Winchester Family Business

TV Overmind: Supernatural Season 8 Roundtable Review

alicej@jesterz.net ({ga=alice-jester}) — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:24:50 GMT

Twice a year, a bunch of us "Supernatural" bloggers get together at TV Overmind and give our two cents (okay, sometimes four) about the season gone past. Just like we do every time, we all have pretty strong opinions of what transpired and don't always see eye to eye, but overall agree that Supernatural is still giving us plenty to absorb and enjoy.

This time, the panelists are myself, Clarissa from TV Overmind, Laura Prudom from Huffington Post TV, Vinnie from WinchesterBrothers, Danielle Turchiano from Possible By Pop Culture, Nikki Moore from Winchester Daily, Erin Frazee from Wine Stained Life, and Tina Charles from TV Guide.

This is lengthy, but there's so many great discussion points here. Pull up a chair, get some coffee, and share what you think afterward. There's bound to be something said that will inspire you to chime in.

http://www.tvovermind.com/supernatural/supernatural-season-8-roundtable-review-dean-sam-castiel-crowley-naomi-tablets-season-9-215079

Dear Jared (A Reflection on "Sacrifice")

LSAKER@ATT.NET ({ga=nightsky}) — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:08:53 GMT

Dear Jared, May 20, 2013

It has been almost a week since your SPN family sat in front of their TV screens in awe of the season 8 finale. If everything was as it should be, you probably would have watched it with us, live tweeting occasional comments and interacting with friends, fans and fellow cast members. I imagine you would have experienced a few anxious feelings wondering how the episode would be received, but after a while you would have relaxed a bit, and allowed yourself to absorb the joy of knowing that the show was a success. It should have been an hour of exhilaration and professional pride for you. Instead of basking in excitement, however, I know you are completely consumed with a family crisis right now, so I assume you either missed the show entirely or have not had the time or the heart to tune into fan reactions. At some point in the future, though, when your life starts to return to normal, you will check in with Twitter and emails again, you will think about work again, and you might just have a fleeting sadness that you missed the enthusiasm that surrounded the season’s end. You gave so much of yourself to us in that episode that I thought we should return the favor. So I would like to capture here the thoughts and feelings of as many fans as possible while the finale’s effect on us is still raw and unmuted by the passage of time.

Looking Back at Supernatural Season 8: Rank The S8 Episodes in 5 Minutes

alicej@jesterz.net ({ga=alice-jester}) — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:04:48 GMT

Welcome to Summer Hellatus 2013! Just like we have the last few summers, we've got some great “Supernatural” related activities/articles planned to help us get through this longer than ever Hellatus. As part of our tradition, we kick off the 2013 Hellatus with a season eight audience participation game - rank the “Supernatural” episodes in five minutes.

You don’t have to go through demonic trials to do this activity. The rules are simple. Below is a list of all the “Supernatural” season eight episodes. It’s your job to rank them from best to worst in your opinion in five minutes. There’s no second guessing – the idea is to capture your gut reaction. So make your list and then share your answers, for we’re all about sharing here.

You don’t have to have your list typed in five minutes, just your order jotted down. Share your rationale for choosing this order if you wish, but honestly, we’re not judging here. Unless “Man’s Best Friend With Benefits” comes in at your number one. Then we’ll know there’s something serious wrong with you (I’m joking!).

Be sure to check out page two, which are my rankings. This was tougher this year. I came in at 4 minutes and 58 seconds. However, I am an expert with plenty of “Supernatural” encyclopedic knowledge, so if that timer on your smart phone or computer goes a little bit over five minutes, don’t worry, none of us will know. Fine, the cat will know, but just remind him or her who does the feeding. No taking time to rearrange after the five minutes are up. That would be cheating and you need to set an example for Fluffy.

One question is, why do this? Because, the differences from everyone's responses is staggering. The results are usually quite fascinating! So don't think your choices matter, because they do.

Okay, ready? Without further delay here are the season eight episodes. Good luck!

