Let's Discuss: Dean Winchester - Bromance, a Gay Thing, or Other?

10 Feb 2013

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Created on Sunday, 10 February 2013 21:36

Last Updated on Sunday, 09 June 2013 22:44

Written by Alice Jester

You know, some times you can’t ignore the elephant in the room.  This has always been a curious topic of discussion in the various “Supernatural” forums, but thanks to Ben Edlund once again opening the door, by request I’m going to open up a thread here.  What do you think of gay humor and Dean Winchester?  Is there more to it than some writers having a little fun?  Are they pushing it too far, or do fans just have an overactive imagination?  

This season has really flirted with the idea that perhaps Dean takes his bromances a bit too far.  After all, he held his relationship with Benny in very high regard, perhaps even higher than Sam.  In “LARP and the Real Girl” when Charlie and Dean were talking about Sam’s breakup with Amelia, Dean’s breaking ties with Benny was on his mind too, so much so Charlie could tell it was something else was up. “Are we still talking about Sam, or did you break up with someone too?”  Dean denied, but isn’t that exactly what his call to Benny is considered?  A breakup?  

Then there was the “gay thing” with Aaron, which on the surface was just goofy fun, but is there more than this?  A question on the Let’s Speculate thread for “Everybody Hates Hitler” raised was has the show been leading up to Dean outing himself?  Naturally most fans would find this notion totally absurd, but when you really think about it, look at his relationship with Castiel.  Destiel has become very popular in fan fiction, and the show hasn’t shied away from it either.  The infamous “coat” scene in last seasons “The Born Again Identity” certainly drifted into that territory.  

Wincest has always been popular too.  There was a recent review by Annalee Newitz of i09 (of whom I see at Comic Con each year and am a huge fan of her views) about “Torn and Frayed” where she in a most hilarious way declared “Supernatural is the best gay romance on TV that isn’t actually gay.”   A lot of the article was a rant about the episode, but I love this part of it:

All I'm saying is why not just give us a plot twist or retcon where it turns out the Winchesters aren't brothers but a longtime married gay couple who are — I dunno — assassins or X-Files types. At this point, it seems like most people are watching for the boys' relationships, not for the monsters. Why not just 'fess up and make a gay soap opera where Dean is torn between his salty sailor fling and his steadfast husband Sam?

Might I note that when I recommended this article on Twitter, several people actually shouted me down for the recommendation.  They thought it was offensive and my endorsement was inappropriate.  I do imagine that this thread isn’t going to do much to spread goodwill with these people, but like I said, elephant in the room, even if the intent was satire.     

So chime in, why do you think the show likes to flirt with this notion of Dean Winchester and sexual orientation?  Any reason why it’s mostly Dean?  Any reason why they go there at all?  Is it really not a “gay thing” but something else?  

As usual with our “Let’s Discuss” threads, this is a free form discussion zone, so speak your mind!  All opinions are welcome.  Just try to be respectful of other posters and don’t attack.  

Okay, let’s discuss!

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