phantomas | SPN 2x09: Croatoan

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SPN 2x09: Croatoan

Just finished watching it. Reactions behind cut

In random order:

- I missed watching an ep! Now we have to go through the whole of the holidays before we can see another, dammit! On the other hand, it means we can re-watch ad meta to our heart's content, and build up for the rest of the season.

- The monsters are getting less scary, imo. Which, I understand. Not that this episode wasn't intense, and the idea of a demon-infection works great, but it wasn't as scary as some eps of the first season have been for me.

- the new Demon!Son? Cool. I wonder if we will see more of him like we did with Meg or not. I think it'd be good to have a recurrent DemonChild, if not this guy, another one. Someone the guys can react to, you know? *misses Meg in a way*

- love the mention of John's unit! I admit to squeeing a little at that. Okay. A lot.

- Jensen Ackles is a terrific actor. I don't understand why no one has grabbed him and pushed him onto big screen bigger projects yet. I mean, I want him to be Dean for a long time still, but for his career? He was great in Croatoan, imo.

- Jared, on the other hand...he needs better lines. He practically had to repeat to Dean the same speech he's been saying since Bloodlust (you're not yourself, yadda yadda yadda). His hair was good, though :D I think he might be going for a Peter Petrelli/Milo Ventimiglia (Heroes) look.

- I saw the clip on the CW, so I was sure that Dean wasn't saying anything to Sam in this ep. It's okay, he'll have to next one, at least we don't have to wait till the end of the season.

- someone linked to an article where it was reported that the guys have asked thw writers to write them in separate scenes, so they can rest a little. I understand it and if it makes them happier to work on SPN, fine, but I do like them together more, there's less bantering, obviously, otherwise. However, they could have more recurring characters to fill in some scenes for them and be together in less scenes.

- Dean has been so ready to die for a while now. I loved Jared/Sam smashing his BROKEN ALREADY wrist in tearful anger. Their interaction is always good. And I'm expecting the day when Sam stops letting Dean hitting/shoving him around and really kicks his ass, because really, Dean is overstepping ;)

- all in all, I liked it lots. I need to rewatch again and again, and to start a from-season-beginning rewatching session. *nodnod*

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this one wasn't my favorite? but it was still good. they've come a long way from the first season, however. they seriously DON'T have any scary monsters anymore, and my roommate bri and i were just talking about that. they're focusing more on plot and the fallout of their daddy's death.

BUT, like i said on my post, whythefuck did dean have to be all, "I'M NEVER LEAVING YOU" to sammy at the exact moment i'm writing a story about him actually leaving. :(

i still managed to work a line in my fic from this ep, though.
<--- so proud.

shannon

ps: why do they want seperate scenes?

They're being contrary to you just because they are EVIL! And we all know they are!

And, I think it all depends on the situation/context. I don't see Dean leaving Sam or John if they are in need, but in any other moment? He has it in him *nods*

Looking forward to read your fic :D

they want separate scene because it means they work less hours..
Scene 1: Sam&Dean talk to Mister X
Scene 2: Sam&Dean go to research
Scene 3: Sam&Dean explore the haunted house

vs.

Scene 1: Dean talk to Mister X (Sam/JP sleeps)
Scene 2: Sam goes to research (Dean/JA sleeps)
Scene 3: Sam&Dean explore the haunted house

either they sleep (insert any other non-acting activity) or they film their own scene, the result is less than 15/16 hours filming each day for both of them. I understand it, but it does change the feel of the show a bit. They are better together :)

oh, okay. gotcha. <3 yeah, they are pretty much overworked, but they're so much better when they're together. ;-)

shannon

Yes, they are - their interaction is so genuine, we're lucky they do like each other and that they have good on-screen chemistry, it does make a huge difference in the show :D

I did not have time to watch the ep yet, but I'm not afraid to be spoiled (I even prefer it when we speak about TV series, not bigscreen movies).

Jensen Ackles is a terrific actor. I don't understand why no one has grabbed him and pushed him onto big screen bigger projects yet. I mean, I want him to be Dean for a long time still, but for his career? Yours is already the 3rd LJ I read this thought. But then I immediately remember David Duchovny who was terrific as Mulder in seasons 1-6, but then he never achieved anything worth mentioning on the big screen. :( Well, maybe it will be different with JA because he became a star of TV youngerthan DD.

Good point. However, it's not as if DD's big screen projects were ever decent films ;) funny ones, certainly enjoyable, but nothing of real dramatic level, from what I know.

I suppose...it may depend on how much money you've got in the bank (therefore, if you need to work or not, which I suspect it's not DD case); it may depend on how much you've been typecasted (and this could be DD case); and personally, yes, DD was great as Fox Mulder, but Mulder was also a kind of character that wasn't given to very wide ranges of emotions showing, wasn't he? (I did watch the XFiles, but not in a fan-focused way, so I may be really wrong on this). Mulder strikes me more as the understated kind of guy, whereas Dean and by extension JA had been given a whole landscape of very extreme emotions to play, from crazy psycho (Skin) to womaniser (any and each bar they end up in) to joker to no-other-choice gun tooting guy...not saying that DD hasn't got that range of acting (Twin Peaks says enough ;) but that he hasn't been given a real chance to show it.

