Last weekend, the cast of The Avengers made an appearance at New York Con. I was actually surprised, a little, how enjoyable the panel was. Tom Hiddleston, Clark Gregg and Mark Ruffalo were funny! Chris Evens was so nervous, so cute! You can watch the full panel here! I do recommend it, because it was great!
I was hoping to see RDJ, Scarlett and most importantly Joss Whedon to be there, but they couldn't make it. Which leads to my next question, when will we see the entire team of the Avengers on stage or at any press campaigns? There are definitely enough cast member to make a 2-day convention! I'll go.. For a summary of the panel, check out Film Critic.
Both Tom Hiddleston and Clark Gregg both sang on stage.. funny and awesome! And I am so glad to hear from Mark Ruffalo that his 'Ruffalised' Bruce Banner is more mature! I found the previous Banner so annoying, like he can never control himself. When he gets angry, buildings collapsed!
7.04 Defending Your Life was written by Adam Glass and directed by Robert Singer. Adam was the writer for Mommy Dearest, Like a Virgin, All Dogs Goes to Heaven and Two and a Half Men, and Supervising Producer for tons of other Supernatural episodes.
I'll get to the point. I don't care so much for the Egyptian God storyline. Supernatural isn't known for using costumes, their approach in the wardrobe department is very modern -- even Evil Santa wears a simple cardigan, Baldur wears a suit and no angels wear wings, and Clowns are Clowns. I am not sure if Osiris fits into the Supernatural-urban-legend norm. But then again it's Supernatural, the sky's the limit. I do like the ghost dog idea and the fact Sam watches The Good Wife!
Guilt, is a very important element of the show and it is this week's theme. I've been thinking about the whole guilt thing. But you know what, enough is enough... I am going to turn this around and call it -- supernatural bullying. I have enough of these monsters and supernatural creatures giving Dean shit.
Dean is a hero, his life is all about saving people, hunting things, protecting his little brother. Dean has been carrying a lot of crap on his shoulder since he was five! Supernatural things like monsters, creatures and spirits have been bullying Dean forever -- Famine, Zachariah, YEDJohn and DemonDean basically said to his face, "You're nothing. You're worthless." They, and others, said things to devalue my hero. It doesn't matter how strong you are, stuff like that really messes your mind. We don't live in a perfect world, there are more bullies than heroes. They will always find a way to push you and kick you when you are down, just to make themselves feel more superior and important. That's pretty much how I feel after I watched this episode.
Dean feels crap most of the time, he has a hero syndrome -- he just doesn't think he is awesome! Dean's heart is pure. Why? Because Dean is selfless, he is not a bully. He helps people unconditionally. He never ever has any agenda or evil plan to harm people. Dean doesn't kill for thrills, he doesn't kill to survive, he doesn't kill to make himself feel important. He kills supernatural things because they harm people, they may have a reason or two sometimes, but they kill people. If you're a human and you kill humans for whatever reasons, you go to jail. If you're not a human and kill humans, you get Dean Winchester.
Dean reminds me so much of Jack Bauer -- everyone he'd ever loved or known, died in bad situations. Was it Dean's fault that Jo die? Was it his fault that John die? Was it his fault that everyone die? No! They died because Kripke liked killing off characters! Oh wait.. what? As for Sam, how hard was it for Dean when he had to prevent anything bad from happening to Sam, especially after John told Dean that if he couldn't save Sam, he had to kill him? How hard was it to see Sam to go dark side, and Dean felt helpless for not being able to do anything? Even if Dean didn't 'dragged' Sam back into the hunting life, everything would still happen. Dean isn't the other guy who was killed by the ghost dog, he isn't those dicks in Yellow Fever, and he certainly isn't those jerks in The Benders. Nobody should judge Dean the way they judge anyone else. Dean feels guilty because he cares about what he does, he feels crap because he still has a heart and it's a big one.
So, Osiris, dude, you shut your pie hole!
What I LOVE about this episode is the Dean and Jo moments. It's no secret that I am Team Jo. I have always loved their on-screen chemistry on the show. Jo wasn't exactly a love interest (I know this comment is debatable) and her character certainly had the potential of being a love interest but It wasn't like that. I think the right words were used to summarise Jo's feeling for Dean -- Jo idolised Dean, and she has a massive crush on the guy. (Who doesn't? Right?) I love how much Jo had matured as a character and how much Alona Tal has grown as an actress. She was so so good in this episode, Alona totally nailed this! Her compassion and sorrow were seriously moving. Her scene with Dean was so amazing, I wished she'd never left the show and continued to be there for Dean and Sam.
