Supernatural Season Nine -- New Promo Posters

The CW is really dong a great job so far for this season. Finally! This season's promo is not sloppy. Supernatural deserves exactly this! It's the fans who are benefiting from the hottest! OMG! 

I love the fact that they have single poster for Castiel and Crowley. In fact, I think Kevin deserves one too!! I love the assemble cast idea. 

Source: SpoilerTV

Supernatural Season 9 Premiere 'I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here'; Episode Titles Update

We are getting close to seeing the season nine premiere of Supernatural. It is a very exciting time to see the show back after months of hellatus! I am so excited to see everything -- new and returning characters, epic story line and hot promo pics and clips. ARE WE READY??

Description -- Episode 9.01 I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here 

FALLEN ANGELS --- Dean (Jensen Ackles) is frantic after Sam (Jared Padalecki) collapses and the doctor tells Dean his brother won't make it. Desperate, Dean sends out an all points bulletin via prayer to every angel in the area, asking them to help his brother.  In exchange, Dean will owe that angel a favor.  Numerous angry angels race to find and kill Dean, but one, Ezekiel (guest star Tahmoh Penikett), gets to him first.  Meanwhile, Sam fights for his life and must face some familiar demons to do so. Castiel (Misha Collins) struggles to survive without powers. John Showalter directed the episode written by Jeremy Carver. Source: KSiteTV

For more photos of 9.01, check out KSiteTV.

Here's an update on the episode titles. Subject to change.

9.01 I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here
9.02 Devil May Care 
9.03 I Am No Angel
9.04 Slumber Party 
9.05 Bad Boys
9.06 Dean Dog Afternoon 
9.07 Heaven Can't Wait

Source: SpoilerTV and IMDB

Supernatural NEWS NEWS NEWS Plus Hot Pics, Episode Titles

I know I have been bad! I have had a very busy months. Things just hit me like a bullet train -- I didn't see things coming and leaving. When I woke up, I asked myself "what the fuck just happened?"

Enough about my personal life! There is only one thing we do when crap happens -- LAUGH.  

I am loving the new promo!! Looks like Dean and Sam want to kill Cas!

I am also loving all the Supernatural news! I mean, season nine is definitely shaping up to be epic and massive!!! The show is really beefing up in the guest stars department. Tahmoh Penikett (Battlestar Galactica) has been cast as Ezekiel who Jeremy Carver described him as "a dignified warrior angel injured in the Fall."

Gildart Jackson has been cast to play a veteran member of the Men of Letters during a 1930 flashback. He will appear in 9.04 Slumber Party. THIS makes me very excited as I am a huge fan of the MoL!!! 

Here are the episode titles so far:
 
9.02 Devil May Care
9.04 Slumber Party
9.05 Bad Boys Episode 
9.06 Doggie Style 
Subject to change



Source: KSiteTV and SpoilerTV and @CW_SPN

Who's excited?!

SDCC 2013 -- Supernatural

Source: TheWB

This year's SDCC went out with a bang! I mean, there wasn't a dull moment since Day 1. The past few days were intense! Those who slept outside Hall H and got in, you're epic! A fan sleep out is always fun! I hope I get to go next year. 

Source: Somewhere on Tumblr

The last day of Comic Con has always been my favorite because of Supernatural. This is a massive opportunity to add pretty photos to my library and to start thinking about season nine based on the information the panel gave us. I think if I have to use one word to describe this year's Comic Con, it'd be 'surprise'. There were plenty of surprises that blew fans pants off.

Source: TheWB

The biggest surprise is the appearance of Felicia Day (aka Charlie) on the panel. I love her character. Felicia has this smile that makes you smile, she is super cute! She is clearly a fan favorite. While it has been announced that season nine has big plan for Charlie, I think (and I hope) she will get more and more air time, just like how Crowley progresses on the show. I think she really adds great value to the show. I don't think her character was written to last in the first place, I am not so sure. But she is adding something different to the show, and I hope she will be more integral in season nine. Someone pointed out that Felicia was the first female appeared on the Supernatural panel in SDCC. That's awesome, bitches!

