9.20 episode review/reaction

[ash48]

(changed my cut tag....lost my sense of humour...)

I ain't got nothing guys. Reviewing this would be like me reviewing an episode of Charmed or The Vampire Diaries or The Young and The Restless (not that I've watched those, but I imagine they're a bit like this. Maybe?)

I have no idea if that was good or bad because it's just not my kind of thing. For those who like romancey drama with supernatural beings as the back drop then this might have been awesome. But, that's not me. Too many beautiful, unrealistic (and rather boring) characters for my liking.

I knew this episode was a pilot so I'm not at all surprised or even disappointed after watching it (only it means we've ended up with 22 episodes instead of 23. BOO!).

What I DON'T GET is did they actually think that would appeal to the Supernatural audience? I haven't checked many reactions but I have a feeling there might be some pissed off fans because that pilot could have been done separately to this show. It didn't even have the same feel so there's no reason why they couldn't have launched that as a "new" show - without any connections to SPN.

It makes me even more worried that Carver really has no understanding of the SPN audience (and probably explains why the first half of S8 was such soap opera). We are NOT that audience (ack! are we? I don't mean to speak on behalf of the spn fandom...)

Ok. So there was a smidgeon of Sam and Dean stuff. And did any one else just kinda melt a little when they appeared on the screen? It was almost like a relief to see them. I was instantly engaged and eager to know what was going on with them. Every "Sammy" warmed by heart just a wee bit. Even their weariness and heart aching experience was a welcome sight (and even though this season has been a trial, after watching I might actually be grateful for it). And I did like Dean's one liner when he chopped off the vamps head. :)

And I was grasping onto anything. Dean telling that guy (I know, I can't even remember names) that monsters don't exist was cruel and gave us a glimpse of MoC!Dean and Sam even managed to (almost) draw a tear with his declaration that once you're in you can never get out. Was it just me or did Sam actually seem really tired and weary? Whenever the boys encounter newbies entering the "business" there's always a level of sadness and deep knowing. Usually Dean has it too, but he's clearly not bothered (more evidence of him disconnecting and drawing away from humanity). I liked seeing it come from Sam though (we actually got some Sam moments! yay :D)

But we can't really read too much into what the boys were up to because they didn't do anything. Didn't have any part of the action or even the story. As I said - no idea why they had to create this as a spin off. I would have been happier to see this as a Castiel and Crowley spin off, or a Charlie and Dorothy, a Jody and Annie/Alex one or even a Garth and his new werewolf family one. I thought that was what spin offs were? A character from one show creating another show? Man, even a ghost!Kevin and Mama Tran spin off would have more exciting.

So yeah. Very unlikely I'll be following that. I feel particularly cheated and annoyed that a show like that would be connected to Supernatural. Sure, make a show like that - there will be people who will love it. Just don't try and tell me it's a spin off of Supernatural.

Comments

[cassiopeia7.livejournal.com]

It makes me even more worried that Carver really has no understanding of the SPN audience (and probably explains why the first half of S8 was such soap opera). We are NOT that audience (ack! are we? I don't mean to speak on behalf of the spn fandom...)

I hadn't thought of it that way, but man, that's scary if true. Carver seemed to be aware of the SPN audience during the first three seasons, but maybe that was more Kripke's influence. IDK, maybe Carver spent his time away from SPN watching too much Twilight and Vampire Diaries. He's seen the 'success' of those genres and wants to turn SPN into something that it is most definitely not. His showrunning view feels less like that of someone who was around at the beginning and more like that of fans who started watching after S4, and think that the core of the show is something else entirely.

In any case, I agree wholeheartedly. We are NOT THAT AUDIENCE.

even a ghost!Kevin and Mama Tran spin off would have been more exciting.

LOL, yes! I would watch the hell out of that. :D

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Carver confuses the hell out of me! When I think of the last two seasons they are actually really dark (which that series looks like it's going to lack). There's also an element about them that I really like (looking into the darker elements of the boys relationship) - but then there's also that soapy kind of drama and overly dramatised angst that I really don't like that much (all the heighten drama about said relationship). He really "got it" with Mystery Spot and the Xmas ep and I don't know if that was Kripke or what. I wish I knew because I hang onto hope that he actually really DOES get it.

I'd watch the hell out of Kevin and Mama Tran too! It would be cool if they did a spin off that included all SPN's secondary characters. They'd probably all come together as a post meeting the Winchesters support group... ;)

[cassiopeia7.livejournal.com]

I hang onto hope that he actually really DOES get it.

You and me both.

And I LOVE the idea of an "I Met the Winchesters -- and Survived" support group. XD

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

As you know, I didn't get this either. Even the lore wasn't the same so why try and pretend this is in the same universe as SPN? Other than to try and cash in on SPN's unanticipated success and longevity.

