I have a real treat to share today! Let’s face it, at the Supernatural conventions, there are mostly women there. Hormonally super-charged fan girls that squeal at the mere sight of “their boys.” I’m not criticizing or saying that’s bad, that’s just what it is.
Randal, in his first submission, sent me this fantastic essay on why our favorite show appeals to men too. It’s a cleverly written analysis that makes us wonder how many guy fans actually lurk out there in the shadows. More than we think based on what’s said here. So, for all you lurking guy fans out there, this is for you. It’s alright to love this show. As for women, it never hurts to see the male perspective. After all, men are fans too. Happy reading!
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It’s A (Wo)Man’s World
Supernatural is a show for chicks.
Harboring doubts? Check online, ask off.
I’m a dude. So why do I religiously watch?
Have I been emasculated? Have I misinterpreted Jungian readings of a masculine psychological type? Am I merely getting in touch with my feminine side? Does my sometimes-better-half keep me under lock and key? No, but I’m sure she would love to do that to the older Winchester brother as I’ve heard more than once, thanks for the ego slam, dear. My argument, if there is one to be found amidst this incoherent rambling, is that Supernatural is a show not just for women, nor men, but human beings.
Oh relax, I’m not going to plaster your precious screen with touchy-feely new-ageisms or some half-cocked postmodern, post-gender societal post better left propping up ivory towers burned out on the latest deconstructionist permutation; as I type, I’m listening to Reign In Blood which is quite apocalyptic, hint, hint, Kripke. But what I am going to proffer is hard proof (read: anecdotal evidence observed by one man in a sea of millions) that at the show’s core, once you strip away the familiar yet alluring, *very American male* ornamentation of horror, geekdom, rock music and Γ’β¬Λguy stuff,Γ’β¬β’ lies a purity that can touch anyone with a working circulatory system.
The initial stimulus for this essay was the promo for The Real Ghostbusters that showed Chuck addressing the audience at a Supernatural convention. As we now know, this audience is populated mostly by XY chromosomal types nattily dressed in the threads of their favorite characters. I assume there was at least a modicum of discussion on certain other show forums about fourth walls further tumbling down like it was 1989, feminist interpretations of this, that and the other doodad. Was that bastard Kripke casting aspersions, all with a maniacal laugh, at the majority of his fans by viewing their absurdity through the lens of the opposite sex, known for *their*own special brand of absurdity when it comes to their favorite stuff? This may or may not be a kind of Spanish Inquisition, insert your own Monty Python joke here, but let’s start with the source.
These arenΓ’β¬β’t the fans youΓ’β¬β’re looking for
Eric Kripke is in his mid-30s and from a rust belt town in Ohio. I am in my mid-30s and from a rust belt town in Ohio. He enjoys, among other things, spooky tales and classic rock, as do I. My point is that, aside from the minor difference of him being an extroverted and successful producer of the best show on television and me being an introverted and severely underpaid (ahem, bosses) library employee, we presumably have shared much of the same zeitgeist. If Supernatural was nothing but a series of books or comics or graphic novels, I can all but guarantee, even with the occasional scene of crying men Γ’β¬β Batman cried when Robin croaked, right? Γ’β¬β that it would be, at worst, a cult hit among these same geeks that scarfed up issue after issue of
Sandman or
Hellblazer.
Staying in this milieu, forget for a moment Dean’s classic good looks and suave abilities with the fairer sex: he’s one of us. DonΓ’β¬β’t believe me? Check out easy rapport with Ronald Reznick and that T2 grin, for starters. What about his affinity for Andy GallagherΓ’β¬β’s decidedly uncommon aesthetic choices? How often have Star Wars and Star Trek been referenced, politicians from planet Vulcan and looked-for droids? A trip to the Experience, with a side, er, trek, to the Bunny Ranch, was at least in the pre-apocalypse announcement stage. The man is a geek and his brother isnΓ’β¬β’t far behind. Magic, anyone? Urban legends arenΓ’β¬β’t the only cultural touchstones to be found in the show, Brockway, Ogdenville and North Haverbrook. Γ’β¬ΕWere you sent here by the devil?Γ’β¬Β No, heΓ’β¬β’s actually here now, Grampa.
