attack of the pod-show

[krickets]

I should be doing biology, but...

Dear Supernatural,

Who are you? And what have you done with my show?

No love,
Me.

I am well aware that this may be an unpopular opinion, but holy christ. It just isn't the same show anymore. I turned the episode off, off, midway through last night. And I have no real desire to download it either.

I'm holding out. I'm not giving up, but I'm really really disappointed overall. (And I like Ruby, more of her, kthnx.)

ETA: Quoting myself from the comments:

As much as I liked the new coloring at first, because I thought, "vidding/graphics heaven!" Now it bugs me, if only for the fact that it perfectly reflects many of the other changes in the show.

There used to be this sort of murky kind of creepiness to it, this sort of hovering between funny and serious, this foggy place. Which was absolutely reflected in the way the show was shot, the lighting and colors, etc.

Now, it's all bright and, that word again... cartoonish. Not just in color but in atmosphere, dialogue, everything.

In addition to this, I feel like the show isn't really scary anymore. It's been shocking and violent and gory. But this does not scary make.

There have been parts of episodes and whole episodes I've enjoyed this season. But the vast majority thus far have barely resembled season one or season two Supernatural. And that makes me really sad.

Comments

[gigglemonster.livejournal.com]

Supernatural, you are making me very sad. You need to get your shit together or pack it up.
*sigh*
Remember the good old days when there weren't annoying chicks with fake british accents hitting on Dean, who never used to be somewhat of a moron either?
I'll say it again, those boys are damn lucky they're cute and having hot sex with each other, otherwise I might have to start turning off episodes halfway through as well.

ETA: Ohhh yes, more Ruby dude!

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Is her accent fake? Haha.

I didn't know.

At any rate, it's got less to do with Bela (although how much don't I like her?) and a lot more to do with the overall atmosphere and the way they're playing it this year.

And no, he didn't used to be a moron. He used to be smart and clever and how he's just... too much with the witty and not enough with the clever.

And yes, lucky they're cute. Haha.

ETA: Holy moly you can edit comments! I think I have died and gone to heaven!
ETA #2: I'm editing this twice!
ETA #3: I actually was editing this for a reason. I swear.
ETA #4: I just remembered, your icon rocks! ILY Andy! (RIP!)

[inthekeyofd.livejournal.com]

What I saw was that ghost ship story was sort of inserted in, I don't know how to explain it, but it was like it was sort of thrown together, there wasn't a great flow to it.

I just focused on the Jensen in that tux. *smile*

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Hahaha yes, there's always that.

As much as I liked the new coloring at first, because I tought, "vidding/graphics heaven!" Now it bugs me, if only for the fact that it perfectly reflects many of the other changes in the show.

There used to be this sort of murky kind of creepiness to it, this sort of hovering between funny and serious, this foggy place. Which was absolutely reflected in the way the show was shot, the lighting and colors, etc.

Now, it's all bright and, that word again... cartoonish. Not just in color but in atmosphere, dialogue, everything.

In addition to this, I feel like the show isn't really scary anymore. It's been shocking and violent and gory. But this does not scary make.

There have been parts of episodes and whole episodes I've enjoyed this season. But the vast majority thus far have barely resembled season one or season two Supernatural. And that makes me really sad.

[ageless-aislynn.livejournal.com]

I am now going to reveal something that may shock you. Or not. ;)

I haven't watched any of this season and I don't plan to.

*waits to see if you're shocked* ;)

Ah but lest you think it's because I was all freaked out because they were adding new chicks as "kinda/sorta regulars/might be love interests if the fangirls don't go all Jo-crazy" or anything like that, no, that wasn't it. It was just as the season got closer and closer to starting and I knew it was going to deal so heavily with ZOMGDEANSDYING! for the entire season, I found myself literally dreading having to endure that. I mean, I've got enough of that "gee, who's going to die today???" going on in my RL, I can't take sitting through that in a TV show. Especially since I loves me some Dean. It was too...close to home, you know? :S Yes, that sounds stupid to say it and I know a lot of people would be glad to argue the point with me, which is why I haven't exactly announced it up until now.

