A Open Message From Sweetondean
Firstly, I want to thank everyone for their support and for their kind words, I appreciate the love more than you can know.
I felt it was time to speak up and clarify my decision to step down from the WFB, at least for now, because I never write anything off in life and Alice has kindly left the door open for me.
You should know that this isn’t a decision that I took lightly, or a decision that I made quickly. It had been coming for a while. I spoke to Alice and Ardeospina during the fallout from the first half of season 8 about how I was struggling with some of the feedback the show was getting within the fandom. I was in the opposite corner, on absolutely every argument and it made me feel completely out of sync with what I was seeing as general opinion.
Alice and Ardeospina, with the patience of Job, talked me down off the ledge…because midway through 8, I was about to jump.
Unfortunately, things seemed to get worse and except for a couple of episodes here and there, I felt like the majority of fans sharing their opinions here on the WFB were in despair over their show.
That despair started to affect me.
I take full responsibility for that. I allowed other people’s opinions to colour my experience in both watching the show and in engaging in conversation about the show. I found that as I was watching each episode, half my mind was ticking over trying to figure out what would hit a nerve, even though my nerves were not being hit. I was invariably right and then invariably surprised by how many other things, things that I hadn’t even noticed, upset people.
I didn’t notice, from what the outcry appeared to be, the criminal canonical errors. I didn’t notice that one character’s point of view was the focus while the other’s wasn’t or that one character had more of a story where the other didn’t. I had to google retcon! I was surprised over and over by what I didn’t see that others did and were deeply troubled by.
I simply saw my show in all its glory. I saw all the characters I love, but specifically two characters, struggling with their horrific lot in life and making the best choices they could together. I saw a story that was heartbreaking and captivating and mesmerising. I saw my beloved brothers caught up in the terrible circumstances that surrounded them both and found myself holding my breath as I wondered where it would all go and how it would all come to a head. I was gripped and inspired and passionately in love and I was baffled by the fact that I didn’t seem to notice what everyone else seemed to be broken up about.
I started to feel like the worst kind of fan. I started to feel like I was wrong to love my show unconditionally.
I didn’t and don’t ever want to feel like that, ever.
It’s not that I didn’t appreciate other people’s viewpoints. There was some amazingly insightful dialogue going on that I might not have seen eye to eye with, but that I read and marvelled at. But there was also the despair. The despair that was repeated and repeated and here lay the problem for me. I mean, I’m a pretty upbeat person (in case you haven’t noticed), and like I said, it’s my problem and I take full responsibility for it; the despondency, which became repetitive frustration followed inevitably by anger, simply wore me down.
In my eyes, the constructive arguments became a deconstruction of the thing I love the most and a deconstruction of the characters I love the most of any characters ever in the history of forever and it broke my heart.
I started writing to celebrate Supernatural. To promote it. To assimilate as many people I could into the world of Supernatural. To yell from the rooftops, “I love Supernatural”! All of a sudden I felt like I was party to doing the exact opposite.
My love of fandom was being affected. My enjoyment of the show was being affected. My enjoyment of writing about the show was being affected.
My perspective had most definitely been compromised! I shouldn’t be getting so angry over comments. I shouldn’t be getting so defensive over other’s opinions. I shouldn’t be avoiding the site I work for. I should have been able to rise above it all and soldier on, but I couldn’t.
I have been desperately disappointed with the greater fandom over the past year. I have been desperately disappointed with some of the behaviour on twitter in relation to the Show writers. The bickering on tumblr in relation to demands around “ships”. I have seen politeness tossed out the window over and over. I have seen the most preposterous Jared vs Jensen wars and Sam vs Dean wars erupt and fester. I have seen behaviour akin to bullying and I don’t like it.
At The Winchester Family Business, it’s a bit of a haven and we have been mostly immune to such behaviour. For the most part the dialogue is polite and thoughtful and I always appreciated and applauded everyone for that.
However for me, the overall tone of the dialogue had became disheartening and I’m going to be completely honest here at the risk of alienating friends and fans alike; it became dialogue I found I was no longer interested in engaging in – and that’s not cool – especially for an admin.
I had to step away. It seemed like the healthiest option.
So that’s the story. It’s not because this site is pro Sam/Jared as has been suggested on another post. I mean come on, look at my name! How is that even an argument when I was writing for the site! It’s not because I’ve lost love for the show, or love for the fandom – it’s the complete opposite. I love both passionately and I need to protect that love and I feel the only way to do that right now is to give myself the space to love Supernatural in my own way and on my own terms, unapologetically.
I do feel like I’ve let a lot of people down. I feel like I’ve let Alice down, though I know I have her support and I know that she understands. I feel like I’ve let a lot of you down, because so many of you have supported me; here on the WFB, in other places online and in ‘real life’. But bottom line, Supernatural is too important to me and the fandom is too important to me to have my enjoyment of either compromised and try as I might and believe me I tried so very hard, I couldn’t prevent myself from allowing that to happen.
I want to thank Alice for her patience and for giving me space and time to make the decision I needed to make. I want to thank everyone who has supported me, everyone who has ever read my work, everyone who has reached out to see if I’m okay, everyone who has had my back. I appreciate the hell out of it. I have made friendships through this site that I hope will continue and flourish, even if our opinions differ.
For now at least… I have chosen to encase myself in my own little bubble of Supernatural happiness. I love this show with a fiery passion and I love it more and more with each passing episode. I love Sam more, I love Dean more and I love the story more.
I love the Winchester brothers and their epic journey with a wild abandonment and I’m cool with it.
May that love continue and may we always remember that we all love this show, even when it’s hurting us. And for those who feel the show has lost its way, I hope it finds the path back to you.
Alice, you have my admiration for your dedication and your ongoing vision for The Winchester Family Business. I hope it thrives under your reinvigorated spirit of celebration. I’m sure it will.
-sweetondean
Love you, sweetheart! And love [i]Supernatural[/i], too!
Do what you need to do with a whole heart, and stay happy!
Love you, sweetheart! And love [i]Supernatural[/i], too!
Do what you need to do with a whole heart, and stay happy!
I found Supernatural only a year ago and you were the first blogger I followed. I will continue to read anything and everything you publish. Love conquers hate any day… it casts out fear… and is the greatest of all things. Keep loving Dean and All Things Supernatural and DON’T STOP WRITING!
I found Supernatural only a year ago and you were the first blogger I followed. I will continue to read anything and everything you publish. Love conquers hate any day… it casts out fear… and is the greatest of all things. Keep loving Dean and All Things Supernatural and DON’T STOP WRITING!
As I sit here watching yet another supernatural episode (3.16) I find myself completely heartbroken for you. Every review you’ve written has been so dead on what I think and feel about the show, it has amazed me every single time. I feel the same way you do – I love the show, I love Sam. I love Dean. I adore Jared and Jensen and the whole cast – and to have that expressed so eloquently by someone who is a complete stranger has brought me reams of happy feels.
I understand your desire to step back and away from the negativity. Your voice will be sorely missed.
As I sit here watching yet another supernatural episode (3.16) I find myself completely heartbroken for you. Every review you’ve written has been so dead on what I think and feel about the show, it has amazed me every single time. I feel the same way you do – I love the show, I love Sam. I love Dean. I adore Jared and Jensen and the whole cast – and to have that expressed so eloquently by someone who is a complete stranger has brought me reams of happy feels.
I understand your desire to step back and away from the negativity. Your voice will be sorely missed.
😥
I am fairly new to this site.. heck, I’m pretty new to the fandom. However, I enjoyed your posts the most. (sorry other wfb bloggers, no offense meant). Your love of the show comes through. Your musing on each episode were done with the pure heart and love of a true fangirl. Don’t you ever think any less. Everything you wrote today, about not realizing the “errors” that others point out is exactly how I feel. I just love the show. It’s fun. I watch it and enjoy it to get away from real life drama. I love both Winchesters, though yes I do favor Sam. I do not feel this site favors either of the boys.
To send insulting tweets to writers is.. .well childish and rude. I can;t believe that was going on. They don’t have to open up their twitter feeds to us. If we are not careful they may may shut us out.. and so may Jared and what a loss that would be. 😥
I find myself skipping over many of the negative comments and bickering here. Sometimes I can find myself getting fed up, too. I leave the site for a day or two. You didn’t really have that option as one of the writers here. I can see why you had a hard time.
I hope that stepping away helps you to keep the purity of the love for the show in your heart. I follow you on youtube as well and I hope to still see your videos and favorites there. – Though I am sure there are negative comments there as well.
I am not sure what it is about women and fandoms. I find that there is always a large amount of drama whatever the shared passion may be. I know there are guys here too, but let’s face the drama is mostly from the chicks. :-*
Again, I hope you continue with your pure love of the show and don’t let anyone change your views and thoughts.
😥
I am fairly new to this site.. heck, I’m pretty new to the fandom. However, I enjoyed your posts the most. (sorry other wfb bloggers, no offense meant). Your love of the show comes through. Your musing on each episode were done with the pure heart and love of a true fangirl. Don’t you ever think any less. Everything you wrote today, about not realizing the “errors” that others point out is exactly how I feel. I just love the show. It’s fun. I watch it and enjoy it to get away from real life drama. I love both Winchesters, though yes I do favor Sam. I do not feel this site favors either of the boys.
To send insulting tweets to writers is.. .well childish and rude. I can;t believe that was going on. They don’t have to open up their twitter feeds to us. If we are not careful they may may shut us out.. and so may Jared and what a loss that would be. 😥
I find myself skipping over many of the negative comments and bickering here. Sometimes I can find myself getting fed up, too. I leave the site for a day or two. You didn’t really have that option as one of the writers here. I can see why you had a hard time.
I hope that stepping away helps you to keep the purity of the love for the show in your heart. I follow you on youtube as well and I hope to still see your videos and favorites there. – Though I am sure there are negative comments there as well.
I am not sure what it is about women and fandoms. I find that there is always a large amount of drama whatever the shared passion may be. I know there are guys here too, but let’s face the drama is mostly from the chicks. :-*
Again, I hope you continue with your pure love of the show and don’t let anyone change your views and thoughts.
I will miss you on the site, my SPN Soul Sister, but I know where to find you and find you I shall.
You have to do what’s right for you. What you’ve posted here is brave, and I commend you for it.
Just keep kicking it in the ass!
I will miss you on the site, my SPN Soul Sister, but I know where to find you and find you I shall.
You have to do what’s right for you. What you’ve posted here is brave, and I commend you for it.
Just keep kicking it in the ass!
Amy, I’m sorry you’re stepping away from the site (temporarily or not) but I understand the need to do so. Alice has also expressed her opinions of being fed up with the one-sided, narrow-minded, and immature (my words, not hers) views and words that certain fans ‘spew’ onto the screen. As well as the unhelpful, whiny comments to the writers and crew of the show.
I hope we can all start using the brain that we were given and keep the comments to constructive, thought-provoking, and mature. Instead of being Team-Sam or Team-Dean, how about we all become Team-SPN.
Amy, I’m sorry you’re stepping away from the site (temporarily or not) but I understand the need to do so. Alice has also expressed her opinions of being fed up with the one-sided, narrow-minded, and immature (my words, not hers) views and words that certain fans ‘spew’ onto the screen. As well as the unhelpful, whiny comments to the writers and crew of the show.
I hope we can all start using the brain that we were given and keep the comments to constructive, thought-provoking, and mature. Instead of being Team-Sam or Team-Dean, how about we all become Team-SPN.
A person should never apologize for their strength of character. You are doing what your heart tells you is right. I find it inspiring.
Happily, I missed or avoided all the wank. I just closed my eyes to it…but I wasn’t an admin so I had that luxury. I will continue to write about my love for the show, or call it out when I think it is going astray. Either way, I hope the fandom makes you proud of it again, soon.