Alice's Review: "Supernatural" 8.23, "Sacrifice" aka Thank You Jeremy Carver!

alicej@jesterz.net ({ga=alice-jester}) — Sun, 19 May 2013 05:32:52 GMT

Holy mother of Chuck!! Now that’s how you end a season. Leave the fans screaming their fool heads off for about four and a half months. Mr. Carver, you’re pure evil. sweetondean in her review actually stole my line, so I’ll just say that I hope Jeremy Carver loves fruit. Cause he’s about to get a litany of fruit baskets.

“Sacrifice” was given the task that every season finale must accept, carry the story forward until next season while reconciling it with the events of this season. This is never an easy mission, which is why the season finale is always reserved for the showrunner. The question is, how did Jeremy Carver do? After pouring through the episode a few times, a phenomenal job I must say.

Of course there’s unanswered questions lingering. Every season leaves them. However, this script cleanly brought together the main themes for the season and gave us a most satisfying push forward. It also had all the emotional beats and story twists that keep fans buzzing for years. Considering I went into this episode with a ton of questions and skepticisms, I can say all is forgiven. I’m officially stoked.

Us reviewers love to use the phrase “flawless” a lot, but we never really give context or definition. For me, it’s being able to be engrossed in a story for an entire hour. I never stop at any point to question why this bit doesn’t fit right with the mythology, why this action seems out of character, or just ask in general what the hell is happening. I have to be laughing, crying, biting my nails, loving the dialogue and being left a wreck by the end of it. That’s my flawless. Jeremy Carver hit that mark with “Sacrifice.” It’s so damn good to see yet another classic “Supernatural” episode tied to his name.

When looking at the finer details of this script, it’s very complex in story and execution. “Sacrifice” is an ambitious piece of work, but unlike prior complex episodes earlier this season (you know which ones I’m talking about), it all blended seamlessly and moved from scene to scene at a engrossing pace. There were also plenty of overlapping character interactions and story parallels that boosted the urgency of the events ten fold. I’ll attempt in a review that’s not the size of a novel to capture these nuances (that’s a very tough task), but when looking at them closely, I can’t help but be in awe of all that we were given in just a mere 42 minutes.

sweetondean’s Wrap Up of the Supernatural season 8 finale: 8.23 – “Sacrifice”

sweetondean@gmail.com ({ga=sweetondean}) — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:21:03 GMT

Oh Sam and Dean, how you can rip my heart out and in the same moment fill me with hope. I felt like I’d been waiting 4 seasons for that conversation. Through all the mistrust, the walking away, the fights, the angry words, I never once doubted that a powerful love was always there, but I still longed to hear them tell each other just how much they mean to each other…because they both needed to hear it…as did we.

Robin's Rambles: Supernatural Episode 8.23, "Sacrifice"

robinv@optonline.net ({ga=robin-vogel}) — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:04:22 GMT

I know I haven't been here for many months, and all I'm going to say about that is that I had two back surgeries to have a spinal deformity corrected, and I'm healing, with maddening sloth. I also wanted to say that I have been thoroughly enjoying season eight of "Supernatural" way more than six and seven. I love the addition of the Men of Letters batcave as a home for the brothers and that they found their way back to each other after a rocky start. I was NOT a big fan of Amelia, and while I found Benny a fascinating character, I didn't like the brother-like bond he shared with Dean. Sam and Dean belong together like, to coin a phrase Forrest Gump used, peas and carrots.

Now, on to the incredible finale episode, "Sacrifice."

Thoughts on "Supernatural" 8.23, "Sacrifice"

lgintelligence@hotmail.com ({ga=-elle}) — Fri, 17 May 2013 03:13:16 GMT

From emerging the monotone washout of purgatory to ancient tablets and secret bunkers to angels and their wings burning against a night sky – welcome to the wonderful world of Supernatural, where you never really see the end coming no matter how hard you look!