Bottom-line, I'd rather just have fond memories of the past seasons and not have to worry that a TV show is going to send me into hysterical crying jags or anything, you know? It just felt like the right thing for me to do for myself. [/end life story] ;)

And hey, if I miss some crummy writing and inane character assassinations and horrible cartoon caricatures of characters I've always loved, more's the better! ;) I can still enjoy picspams and drooling over teh pretteh fellows, right? ;)

ETA: Edit button, FTW! ♥!

[crickets.livejournal.com]

*is shocked beyond measure!*

Horrible cartoon caricatures of characters we've always loved. That is a GREAT way to put it.

I guess I understand where you're coming from with that. But you know, there's no way Dean will die. Hahaha. Do you think that AFTER the season is over and you know how it's going to end that you might watch it, like over the summer or whatever? If we even GET to the end of the season, that is.

[ageless-aislynn.livejournal.com]

*is shocked beyond measure!*

*buffs nails* Hey, I'm just glad I'm not 100% predictable, you know? ;)

But you know, there's no way Dean will die. Hahaha. Do you think that AFTER the season is over and you know how it's going to end that you might watch it, like over the summer or whatever? If we even GET to the end of the season, that is.

Oh, I totally agree, Dean is SO not going to die (barring some hugely shocking contract dispute or complete insanity on the part of TPTB). So it's not really that I felt like, "Crap, they killed Kenny Dean!" ;) I just couldn't make myself watch a season full of "Dean's gonna die!" angst. I just...don't want to see it. It feels too hurty to me right now. Maybe later when my RL isn't a little too close for comfort to that, I dunno. I might feel differently about it.

I just know that as this season started, I was going to have to literally force myself to endure each ep and then it dawned on me, "Hey, it's a frakkin' TV show; I don't have to watch it if I don't feel like it!" And I can't even tell you how relieved I felt when that dawned on me! So it was the right choice for me to make. I'm glad for everybody else who still enjoys it (or not, depending on how you feel about this season, lol!) but it's just not for me right now, as weird as that seems considering how obsessed I was with it last season! o_O And, like I said, that doesn't mean I don't still *heart* Jensen and Jared and JDM liek woah. I'm just *hearting* them from a bit more of a distance, lol! ;)

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Well I can only say, for your sake, I hope that day is real soon. *hugs* Life imitating art isn't always so cool. :(

[ongiara.livejournal.com]

Dude, you started a chain reaction in my head with this...

As a result, you do have a point here. Especially when it comes to the cartoonish part. Guess, I've grown so close to the characters and their own storyline that I tend to blend out everything else that's not working so well anymore. Fact is, the last episode that remotely scared me was Provenance back in season one. It has stopped being creepy a long time ago.

cartoonish. Not just in color but in atmosphere, dialogue, everything.
Yeah, I get that feeling too from time to time. Some of the humor lately has been a bit over the top for my liking too. Maybe because I'm an angst whore and this show used to be more angsty and sarcastic than cartoonish before. Also Bela... what's her purpose on the show, was her character really neccessary? Ruby at least seems to play a bigger role that will serve the overall story arc, it seems. Ah well, not all hope is lost.

By the way, glad you wrote that stuff down!

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Don't chain reactions suck? I'm sorry. (Or maybe I'm not... I dunno, lol.)

There were definitely some season 2 eps that scared me or at least had that same creepy atmosphere. One that comes to mind is Everybody Loves a Clown because dang that clown was creepy as hell! *hides from him*

I totally agree with you about Bela. I don't get it. I get Ruby, I enjoy Ruby. But Bela? Not so much.

And no, not all hope is lost, but I feel like, and I'm probably going to repeat this several times because it just hit me last night, that I'm watching TALL TALES over and over again.

[nashirah.livejournal.com]

I see your point very clearly. Although I don't realy agree with most of your opinion, I get it.
For me, every episode is better, I'm not bored or anything.
But after 3x06 I thought: OK, I laughed so much, thanks. So much crack. But hey, where are other things that are supposed to be in my beloved show? There aren't here... And Dean isn't a moron and he looks like it in season 3 (well, mostly in episode 3x01 and 3x05, but still).
Tu sum up, I have faith in Kripke&co. I do. I think they give us all these "light, shiny episodes" just to hit us hard in the end. I'm feeling this. There'll be overhelming amount of angst. Yeah. That's my new hope. :)

[crickets.livejournal.com]

I don't know that I'm bored, I'm just not impressed an mostly I've been, "Okay, and why do I care?"

