What Episode Have You Changed Your Mind About?
Monday, 10 January 2011 22:09 | Last Updated on Sunday, 20 February 2011 20:52 | Written by Alice Jester | 
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It's late Monday, I'm busy getting ready to travel to San Francisco this weekend for the Salute To Supernatural convention, and I'm scrambling for topics. While pouring through the comments and trying to find ideas for a quick discussion, I found NancyL recently commented my ancient article (circa season three) the Five Worst Episodes of Supernatural. Oh yeah, that list has changed a bit since then, except for number one.
In going through that list though, I realized I gave "Playthings" an honorable mention. We'll, after two and a half years, I retract. Now I don't think it's a half bad episode at all. It's grown on me through time. It's actually proven to be enjoyable to watch, very quote worthy, features some golden moments (fine, drunk and wet Sam), and had a decent balance of humor and mystery, something that season six has been sorely lacking for the most part.
Granted, "Playthings" is not a stellar episode. The mystery is uneven at best, I still don't care for the guest acting much, and the doll thing was more uncomfortable for me than creepy. The brotherly strife though couldn't be more perfect and I'm often referring to this episode in that regards for meta analysis. It's strengthened over time.
Compared to the seasons that have followed, this episode just isn't all that bad. I can list several that are worse:
Hammer of the Gods
Heaven and Hell
Hammer of the Gods
Family Remains
Hammer of the Gods
Fallen Idols
Hammer of the Gods
Swap Meat
Hammer of the Gods
All Dogs Go To Heaven and...
Hammer of the Gods.
Me thinks an upcoming article will have to revisit a top ten worst episodes list.
So, now it's your turn! What one "Supernatural" episode (yeah I'm making this hard) is the episode you have most changed your mind about for the better? Something you loathed when you first saw it but have since grown to accept or even like it? Be honest. We're among friends here.
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Comments
As for the episode I have changed my mind about? Well, it's "Bugs." Maybe I should really confess and say that I have always liked "Bugs." And before I get crucified, I get that it's a completely ridiculous episode with a horrible curse mystery and don't even get me started on the 5 minutes from midnight till dawn. But all that kind of adds to the charm for me, like it's so bad, it's good. I just -- I like "Bugs" a lot.
My second choice would be "Metamorphosis." I didn't really like that episode much the first time I watched it, but I have come around. I quite enjoy it now, actually, even though the "compare the monster's situation to Sam's situation" is kind of heavy handed.
There, did that distract anyone from my confession of love for "Bugs"? Didn't think so.
Oh, have fun at the San Francisco Con! I'm going to the LA one in Feb., only because I got the tickets before the SF one was announced. :roll:: LA almost five hours farther than SF, but whatever... Anywho, have a blast! I can't wait, this will be my first convention ever!
Forgive me Alice for I didn't like Changing Channels.
I DO NOW THOUGH!!!!
I literally had trouble watching it, almost turned it off several times, but perservered and I'm very glad I did. I uh, also didn't like "The Real Ghostbusters". I'm not big on meta stuff. But love that epi now.
And since I'm coming clean here, I like Swap Meat. I enjoy watching Hammer of the Gods, and like Fallen Idols as long as I skip through the part that has a yammering twiggy blonde.
Whew, that feels good to get off my chest. Just goes to show, it takes all flavors to make the fandom.
The one I absolutely have not change my mind on is Criss Angel Is A Douchebag. It's difficult for me to say this, but I really don't like this episode. Even with the moment between the brothers where Sam discusses getting old or Dean and his awkward moment with the Chief. I just do not like this episode and it's the one I've watched the least.
Off your list I'm with you on All Dogs Go To Heaven, Swap Meat and Fallen Idols. I have grown to accept Hammer Of The Gods, purely because of Lucifer who finally showed his true colours.
Interesting! Thanks for making me think about this!
The one episode that I still can't stand "Criss Angel Is A Douchebag". I just couldn't get involved in this storyline. It just didn't work for me.