I am all Dean! I will always defend Dean... like, he jumps I jump. And sometimes, I almost feel like this.. when it comes to the nuts and bolts of character development of Dean Winchester, they should leave it to Eric Kripke, Sera Gamble, Ben Edlund and Jeremy Carver. Don't let anyone else to 'have a go'. If something isn't written perfectly, people will get the wrong idea. Long time fans get it, even if something isn't crystal clear, we always get it. But other fans/ viewers won't get it, they see what's in front of them.. they'll be like, "Oh is Dean is a killer?" Oh shut up! I mean, why is that even a question?
I shall conclude with this: Certainly some very important Dean scenes should have been written better under the pens and fingers of Andrew Dabb and Daniel Loflin, like the death of Amy Pond, I get why Dean has to do it, I get why this secret is killing him, but the scene, the secret and the situation could have been designed better to get the message across to the viewers. Adam Glass did an ok job with Defending Your Life, but it should be more meaty if you know what I mean?
The Dean stuff requires much attention and justice. I know why I am defending Dean, not only because Osiris is a load of crap, I know Dean deserves better. I know Dean is not a bully. I know Dean is a hero.
And do I even have to explain further when it comes to Jensen Ackles's performance? Give the man an Emmy already!!
Next week, 7.05 Shut Up, Osiris! Oh.. sorry.. it's 7.05 Shut Up, Dr Phil, featuring Buffy's Charisma Carpenter and James Marsters. Is it just me or do you secretly wish Joss Whedon was the writer and/or director of this episode?
I woke up for this.... The first official trailer for The Avengers is mind blowing..
The one thing that I most look forward to is the dialogues. From what I can tell from the trailer, Joss Whedon has nailed the dialogues and the team dynamic. In a way, yes, it's not the usual Joss Whedon stuff, if you don't know who wrote and directed this movie, you can't tell it's the work of Joss. However, once you see the character interaction and dialogues, I think you will see Joss' signature stuff. From what I can see, I think he, the cast and the crew have done a great job.
This is already one of my all time favorite movies. I cannot wait!!! The Avengers releases in Australia on April 25, 2012, that's one week ahead of the US. Take that!
Marvel Studios will present some footage and participate on a panel at New York Comic Con this weekend -- Saturday, October 15 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. ET. Marvel Studios will debut never-before-seen footage from the film, and panelists will include Kevin Feige (Producer), Chris Evans (Captain America), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Clark Gregg (Agent Coulson), and Cobie Smulders (Agent Hill). For more info here.
The baby is coming..... Jarpad announced on Twitter this morning that Gen is pregnant. The couple is expecting their first child in 2012. Baby Jarpad... Uncle Jensen.. Woot! Woot! One happy family.
On behalf of me, myself and I, congratulations. Take care.
I can't help it! Every time I saw convention stuff, I always go back to my LACon stuff and re-live the memory. BEST WEEKEND OF MY LIFE!!!
I love conventions so much! It's like a big holiday, you never want to live, you don't want that day to be over. You just want to camp out in the ballroom and hear Misha read Go The Fuck To Sleep.
If you haven't, and want to read my LACon stuff, click here.
When what-I-do-now is over, I will share my photo ops with you... xoxo
I love convention weekends.. I know what it's like to be at a Supernatural convention and I can so feel the excitement. I am just so happy for fans who made it the cons and had an awesome time with the cast.
I was dying for some high quality photos from fans. Time after time I am amazed about how much cameras love the boys! They are oh so hot!
CreationCon has once again done an awesome job on producing Salute to Supernatural Toronto 2011. If you want the highlight of everything, I strongly recommend the following links.
ontd_spnparty has compiled a collection of tweets on every panel
wolfling has a collection of amazingly HOT photos of Jensen and Jared and other guests
xsaragdalyx also has some amazing photos of the guests.. and thank you for taking a photo of the buffet station at the breakfast, I always want to know what they have on the menu! I can't wait to go to Nashcon!
Mitosis has a FANTABULOUS collection of HD photos on Flickr. This is a MUST for all fans!