And re: all the crack. I feel like I'm watching the alternate universe Supernatural we saw in Tall Tales over and over. I keep expecting the trickster or whatever that guy was to come out from behind the shadows.

[(Anonymous)]

I haven't seen the latest ep yet but I have it downloading :) It's a cool show but it got a bit silly with all the demons and vampires.. it was turning into Buffy. I really enjoy the characters of Dean and Sam along with the funky monsters they used to come up with.

Here's a shocker from me.. I missed last years finale! I never realised though so I was wtf at the beginning of the season but oh well :)

[pauly26.livejournal.com]

That was me by the way lol sorry

[crickets.livejournal.com]

S'okay Paul.

There's nothing wrong with a show turning into Buffy, which I don't really think it's doing. They're demon hunters, that's what they do. Vampires are par for the course.

Everything they hunt has the potential to be really creepy, but with few exceptions, they haven't really been going there this season.

[pauly26.livejournal.com]

This whole army of demons thing I don't like and I really hated the vampire episode thats just stayed with me. Agreed is not all about vampires but the fact they went there annoyed me and it was not just one vampire which might have been believable and they could have been more creative with the whole vampire mystique but they had the stereotypical nest of vampires.

[crickets.livejournal.com]

There's really not a lot of new ground when it comes to the vampire thing though. It's old trope and it's been done and the whole POINT of this show is that its urban legends and spook stories that have been done a thousand times over, and the Winchesters will kill it lol. That was the premise of it in the beginning anyway. So much of the stuff they come across is actually pretty cliche. Cause it's supposed to be.

[pauly26.livejournal.com]

I dunno there was plenty of monsters in the first season I had never even heard of. If it was so needed why didn't they do vampires early on?

[savepureness.livejournal.com]

Um, so this is what's waiting for me behind the corner? Season One just ended up here, and I'm dying to watch the second - but hearing what you think about the third makes me wonder.

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Well we're something like 5-6 eps into the season so far. That doesn't mean the whole thing will be like this.

My initial theory was that they were trying to avoid having a totally angsty season, because, I don't want to spoil you, but certain things have happened at the end of season 2 that could make season 3 be entirely angst-ridden. So I thought they were upping the funny so that when the angst finally hit, it wasn't such a hard blow or it was easier to take or whatever.

But really, what is the harm in have a very dark season? The storyline calls for it, so all of this goofy stuff just seems so out of place. It doesn't jive with what has happened before it.

I'll keep watching, if I give up entirely, you'll certainly know.

[savepureness.livejournal.com]

Ha. I totally share your opinion; I'm still waiting for our TV to decide on airing season two, as well, though I'm not sure how successful the series was here - and that's a pity, for I love it truly. But I do think that you're right: the storyline, though having its funny touches and its happy moments, IS dark and creepy, so this is the line it should keep. If they decide to add commercial, hollywoodian accents to it, then it's indeed a pity.

[turquoisetumult.livejournal.com]

Well, I kind of feel like everyone is going to start throwing rotten tomatoes at my head or something right now, but ... *shrugs* I like this season.

It's definitely different than the past two seasons, I'll give you that much, but when you look at the way season 2 ended, it kind of FORCED itself into approaching a different style. The YED (the main opponent for 2 seasons) was killed. It's only natural that the big issue for season 3 would be Dean, Sam, and the deal.

I like the new characters as well. I like Ruby and the mystery she brings a lot and Bela is sort of starting to grow on me. Yeah, she's a vicious, cold, selfish, b.i.t.c.h., but, hey, that works for me. I'd rather have that than a sidekick to the boys (which, in that case, I feel it really would no longer be SPN).

