Chicon 2012: Jared Padalecki Meet and Greet Report
(Photo courtesy of Blisfulievil)
I was lucky enough to win a ticket to the Jared Padalecki Private Q&A for Chicago Con 2012. I had done one in New Jersey 2011, so I wanted to do so again.
Jared arrived in great spirits, greeting us with a warm “Hi, y’all” and a smile. He proceeded to turn the chair placed for him backwards. Before he straddled it, he asked us if that was okay to which we all nodded yes. Once he was seated, we were underway.
(Minor Spoiler Alert. He does talk about upcoming episodes)
I am a huge fan of the Brian Buckley Band, especially after seeing them play in New Jersey the year prior, so I wore my HystericalBlindness t-shirt for Sunday. Jared took notice right away, complimenting me on the shirt. I’ll admit, I wore it on purpose. I really wanted to hear more about the music video for “I Am Human,” so I asked him what it was like to film that—especially since he has absolutely no spoken lines.
Jared talked about how he had been friends with Brian for years and that at a party a few years ago Brian had taken out a guitar and started to sing. He said he asked why Brian hadn’t done it professionally as of yet, and nudged his good friend to go after it. Jared then talked about how the video came about. They had talked idly about making a video, and Jared said, “You’ve got an actor for a friend.” He said that Gen was also extremely interested in being in it as well. Jared jokingly said, “Come on, I’ll shave for you!” He went on to say that made Gen happy, too. Apparently Gen is not a fan of the beard. He said that originally the end of the video had the door opening only with a glimpse at Jared’s character in it, leaving the viewer to wonder just who he had gone to visit. It wasn’t until later that they decided to include Gen that they determined the door should open and the camera pan to her. The story in the video called for a suit, and Jared said that he didn’t have one, but he did have his wedding tux. That worked for Brian. He talked about the smoking moment in the video and said that it left him feeling nauseous. He said that he’s absolutely not a smoker and that he had to lay down for a half an hour or so after in order to recover. He thought filming at home was nice because he had the opportunity to go into his own bedroom and lay down where as on a set he only has his trailer. While he recovered, Jared told us the crew set up the next shots outside where we see him walking. The camera crew was a small one and they had work around the logistics of Jared’s actual house to capture some of the footage.
This segued into Jared talking about their actual house. Apparently during Gen’s pregnancy, she smelled mold, but Jared didn’t. He had it checked out and they did discover mold. To fix the problem, they spent over six months renovating the house so it would be safe for Gen and eventually Thomas. Another person at the Q&A told Jared that he was smart to have had it taken care of. She said that after Nashville had flooded, the hotel Nash Con was held in didn’t quite get all of the mold handled and she had fallen ill—so much so that she had ended up in a wheelchair. Jared said that he was very sorry for that.
Jared talked about traveling with Thomas now. He said prior to his son’s birth he was an efficient traveler, and easily sped through security. He said that he largely had everything packed into one duffel that he could carry on and off flights any time. He told us a story about how during a screening the woman from the TSA refused to let him pick up his bag after it had been screened. She kept telling him that it was procedure and that passengers were not allowed to do that. Jared told us that the bag was about 60 lbs and that on him as a carry on it didn’t look quite that heavy. The TSA woman then tried to lift it and barely got it off the table before turning towards him and telling him, “You get it.” Jared said on Gen that his bag would look like one that needed to be checked. He also said that it made him list to one side and its momentum would pull him along—which in turn made him walk much faster than Gen. He said that she would complain about him walking too far ahead and then said he blamed the bag for it. For traveling with Thomas, Jared said that it’s a lot different and that there’s way more things he needs to bring. He said that the TSA told him he’d have to have the baby food sampled if they didn’t open it for inspections. Jared explained that baby food is only good for a very limited window, so he wanted to avoid that. Apparently, Thomas really loves the mashed peas and carrots lately. Jared deadpanned, “Sounds gross, right?” He mentioned that strollers and diaper bags were also a new experience for traveling that really slowed things down compared to how he used to travel.
Periodically, Jared’s phone would bing. He jokingly said, “I’m R2D2ing myself” in reference to a moment that had happened earlier in the Gold Breakfast when someone’s phone had made that distinctive noise. He told us that Gen was texting him and that’s why his phone was making so much noise.
A question came up about season 8 Sam after that, asking about Sam’s detachment around Dean and his behavior while hunting. Jared said that at the end of season 7, when Dean goes into Purgatory after killing Dick Roman, Sam did NOT know where his brother had ended up. We, the viewer, knew that Dean had due to seeing it on screen, but Sam had simply seen his brother vanish without any leads. He had no starting point, and no one that might have an idea to start with left to call. Bobby was gone. Rufus was gone. All the hunters he knew were gone, so Sam really had no clue as to what had happened to Dean. He also said, due to Sam’s analytical tendencies, that Sam also decided not to really look because every time one of them is brought back there are horrible consequences—usually on a global scale. Jared said that the breaking of the 66 seals and the Apocalypse had happened after Dean returned from Hell for example. He also said that the experiences in “Mystery Spot” were still haunting Sam when it concerns Dean. He didn’t think that Sam had ever quite gotten over that. He seemed to think Sam might never let that go. I mentioned that I had noticed in “Heartache” that it seemed that Sam was behaving this way because he had seen his brother die or disappear too many times and he just couldn’t do it again. Jared nodded and said that he felt Sam was feeling that, too.