May the angels (the good ones) always have your back!
A person should never apologize for their strength of character. You are doing what your heart tells you is right. I find it inspiring.
Happily, I missed or avoided all the wank. I just closed my eyes to it…but I wasn’t an admin so I had that luxury. I will continue to write about my love for the show, or call it out when I think it is going astray. Either way, I hope the fandom makes you proud of it again, soon.
May the angels (the good ones) always have your back!
I am sad to hear you are stepping down, but completely understand your position. It mirrors mine completely, though I have been able to distance myself, for the most part, from all the nastiness.
I do hope you will be writing your reviews every episode. They are the only ones I read because they are so insightful, balanced and entertaining.
I am sad to hear you are stepping down, but completely understand your position. It mirrors mine completely, though I have been able to distance myself, for the most part, from all the nastiness.
I do hope you will be writing your reviews every episode. They are the only ones I read because they are so insightful, balanced and entertaining.
Don’t ever apologise for being in love and wanting to stay that way!
But just as nurses (I’m one) think that all old people are demented excrement throwers, so must Supernatural reviewers feel.
🙂
Don’t ever apologise for being in love and wanting to stay that way!
But just as nurses (I’m one) think that all old people are demented excrement throwers, so must Supernatural reviewers feel.
🙂
Your letter could have been written by me a few years back when I left the forum I’d been at since the start of my love affair with Supernatural, back during the Pilot! I’ve unfollowed friends on Twitter and taken a step back from posting even though one of the great pleasures of Supernatural is to discuss it, to share that joy and to ponder the deeper meanings and the possible course our Winchesters might embark on. So I feel your pain at temporarily losing that joy as the bitterness of the constant griping begins to take you down a path we don’t want to go!
I firmly believe joy can turn to criticism and cynicism from the relentless negativity you can encounter online. The small details get to be monstrous atrocities in some eyes and constant talk of it can lead you astray. I’ve seen it happen with fans who absolutely loved the show who then seem to change, to be sucked into the gripes and that becomes the focus instead of how blessed we are to have this show and its amazing cast and crew. If walking away brings you solace, you must do what is best for you! I can’t imagine being embroiled in it as a writer or admin on the site. The rest of us can easily take a break and simply not read the comments, for you the comments might be directed at you and your columns and that is so unfair when all you want to do is share the joy!
I find I am happiest with Supernatural when I follow and read the comments of those who are happy with Show. It then becomes a lovefest and that feels good. More preferable to sinking to lower levels and bemoaning what one “thinks” the show should do. I stumble on occasion, when something particularly riles me and I’ve been known to express my hopes to the writers but I hope to also lift them up with thanks for all they do. I can’t imagine them being so accessible on Twitter when they are bombarded with some of the less than kind opinions or worse, demands.
As someone who has been a fan from the jump, I’ve seen the disintegration of that glorious falling-in-love glow. I want to be happy with Show and I am, because it is still the most amazing creative effort I have ever had the pleasure of watching. I refuse to let others infringe on my squee. You shouldn’t either. Happy watching! We have our Winchesters and in my book, that’s all we need!
B.J.
Your letter could have been written by me a few years back when I left the forum I’d been at since the start of my love affair with Supernatural, back during the Pilot! I’ve unfollowed friends on Twitter and taken a step back from posting even though one of the great pleasures of Supernatural is to discuss it, to share that joy and to ponder the deeper meanings and the possible course our Winchesters might embark on. So I feel your pain at temporarily losing that joy as the bitterness of the constant griping begins to take you down a path we don’t want to go!
I firmly believe joy can turn to criticism and cynicism from the relentless negativity you can encounter online. The small details get to be monstrous atrocities in some eyes and constant talk of it can lead you astray. I’ve seen it happen with fans who absolutely loved the show who then seem to change, to be sucked into the gripes and that becomes the focus instead of how blessed we are to have this show and its amazing cast and crew. If walking away brings you solace, you must do what is best for you! I can’t imagine being embroiled in it as a writer or admin on the site. The rest of us can easily take a break and simply not read the comments, for you the comments might be directed at you and your columns and that is so unfair when all you want to do is share the joy!
I find I am happiest with Supernatural when I follow and read the comments of those who are happy with Show. It then becomes a lovefest and that feels good. More preferable to sinking to lower levels and bemoaning what one “thinks” the show should do. I stumble on occasion, when something particularly riles me and I’ve been known to express my hopes to the writers but I hope to also lift them up with thanks for all they do. I can’t imagine them being so accessible on Twitter when they are bombarded with some of the less than kind opinions or worse, demands.
As someone who has been a fan from the jump, I’ve seen the disintegration of that glorious falling-in-love glow. I want to be happy with Show and I am, because it is still the most amazing creative effort I have ever had the pleasure of watching. I refuse to let others infringe on my squee. You shouldn’t either. Happy watching! We have our Winchesters and in my book, that’s all we need!
B.J.
You are making the right choice to pull back from this negativity. I know I will still see your notes and pictures and listen to your podcasts and treasure them, as I always have. I love sharing your joy. Your shining faith in the show has made you a standard bearer for all that is good in SPNFandom and I will continue to support you in all you do. HUGS!
-Karen
You are making the right choice to pull back from this negativity. I know I will still see your notes and pictures and listen to your podcasts and treasure them, as I always have. I love sharing your joy. Your shining faith in the show has made you a standard bearer for all that is good in SPNFandom and I will continue to support you in all you do. HUGS!
-Karen
We all owe you a huge thank you. Your articles have been a joy to read, and I, like a lot of others, am grateful to have read them. I have agreed with all you have written, and I totally understand how you feel and respect your decision. I too, love this show, and while my role is minuscule, I have found I needed to occasionally step back from my lurking (and occasional comments) on the site when the things you spoke of started spoiling it for me, or made me embarrassed for us all. I have high hopes for the new rules, though. I hope you will come back, but in the meantime, let me share that I believe you are part of the vast group of this show’s fans that are not disappointed in this season, that think the lead characters and lead actors are a team and are both treated fairly, and that it is not and should not be us but rather the writers that are in control of the story and the characters’ relationships. Thank you again, and I hope to see your posts again when and if you are willing to come back.
We all owe you a huge thank you. Your articles have been a joy to read, and I, like a lot of others, am grateful to have read them. I have agreed with all you have written, and I totally understand how you feel and respect your decision. I too, love this show, and while my role is minuscule, I have found I needed to occasionally step back from my lurking (and occasional comments) on the site when the things you spoke of started spoiling it for me, or made me embarrassed for us all. I have high hopes for the new rules, though. I hope you will come back, but in the meantime, let me share that I believe you are part of the vast group of this show’s fans that are not disappointed in this season, that think the lead characters and lead actors are a team and are both treated fairly, and that it is not and should not be us but rather the writers that are in control of the story and the characters’ relationships. Thank you again, and I hope to see your posts again when and if you are willing to come back.
From the day my sister called me and said, “You must watch this new show coming on, It has two really hot guys, and they fight ghosts and monsters” I was hooked! Sometimes I look back and can’t believe this show has been a part of my life for 9 years. It has seen me through good times and very bad times. It has created a bond between my sister and I that cannot be broken. To say I love this show is an understatement. I continue to be amazed at the ridiculous actions of fans that claim to love the show like I do. I seldom go to any sight or blog that is not complete SPN or Winchester love so I don’t hear a lot of the nonsense going on until someone such as yourself becomes disenchanted with the oft-times too vocal fandom.
I used to get so upset when “fans” would cry injustice over one character having a better story arc or too many episodes centered on one brother and not the other. Some to the point of declaring they had had enough, we are not watching any more! Really. Take a chill pill. I understand the love for one brother or one actor, I am a Jensen/Dean girl through and through, but how can you profess to love a show and then threaten not to watch any more if a couple of episodes are not going the way you think they should. I have loved every single episode, granted some more than others, but I could never give one a bad review. Not gonna happen.
I’m sorry that you are taking a step back. In looking and reading the comments here and on other sights that have posted your letter, most have sided and agreed with you. I can only conclude that the “nasty” fans are far outnumbered, but so much more vocal. Hopefully we can turn this trend around.
Good luck to you and keep watching the best show on television.
From the day my sister called me and said, “You must watch this new show coming on, It has two really hot guys, and they fight ghosts and monsters” I was hooked! Sometimes I look back and can’t believe this show has been a part of my life for 9 years. It has seen me through good times and very bad times. It has created a bond between my sister and I that cannot be broken. To say I love this show is an understatement. I continue to be amazed at the ridiculous actions of fans that claim to love the show like I do. I seldom go to any sight or blog that is not complete SPN or Winchester love so I don’t hear a lot of the nonsense going on until someone such as yourself becomes disenchanted with the oft-times too vocal fandom.
I used to get so upset when “fans” would cry injustice over one character having a better story arc or too many episodes centered on one brother and not the other. Some to the point of declaring they had had enough, we are not watching any more! Really. Take a chill pill. I understand the love for one brother or one actor, I am a Jensen/Dean girl through and through, but how can you profess to love a show and then threaten not to watch any more if a couple of episodes are not going the way you think they should. I have loved every single episode, granted some more than others, but I could never give one a bad review. Not gonna happen.
I’m sorry that you are taking a step back. In looking and reading the comments here and on other sights that have posted your letter, most have sided and agreed with you. I can only conclude that the “nasty” fans are far outnumbered, but so much more vocal. Hopefully we can turn this trend around.
Good luck to you and keep watching the best show on television.
When I started being a crazy fan of this show way back in S1, I too loved discussing the show with anyone within earshot! Who would have thought “The Little Show That Could” would have lasted this long? I’ve enjoyed the ride the whole way. The fansites were initially a way to connect with other SPN fans, but I totally understand how the negativity can suck the life outta things! I remember on supernatural.tv forums when someone had to start a thread about loving SPN “no matter what.” It was a thread with no negativity. In one sense, it was a great place to chat with other happy SPN fans, but in another sense it was sad that such a thread had to be started. Your letter is right in line with that thread. I love the show and the characters. I don’t want that negativity to take away my enjoyment of SPN, which is a show and a phenomenon unlike any other in my life!! So, thanks for your letter…..go hang out in your happy SPN bubble and enjoy. I’m heading back to mine now 🙂
When I started being a crazy fan of this show way back in S1, I too loved discussing the show with anyone within earshot! Who would have thought “The Little Show That Could” would have lasted this long? I’ve enjoyed the ride the whole way. The fansites were initially a way to connect with other SPN fans, but I totally understand how the negativity can suck the life outta things! I remember on supernatural.tv forums when someone had to start a thread about loving SPN “no matter what.” It was a thread with no negativity. In one sense, it was a great place to chat with other happy SPN fans, but in another sense it was sad that such a thread had to be started. Your letter is right in line with that thread. I love the show and the characters. I don’t want that negativity to take away my enjoyment of SPN, which is a show and a phenomenon unlike any other in my life!! So, thanks for your letter…..go hang out in your happy SPN bubble and enjoy. I’m heading back to mine now 🙂
I’m sad to hear that you are stepping down, though I completely understand. I’ve tried to stay away from the negativity, too. Just like you, all I want to do is love this show…and I do. I really don’t have complaints about the show and I am so grateful that it is still going! I find that the writers still surprise me even after all these years. So please know that you have others out there who feel the same way you do! We just want to enjoy loving Supernatural!
I’m sad to hear that you are stepping down, though I completely understand. I’ve tried to stay away from the negativity, too. Just like you, all I want to do is love this show…and I do. I really don’t have complaints about the show and I am so grateful that it is still going! I find that the writers still surprise me even after all these years. So please know that you have others out there who feel the same way you do! We just want to enjoy loving Supernatural!