In the end "Sacrifice" wasn’t about closing the gates of Hell. Or Heaven. It came to down to what it always comes down to and that is love. For Sam and Dean the brotherly love between them drove Sam to want to not fail his brother, but allowed Dean to get through to him and stop him from finishing the trials. It meant Dean wasn’t willing to sacrifice his brother, instead making the point that they had gained so much knowledge and could save so many lives with that – but he wouldn’t lose Sam for anything. For Castiel it allowed him to be a tool, led by the promise of fixing his home and family. For Metatron, his love and devotion to God twisted him darkly (like Lucifer), leaving him with an obsession for revenge and a taste for blood. Even Naomi, in the end, was reaffirmed by the love of God and the understanding of the Angel’s duty to protect humans. Not that it did her any good ultimately, but A for effort I guess.

For all the speculating, guessing, bad feelings and wild assumptions this episode took a dark direction that this reviewer definitely did not see coming and ended with a final, chilling scene. Angel and their wings burning in the ether against a black night sky is an unsettling image, to say the least. "Sacrifice" was well written, clever, deliciously dark and macabre and left us poised for something completely new venturing into season nine.

Sofia's Review: "Supernatural" 8.23 "Sacrifice"

shindaileh@gmail.com ({ga=sofia}) — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:21:08 GMT

And they’ve done it again! It is amazing to me that after 8 seasons, ‘Supernatural’ still manages to end each season with such a bang. I am so excited about the new possibilities this finale has created. Even if I have no freaking idea what will happen next. I would also like to add how great it was to have a finale that didn’t involve a dead Winchester. That is the thing that will keep my sanity intact over this hellatus. Isn’t it sad when a possibly dying, but not dead Winchester is the good news?

I couldn’t be happier that Sam survived the trials. At least for now. We’ve all been throwing around the same question for the past few weeks; what happens to Sam if he doesn’t finish the trials? Will he die? For a while there I was under the impression that the last trial is what would make him better. The purification process would be complete and his health would return. Looking back at my wishful thinking self, it seems a little naive. In the words of Dean, “What show have you been watching?”. When has anything ever worked out like that for the Winchesters? Every decision they’ve made over the seasons has involved some level of sacrifice, so it seems obvious that something this huge would require the ultimate sacrifice. And for a while there, I really thought Sam was going to do it. Afterall, he was so close. And since beginning the trials, Sam’s body has taken a beating. He said it himself, his whole body hurt, he was starving and nauseous all at once and everything smelled like rotting meat. That is no way to live. If it were me, I would want a way out.

CW Upfronts: Supernatural Will Move To Tuesdays, Paired With New Show The Originals

alicej@jesterz.net ({ga=alice-jester}) — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:04:08 GMT

I've been covering this over at TV For The Rest of Us, but The CW put out their 2013-2014 schedule this morning and once again, Supernatural is moving to a new night. Even though the pairing with "Arrow" was a spectacular boost for this network, they decided a new show would be better suited for that lead in. So, get your DVRs ready for 9 pm on Tuesdays!

What's even weirder is "Supernatural" is getting paired with the new Vampire Diaries spinoff, "The Originals." I guess that's a strong lead in, but that really puts a downer on the stellar lineup designed to attract males to the network. Honestly, not a lot of this schedule makes sense at all. I don't know about all of you, but my Tuesdays thanks to ABC, CBS, and now The CW have gotten extraordinarily overcrowded.

In sadder news for Nikita fans like myself, this is the show's last season, they don't have a slot on the schedule, and they're only getting six episodes to close it out. Kind of stinks, but I guess they were given the chance to close it out.

Below is the schedule, and part of the press release that describes Supernatural's season nine. No worries, it's not spoilery unless you haven't seen last night's finale. For those that want to see the full press release and descriptions for all the shows, I have that over at TV For The Rest of Us. You can find it here:

Let's Speculate: "Supernatural," 8.23 "Sacrifice"

Ardeospina@gmail.com ({ga=ardeospina}) — Thu, 16 May 2013 03:05:19 GMT

WARNING!!!! If you haven't seen the Season 8 finale yet, read no further! There will be LOTS of spoilers and discussion about the episode, and trust me, you want to see it for yourself first. If you've watched, then come in and let's talk about what happened.

Supernatural Bingo - Sacrifice

flearzum@rogers.com ({ga=karen}) — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:26:32 GMT

Can you believe the season eight finale is here? I have my Supernatural Emergency Survival Kit ready. Kleenexes, chocolate, wine, bingo cards... Everything you need to send the season off right!