Someone asked about Dean’s treatment of Sam so far, and Jared told us that Dean’s “older brother” card isn’t working anymore. Someone mentioned that they thought Dean was treating Sam like a father would and Jared agreed. He said that Dean has taken a bit to acting like John did with Dean, trying to bring Sam back in line. I mentioned that when John had done that with Sam in the first place that it had failed. Jared nodded his head and laughed a little. He thinks that Sam is rejecting that outright and said that Sam is thinking, “I’ve got my own past year and life to deal with, pal,” when it comes to Dean pressuring Sam to return full on into the hunt.
Someone asked about Amelia and Sam’s relationship, and how it’s being referenced to as being normal, nice, and wonderful. They wanted to know if it played into Sam’s mental state about hunting here. Jared replied yes. He said that later in the season that the time spent with Amelia won’t be quite like “lollipops and candy canes” as it’s being sold in the birthday cake scene for instance. He said that it was a lot rockier and will show more about Sam’s difficulty with being alone. Essentially, in the year that takes place between season 7 and 8, Sam is literally alone, trying to figure out what to do with himself and what path to take. Jared said that Sam hadn’t coped with that aspect very well, and the Amelia relationship will become a bit darker for that reason.
Jared went on to discuss how Sam and Dean will have to avoid falling into old habits. He said that often a lot of people that end up breaking up and getting back together end up with the same result that caused the initial break up. In Sam and Dean’s case, he said that the brothers would fall into some old patterns out of habit and not realize that they’re doing it, but that they will have to avoid that pitfall, too. He also said that Benny will become a wedge between the brothers, changing the dynamic in a different way that will either bring them closer together in the end or not. He also said that their separate experiences in the past year will really come into play as the season continues, showing how both brother had changed through them.
A question was asked about, after now 8 seasons, how easy it was for him to get into character as Sam. He said that it was like any habit or learned skill, such as basketball shooting, to which he demonstrated. He explained that it was hard in season 1 because he was coming from Gilmore Girls and being “Dean” there and had to remember his character’s name was Sam and where to stand and such. He said with a new character, as an actor, he spends a lot of time trying to figure out their motivations and remembering what they’re supposed to be feeling, and that was the case for him with Sam in the first season. Now, he said it’s just like shooting a basketball. He said that he felt he knew Sam extremely well at this stage and that it wasn’t hard to get into character.
For filming, Jared went on to explain that the learned habit also applied to shots seen often on the show. He used the typical Impala chat scene as an example, stating that due to the camera angle and the way it shoots he has to lean forward in his seat and a bit towards Jensen to fit into the shot right. He said that it was a bit awkward at first but that now it is second nature to do so in Impala scenes. Jared turned his chair sideways to show us how he usually sits and how he leans towards Jensen, gesturing to where the camera would sit and aim for them each. He went on to say that in a future episode of the season we see Sam and Dean enter a factory where Dean signals to Sam to follow and the director, Bob Singer, told Jared that he had to show his face to the camera because they were only getting the back of his head. Singer told Jared to look around as if Sam was looking for anyone that might have followed the brothers, mainly so the camera could pick up his face for that purpose. He said that Singer often will say that to get the shot right. Jared said that Singer called it the “Busey face.”
(Photo by Alice Jester)
Someone asked about Gen’s movie Hated. Jared said that she had filmed that back in 2009. I asked him where to get a hold of it. He shook his head and said that he wasn’t sure. Since it was an independent film it only had so many screenings and he wasn’t certain who or how it was being distributed. It seemed that it was only available in the independent film circuit. He said it had had a small budget to work with as well, which might have hindered some of its distribution. Someone had said that Jensen’s movie Ten Inch Hero had been put out by Blockbuster, but with that company now being broken up and tossed to the winds it was hard to say how a film like Hated would be available beyond the film festivals. Someone explained that Blockbuster had undergone a massive dismantle in Canada, which fascinated Jared. He really thought the logistics of that were interesting, especially in regards to how independent films such as both Hated and Ten Inch Hero might make it to the public in this day and age.
Along with this discussion, the question was raised if Gen would ever appear on stage as a guest at one of the conventions. Jared enthusiastically replied that she was very interested in doing so, but was busy with being a mom at the moment. He said that she really loves spending a lot of time with Thomas and that she’s really proud to be a mother. He told us that they were here with him because her childhood nanny lives in Chicago and they were here to visit them as well. Someone asked him how fatherhood has changed him now that Thomas is 7 months old. Jared said that it had changed a lot of how he views the world. He said that it made things more “real.” He also said that he was talking to Jensen about a week or so prior and that he couldn’t wait to have a son, to which Jensen replied “Is there something I should know?” Jared explained that while Thomas is here and he’s thrilled with him, he can’t wait for Thomas to be old enough to play catch with or teach to ride bike. He said that Thomas has been giggling a lot lately. I asked him what makes Thomas giggle the most, and apparently he’s a chip off the old block. Thomas seems to be really proud of himself when he’s got a very dirty diaper. Apparently Gen said “PU” once about it and Thomas giggled like crazy, so now they say it often to him just to get the reaction.