AH! I can't wait for Nashcon next year!!! To read my previous Supernatural convention experience in LA earlier this year, check them out here.
Supernatural 7.03 The Girl Next Door was written by Andrew Dabb and Daniel Loflin, directed by Jensen Ackles.
All living things must eat to survive and everything tastes better with cheese. Ewwwwww.
The Leviathans are smarter than the demons.. they now have a network of police and doctors to hunt down the Winchesters and Bobby. They are so screwed. They are so screwed. They are so screwed. Sorry. It's Supernatural, what do you expect?
The Girl Next Door isn't as epic as the season openers, but it's still very enjoyable. Jensen has done a fantastic job in directing his second episode for Supernatural. They've given him a heavier episode to work on this time. There are more characters to direct and some scenes are more emotional. Jewel Staite is a great actress, I've seen her in Firefly and Stargate Atlantis, I also met Jewel in Supanova a few years ago, she was here the same year as Jared. She was so nice. I thought Jewel brought the compassion element to the episode, which helps to tell a story and why Sam hasn't killed her then and now.
Back to Jensen's directing... Having two Sams to direct could be tough. Jared is in more scenes this time than Weekend At Bobby's. And we also welcome Colin Ford back as young Sammy. Colin was amazing, he has grown so much as an actor and he was SO SAM! This is the first time Colin carried the flashback story all on his own, without young Dean or John, and I think he did a great job!
What lies beneath?
Jensen is really smart when it comes to using cameras and editing to tell a story. The pace of hospital escape scenes was so awesome. We see Bobby passing a room while pushing Sam in one shot, then you see Dr SexyLeviathan arriving at the Dean's room realising he was gone. Then you switch back back to Dean passing the same room Bobby had three seconds ago, you know Dean wasn't far behind from Bobby. And then you see Dr Sexy and the nurse tried to track Dean down, who was on crutches (so cute). Dean was looking for a way out to meet Bobby at the dock. Then you cut back to Bobby racing to the ambulance. We see more Dean-chase in the hospital. Then back to Bobby who was anxiously waiting for Dean in the ambulance. You were hoping to see Dean to burst out from the doors, but Dr Sexy did.. and you're like SHIT! Where is Dean?! And then he jumped in to the ambulance. Go! Go! Go! I thought I should point out how good these few seconds were. I also like some really cool camera angles Jensen used in this episode -- the panning of the camera on Dean when he was on the hospital bed and when Bobby was racing to the ambulance. To me it's like, Jensen is not a master director, he is only new to the gig. But I think he gets it. He certainly knows how to design a scene with cameras and editing etc to tell a story. So he needs a hug! And he will get one from me in Nashcon next year!
It's very heartless for me to say this, but I am sure Sam's hallucinations will eventually become the materials for funny fanvids you see on YouTube. I love the Girl Interrupted reference! Seriously, this is how you do a Sam centric episode. I think this episode really sums up who Sam really is deep down. He has compassion, he understands what it's like to be a 'freak'. He wishes people understands him. When he meets other freaks like him, he wants to help, rather than to kill.
Dean and Sam certainly are on the same page when it comes to 'saving people, hunting things, family business'. But to dig deeper, Dean is very black and white, he is the 'if it's supernatural, we kill, that's our job' type. But Sam is more the 'our job is hunting evil. If these things aren't killing people, then they're not evil' type. Sam saw it with his own eyes when he was little, he saw it with his own eyes that Amy Pond killed her own mother to protect Sam. The show has touched on similar themes in Metamorphosis, Sam wasn't going to kill Jack, the Rugaru, unless he was evil. Turned out Jack was pushed and pushed, and eventually couldn't control himself. It's not easy, isn't it? We've seen both Dean and Sam struggled with the ideas of what to kill sometimes. Dean wasn't going to let Amy Pond go, there is no way he can know for sure that she won't kill again, if she does kill again and innocent people die, it's on him. I don't like that scene, but I get why Dean does it. Because everything has consequences. Dean has to do it. And when Sam finds out, it's gonna kill him! Things are so not black and white when it comes to the Supernatural. There will always be guilt. There will always be crap.
On other stuff, I love the idea of staying put at Rufus' get-away house in Whitefish, Montana. Oh Rufus! You're awesome even when you're dead! I love the fact the Dean is a crap TV sucker! I love the My Bloody Valentine 3D reference. I love the fact that Sam will never get Dean his pie! And I love cheese… oh wait.. what?