Fill that bucket with blood, my good man
Screaming bloody gore is another staple of guydom, and Supernatural has its fair share, from the bleeding eyeballs in Bloody Mary to melted-out ones in Lazarus Rising, hungry ghouls and poor, *really* hungry Jack Montgomery, skin-shedding shapeshifters, chopped up digits, inbred murderers, SamΓ’β¬β’s magnificently crimson, and quite inventive I might add, decapitation of Gordon Walker (that really was spectacular, wasnΓ’β¬β’t it?), AzazelΓ’β¬β’s butchered nuns, so bring on those cataracts of red, I say, with gusto.
But, as with everything else, thereΓ’β¬β’s more to the blood than gratuitous carnage, as we saw in season four with SamΓ’β¬β’s dalliance with the diabolical Ruby. Blood is life? Bien sΓΒ»r, just check out season fiveΓ’β¬β’s title screen saying it all: what courses in our veins is nothing less than the world: good and evil and everything in between, destiny, fate, wyrd.
Choice.
Now thatΓ’β¬β’s bloody brilliant.
Well, turn it up, man!
No one remembers the K-Tel Freedom Rock commercial?
AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Foreigner, Kansas, Ted Nugent, these are radio staples; hell, the FCC levies fines for *not* playing these bands. I’m not a motorhead, but even I can appreciate the extreme coolness of a black 1967 Chevy Impala barreling Γ’β¬Λround the corner, loud riffs heralding its arrival. Speaking of MotΓΒΆrhead, in Curious Case, no Ace of Spades? When you’re born to lose, who wants to live forever? C’mon! On the other hand, watch Freebird the Movie, check out footage of the 1974 California Jam, or simply attend one of the young personΓ’β¬β’s rock and/or roll concerts in your town. Few things transcend bullshit gender norms like the universal language. Forgetting the classic rock for a moment, Changing Channels provided an interesting case study in the effect of music.
Since IΓ’β¬β’m presumably speaking for my entire gender here, I will say that we (are supposed to) hate the blackmailing of our emotions. Few things IΓ’β¬β’ve heard have been more maudlin, syrupy and downright manipulative than the background measures in the Dr. Sexy MD segment, which is why I simultaneously laughed and cringed. One of the beautiful things about Supernatural is when a heavy, emotional dialogue is upon us, the music *always* takes a back seat, or, when thereΓ’β¬β’s verbal silence, compliments the scene, such as the sad, childlike notes layered over dark chords in Something Wicked or Folsom Prison BluesΓ’β¬β’ effective fadeout over Alice In ChainsΓ’β¬β’ Rooster. IΓ’β¬β’m not a fan of Styx, but even I can tell you that the end of Nightshifter was pure perfection, unthinkable without that song.
When you have leads as skilled with facial expressions and letting the tears flow all while delivering lines with conviction as Jensen and Jared are, you donΓ’β¬β’t need Diane WarrenΓ’β¬β’s Greatest Hits Γ’β¬ΛenhancingΓ’β¬β’ the moment. Though Kripke, feel free to add some classical, I hear FaurΓΒ©, being a wee bit dead, can get you his piano quintet in D minor on the cheap. Plus I enjoy having my emotions manipulated.
Guys will be you know what
IΓ’β¬β’ve already mentioned the slick wheels, but thereΓ’β¬β’s plenty of other Γ’β¬Λguy stuffΓ’β¬β’ that will be comfortably familiar to most American males. Supernatural is, quite often, an action show. Thank you, Captain Obvious. There are fisticuffs aplenty, Ben EdlundΓ’β¬β’s oddball humor, John Carpenter-esque yarns like Croatoan and Jus In Bello, ladies to fight (the monsters) over (though Casey the bartender was one fine-looking monster; always good to have drooling revenge on the spouse, muahahaha, etc.) and the fact that the guns fire rock salt means nothing. A trigger is being pulled and something is getting knocked on its ass or vanishing completely. Speaking of vanishing, equilibrium did more than once in Bad Day at Black Rock. Go on, find a guy who doesnΓ’β¬β’t love physical comedy ΓΒ la The Three Stooges, I dare you. And letΓ’β¬β’s not forget the sibling antagonism of Hell House (action figures in their original packaging!) and Tall Tales, the numerous porn references, SamΓ’β¬β’s gross out speech in Time Is On My Side and, yes, the brotherly concern shown in virtually every episode, and seen in flashback more than once. I donΓ’β¬β’t have a brother, but much of this can apply to my sister, whom I still love despite her being a Republican.
