? From what I can gather - I saw the original crossroad demon episode, and I know about Dean's deal, and obviously they're waaay past that internalised plot now - Sam is some sort of unwilling Satan child (and now Dean is some sort of unwilling god child, which is equal parts lolarious and interesting). In a lot of ways, it feels like giving Dean a destiny of sorts was the only way to go, but I do sort of miss the idea that he had a mortal investment in the way things played out. But then, I was never all that into hearing about what Sam had running through his veins, either, so I think I'm still harping on about issues I've had since S1. Dear self, get over it. Either way, I'm kind of wondering where this is going to go, and I think I'll watch the mytharc episodes as they come because they're definitely much more concentrated in terms of plot.

I admit it, though: watching Dean toss that iPod out was lolsome.

If anybody here wants to fill in the gaps, I wouldn't mind that, but I have a link to the SPN Wiki, so I think I'm pretty much set.

--

Now: femgenficathon and apocalyptothon entries, woo!

Comments

[filmedinsepia.livejournal.com]

Ask and I shall deliver any filling-in-of-the-gaps required - in a suitably sarcastic fashion, because some of those gaps were DIRE but I'm a sucker for Jensen Ackles' pretty face. Feel free to judge me. ;).

Lazarus Rising really was a superb episode. I felt like patting Eric Kripke and co on the back and saying 'look, look how well you can do when you just try'.

So, guess I'm saying if you like less batshit and more smrt discussion re:SPN, just look my way. :)

[asemic.livejournal.com]

What you said. I'm too stupid to put my thoughts together so yes to everything you've said.

I love how sparse the opening was. And the breaking of glass and the static on the radio and television...god, fantastic.

I was invested in the plot.

That sums up everything I feel about this current arc. I want to see it to its very end. I lost that feeling last season so to have it back is refreshing.

[emmademarais.livejournal.com]

Okay, this is my lame attempt, given that I don't have a great memory for the older episodes, to give you a list of episodes to watch. Part of the problem is many Monster of the Week episodes also have little bits of mytharc in them so it's not just doled out in big clumps during sweeps (though they do that too.) I tried to put why the episode was important so if you don't care then you can skip it.

So here's the list with the must see episodes marked. Those you really should see not just for mythology's sake, but also they are great hours of television - just like Devil's Trap and In My Time of Dying were.

YMMV, disclaimers and all, yada yada yada...
(Some spoilers in the list for people who are totally clueless about the show.)

SPN Mytharc and other key episodes

Assuming you've watched through 2x10 (halfway)

Season 2

Nightshifter 2x12
Shows Dean's status and sets up FBI hunting them

Houses of the Holy 2x13
Previous episode touching on possibility of divine involvement

Born Under a Bad Sign 2x14
First attempt at Evil!Sam

Tall Tales 2x15
Introduces a powerful villain who will come back later

Folsom Prison Blues 2x19
More on the FBI following them

What is and What Should Never Be 2x20
MUST SEE episode
Dean oriented, AUish

All Hell Breaks Loose Parts 1 and 2 2x21, 2x22
MUST SEE episodes
Sam and the special children plot comes to a climax

Season 3

The Magnificent Seven 3x01
Introduces Ruby and a key weapon

The Kids are Alright 3x02
Good because it touches on Dean possibly having a kid, plus implies new big evil coming

Bad Day at Black Rock 3x03
Introduces Bela

Sin City 3x04
Revisits the Colt gun issue

Fresh Blood 3x07
If you want to see what happens with vampire hunter Gordon

A Very Supernatural Christmas 3x08
You know you want to!

Malleus Maleficarum 3x9
Some Ruby stuff

Dream a Little Dream of Me 3x10
A really good Dean thing at the end

Mystery Spot 3x11
MUST SEE episode
If only to get an advance peek of what Sam will turn into

Jus in Bello 3x12
MUST SEE episode
Deals with the Lilith villain arc and the FBI

No Rest for the Wicked 3x16
MUST SEE episode
Dean goes to Hell

Hope this helps!

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I have a feeling that Supernatural is going to be incredibly kickass this year simply because we're getting back to the larger mytharc of the entire show. Last season was okay, but it bit lackluster, then there was the whole wank about abusing women and then the whole racism thing and blahblahblah. Whatever, I watch the show for the story.

That first ten minutes with just Dean was remarkable, setting the eerie tone and it's basically from his POV. I loved everything about the premiere episode, from the beginning to the end with Castiel and Dean. The whole angels concept is what I'm REALLY excited about, and it's about time we did something with the "other side" besides demons. It's going to be really cool.