Now, it's all bright and, that word again... cartoonish

I think I know what you mean. Every scene this season has kind of been a shout out to WIAWSNB's Dean-mowing-the-law scene. Kind of bright and in your face and EXPOSED. And I agree that there is a lot of gore, but in certain cases that can be scary. You KNOW something gruesome is going to happen but you can't really see it until it actually happens and well, that tension, can be very unsettling sometimes.

And, I'm not sure if it was you or someone else that commented on the fake!British!Bela-accent but the actress is actually an American schooled in Britain, so the accent's real. I heard her in a short interview, and lo and behold, the accent was still there. Sorry if that wasn't you, but I've been seeing that a lot lately and it just had to be said. ;)

So, yeah, KC, I totally get where you're coming from. I understand the change you feel from season 1/2 to this 100%, and I see it too, but I'm not really bothered by it. I hope they'll be some season 1/2-like eps just to remind fans of nostragia but until then, I'll take this kind of SPN over no kind of SPN any day of the week.

*covers herself for the dozens of people armed with their rotten tomatoes* :D

[workswithwords.livejournal.com]

Well said! I definitely agree with you on many of those points! I think that the main difference between Seasons 1/2 and Season 3 is that this season there is no big bad guy, there is no one person to kill. The largest issue is that Sam and Dean are wasting time fighting over if Dean's going to die instead of enjoying the time they have left together.

Like a lot of people in fandom I'm not fond of some of the episodes. Mostly 3.02 and 3.05 and I've been wracking my brain to figure out WHY they've taken this show that like KC has said had certain things have happened at the end of season 2 that could make season 3 be entirely angst-ridden.

I think that really its a writing style issue. In the first season a majority of the episodes were written by Kripke, Sera Gamble and John Shiban. In the second season we see a couple new writers brought on, Ben Edlund (Hollywood Babylon) and Raelle Tucker (WIAWSNB)

BUT in Season 3, for the first seven episodes, none of them were written by John Shiban. He wrote some of the best episodes, Skin, Hookman, Scarecrow, Benders, Everybody Loves A Clown, Croatoan, the original cartoonish episode Tall Tales, and Folsom Prison Blues. To me those were some of the scariest episodes, save for Tall Tales that amid all the creepy and angst ridden episodes was a breath of fresh air. But now with John not writing and Kim Manners directing only ONE episode so far. That's why we're getting the stuff that we're getting. The head writer aside from Kripke right now is Sera Gamble.

Now don't get me wrong, I love her work, and I like the rest of all the Sam fangirls thanked her to high heaven when Sammy finally got a little action but I'm getting sick of her, and the way she writes these episodes.

I think this is the longest comment ever. But yeah, I had a lot to say... haha

:) thanks for providing a forum to talk about this Kc!

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Yeah no problem. While I agree to an extent, I think it has a bit more reason than just the writers. Overall atmosphere and direction of a show doesn't just come down from them, although it plays a big part. Overall creative changes like that can't be simply chalked up to the writing team. Especially when things as huge as visual aspects are changed. Those things don't happen by accident or on an episode by episode basis, IMO.

[workswithwords.livejournal.com]

No you are totally right. I guess I just keep trying to justify it in my head. But its not working!!!!

:)

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Aw, *hugs*

[crickets.livejournal.com]

That was Dayln. Somebody said that the actress does have an English accent but it's not the same accent she uses on the show. Like Tony Head had a put on accent for Giles even though he is English.

And you know I don't mind pushy selfish bitches, so long as they're done in a believable, love-to-hate, PURPOSEFUL way. I don't see any of that with Bela, unfortunately.

And I like that you mentioned What Is And What Never Should Be, because it seems like that, or even TALL TALES to a lesser degree.

And while I DON'T like the changes, and you DO like them, at least we both agree that she show HAS changed. I have no problem with the focus being on Dean's deal. But I do have a problem with them playing it off so light-heartedly. It just doesn't jive, IMO.

No throwing tomatoes. I invite differing opinions, you should know that haha.