Yeah, I can't really believe the Carver we have now is the same Carver who gave us Mystery Spot and A Very SPN Christmas.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yeah. It's so weird. I've just been on twitter (tweeting away!) and the feeling is one of being cheated and a bit used. And insta!audience. I'm sure the show has some merit in a different universe. I thought spin offs had to at least have characters from the original show.

The more I think about it the more I think this was a bad (marketing) move.

[novakev.livejournal.com]

You're right, it's not a spinoff, just a new show hoping for some of Supernatural's audience.

It might appeal to the younger crowd. My daughter loved it, though at first she didn't realise it was Supernatural because the feel was all wrong.

I went in with extremely low expectations so I almost enjoyed it, though I won't be watching the show.

As a spinoff, my vote would be for Bobby and Rufus!

[sam-dean-lover.livejournal.com]

hi, i watched something else yesterday but did read reactions of the ep on spoilertv, some people liked it, some thought it was awful. 9x21's promo looks good

[alienat.livejournal.com]

I agree with you, this new show doesn't have anything to do with SPN, except that it's apparently set in the same universe.

The feel of this episode was so off, way too cheesy and clichéd.

I won't be watching. I'm so sick and tired of the 'same-formular-shows'. Throw in some overly beautiful actors, with a forbidden romance, that of course is/was doomed but they still love each other so much. *rolls eyes* Then the bitch who wants to ruin everything and the human who has to work with the so called monster so they can save the world. Urgh. :( So overdone, really.

Besides, how can Sam and Dean have been hunting for years and nobody, not them not any other hunter, ever picked up on five monster families ruling the Chicago underground? Yeah, sorry, but that's just stupid and totally unbelievable.

As you can tell I'm not amused. LOL Not that I care too much about the current plot on SPN, but I at least want to see Sam and Dean on my TV when the series is called SPN. ;)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yes. It's made me feel a little used. Perhaps a warning from TPTB that it was completely different might have been good. Or even airing it earlier in the season so it doesn't come at a time when we are all desperate to know what happening at the moment (well, some of us. I know not all are liking this season).

Bobby and Rufus!!! yay!

[ash48.livejournal.com]

I'm sure there will some who it will appeal to. :)

*sit on hands* I'm going to stay spoiler free for the next 3 eps. Well, try to...

[nearmiss76.livejournal.com]

I already suspected that I wouldn't like this one, from what I'd read about it... I like my shows sans a romance aspect, and the whole thing sounded like something I'd seen many times before and didn't like the first time.

I guess I'll just be skipping this one.

[zebra363.livejournal.com]

This post isn't showing up on my flist for some reason, and judging by the much lower than usual number of comments I wonder if other people are also having that problem.

I didn't mind the episode since I like the idea of underground monster societies, though of course I would have liked more Sam and Dean. The thing that bothered me was the older brother shapeshifter warning off the vampire girl. I wish the show wouldn't constantly ram home the "look after my little brother" theme! Do any real grown men go around saying they have to look after their 20-something little brother?

[el1ie.livejournal.com]

**hangs head**

I haven't even seen it yet! A whole day and a half as passed and I'm not entirely moved to find the time today either - that's bad news for me.

I guess I don't mind the idea that they want to use our show to launch their brand new supersoap, but what should piss me off is that they've chosen episode 20 to do it. Before 12 or 13 and I'd have given them far more leeway. But on saying that it hasn't interrupted the flow of our show because our show is moving like molasses uphill! WTF ever happened to building tension and excitement? Just 3 episodes to the finale, they had all these story threads at the beginning of the season and yet they've done nothing with them, once again I suppose they'll cram it all into the next three episodes. It's a bloody tragedy and a waste of such layered characters and talented actors who are starting to give off the vibe they're done with this shit.

Had to go hunting for your review today, can't think why it's not showing up on my flist...hehe, I'm reading reviews on an episode I haven't even seen! Me, the spoiler freak! Not heard a word about the next three yet though, so all is not lost! :))

[ash48.livejournal.com]

*nods* I have to assume this will appeal to some but it will need to be a lot edgier for it to appeal to me. Maybe they have an interesting plan ahead and I'd be curious to see if they do. From that episode it didn't exactly grab me.

how can Sam and Dean have been hunting for years and nobody, not them not any other hunter, ever picked up on five monster families ruling the Chicago underground?

I think we have to hand wave that. It makes no sense at all, but I don't think it's meant to. Though, it would be really interesting if they do address that if the show takes off. What would might have been interesting is if they had some how incorporated the SPN world that we know with this one. If one of the monsters mentioned John, or Sam and Dean. Saying how they've kept off their radar until now...(or something).

Annway. I think it helped me appreciate what we DO have (even though it's a challenge at the moment...;D)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Hi there. :)

Yeah, there's a heavy romance aspect - which might appeal to some, but it's not my cup of tea.