In next episode, Dean's on trail by an Egyptian God. Alona Tal reprises her role as Jo. Don't miss 7.04 Defending Your Life.
I will not survive if I conduct a face to face interview with this man.
Who doesn't love Friday? Seriously! And I love this week even more, because Jensen Ackles' second episode as a director is due to air in less than 24 hours... The Girl Next Door will also feature guest stars Colin Ford and Jewel Staite. Woot woot!!
Every now and then, WB will foot the bill for a group of journalists to go to Vancouver for set visits.. This week, they visited Supernatural (and others) and talked to Jensen and Jared about season seven and a very Supernatural wedding.
Here is EW's report on the visit. I always love the stuff the guys are doing at IGN, so here is the article from Eric Goldman. When Jared talks, he talked A LOT. SPACE also has a new interview with the boys.. HOT!
The synopsis of 7.06 Slash Fiction is released... guest starring Pirates of the Caribbean's Kevin R. McNally
DOUBLE THE WINCHESTERS, DOUBLE THE FUN — Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) are once again on the FBI’s “Most Wanted” list when two Leviathans clone the brothers and go on a killing spree. The subject of a nationwide manhunt, Sam and Dean need to drop off the grid so Bobby (Jim Beaver) sends them to Frank Deveraux (guest star Kevin R. McNally), a quirky surveillance expert, for help. Meanwhile, Bobby continues to search for a way to kill the Levianthans, or at least slow them down, so the real Winchesters can stop their evil doppelgangers. John Showalter directed the episode written by Robbie Thompson (#706). Source SpoilerTV
Up-coming episode titles have been updated... here we go:
7.04 Defending Your Life
7.05 Shut UP, Dr Phil
7.06 Slash Fiction
7.07 All in the Family
7.08 Time for a Wedding -- the description on IMDB is hilarious! I have no idea if this is real or not! Check this out.. "Dean realizes that the only way to save Castiel is to marry him. Turns out, they didn't just have a 'profound bond' for nothing."
7.09 How to Win Friends and Influence People (although it's been reported on SpoilerTV that it's actually '.... Influence Monsters'..
Steve Jobs is one of a very few people I look up to. His invention changed my life and the way I see things... differently. No one can innovate like Steve Jobs. His achievement was more than just his signature products, his vision defined what 'Think Different' truly mean. Steve Jobs was a thinker, an true innovator and a great leader. His vision will continue to inspire the modern culture.
Steve Jobs: 1955-2011
"Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple." -- Apple
Our generation has lost one of the greatest men. I am at a loss for words. I miss you already. Hope the iPhone works in Heaven.
Hello, Cruel World is very very solid episode. Once again it's jam-packed with goodies! Let's skip the recap and get straight into the discussion.
This is the way I see it -- Leviathan is scared, powerful but scared. Like Voldermont. That's why he wants to establish his territory, his authority, his army, quickly, before Dean and Sam figure out a way to kill him or send him back to Purgatory. Leviathan wants the threats to be eliminated now.
Insert excuse for using this screencap
It's a cruel cruel world for our heroes, in every sense of the term. Sam is dealing with his hallucination of Lucifer and he is incapable of identifying what's real and what's not. As for Dean, he lost one of the best friends he ever had; he has to take care of his Beautiful Mind little brother; Bobby is missing; they have a new big bad to deal with; and their headquarter is burnt down.
During the course of the series, Demons and Angels have never touched the Singer Salvage, but Team Leviathan did the ultimate oh-oh -- they strategically removed our heroes from their only comfort zone -- Singer Salvage. Leviathan knows Dean, Sam and Bobby are the only hunters who could destroy him, so he wants to take them out of their comfort zone making them vulnerable as quickly as possible. The Singer Salvage has always been the one place Dean and Sam rely on when they need help and shelter. This is where they regroup, rest, and think. This is where the Panic Room is. This is the Watch Tower, this is the CTU, this is the Stargate Command, this is the headquarter! I really hope the headquarter will be rebuilt!
