lirazel | I've sold my soul to Supernatural

Oh, Supernatural. Anything I say about you now will seem very redundant after this eloquent post, which says everything I want to say. But since I’ve now finished both Seasons 1 and 2, I feel like I have to verbalize my love for this show.

When I first started watching, it seemed like a pretty straightforward kind of “hot-boys-hunt-demons” sort of thing, something like a weekly mild slasher movie with blood and guts and frights. Sure, it had these brothers with an interesting bond and a really cool car, but nothing special. Not really my thing, either.

When did it become about something so much deeper? When did these characters become so rich and start to change and develop? When did the mythology of this world become almost as fascinating as that of Veronica Mars and, despite the mysteries, far more understandable (and follow-able, if that’s a word) than Lost?

I can’t point to an exact moment, though I think it was towards the end of Season 1 (possibly when John showed up). There just shouldn’t be a show this good on the CW—isn’t that the channel with the hot-teenagers-have-drama-shows?

I’ve also decided that I am an absolute sucker for intense sibling bonds (in a completely non-incest sort of way. That totally freaks me out. Wincest should die). I mean, I adore any interaction between Simon and River on Firefly and Serenity. In my mind, Dick and Cassidy on Veronica Mars are way closer than they ever let on. I can’t help but think of Jacen and Jaina Solo in their earlier days or Leto and Ghanima or the Weasleys or the Black family (well, in fanfiction) or the March sisters or Ender and Valentine. Or the Compson family, but they’re just completely messed up, so let’s not go there.

But I don’t think any of these can rival the depth of Dean and Sammy’s relationship. I haven’t been this emotionally invested in a (non-romantic) relationship since Keith and Veronica. The idea of this family needing each other this badly, putting themselves on the line for each other every single day breaks my heart and gives me hope at the same time—maybe I’m just sick of all these dysfunctional television families who hate each other when mine is so wonderful and supportive and just always, always there.

I can’t describe to you how emotional I got at the end of Devil’s Trap when The-Thing-That-Killed-Mom has possessed John and then starts to prey on every single insecurity and fear that the boys have—especially when he tells Dean that his family doesn’t need him as much as he needs them. It was one of the rawest, most painful moments I’ve ever experienced watching a show. I didn’t know what to do with myself, I was feeling Dean’s pain so deeply. I think that was the moment I knew this show was something special, that it wouldn’t betray my emotions and it would never take the easy way out.

I can’t wait for Season 3. I hope it’s as epic and dark and wonderful as it has the potential to be. I really want to fall in love with this show all over again.

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Aww, the s1 finale was wonderful, it really was. Especially that moment. Personally, I love the Simon/River relationship more, though *loffs & loffs them so*

Yeah, that moment was my favorite.

I love Simon and River, too. Every since the moment she stumbled out of that box and he was so incredibly gentle with her--it broke my heart and gave me warm fuzzies at the same time. I didn't really care much for Simon just as a person then, but any time he was around River, I just went all melty.

I didn't actually get to see the pilot-pilot (as in, "Serenity"-the-episode) until a little further into my show-watching, so I didn't see Joss' initial "simon = possible bad guy spoiled brat jerk face" portrayal; and I actually disliked Mal at first...re-watching the series, they really softened Mal's character as time went by, much as RT did with Logan. So I came down hard on Simon's side of the fence.

I'm sure that definitely did affect the way you viewed the show. I watched the movie first, actually, then went back and watched the show, and I'm not sure to what extent that affected the way I look at these characters, though I'm sure it did.

That's so weird to me that you disliked Mal. He just breaks my heart. I can get angrier at him than just about anyone else in the show, but he always redeems himself in my mind.

My favorite Simon and River moment is when she says something like "I wasn't sure you'd come for me." And (as Joss mentioned in the commentary), instead of saying, "I'll always come for you, yada yada yada," he says something like, "Well, you're silly, then." It's such a big brother moment. I adore it.