Source: TheWB

Another surprise is the announcement of a spin-off series based on a new character who will be introduced in or around episode 20. That episode will be served as a backdoor pilot to the new show. Pick up is not guaranteed, of course. The CW has this thing about creating spin-off, for example, The Originals -- The Vampire Diaries spin-off. But The Originals is different because Klaus and co have been around for a few seasons, they were established characters. 

Source: TheWB

With the Supernatural spin-off, I am happy about the spin-off, but very surprised about the fact that it will be based on a new character. I would rather see a Garth, Charlie or Kevin spin-off, or Henry Winchester/ Men of Letters spin-off, or better, a John and Mary spin-off. This new character has to work in order for the spin-off to take off. It has to be a super epic character. I am very intrigued to see who this character is. It is certainly a very very interesting move. According to Huffington Post, episode 20 will be written by Andrew Dabb, and it will be more urban than on the cross country road trip feel. 

Source: TheWB

Source: TheWB

I can't help but think about the idea -- Eric Kripke once had this idea for Supernatural, it was about a tabloid journalist traveling around the country fighting for the truth, rather than about two brothers. Perhaps the writers will go back to this idea? The other hot idea I have in mind is the Men of Letters spin-off, but I guess Jeremy and Bob would want to keep this for Supernatural. I can't wait to hear more about this new spin-off -- who is in it, what it is called, who will be the showrunner etc. This is a weird piece of surprise, but I really want to know more!

Source: TheWB

Source: TheWB

The panel itself was as fun as usual. Jensen and Jared were so hot, it's out of this world! Jeremy Carver was as careful as always. The cast was as playful as always. It was great to see Bob to be on the panel for the first time. It was rather sad not to have Ben Edlund on the panel. 

Jensen and Jared were on the Nerd Machine panel. I haven't watched the video, but I will!!! I am not handling the hottness too well. I am having a 'melt down.' Haha.. Not to mention all the toys debate at SDCC. Shit! I need at least two weekends to go through everything I want to see from this epic geek fest! 

For a full wrap up on the Supernatural panel, check out stuff from IGN, Zap2IT and TVGuide.

Credit: @redteekal

Source: TheWB

Once I have watched the panel a few times, and as more news surfaced, I'll be writing my thoughts and my wish list for season nine. I will also aim to get the season eight awards out before October with a few Twitter friends. Watch this space!

Last but not least, congrats to Jarpad and Gen on their second baby! They've been busy! Congrats! xoxo

Updated: SDCC 2013 -- Program Schedule Released

Can you feel it? SDCC 2013 is happening TODAY! This is going to be another insane year, one that I hope no one stabs anybody anywhere with a pencil.

I love these shows but I am also glad I am not there to queue up and be squashed. Not only I have to get my mind in the right place, if I am going, I also need to be physically fit and dress up. Too much work! If you are going, have fun and may the force be with you!

Below is my schedule. I have set my alarm to get up nice and early in the morning to follow all the tweets and excitement. For a completely insane schedule, go to the official site for details.  

May the force be with you all. Live long and prosper. 

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17  
6:00pm -- 10:00pm Ballroom 20

Pilot screenings:
Almost Human (stars Karl Urban)
The Tomorrow People (stars Mark Pellegrino, Robbie Amell)
The 100 (stars Henry Ian Cusick)
The Originals will have a special screening including unseen footage.

THURSDAY, JULY 18

The X-Files 20th Anniversary (3:30pm -- 4:30pm, Ballroom 20)
Panellists: Chris Carter, David Amann, Vince Gilligan, Howard Gordon, Darin Morgan, Glen Morgan, John Shiban and Jim Wong joined by Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny.

FRIDAY, JULY 19
 
The World's End: Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost Reunited (10:00am -- 11:00am, Hall H)
Panellists: Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost

The Walking Dead (1:35pm -- 2:30pm, Hall H)
Panelists: EPs -- Scott Gimple, EPs Gale Anne Hurd, Robert Kirkman, Dave Alpert and Greg Nicotero. Cast -- Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Danai Gurira, David Morrissey, Chad Coleman and Scott Wilson.