Star Trek, blood nΓ’β¬β’ guts nΓ’β¬β’ guns, power chords, joy buzzing your brother and drinking probably-not-German beer while ogling the bar wench, brotherly tit-for-tat, Supernatural has these things in spades, clubs, diamonds and hearts. And at last, we hit on the reason for the telling of my tale.
The crying game
In America, is it not a maxim that the only time grown men are permitted to cry is when their sports teams win a championship (being from Cleveland, I have to take that on faith) and at the end of Brian’s Song or Hoosiers? Because, you know, theyΓ’β¬β’re sports flicks, and since they are, itΓ’β¬β’s okay to be Γ’β¬Λeffeminate,Γ’β¬β’ a supposed state of being that Supernatural plays with on not just a literal, visceral level, but a meta one as well.
Bugs, Playthings, A Very Supernatural Christmas and Lazarus Rising all feature the boys being mistaken for, shall we say, intimate companions. On one hand, one could say these scenes were simply done for a cheap laugh, but on the other, I believe itΓ’β¬β’s also a subtle stab at societyΓ’β¬β’s expectations of the masculine, the gender opposite of the meta that weΓ’β¬β’ll be seeing in this weekΓ’β¬β’s episode, for Dean, being comfortable in his manhood, plays along more than once or nonverbally acknowledges his understanding of why such a viewpoint existed.
The brothers (and, to be fair, Bobby and their father), unlike most male television characters, donΓ’β¬β’t see emotion as a weakness or something best avoided, regardless of their often traditional male behavior. I understand that that is a blanket generalization and that things have improved in the last few decades as it has for women in traditionally male roles (tell me that Ellen Ripley didnΓ’β¬β’t kick all kinds of ass and IΓ’β¬β’ll ask you what illegal substances youΓ’β¬β’re on), but the crucial difference here is that emotion rooted in a deep-seated humanity isnΓ’β¬β’t an affectation, isnΓ’β¬β’t placed to serve the story, itΓ’β¬β’s genuine. It is the story.
Shadow isnΓ’β¬β’t about ancient Persian demons, nefarious plans and ritual slaughter, but family, the ties that bind and that are, no matter what obstacles are thrown in the road, no matter how much may be lost on the journey (sorry for the theft, Mr. Hunter), unbreakable.
All Hell Breaks Loose isnΓ’β¬β’t about psychic kids and demon armies, magical weapons and gates to the pit, but how far someone will go for their loved ones, what path they will choose, the consequences be damned, and subsequently dealing with them (in this case, yes, damnation.)
ItΓ’β¬β’s the Great Pumpkin, Sam Winchester isnΓ’β¬β’t about summoning a Celtic demon and his spellcasting lackeys, angels being righteous dickheads, breaking seals or astronauts. ItΓ’β¬β’s about those choices again, Sam precariously straddling that line, DeanΓ’β¬β’s refusal to give in only to wonder if this is the beginning of his brotherΓ’β¬β’s end, every thread over four years culminating in his very human plea to Castiel in the season finale: Γ’β¬Εif thereΓ’β¬β’s anything worth dying for, this is it.Γ’β¬Β
I could choose from a million further examples, but you know them all and IΓ’β¬β’m afraid IΓ’β¬β’ve already bored you to tears. Plus, if I start talking about the end of Heart, I might begin manufacturing my own right now and I really have to finish this. Sera Gamble, you are a truly awful person.
So does all of this mean that Supernatural is ostensibly a guy show that girls only watch for the hunky dudes ruining all that blood and guts by blubbering like women, and that guys donΓ’β¬β’t watch because thereΓ’β¬β’s a Neanderthal basketball doubleheader on TNT hang on I have to beat my chest crying is for wimps ooga ooga? The human condition ainΓ’β¬β’t that black and white, my friends. Our favorite program isnΓ’β¬β’t a show about monsters with the necessary evil of people on the side, but a show about the stuff that really matters to all six billion of us and, just like real life, that stuff isnΓ’β¬β’t always pretty or about baking us an apple pie. The monsters, and us, female and male, are merely along for the ride.
Guys, youΓ’β¬β’re missing out.
Great article, Randal!
As a female viewer, it’s great to get the male perspective on the show. I do know a few other men who watch, and I think they would agree with you completely about why they like it.
And as a fellow Clevelander, I sympathize with you about our lack of sports titles! Don’t even get me started on the Browns…
That’s a seriously good article. Thanks for writing, Randal.
