Supernatural: Why is it My Happy Place?
Every person on this planet goes through a bad phase or phases at one time or another. In that very period everyone has some happy go-to place where everything is right, everything is perfect, where they get solace and for some time they forget about all the crap that is going on in their lives. For some people their method for coping up with their problems is to go for a walk. Some listen to music, some find solace in contemplating in the darkness alone and some go to places which has some link to their childhood. For me, my way of coping up with my share of problems is watching “Supernatural.” Now to non-“Supernatural” fans it may sound bizarre but not here and so I decided to do a write up on how “Supernatural” motivates me.
For quite a few months I’ve been having a difficult time and am in that phase of my life where I am still searching my real self. What should I do with my life, which way should I choose, what am I suppose to do, in short a make it or break it situation. In this difficult phase, “Supernatural” becomes my happy place. Watching “Supernatural” takes me to a place where everything is okay for a while, when all the bad things, all the tensions take a backseat for some time and I can go live in a carefree environment even if it’s for 42 minutes.
While running, jogging or playing some outdoor sport calms some people, it is an episode of “Supernatural” that does the trick for me. The voices of Sam and Dean Winchester, played impeccably by Jared and Jensen, help me cope with the realities of my life. For past eight years there are a lot of fans who have gained strength from the show and have several memories attached with it. I became a fan of show only last year and in one year itself I came across a lot of fans who recalled that how this show has helped them in sailing through some of the darkest phase of their lives.
There are hardly any shows on television which has such a massive, loyal and supportive fan base like “Supernatural” enjoys. Let me tell me you why “Supernatural” helps me deal with all the crap of my life. The most important reason why “Supernatural” strikes a chord in my situation of distress is that this show gives me a feeling of bravery mainly because that is the theme of the show. When I watch this show, it makes me feel brave, it helps me realize that if Sam and Dean can go through so much and can emerge as winners in the end, then so can I. The relationship between the brothers is so assuring that somewhere in my heart it tells me that no matter what in the end everything will be alright.
“Supernatural” at its core is about two brothers and their lives. The rest like hunting, angels and demons come in the background. The relationship that Sam and Dean share is what makes the show. All the heroics aside, the fact that they face the same situations concerning family, trust, loyalty, and honesty, which mirrors real life situations, makes this show much more humane.
It is on this very site that I read about a fan who used to run “Supernatural” episodes on her DVD player after the death of somebody close to her, as it gave her solace. The voices of Winchester brothers helped her cope up with one of the biggest tragedies of her life. Reel life characters helped her in real life. For some people it might be weird about the level of involvement in the show but not for me. Everybody knows that they are fictional characters and that there is hardly any resemblance in real life but it’s not about the show. It is about the situation in which Sam and Dean find themselves and how they come out of it.
In season 5 when Sam starts Apocalypse and the storyline is all about how to prevent it from happening, normal people would just treat it as another storyline but for me as a fan season 5 was all about Sam’s redemption and Dean’s leap of faith. I saw a guy owing up to a huge mistake and working relentlessly to correct it, win back his brother’s trust and to do what is right even if it meant his end. I saw a big brother losing faith in his little brother, forgiving him for what he did and standing right beside him when his little brother needed him the most. For me it was not only about the storyline but about their character arcs as well.
“Supernatural” was never just another show for me. It was much more than two good looking guys hunting and fighting supernatural species. The moment I started to watch the show it became an obsession for me, in a good way. When the Winchesters fight the evil and surface as winners, it gives me a hope that even I can go through all my problems, deal with it and can come out of it as a champion. If they can through so much and not lose hope then even I can do the same. The characters in the show have made a lot of mistakes and have suffered immensely because of that but they never once let go off their fighting spirit. This show has given me one of the most important life lessons – that there is nothing in this world which is broken and can’t be fixed. You can deal with all of your problems, all your insecurities and struggles if you have faith in you and the people around you.