Cheers and enjoy the episode!

Supernatural 8.22 - "Clip Show": When They're All Gone, What Will You Have Left?

bardicvoice@hotmail.com ({ga=bardicvoice}) — Wed, 15 May 2013 01:59:05 GMT

This episode really turned up the pressure on the Winchesters, with Crowley finding the precise psychological lever to pull to hurt the brothers in the worst possible way as leverage to force their surrender. At the same time, it paired Castiel with Metatron in a simultaneous assault on Heaven, rocketing the season toward its end. In this discussion, I'm going to speculate on curing a demon; share concerns about Metatron and his plans for Castiel and Heaven; and look at the effectiveness of Crowley's ploy to blackmail the Winchesters.

sweetondean's Spoiler-lite Preview - Supernatural Season Finale: 8.23 "Sacrifice”

sweetondean@gmail.com ({ga=sweetondean}) — Tue, 14 May 2013 12:11:24 GMT

In a blinding white light, Dean Winchester emerged from Purgatory, covered in dirt and blood and looking way sexier than anyone has any right to. He’d spent a year fighting monsters, trying to escape a plane he was never supposed to be in. Dean brought back secrets. A friend that didn’t fit the norm of the kind of friend a hunter like Dean would have. Benny was a vampire, but through their battles together the two warriors bonded and Dean brought the vampire back with him into the land of the living. Dean also harboured a secret about his friend Castiel. The angel had been zapped to Purgatory with Dean in the wake of an exploding Dick Roman and yet, when Dean escaped their Hell adjacent prison, Castiel was nowhere to be seen…

In another part of the country, Sam Winchester made his way to Rufus’ old cabin. He had visited there many times over the past year, whether looking for Dean or comfort… But this time, he was leaving a behind a relationship, one that held promise of the kind of life he’d often wished for but never dared hope could happen. As it turns out, it couldn’t…too many obstacles or two many secrets or both…or was it just that this was a dream built only on loss and grief...

Sam arrived at the cabin, only to discover his brother. A brother he believed was dead, a brother he believed was lost to him forever. But there, standing in front of him, was Dean…

Holy water, silver blade, borax, hug… the Winchester brothers were back together again...but as usual, their road would not be an easy one.

Wow…seems like a long time since that happened huh?

Now, here we are staring down the barrel of the “Supernatural” season 8 finale and I have absolutely no idea where we’re going to end up. There are so many elements in play, all interwoven through the characters involved and I can’t even image which way it’s all going to go.

Let’s check out the synopsis…

“Sacrifice” 8.23

WHAT MUST SAM, DEAN AND CASTIEL SACRIFICE TO FOREVER SEAL HELL?

With Crowley poised to undo all the good they’ve ever done as hunters, Sam and Dean find themselves cornered. But with Kevin’s help, the Winchester brothers bound into one last play against The Demon King. Metatron initiates a plan with Castiel to take on Naomi and the bureaucracy of Heaven. Alaina Huffman and Kim Rhodes also guest star. Phil Sgriccia directed the episode written by Jeremy Carver.

Phil Sgriccia and Jeremy Carver. The big guns take us out!

And they freakin’ better not kill Sheriff Mills, like seriously. Seriously. Just sayin’.

So it seems that our favourite hunting bros are working a different angle to their angel friend. Will these two stories intersect? Will Castiel end up joining forces with the brothers, or will we go to hellatus with the angel well and truly on the outs with the Winchesters again.

What will be the brother’s big last play against Crowley? And how far has the evil bastard got on his to kill list of all the people the Winchesters have saved?

What kind of physical toll will this final trial take on Sam? Is his blood the blood they need to cure a demon? If the brothers don’t finish the trials, what will become of Sam’s health?

Will Abaddon spoil the brother’s plans as she sets her sights on Crowley and Hell’s crown?

Which characters will survivor and which characters will die?

Here is the CW promo…

I’m pretty happy that Crowley became the final trial. I know a lot of fans have been tossing around that idea but wondered if he was too powerful to trap. Obviously the boys have something up their collective sleeves. Maybe that is the “with Kevin’s help” bit, that they find a way to trap Crowley that catches him completely unawares.