I definitely put Supernatural in the same category of programme (and same quality of programme) as the original 3 seasons of Star Trek, looking at us humans through the lens of the supernatural rather than space. I have hopes Supernatural will turn into a popular classic in the same way. You chaps watch Star Trek, don’t you?
Hey, Randal.
Hm… What can I say, you did a really great job π
I’m very glad you gave us a male perspective on our Show and it was all good.
You gave me some clever thinky thoughts about this and I gotta agree, the “Why do they think we’re gay?” bit is kinda spot on. Even though I sometimes consider myself a little on the feminist side, I can’t shun away from the thought that there are more “certain behaviour” expected from men (in my opinion) than from women. At least that’s the official take on it, with the whole men don’t share their feelings -attitude in the world, the so-called “norms”, what your supposed to act like as a man and as a woman. I’m glad that this thinking is getting cast aside (even though it might take awile) or at least evolving, and while I think the “rules” have changed more for women, it’s still progress.
I also agree that the Shows story is for everyone, there is something very intriguing about the fact that this is a ficional story with fictional characters and set in a fictional world, yet it still manages to move people, to affect them more than some boring hospital drama which could happen. I find it fascinating that I care about these characters so much even though they battle with the problems of, “My mom was killed by a demon” or “I’m drinking demon blood and accidentally released Lucifer from hell” which, if I ever tried to explain to a friend, she would laugh her ass of, ’cause it doesn’t sound very real now does it? π But still, that’s not really the point. If the characters feel real and ‘are’ real then it doens’t matter in what crazy (tv-land/ an alternate universe/ a trip to the future) enviroment they are running around in. It’s about choices we make, it’s about concequences, it’s about living your life and it’s about family. And that is real. And I agree again, people are missing out.
But, I just wanted to let you know that I really liked your article and your insight. I hope you keep posting your thoughts, I didin’t find this boring at all. And I hope other men come along too. Come on, we don’t bite, hard π
Randal,
what a great mind Γ’β¬β thanks so much fort his fabulous piece!
You got me with everything you say here. This is, what this show is about Γ’β¬β family, human condition and dealing with it, the choices we have to make in everyday life; now, most of us donΓ’β¬β’t have to even contemplate the idea of possibly selling our souls or drink blood to hulk up, but I have had some difficult choices in my life and some have been forced upon me (aaah, destiny again), and, IΓ’β¬β’m sure, many of us have made this experience one way or another. This show wonderfully illustrates the human struggle with life events you didnΓ’β¬β’t ask for, and it is done in a moving, honest, deeply human manner, with all our flaws, hubris, fears, stubbornness, etc.
IΓ’β¬β’m a woman, and I love to be. One part of my fascination with the show are the stunning leads, I need to admit. But pretty faces have never hooked me to a show. Were they the only assets this show has, I would have moved on very soon to something else. This show is such a stirring combo, and its stories move me on many more levels than I believed possible. So, I canΓ’β¬β’t miss one single episodeΓ’β¬Β¦
You touch on those typical clichΓΒ©s about men Γ’β¬β you know the whole men-do-not-cry nonsense, etc. I think with the sometimes militant feminist viewpoints established over the past twenty to thirty years (and IΓ’β¬β’m too young to have really been there from the very beginning, but there are books, of course) and the inconclusive definitions of what is male or female today or how-to-be-the-perfect-21stcentury-male/female natural gender differences have become mixed up and both genders probably donΓ’β¬β’t have Γ’β¬ΛclassicΓ’β¬β’ roles anymore.
Do there really need to be? Supernatural wonderfully transcends clichΓΒ©s of that nature. The guys cry when they need toΓ’β¬Β¦ emotional agony is not a womanΓ’β¬β’s prerogative. Unfortunately every one of us experiences that in one way or the other. ItΓ’β¬β’s how we deal with it that matters. To watch the Winchesters deal with their impossible lives is probably one of the biggest attractions of the show.
IΓ’β¬β’m not American, but IΓ’β¬β’m in love with one, and IΓ’β¬β’ve come to love the quirks that come with Γ’β¬Λthe American maleΓ’β¬β’, though I hate to put it that wayΓ’β¬Β¦ would be a clichΓΒ© again, and IΓ’β¬β’m not a fan of clichΓΒ©s. ItΓ’β¬β’s too narrow for my taste. Supernatural plays with those clichΓΒ©s, and yet manages to appeal to a worldwide audience, not only an American one. I donΓ’β¬β’t know whether it was your intention to touch on that, but I think youΓ’β¬β’ve done it, too Γ’β¬β transcending the clichΓΒ©, and I love that.