Watching “Supernatural” gives me a sense of calm and peace or as we say it in Hindi it gives me ‘Shaanti’. I literally count the days for the telecast of its next episode, am excited as soon as I watch the montage. There is a huge smile on my face for the whole 42 minutes even if the storyline is not that good (especially the ones written by Eugenie Ross- Leming and Brad Buckner) because I find enjoyment just in their presence itself. The rest I can deal with. I contemplate every episode with fellow fans, share my likes and dislikes and this is a mode of relaxation for me. Whenever I am tired or need some break I don’t do anything else I just open my laptop and start watching “Supernatural.” Even if I am sad and am feeling low, I just need an episode of “Supernatural” and all is good in life again. My friends tease me by calling me crazy for having such obsession with this show but I don’t mind it because according to me everybody should have some obsession and it doesn’t matter what it is as long as it gives you some purpose and makes you feel good.
In the end I would just like to say that thank you Eric Kripke, Jared, Jensen and all the cast and crew of “Supernatural” for making a show like this which touches the life of each and every fan in some way or the other. It surely touched mine and I am proud of the show, my obsession with the show and the wonderful fandom which is truly one big family.
“Supernatural” rocks..!!
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful story.
It’s amazing what this little show that could can do for us. I have felt exactly what you describe, and this show has inspired me in more ways than I can count. Hearing that others have had that experience makes it even more powerful.
Sam and Dean may be powerful characters, strong and resilient, able to face down supernatural creatures, but they’re human. And they struggle as we do, but they remain brave and support one another. It’s inspiring to take their journey with them and apply their bravery to our own lives, isn’t it?
I’m so glad that this is you Happy Place. It’s mine, too. I often refer to it as that—and I will always see it that way.
Thanks again for sharing our moving story.
I thought I’d just add my two cents as Supernatural got me through my divorce this past year (not the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through, but still hardly pleasant).
When my ex and I split and I moved into my own place and I had trouble adjusting to the silence. So I decided on a project to take my mind off things and started looking for a late 60’s Impala to restore…and I came across pictures of Metallicar which led me to check out the show. I saw it was on Netflix and figured I’d give it a shot even though I assumed I’d be bored midway through the pilot. I’ve rarely been more wrong.
I would get home from work, collapse on the couch, and turn on Supernatural and would watch one episode after another until I went to sleep. I think I got through the first 6 seasons in about a month.
This show, along with the eventual restoration process of BB (named Black Betty by the mechanic…he said she should have her own theme song) got me through some really rough times. I’ve often wondered about why this show had such a profound impact on me (and I’m not going to lie it’s pretty gratifying to know that others feel the same way).
I think for me it’s the relationship between Sam and Dean – two brothers with a definite purpose who would do anything for each other. I know that I was feeling pretty rudderless and seeing these two attack something with single minded ferocity was pretty inspiring (even though it’s fiction – but in fairness we draw a lot of inspiration from fictional sources whether it’s mythology, movies, books, or my favorite tv show). Additionally, being in a pretty lonely place it was always a wonderful escape to see two people who would never leave the other (aside from little fights where they’d separate for an episode). It was a little surprising to me how relieved I was at the beginning of the 4th season when Dean came up out of hell. I’m not going to lie I’m glad I was able to jump straight from season 3 to season 4. That wait must have been murder.
Anyway, sorry for rambling on for a bit – but thank you for writing this article!
[quote]I think for me it’s the relationship between Sam and Dean – two brothers with a definite purpose who would do anything for each other. I know that I was feeling pretty rudderless and seeing these two attack something with single minded ferocity was pretty inspiring (even though it’s fiction – but in fairness we draw a lot of inspiration from fictional sources whether it’s mythology, movies, books, or my favorite tv show). Additionally, being in a pretty lonely place it was always a wonderful escape to see two people who would never leave the other (aside from little fights where they’d separate for an episode). It was a little surprising to me how relieved I was at the beginning of the 4th season when Dean came up out of hell. I’m not going to lie I’m glad I was able to jump straight from season 3 to season 4. That wait must have been murder.
[/quote] I agree with you totally.. Even I watched every season back to back and I completed all the six and some episodes of season 7 in one month because I was so hooked. I am sorry you had to go through such a heartbreak but hey I hope it is worth your happiness now.. and Thank You for liking this article. If it strikes a chord I think it fulfills its purpose.. 🙄
No need to be sorry…just one of the little trials in life so many people go through. And yes I’m much happier now. Sometimes we find ourselves through facing difficulties – I’d say that happened in my case.