After last year’s tweeted photo with Jared and Gen dressed as Mario and Luigi, someone wanted to know what Thomas would be dressed as for his first Halloween. Jared smiled wide and said that they had a Yoda costume ready for him. He said playfully, “Maybe I’ll be Jabba the Hut,” to which he gestured like he was really fat and large like the famous character from the movies. Jared then shrugged and said, “I don’t know what Gen and I will be just yet.” He did tell us that he’d be tweeting the photo of Thomas in his Yoda outfit for sure.
When I had started to look into getting the Private Q&A ticket this time, I nearly balked. I wasn’t sure I could afford, boy am I ever glad that I put the money down. Having a chance to spend a half an hour in an intimate conversation with Jared is worth the price. It’s not simply because of the close proximity or the little tidbits about the show or otherwise that you might hear—it’s the simple pleasure of having a genuine conversation with him and the other people in the room. There’s a relaxed quality to this event at the convention that just isn’t quite there in the general panels or the Gold breakfasts. Oddly, for as short of a time as it is, it doesn’t feel rushed at all, either. It also allows you to see just how attentive Jared truly is to the fans—not simply because they are his fans and paid money to be there—but because he truly wants to hear what we want to ask and say. What I also loved about Jared’s interaction here was while we were asking questions, he asked questions back just as readily. He wanted to know MORE about what we were talking about.
(Photo by Alice Jester)
What really struck me about this particular Q&A was just how at ease he seemed right from the start. There was never a moment where I felt like Jared was checking the time or punching a clock. He seemed just as surprised and disappointed when the woman in charge of timekeeping told him that it was officially over and that it was time for him to leave. Jared didn’t want the good conversation to end anymore than we did—and he didn’t really know any of us at all. Jared is really gracious in these. In this fandom we often hear the term “Supernatural Family” dropped, but I felt that Jared felt like he was connecting with us on that level in the brief half an hour we had. There didn’t seem to be anyone gushing or fangirling over him here. It was a simple, honest, and friendly conversation about various topics from the show to behind the scenes on filming/acting, to Thomas and Gen, to more. Jared was more than willing to share what was on his mind and answer our questions as thoroughly as possible. It left me feeling warm and appreciated as a fan. Most of all, it is Jared’s humility that remains with me. I could tell that he was honored to have intelligent fans that wanted to have a good conversation with him.
On the way out, a fan gave him a Tupperware of chocolate chip cookies and a big fat smile spread across his face as he took them. He said enthusiastically, “I’ll eat these right away.”
After that, sadly, Jared was ushered out the door and we were left to go on with the rest of the day.
Thanks for posting this. It sounds like a lot of fun. I’m so glad you got to go.
Thank you for a wonderful write-up!
Thanks FarAwayEyes! Great detail. Thanks for sharing! 😀
Sorry, but it’s still simply not true that Sam had no possible leads, contacts, or starting points on Dean’s disappearance. As long as they go on repeating that, the foundations of the season go on not making sense, because they are building a lot on a false statement. I know it’s not Jared’s fault, but none of the rest of the fine work he’s doing thinking about and portraying his character do me any good when it all starts off there.
I agree, but that seems to be their story and they are sticking to it come Hell or high water, so right now, it’s what we have. It makes no sense considering next week we are going to see one of those hunters that didn’t exist and Sam couldn’t turn to next week. In fact he got name checked tonight, but Sam had no one to turn to, and a formerly unheard of pact to not look. I hate the retcon. I think it is a stupid storyline, but it’s what we are stuck with for now.
I guess I don’t just think it’s a stupid storyline, I think it’s an absolutely fatal crack in the foundations storyline. I can’t accept it because it’s not just that I think it’s not great, or unsympathetic, or a foolish writing choice, but because I think it’s simply internally contradictory. It doesn’t mesh with its own canon. It’s not that it’s turning me off the season — in some ways I kind of like the season, when it comes to individual bits of it — it’s that it’s quite simply shattering my suspension of disbelief. The fiction falls apart for me over this; the implicit contract of belief that I as a viewer need to enter the story just isn’t operative. I know not everyone feels this, but when I say this storyline doesn’t work, I mean it absolutely literally. It doesn’t function. It doesn’t run as a storyline. It’s a very strange feeling.
So I am still hoping for a patch of retcon or reveal down the line.
Maybe next week we will get a start, although I’m not hopeful.
[quote]I guess I don’t just think it’s a stupid storyline, I think it’s an absolutely fatal crack in the foundations storyline. I can’t accept it because it’s not just that I think it’s not great, or unsympathetic, or a foolish writing choice, but because I think it’s simply internally contradictory. It doesn’t mesh with its own canon. It’s not that it’s turning me off the season — in some ways I kind of like the season, when it comes to individual bits of it — it’s that it’s quite simply shattering my suspension of disbelief. The fiction falls apart for me over this; the implicit contract of belief that I as a viewer need to enter the story just isn’t operative. I know not everyone feels this, but when I say this storyline doesn’t work, I mean it absolutely literally. It doesn’t function. It doesn’t run as a storyline. It’s a very strange feeling.
So I am still hoping for a patch of retcon or reveal down the line.[/quote]
I hear ya. I’m the same way. It’s not just a stupid or bad storyline, but it’s a storyline that defies all logic and ruins the premise of the show, IMO.
It’s not working for me on any level, and while I think Percy is correct in that JC doesn’t see it as a problem, a part of me keeps waiting for the twist or the real story to come out. I have a feeling there won’t be one, but it feels like there should be.