The 100 (12:45pm -- 1:45pm, Room 6BCF)
Panelists: Eliza Taylor, Thomas McDonell, Marie Avgeropoulos, Henry Ian Cusick, Matthew Miller, Jason Rothenberg

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (1:45pm -- 3:00pm, Ballroom 20)
Panelists: Joss Whedon, Jeph Loeb

The X-Files with Creator Chris Carter (1:45pm -- 2:45pm, Room 5AB)
Panelists: Chris Carter, Chris Ryall and Denton Tipton, Joe Harris, plus a surprise guest or two!

A Game of Thrones (2:50pm -- 3:45pm, Hall H)
Panelists: David Benioff and D. B. Weiss with Emilia Clarke, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Fairley, Kit Harington, John Bradley, Rose Leslie and Richard Madden. 

Almost Human (4:00pm -- 5:00pm, Ballroom 20)
Panelists: Karl Urban, Michael Ealy, J.H. Wyman

Dark Horse: Joss Whedon (6:15pm -- 7:15pm, Ballroom 20)
Panelist: Joss Whedon

SATURDAY, JULY 20

A Conversation with Joss Whedon (10am, Nerd HQ)
This is an off site panel organised by Nerd HQ. Ticket details here.

Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (10:15am -- 11:00am, Ballroom 20) 
Panelists: Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz

The Tick 25th Anniversary (1:00pm -- 2:00pm, Room 23ABC)
Panelists: Ben Edlund, Chris McCulloch, Bob Polio 

Once Upon a Time (1:00am -- 1:45am, Ballroom 20) 
Panelists: Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz with Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, Robert Carlyle, Josh Dallas, Emilie de Ravin, Colin O'Donoghue and Michael Raymond James.

The Originals (1:00pm -- 2:00pm Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront)
Panelists: Joseph Morgan, Claire Holt, Phoebe Tonkin, Charles Michael Davis, Julie Plec 

Being Human (4:00pm -- 5:00pm Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront)
Panelists: Sam Witwer, Meaghan Rath, Sam Huntington, Kristen Hager and EP Anna Fricke will be on the panel.

Revolution (4:50pm -- 5:50pm, Room 6BCF)
Panelists: Eric Kripke (hopefully he is not flying solo, otherwise it will be awkward)

The Tomorrow People (5:55pm -- 6:55pm, Room 6BCF)
Panelists: Robbie Amell, Mark Pellegrino, Peyton List, Greg Berlanti, Phil Klemmer, Danny Cannon

Arrow (5:15pm -- 6:00pm, Ballroom 20)
Panelists: Stephen Amell, Katie Cassidy, David Ramsey, Emily Bett Rickards, Colton Haynes, Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, Andrew Kreisberg

Marvel Studios: Thor: The Dark World and Captain America: The Winter Soldier 6:00pm -- 7:00pm, Hall H)
Panelists: Kevin Feige and many surprise guests

SUNDAY, JULY 21

Supernatural (10:00am -- 11:00am, Hall H)
Panelists: Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Misha Collins, Mark A. Sheppard, Jeremy Carver, Robert Singer

Note: The official program indicates fans will be treated to an exclusive video presentation featuring series highlights, and a portion of the special features from the upcoming DVD. I am guessing the gag reel?

A Conversation with Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles (July 21, 2013, 2pm, Nerd HQ) 
Panelists: Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki

George R. R. Martin Discusses the Skin Trade Adaptation (12:00pm -- 1:00pm, Room 25ABC) 
Panelist: G.R.R.M 

Supernatural Season 9 News!

DUDE! Honestly, is it October yet? The CW has announced the premier dates for their fall shows. It's gonna kill me to wait a bit longer than usual, but it's gonna be so good when things happen. 

Supernatural season nine will premier on Tuesday, October 15 at 9pm at The CW. SpoilerTV has alerted fans that [spoilers] 9.01 is currently known as Devil May Care on the brief to casting agencies. Watch this space! For details, click here.

Supernatural will have a new buddy on Tuesdays -- The Originals, which also premiers on October 15. I am kinda excited about this new show. This fall is certainly looking very strong for the CW, keep in mind they also have The Tomorrow People and The 100. 

On other channels, I got Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and Almost Human added to my to-watch list. I'll be interested to see all the news come out from SDCC later on this month and see the buzz from the press.

Review: Supernatural 'Sacrifice'

Sacrifice was directed by Phil Sgriccia and written by Jeremy Carver. And man, was this finale awesome?