The age difference you point out is important, too *nods*

Also, on a totally OT tangent, can you give me your site link again? I thought I saved it but I can't find it (erm) :D

Heh. Here is my site: http://hegalplace.com/griva/
In case you forget again, it is mentioned on my LJ info page, too. :)

Yes, I agree what you say about DD, he was not given much to play with Mulder, either, for several reasons, main one being that the fans would protest if they explored Mulder's darker side more (which I love!) or made him act in another non-Mulder'ish way. Good point is also about money (that DD has enough, I suppose), but there is also a point of ambitions. Possibly DD wanted to demonstrate it when leaving XF after season 7. But IMHO it lead nowhere.

We can only live and see where JA end up. But then at least now I agree that he is the main attraction for me in SN.

I did watch the XFiles, but not in a fan-focused way. How is that?

Ops. Didn't think to check your userinfo, sorry :)

Possibly the XFiles success trumped DD's ambitions; typecasting is still going strong (and not something I really understand honestly. If I were a director, I'd love to counter-typecast someone, you know?) On the other hand, big Hollywood prods. tend to repeat themselves, in order to earn. Pity, because I'd love to see DD in a good, meaty role :)

XFiles watching: I was still living in Italy when it was aired there, and programming in Italy is somewhat crappy, they would move it around a lot. I liked the idea, I watched it when it was on, I LOVED Krycek when I saw him (only the kiss scene, was it was enough ;), I loved Dana the first 5 seasons, but the whole conspiracy plot wasn't my thing, and at some point I had missed so many eps I just couldn't follow anymore.
I recently bought the whole series, so I can watch it properly - but Krycek is still my main focus, I have to say. Also, I wasn't in touch with fandom at the time, and I didn't know anyone that was a fan: that does make a big difference.

I moved to the UK for a reason, after all ;)

:D

IMHO now there are roughly 2 types of XF out there: the "veterans" who started to watch the show early (I did in ca mid 90s, though it did not air here till late 90s) and the younger generation who started to watch when the show was in the 8th-9th season or even after it got off the air. The latter view the show to be mostly about MSr, the first - are a motley mix. That's what my experience in the fandom shows, though I can't say I'm a rabid fan. I ADORED (and still do) Mulder through first 6 seasons and had great respect for Scully. Then Krycek...that can't be described ;). But M/K slash is my first and probably last obssession in the true meaning of it.

Although I'm much character-centric, the mytharc was intriguing, but then (IMHO ca season 5) CC&Co lost any idea themselves what it was about and then my patience wore thin. I'm still cemented in my opinion that if XF ended after Requiem, it would have been better for the show. But thank God we have fanfics to fill all the holes. :)

So, who are you by origin - Italian, but now live in England?

I've got v. good friends that are veteran fans, and def M/K slash fans ;)

I think probably one of the reasons I never got truly fannish about the XFiles is that I liked Mulder, I liked Scully, but I didn't LOVE either of them. I love Krycek, so I'm okay with M/K, but I need to be all crazylusty with both guys in the pairing to be able to slash them...

Mulder and SAm Winchester are the same category of characters, for me: too 'special' to really catch my breath (totally subjective, of course). I like them, but I don't fall fo rthem :)

The XFiles ran on too long after its expire date, yes. Personally, I really really like Doggett (and his infatuation with Scully), but I can't stand the parody of Scully we see in the last two season, the eternal baby!angst and Reyes didn't do anything for me.

What really I can't stand about the XFiles is Skinner. Nothing against the actor per se, but:
a) he really reminds me of a now deceased Italian politician, and not in a good way
b) his character never made sense to me
c) and this is the big one, the way he killed Krycek.

Not why, mind you, he had many reasons. But how. If Skinner allegedly is a man of justice/law, executing Krycek in cold blood like he did didn't make him any better than Krycek himself.
Any pretence of justice and of being on the right side after that simply didn't have any ground with me.

YAY! Fanfic! :)

Yep, I'm Italian (from Rome), I moved to the UK six years ago.

:D

I bet I know or at least heard of your M/K slasheŗs! :) It's a small world.

Y'know...sometimes I really put aside my justified ire at how lamely and improbably Krycek died (agree with your point on skinner here)and ponder why they have to kill off Krycek in season 8? I mean: did NL announced he is quitting? Or was it...just to please other faction of XF fans? Or they did not know what to do with the character? If he was always in between, not against Mulder (as we are hinted at in the Truth, when Mulder sees his ghost), then why having him murdered? Ah. No point guessing now.

Skinner...hmm. I guess I dislike him only when he's slashed with Krycek. ;) I think he is another victim of CC&Co using him more as a plot device than a character.