There's so much is going on in here. Naomi has Metatron – and it looks like Castiel is fighting for him. Cass has Kevin by the collar. Sam’s beating on Crowley. Castiel is telling the boys his plan – sounds like it’s at the cost of theirs. If Cass is going to shut the whole thing down, is he planning on starting the demon trials again, or is he planning on using Sam? What’s going on that Dean is yelling for Sammy to stop? Does he discover that what they’re doing is actually a trap laid to launch some other horror? How far will Abaddon get with Crowley. Sam goes flying through the window! No!

Delicious preview anyone?

‘Ello boys. Is this scene taking place in Bobby’s car yard? And is the conflict at the end of the clip manufactured by the boys to lull Crowley into a false sense of security? I kind of feel like it is. I’m guessing that’s part of the big plan to grab the “salesman”.

CHCH promo…

Is that Dean’s head going through a glass fridge door!? No! Oh gosh, the boys look like they’re getting a beating…again. Was that Crowley doing the shoving through glass? If so, I wonder if that scene is after he was grabbed by the boys, or before?

I haven’t looked forward to a finale as much as I’m looking forward to this one for a long time. For some reason the ends of 6 and 7 just didn’t seem as personal or the stakes didn’t seem as high. Both were good, but I didn’t feel anywhere near as antsy as I do with this week’s finale. With this season, the brothers are personally connected to what they’re trying to achieve in an acute way. Plus 2 of the shows longest running alternative-beings are also involved with Cass and Crowley - who have a murky history. Gosh, just the title, “Sacrifice” makes my palms sweat.

I don’t think the brothers will close the gates of Heaven or Hell, but…I’ve been surprised before. To be honest, I don’t want the gates of Hell closed because the demons are intrinsic to the mythology of this show. From day 1 they’ve plagued the Winchester brother’s lives and I would hate to see that conflict lost forever. Heaven…well that’s another story…

I don’t really even have a wish list (except that Sheriff Mills survives and Naomi dies), I'm just looking forward to riding it out in shock and awe. Oh okay, I lied, I have one thing on my wish list...that the brothers are together when the dust of this finale settles and neither is dead and neither is parts unknown. If either of those things happen, you’ll hear my anguished cries from across the Pacific and beyond. I just don’t want them separated again. Not again.

So, what about you guys…do you have theories, hopes, fears. What are you looking forward to? What are you dreading?

I just know I’m damn well excited.

Fasten your seatbelts fans… it’s going to be a bumpy night.

Thanks for reading my last preview of the season! See you in reviewland! Enjoy the finale and CARRY ON MY WAYWARD SON!
- sweetondean

TV Fanatic: Supernatural Roundtable For "Clip Show"

alicej@jesterz.net ({ga=alice-jester}) — Tue, 14 May 2013 03:48:50 GMT

On this week's Supernatural Roundtable at TV Fanatic, Sean McKenna, Carissa Pavlica, and myself explore some really interesting topics about Abaddon, curing demons, closing the gates of Hell, closing the gates of Heaven, and why angels should never shop at grocery stores. It's all some pretty deep stuff.

http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/05/supernatural-round-table-clip-show/

Also, here's Sean McKenna's review of "Clip Show" at TV Fanatic. I give him credit, he was far kinder that I!

http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/05/supernatural-review-return-of-the-past/

A Pre-Finale Letter to Jeremy Carver

LSAKER@ATT.NET ({ga=nightsky}) — Tue, 14 May 2013 01:40:03 GMT

Dear Jeremy,

I am confused. It is only 2 days until Supernatural’s Season 8 finale airs in the U.S., but with so many plots and sub-plots still fluidly intertwining, I have no idea where this story is headed! I have totally given up on speculating, predicting or theorizing what is happening this season! I am intellectually baffled and emotionally exhausted. I think that’s a good thing. It means the series is unpredictable. It means I come back week after week for answers. These brainteasers are a significant part of my love of the show. I must say, though, that there are so many mysteries and layers upon layers of misdirection in this season, that I can’t keep them straight anymore! Can you help me?