Carry on wayward son...best finale opening ever!

So.. did we see THAT coming? I expected a few things involving Crowley's fate, Hell and Naomi's death. I have very little theories about Cas, Metatron and Heaven. But THAT ending and the curveballs are the reasons Jeremy Carve gets paid the top job to helm Supernatural! The ending of the season eight finale was nothing short of spectacular. After eight seasons, the writers still managed to inject creativity and surprises.

Let me be up front about something, Sacrifice is definitely up there with Devil's Trap and No Rest for the Wicked, which in my opinion are two of the most standout cliffhangers of all time for the show. Sacrifice shows maturity with great twists, great editing and great performance. The show has come so far from the day when we first heard Dean saying 'saving people, hunting things, family business.' 

I think the finale has resolved the season long arc. Of course, you can always look at the technicality of the story about the tablets, the translation and the closing of the gate of hell and heaven. Our heroes, Dean and Sam, made a choice about not completing the last task, and Cas was once again fooled by another angel about the real agenda. It seemed that with all that hard work, it had been a waste of effort. The notion of a task is tied to the notion of completion. A task is for whoever is doing it to complete, traditionally speaking. You have to finish where you started. We are bound by this idea. But it isn't Supernatural if there ain't curveballs! 

For a show like Supernatural, it's important not to have the technicality to overshadow the brother relationship. This is why I am so impressed with Jeremy Carver's direction, the story has been really well planned and focused -- the show/ season is about the brothers. This very core idea didn't get lost. The brothers' decision about not completing the last task to close the gate of hell was a brave one. Family is important and hunting is a two people job. Dean and Sam must do this together. Closing the gate of hell is a great idea, it can save a lot of lives but it's not worth dying for. It is personal!

Another thing is that, with Dean returning from Purgatory, Sam returning from his gap year, and Cas becoming more confused than before, the emotional and trust issues have caused further damage to their relationship. The brothers have been surviving on the 'I forget I forgive' basis. If/ when crap happens next time, they will go back to square one. I think that's why it's so important to point out -- the finale actually has resolved relationship problems. That to me is the number one season long arc.

I am so proud of Sam for everything he's done, especially in the second half of the season. I love his confession and I love how they were related to his feeling about letting Dean down. Sammy! Ouwwww…. You are such a loveable little brother! The while 'is it because of what I do in the past, you decide to trust someone else' thing is totally adorable! Dean's suggestions to Sam about his confession was half joke half serious, Dean can be so bitchy and it is funny! Sam can go through his greatest hits -- Ruby, Lucifer, being soulless, not looking for Dean. But MOST importantly, he thinks he has let Dean down and he really hates it. Sam well knows how important 'trust' is to Dean. And it kills him not to be trusted by his big brother because of his wrong doing. Hunting is a two people job! It's the family business. Sam is the one person Dean cares and loves most. No matter how bad things were, Sam and Dean will always get each other's back. It is such an epic finale with shit load going on. But when it matters, Sam and Dean have a dialogue that put an end to all the fugly feelings. It's OK, brother, just let go. Dean's last hug of the season is for Sammy. 

Dean is as brilliant as usual. I am glad Cas went to Dean for help, despite putting his trust in the wrong person again. In the previous episode, Dean and Cas have a wall between them and Dean couldn't care less about Cas. But we all know Dean will get over it. Cas is a friend and they've been through much together. You see.. as long as Cas is being honest about something, doesn't matter if he is being stupid or naive, Dean will be fine and he will always help. Good relationships never run smooth and I hope everyone will set aside their differences and misunderstanding or whatever in season nine and work as a team -- the Men of Letters. Oh shut up! I can't help it! Everyone should be People of Letters!! The on-screen chemistry between Jarpad and Jensen continue to be gold to watch! The last scene was just so good!  

OK.. Stop crying.. onto the next topic.

We knew Metatron was not to be trusted. I struggled with coming up a theory about this guy. He spent a very long time in hiding and he relied on people to bring him stories. But the ultimate revenge by exterminating the angels and casting them out of heaven was something I did not see coming. AT ALL. I just love the surprise factor presented in the episode. 