Your article definitely struck a chord ergo certainly fulfilled it’s purpose 🙂 Thank you for writing it – it was a wonderful read!
[quote]This show, along with the eventual restoration process of BB (named Black Betty by the mechanic…he said she should have her own theme song) got me through some really rough times.[/quote]
You should post a picture of Black Betty!!
I’ve actually been talking with Alice (who’s been wonderful) about that – I think she’s going to do a small article with a bunch of pictures when BB is finished (about a month out till she’s done and ready to drive) 🙂
The car is sweet! I can’t wait to see when it’s finished. There will be a full report when that happens.
You guys make me feel so much better knowing that I am perfectly normal in feeling the way I do about this show and the characters that I have to watch every day in some way whether it be the TNT reruns or rewatching the DVR season 8 episodes.
It [u]is[/u] my happy place because I don’t have much else going on in my life. 🙂 It’s always been about the kids and then the grandkids but now it is all about me. I’m tired of being alone and not having anything that excites me in life. That all changed when I discovered this show and after making it to my first con this year, that has all just intensified.
Thanks again for helping to make me feel normal and not like some freak. 😆
Thank guys.. for such nice comments..!! this means a lot to me.. and quoting Truckladay [quote]Thanks again for helping to make me feel normal and not like some freak[/quote] trust me we are not freaks..!! we are just SPN fans.. 😀
[quote]Thank guys.. for such nice comments..!! this means a lot to me.. and quoting Truckladay [quote]Thanks again for helping to make me feel normal and not like some freak[/quote] trust me we are not freaks..!! we are just SPN fans.. :D[/quote]
Ditto.
I’m going to commit a bit of heresy here and say that while I know exactly how you guys feel about the SPN, my show of choice was Buffy.
It covered many of the same themes as Supernatural and since i’ve been a feminist since birth, it struck that cord very strongly with me. That show was the place I went to or fantasized about triumphing in, not just because of its themes but because I loved the characters too.
Whnever I got tired of dealing with the world for a few minutes, Sunnydale was the palce I visited, where good always triumphed, friends and family could be trusted and people got all of my ” painstakingly thought-out puns”, and sometimes there was singing.
SPN comes darn close, though. I too have popped discs into the player and fallen asleep to Sam and Dean’s dulcet tones on many an evening. So while SPN is not my show of choice, I still totally grok your love for it, cuz I’ve been right there.
SPN is my happy place also. I wish I had the writing skills to explain why. I’ve been watching since 1.01 and could not stop. The brothers’ relationship is why we watch. It’s all about the love. At the end of the Real Ghostbusters the copy guy with the stereo guy explained it to Dean. About how great it is to wake up and save the world with a brother who would do anything for you.
Like a lot of people, I also have difficulties. I am like Freak!Sam, who knew he was a freak.
But I had SPN. And a few months ago I began communicating here. Thanks to SPN, J2, EK, producers, writers, crew, all.
And thanks to all the people at WFB.
Wonderful post, Saumya! I’m so happy I found WFB and know that there are like-minded people out there who find comfort, joy and motivation in SPN. It’s great to feel that kinship and sense of belonging to something so unique and inspiring. I don’t think I’ve ever been so compelled by a TV series before. Many years ago after reading JKR’s Harry Potter series I was inspired to draw the characters. I met many devoted fans and wonderful artists and it was one of the happiest times of my life. But somewhere along the way, the realities and hardships of life just wore away at that joy and left me uninspired, depressed and empty. I stopped drawing all together several years ago. Luckily for me my 17 year old daughter found SPN, and at her urging, got me to watch it. I totally understood her obsession! 😆 I (like many of you) watched marathon epsiodes trying to get caught up before Season 8 started and then rewatched them all again during the hiatus. I still pop in a dvd while at my computer when I want to smile or relive a poignant brotherly moment. But best of all becoming a SPN fan has truly brought me back to “My Happy Place” and that’s doing what I loved and enjoyed the most-drawing. 🙂
I agree about this web site. For several years I was a huge fan of the show; but didn’t realize anyone else felt the same way. I know I’m a little slow; but I wasn’t on the internet. It is so great to see how many people feel as I do about the show that is the sunshine of my life!! Funny way to look at it, as it is so sad sometimes.