[turquoisetumult.livejournal.com]

The Giles accent was fake! I'm assuming Head had a more rough, cockney one maybe? I can't tell the difference between British accents. Oh, KC, why must you hurt me so. *hugs Giles and all his stuffy Britishness*

I think "Bad Day at Black Rock" was a complete spin-off of Tall Tales. Not that I minded - BDABR was a fantastically funny ep and I loved it, but there's a real big emphasis on the non-subtle stuff this season, I think, when it comes to humor. But I do think that your initial thinking was right - they're lightening the mood now to soften the blow for the major angst later on. At the end of all the recent episodes we've had hints to angst and you know it just can't be avoided. Kripke is just trying to draw it out to create more tension, I think.

And, actually, I'm KNOWN for hating changes. I can't stand them! lol. Therefore, when I see so many changes it SPN that still makes me love/like (depending on the episodes) the show, then I feel like the writers are doing something right still. I feel season 3 is lacking a little (I really liked season 2 and season 1, which I viewed on my computer, post-viewing s2), but I still quite pleased. Definitely a show I still look forward to and that's a-okay to me.

Yay. I am tomato-free! :D

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Meep! Yes I'm sorry it was a bit but on. His real accent like you said is a bit rougher, less posh/stuffy.

The trend I'm seeing here is that pretty much everybody agrees that the show has changed. I just don't happen to like it, and many people do happen to like the changes. Which is first of all, odd to me considering our fandom and how resistant it is to change, usually.

I'm all about change, but when it makes me want to tell Dean to shut his pie hole, in not a nice way, then I'm unhappy.

[bibi-bloom.livejournal.com]

Really? I personally love this season even more. I like that there's the humor because you know that the ultimate angst ending is ahead due to the deal. Besides I think they are acting better together than before and I absolutely adore the chicks showing up lately.
For me it's the best season so far...

[crickets.livejournal.com]

I don't just have an issue with new chicks showing up. I'm not that fangirl. I mean, I love Ruby, but I don't love Bela.

One thing that makes me crazy is that Bela SHOT Sam and all she got in return was a half-hearted insult from Dean? Um, hello? That's so OOC that I want to kill someone.

But, pretty much what I'm noticing is that most people do agree that there has been a major change, but I just happen to dislike that change, while they happen to like it.

So at least I'm not crazy in thinking that the show has certainly changed this season.

[iamnotkris.livejournal.com]

*waves hands*

OH GOD THANK YOU.

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Hee! You're welcome! I am glad I am not alone!

[lostashleigh.livejournal.com]

I totally hear you on this, although I do still love the show, it is different! And I much prefer the good old S1 and 2 Supernatural! *sigh*

Where I've never really found the show 'scary', although I know my Mum and sister have (I guess I just have a high threshold for that stuff), I'll admit it isn't as creepy as it was and they so could make it way more spooky, I mean isn't that what the show is supposed to be about?!?!

I do still like this season and I would no way turn an ep off halfway through. (Although I can understand why you did, that certainly wasn't the best ep and I wasn't a huge fan of it! And it did highlight the issues you're having with it!) After the Season 2 finale I was expecting something much darker this season, I mean all hell did break loose, literally, instead what we've got is something cheerier and brighter! :S Most of the eps this season seem to be 'fun', and I love that but I'd like some darker, angsty eps too. Kind of like how they fit Hell House, which was pretty fun, in between two 'darker', more serious eps, Shadow and Something Wicked. Gah, I dunno, just my opinion...

And on that note, I noticed the new colouring and I'm not a big fan at all! :(

They need to get their act together and make it more like the Supernatural we know and love again! But until then I will still be 'happy' to watch what we've got.

And we do totally need more Ruby. And no more Bela thank you very much! ;)

Maybe next week's will be better, it looks like it might just be...*fingers crossed*

[crickets.livejournal.com]

I'll admit it isn't as creepy as it was and they so could make it way more spooky, I mean isn't that what the show is supposed to be about?!?!

Word. I mean, no, it didn't ever really make me scared out of my wits, but the atmosphere used to be much more spooky, like you said. It's not anymore.

I mean all hell did break loose, literally, instead what we've got is something cheerier and brighter!

Right? That's what I mean it just doesn't jive with the s2 finale.

I can't remember the name of the ep but it was 2 eps ago, I really liked that ep. I don't want to make it sound like I hated every ep or every second of every ep. There have been moments where I've been like "now we're talking!" But for the most part, it's just not my show anymore.