Thank you for a most fascinating and elaborate article. Would you mind writing more?
Best wishes, Jas
You it got right man.Being a man who watches this show I know I really understand where your coming from. This show is about family. Pretty much nothing else but family and that speaks to men and women. Thank you for the article its really hard if not impossible to find a guy opinion on supernatural on the internet.I hope you continue to write. It be nice to get a guy opinion once in a while.
Hi Randal
ItΓ’β¬β’s a great article.
YouΓ’β¬β’ve hit the nail on the head about real focus of this show is family and life, and how real the characters are to relate to.
I believe thatΓ’β¬β’s why so many of us have been absorbed by this show and not by any other.
I do know some men at work that watch this show.
They originally started watching for the guns, the gore and the motw.
But now IΓ’β¬β’m finding the conversations have turned to more about the impact and the behaviour of the characters. ItΓ’β¬β’s no longer just about the weapons used or the gross scene.
I think there is a lot of men that watch this show, they just donΓ’β¬β’t do the Γ’β¬ΛNetΓ’β¬β’ or Γ’β¬β’WebsiteΓ’β¬β’ part of it. The men I know simply watch for their own enjoyment and are not interested in anything further.
As for my husband, I canΓ’β¬β’t get him to watch it at all. Not that he thinks itΓ’β¬β’s a chick show, he just seems to have lost interest in television itself.
However I do threaten him every once in awhile that one day heΓ’β¬β’s going to have to sit and watch at lease the Γ’β¬ΛPilotΓ’β¬β’ with me. After all I am an optimist, I can believe.
I mean hell could free over right????
Randal,
Excellent article! I echo other sentiments that express their hope that you will write often…this was excellent.
The one point that reall stuck out to me — mostly because I simply hadn’t ever thought of it that way before — is your point that due to Dean’s comfort in his own masculinity he is willing to play along with the whole gay thing most of the time. Looking back on it I realize he does play right along with it most of the time and enjoys the ribbing of Sam when he does. That is the mark of someone who knows who he is…of course, we already knew Dean knew who he is/was for he said it in Skin (well, Shapeshifter/Dean said it…I know I’m a freak.”
Great article. Thanks for sharing and no, you didn’t bore me to tears and I agree (with all the affection I know you intended) Sera Gamble..you are a horrible person.
First, thanks to Alice for giving me the opportunity to toss this up there, joining the rest of the great writers here. Second, thanks for all the kind words, everyone. Third, thanks for those who hated it but keep their piehole shut. π
Ardeospina, if you’re a guy, and I realize there’s a blanket assumption that comes with any label – hell, I love sad poems, dammit – but there’s so much classically ‘dude’ stuff in the show to dig. Plus, it’s okay to feel and cry, it really is. We’re Browns fans, so we know, right?
Faellie, thanks and – of – course – we – watch – Startrek. That was my bad Kirk impression. And that’s one of the primary reasons I love the show, that it shows a humanity, but it’s not preachy or cheap. I’m a cynic, but it’s the one hour a week where I think I actually have faith in our species.
Supernarttu, thanks, and I’m not sure if we more expectations than you guys – hey, if the French can use la for a man’s shirt, I can use guy as a universal, right? – just different ones. A man shows strength of any sort, mental, physical, in the face of adversity, fighting back, and he’s aggressive. A woman is a bitch. There *are* differences between the sexes, duh, but at the end of the day, how much of that is from societal expectations formed over thousands of years of evolving civilization, and I’m seriously getting off topic. π
And hell, Star Trek wasn’t real, but as long as the characters are real, and support the world’s internal consistency, it doesn’t matter if there are lightsabers or phasers or yellow-eyed demons.
Jasminka, I’ll gladly admit that one of the reasons, though not the primary one (the storyline!), I watched The X-Files because of my adolescent crush on Gillian Anderson. Nothing wrong with that, but the stories are what keep us coming back, otherwise, we’re shuffling off to soulless shows that are nothing but attractive people. Yawn.
