The Winchester Family Business

In Fear of Fan Conventions - The Wicked at Rest?

guest@jesterz.net (Jasminka) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:42:28 +0000

Today I'm kicking off what I'm calling "Con week," as in Fan Convention, not ex. As many of you know, I'm getting ready to attend this weekend's "Salute To Supernatural" convention in Chicago (at least Saturday and Sunday). Considering this week's episode is a weird story that takes place at a Supernatural convention, I'm going to ride this theme as much as a I can!

Starting off, I'm sharing a piece from Jasminka about her thoughts as she plans to attend her first con in LA in March. Enjoy!

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In Fear of Supernatural Fan Conventions – The Wicked At Rest?

In his day T.E. Lawrence once complained to George Bernard Shaw of press attention, who simply replied: ‘You always hide just in the middle of the limelight’. In a society somewhat obsessed with celebrities, conventions probably are symptoms of a strange mental condition one might want to call ‘being a fan’. A condition I am not free of.

In fact, I am going to attend my first Supernatural convention ever, although I had been determined to never do that for mixed reasons: The expenses are preposterous. The conventions manageable for me usually feature the actors, but not any other members of the team behind the whole operation. I would cherish the possibility of talking to Eric Kripke, Jeremy Carver or Sera Gamble, and I would have loved to ask Kim Manners, whose work I have admired for a long time, a question or two. However, the hugely creative, invisible minds of the show don’t show up. Furthermore, I’ve never felt completely at ease in a room with hundreds of in all likelihood screaming people after having almost been crushed once at a rock concert… and some fans just don’t know how to behave.

Recap - "Changing Channels" - Part One

alicej@jesterz.net (Alice Jester) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:56:34 +0000

This recap is ridiculously long. I was not kidding when I said last week I’d be setting a record here. The recap is so long, just like with last year’s “On The Head of A Pin,” I’m breaking it into two parts. Except this one has WAY more screencaps. The faces in this episode were too good. So enjoy every single detail! There’s plenty.

The Recap

Want to know how to get 3 plus million people to say “WTF???” right off the bat? Open with a very bright and cheery shot of a sun drenched motel with palm trees in the background and the voice of Jensen going “Supernatural is filmed in front of a live studio audience.” I pause, open my TV guide and check the listed genre. Horror. Then it dawns on me cheesy 80’s sitcoms are horror shows. I continue.

It’s Dean! Wow, where the fuck is he? The Technicolor lens is back! The colors on the wall are bright, the cabinets perfect white, the refrigerator is full with condiments, beer, and something called “smeet” (what, they couldn’t get the rights to Spam?) and Dean is happy. There’s a Dagwood sandwich piled about a mile high in the center of the two person kitchen table. “I’m going to need a bigger mouth.” Laugh track goes. Yep, I’m positively freaked out right now. Way to scare the crap out of us Kripke!

It's Official! Jensen Is Engaged

alicej@jesterz.net (Alice Jester) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:58:50 +0000

You know, I'm usually not a fan of celebrity news. It's their lives, their business. But I found this news intriguing, especially since they'll be in Chicago this weekend. Also, I'm sure this is the very last fandom outlet to report this (stupid not being able to check email at work), but here goes!

From JustJared.com:

Jensen Ackles Engaged To Danneel Harris

Jensen Ackles and his longtime girlfriend Danneel Harris are engaged, her rep confirms exclusively to JustJared.com.

The 31-year-old Supernatural actor and 30-year-old One Tree Hill actress have been dating for about three years but have been friends for nearly a decade. The couple, who are longtime members of the WB/CW family, co-starred in the 2007 romantic comedy Ten Inch Hero.

Danneel showed off her beautiful engagement ring on Saturday at the Breeders’ Cup in Los Angeles.

Congrats to the happy couple!

UPDATE: Danneel confirmed the good news herself on her Twitter account. Simply put, she wrote, “Yes… !”

Read more: http://justjared.buzznet.com/2009/11/09/jensen-ackles-engaged-danneel-harris/#ixzz0WPyjIgM4

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Considering inside reports have had them unofficially engaged for at least a year or more now, this isn't surprising but it's still very happy news. Congratulations to the happy couple from all of us at The Winchester Family Business.