I can so relate to this — Hubs and I would watch an episode, enjoy it (in his case) or adore it (in my case :)) and then I would come online and find people complaining about stuff that I either really liked or didn’t even notice.
Like you, I found myself watching with an eye to things that would cause upset in the various fan camps. It is pretty depressing. So I haven’t been coming online as much. And that has helped my enjoyment of Show –which is actually also kinda depressing because the whole SPN community thing used to be a lot of fun.
I think Supernatural is the best show on TV. I love it. I don’t unreservedly love every little thing and back in the day (season three) I used to drive myself crazy with a few things I really didn’t like — but ever since I decided to focus on the 99% I do love unreservedly — I am so much happier and enjoy Show very much.
I totally understand doing what you have to to maintain your squee. More power to you and much shared Supernatural love!
I can so relate to this — Hubs and I would watch an episode, enjoy it (in his case) or adore it (in my case :)) and then I would come online and find people complaining about stuff that I either really liked or didn’t even notice.
Like you, I found myself watching with an eye to things that would cause upset in the various fan camps. It is pretty depressing. So I haven’t been coming online as much. And that has helped my enjoyment of Show –which is actually also kinda depressing because the whole SPN community thing used to be a lot of fun.
I think Supernatural is the best show on TV. I love it. I don’t unreservedly love every little thing and back in the day (season three) I used to drive myself crazy with a few things I really didn’t like — but ever since I decided to focus on the 99% I do love unreservedly — I am so much happier and enjoy Show very much.
I totally understand doing what you have to to maintain your squee. More power to you and much shared Supernatural love!
I’ve only been part of the fandom for a couple of years but I’ve been with the show since the beginning. For the most part I’ve loved getting involved with the fandom (I’m actually writing about it at the moment), but it’s much easier for me to step away when the little dramas flare up than it is for you Amy (and Alice). I read the positive (and the constructive) commentary and do my best to ignore the negative (particularly the Sam vs Dean, Jared vs Jensen which is completely pointless because no-one ever wins).
I totally understand your need for a break and wish you all the best Amy. I will continue to read your articles and fan fiction whenever I have the opportunity.
In the meantime, I’d like to say thanks for all the wonderful & joyful reviews you’ve written about this show we all love. You’re enthusiasm has added to my joy… and my love of two brothers 😀
I’ve only been part of the fandom for a couple of years but I’ve been with the show since the beginning. For the most part I’ve loved getting involved with the fandom (I’m actually writing about it at the moment), but it’s much easier for me to step away when the little dramas flare up than it is for you Amy (and Alice). I read the positive (and the constructive) commentary and do my best to ignore the negative (particularly the Sam vs Dean, Jared vs Jensen which is completely pointless because no-one ever wins).
I totally understand your need for a break and wish you all the best Amy. I will continue to read your articles and fan fiction whenever I have the opportunity.
In the meantime, I’d like to say thanks for all the wonderful & joyful reviews you’ve written about this show we all love. You’re enthusiasm has added to my joy… and my love of two brothers 😀
As a longtime viewer who discovered the SPN fandom after the conclusion of season one (May 2006 for those of us here in Australia), I remember watching the final and just having to search the internet to find out what was happening to my by then, favourite show. Luckily for me it was soon announced there would be a season two and I discovered a few fansites. In fact, I believe the first fansite I became a member to enable me to discover more about my beloved Supernatural may very well be the site bjxmas spoke about in her post!
In those early days I soon discovered I am not a prolific poster, as it doesn’t fit within my comfort range nor am I a TV Critic. I watch and enjoy, or I change the channel, and I have NEVER changed the channel when Supernatural is on my screen. However, from very early on in my foray into the fandom, it became clear to me that I wasn’t even watching the same episodes, let alone the same show! I would find myself stunned at the viciousness and hatred “fans” would display not only towards the show and the fictional characters but also towards the actors who portray the characters, the writers, and other fans who had their own opinions. I chose not to call myself a “fan”, and instead labelled myself a ‘dedicated viewer”. I still love my show and it is still my only MUST SEE show, although I now very rarely read any reviews after watching the latest episodes and I am sorry the positive energy Sweetondean brought to her reviews will be missing from my reading lineup.
From a purely selfish point of view I fail to see any reason why a positive post should evoke any negative responses. Negative responses should self-destruct in 30 seconds and be gone forever!!!
I mentioned in another post in response to an article written by Alice, how our perceptions as humans are so influenced by our upbringing, gender, race, religious or cultural belief, parental beliefs, life experiences and our own inner knowing. Fear drives so many people and yet it will never bring them joy and happiness. Opening our heart to love and realising our own opinion is the most important one in the world for each of us, helps to release us from the fear of needing to be right. Once we can release that fear, the words of others have no hurtful effect because they are their words not ours. Our words and opinions are still valid, relevant and adaptable, and they belong to us, each individual one of us and we can find a beautiful freedom in the value of self-belief. With that self-belief not only do we release ourselves from the perceived hurts of other peoples opinions, we also speak our own truths from a place of loving integrity.
Sweetondean, I sincerely thank you for the articles and for the convention reports you share with those of us who are unable to attend such events. I admire you for having the courage to honour yourself and to recognise your own need to surround yourself with positivity. Life really is beautifully simple, and finding joy in the things we love is vital to our well being. I wish you much love and happiness, Anita
As a longtime viewer who discovered the SPN fandom after the conclusion of season one (May 2006 for those of us here in Australia), I remember watching the final and just having to search the internet to find out what was happening to my by then, favourite show. Luckily for me it was soon announced there would be a season two and I discovered a few fansites. In fact, I believe the first fansite I became a member to enable me to discover more about my beloved Supernatural may very well be the site bjxmas spoke about in her post!
In those early days I soon discovered I am not a prolific poster, as it doesn’t fit within my comfort range nor am I a TV Critic. I watch and enjoy, or I change the channel, and I have NEVER changed the channel when Supernatural is on my screen. However, from very early on in my foray into the fandom, it became clear to me that I wasn’t even watching the same episodes, let alone the same show! I would find myself stunned at the viciousness and hatred “fans” would display not only towards the show and the fictional characters but also towards the actors who portray the characters, the writers, and other fans who had their own opinions. I chose not to call myself a “fan”, and instead labelled myself a ‘dedicated viewer”. I still love my show and it is still my only MUST SEE show, although I now very rarely read any reviews after watching the latest episodes and I am sorry the positive energy Sweetondean brought to her reviews will be missing from my reading lineup.
From a purely selfish point of view I fail to see any reason why a positive post should evoke any negative responses. Negative responses should self-destruct in 30 seconds and be gone forever!!!
I mentioned in another post in response to an article written by Alice, how our perceptions as humans are so influenced by our upbringing, gender, race, religious or cultural belief, parental beliefs, life experiences and our own inner knowing. Fear drives so many people and yet it will never bring them joy and happiness. Opening our heart to love and realising our own opinion is the most important one in the world for each of us, helps to release us from the fear of needing to be right. Once we can release that fear, the words of others have no hurtful effect because they are their words not ours. Our words and opinions are still valid, relevant and adaptable, and they belong to us, each individual one of us and we can find a beautiful freedom in the value of self-belief. With that self-belief not only do we release ourselves from the perceived hurts of other peoples opinions, we also speak our own truths from a place of loving integrity.
Sweetondean, I sincerely thank you for the articles and for the convention reports you share with those of us who are unable to attend such events. I admire you for having the courage to honour yourself and to recognise your own need to surround yourself with positivity. Life really is beautifully simple, and finding joy in the things we love is vital to our well being. I wish you much love and happiness, Anita
[quote name=”Kimj”]I am sad to hear you are stepping down, but completely understand your position. It mirrors mine completely, though I have been able to distance myself, for the most part, from all the nastiness.
I do hope you will be writing your reviews every episode. They are the only ones I read because they are so insightful, balanced and entertaining.[/quote]
My words exactly, with the exception that I also like practically all writers on this site – they are so different, every time it’s a new approach and something interesting to ponder over.
The part of me that is good and wise and generous says, yes, go, Sweetondean, find some rest, better concentrate on your own future book. But my other part that is selfish doesn’t want to put up with the loss of such an inspiring and entertaining read. I’m so used now to have you in my life! Think again about us, your readers, about all these people that think very much like you. Negativity, ugh, and what worse, the repetitiveness of old, stale accusations. It’s killing all joy of watching. And it is so unfair to demand some impossible, supernatural perfection and wisdom from each line of the show that is already literally better than all the rest of scifi shows on tv put together!
Thank you for all you’ve done here. And you know what? I have your “Dean Winchester diary” printed and can reread it whenever I want – there!
[quote]I am sad to hear you are stepping down, but completely understand your position. It mirrors mine completely, though I have been able to distance myself, for the most part, from all the nastiness.
I do hope you will be writing your reviews every episode. They are the only ones I read because they are so insightful, balanced and entertaining.[/quote]
My words exactly, with the exception that I also like practically all writers on this site – they are so different, every time it’s a new approach and something interesting to ponder over.
The part of me that is good and wise and generous says, yes, go, Sweetondean, find some rest, better concentrate on your own future book. But my other part that is selfish doesn’t want to put up with the loss of such an inspiring and entertaining read. I’m so used now to have you in my life! Think again about us, your readers, about all these people that think very much like you. Negativity, ugh, and what worse, the repetitiveness of old, stale accusations. It’s killing all joy of watching. And it is so unfair to demand some impossible, supernatural perfection and wisdom from each line of the show that is already literally better than all the rest of scifi shows on tv put together!
Thank you for all you’ve done here. And you know what? I have your “Dean Winchester diary” printed and can reread it whenever I want – there!
I too will miss your reviews. I love (and share) your love for the brothers and their gloriously, wonderfully, heartbreakingly messed up relationship and I loved how positive your reviews always were. I must admit I clung to your early S8 reviews because Show and I were not the best of friends during that time. I wasn’t watching but I was still reading your reviews and they helped keep me hanging on in until I fell head over heels in love again with 8.12.
But I very much understand the need to step back. The negativity over episodes doesn’t really get to me and, if it does, I can always skip posts. You wouldn’t have been able to have that luxury. What really, really gets to me is the Sam vs Dean, the Jared vs Jensen, the character and actor bashing, the constant demands to the writers, basically the sheer nastiness. It’s this behaviour that in S6 finally drove me away from the site I’d been posting at since the early days of S1. (Hiya [b]Bjxmas[/b]!!! It’s me, Daisy. 😆 ) This behaviour was bad enough in S1 but each year it’s gotten worse and worse and worse. Now with Twitter and Tumblr it’s reached horrendous proportions. I often read the writers’ twitter feeds and I’m just gobsmacked. 😮 I don’t do Tumblr but my girls, both devoted Sherlock and Dr Who Tumblr girls, tell me all about the Tumblr stuff. 😮
So…in short…thank you so much for your reviews, they always made me smile and always made me wallow in the SPN lurve. 😆 Also thank you for your con reports. I’m over here in Wales and never going to get to a con so I always appreciated your reports.
I too will miss your reviews. I love (and share) your love for the brothers and their gloriously, wonderfully, heartbreakingly messed up relationship and I loved how positive your reviews always were. I must admit I clung to your early S8 reviews because Show and I were not the best of friends during that time. I wasn’t watching but I was still reading your reviews and they helped keep me hanging on in until I fell head over heels in love again with 8.12.