It’s not even a ruins the premise of the show thing for me, not in the sense of the premise of the show is the bond between Sam and Dean and this ruins that, or something along those lines. It’s not about the emotional premise of this particular show or these particular characters. It just doesn’t make sense to me, the way a sentence whose syntax doesn’t work doesn’t make sense. In a way it’s too abstract a problem for me even to get that upset about the emotional repercussions. It’s a syllogism that reads like “All cats are purple, Socrates is a man, therefore Socrates is a fish.” It’s hard to be all “you’ve ruined the show I loved!” when there’s that much “huh, what?”
Well, I definitely agree that, at present, Sam’s actions make ZERO sense. I don’t even understand why Sam thought Dean was dead. I don’t buy that Sam had NO resources. I don’t buy that Sam couldn’t have looked into what happened. And most importantly, I simply don’t buy that Sam would just walk away.
I emailed Alice to see if she had any BTS info that could explain Sam’s actions, specifically if there was something going on with Jared that was making him unavailable for shooting. Alice said I could share this
[quote]I’ll tell you some of the BTS rumblings I’ve heard. Carver is doing what he can to hit the “reset” button so to speak. He wants to undo a lot of the doings of season seven, and that means conveniently forgetting what happened with each character last year and even a lot of the storyline. Season eight is a brand new start. So I sincerely doubt we’ll get a big reveal like Sam is hallucinating or that he still has mental issues. I think we’re supposed to take things at face value. I’m also very certain we’ll not get a satisfactory answer as to why he didn’t look for Dean. He didn’t. He walked away. I’ll bet the farm Carver will leave it at that and not dwell on it. There is nothing coming out about what the second half of the season is going to be about. Either they have no clue, or they’re being extremely quiet about it.
I don’t think there’s anything particular going on with Jared. He and Jensen both just want to cut down their schedule a bit. They’re committed to doing the show, but they have other things in life they want to do too. Jared obviously has a family now. I believe that was the terms of contract negotiation. So, more stories involving secondary characters. Both Jared and Jensen are seeing more time off, not just Jared. Misha if anything was talking about his crazy schedule at Chicon this weekend!
You can share anything I say here, but if you want I can try and push some concerns through other channels. Laura Prudom at the Huffington Post pushed some issues that our site raised last year to Sera Gamble. I can’t guarantee it will work, but I’ll try. I’m also putting in my annual request for an interview with a showrunner/pivotal writer at midseason. The only season they refused was last year. So we’ll see. [/quote]
So as of now, it looks as if Sam walked away from the Leviathan lab and didn’t look back and that is that. Perhaps they are keeping something close to their vests or perhaps the outrage will force a retcon, but for now it really seems that it is what it is and they expect us to ignore the logical holes in the story. I don’t like it, but I’m now watching knowing that it is highly unlikely that I will get what I want on the why Sam didn’t look for Dean front, or that I will ever see Sam’s side of the Cage. Personally, I’m coping, but I am feeling more and more distant from the show. I don’t hate it, but the intense love is hard to maintain, mixed with bouts of sorrow and anger. It is just like breaking up with my ex.
I have to say, that makes me lose a lot of respect for Carver, not only professionally but ethically. He has no right to overwrite and undo other people’s work, to simply pretend away the events of season 7. That’s morally wrong to me, like falsifying research. He has an intellectual, artistic, and ethical responsibility to work from canon as he gets it, and I can’t respect him on any level if he doesn’t. I didn’t like all of s7, but it’s canon. He can’t throw it out, any more than a scientist can just throw out half the data, not and be a responsible worker. I’m an academic, that kind of thing is the sin against the holy ghost to me — you do not mess with texts that way.
But that rant over — I don’t see how Sam not searching for Dean is necessary to achieve that goal in any case. The reset part is Sam leaving hunting and wanting normal, which didn’t require the not looking for Dean.
I guess maybe Carver doesn’t care that his story doesn’t make sense, as long as it flings together a few elements that get ratings, but it’s hard for me to comprehend that someone could have a huge, unexplained flaw in motivation and just . . . not care. It makes his season not work; how can that not matter?
And I really wish I hadn’t read that e-mail now!
And Alice or other moderator: I’m sorry, if that qualifies as showrunner/writer bashing by the rules of the site, of course feel free to edit or delete. But I mean it absolutely seriously: if that account of Carver’s thinking is true, it gives me a truly bad impression of him. It’s a genre show; if he wanted to hit the reset button and do it honestly, he could have done so, actually written a reset into the story. Doing it this way is dishonest to me.
It’s not showrunner bashing. I just implore, don’t read so much into me saying stuff about a “reset” button.
It’s not a total reset. Perhaps I misspoke when I said “forgetting.” This is the same writing team. They all haven’t lost their memories. I guess what I mean by “reset” is they’re moving forward. Dean isn’t a drunk anymore. Sam isn’t crazy. Neither is Castiel. They’re putting all that behind them and will rarely speak of it again. Loose threads from last season will likely not be addressed. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. I don’t think they’ll blatantly go against canon either.
I’ve just decided to wait for the finished product and go from there. I’ll judge Carver’s skill based on looking backward instead of forward.
Sorry! I didn’t mean to depress you, just give the information I had.
Yeah, I still don’t see why Carver decided that Sam didn’t look for Dean, but he seems committed at this time. OTOH, a LOT of people are having fits about it, so he may backtrack or have something hidden up his sleeve.