We Have A Winner! The Name of Sam's Shirt Is...

alicej@jesterz.net (Alice Jester) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:00:12 +0000

Updated 11/08 - D'oh!!! This is what happens when I post an announcement after a long day of being bounced around like a tennis ball between every member of my family and my pets. This is a FAN CONTEST. There is a winner!!! Why didn't I post this? Because I'm a moron. The winner, with her fantastic suggestion of the winning name listed below is...

MyMadWorld!!!!!!!

Believe it or not, there is a small, rather insignificant prize involved. So MyMadWorld, please get hold and me via the "Contact Us" link and we can talk details. Thanks everyone for submitting entries.

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Okay, I've dragged this on long enough. After all, this was a silly idea that cropped up one Monday at work while I was in a blue funk. I'm so pleased so many of you found this to be something fun. The winning name of Sam's shirt is... Nancy! No, I'm kidding. By popular choice the winner is...

The Paisley Peril!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a picture of Jared with Chad Michael Murray at the 2006 Teen Choice Awards (thanks Elena M!). This took place after the filming of "Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things," evident by the cast on his arm. So, he's actually worn this infamous shirt in public. This is slight evidence that the shirt itself is actually part of Jared's wardrobe. Then again, he's been known to appear in public with shirts he's lifted from the set, so who knows? Either way, the mystery of the shirt continues. I'm sorry, the mystery of "The Paisley Peril" continues. Thanks everyone for voting!

ETA: How did I miss this?????????? Thanks Redbird, you're so right. Here we are, from "Changing Channels."

When The Trickster Was In TV Land

guest@jesterz.net (Jasminka) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:26:51 +0000

It was my goal today to post a thought-proviking meta piece digging deeper into the ramifications of "Changing Channels" on the overall scheme of things. In struggling to find the time to come up with a coherent thought while tearing apart my basement (don't ask), I open my email and find this most outstanding piece from Jasminka that's summed up everything I wanted to discuss beautifully! She has such a way with words and analysis and this certainly got me thinking. I'm dying to see what opinions everyone has regarding her viewpoints.

Also, I should note, believe it or not, English is not Jasminka's native language. For a second language, she writes better than many that only speak English. So thank you so much Jas! Enjoy everybody.

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When Trickster Was In TV-Land…

… let the brothers go!

Maybe Gabriel was hoping to inspire songs to spread his glory, but paraphrasing an old gospel is all I can muster up right now… I can’t stop thinking about this episode. Again, the creators have given us a multi-dimensional story in an irresistible combo of comedy, pain, sarcasm and myth, firing up a new archangel. From the hilarious theme song (instant classic! – the brothers on mini-vespas? Tandem with flowers and a baguette in the basket? Playing football in the gorgeous sunlight? Killing me), to the awesome sitcom-overacting, Dean’s adorable fan moments, Nutcracker (is there really such a sick game show on air somewhere?), embarrassing commercial, dead-on Horatio Caine impressions and a speaking car my dad loved to watch – Jensen and Jared, and I guess everyone involved, must have had a field day! Hi there, Richard Speight Jr., great to have you back and introduce us to a new player, namely archangel Gabriel.

Elle2's Review - "Changing Channels"

rokinjosh@nycap.rr.com (elle2) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:07:43 +0000

Elle2 was also so inspired by "Changing Channels" that she too sent a review! Granted she still can't commit to doing a review each episode right now, but this one was too good to pass up. As usual, she has some wonderful thoughts. Enjoy!

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Changing Channels…by Elle2

I love Supernatural…there, that’s out there *as if no one knew already*.

I love it when it’s icky, sticky, scary, spooky, funny, dark, deep and yes, even when it’s just so-so, it’s still better than anything out there. Nope, I’m not a fan…I’m a big fan. I don’t go to conventions, don’t run a web site, don’t write to the show – well, okay, at the end of Season 3 I wrote Mr. Kripke and begged him *tearfully I’ll add unashamedly* to not destroy the brothers, not destroy the core of the show and to quickly bring it all to the good again. I’m so glad he didn’t listen to me *of course, that assumes he even read my letter*

Supernatural is unafraid to kill off main characters, Mary, John, Sam, Dean (Sam and Dean have been killed so many times that I’ve lost count…already both have died this season..or nearly and last season as well, not to mention when they actually did die) They’re not afraid to inflict physical infirmities, burn down intended long-term sets (Roadhouse) when they realized it limited their show, not afraid to dispense with stories that distract – psychic kids, FBI wanted list, hunters hunting Sam and even try characters that just plain don’t work…Bela, but even in the offing of the sets, the storylines and the characters they fit them into the larger scheme of things so that, when one examines the whole, the picture takes shape in fine detail.