But I very much understand the need to step back. The negativity over episodes doesn’t really get to me and, if it does, I can always skip posts. You wouldn’t have been able to have that luxury. What really, really gets to me is the Sam vs Dean, the Jared vs Jensen, the character and actor bashing, the constant demands to the writers, basically the sheer nastiness. It’s this behaviour that in S6 finally drove me away from the site I’d been posting at since the early days of S1. (Hiya [b]Bjxmas[/b]!!! It’s me, Daisy. 😆 ) This behaviour was bad enough in S1 but each year it’s gotten worse and worse and worse. Now with Twitter and Tumblr it’s reached horrendous proportions. I often read the writers’ twitter feeds and I’m just gobsmacked. 😮 I don’t do Tumblr but my girls, both devoted Sherlock and Dr Who Tumblr girls, tell me all about the Tumblr stuff. 😮
So…in short…thank you so much for your reviews, they always made me smile and always made me wallow in the SPN lurve. 😆 Also thank you for your con reports. I’m over here in Wales and never going to get to a con so I always appreciated your reports.
You did it again, Amy: I see my own feelings about SPN reflected in your article so much that for a second, “how the hell does she know what I’m thinking?!” crossed my mind… 😉
I joined online fandom exactly one year ago, after watching the show since 2005. Not being a huge fan of social media in general, I had always believed online fandom was a territory for teenagers only and I would just be the odd, old fangirl out. After the PCAs last year, I got curious about this fandom and decided to give it a try. Not only did I discover that by far I’m not the oldest fan of our boys, I also met great people who share my love and dedication to the show. The complaints of several factions of fandom, that one of the two main characters has no storyarc/POV/is sidelined surprised me at first; did I completely miss that while watching passionately for years? I’ve been a Dean/Jensen girl wholeheartly since day one, but I love and adore Sam/Jared too, as well as their codependent, a bit messed up relationship and their fierce love for their family and each other. I never got the impression the show favors one character or actor over the other. But hey, everybody should be able to voice their opinions; so I simply tried to ignore the discussions about how some people think the show has gone down the drain by “destroying” the characters, the same way I ignored the debates on how the show “owes” certain fans to make one fandom ship or the other canon. When season 9 started, I realized that ignoring it wasn’t enough anymore. This was the first season premiere of SPN I watched being in online fandom, and after the airing of 9.01 I desperately wished I could turn back time and just never join Twitter & Co. The negativity of those who’re just unhappy and disappointed with the show had started to affect not my perception of it (I still don’t see the sidelining and other stuff, sorry! Or not sorry…) but my joy and excitement about it. For some time in October, I considered leaving it all here for good, so it would be just me and SPN again, like in the past years. In the end I decided to stay but spend less time online and cut the connections to all the negativity. This step has helped me a lot, to keep me enjoying my favorite show to the maximum.
So I really get your decision 200%; I can’t imagine how much harder this all must’ve been for you, as a writer and an admin in a position where you kind of have to respond to whatever some people throw your way. You of all people should never have to feel like a bad fan, Amy! In my opinion, you’re an inspiration and a role model who embodies all that is wonderful and awesome in this fandom. As much as I will miss your articles here, I’m glad you were able to create this bubble of happiness and got comfy in it; nothing is more important in this than for you to keep your joy and happiness watching the show. Protecting what we love, no matter what, is one of the lessons the Winchesters and especially Dean taught us. So nobody blames you for taking a page out of their book. You know how much I love your writing, so wherever you decide to share your love for SPN in the future, I’ll be there to read and enjoy it!
Oops, this got WAY longer than I intended; I hardly leave comments & the one time I do… sorry! ;P
You did it again, Amy: I see my own feelings about SPN reflected in your article so much that for a second, “how the hell does she know what I’m thinking?!” crossed my mind… 😉
I joined online fandom exactly one year ago, after watching the show since 2005. Not being a huge fan of social media in general, I had always believed online fandom was a territory for teenagers only and I would just be the odd, old fangirl out. After the PCAs last year, I got curious about this fandom and decided to give it a try. Not only did I discover that by far I’m not the oldest fan of our boys, I also met great people who share my love and dedication to the show. The complaints of several factions of fandom, that one of the two main characters has no storyarc/POV/is sidelined surprised me at first; did I completely miss that while watching passionately for years? I’ve been a Dean/Jensen girl wholeheartly since day one, but I love and adore Sam/Jared too, as well as their codependent, a bit messed up relationship and their fierce love for their family and each other. I never got the impression the show favors one character or actor over the other. But hey, everybody should be able to voice their opinions; so I simply tried to ignore the discussions about how some people think the show has gone down the drain by “destroying” the characters, the same way I ignored the debates on how the show “owes” certain fans to make one fandom ship or the other canon. When season 9 started, I realized that ignoring it wasn’t enough anymore. This was the first season premiere of SPN I watched being in online fandom, and after the airing of 9.01 I desperately wished I could turn back time and just never join Twitter & Co. The negativity of those who’re just unhappy and disappointed with the show had started to affect not my perception of it (I still don’t see the sidelining and other stuff, sorry! Or not sorry…) but my joy and excitement about it. For some time in October, I considered leaving it all here for good, so it would be just me and SPN again, like in the past years. In the end I decided to stay but spend less time online and cut the connections to all the negativity. This step has helped me a lot, to keep me enjoying my favorite show to the maximum.
So I really get your decision 200%; I can’t imagine how much harder this all must’ve been for you, as a writer and an admin in a position where you kind of have to respond to whatever some people throw your way. You of all people should never have to feel like a bad fan, Amy! In my opinion, you’re an inspiration and a role model who embodies all that is wonderful and awesome in this fandom. As much as I will miss your articles here, I’m glad you were able to create this bubble of happiness and got comfy in it; nothing is more important in this than for you to keep your joy and happiness watching the show. Protecting what we love, no matter what, is one of the lessons the Winchesters and especially Dean taught us. So nobody blames you for taking a page out of their book. You know how much I love your writing, so wherever you decide to share your love for SPN in the future, I’ll be there to read and enjoy it!
Oops, this got WAY longer than I intended; I hardly leave comments & the one time I do… sorry! ;P
My heart breaks to read this. I see you as a pure & joyous soul who is sorely needed in this fandom. Still, I applaud your decision and thank you for letting us in on your reasons. Your last article was the 1st time I didn’t read any comments. Usually there’s enough positive and interesting mixed in with the negativity that it’s definitely worth it to follow them. There was nothing inflammatory about your article. I just didn’t have the heart to wade through the pettiness & mean spirited comments that seem to appear regardless of the article content. I didn’t feel it was my place to address those posters but it still felt like a sin of omission to keep silent.
My heart breaks to read this. I see you as a pure & joyous soul who is sorely needed in this fandom. Still, I applaud your decision and thank you for letting us in on your reasons. Your last article was the 1st time I didn’t read any comments. Usually there’s enough positive and interesting mixed in with the negativity that it’s definitely worth it to follow them. There was nothing inflammatory about your article. I just didn’t have the heart to wade through the pettiness & mean spirited comments that seem to appear regardless of the article content. I didn’t feel it was my place to address those posters but it still felt like a sin of omission to keep silent.
Dear Sweetondean,
I completely unterstand your decision to get away from all that negativity in the fandom. I made the same decision a few times, but nevertheless always came back reading. I’m from Germany and I sometimes have a bit of a problem in unterstanding the complete dialogues and hints, and therefore the reviews are also very helpful for me. My problems with the comments started after S5, when the complaints began about SoullessSam. I found it a really cool idea to bring Sam back without soul and I enjoyed S6 as well as S7 and the Leviathans (Dick and Egar were great), the breaking of the wall in Sams’ mind and not to forget Lucifer. But the more I read all the complaints in the comments on the reviews, the more I became in some way frustrated and picked up by all the negativity. That was definitely not what I wanted to happen, because I love that show. Finally I stopped reading all those nitpicking and in my eyes unfair and repetitious complaining comments and concentrated myself on the reviews of you, Amy, and writers like bardicvoice or Far away eyes, that I enjoy the most, because even the comments on those reviews were mostly fair and positive. I found and regretted very much that even Alice was very much infected by that negativity in the fandom, and I not even wanted to read her articles any more.
So, Sweetondean, I thank you so much for all your positivity and enthusiasme, I like it so much! Please preserve it for all of us, who love Supernatural and those two guys and all the other great characters in and around the show. I hope you come back sometimes to the WFB, in the meantime I will follow you on your own blog (although it’s a tad too little Sam for me in it, I think you unterstand me).
I didn’t comment here for months, but it was important for me to answer to your message. A happy new year from Germany to Australia and all the other nice fans, who maybe read this.
Angie
Dear Sweetondean,
I completely unterstand your decision to get away from all that negativity in the fandom. I made the same decision a few times, but nevertheless always came back reading. I’m from Germany and I sometimes have a bit of a problem in unterstanding the complete dialogues and hints, and therefore the reviews are also very helpful for me. My problems with the comments started after S5, when the complaints began about SoullessSam. I found it a really cool idea to bring Sam back without soul and I enjoyed S6 as well as S7 and the Leviathans (Dick and Egar were great), the breaking of the wall in Sams’ mind and not to forget Lucifer. But the more I read all the complaints in the comments on the reviews, the more I became in some way frustrated and picked up by all the negativity. That was definitely not what I wanted to happen, because I love that show. Finally I stopped reading all those nitpicking and in my eyes unfair and repetitious complaining comments and concentrated myself on the reviews of you, Amy, and writers like bardicvoice or Far away eyes, that I enjoy the most, because even the comments on those reviews were mostly fair and positive. I found and regretted very much that even Alice was very much infected by that negativity in the fandom, and I not even wanted to read her articles any more.
So, Sweetondean, I thank you so much for all your positivity and enthusiasme, I like it so much! Please preserve it for all of us, who love Supernatural and those two guys and all the other great characters in and around the show. I hope you come back sometimes to the WFB, in the meantime I will follow you on your own blog (although it’s a tad too little Sam for me in it, I think you unterstand me).
I didn’t comment here for months, but it was important for me to answer to your message. A happy new year from Germany to Australia and all the other nice fans, who maybe read this.
Angie
Dear sweetondean (my favourite reviewer)!
I was so disappointed to read in Alice’s article that you had left the site. You are the one reviewer who echoes all my feelings and joyfulness for this oh so wonderful show. I fell like a ton of bricks for that charismatic cocky horny soft in the centre and tough on the outside character, Dean Winchester. He won my complete empathy while watching since the middle of season 3, ‘Supernatural Christmas’. I immediately got the dvds for seasons 1 and 2 and they just cemented those feelings. His love for his family and especially his little brother who he raised like a father went right to my heart. Like he says in season 9, ‘There ain’t no me if there ain’t no you’. The brothers are the show. If there ain’t no Sam, there ain’t gonna be no Dean! And I definitely want there to be a Dean, who I have grown to love unconditionally.
And so, I never got or understood the complaints of the Sam vs Dean factions. They couldn’t be watching the same show I was! Jensen and Jared love each other, which is such a miracle, for them and for us who watch what they put into the show for us and we can see the charisma each has for the other. How many series have leads who feel this way and unselfishly have each other’s backs like that?
I completely understand the problems you have with the negativity which seemed to increase every season even though the viewership increased as well. I sincerely believe the nastiness and nit-picking factions are the noisiest and the first to post mean words attacking those who are blithely enjoying their favourite show. Just go on ANY forum on the internet and you’ll fine the mean and nasties immediately posting, whether it is an article written, a review of something, or just a blogger’s opinion. It somehow pleases them to bust other’s bubbles, so to speak.
Myself, I was getting to the point of ignoring comments altogether, or skimming down looking for something uplifting. Almost beginning to think there was something wrong with me for not finding fault with everything! Never could understand the need to bring others down. It must have been awful being an admin to have to read all the comments notwithstanding! So, I see where you are coming from and understand your decision.
Even so, I believe for every mean post there are many many readers who do not participate in the fan wanking who are enjoying and appreciating the show and in complete ignorance of the different factions and agendas of many of the loud complainers.