It is difficult to find words to describe how much I love this show. Initially it was the brother thing. What I mean is, that I have 2 boys (Now 28 & 30). I have always wanted them to be as close as Sam and Dean. It was the 3 of us when they were growing up. I have told them their whole lives that if they had no one else, they would always have each other. To never forget that. So, for me, to see a TV show that basically screams that same message. It blew me away. Of course, once I started watching, I was hooked for life!!
I am not going to go into how the show gets me through dialysis, and all the accompanying medical procedures that come with it. I will say that it is a part of my life DAILY. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. So to Jensen (uuummm, Jensen) and Jared-BLESS YOU!!!
I’ve often wondered why I love this show so much as well.
I’ve always been attracted to shows with strong “family” themes. Action-packed drama and angst is always a plus as well. But SPN is unique in that it’s primarily based in the horror/fantasy genre. I usually don’t get into shows like that. But the things that sucked me in were the character arcs, the creativity, the bravery in examining the moral landscape of this fictional universe, and the stellar writing in dialogue and continuity. So I guess, overall, it’s [i]the story[/i] that keeps me watching every week. I grew up loving books, being a voracious reader of fiction. I know a good story when I see it/read it. And SPN is a GREAT story. For 42-ish minutes, SPN has the ability to transport a person to another universe, one that is believable and compelling. They rarely fail to entertain me, evoke emotion within me, or inspire me to write.
I discovered SPN a year ago, and ever since, this show has been getting me through the drudgery, isolation, and stress of law school. It’s a little thing probably, compared to some stories, but it’s no less true. I can remember being really worried last season that the show wouldn’t be renewed, wondering where I was going to get my stress relief. But luckily, we got another season, and now a season 9 as well. 🙂
Quoting Alice [quote]The car is sweet! I can’t wait to see when it’s finished. There will be a full report when that happens.[/quote] I am eagerly waiting for it.. i just hope I can buy it some day..!! After watching SPN.. ’67 Chevy Impala has become my dream car..!!
[quote]Quoting Alice [quote]The car is sweet! I can’t wait to see when it’s finished. There will be a full report when that happens.[/quote] I am eagerly waiting for it.. i just hope I can buy it some day..!! After watching SPN.. ’67 Chevy Impala has become my dream car..!![/quote]
Me too…the ’67 is a gorgeous car. Mine is *close* but not quite there 😉 I landed a ’68 which is very similar with a few marked differences. If you want to buy it someday and you’re really serious my best advice is start researching now (I’m happy to help you if you’re interested). That way when you’re ready to pull the trigger you know what you’re getting yourself into 😉
Without going into too much detail (I’m sure Alice will put it in the article) – thanks to Supernatural (plus the age of the cars) finding a ’67 Sport Sedan (that’s the 4-door no-post like Metallicar) in decent shape for a reasonable price is next to impossible.
When I first started looking to get a ’67-’68 I was more partial to the ’67 (I liked the front end better – although I liked the additional features and tail of the ’68). However, not only was I not able to find one for sale that wouldn’t break the bank – but it began to dawn on me that merely buying a car, slapping on some paint, and putting in a new carpet probably wasn’t going to give me a car I could actually drive much (I live in LA and don’t have the space for a second car – so this is my daily driver and needs to be fairly reliable).
Anyway, long story short if you’re operating with a finite budget a ’68 might be the way to go. And if you’re dead-set on the ’67…well I understand completely 🙂 BB isn’t a Metallicar clone – more of an inspired offspring. So there are a lot of similarities…but also quite a few differences aside from just being a ’68 and the differences that come with it – BB’s engine has much more power, the interior’s all black, newer albeit classic style am/fm radio, almost no chrome trim (had the painters pull it all off and leave it off so it really is all black – I’ve taken to calling it “Demonicar”), etc..