The CW OMG Moment of The Week

alicej@jesterz.net (Alice Jester) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:42:43 +0000

I'd never heard of this before. Probably because I don't watch Gossip Girl or 90210 or the shows that The CW bends over backwards to promote (except the Vampire Diaries. I do watch and like that). Anyway, Robert Seidman at tvbythenumbers.com, who's a huge Supernatural fan, got this from the CW today. It's their "OMG Moment of The Week."

Read what Robert had to say about getting this here. He's like the rest of us. Has Hell frozen over?

Elle's Review - "Changing Channels"

guest@jesterz.net (elle) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:04:28 +0000

So, you want to know how psyched elle was over this episode? She sent me a review at 3:14 am this morning! (Sorry, I usually check email after I get home from work). I read it over and love it! It's also her longest review yet. She was definitely running on some inspiration.

This is a good way to start for I'm hoping to share some deep analysis on this one this weekend. There's so much to discuss in the terms of Gabriel, angels, destiny vs. free will, Sam and Dean and their man pain, etc. So let's see what gets sparked. In the meantime, enjoy the review!

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Thoughts on Changing Channels

First – confession time. I skipped my night class so that I could watch this episode. *hangs head* Okay, that isn’t entirely true. I was actually sick and being home on a Thursday night before 11 for the first time in two months was just a fringe benefit. On to the long, long review – my longest to date – now. The only way to tackle this episode is scene by rich-hilarious scene. Right away, this demanded an instant second (third and fourth) watch because – how could I not?

The Teaser/Sitcom

“Supernatural is filmed before a live studio audience.” I wish there was a live studio audience – I’d kill to be in it! Jensen’s expressions in this segment were gold – the best part? “Son of a bitch!” This opening sequence was so cheesy but oh-so good. The ostentatious décor and the off-screen audience that laughs at everything are delightfully comical.

The Opening Credits

Oh dear god, I thought I was going to die from laughter. How much fun do you think the boys had doing that tandem bike ride shot? And if I’m not mistaking, those mini-bikes are their own in real life.

"Changing Channels" - So, You Like?

alicej@jesterz.net (Alice Jester) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:47:52 +0000

It's episode day! Finally, everyone gets to see the incredible episode I did six days ago. I have to admit, given the amount of media people that were included in that preview, I'm a little disappointed that there's so pre-show buzz about "Changing Channels" at the major media outlets today. I hope people don't miss out because of that.

Okay, for those that are impatient, I'm sharing a spoiler. It is written below in the same font as the background. It shares a plot twist, but no major plot twists. Just a little something more to wet the appetite until you can see the episode. Highlight at your own risk!

In the Dr. Sexy MD show, Sam is forced to perform lifesaving surgery on Dean after he's shot for real (not funny). The funny part happens over Sam's improvising skills during the surgery.

Okay, that's it!. Happy episode everyone and I really hope I didn't overhype this. I have a feeling you won't be disappointed.

Recap - "The Curious Case of Dean Winchester"

alicej@jesterz.net (Alice Jester) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:31:24 +0000

Ah, the polarizing stand alone episode. You know, going through this one in detail, I did come up with some nitpicks I hadn’t noticed before. I still loved it though. So let’s get started.

First, there’s no “Now” segment, which instantly tells us this episode runs long. I have no objections whatsoever. The past couple episodes have been kind of short. It starts right away with the Monster of the Week teaser, so I'll skim through this since it’s basically a young dude turning old and dying. However, it does open with some amusement. The wife is sitting on the couch reading The Weekly World News. How cool to see that come back to the show, especially since it’s no longer being published for real. She's smiling over what she's reading and the cover says "Leading Psychics Agree: The Apocalypse Is Here! Experts Confirm the End is Upon Us!" There’s also a few citizens there in a small town in Colorado that will back up those experts too. It's great to see the apocalypse get a laugh.

Anyway, husband rushes in, goes into the bathroom, ages quickly and dies from old age. Wife puts down her Weekly World News, finds him and screams. There's our teaser. Enjoy the title card this week, because when you see the one in the next episode, you're gonna die.