Do you think Metatron is obsessed in words and stories? I think so! A lot of more than he should! To Metatron, the ultimate storyteller is God himself but he left and it left a hole in Metatron's heart. Metatron had to leave the paradise his father left for him and his brothers and sisters because the internal conflicts. Metatron was looking for his fix and he became very obsessed with stories. Metatron let Castiel go, and I assume Castiel will remember who he is, all angels will have their memories intact. And with this, they will live a life until they die. And when they die, their soul will return to Heaven, they will tell Metatron their stories. He is a very crazy obsessed yesterday angel. It's safe to say that we will see the full impact of Metatron's doing to Earth, humanity, angels, and possibility hell in season nine. For now, I assume Metaton is home alone in Heaven and the rest of the army is now on earth.

Castiel is now a human, just like Anna was. Unless he could retrieve his grace, he will not be an angel again. And something tells me, he won't mind about being a human. In The End (season five), we have seen the human Cas. Will we see that for real in season nine? Cas continues to provide plenty of amusement and he just doesn't know how funny he is. I really love seeing him working a case, whether he is with Dean or Metatron. It's always interesting to see how his brain works and how he understands things. I hope Case will clear his confusion in season nine. It's really interesting to me how Cas will develop in season nine now that he is back as a regular.  

All things have consequences, Sam and Dean didn't close the gate of hell and Abaddon is on the loose and Crowley is…'recovering'? OK.. so, this is Mr Mark Sheppard's best performance on Supernatural. I love the transformation of his character in this episode so much! It's is really interesting to watch the kind of things Crowley has said during the purification process. We got a bit of an insight into his desire. He just wanted to be loved (and he loves HBO). While I was watching the episode, I can't help but think if all Crowley ever wanted was to be loved, then I think part of him is jealous of the bond Dean, Sam and Cas have. Apart from Dean, Sam and Cas, the only one who know them well is Crowley. He knows what make them tick. Crowley continues to be a very interesting character with a lot of growth since he first appeared on the show. Mr Crowley will be back in season nine for sure. But how? Will be return to his old self? Will he be trapped in the middle -- either good or evil? He may be in a bit of an identity crisis. I don't think Dean and Sam will let Crowley go, but where will they keep him?

What about Kevin? FINALLY! Dean and Sam gave him the key to the MoL bunker! YES! I want Kevin back in season nine. He has to! I think with Garth and Charlie out there doing their stuff, Kevin can be a great asset to the Winchester, he can really be a Man of Letters! Right? I am sure a lot of people will bring up a point about not completing the trial. From the Special K's POV, he'd lost his mother and his life for this and now the brothers decided not to go through with it? But Kevin's work is not forgotten, the stuff that he discovered from the demon tablet will help the brothers to kill many demons. Will Kevin spend time to translate the angel tablet in season nine and if so, what will he find? He still has a duty. Once a prophet, always a prophet!

The last scene with all the angels falling from Heaven is spectacular from the visual point of view. I feel like I was watching a movie. The soundtrack was amazing and it was well utilised to tell a story. It gave me goosebumps and my jaw was dropped onto the floor. I cannot process how awesome it was to tight this scene back to the MoL bunker! This will drive me crazy for months! MONTHS! Like.. the equipment just turned itself on, like Atlantis in Stargate! For a second, I thought it was going to fly away like a spaceship. 

I am not sure if the equipment was build to detect angel movement specifically, but the mass falling of angels was indeed a very powerful thing, perhaps it detected the energy reading. But why did the bunker equipment turned itself on? It was either energy related or angel related. Perhaps someone or something -- like a ghost or whatever -- was messing with the equipment and showing Kevin something. I can't process it right now! I can't process how important the MoL bunker will be in season nine. Come to think about it, there's still a lot of things we don't know about the bunkers. May be it's a mess grave for witches and vampires.. oh wait.. wrong show. Remember what the old man said about the bunker? Abaddon wanted it and he recommended Dean and Sam to just shut the door and leave it along! Why? Anyway, I really hope we will see more backstories. And I really hope this is a HQ or a home for Kevin and Cas in season nine too.

I think we have a few sightings in Australia!

For the first time since October, I am closing a review without a description of the next episode. What the hell am I going to do between now and September/ October? The good news -- we will have our season nine, we will welcome the arrival of Baby Ackles and we will have Comic Con.