Your reviews and articles were a beacon of light to me and I eagerly read them whenever you posted them. Your joy and enthusiasm for my favourite show were infectious and uplifting to me. I have no family left. I live alone and have become disabled with severe osteo arthritis and depending on kind neighbours for nearly everything. Believe it or not, Supernatural has become something to live for and not despair of life. I’m so grateful it is still going on and the brothers’ journey is still continuing and I look forward to every episode. Your convention reports are so appreciated as I’ll never be able to attend, and your enjoyment comes through as if I was there too! Thank you so much for that!
I hope some day you’ll be back here expressing your love for the show. Just remember, reading all these comments and the ones following Alice’s article, is proving that the silent majority is in your corner, and Bardicvoice’s, and Alice’s. We love what you and they bring to complement our enjoyment of the best show ever on TV.
Dean and Sam are in my heart forever and I love them dearly and this love affair will not be broken by a nasty minority. Don’t let them spoil your love either.
love, Bevie
Dear sweetondean (my favourite reviewer)!
I was so disappointed to read in Alice’s article that you had left the site. You are the one reviewer who echoes all my feelings and joyfulness for this oh so wonderful show. I fell like a ton of bricks for that charismatic cocky horny soft in the centre and tough on the outside character, Dean Winchester. He won my complete empathy while watching since the middle of season 3, ‘Supernatural Christmas’. I immediately got the dvds for seasons 1 and 2 and they just cemented those feelings. His love for his family and especially his little brother who he raised like a father went right to my heart. Like he says in season 9, ‘There ain’t no me if there ain’t no you’. The brothers are the show. If there ain’t no Sam, there ain’t gonna be no Dean! And I definitely want there to be a Dean, who I have grown to love unconditionally.
And so, I never got or understood the complaints of the Sam vs Dean factions. They couldn’t be watching the same show I was! Jensen and Jared love each other, which is such a miracle, for them and for us who watch what they put into the show for us and we can see the charisma each has for the other. How many series have leads who feel this way and unselfishly have each other’s backs like that?
I completely understand the problems you have with the negativity which seemed to increase every season even though the viewership increased as well. I sincerely believe the nastiness and nit-picking factions are the noisiest and the first to post mean words attacking those who are blithely enjoying their favourite show. Just go on ANY forum on the internet and you’ll fine the mean and nasties immediately posting, whether it is an article written, a review of something, or just a blogger’s opinion. It somehow pleases them to bust other’s bubbles, so to speak.
Myself, I was getting to the point of ignoring comments altogether, or skimming down looking for something uplifting. Almost beginning to think there was something wrong with me for not finding fault with everything! Never could understand the need to bring others down. It must have been awful being an admin to have to read all the comments notwithstanding! So, I see where you are coming from and understand your decision.
Even so, I believe for every mean post there are many many readers who do not participate in the fan wanking who are enjoying and appreciating the show and in complete ignorance of the different factions and agendas of many of the loud complainers.
Your reviews and articles were a beacon of light to me and I eagerly read them whenever you posted them. Your joy and enthusiasm for my favourite show were infectious and uplifting to me. I have no family left. I live alone and have become disabled with severe osteo arthritis and depending on kind neighbours for nearly everything. Believe it or not, Supernatural has become something to live for and not despair of life. I’m so grateful it is still going on and the brothers’ journey is still continuing and I look forward to every episode. Your convention reports are so appreciated as I’ll never be able to attend, and your enjoyment comes through as if I was there too! Thank you so much for that!
I hope some day you’ll be back here expressing your love for the show. Just remember, reading all these comments and the ones following Alice’s article, is proving that the silent majority is in your corner, and Bardicvoice’s, and Alice’s. We love what you and they bring to complement our enjoyment of the best show ever on TV.
Dean and Sam are in my heart forever and I love them dearly and this love affair will not be broken by a nasty minority. Don’t let them spoil your love either.
love, Bevie
Bevie what she said. Just know that the vast silent majority love the show and on this website I have to believe that the silent majority also loved your reviews. I am so sorry that we are losing you because of the misbehavior of a few but I so understand. The negativity almost ruined the show for me as well. SweetonDean you were the last completely positive voice. Your humor and passion is infectious. Keep on loving and take care.
Bevie what she said. Just know that the vast silent majority love the show and on this website I have to believe that the silent majority also loved your reviews. I am so sorry that we are losing you because of the misbehavior of a few but I so understand. The negativity almost ruined the show for me as well. SweetonDean you were the last completely positive voice. Your humor and passion is infectious. Keep on loving and take care.
Dear Sweetondean, I’m so very sorry to see you go. 😥 I followed you from your own website to the WFB, and I’ve always loved what you had to say. I love your unapolegetic fidelity to Supernatural and the Winchesters, because I always felt it met my own views. I too have noticed a break in the fandom, and it saddens me to no end. Your reviews always made me so happy, they were the one thing I always looked forward to after a new episode. Even though I understand why you are stepping down, I will miss your enthusiastic reviews. Good luck, and I hope you will find your way back here or elsewhere, I have faith that this won’t be the last we here from you.
Dear Sweetondean, I’m so very sorry to see you go. 😥 I followed you from your own website to the WFB, and I’ve always loved what you had to say. I love your unapolegetic fidelity to Supernatural and the Winchesters, because I always felt it met my own views. I too have noticed a break in the fandom, and it saddens me to no end. Your reviews always made me so happy, they were the one thing I always looked forward to after a new episode. Even though I understand why you are stepping down, I will miss your enthusiastic reviews. Good luck, and I hope you will find your way back here or elsewhere, I have faith that this won’t be the last we here from you.
I AM SO SORRY YOU ARE LEAVING. I have loved reading your insights and the way you write. I am out of the loop about these “others” as I call them. I don’t go to conventions and skip over the nasty opinions. I simply don’t understand getting so angry at people you don’t even know. I do see this on news blogs and other TV shows. These people insult actors or writers of a show or news article. Or they insult another for their comments, which has happened to me. I was quite surprised by it and got upset. I guess these “others” bother you all the time and I can see why it got too much.
I also love this show unconditionally and when fans write that the show is not living up to their expectations, I have no idea what they are talking about. I sometimes think if I’m wrong but now realize it’s them. The show is not written by them and the show runners can do what they want. They do notice what the fans like, such as a character and pursue that. Most of us comment constructively with love even if we disagree. Also the show is never going to be like it was in season one, because it’s season nine. It’s like a relationship which changes over time. A relationship will never be the same as when you first met. Also #21, you have also voiced how I feel. Amy, I do hope after a rest will write for WFB again. I hope you have a wonderful new year.
I AM SO SORRY YOU ARE LEAVING. I have loved reading your insights and the way you write. I am out of the loop about these “others” as I call them. I don’t go to conventions and skip over the nasty opinions. I simply don’t understand getting so angry at people you don’t even know. I do see this on news blogs and other TV shows. These people insult actors or writers of a show or news article. Or they insult another for their comments, which has happened to me. I was quite surprised by it and got upset. I guess these “others” bother you all the time and I can see why it got too much.
I also love this show unconditionally and when fans write that the show is not living up to their expectations, I have no idea what they are talking about. I sometimes think if I’m wrong but now realize it’s them. The show is not written by them and the show runners can do what they want. They do notice what the fans like, such as a character and pursue that. Most of us comment constructively with love even if we disagree. Also the show is never going to be like it was in season one, because it’s season nine. It’s like a relationship which changes over time. A relationship will never be the same as when you first met. Also #21, you have also voiced how I feel. Amy, I do hope after a rest will write for WFB again. I hope you have a wonderful new year.
Sweetondean – I really appreciated your writing on Supernatural and the characters. I thought you had a wonderful ability to express deep insight and understanding of the characters. I will miss your writing and hope that you will find your way back to this new site Alice has re-created for Supernatural lovers.
Sweetondean – I really appreciated your writing on Supernatural and the characters. I thought you had a wonderful ability to express deep insight and understanding of the characters. I will miss your writing and hope that you will find your way back to this new site Alice has re-created for Supernatural lovers.
I have been a Supernatural fan from the very 1st episode, & I will continue to love the show unconditionally no matter what. Sure, there are things I’ve not been happy with or wished that the storyline had gone in another direction, but that hasn’t affected my love for the brothers Winchester & the rest of the characters. I’m certainly open to differing opinions, but I too have been disappointed with some of the fan behavior & discontent that I’ve noted in the past year. It’s been entirely too rude & negative for me. I have always loved your reviews & articles because they are so positive.
I still follow you on Twitter & hope that one day you’ll return again here.
SUPERNATURAL always & forever!
I have been a Supernatural fan from the very 1st episode, & I will continue to love the show unconditionally no matter what. Sure, there are things I’ve not been happy with or wished that the storyline had gone in another direction, but that hasn’t affected my love for the brothers Winchester & the rest of the characters. I’m certainly open to differing opinions, but I too have been disappointed with some of the fan behavior & discontent that I’ve noted in the past year. It’s been entirely too rude & negative for me. I have always loved your reviews & articles because they are so positive.
I still follow you on Twitter & hope that one day you’ll return again here.
SUPERNATURAL always & forever!
sweetondean,
I’m so glad you know how much you are loved, respected, and admired!
Thanks for all you did for WFB and do for the fandom in general.
Best wishes for a happy, healthy new year!
sweetondean,
I’m so glad you know how much you are loved, respected, and admired!
Thanks for all you did for WFB and do for the fandom in general.
Best wishes for a happy, healthy new year!
You are wonderful. As is this site. I so understand how you are feeling. I was so so sure I was doing fandom wrong and watching the show wrong and then I would read your articles and breathe relief. I understand why you need to step away too. I love the show and I love Sam and Dean,with their story as it unfolds and all that brings to my life and imagination. And you have added to that. And that will not disappear ….. I know you are out there and happy. Look forward to hearing from you again. Blessed be.
You are wonderful. As is this site. I so understand how you are feeling. I was so so sure I was doing fandom wrong and watching the show wrong and then I would read your articles and breathe relief. I understand why you need to step away too. I love the show and I love Sam and Dean,with their story as it unfolds and all that brings to my life and imagination. And you have added to that. And that will not disappear ….. I know you are out there and happy. Look forward to hearing from you again. Blessed be.
Hi Amy, I have already told you how I feel about your leaving but I do have to say how much I identify with your description of watching the show with half my mind worried about what is going to offend the fans. The fandom is so split that no episode goes by without SOMEONE being offended. Before I came here I knew nothing about S vs D, Destiel, Wincest, and the other factions. Sometimes I miss that. I do enjoying reading the reviews and articles and reading the comments both the positive ones AND the opposing views. But the general tone has shifted, each side so sure their viewpoint is the correct one and will allow no room for compromise and it is sometimes draining. I tend to be a happier fan and have always enjoyed your articles. You are missed already. Peace 🙂
Hi Amy, I have already told you how I feel about your leaving but I do have to say how much I identify with your description of watching the show with half my mind worried about what is going to offend the fans. The fandom is so split that no episode goes by without SOMEONE being offended. Before I came here I knew nothing about S vs D, Destiel, Wincest, and the other factions. Sometimes I miss that. I do enjoying reading the reviews and articles and reading the comments both the positive ones AND the opposing views. But the general tone has shifted, each side so sure their viewpoint is the correct one and will allow no room for compromise and it is sometimes draining. I tend to be a happier fan and have always enjoyed your articles. You are missed already. Peace 🙂
Ive been a fan of the show since before it began. A show called Supernatural? I just knew Id be watching that and liking it no matter what happened on it. Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be such a depot and beautiful show. Its the fandom that I came late to and when I did I knew nothing about the various factions and arguments going on in it. I posted on a few sites and found my self on one site where the negativity of it just snuck up on me. Before I knew it I was angry all the time about something on the show. I stopped enjoying the show and found myslef participating in discussions that did not celebrate the show at all. At some point I had a moment of clarity and connected my new attitude about the show with the constant negativity I was reading all the time. I had to reset. I had to leave that site. My attitude since then has upgraded dramatically. I still have issues and problems with the show but my criticism of the show is purposeful and constructive .