I did like the S&D moments though - I always like outsider POVs of the boys. Even though it makes them look a lot older and world weary.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

This post isn't showing up on my flist for some reason, and judging by the much lower than usual number of comments I wonder if other people are also having that problem.

Hi. Yes, Ellie (below) mentioned it also. I wonder what that was about. (I thought no one was saying much because they either hadn't watched it, didn't care or that I didn't actually have much to say.

Strangely, I didn't mind there not being much S&D (I knew there wouldn't be when I knew it was a pilot) but I was really disappointed that it looked and felt nothing like the SPN 'verse or was in any way connected to it. I suppose I don't mmd the monster family idea - but I would liked it to have been a little less cliched and a bit edgier. I think it could find an audience - but I can't see me being one of them.

Do any real grown men go around saying they have to look after their 20-something little brother?

I can't imagine it! I never refer to my brother as my "little brother" (though I do have a sister I am close to and sometimes call her "little sis" - and she calls me "big sis"). Maybe the notion of protective big bro was an attempt at connecting S&D to these new leads. *shrugs* I didn't think too deeply on this one (maybe that was their attempt at
"appealing" to the SPN audience.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Hey..if you're around at the moment...did my latest post appear? Curious about that now...

[zebra363.livejournal.com]

Yes, I can see the new one. Strange...

[counteragent.livejournal.com]

I heard it somewhere suggested that Carver's early eps were perhaps ghostwritten by Carver's wife, given that Being Human improved a lot when she got added to its team.

I think this is an interesting theory. Obvs no evidence for it, though.

[galwithglasses.livejournal.com]

I don't think I'm going to bother with this one. Is this CW's response to Teen Wolf? I haven't seen that or Vampire Diaries so I don't know. I'm having enough trouble just hanging on to my enthusiasm for SPN and I'm already so hacked off about canon and discontinuity that I think I'd probably have a stroke. I am realizing I'm taking this all way too seriously and need to go have some chocolate and chill out. Maybe a pint or two of chocolate chip ice cream........

[ash48.livejournal.com]

A whole day and a half as passed and I'm not entirely moved to find the time today either - that's bad news for me.

It's not SPN so that's ok. ;) I mean..it's really nothing like SPN. I had to watch it for the boys brief appearances (and I was curious) but it's totally skippable. I fast forwarded through the romantic (and boring) bits. I did like the S&D bits. :)

WTF ever happened to building tension and excitement? Just 3 episodes to the finale,

Yes! This. The timing is really weird. Earlier on we might have been less...um...miffed by how irrelevant it is to the current stories (and it doesn't help that the brothers are so at odds either).

they had all these story threads at the beginning of the season and yet they've done nothing with them,

*cries* I can only hope the last 3 eps will be epic.

It's a bloody tragedy and a waste of such layered characters and talented actors who are starting to give off the vibe they're done with this shit.

Yeah, I'm getting that vibe too. And I don't want that to be the case...*sob*

Had to go hunting for your review today

Strange. Zebra above said the same thing.

I'm reading reviews on an episode I haven't even seen!

haha!

Not heard a word about the next three yet though, so all is not lost! :))

Me neither! Trying to stay as spoiler free as I can now. :)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Is this CW's response to Teen Wolf?

Hee...this makes TW look positively deep! I like TW because it is at least a little edgy (and it have Dylan O'Brien who I kinda love a bit...;D). It's more like Dallas with fangs and fur and ...er...shapeshifting abilities.

Maybe a pint or two of chocolate chip ice cream........

Sound like a plan!! I want to be less serious but... damn it! I can't. The next 3 eps are gong to kill me. I am expect SO MUCH! I want it to cure all of S9 (and S8!).

*clings*

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Oh wow...what? That is interesting...

Hopefully she's helping write the last 3 eps then... ;)

[ayane42.livejournal.com]

yeah "bloodlines' is the first spn episode that i struggled to watch. i found it confusing and boring, sigh.

but hey, Sam's hair at the end, yeah, that was nice!

yeah, Carver, sigh, i don't think he knows what the hell he's doing.

Sera Gamble? I loved her, seasons 6 and 7, i really really enjoyed, but beginning of season 8, like wtf?

isn't there a convention this weekend? maybe someone should ask the boys wtf. i mean i know that writing an episode is a whole collaboration, with tons of people, but gah, really, read the internet and see that half of the people are really pissed about this!! gah!!!

this episode bugged me so much. this show really means alot to me. i identify with it so much. and the boys and what they have gone through in their lives. i know people change and supposedly Carver is saying that the boy's relationship is changing and maturing, but what they have experienced together as brothers, that doesn't go away. it's that thing that they have together that no one else can truly understand.

gah, sorry. this is really bothering me. thanks for a place i can say something

[counteragent.livejournal.com]

I'm three weeks supernatural canon free. It feels so weird! Kind of like cutting off a limb. Except, you know, not really.