Review: Supernatural 'Goodbye Stranger'

"We are family. We need you. I need you."

Dean Winchester

Thank goodness Supernatural is back and my life is back to some sort of order. I have been so looking forward to watching Goodbye Stranger. Part of me was excited, but part of me was scared. I was excited because I knew this episode would be epic and intense, I was very much looking forward to the development of the story and the return of Megstiel. Shut up! I was scared because I knew Dean and Cas would have some sort of confrontation that was bloody. If my favourite musical taught me anything, Cas has been changed for good because he knew Dean. Dean has re-written Cas' life by being his friend. This is something Naomi would never understand, no matter how many times Cas has killed Dean during his training session. The last time we saw Cas causing a catastrophic annihilation was when he killed the angels in Meet the New Boss. The opening scene of Goodbye Stranger certainly has the same effect. But you and I both knew, Cas would never kill Dean, but it was the 'how' that intrigued me the most. 

There are so many things to talk about. Let me start by talking about the confrontation between Dean and Cas a bit more. The opening scene certainly set the tone for the episode extremely well. Ever since A Slice of Kevin, I have been asking myself, what would happen when Dean found out about Naomi who had been controlling Cas? I was wondering if Dean would go all 'I can't believe you are lying to me again', but I prefer him not to, otherwise it'd be season six all over again. I was wondering if Cas would continue to be controlled and lie to Dean, but I prefer not to as I don't want this to drag longer than it should. I wanted an ending to this particular part of the story. 

I think Jeremy Carver is doing really good with the structure of the overall story, he has been giving us small arcs, solving them, and then giving us enough to move forward to the next arc. It's very Kripke like. Turned out, Naomi needed her best soldier to be re-programed and trained to do his job. Angels were soldiers, as Cas had told us in Are You There God, It's Me, Dean Winchester. I like the progression of this part of the story, it was a nice call back to the previous seasons and the angel mytho. It also moved things along to the next phase of the story. I think Robbie Thompson put his heart and soul into writing this episode and I love that. There wasn't a dull moment from the moment the episodes started. This episodes have plenty of great lines and pop culture references.

The way Cas and Dean confronted each other was epic. I am really proud of Cas, he resisted and defied Naomi the same way he responded to Zachariah in Lucifer Rising when Cas chose Dean over heaven. That scene, to me, was life-changing for Cas because of Dean. After everything that had happened since season six, after everything Cas had experienced emotionally, this was what these friends had come to -- they are family, they need each other. Yes, Cas had made Dean very angry with all the betrayals and lies, but I think Dean was pissed because Cas could've come to Dean for help -- 'why didn't you talk to me if you were confused?' 'why did you not ask for my help when you needed it the most?' -- it wasn't the case of the simple 'oh you bastard, you lie to me' like a ten year old. I think Cas wanted to experience his humanity independently without anyone telling him how to think and what to do, and he thought he was doing the right thing. But he didn't realise how complicated human emotions were and he screwed up. What saved Cas was Dean's persistence as a friend. Dean never gave up on Cas, he saved his friend from darkness, Purgatory and confusion. Naomi had underestimated the depth of BFF! 

Life won't be the same again for Cas now that the angel tablet is in his possession. Cas still feels incredible guilty but he will have time to process his feelings. Cas continues to intrigue me because he brings different perspectives and dynamic to the show. I can't wait to see the next chapter and how Cas' role will progress with the highly valuable angel tablet. The closing scene with Supertramp's Goodbye Stranger symbolised the very human side of Cas. It was somewhat very poetic too. The song was about a guy not wanting a relationship. You and I know, this won't the last time we see this angel of the lord.

So, what do you think about Naomi? One thing for sure, she doesn't take crap from Crowley. I like that she just walked away when Crowley was about to propose a deal. Working with demons were unclean. What role will she play when Metatron makes his appearance before the season ends? This isn't be the last time we see Naomi, she will return in 8.19 Taxi Driver. I don't think she will give up on finding Cas and the angel tablet. She is going to keep an eye on Dean and Sam, because they are her only link for finding Cas and the angel tablet. I like Naomi as a character on the show, I think she is a mystery box and she is the kind of character the writers want to keep in the side pocket. I like the balance between the leaders of Angel (Naomi) and Demon (Crowley), and Dean, Sam and Cas are smack in the middle of it.