The main thing for me was to find an actual sport sedan as opposed to the more common model with a post between the front and back doors…and it took some searching and some patience but that’s what I managed to do. Now we’re (hopefully) a little less than a month out and I’m chomping at the bit. Her engine, transmission, and drive train are being installed in the next couple days and I’m sitting by my phone eagerly waiting for updates 🙂
Quoting love2boys [quote]SPN is my happy place also. I wish I had the writing skills to explain why[/quote] Trust me when you start writing once the thoughts just flow and you will be amazed at the rate with which the words come out.. Hope to read a article written by you soon.. 😀
Quoting bamboo24 [quote]I discovered SPN a year ago, and ever since, this show has been getting me through the drudgery, isolation, and stress of law school. It’s a little thing probably, compared to some stories, but it’s no less true. I can remember being really worried last season that the show wouldn’t be renewed, wondering where I was going to get my stress relief. But luckily, we got another season, and now a season 9 as well.[/quote] I know exactly how you feel.. This show is such a stress buster and above all it motivates you. Even I am glad that we got another year of Sam and Dean and I hope we get to see many more and believe me your story is important too. 😀
Sorry…double post. Clearly I’m not overly computer literate.
Triple post. Ok…I’m slowly backing away from the computer…
Thank you for your post, I find myself totally in what you write:
– now, I know “I’m not a freak, I’m normal” as would have liked to say SAM!
– For several years, I was angry and I did not talk to my brother : the series really helped that I want to revive our relationship and now we meet again.
– After a difficult day, I really like to put myself in the most beautiful bubble that I could find: 40mn SPN 🙂
I might have been the one who talked about SPN getting me through 3 deaths of close family members during the past 8 years. SPN was also there for me during the terrorism here in Boston. I could not watch the news 24/7 while in lock down on Friday while the”suspect” was being hunted. It brought me back to the conversation about what evil really is and how it exists in reality. I watched 3 episodes in a row, just to be able to breathe. SPN is my guilty pleasure. Something about the trials and tribulations, but the relationship btwn the siblings also brings me back to memories of a lost brother and there is much sage advice in certain episodes if you really listen. The acting performances make a fantasy seem so real . Of course, nights I cannot sleep I can find SPN on demand and it works to calm my anxiety-now isn’t that a hoot for a horror genre show! It’s about family and a lot less gory than some of the police shows on TV.Nice to know I am not as freaky or at least I have a lot of co-freaks in my SPN family and that is said with much love. Glad we can express ourselves here without fear of ridicule. Thanks for the initial posts.
Quoting maximus3311 [quote]Me too…the ’67 is a gorgeous car. Mine is *close* but not quite there 😉 I landed a ’68 which is very similar with a few marked differences. If you want to buy it someday and you’re really serious my best advice is start researching now (I’m happy to help you if you’re interested). That way when you’re ready to pull the trigger you know what you’re getting yourself into ;)[/quote] Trust me i want to own that car so bad but it will take some time as I will have to save up a fortune before I buy it.. It will not be easy to find such a model.. but I will consult you first before buying it.. 🙂
Quoting debbab [quote]I might have been the one who talked about SPN getting me through 3 deaths of close family members during the past 8 years.[/quote] I am sorry that I didn’t use your name in the article but I just remembered the article. It was stuck n the back of mind and it came out while writing. I should have searched for your article before including it in my article. Hope you didn’t mind that. [quote]Nice to know I am not as freaky or at least I have a lot of co-freaks in my SPN family and that is said with much love. Glad we can express ourselves here without fear of ridicule.[/quote] Here, I agree with you totally. It is the only place where we are not misunderstood.. Hope it always remains the same.. 🙂
What is it with this show??? I was a huge fan of Buffy, X-files, Farscape, Star Trek, but none of these shows made me want to know how other people felt about them. I didn’t look at blogs or read reviews about them. (Thank you WFB.)
Other shows have gorgeous actors in them, so it’s not just that. There is something so compelling about these brothers. Their love for each other. Their willingness to stick by each other. Their sacrifice for a world that will never know or acknowledge what they’ve done. It’s pretty heavy stuff.
From a purely academic view, I wonder how many of us, who feel so strongly about this show, have family issues of our own. I know, without going into details, how it resonates with me.
It speaks volumes of the acting ability of the two leads and their chemistry that every moment of synergy, every moment of conflict, every in-joke and snark rings true.
The writing is not always the best. The scenarios are sometimes plain hokey, but the core is always solid.
Perhaps it is just that they seem the very best that brothers can be and we’d all like (in a much less dangerous way) to be a bit more like them.