I steer clear from fandom as much as possible, though. Too many crazies or people wanking and making noise. I like to enjoy my show, m'kay.

[filmedinsepia.livejournal.com]

Whatever, I watch the show for the story.

Sorry, I just had to butt in and say a big WORD here, because I can't grasp the idea that people don't have enough things to stress about in real life to not let go and just enjoy the show for what it is. Maybe thats just me.

[delgaserasca.livejournal.com]

Haha, thank you! I guess. Like, what is the deal behind Sam's mojo? I think that got explained whilst I wasn't watching. Children of Evil or something? There are many of them? (I kind of saw the beginning of this plot and then missed all the important stuff. So.)

I know all about the crossroad demon shenans and I don't know the Ruby&Bela stuff explicitly but I can work it out, and I know it's not vital to shit that's going on. Well, maybe Ruby, but I've read enough fic to work plot out.

Here: have my Only SPN Icon.

[delgaserasca.livejournal.com]

I love how sparse the opening was. And the breaking of glass and the static on the radio and television...god, fantastic.

I honestly felt like I was watching a different show. It was atmospheric but with a light hand. Subtle!

[delgaserasca.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Will comb through this with the help of the Wiki.

[delgaserasca.livejournal.com]

I can't comment on kickass or not; I've never been wholly invested in the show. That said, I thought the opening really was genius. Beautifully put together.

then there was the whole wank about abusing women and then the whole racism thing and blahblahblah. Whatever, I watch the show for the story.
I get your point in so far as no-one really wants to have their squee harshed when they're enjoying something but I'm pretty certain that if I was still watching at that point, I'd have walked away. That shit matters to me.

[delgaserasca.livejournal.com]

I can't grasp the idea that people don't have enough things to stress about in real life to not let go and just enjoy the show for what it is
Like I said to rogueslayer452, I get what you're saying, but the things that caused the wank would have gotten in my way of enjoying the show.

Whatev, though, because 4x01 was a vast improvement even on the episodes I saw and enjoyed the first time around.

(Also: LIFE IS BACK SOON OMG. Your icon brings me such GLEE.)

[filmedinsepia.livejournal.com]

I can get that, and its a fair point completely. :) I think I just got to a point where there was so much infighting about what was right and wrong and every degree inbetween, that now, it generally only matters to me if I myself enjoy an episode and I can then take or leave anything beyond that. I get less headachey that way, lol.

(I managed to get my hands on the Life 2.01 prescreener - I was, and still am in stupid amounts of love with this show. And your icon brings me glee!)

[delgaserasca.livejournal.com]

Such are the joys of not being in the fandom, whoop whoop! lols.

(Am forcing myself to wait because then I'll have to wait even longer for 2x02 and I don't think I could manage, lols. Am psyched though. May marathon S1 in the interim, huzz!)

[filmedinsepia.livejournal.com]

I was just replying up above then saw the reply here and popped back down, hee.

That's very very true, lol.

(I tried and then got so antsy that I couldn't resist, but you're right, I'm even more desperate for 2.02 now! Yes, go marathon S1 though, I think I may do the same. V. happy to have another person to talk Life with on my flist though. :))

[delgaserasca.livejournal.com]

(Did you watch it when it first aired, or did you come to it later? Not that it matters, because the show is fierce in a slaphappy way. It's so glee inducing!

Marathon it is. And possibly more picspam (http://delgaserasca.livejournal.com/814881.html#cutid1).)

[filmedinsepia.livejournal.com]

I feel honoured to have your only SPN icon; I should really expand on my grand total of 2 myself.

Re: Sam's mojo - If I remember correctly, it was sort of explained in a way; we found out Mary knew the Yellow Eyed Demon, and that the demon sort of 'fed' demon-blood to the Sam and the other special kids as babies, thus introducing the powers. Through S2 S & D encountered several of these special kids, leading to a showdown (to the death, basically) in the finale, so that the Yellow Eyed Demon could find a single half-blood to open the Devils Gate and let hell loose. At which point, Sam died, Dean made his deal and you know what happens with that.

But, Sampower wise, nothing really has been seen of them (apart from a brief maybe-sighting of them in mid-S3) since they killed the Yellow Eyed one at the end of S2. Until now at least.

I have no idea if I'm even remembering that all right, but hope that makes a little more sense and holler if you need more info :)

[filmedinsepia.livejournal.com]

(Later, although I'd heard about it when it was first aired, I could never find any damn downloads! Was suckered in right from the pilot though and rushed through the rest over the following two days, lol.

Marathon and picspam for the win! And now I shall promptly go and comment on that post too. ;))