I am thankful that "Lost" will be over soon, so that I won't have to hear about it any more. I am thankful to be someone that someone is thankful for! And I am thankful that PRG is here, a place where we can dither and obsess, and then obsess some more!

Happy Turkey Day!

Sylvia

Yeah, I've been calling him that for a while, ever since the first time he showed up; on of my favorite soaps is Kirk's Original Coca Castile soap, and the spelling is awfully close...

And angels being able to do things outside the fire? Still seems retcon to me, I mean, why put them in one at all if they can just get out? It seems that sometimes the traps work (circle of fire, or the devil's trap) or sometimes they don't, depending on the needs of the plot - which throws me. I remember Raphael doing that, but I don't remember Gabe saving Castiel.....

And about the satellite, I think we are saying the same thing....Sam acts as Dean's satellite, until he's got nothing orbit around, and then he makes his own orbit. I should have added that, because you are right. I think I've said this in other reviews, that when Sam's alone, without Dean, he rises to the occasion.

Exclusive club? What exclusive club? If I belong to any exclusive club, I've never gotten a membership card....

Or do you mean all my peeps that I won't peach on, and the fact that we have a sanctum sanctorum? All my peeps are everyone in fandom, whether I've met them or not, and whether or not I've attended a fan-based convention with them. They are the collective fannish clan, it's everyone in Fandomville town. It's like being "brothers of the road" except without the motorcycle ride to Sturgis. It's about being a fan by respecting other fans and their privacy.

And the convention I spoke of? It's not just one convention, it's all fan-based conventions. These fan-based conventions are "ours" collectively, a private place (or many private places) where we can meet and talk about our shared passions and be ourselves, and there's lots of them for all kinds of fandoms. I'd rather stand in line for hours for autographs I'd have no use for (pure torture!) than to write about my peeps at a fan-based convention.

Robin, I had no idea that other fans didn't like the ep, or if they did; I don't read other reviews until I write mine, just to keep it clean - I prefer to write on a blank slate. But I can see why they didn't like it, depending on how they viewed the idea of the boys at a convention. I mean, it's a convention about Chuck and his books, which Sam and Dean happen to be in, and nobody believes it's them, and they all think it's a game. Which is a clever way to hide the truth and what makes this way of doing it so very appealing. If Show had gone and had the fans start chasing after Sam and Dean, well, then it would have gotten silly!

I'm really glad that you liked that paragraph, in particular, I thought that was what the whole ep was about. At least for me, other people's mileage might vary. And I've always thought that about fandom, and Show might not be talking about that at all, but about halfway through writing this review I came upon the idea of what the Faux Dean was saying - what I've been saying all along (at least to myself) that there are some actors, I think, who don't get it, who don't understand how powerful fandom can be.

Whether or not you Larp or Cosplay or even own a leather jacket, or sneakers like Starsky had, even if you own not even a single trinket nor picture, there's a lot of weight behind our love and passion for a particular show, be it SPN or Rat Patrol. A fan finds, and then connects, and then grows. Fandom changes you, forever, and even if you leave it, you cannot turn your back on it. Anyway....the boys are cute, and the actors' hearts are in the right place for going to conventions and giving fans a little bit of their time. I'm glad you had a good time, and got to wear your shirt! And they signed it!!! Whoot, whoot! Those are some damn fine memories, woman!

About the cons...I've been to actor-based cons, and I've worked actor-based cons, so I know what it feels like from both ends of the spectrum. So I'm not knocking either type of con, just trying to clarify the different types and what made them work for me or not. I've been the, I don't know what you'd call it, the food and drink getter, or the "standing behind to make sure over eager fans jump on anyone for a hug when the actor's not ready" or whatever, and I've seen how anxious fans can get, or how demanding, or how worked up, or how shy, and how that affects the actors. I think that actor-based cons are too stressful to be enjoyable, but I've been there, and paid for that, and then I just stopped.

I mean, I can totally sympathize with your running away; the first time I met Mr. Ackles, my mouth fell open and no words came out. Can you imagine? Me without words? The second time, my mouth fell open and I couldn't shut up. I'm sure I left no impression either time of any note.....But yeah, the whole experience is overwhelming and with as much pressure and stress as there is in the world, do we need more? Okay, sure, it comes in such a beautiful package....

I prefer the little cons, the fan-based ones, where there are no lines and just a room full of fannish women (and some men) who are just dying to hear your theory on why what type of tires the Impala runs on makes a difference on how well Sam sleeps sitting up - and how it's important to Dean to get the RIGHT kind, so Sammy CAN sleep sitting up. And that's just at the bar, it doesn't even begin to go into the kinds of discussions you get into in the panels!

No kidding. It was nice to have them be the main focus, and even when they weren't on screen, it was still about them. And oh YES, the Brother Thing; Dean being reminded of that is huge!

I liked the Chuck the Hero scene too, mostly because I like slow mo (when judiciously applied) and it made Chuck realize that he had something to offer, not just his writing. I loved the moment when he snapped at the crowd, "Somebody salt this door!" Because you know at least ten of them if not more were packing salt and knew how to use it!

That's an interesting point. I think I think the same thing, but from a different angle - that they made her a Samgirl because it seemed the least likely thing, not because they were making fun of the perception - although that could be there too.

Dear Joan,

Thank you so much for your words of support. I'm always amazed that people think I should think and write they way they want me to, but then, I'm even more amazed when my readers turn out with so much support, as they did this week. There's room enough for all kinds of opinions, isn't there.

I have enjoyed your lists and passion and comments through the seasons (yeah, more than one! hard to believe, right?), and I really hope that this continues to be a place where you express your joy about Show and love either boy, or, heck, BOTH, when and how you see fit.

Both Sam and Dean have their highs and lows, but they're still beautiful, still fun to watch. Sharing that with fans like you is what makes it even more fun. I especially like it when readers point out what I didn't see, because that makes a more well-rounded picture. And what's not to love about green eyes, and dimples, and a beautiful mouth, and long legs, and shoulders, let us not forget those shoulders. And, in this case, we get double of each. Except the dimples, 'cause I don't think has those......

Anyway thank you again, thanks for sharing the love of Show.

Best Regards,

Sylvia

Hey, thank you! I like your analysis that each question was a fear of the other brothers, because it made the questions really connected to what the issues are in their relationship. And it comes down to trust, they certainly have to start rebuilding that, don't they.

Didn't Sam get it? I thought he did, the expression on his face looked to me like the comment hit home really hard. It was a very emo face, the way I saw it. Certainly the point of brothers betraying each other is a huge theme, and Sam's awash with guilt already, I think Gabe's statement added to the pile.