So yeah I know! Sometimes you have to just save yourself first or you wont be in a position to save anyone else. Go take care of your thing and when you’re ready (if you ever become ready to do so) we’ll be right here.
We’ll wait.
And thank you!
Ive been a fan of the show since before it began. A show called Supernatural? I just knew Id be watching that and liking it no matter what happened on it. Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be such a depot and beautiful show. Its the fandom that I came late to and when I did I knew nothing about the various factions and arguments going on in it. I posted on a few sites and found my self on one site where the negativity of it just snuck up on me. Before I knew it I was angry all the time about something on the show. I stopped enjoying the show and found myslef participating in discussions that did not celebrate the show at all. At some point I had a moment of clarity and connected my new attitude about the show with the constant negativity I was reading all the time. I had to reset. I had to leave that site. My attitude since then has upgraded dramatically. I still have issues and problems with the show but my criticism of the show is purposeful and constructive .
So yeah I know! Sometimes you have to just save yourself first or you wont be in a position to save anyone else. Go take care of your thing and when you’re ready (if you ever become ready to do so) we’ll be right here.
We’ll wait.
And thank you!
Dear Sweetondean-
I would just like to add my voice to all the others and say how much I will miss your positive input here on the WFB. I believe that there are a lot more of us who view Supernatural with the same unconditional love and devotion that you have written about than the “fans” who continually pick things apart. Unfortunately, their negativity has made many of us feel guilty for just simply enjoying and loving the show and circumspect about any positive comments we might have wanted to make. I hope we will see you again here at the WFB someday. You have been an inspiration and a joy to read!
Thank You!
Lisa
Dear Sweetondean-
I would just like to add my voice to all the others and say how much I will miss your positive input here on the WFB. I believe that there are a lot more of us who view Supernatural with the same unconditional love and devotion that you have written about than the “fans” who continually pick things apart. Unfortunately, their negativity has made many of us feel guilty for just simply enjoying and loving the show and circumspect about any positive comments we might have wanted to make. I hope we will see you again here at the WFB someday. You have been an inspiration and a joy to read!
Thank You!
Lisa
Dear SweetonDean:
Understood, but it does make me sad. I always enjoyed your articles. THANK YOU SO MUCH and hope you get back to WFB.
Okay, additional comments: (1) Could some of the nastiness be generated by trolls — those whose sole reason for joining is to put down the show and the fandom? After all, both SPN and the fandom are becoming popular. They’re bound to attract mean spirits and fans of competitors. If this is the case, I suggest we salt them.
(2) The naysayers could be real fans, but just have difficulty with properly taking care of what/whom they love. Remember the song, “Why do we always hurt the ones we love?” The only solutions I can suggest are for us to drink copious amounts of holy water/ blessed whiskey OR go through S5’s “Swan Song” several times until we understood why humans passed the Great Creator’s test and the angels didn’t (except for Castiel).
(3) Dean vs. Sam? Jensen vs. Jared? — I get it, as I am more of a Sam/Jared girl, but, dang it, start vicious wars over it? Or put down others over it? Seriously? The brothers/actors love each other. It won’t be Supernatural without the other. That love is one of the main reasons for the show’s strength. My solutions: watch S1-9 and any of the SPN Cons.
(4) Don’t like some ‘ships, like Wincest? Understood, but don’t try to trample on them. We all have a right to exist, no matter how weird we may seem. Just ignore the ‘ship you don’t like. And we will do our best to be courteous by not rubbing others’ noses into ‘ships that someone doesn’t like. (Btw, I am a proud Wincest fan and writer.) Solutions: Dean-hug/Sam-hug for everyone; threesome with the Doublemint twins OR with Sam and Dean (oh, yes yes yes!!!).
THat’s all and thanks. Have a nice day, y’all.
Dear SweetonDean:
Understood, but it does make me sad. I always enjoyed your articles. THANK YOU SO MUCH and hope you get back to WFB.
Okay, additional comments: (1) Could some of the nastiness be generated by trolls — those whose sole reason for joining is to put down the show and the fandom? After all, both SPN and the fandom are becoming popular. They’re bound to attract mean spirits and fans of competitors. If this is the case, I suggest we salt them.
(2) The naysayers could be real fans, but just have difficulty with properly taking care of what/whom they love. Remember the song, “Why do we always hurt the ones we love?” The only solutions I can suggest are for us to drink copious amounts of holy water/ blessed whiskey OR go through S5’s “Swan Song” several times until we understood why humans passed the Great Creator’s test and the angels didn’t (except for Castiel).
(3) Dean vs. Sam? Jensen vs. Jared? — I get it, as I am more of a Sam/Jared girl, but, dang it, start vicious wars over it? Or put down others over it? Seriously? The brothers/actors love each other. It won’t be Supernatural without the other. That love is one of the main reasons for the show’s strength. My solutions: watch S1-9 and any of the SPN Cons.
(4) Don’t like some ‘ships, like Wincest? Understood, but don’t try to trample on them. We all have a right to exist, no matter how weird we may seem. Just ignore the ‘ship you don’t like. And we will do our best to be courteous by not rubbing others’ noses into ‘ships that someone doesn’t like. (Btw, I am a proud Wincest fan and writer.) Solutions: Dean-hug/Sam-hug for everyone; threesome with the Doublemint twins OR with Sam and Dean (oh, yes yes yes!!!).
THat’s all and thanks. Have a nice day, y’all.
Dear Sweetondean,
although I’m sad no longer to be able to read your articles in the future, I understand your decision and I respect it : “You join team free will”. On some sites, I tried a few times to get in discussion with other fans and argue my ideas and I have often been shocked by the tone and aggressiveness that some answers showed : I no longer had any desire to discuss about the episode and sometimes, I also felt that it damaged my series and it spoiled somehow my pleasure. As a writer, you are even more exposed.
I liked your articles because they were often aligned to what I thought of the episode and, above all, very positive! with full details, considerate and respects for the hard, regular and weekly work of the cast and crew of Supernatural for our great pleasure.
Enjoy for a long time to watch SPN and happy new year to you from France !
Love 🙂
Dear Sweetondean,
although I’m sad no longer to be able to read your articles in the future, I understand your decision and I respect it : “You join team free will”. On some sites, I tried a few times to get in discussion with other fans and argue my ideas and I have often been shocked by the tone and aggressiveness that some answers showed : I no longer had any desire to discuss about the episode and sometimes, I also felt that it damaged my series and it spoiled somehow my pleasure. As a writer, you are even more exposed.
I liked your articles because they were often aligned to what I thought of the episode and, above all, very positive! with full details, considerate and respects for the hard, regular and weekly work of the cast and crew of Supernatural for our great pleasure.
Enjoy for a long time to watch SPN and happy new year to you from France !
Love 🙂
When people ask, I’m simply going to tell them Sweetondean’s “at the spa”. I feel confident that you’ve made this decision in time to preserve the Supernatural Love. And the thing about love is… it gets restless when it’s not being shared, which makes me feel reasonably confident you’ll return – to share the love – once you’ve rejuvenated. Thank-you so much for your SPN Booster efforts. I hope to be crossing paths with ya in the fandom Tranquility Lounge now and then. If I do, the first round of Dr. Pepper and pie is on me.
@37 Ha, “at the spa”, I like that! Dr. Pepper (a fan) and pie! Awesome. I may not always understand the ‘code’ talk but love the sense of humor. 🙂
@37 Ha, “at the spa”, I like that! Dr. Pepper (a fan) and pie! Awesome. I may not always understand the ‘code’ talk but love the sense of humor. 🙂
I’m with you Sweetondean!!! Like others, I’m sad you are living, but I have to say THANK YOU for being our voice, our representative of the fans that love the show and see it with positive eyes. THANK YOU for the good, interesting and upbeat reading. THANK YOU for being one of the few who tried to get good publicity to our show, one of the few who tried to keep the “real feeling” of it.
Sadly, I knew this day will come, I understand you completely. After all, who can swim against the current without getting tired?
“Dwelling on the negative, simply contributes to its power”
See you later Sweetie!!
I’m with you Sweetondean!!! Like others, I’m sad you are living, but I have to say THANK YOU for being our voice, our representative of the fans that love the show and see it with positive eyes. THANK YOU for the good, interesting and upbeat reading. THANK YOU for being one of the few who tried to get good publicity to our show, one of the few who tried to keep the “real feeling” of it.
Sadly, I knew this day will come, I understand you completely. After all, who can swim against the current without getting tired?
“Dwelling on the negative, simply contributes to its power”
See you later Sweetie!!
[quote name=”SPNfreak4Life”]You did it again, Amy: I see my own feelings about SPN reflected in your article so much that for a second, “how the hell does she know what I’m thinking?!” crossed my mind… 😉
I joined online fandom exactly one year ago, after watching the show since 2005. Not being a huge fan of social media in general, I had always believed online fandom was a territory for teenagers only and I would just be the odd, old fangirl out. After the PCAs last year, I got curious about this fandom and decided to give it a try. Not only did I discover that by far I’m not the oldest fan of our boys, I also met great people who share my love and dedication to the show. The complaints of several factions of fandom, that one of the two main characters has no storyarc/POV/is sidelined surprised me at first; did I completely miss that while watching passionately for years? I’ve been a Dean/Jensen girl wholeheartly since day one, but I love and adore Sam/Jared too, as well as their codependent, a bit messed up relationship and their fierce love for their family and each other. I never got the impression the show favors one character or actor over the other. But hey, everybody should be able to voice their opinions; so I simply tried to ignore the discussions about how some people think the show has gone down the drain by “destroying” the characters, the same way I ignored the debates on how the show “owes” certain fans to make one fandom ship or the other canon. When season 9 started, I realized that ignoring it wasn’t enough anymore. This was the first season premiere of SPN I watched being in online fandom, and after the airing of 9.01 I desperately wished I could turn back time and just never join Twitter & Co. The negativity of those who’re just unhappy and disappointed with the show had started to affect not my perception of it (I still don’t see the sidelining and other stuff, sorry! Or not sorry…) but my joy and excitement about it. For some time in October, I considered leaving it all here for good, so it would be just me and SPN again, like in the past years. In the end I decided to stay but spend less time online and cut the connections to all the negativity. This step has helped me a lot, to keep me enjoying my favorite show to the maximum.
So I really get your decision 200%; I can’t imagine how much harder this all must’ve been for you, as a writer and an admin in a position where you kind of have to respond to whatever some people throw your way. You of all people should never have to feel like a bad fan, Amy! In my opinion, you’re an inspiration and a role model who embodies all that is wonderful and awesome in this fandom. As much as I will miss your articles here, I’m glad you were able to create this bubble of happiness and got comfy in it; nothing is more important in this than for you to keep your joy and happiness watching the show. Protecting what we love, no matter what, is one of the lessons the Winchesters and especially Dean taught us. So nobody blames you for taking a page out of their book. You know how much I love your writing, so wherever you decide to share your love for SPN in the future, I’ll be there to read and enjoy it!
Oops, this got WAY longer than I intended; I hardly leave comments & the one time I do… sorry! ;P[/quote]
This is pretty much what I would have said. I’m a new viewer (started over the summer) and looked up the fandom too when I got to season 6 (late August) and I too regretted it. Sure there have been episodes that I wouldn’t put on my favorites list but I wouldn’t put them on my dislike list either, Jensen said in a convention video “every season has its lemons but that’s to be expected after so many episodes.” (verbatim but you get the gist). Some shows out there probably wish they had what SPN considers lemons (I mean that in a good way).
SPNfreak4life, is your Twitter handle the same? I always enjoy chatting with other SPN fans.