You hit on what makes Supernatural great and what I love about the writers is that they never attack norms in a heavy-handed way. Dean and Sam are still American guys, but it’s the chipping away at this and that. And I know they’ve gotten crap for having not the strongest female characters (seriously, bring Sarah Blake back, a babe who’s brave AND likes art? Yowza), but I think of their mother, and even Ruby, for if she had been a man, we’d be applauding such brilliant subterfuge. ClichΓΒ©s, sadly, often rule the day, but thankfully, not so much here.
Clarice, believe me, I’ve tried to convince my fellow dudes about the greatness of the show, but apparently my street cred from watching horror movies for decades means nothing. It’s possible to be affected by Halloween, Conan the Barbarian (I know my fellow dudes were bummed when Valeria died, don’t lie) and Before Sunrise in equal amounts.
Random, thanks, and I’m glad to see I’m not alone. It’s a phenomenal show, period, and I’m shocked that more of us don’t watch. Forget that it’s on the same channel as Gossip Girl, you won’t get cooties.
Karen, that’s great to hear and it shows that the heart of the show can break through any bullshit macho exterior.
You might be right about the online fandom thing. I would wager that if you went to a Star Trek board, the majority would be men. It’s oddly fascinating how such gender breakdowns occur. I know women who watch sci-fi, but like the men here, they probably wouldn’t log on to talk about it.
And don’t give up, play the Pilot over and over!
elle2, thanks and I’ve always thought that part of Dean’s personality intriguing simply because, on the surface, he comes across as such a man’s man. Faellie’s great article about Dean being a feminist kind of ties in with this. I think of in 3.5 when he tells Sam “could you be more gay,” which comes across as a cheap homophobic joke. But then there’s the banter between he and Henriksen in 3.12, “you kinky sonofabitch, we don’t swing that way.” One CAN always over- and re- and even re-re- interpret such a thing, but at the end of the day, like you said, he knows he’s a freak, he knows who he is, about what’s in front of him, not any peripheral bullshit.
Yes, my jab was with affection. π
Great article Randal!
I’d almost given up on reading something about Supernatural written by a man, and I’ve got to say you’ve exceed my expectations! Hope you writing some more about our beloved show and that you share it with us.
As for the other guys around, please share you’re thoughts with us girls, we promise not to byte π
Oh, so you know my brother watches and likes Supernatural, in fact if it wasn’t for him I probably wouldn’t saw the Pilot (let’s just say about it that the tv stations around here think that pilot episodes don’t count as an episode and most of the time don’t air it, ya I know π― )
Great article Randal. Thanks so much for sharing. I too have been hoping for a male perspective article (and not one generated on Buddy TV) as I have never thought of Supernatural being a gender specific show.
I also never thought that anyone would watch, or not watch, a show because of what network it aired on. But perhaps that’s just my perspective as a Canadian – so much of our TV viewing comes from somewhere else…..
I must say that I totally agree with you. If SuperN was a grapic novel or comic book the conventions would be mostly guys.
So I’ll add my 2cents – I too would like to see more articles from you.
Nice one Randal … absolutely on the right track about Motorhead too, Orgasmatron was written for this! ( OK, it wasn’t but it should have been … )
Dead right about Conan and Valeria,too, Sean gets seriously sniffy when she appears at the end in all the sparkles … mind you, he is a bit of a big girl’s blouse and goes quietly gulpy at the begining of the Lion King …
Randal, what a fascinating article. So interesting to read a man’s perspective of this great show. Please, more articles from you. We are so lucky here to have such thinky articles from Alice, Elle2, Elle, Jasminka and now you.
I truly believe that the reason I love this show so much is because of the family theme it is built around. The 2 Js are such damn good actors that they completely sell it to me. I laugh with them and cry with them and love the both of them dearly. John and Mary’s story are integral to that and add in the extended family of Bobby (don’t end with blood, boy) Singer, and now perhaps Cas as well. Dean and Sam sell the brother bit so well. The teasing, embarrassing, arguing and grossing out that brothers subject each other to and revel in it.
Jensen and Jared have such chemistry that the Winchester brothers are completely real and believable.
I too am a fan of the original Star Trek. There too it was the relationships between Kirk, Spock and McCoy that made me a fan. Started to watch it because it was an outer space show and stayed to love it because of the characters and the paralells to the issues of the real world at the time. Same with Supernatural. Started to watch because I was a horror fan (not the slash/flick ones) and stayed for the characters and their family relationship. (not to mention the awesome acting that we see every week from the leads and the guest stars together).
Don’t want to write a book here, but I hope you won’t be a stranger and do contribute more articles to the site.