Can we talk about Megstiel? Do you think she is really dead? May be Cas went back and heal her? I have sent a few tweets about this -- is it weird that I love Meg and Cas together? It's so totally wrong but it's so intriguing and…cute! I love how flirtatious Cas and Meg had been since Caged Heat. The pizza man reference was hilarious! But there is more to this relationship and this is how I interpret it. Meg has been, and I quote my friends on Twitter, the most consistent female character on the show. I add, she is one of the most underrated characters on the show. She has been around since season one, she has been super bad. She was doing all sorts of bad things to survive. She chose the right leaders to follow to ensure her own survival. But they were all defeated by the same people -- Dean and Sam.

So Meg considered herself 'good'. It's complicated, like she said. Meg turned to the fighting with the 'good side' -- the Winchesters and the angel -- because she wanted to be free. This has been a recurring theme for awhile -- putting humanity into monsters and see what happened. I won't say fans would now all forgive what Meg did to Ellen and Jo in Abandon All Hope. But she wasn't Ruby and she wasn't pretentious like Ruby. She was the second in charge for many big bads including Lucifer and Yellow Eyed, and they lost. I think Cas changed her way of thinking. May be part of her believed that she can be saved by the angel. This is weird, but this is her way being in love with Cas and the idea of being free. She did refer Cas as 'my unicorn'. After Sam told her his story, she connected her own emotional experience and it was very Cas influenced.

Rachel is tiny.

Rachel Miner's Meg is my favourite Meg. I didn't think much of Meg nor the actresses who played her. But she had been growing on me since Caged Heat. I think the Megstiel thing really got me and it's fascinating. And she was really changing. During Goodbye Stranger, I was like, OK, she is going to betray the boys now! Now! Oh wait! What about now? Ah.. now? But she never! It's a very strange 'love story' between her and Cas, one I did not see coming until season seven. I need a rewatch of their episodes.

Let's talk about Sam. I was half expected Dean will go super angry on Sam when he found out about Sam coughing out blood and didn't tell him. Not super angry anyway, I think Dean understood why Sam lied to him. Dean knew all along this won't be easy and Dean knew Sam wasn't doing great, he just didn't know what. Dean just came straight out and said no more lies. And Sam was honest about his condition. He just didn't want his big brother to worry.

One moment please...

But oh was Dean worried? At the end of the day, LOTRs saved the day, "I may not be able to carry the burden that comes with these trials, but I can carry you." Adorable! Dean was the over protected big brother but he had every reason to be. And I think that's why Sam didn't tell him half the stuff he did in the past, because he knew how Dean would react. But let's move on! And that's what this episode did… everyone moved on.

Crowley was super Crowley in this episode. Mark Sheppard was just so good to watch on screen. His one-liners were awesome and you have to be stoned to write his lines! I really like that fact that Crowley isn't like Lucifer or Yellow Eyed Demon or Lillith. Crowley is a businessman and an opportunist, and he knows how to do business. He is smart and he loves to talk. He is a lover. Yeah right! But seriously he is good. He is really good! What will he do now?

I think Goodbye Stranger was a very important and super solid episode. This wrapped the middle act I think. And now, with six episodes to go before season eight ends, I think we are going into the final act with some really materials. It's going to be seriously epic. 

Konnichiwa

Next week, Madison McLaughlin returns as Krissy in Freaks and Geeks. It looks like a filler episode on paper, but what do I know?!

8.18 Freaks and Geeks  

SAM AND DEAN RUN ACROSS A NEW AND UNUSUAL TEAM OF HUNTERS — Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) investigate some recent vampire kills and are surprised to learn Krissy Chambers (guest star Madison McLaughlin) is involved. They find Krissy and learn her father was killed and she’s been taken in by a man named Victor (guest star Adrian Hough), who has taken in a group of orphan kids to teach them how to hunt. Victor is helping the teenagers find the vampires who took their parents so they can get revenge. Sam is intrigued by Victor’s method of giving the teenagers a home life as well as a hunting life, but Dean is suspicious of Victor’s motives. John F. Showalter directed the episode written by Adam Glass.