It isn't the first time Supernatural deals with the post-hell experience -- Sam was tortured by Lucifer and Michael. He is freaking out as he is seeing through the crack of his walls. Whereas Dean was the torturer of souls in hell, he felt incredibly guilty for his action and when he learnt that he broke the first seal, that killed him. Unlike Dean when he was out of hell in season four, Sam is talking about his problems with Dean and Bobby and admits that he is seeing the hallucination of Lucifer and it is driving him crazy. Talking is healthy and I am glad this is not a dragged on secret. Will we finally see Sammy cry like Dean in season four? I was expecting a hug in the warehouse scene!
Ben Edlund, writer for awesome episodes such as Ghostfacers, The End and The Man Who Would Be King, is at his best form! He has once again nailed this to the wall! His humours and pop culture references were all over the episode. The dialogues were very well written. I really really REALLY LOVE the way Sam's hallucination is written. It's a torture for Sam, half-knowing Lucifer is not real, but he doesn't know that for sure, this is killing him. But I kinda wish Pellegrino would stick around, because he is so enjoyable to watch. His scenes with Sam were awesome! Also kudos to Guy Bee who directed this episode. I think he handled the emotional scenes very well. I always like Guy, I can't wait to see his next episode..
Hello, Cruel World also addressed the trust issue between Dean and Sam, and I feel that we are finally moving on with this. Yes, it sucks to come back from Hell, it sucks to be a Winchester, it sucks to be a hero, it sucks not knowing who to trust. But if you can't rely on your family, if you don't care and love, the world will end. I think I am finally seeing the light, if you will. There were plenty of brotherly moments in this episode. I particular love the 'breakfast in bed scene' where Dean gave Sammy a bottle a water and protein and checked his wound. And I love the warehouse scene where Dean asked Sam to believe him -- Dean got Sam out of hell, Dean was real. Lucifer was not. Over the years, Sam has transformed from being a psychic kid to Samifer, from Soullest Sam to Beautiful Mind Sam. On one hand, yes, things will never be the same again for the brothers. But on the other hand, some things will never change -- Dean and Sam will NEVER give up on each other.
Let's quickly touch Castiel. Yes, let's touch him. He is not dead and we will definitely see Misha again as Cas or CrazyCas. Picking up from where we left off last week, we saw LaviathanCas having a hard time adjusting his new meat suit, he went to the water and I don't know what you call it -- rejuvenate? According to the Bible (and don't ask me to specify which version), Leviathan was a sea monster. So perhaps water gives him strength and he is hiding there while his troops do their job. And because Dean is keeping Cas' signature trenchcoat, we will either see Cas in a whole new outfit... or naked. Or there will be a scene where Dean gives him his trenchcoat back. I am calling it now!
Bobby has been the closest thing Dean and Sam have to a father. I know I don't talk about Bobby enough but I love Bobby. He is the Chloe in CTU, the Walter in SG1, the Dr Emil in Smallville (ok… Bobby is more important… but you get my point.) You can kill everyone else, but don't you dare touch Bobby! Bobby isn't just a father figure to the boys because Dean said so. Bobby is really embracing this idea too. I'll go a far as saying Bobby is a better father than John. Bobby is so so important to the boys, especially to Dean, I love how Dean puts it at the end of the episode, "If you are gone, I swear, I am going to strap my Beautiful Mind brother into the car and I'm gonna drive us off the pier." That's how I imagine the show should end, right? I mean, Dean can be very suicidal… I can so see him getting drunk before driving off the cliff.
OH MY GOD
We haven't seen the boys with the medic since the beginning of season two. It only happens when they are REALLY desperate. This is usually when they get help from Bobby or Cas. But calling the medic is REALLY desperate. Like... oh crap desperate.
Is it just me or are you also seeing a mini cliffhanger every week so far this season? Each episode so far was written in continuous format rather than a stand-along episode. Typically, the writers would wrap things up in one episode because most episodes were treated as a monster of the week type of episode. Usually we would only get a mini cliffhanger if the episode was part of a two-parter episode, and then we would get a major mid-season cliffhanger. I am not saying I don't like the monster-of-the-week episodes or the fillers, I just really like the mini cliffhanger format this season. I really like the subtlety of change.
One more thing, Dr Sexy is officially one of the recurring themes/ in-jokes of the show. Not that I didn't think so before, but I love how Dr Sexy is randomly mentioned in different episodes.. randomly. AWESOME!
Don't miss the Jensen Ackles directed The Girl Next Door next week, featuring guest star Jewel Staite. This promo includes a jingle.. Bonus!