Today I’m feeling calmer. This isn’t going to go the way I want and I can cope or bail. Since there is nothing else on Wednesdays at 9:00 I’ll probably cope, but feel far less passionate about Supernatural, unless things change drastically.
Well, at least it’s distracted me! I am now more disturbed by the way JC deals with texts (though, to give him the benefit of the doubt, BTS talk is bound to be second or third hand and may distort or oversimplify or even be plain mistaken) than by the way this impacts s8 character and storylines in particular. As an audience member I’d take it as license to fanwank, but I’m still kind of appalled.
Thanks for the info! It’s not surprising but still disappointing.
It confirms my belief that JC doesn’t understand Sam Winchester. I know a S1 Sam would look for Dean if he mysteriously vanished, so I find it increasingly difficult to accept that a S8 Sam just shrugs his shoulders and walks away. That makes no sense to me. I had a feeling we were getting a “reset,” but the reset isn’t even to a Sam I know.
I don’t understand this Sam that doesn’t search for his brother. That guy is foreign to me. I can only hope the complaints get to JC. He has thrown Sam under the bus, and there was no reason for it.
Wow, I’m not sure who Alice is (?), but what she has to tell us is NOT GOOD for the show, and certainly not going to sit well with the fans. Is Carver trying to destroy the show? I seriously am wondering if he’s ever watched the show, ever sat down and watched completed episodes of it from week to week, if he even remembers what happened in the episodes of the past and if he knows what the motivation is between the brothers. The CORE of the show is the bond between the brothers! I came late to the show, and everyone I talked to who tried to get me to watch it all said the same thing, the show was about a pair of ghost/monster hunters that are brothers, but the main thread keeping the fabric of the show together is the family relationship and the love between the brothers for each other. Everyone who has ever watched even just a few episodes of the show knows that!
The Sam storyline as someone up-thread mentioned, just simply makes no sense in light of past canon events. Sam is the “smart one” of the two, but it does not take a genius to figure out that when Dean and Cas staked Dick, and Dick’s death wave blasted out around him, that Dean and Cas got sucked into the portal to Purgatory with the dying Dick leviathan. The alpha vamp told them when he was caged by Samuel and crew in S6 that “all us freaks go to Purgatory when we die.” So it’s not a stretch to figure out that that’s where Dean and Cas ended up. Also as mentioned up-thread, not all of Sam’s potential contacts for help had died. There’s Garth, Sheriff Mills, even Charlie. Crowley is still around, the boys have summoned him many times when he wanted to be as far away from them as possible. And the alpha vamp is still around, too! I’m know there are other people that Sam could have called for help that I can’t remember now, but I also have to mention THE ENTIRE HUNTER COMMUNITY that is STILL OUT THERE! Remember, when Dean was trying to find help for Sam when Sam ended up in the mental hospital, he called a boatload of contacts from both John’s journal and Bobby’s journal.
[b]DON’T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON SAM ABANDONING KEVIN TO CROWLEY![/b] Dean was right to be so disgusted with Sam over that. If Sam was going to blow off looking for Dean with a lame excuse, THE LEAST he could have and should have done was throw his efforts into looking for and helping poor innocent Kevin! I realize Kevin is Advanced Placement, and thank goodness for that because if he felt he needed to wait for Sam to save him, he’d be dead meat right now.
I’m on LJ and Tumblr, and I can tell you right now that people are PISSED about the storyline. Every week people are making sad or angry or disgusted posts about the show involving the OOC moves by Sam. The character of Sam is taking a huge hit with the fans over this. I actually suggested somewhere that if people can band together for Operation Trenchcoat to get Misha’s character of Castiel to continue on the show even though the angel storyline seems to have ended for the most part after S5, then maybe we should really organize a letter-writing campaign to the show runners to express our outrage over what they are doing to the show.
I have no problem with J and J wanting more time for themselves and for other things going on in their life, and having additional characters is good. Maybe TPTB should have thought about that BEFORE they KILLED OFF SO MANY GOOD CHARACTERS! Bobby’s death for one is unforgivable. But pushing a reset button after 7 seasons is NOT WORKING, I can’t even fathom the arrogance of someone who ever even thought it would be a good idea.
/rant
Whoa, me thinks you’ve read way too much into that comment. Be pissed about the storyline, that’s fine, but the “reset” I was talking about was in regards to season seven. Of course Carver wouldn’t forget 7 seasons of history. I’m just saying that Dean as a drunk, Sam is crazy, Leviathans hunting them, it’s all done and won’t be visited anytime soon, if at all. Garth is back, right? They haven’t totally forgotten everything.
Hello Alice! Sorry if it seemed I was jumping down someone’s throat with both boots on, I’m just so frustrated with the show right now, but I do think my tone sounded harsher than I intended. I suppose if I wasn’t a passionate fan, I wouldn’t give a poop what what happening on the show and would just watch it for background noise, but I do care what happens with this show, it’s the only one I really watch and care about. I’m sure you’ve had your hands full responding back to people like me who are … let’s say … extremely agitated with the way the show is going so far LOL! so thank you for taking the time to respond with such patience and thoughtful input. I’m sure I don’t only speak for myself when I say it is appreciated.
[quote]I seriously am wondering if he’s ever watched the show, ever sat down and watched completed episodes of it from week to week, if he even remembers what happened in the episodes of the past and if he knows what the motivation is between the brothers. [/quote]
While I won’t speak to the rest, I just wanted to say that Carver was involved with the show in the early years, and wrote some of the best brother-focused scripts in the series. So yes, he has watched the show before.