Ah, well, Serenity really was Mal's movie, and he was at a pretty acceptable level of Mal-ness :p My problems with Mal...well, do you remember the scene in the pilot where he tells Simon that Kaylee's dead, and then goes and has a good laugh at it? That...really did not make me happy, considering Simon and River's lives were at stake. I liked Mal more later, but as I said before--if you watch the show closely, you can almost *see* Joss softening Mal up for more enjoyable viewing. Logan v. firefly :P

Simon and River played their relationship so well <3

I can see what you're saying--and that scene with the "Kaylee's dead" was evil. But what I liked about him was his arc--you could see him becoming less and less harsh and more and more...open and considerate. You're right about him at the beginning, though.

if you watch the show closely, you can almost *see* Joss softening Mal up for more enjoyable viewing. Logan v. firefly :P Heehee! Very true!

I know exactly what you mean.

This good friend of mine sat me down one day and was like, "You have to watch this show." She didn't tell me what it was about or anything, 'cause just like with you, this stuff normally isn't my kind of thing. I'm more of a Gilmore Girls/Boy Meets World type of person, to be perfectly honest. So I sat down and in about one afternoon we watched half of Season One. By the time I went home, I was addicted.

The relationship between Sam and Dean is what makes the show tick. I think one of the best lines of the series was in "All Hell Breaks Loose: Part Two", when Sam is flipping out because Dean sold his soul to bring him back to life and he's all, "I'm your brother. I'd do ANYTHING for you." We know Dean will always protect Sam, but there Sammy goes, reminding Dean he's got someone to watch out for him, too.

As illustrated by "What Is and What Should Never Be" (possibly my favorite episode ever), the boys wouldn't be the same if they hadn't been raised to hunt ghosts, which is both heartbreaking and sort of inspiring at the same time. Intense sibling bonds, as you described them, seem so rare these days, and they're so wonderful. Who better to understand you than the one you grew up with? You share a childhood, parents, blood. Part of what makes SPN so appealing, I think, what really draws the viewers in, is that bond between Sam and Dean. It's unusual, and yet at the same time, wonderfully familiar. You listed some great examples of other close siblings (Simon and River being a favorite of mine, as well as the March sisters)

...and yeah, my internet hates me. Sorry, it posted randomly before I finished my sentence.

So as I was saying, you listed some great sibling examples. And wow, I've lost my train of thought. xD

I guess the gist of it is, I love Supernatural, and I love reading good old fashioned hailing of the show like this post right here. It really is one of the best things on TV--hot boys hunting demons in their awesome car, but with this very large helping of reality. That's another thing that makes SPN endearing to me: the fact that I could see it happening, provided ghosts are real, of course. The fact that the show balances the spook and surreal with the family drama and brotherly love so nicely is really why I love it, and always will. Bring on Season 3. My Thursday nights have gotten so boring.

Yup! The addiction thing--totally happened to me.

I loved that moment for Sam: that was his moment, the moment where he gained equal footing with his brother.

"What Is and What Never Should Be" totally broke my heart. The look on Dean's face when he first figures out he and Sam aren't close, especially. But actually the whole episode (it isn't my favorite, but it's certainly high on the list). You're right--they are so products of their upbringing it isn't even funny. I actually loved the idea in your fic (which I swear I will review shortly, I just keep getting distracted) that Dean would kind of be a selfish jackass if he had been raised in a completely normal life (the firefighter part made me very, very happy, though. I can totally see Dean as a firefighter, especially when he told Sam in whatever episode that was that that's what he wanted to be when he grew up).

ANYWAYS, hot boys hunting demons in their awesome car, but with this very large helping of reality. That's another thing that makes SPN endearing to me: the fact that I could see it happening, provided ghosts are real, of course. Couldn't have put it better myself!

And I am ready for Season 3! Can't wait to compare notes!

I've sold my soul to Supernatural

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