As for your list, I agree with you on all of them especially Fallen Idols.
I think for me it would be Swap Meat, I guess. Except for the 'Chrystal, I would love to have the sex with you' line, at first I didn't like the concept at all. But, having watched it a few times now, I see its qualities.
As there are no episodes I truly hate, there are some scenes in episodes that probably will never grow on me, like the performance of 'Cassie' in Route666. Yes, perhaps one could say I really disliked that (though the episode had some other fabulous scenes)...
Have the best of great times in San Francisco, Alice! Looking forward to read about your adventures there.
Cheers Jas
I like your top ten list - the points you made about Hammer of the Gods elsewhere about cannibalism were spot on. And I definitely agree with you about most of All Dogs Go to Heaven although SniperDean? Yes please!
Difficult to pick one episode so am sticking to Season 6 - I have to say oddly enough I did not like Two and a Half Men when it first aired. I know it had baby and supermarket and Winchester goodness, but for some reason it seemed to be trying too hard to be cute for me. And I found Dean really out of character at parts.
But have rewatched it a couple of times since and although still have issues with Dean being out of character at some points, I now love most of it - the scene in the supermarket where the baby suddenly looks at Dean and he freaks is genius
Thank you. I feel much better now!
Oh and have a great time at the Con. Wish I was going too. Can't wait to hear all about it
Of course, I'm not including any season six episode in that list because that's a whiole new level I don't want to get into.
The episode that I liked after first disliking, would have to be 'Weekend at Bobby's'. I am ducking the tomatoes. I did not like this episode after first viewing. But, after reading all the reviews and recaps here at WFB and at my other favorite SUPERNATURAL sites, I rewatched the episode and had a change of heart.
Have a safe trip. Have fun in San Fran.
I had to laugh at your repeating of the Hammer of the Gods.
I actually didn’t hate that one as I did find some great moments in it, but I am still very bitter over them killing off Gabriel.
After going through all the titles, I really don’t have any that I really disliked completely or had a change of heart over. I have always been able to find some scene or moment that I liked or even loved in every episode.
Even with Ghost Facers (which to date still sits at the bottom of favourite episode list), I found one or two minutes that I actually enjoyed.
Hope you have a wonderful time at the San Francisco Convention.
interesting topic!
I don´t really have episodes I truly dislike. For me, some fall somewhat flat (The Magnificent Seven), or make no sense, plotwise (Bugs, Road 666), or are just not my thing (Ghostfacers), but they all have redeeming scenes or aspects, and the flaws are, well...just a part of it. There is always something to like, it´s Supernatural after all.
What I did notice was something different:
I have only known about SPN for about 5 months now. So I did my viewings of all the seasons within a very short period of time, and I quickly focused on the later seasons that I simply find better in general - everybody´s just gotten better at what they do and it shows, and of course the overall storyarc was more captivating.
So I didn´t like Season 1 so much, by comparison, it felt sort of separate from the rest.
Now that I have watched most episodes at least several times and have satisfied my need to go into depth with the entire storyline (for the moment) , that seems to have changed and I can appreciate episodes that are not that much a part of the storyarc more than before.
So on my latest re-run through the entire show I found that I suddenly liked many S1 episodes far better than before, and along with things that didn´t work that well (yet) I became aware of considerable charm and original twists that disappeared in later seasons when they had found their rhythm and tone and didn´t feel around that much anymore.
Before I compared S1 to the later seasons and found it wanting in a way, very good, but just not as good.
Now when I watch I see something else as well: the rawness and charm and uniqueness of a "newborn".
And I enjoy it.
So now I can say I love and appreciate Season 1 exactly for what it is.
Thanks Alice, have a good trip and a great time at the convention!
I have a hard time with trying to pick an episode that I've changed my mind about. You could say most of season six when I was upset with fakie Sam. Now I know he has his soul back I enjoy them much much more. Weekend at Bobby's I liked right away. I did think the episodes were very good except I was upset that Sam was so cold. If they had been any other TV show, I would have liked them right off.