[quote] I can’t even fathom the arrogance of someone who ever even thought it would be a good idea.
[/quote]
I’m pretty sure he’s trying to do what’s best for the show, bring fresh life to it, and tell a good story. I don’t think that’s arrogant.
And it’s not like Carver is ignoring whole swaths of canon and character development. Yes, he’s trying to fix the missteps of S7 and pull back on the heavy mythology. The very heavy mythology is what has dogged the show down in prior season for one, and for two has made Sam an almost unrecognizable character. Carver’s Sam? To me, it’s a more mature version of Sam from S1 that we’ve seen hints of, but has been masked by all the Supernatural hoops he’s had to jump through, from demon blood to soullessness to hallucinations. I understand if you disagree.
I think people are overstating this “reset”. First of all – has Carver actually said that? Or is that just an over-simplified interpretation?
Respectfully Alice, perhaps you should clarify if the word “reset” is your word/interpretation and did not actually come from the showrunner’s mouth.
I also appreciate etheldred’s point: [quote]BTS talk is bound to be second or third hand and may distort or oversimplify or even be plain mistaken.[/quote]
People appear too quick to freak-out over things that have been misstated/taken out of context/are mere interpretation. :/
Because of the cyclone affecting southern India along with other countries we are having continuous rains and the internet is down at my home so i have not seen the latest episode and i am typing from my workplace.
Sam’s stories have been mysterious and it was understandable in the earlier seasons ( even though harmful) but now Sam’s story does not seem to be mysterious by all these con reports i don’t know why they are still going for the mystery angle with him .I am not talking about his life with Amelia but the immediate aftermath of Dean’s disappearance. Now if there is something a payoff ,some mystery then it is understandable but otherwise it is going to be damp squib. I am hopeful but also apprehensive also i am in this till the end.
I shouldn’t have to clarify. There’s nothing in any of the statements from above that gives a direct quote from Carver. I don’t know if he said “reset” or not. That’s the sentiment, not the exact quote. And there’s nothing wrong with forward movement with characters.
I’m exiting this conversation now. For one, this has nothing to do with Jared’s meet and greet. This thread doesn’t even belong here. Perhaps I’ll create a Sam Winchester frustration thread for you all to vent in, but this conversation is seeping into way too many places.
Great rant! I feel the same way. This storyline does Sam no favors and is inconsistent with Sam’s past behavior. It’s OOC. Sam [i]would[/i] look for his brother. He would. I just can’t accept a story where he doesn’t, esp when there has been no legitimate, logical reason given as to why he didn’t look.
Awesome write up! The last couple paragraphs brought a tear to my eye! It’s nice to hear about casual and relaxed experiences with both Jensen & Jared & they’re both so humble & easy to talk to, like you said it really does make you feel appreciated as a fan!
Also, i absolutely cannot WAIT i emailed the production company that made Gen’s film Hated & asked if it would be getting into theaters or would be released on DVD so fans could see it. I got a reply (this is about a year and a half ago now, so i can’t remember their exact words) but they said that they were fighting for distribution & working their way up to the film fest circuit etc etc ANYWAY long story short it turns out it’s coming to a town film fest only about an hour away from where i live and i bought tickets! I’m going to see it in about 3 weeks time! So excited! I’ll be doing a little write up about the film mainly focusing on Gen’s part (98% of why i’m so excited to see the film lol) So if you want, after i’ve seen it you guys could post it here, i know it’s not SPN related but it is SPN adjacent! I know it’s going to be amazing, Gen’s such an incredible actress!
Thanks for sharing this AWESOME Jared Meet & Greet experience!
[quote]A question came up about season 8 Sam after that, asking about Sam’s detachment around Dean and his behavior while hunting. Jared said that at the end of season 7, when Dean goes into Purgatory after killing Dick Roman, Sam did NOT know where his brother had ended up. We, the viewer, knew that Dean had due to seeing it on screen, but Sam had simply seen his brother vanish without any leads. He had no starting point, and no one that might have an idea to start with left to call. Bobby was gone. Rufus was gone. All the hunters he knew were gone, so Sam really had no clue as to what had happened to Dean. He also said, due to Sam’s analytical tendencies, that Sam also decided not to really look because every time one of them is brought back there are horrible consequences—usually on a global scale. Jared said that the breaking of the 66 seals and the Apocalypse had happened after Dean returned from Hell for example. He also said that the experiences in “Mystery Spot†were still haunting Sam when it concerns Dean. He didn’t think that Sam had ever quite gotten over that. He seemed to think Sam might never let that go. I mentioned that I had noticed in “Heartache†that it seemed that Sam was behaving this way because he had seen his brother die or disappear too many times and he just couldn’t do it again. Jared nodded and said that he felt Sam was feeling that, too.[/quote]
Makes perfect sense to me. He had no leads, and decided not to look due to their history of causing apocalyptic collateral damage whenever they try and save each other. Love the mention of “Mystery Spot” in there too, that Sam’s never gotten over that experience. I also appreciate the comment about how Sam cares so much for his brother, he has seen him die too many times, and “just can’t do it again.”
