Supernatural and Me

2x18 "Hollywood Babylon"

I came to Supernatural probably the way the WB intended. I was a Gilmore Girls fan. I saw a promo for a new show that starred Jared Padalecki who played Dean Forrester on the Gilmore Girls. I tuned in to watch the “Pilot” but, surprisingly, I was not immediately hooked. However, I liked it enough to keep watching.

It wasn’t until “Home” that I became ensnared in the Winchester trap (dare I say…devil’s trap?)That episode was poignant. Dean calling his dad to get reassurance only to get voice mail again, and the worry in Dean’s voice, the barely restrained tears, his voice cracking from the emotion, and when Dean sees his mom – ugh! How can anyone with half a heart resist that? But the clincher for me was Sam. The way his eyes closed upon hearing his mother say his name for the first time. I wanted to hug both those boys! That was the moment they became my boys. But still, it wasn’t love. Love came with “Faith.” 

1x12 "Faith"

“Faith” is the best episode of the first season. It is an impeccable combination of marvelous storytelling, superb acting, and spot-on direction - a perfect storm. I fell head over heels in love.

I can’t talk about Supernatural without talking about the most epic entrance of a character in television history. Season four brought the introduction of one of the most beloved characters of the show, the angel Castiel. Seriously, most actors would sell their grandmothers for an entrance like that! And that first line, “I’m the one who gripped you tight and raised you from perdition.” Come on! Pure gold! I bow and worship at the shrine of the great Eric Kripke!

4x01 "Lazarus Rising" Castiel's EPIC entrance!

Despite the fact I have loved the show since season one, I did not participate in any fandom related activities. I quietly sat, often alone, and watched and rewatched episodes again and again. I was “too old” to fangirl about a show or the hot guys in it. I was an “old married lady” with kids, a business and a mortgage. Not to mention, I didn’t have anyone to fan with. No one I knew watched the show. I wasn’t often on social media but I did follow Misha on Facebook. That was the extent of my fangirling. And that is also how I found GISHWHES. Two years ago, that wacky, beautiful, blue-eyed instigator of disruption changed my whole perception of life in one week of insanely cool, kind and artistic tasks that make up the Greatest International Scavenger Hunt the World Has Ever Seen (GISHWHES) and I am forever grateful.

After GISHWHES, I dipped my toe into the tepid waters of fandom. I joined Twitter, I logged into Tumblr (aka the real home of the Supernatural fandom) and I joined online groups. But, I was cautious. Then I read Fangasm Supernatural Fangirls and I embraced my inner fangirl in a giant bear hug and jumped head first into the deep end of fandom and all things Supernatural! And you know what? I’ve never been happier! (Thanks Kathy & Lynn!) 

In fandom, I found my people. People who were just as eager, nay obsessed, as I was about discussing, dissecting and analyzing our favorite show. People who feel odd, weird, or otherwise out of place in a boring beige-colored world. I now have friends that are closer to me than most of my blood relatives. People I trust, cheer and share with as a family. They are my SPNFamily. In fact, it was one of my SPNFamily friends that found this class for me and she lives in Calgary!  (Thanks Amanda!!)

To say I’m passionate about this show is an understatement. I love everything about it. I look forward to it every week. I even plan events around episodes. And Hellatus, the sometimes weeks and months between new episodes is excruciating, hence the name.

I always watch each new episode first as a fan. Each subsequent viewing, and that count will easily be in the double digits, I dissect and analyze the nuances of the writing, the set design, the camera angles – everything that goes into how they tell the Winchester story. I have my favorite writers for the show (Ben Edlund is a genius – don’t argue with me on this because you will lose) and I love to examine just how they work their magic. I try to be objective when it comes to each new episode but in truth, I view it expecting to enjoy it - as I think most viewers do. I am occasionally disappointed with a particular storyline or character direction but I try to balance the negative with the positive in critiquing an episode. And no matter what else happens, I always love my boys and my beautiful blue-eyed angel.

So call me obsessed. Call me a fangirl. Call me crazy. Just don’t call me during Supernatural.