[quote]You did it again, Amy: I see my own feelings about SPN reflected in your article so much that for a second, “how the hell does she know what I’m thinking?!” crossed my mind… 😉
I joined online fandom exactly one year ago, after watching the show since 2005. Not being a huge fan of social media in general, I had always believed online fandom was a territory for teenagers only and I would just be the odd, old fangirl out. After the PCAs last year, I got curious about this fandom and decided to give it a try. Not only did I discover that by far I’m not the oldest fan of our boys, I also met great people who share my love and dedication to the show. The complaints of several factions of fandom, that one of the two main characters has no storyarc/POV/is sidelined surprised me at first; did I completely miss that while watching passionately for years? I’ve been a Dean/Jensen girl wholeheartly since day one, but I love and adore Sam/Jared too, as well as their codependent, a bit messed up relationship and their fierce love for their family and each other. I never got the impression the show favors one character or actor over the other. But hey, everybody should be able to voice their opinions; so I simply tried to ignore the discussions about how some people think the show has gone down the drain by “destroying” the characters, the same way I ignored the debates on how the show “owes” certain fans to make one fandom ship or the other canon. When season 9 started, I realized that ignoring it wasn’t enough anymore. This was the first season premiere of SPN I watched being in online fandom, and after the airing of 9.01 I desperately wished I could turn back time and just never join Twitter & Co. The negativity of those who’re just unhappy and disappointed with the show had started to affect not my perception of it (I still don’t see the sidelining and other stuff, sorry! Or not sorry…) but my joy and excitement about it. For some time in October, I considered leaving it all here for good, so it would be just me and SPN again, like in the past years. In the end I decided to stay but spend less time online and cut the connections to all the negativity. This step has helped me a lot, to keep me enjoying my favorite show to the maximum.
So I really get your decision 200%; I can’t imagine how much harder this all must’ve been for you, as a writer and an admin in a position where you kind of have to respond to whatever some people throw your way. You of all people should never have to feel like a bad fan, Amy! In my opinion, you’re an inspiration and a role model who embodies all that is wonderful and awesome in this fandom. As much as I will miss your articles here, I’m glad you were able to create this bubble of happiness and got comfy in it; nothing is more important in this than for you to keep your joy and happiness watching the show. Protecting what we love, no matter what, is one of the lessons the Winchesters and especially Dean taught us. So nobody blames you for taking a page out of their book. You know how much I love your writing, so wherever you decide to share your love for SPN in the future, I’ll be there to read and enjoy it!
Oops, this got WAY longer than I intended; I hardly leave comments & the one time I do… sorry! ;P[/quote]
This is pretty much what I would have said. I’m a new viewer (started over the summer) and looked up the fandom too when I got to season 6 (late August) and I too regretted it. Sure there have been episodes that I wouldn’t put on my favorites list but I wouldn’t put them on my dislike list either, Jensen said in a convention video “every season has its lemons but that’s to be expected after so many episodes.” (verbatim but you get the gist). Some shows out there probably wish they had what SPN considers lemons (I mean that in a good way).
SPNfreak4life, is your Twitter handle the same? I always enjoy chatting with other SPN fans.
[quote name=”MelissaLynn”] SPNfreak4life, is your Twitter handle the same? I always enjoy chatting with other SPN fans.[/quote]
Yep, it is. Feel free to say Hi anytime, would love to chat with you! ????
[quote] SPNfreak4life, is your Twitter handle the same? I always enjoy chatting with other SPN fans.[/quote]
Yep, it is. Feel free to say Hi anytime, would love to chat with you! ????
I don’t know if you will get this but I hope this is passed on to you. Thank you for all you have done for this wonderful site and for your support of our show. . You have my love and support even though we do not know each other. I have always enjoyed reading your articles and I hope you will continue to do the Women of Letters podcast which I love. I am sad you had to make the decision to leave but you need to do what makes you happy. Life is too short for all the stress. I just want you to know I am a fan of you and your work and wish you all the happiness in the future. You will be missed.
I don’t know if you will get this but I hope this is passed on to you. Thank you for all you have done for this wonderful site and for your support of our show. . You have my love and support even though we do not know each other. I have always enjoyed reading your articles and I hope you will continue to do the Women of Letters podcast which I love. I am sad you had to make the decision to leave but you need to do what makes you happy. Life is too short for all the stress. I just want you to know I am a fan of you and your work and wish you all the happiness in the future. You will be missed.
Lovely letter, Sweetondean. Good for you.
Lovely letter, Sweetondean. Good for you.
Sorry to say goodbye to you – you are a wonderful contribution to WFB. However, you have to do what makes you happy and if this is it, I’m glad for you.
Well wishes!
Sorry to say goodbye to you – you are a wonderful contribution to WFB. However, you have to do what makes you happy and if this is it, I’m glad for you.
Well wishes!
I will certainly miss your insightful articles since you most closely reflect my take on the show and I always found myself nodding along to your observations thinking to myself this person totally gets me. I however also totally get where you are coming from as well. I have mostly stopped reading the comments section of any SPN reviews or articles and I completely understand your need to keep pure your feelings about the show and SPN fandom. The thing is that on the whole I think most people feel the same way you do if the ever increasing viewership and enlarging fan numbers indicate but it is the very vocal few that are loudest right now. Don’t despair I think there are many more unconditional fans like you than it seems. I wish you the best and I think you are doing exactly what is right for you.
I will certainly miss your insightful articles since you most closely reflect my take on the show and I always found myself nodding along to your observations thinking to myself this person totally gets me. I however also totally get where you are coming from as well. I have mostly stopped reading the comments section of any SPN reviews or articles and I completely understand your need to keep pure your feelings about the show and SPN fandom. The thing is that on the whole I think most people feel the same way you do if the ever increasing viewership and enlarging fan numbers indicate but it is the very vocal few that are loudest right now. Don’t despair I think there are many more unconditional fans like you than it seems. I wish you the best and I think you are doing exactly what is right for you.
Dear sweet SweetonDean,
We’ve never met, but you write my feelings with every article. I will miss you so much! I understand why you need to do this, but – so sad.
I have been completely passionate about SPN since the Pilot, but never even thought about going online until I found the WFB about a year ago. The fans shocked me. I was in a tearful panic trying to find out why they were fighting. Then about 3 or so months into it, I realized how happy I was before I knew what a few fans with time online thought. I realized I didn’t[i] care[/i] what those few fans thought!
So I read wonderful articles written by you, Alice, Bardicvoice and the other wonderful writers. I again loved the show, the brothers, my feelings. I didn’t care what a few vocal fans pounded out on their over-used keyboards. So I was happy again to be love2boys, loving the show, and especially loving everything written by SweetonDean! I will miss you dreadfully.
Thank you for everything. I hope you will be as happy as is Supernaturally possible.
Dear sweet SweetonDean,
We’ve never met, but you write my feelings with every article. I will miss you so much! I understand why you need to do this, but – so sad.
I have been completely passionate about SPN since the Pilot, but never even thought about going online until I found the WFB about a year ago. The fans shocked me. I was in a tearful panic trying to find out why they were fighting. Then about 3 or so months into it, I realized how happy I was before I knew what a few fans with time online thought. I realized I didn’t[i] care[/i] what those few fans thought!
So I read wonderful articles written by you, Alice, Bardicvoice and the other wonderful writers. I again loved the show, the brothers, my feelings. I didn’t care what a few vocal fans pounded out on their over-used keyboards. So I was happy again to be love2boys, loving the show, and especially loving everything written by SweetonDean! I will miss you dreadfully.
Thank you for everything. I hope you will be as happy as is Supernaturally possible.
I’ve always enjoyed your articles and I’ll certainly miss you.
I too, am an unconditional fan. I do not sit here with a stopwatch or a counter to see who got the most screen time or number of lines, frankly I find that mentality baffling and more than a little petty
.
I love both Sam and Dean/Jared and Jensen equally. They are Supernatural and without them the show does not exist.
I hope you can find the desire to come back, but in any case good luck and many thanks.
I’ve always enjoyed your articles and I’ll certainly miss you.
I too, am an unconditional fan. I do not sit here with a stopwatch or a counter to see who got the most screen time or number of lines, frankly I find that mentality baffling and more than a little petty
.
I love both Sam and Dean/Jared and Jensen equally. They are Supernatural and without them the show does not exist.
I hope you can find the desire to come back, but in any case good luck and many thanks.
I can’t tell you how sorry I am to hear you are not going to be writing for WFB any more. But I also want to say that I TOTALLY understand and share the position you find yourself in. I have been an ardent contributor to the online SPN fandom since I discovered the show 5 years ago. I love this show, but since early s8 my enthusiasm has been increasingly sapped by exactly the same issues with the fandom that you describe. Almost every post I read I find myself asking ‘are they watching the same show?’. So much anger on behalf of fictional characters, so much invested in fictional non canon ships, so much cynicism. People compare the show to a fantasy version they have in their mind, that often bears no resemblance to SPN, then express angry disappointment when the reality doesn’t deliver their never realistic expectations.
I find myself constantly defending the writers, the characters (most often Sam as the board I mainly post on is very pro Dean, anti Sam – although I live then both equally), the story etc etc when what I really want to do is discuss the show with people who actually like it!
And you are right that you can only be the lone (it feels like that sometimes) cheerleader for so long before the negativity, or expectation of it, starts to sap your own enjoyment.
I have thought about stepping back as you are doing, but I am too bloody minded to leave the debate even more skewed towards the denigrators.
In the spirit of full disclosure I should admit to being part of the problem myself in early s8. I couldn’t, and will never, get over what I still see as an appalling decision by the writers to have Sam not look for Dean. I was very vocal in my criticism at the time, and after Citizen Fang I almost gave up on the show completely. But that is only one short period of my viewing life and for the most part I am a huge and generally satisfied fan.
Good luck and I hope you keep popping to to say hello here and on the IMDB even if you no longer write for WFB.
I can’t tell you how sorry I am to hear you are not going to be writing for WFB any more. But I also want to say that I TOTALLY understand and share the position you find yourself in. I have been an ardent contributor to the online SPN fandom since I discovered the show 5 years ago. I love this show, but since early s8 my enthusiasm has been increasingly sapped by exactly the same issues with the fandom that you describe. Almost every post I read I find myself asking ‘are they watching the same show?’. So much anger on behalf of fictional characters, so much invested in fictional non canon ships, so much cynicism. People compare the show to a fantasy version they have in their mind, that often bears no resemblance to SPN, then express angry disappointment when the reality doesn’t deliver their never realistic expectations.
I find myself constantly defending the writers, the characters (most often Sam as the board I mainly post on is very pro Dean, anti Sam – although I live then both equally), the story etc etc when what I really want to do is discuss the show with people who actually like it!
And you are right that you can only be the lone (it feels like that sometimes) cheerleader for so long before the negativity, or expectation of it, starts to sap your own enjoyment.
I have thought about stepping back as you are doing, but I am too bloody minded to leave the debate even more skewed towards the denigrators.
In the spirit of full disclosure I should admit to being part of the problem myself in early s8. I couldn’t, and will never, get over what I still see as an appalling decision by the writers to have Sam not look for Dean. I was very vocal in my criticism at the time, and after Citizen Fang I almost gave up on the show completely. But that is only one short period of my viewing life and for the most part I am a huge and generally satisfied fan.
Good luck and I hope you keep popping to to say hello here and on the IMDB even if you no longer write for WFB.
Sometimes you have to step away from something to find that joy again. And there’s not a damn thing wrong with that. I hope others in the fandom in general can step back and just appreciate the show for what it is, not the nitpicky stuff that in the long run, doesn’t matter.
Appreciate this show while it’s here and while Jensen, Jared and crew allow us into their fictional world every Tuesday. Sit back and enjoy.