Makes perfect sense to me too Bamboo. The heavy mythology nearly suffocated this show and the brotherhood and made Sam a unrecognizable character in Seasons 4 and 5
Was there this kind of uproar when Castiel basically got a pass for everything he did is Season 4 and Sam was made the scapegoat for everything in Season 5 which was an absurdity of logic reason and the facts? Just wondering
Sam saw Dean vaporize in front of him in that explosion and thought him to be dead and chose not to take Supernatural means to find Dean. Maybe when fans actually see Sams point of view they will see what he sees and not what they want to see and that’s Sam had no where to look? And that he chose not to go down a path that has only resulted in destruction and heartbreak on the highest level
Thank you farawayeyes for sharing with us such a nice write-up with great detail! I’ve balked at the prices for everything associated with these cons, they are so very expensive, so I am glad you won this meet and greet with Jared!
Thank you for an excellent report on the Jared meet and greet!! I love the quality of the show overall. But I to cannot wrap my head around the Sam story line. Jared’s discussion of the Sam storyline is interesting. Sounds like the character arc for Sam is interesting for the “actor” Jared. But as an 8th season fan it is hard to grasp. Also I would like to know what happened to all the people effected by SucroCorp’s additive. Did Sam blow up the lab?
The posts immediately following this lovely article reminded me very much of TWoP! I do so hope this site isn’t going in that direction, as it would be too painful for me.
I like your thought of a Sam Winchester frustration thread, Alice. Then I could avoid that completely.
I’m also thinking even Jared does not know exactly what is ahead of Sam this season as yet. Carver did say “All is not as it seems” and even the actors are not told everything at once.
I love the brothers and nothing is annoying me this season yet except for the fact Bobby is dead! 😕
Oh the articles posted on TWoP (I assume you mean TV Without Pity?) are so obnoxious! I was on there a couple of times last season and I simply don’t understand why the person who writes the posts watches the show, it makes no sense to me at all. I mean be critical by all means, or at least be funny, but he is just insulting for the sake of it.
Having said that I don’t think that anyone on here feels that way.
I do agree with Alice that a separate thread for the frustration venting might be a good idea. Not because I think those people who see an issue here (and I am kind of one of them) should feel pushed off to one side but because it is beginning to feel like you can’t make a lighthearted post in the general threads while other people are feeling betrayed by this specific piece of storyline – they tend to assume you are making light of how they feel.
I think having a discussion place for s8 Sam issues might not be a bad idea, but I strongly do NOT like the possible implication that there should be a separate place people should have to go to give negative or critical responses. I think that could easily turn into a situation where episode and interview articles became zones of mandated positivity. I know it’s probably annoying to people that the same issues are turning up in place after place, but, well. Sam is one of the two main characters. If his characterization isn’t working for a lot of people, that’s going to be a relevant factor in most conversations one can have about the season. Here, for instance, it’s not like the subject came out of nowhere: part of what Jared talked about at the M&G was Sam not searching for Dean; what he had to say on the subject provided some new data for people to weigh in figuring whether the story makes sense for them.
To end on a positive note: Jared’s discussion of the issue reported here is the best I’ve seen from anyone related to the show, and I really like his thoughtfulness. It still doesn’t work for me, but I have nothing but admiration for Jared.
No, I don’t want to shuttle off negative or critical responses to one place. This is a discussion site and critical thinking is a huge part of the discussion. I’m just saying that it seems every single thread now is getting dominated by fans demanding to know why Sam didn’t look for Dean and why doesn’t Sam have a story line. We’ve had similar swings in the past with Dean. It’s getting very redundant, and many people are getting annoyed by it.
I get the frustation, I really do. But it’s not like TPTB are reading all these protests. It’s average fans. Threads like this, a con report, are meant to inform, not frustrate.
Yep, that’s my dilemma right now.
Thank you Alice, that is what I meant. Nothing more.
I’m sorry but when a main character is behaving in a radically different way with seemingly no explanation, viewers’ frustration with that is usually going to creep its way into posts about the episodes or posts about actor interviews. I think that is only natural.
This is your site, but I think once an article is posted (be it an episode review or con report), it is up for interpretation. And as someone who is not feeling positive about the show right now or even this interview (nothing against Jared of course), it is nice to hear from others who feel the same and are as equaly frustrated as me. We all know TPTB don’t care what we think and will do what they choose, but it is nice to vent about it with likeminded people.
[quote]I’m sorry but when a main character is behaving in a radically different way with seemingly no explanation, viewers’ frustration with that is usually going to creep its way into posts about the episodes or posts about actor interviews. I think that is only natural.
This is your site, but I think once an article is posted (be it an episode review or con report), it is up for interpretation. And as someone who is not feeling positive about the show right now or even this interview (nothing against Jared of course), it is nice to hear from others who feel the same and are as equaly frustrated as me. We all know TPTB don’t care what we think and will do what they choose, but it is nice to vent about it with likeminded people.[/quote]
I absolutely agree with lala. Alice I sort of understand what you are saying, but the issue with Sam this season that I and many others have (I am seeing it EVERYWHERE – on LJ, Twitter, the boards, and here – these are not minority views) is utterly fundamental to the show. It colours everything. One of the 2 main characters is being written completely ooc, unsympathetically and in a way that undermines the key relationship that is the heart of this show. This isn’t just a ‘I didn’t like epX’ or ‘I’m not keen on this seasons mytharc’ type of issue. It runs much deeper than that – hence the fact that people aren’t just commenting / complaining, they are verging on losing their love for the show. It is hardly surprising that it is coming up in every thread / discussion. And unless you are going to come up with really draconian rules for commenting I’m not sure there is any way around it. The reason it is so all pervasive is because it is a big and serious issue with the running of the show.