I watched only glimpses of season 8 and nothing except the 1st part of the Truth from season 9. I do find Doggett likeable and I think that's the man who would make Scully happy as a woman.

but I need to be all crazylusty with both guys in the pairing to be able to slash them... I guess that's how I feel about Sam/Dean. I like the angst and a bit of UST, but definitely the idea of them having sex leaves me mildly...abashed. ;)

They were short on ideas, I suppose. *shakes head*

Skinner/Krycek is one of those rare pairing I actually cringe at and avoid like the plague, no matter who writes it. *g*

Def yes to Skinner=plot device. Doggett is funny; my housemate is a Doggett fan and he truly does 180 degrees turns according to Dana's wishes ;)

I adore Dean. I like Sam. I can read the pairing (even if I'd like writers in general to take the incest issue into consideration more, because it's not something one can easily forego anyway) but it doesn't do much for me. Sam&Dean as brothers do a lot more :D

JA is great as 'Alec' in Dark Angel, as well. He guest-starred in season one as 'Ben' and TPTB created 'Alec', based on JA's showing as Ben. Alec is Ben's twin clone (which works in the context of the show) and was a regular role, with JA taking third billing.

In general season two wasn't that good, but the one thing that pretty much everyone agreed upon is that 'Alec' was a definite asset, and he quickly became a dearly loved character. Interestingly, Alec is a happy-go-lucky, smartass, self-centred womaniser on the surface, but it quickly becomes apparent that he's much more than that - sensitive and kind, but sadly wounded, having suffered canonical torture and brain washing to try and make him conform. JA's performance as Alec is a joy to watch (he's less nuanced, but he was also less experienced then), and I'm coming to love the character almost as much as Dean.

Mind you, poor JA couldn't do much with the role of Jason Teague in Smallville season 4. I couldn't bring myself to watch most of season 4, even with the JA factor, because it's so bad. I gather that JA was very disappointed with the way it turned out.

In conclusion, though, give him the right role and the boy just shines but if the material sucks, well, actually I doubt even a young Robert de Niro could have done anything with 'Jason Teague'. *g*

I like DA very much, but apparently I only manage to catch ALWAY the same episodes! It must be a curse.

I saw the ep with Ben (how much I loved the psycho guy?), though, and a couple with Alec, and yep, he was good in that too. I hope to catch up with the whole series soon. I know DA had its problems, but personally I do like it :)

Glad to read your opinion on Alec, I'm looking forward to watch it even more now.

Smallville lost me right in season 2, and what little I've seen since...I've heard it call Lanaville, and it seems right. I love Lex, I was looking forward to see JA but nope, can't watch it. All sorts of bad and seen and loopy in that series. It started well, though, it had lots of potential.

JT (the little I've seen) looked like a Lana prop to me ;) De Niro would have stolen the whole show and get to wear Clark's pants and Lex's too, lol

JA is def an actor to watch, one of those you know he's going to be good. :D

Actually DA is on the Sci-fi Channel atm, part-way through Season Two. I've been recording it, but am toying with buying the DVDs. For Alec. *g*

De Niro would have stolen the whole show and get to wear Clark's pants and Lex's too

*bg* Oh, absolutely. Well, now, anyway. Dunno about when he was in his mid-twenties, though. God, that man can act!

And yes, JA most certainly isn't just a pretty face. Isn't it nice when a pretty actor can actually act? From which you can take it that I agree that he's got all of the qualities to make it big - looks, charisma, and acting ability. The lucky bastard! *g*

Yep, it's on scifi but I keep forgetting and I can't tape anything anymore, I don't know where to put the tapes I have already. I sort of want to buy the DVds too, just waiting for a good offer/spare money (either new or on ebay).

I just hope that his being pretty doesn't bode against him good-roles/parts-wise, you know?

*G*

I loved this ep. ITA, Jensen really showed some acting chops this time.

And I totally called that they'd cut the ep before telling us the punchline. I knew form the clock above the TV that they'd have no real time to get to it. Asshats.

I wonder if they WILL bring it up next ep., though. Dean could've still balked, after all. Or lied. Or even if he told, are we going to see Sam all brooding next ep?

Oh, Dean has to say it next ep. Really, I can't see Sam letting him go away with it this time. Of course, Dean could still lie to him, but I think they have brought him to a point where he'll spill it. Beside, Kripke said in some interview we would know by midseason :D

Asshats indeed ;)
I'm looking forward to some ass-kicking, brooding/angry Sam for next ep, or something similar.

And yes, Jensen was great. :D

Beside, Kripke said in some interview we would know by midseason :D

True. And I didn't realize we'd be going on hiatus again. So yeah, this is their cliffhanger for the holiday season. And then they'll reward us in Jan by spilling the sekrit. Or rather, they'd BETTER. *revs chainsaw threateningly*

And yes, Jensen was great. :D

Mmmm, yes. Dean is ♥. Now if only they found a way to bring Daddy back, my love for this show would be all encompassing...

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SPN 2x09: Croatoan

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