Beautiful letter, Alice. Enjoy your own personal bubble of SPN. And love love love this show always.
Sometimes you have to step away from something to find that joy again. And there’s not a damn thing wrong with that. I hope others in the fandom in general can step back and just appreciate the show for what it is, not the nitpicky stuff that in the long run, doesn’t matter.
Appreciate this show while it’s here and while Jensen, Jared and crew allow us into their fictional world every Tuesday. Sit back and enjoy.
Beautiful letter, Alice. Enjoy your own personal bubble of SPN. And love love love this show always.
Dear Sweetondean,
While I wholly respect your decision, I am saddened that you will no longer write for WFB. As you see, I am a complete and utter Dean fan (not to say I don’t love Sam, I do, just not in the same crazy obsessive way that I love Dean – and therefore Jensen) and have looked forward to reading your articles every time I visit this site.
Like you, I watch the show to find what I love and never, ever, dwell on the things I don’t love – because I too just want to be happy in my love for my possibly-non-perfect show. Whenever things would take a negative turn in the fandom, I turn to you to find an ally in feeling happy when others are so upset over what has happened on screen. I will no longer have that, but I shall be happy telling myself that “somewhere out there sweetondean is sharing this happiness with me”.
Good luck in your future endeavors. I hope you never, ever, let the negativity around you affect your zeal for Dean, for Jensen, for Supernatural, or anything else in your life. Thank you for being my SPN solace over the past seasons.
Dear Sweetondean,
While I wholly respect your decision, I am saddened that you will no longer write for WFB. As you see, I am a complete and utter Dean fan (not to say I don’t love Sam, I do, just not in the same crazy obsessive way that I love Dean – and therefore Jensen) and have looked forward to reading your articles every time I visit this site.
Like you, I watch the show to find what I love and never, ever, dwell on the things I don’t love – because I too just want to be happy in my love for my possibly-non-perfect show. Whenever things would take a negative turn in the fandom, I turn to you to find an ally in feeling happy when others are so upset over what has happened on screen. I will no longer have that, but I shall be happy telling myself that “somewhere out there sweetondean is sharing this happiness with me”.
Good luck in your future endeavors. I hope you never, ever, let the negativity around you affect your zeal for Dean, for Jensen, for Supernatural, or anything else in your life. Thank you for being my SPN solace over the past seasons.
While I will miss you and your enthusiasm deeply, I whole-heartedly agree that you need to do what is best for you. I thank you for all that you have contributed, and made me feel. I’ve managed to miss a lot of the negativity that others have talked about, but there was a period of time when some off-putting attitudes made me wonder if I was “wrong” to love everything about this show so unconditionally. Like, maybe I should be looking at it with a more critical eye. So I started to try that, because I thought that was what I “should” be doing. I didn’t like it though. It didn’t feel right. I nit-picked a few episodes in S8, but this show, these amazing actors, the miracle workers on the staff and crew, have brought me so much happiness all these years that I can’t even put into words, any little criticism I had, faded away. Like you, I’m happiest being in my own little bubble of Supernatural bliss. I will be an avid reader if you should ever come back, but in the meantime, I wish you all the best.
While I will miss you and your enthusiasm deeply, I whole-heartedly agree that you need to do what is best for you. I thank you for all that you have contributed, and made me feel. I’ve managed to miss a lot of the negativity that others have talked about, but there was a period of time when some off-putting attitudes made me wonder if I was “wrong” to love everything about this show so unconditionally. Like, maybe I should be looking at it with a more critical eye. So I started to try that, because I thought that was what I “should” be doing. I didn’t like it though. It didn’t feel right. I nit-picked a few episodes in S8, but this show, these amazing actors, the miracle workers on the staff and crew, have brought me so much happiness all these years that I can’t even put into words, any little criticism I had, faded away. Like you, I’m happiest being in my own little bubble of Supernatural bliss. I will be an avid reader if you should ever come back, but in the meantime, I wish you all the best.
I’ve always loved your writing! I know I am just echoing everything that has been said over and over, but it is true what they say about you; you’re awesome.
Although, I have not really been affected by any of this negative stuff that fans are doing (I stay a thousand miles away from most things fan related,) I can truly understand how people can ruin a beautiful thing. Some fans want the show to satisfy them and their expectations.
I love this show and its characters so much and I have found, in some bizarre way, almost irrational way, these fictional characters and this fictional story has deeply affecting me and my life and woven its way into who I am today. It’s been a sort of silent guide or mentor. How can something so “unreal” become so apart of me? I don’t know. I watch the show alone (except my little sis) – I keep my viewing experienced sheltered because it is a sacred to me. I find that the more I love, the deeper I love, the more vulnerable I am to negativity, and the deeper the pain, as well.
But then I found “sweetondean”. Your reviews and your articles and finally, I felt like I found a true kindred spirit, one who loves something for what it is, with is faults and weakness, loving it all the more because it is fragile and somehow so prefect. And you couldn’t be more right to just simply love; because love isn’t getting angry when you don’t get what you want or demanding something to fulfill your expectations. These boys, this family, this journey that we’ve taken with them, this crappy hand that fate dealt them has captivated us, shredded our hearts. They have made us laugh and cry and weep and they have encouraged us and inspired us.
Your magic ability put words to what I was feeling, and for that- thank you.
I respect your decision to stay in your supernatural bubble of happiness, while shedding tear.
You’ll be missed.
I’ve always loved your writing! I know I am just echoing everything that has been said over and over, but it is true what they say about you; you’re awesome.
Although, I have not really been affected by any of this negative stuff that fans are doing (I stay a thousand miles away from most things fan related,) I can truly understand how people can ruin a beautiful thing. Some fans want the show to satisfy them and their expectations.
I love this show and its characters so much and I have found, in some bizarre way, almost irrational way, these fictional characters and this fictional story has deeply affecting me and my life and woven its way into who I am today. It’s been a sort of silent guide or mentor. How can something so “unreal” become so apart of me? I don’t know. I watch the show alone (except my little sis) – I keep my viewing experienced sheltered because it is a sacred to me. I find that the more I love, the deeper I love, the more vulnerable I am to negativity, and the deeper the pain, as well.
But then I found “sweetondean”. Your reviews and your articles and finally, I felt like I found a true kindred spirit, one who loves something for what it is, with is faults and weakness, loving it all the more because it is fragile and somehow so prefect. And you couldn’t be more right to just simply love; because love isn’t getting angry when you don’t get what you want or demanding something to fulfill your expectations. These boys, this family, this journey that we’ve taken with them, this crappy hand that fate dealt them has captivated us, shredded our hearts. They have made us laugh and cry and weep and they have encouraged us and inspired us.
Your magic ability put words to what I was feeling, and for that- thank you.
I respect your decision to stay in your supernatural bubble of happiness, while shedding tear.
You’ll be missed.
Hi Amy,
This is probably a little late and you may not be seeing these but I thought I’d share. Sweetondean’s reviews were the first that I found that I could read and feel accepted in the fandom. I knew I could read your reviews and be secure that I wouldn’t be accused of watching my programme the wrong way. Sweetondean lead me to Winchester Family Business and Woman of Letters. Sweetondean lead me to my bible “Fangasm”. I just want you to know that your attempts at calming the waters were noticed and welcomed, and WFB and the fandom in general has become a lesser place without you here. I hope that you eventually find your way back to us, but in the meantime enjoy your show how it should be enjoyed. And that is simply how you want it to be, without anyone else telling you what you should or shouldn’t see. Until then I just wanted to let you know, you will be missed.
Hi Amy,
This is probably a little late and you may not be seeing these but I thought I’d share. Sweetondean’s reviews were the first that I found that I could read and feel accepted in the fandom. I knew I could read your reviews and be secure that I wouldn’t be accused of watching my programme the wrong way. Sweetondean lead me to Winchester Family Business and Woman of Letters. Sweetondean lead me to my bible “Fangasm”. I just want you to know that your attempts at calming the waters were noticed and welcomed, and WFB and the fandom in general has become a lesser place without you here. I hope that you eventually find your way back to us, but in the meantime enjoy your show how it should be enjoyed. And that is simply how you want it to be, without anyone else telling you what you should or shouldn’t see. Until then I just wanted to let you know, you will be missed.
I am a long time lurker but wanted to let you know how much I have enjoyed your reviews, articles, and your enthusiasm for the show. You have always been so positive and part of that enthusiasm is why I continue with the show. I admit earlier in S9 I was getting fed up with the nastiness, and fighting at other places and was thinking about stepping back from the fandom and possibly the show, though that was a last resort.
But the fact that you wrote a special article about being positive and why you still loved the show helped me and so I have stayed. I understand why you have had to take a break and if you decide that you can’t come back, we will all understand. But I hope that you will come back (selfishly) because you and all the other writers here bring SPN to life and you all see things that I don’t and it opens up the show in a way that I would never see. I thank you and the other writers for doing what you do, I can’t write like that and never will. I appreciate the articles reviews, and everything else that the WFB has here, thank you for everything you and all the writers here for the hard work.
I am a long time lurker but wanted to let you know how much I have enjoyed your reviews, articles, and your enthusiasm for the show. You have always been so positive and part of that enthusiasm is why I continue with the show. I admit earlier in S9 I was getting fed up with the nastiness, and fighting at other places and was thinking about stepping back from the fandom and possibly the show, though that was a last resort.
But the fact that you wrote a special article about being positive and why you still loved the show helped me and so I have stayed. I understand why you have had to take a break and if you decide that you can’t come back, we will all understand. But I hope that you will come back (selfishly) because you and all the other writers here bring SPN to life and you all see things that I don’t and it opens up the show in a way that I would never see. I thank you and the other writers for doing what you do, I can’t write like that and never will. I appreciate the articles reviews, and everything else that the WFB has here, thank you for everything you and all the writers here for the hard work.
[quote name=”SPNfreak4Life”][quote name=”MelissaLynn”] SPNfreak4life, is your Twitter handle the same? I always enjoy chatting with other SPN fans.[/quote]
Yep, it is. Feel free to say Hi anytime, would love to chat with you! ????[/quote]
I just added you on there. Sorry it took so long! My username there is NewEnglandGirl6 and my profile pic is my dog. I hate most pictures of me, lol.
[quote][quote] SPNfreak4life, is your Twitter handle the same? I always enjoy chatting with other SPN fans.[/quote]
Yep, it is. Feel free to say Hi anytime, would love to chat with you! ????[/quote]
I just added you on there. Sorry it took so long! My username there is NewEnglandGirl6 and my profile pic is my dog. I hate most pictures of me, lol.
Oh, Amy! I logged in to WFP to see your (and others) recaps/reactions to last night’s episode. I’ve been offline for more than a month, so I just read that you are leaving the site. I am so sorry to see you leave WFB, but I totally understand how you were feeling. I’m a huge fan of your posts, recaps, etc., and I wanted you to know that you’ll be hugely missed by me. Good luck, and I hope things re:SPN get better.
Oh, Amy! I logged in to WFP to see your (and others) recaps/reactions to last night’s episode. I’ve been offline for more than a month, so I just read that you are leaving the site. I am so sorry to see you leave WFB, but I totally understand how you were feeling. I’m a huge fan of your posts, recaps, etc., and I wanted you to know that you’ll be hugely missed by me. Good luck, and I hope things re:SPN get better.
[quote]I allowed other people’s opinions to colour my experience in both watching the show and in engaging in conversation about the show.[/quote]
Yes, we can see you did from your circle of friends on Twitter, who number among them some of the most repellent people in this fandom, like Kelios, Kyline, and ilovemycaptain. I see you’ve now come out on there as a Cas hater – no doubt you’ll soon be tweeting the same vile rumours they spread about Jensen and Jared and their marriages? Or joining in with the Misha hate? You concealed it well on here, but I suppose nothing is stopping you expressing it now.