Like your wife, I too would like to lock up the older Winchester brother. LOL
Dany, thanks, but I’d have to think about a good topic, suggestions are welcome! We already have more than one great reviewer here, so I guess I’ll have to go the expected route. Didn’t some cable channel used to have a promo ‘Guys For Guys Who Like Movies?’ Which makes no sense because I don’t know too many people of either gender who don’t like film.
Um, what station wouldn’t air a pilot? Really?
Tigershire, Canada? I thought only hockey goons and SCTV alums lived up there. π
The whole book/comic vs. show angle is what bugs me, but not in a set-things-on-fire or demand-a-sequel-to-Bugs kind of way. To me, it’s unfathomable for someone, if they are predisposed to action/horror/good tv, to NOT be into this show.
Suze, I can understand Kripke & Co. not having the budget for Metallica, but I doubt Lemmy would mind. Hell, the dude snarkily titled an album Overnight Sensation.
I’d laugh about the Lion King, but then I remembered I’m a wreck every time I watch Immortal Beloved.
Bevie, thanks, I’ll try to come up with *something*, but the rest of the gang here is so good and who really wants to read yet another top ten of anything.
And you’re exactly right, they sell it, it’s completely believable, otherwise we wouldn’t be moved. Hell, I *love* The X-Files and, yes, there are fewer emotional moments there than on here, but I was rarely moved by the storyline in the way I am here. It’s sounds so simple, but I think it’s because both Jensen and Jared are so ridiculously good at emoting with their faces. Everyone does that in real life, but you rarely see that on the tube, it’s all stoically staring off in the distance, like you’re making some grandiose, existential statement. Gimme a break.
I think the line for any lockups would stretch around the block about 500 times with you ladies. π
Randal…this is one hell of an article! Yes, the show has all the action, adventure, and gun packing scenes ALL men like. Look at that TRUNK!! What male wouldnΓ’β¬β’t like that! In all honesty, I think they do. Just feel uncomfortable admitting they are interested in a show for 18-49 year old females.
Thanks for writing and sharing your POV. I find it very refreshing!
I know there are male fans out there and I met most of them at Comic Con. I had a really surreal experience while in the Chuck press room. I’m at a media table with mostly men and they see I’m representing “The Winchester Family Business.” They also saw me get excited about interviewing Robert Duncan McNeil in regards to “Skin.” So, we get a Supernatural conversation going. What was really funny is that these men were actually offended by the show’s harsh treatment of women! The words “skank” and “bitch” thrown around all the time. One thought the way they gored Ruby was especially demeaning. My answer to that one? “The bitch deserved it.” π
Still, it did open my eyes to the amount of men who do watch this show. Thanks so much Randal for offering to be a voice in the wilderness even though your really aren’t alone.
Hey Randal! it’s great to hear lot’s on opinions on the show and honestly it is great to hear a mans opinion so much of what is out there is from women (i’m not complaining, it’s just a nice change).
But you’re right it’s a show about brothers about them and their story. And what makes the show great is the development and those little beats that sell the boys as brothers. Yes there are ghosts, ghouls demons and angels but at it’s heart are the relationships and those are what we relate to – a pair of siblings who let secrets and their ‘demons’ tear them apart, who’s love/bond lets them come back together and fight to rebuild their relationship stronger than before, yeah i can relate.
Plus i can’t resist a bit of humour along with my sci-fi and boys blowing/shooting s*** up.
What’s wrong with hockey???
You have no idea how much I squee’d when the Red Bull soap box race photos came out and the boys were wearing Canucks jerseys. Hee!
Ahem, sorry. Hormones back under control. What were we talking about?
Are you kidding? I love hockey! I was quite bummed when those bastards at ESPN said au revoir. At least we have Versus now.
Ooh, Sam and Dean and a haunted hockey game – Dean gets to drive the Zamboni!!!
*Hopeless lurker*
Anyway, one, any time Supernatural wants to do a hockey episode is more than fine by me. Randal, it’s bad enough that ESPN did away with it, but due to a station hissy fight I don’t even get Versus where I live anymore so some games aren’t aired period. π
Now that that’s been said, thanks for writing this insightful and entertainingly thoughtful article! My brother watches SPN so I hear his opinions from time-to-time but it’s nice to hear someone else’s too (since, well, everyone does have different opinions after all π ).
great to find a guys opnion here!! Loved your article!