Re this M&G I am gutted by it, and by your BTS info Alice – because – despite all my efforts to stay optimistic, to wait and see, to give JC a chance – it really sounds like there is no more to it than what we know. Sam didn’t look. End of. That requires me to accept one of 2 things. That Sam is nt the character I thought he was, and the brotherly bond no longer really exists, OR that the current writing team / showrunner are very poor writers who don’t care about canon, the characters and what makes this show special. Neither option is easy to take. It breaks my heart to say this, but for the 1st time ever I can see a time when I will no longer watch. 🙁
I agree with Bevie and eilf.
This probably isn’t what he meant, but I love the idea of Sam’s memories becoming less coloured over the season and Dean’s becoming more coloured until they are both the same tone and it shows them back in the same reality in the present.
What an interesting idea, that would be awesome! (quoting Dean, obviously!)
Thanks 😀
Thanks for the Meet and Greet write up. I love reading Jared’s take on his character and the show, as well as some glimpses into his family life.
I’ve made peace with Sam not looking but I’m having a harder time with how Sam is acting towards Dean now that he’s back. I don’t know if he’s resentful or angry or what but it really doesn’t look like he’s happy Dean’s around. That breaks my little bibro heart! But from how Jared didn’t really answer the question about Sam’s detachment from Dean, I’m guessing that’s another one of those things that’ll never get addressed.
[quote] But from how Jared didn’t really answer the question about Sam’s detachment from Dean, I’m guessing that’s another one of those things that’ll never get addressed.[/quote]
Or he just can’t talk about it yet…. Spoilers! 😉
Maybe……at least, I hope so. I’d hate to think the writers don’t have a reason for making Sam seem kind of cold and uncaring. It’s coming across like Dean’s the only one wanting to maintain the hunting partnership/relationship while Sam just wants to get as far away as possible. That’s not my Sammy! But at least he looked worried in yesterday’s episode, so I hope we’ll get either some answers or some change in Sam’s demeanor as the season progresses.
Yes – Mum’s probably the word on a lot of things, I imagine.
But they are blatantly going against canon by saying that Sam just gave up and didn’t bother looking for Dean. Sam never gives up. He has never once given up in seven years. Carver is destroying Sam for no apparent reason in his stupid “reset”. That should be called out and objected to.
[quote]But they are blatantly going against canon by saying that Sam just gave up and didn’t bother looking for Dean. Sam never gives up. He has never once given up in seven years. Carver is destroying Sam for no apparent reason in his stupid “reset”. That should be called out and objected to.[/quote]
Agreed!
[quote]But they are blatantly going against canon by saying that Sam just gave up and didn’t bother looking for Dean. Sam never gives up. He has never once given up in seven years. Carver is destroying Sam for no apparent reason in his stupid “reset”. That should be called out and objected to.[/quote]
Exactly everybody is basing the whole idea on the basic fact Sam didnt know where Dean was and a promise that never really happened as if it covers Sam not looking.
I love positivity but when a basic fundamental part of a character is changed to fit into a sl if alot and it is alot are having a problem with what is being presented then just maybe something is wrong.
[quote]
Exactly everybody is basing the whole idea on the basic fact Sam didnt know where Dean was and a promise that never really happened as if it covers Sam not looking.
I love positivity but when a basic fundamental part of a character is changed to fit into a sl if alot and it is alot are having a problem with what is being presented then just maybe something is wrong.[/quote]
Yep!
A great report and some great thoughts of your own! Thank you for sharing!
OK – I just followed this lead… er, link. Dunno if this is a dead topic now, but sometimes it seems there are eyes everywhere so. What the h-e-double hockey styx. I haven’t finished reading yet but this is looking to be an excellent {enthusiastic nod}, con report… {pause, squint}. Let me spell check a little. I’ve been so bad with typing errors. Well, good enough.
I haven’t finished this yet, by a long shot. So I hope it won’t Brigadoon on me. I’ll be back. But I’m enjoying it immensely! I’m wondering if Alice attended the con? I’ve only had time to do a quick word search and I’m not seeing con-related posts. But the pictures suggest she was there. Did Far Away Eyes and Alice connect at the con? Did PadaBaby’s mom send in the other picture? Awfully nice of her! 🙂
Peas and carrots mashed together? I wonder if it’s more yucky or less if you’re colorblind. Could make fer scores of shades of gray, maybe more. Sounds “complicated” anyway.
Wanted to add – Although I appreciate the fabulous review in its entirety, I ‘d like to take a moment to straight-up ditto what was said about JP at fan conventions, at least generically since I didn’t attend this one. I *have* been to 2. Well, more like 1 and a half. In both cases I was especially struck by JP’s seemingly sincere ease, curiosity, …reciprocity? with the fans. Had the cheap seats the first time but I was kind of dumbstruck by some of the things that came up at the microphone and the grace with which he handled that. Splurged on silver the 2nd time so I got to be in the autograph line. JP was the only one who expressed curiosity about what I’d brought for him to sign. A book. I wonder if his mom was an influence on that score? (uh, no pun intended) His curiosity and his “Cool,” well, in more ways than one I suppose, was very much appreciated.