The shows I enjoy the least when rewatching the series are in order of non-enjoyment, Criss Angel is a Douchebag, The Rapture, Family Remains (I kinda liked that one, but on rewatching I like it less and less). These were all in the fourth season and that is why I enjoy season 4 the least. Don't get me wrong, season 4 had some great episodes, Lazarus Rising, On the Head of a Pin etc. but watching the boys bond disintegrate was really sad.
As for the episodes most people dislike, Bugs, Hookman, Route 666, Red Sky at Morning, Magnificent Seven, No Exit, Roadkill, Hammer of the Gods (heehee!), Dogs Go to Heaven......I like them all! So shoot me!
Even the ones I like the least have some great and memorable moments between the brothers so there is no way I wouldn't watch them again.
I guess the one that most fits this criteria of changing my mind would be "Criss Angel is a Douchebag" and I don't LIKE it more with time, I DISLIKE it more every time I watch it. (Why watch it then, you say. Well, I can't watch the series out of order, no matter what. Just my little obsession that maybe Jas could explain).
I rewatched Swap Meat again the other day, and the annoying teenagers outweigh any good points for me. Also, that's the episode that always leaves me wondering if everyone involved has totally forgotten the teen who is lying in his parents' basement with a hole in his chest.
Have a fab time at the con ...
It's characterized by images, impulses or urges to do something that will lessen the need for a certain tv show, in particular during such periods as Hiatus.
Diagnosis is based on history. Cause: two devilishly handsome men in an impala. Treatment consists of long dvd hours, booze or apple pie therapy, in severe cases both. Should you require more assistance, just notify me. I'm on housecalls, too
Love, Jas
Considering the cause of my OFPCTD, I think I will forgo a cure and just enjoy my obsession. It does help me get through the hated hiatuses.(is that a word?) Dvds and a little shot of booze really helps a lot.
love, Bev
I am also a happily obsessed (perhaps even a tad possessed) woman.
Love, Jas
I did find that some episodes that was "just fine" became kind of alluringly disturbing in light of latter season's stories i.e. rewatched Playthings recently and the last scene of the two little ghost sisters playing together, with the younger sister stuck for eternity as the companion to her older vicious sister, instead of the initial feeling of sadness for the younger sister I was cringing in light of Sam's and Dean's long descent into co-dependency. Don’t get me wrong, the brothers deeply love each other but Dean is always portrayed as being more into Sam while Sam is more his own person, even when Sam as a person is a mystery to us and to Dean. Dean’s reaction to Sam’s heaven in Dark Side of the Moon was to bring up his own hurt and I was like, “Dude, this isn’t always about you”. End of ramble, my point is I probably changed my mind on Playthings but not sure if it’s for better or worse.
F
Then, last year I watched it again and it made sense. I wonder if I was completely closed to the angel stuff (how on earth could they seriously consider angels was my comment back then) until after meeting Castiel and company. Now I really like the episode, and noticing the picture of Michael on the church wall has "deeper" meaning. That's the episode I've most changed my mind about.
I liked some of Bugs (can't get past the attic scene time dilation), so there are only some moments that I like...and I'm one of the rare people who liked Hammer of the Gods I guess. Yes, it had cheese factor, but throughout the last half of season four and a good part of season five, I kept saying to my hubby, "Well, this sure is getting Christian centric...bad guys come from other mythologies, but apparently angels and God are the only positive possibilities...what do you think the Greek, Norse, Chinese, and other religions' Gods have to say about this?" And I wondered what the Judeo Christian Apocalypse would mean to those who don't share that belief...
And, I should have remembered the "in Kripke we trust" mantra, because of course, in time, Kripke addressed it.
Home
Exile on Main Street
Swan Song
Scarecrow
Mystery Spot (I love it now, but I was afraid to watch Dean die at first)
Are You There God, Its Me Dean Winchester
Sympathy for the Devil
and so many others and my brain is drawing a blank right now
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