SPN - 5.09 "The Real Ghostbusters" - The fun, the thinky

[feliciakw]

Okay, before we get started, I'd like to point out that Kripke & Co. have been bugging my and Izhi's phone conversations. Apparently they started doing it about 4-5 years ago, as that is when we started hashing out an idea for a murder mystery that takes place at a fan convention. When I saw last week's promo? It looked so familiar it wasn't even funny. Role playing and all.

Then . . . lots of recap that have nothing to do with the actual story so much as a refresher of a couple of key points in the early arc.

Now . . .

I love the contrast of the bright colors and lighting with the dramatic rescue music. The whole entrance that the Boys make. And the hotel, which is frighteningly similar to the inn/hotel I had pictured in my head when Izhi and I hashed out the beginnings of her story.

I love that Sam and Dean drove all night, pedal to the metal, because they thought Chuck was in trouble.

Enter Becky. Who is, at this point, annoying, but . . . funny. I mean, I think I've actually met that girl at a con (not an SPN con, mind you, as I've never been to one of those). The one with delusions of familiarity and glee. The one who would trap you in conversation for hours. The one who had you thinking to yourself, "I'm sorry, what?" . . . Yeah. (Btw, I've actually been in her shoes of, "You remember me?" But I took it more as an indication of what a good memory the actor had, not that he'd been thinking about me. Though possibly thinking about my traveling companion, who always turned heads. Perhaps it was memory by association. Anyway . . . )

And when Chuck apologizes "for everything," that's when I know there's gonna be trouble.

And here we come to my first thinky ponderings. And we're not even five minutes into the show. I just . . . love . . . have so much sympathy for Dean's expression of incredulous horror (followed quickly by Sam's) when they see the "Scarecrow." Because to them? This isn't play. This is real. This really happened, they really split up, Dean was really almost made a human sacrifice. None of this is funny to them, because they lived it. It goes beyond frustration for them. It goes to the next level. The level of people using the most frightening or painful or personal moments of their lives . . . for entertainment.

And this gets me thinking about real fandom. And the fandom-generated gossip that focuses on the actors' lives. And I can't help but get a little ticked (the way I do from time to time) at the way some people speculate and conjecture about Jared and/or Jensen and/or their girlfriends, and then (maybe) disclaim "it's just my opinion." For example, the speculation and sniping and mocking that Jensen's engagement is a publicity stunt. There's no tangible reason to believe that it's a publicity stunt. A real man has proposed to a real woman who has been his girlfriend for 3 years. She said yes. (At least, that's how I'd guess it went down. Could have been the other way around, I suppose.) This is, by all indications, happy news. Yet some people have co-opted this event in this man's and this woman's life for the entertainment of spreading rumors and gossip and sniping at and mocking the man and woman, or spreading their opinion (often stated as fact) without benefit of first hand knowledge of the relationship. They've co-opted these people's lives as fuel for speculation and rumor regardless that these are real people with real lives and real feelings and real beliefs and real friends and real family and likes and dislikes and loves and fears. There is a reality at play here, regardless of what anyone says or does. Yet the actors have become topics for speculation and argument and sniping that have nothing to do with the actual actors and everything to do with the fans involved and, dare I say, the egos of the fans involved. It irks me.

And that's what I see here in Dean's and Sam's initial reaction. They're reacting to a real memory from their real experiences. But to the cos players, it's nothing. Which is okay in this instance, because the cos players don't know that Sam and Dean's story is real. (Whereas RL fans know that Jensen and Jared and their girlfriends are real people and co-opt their lives are co-opted for entertainment and criticism regardless.)

I hope that made sense. I currently have a ringside seat to a similar situation in RL--reading internet users make uninformed and in some cases libelous statements about people I actually know, without regard to the facts. They think they know the facts, but in reality, they haven't got a clue what they're talking about. And when the facts are presented to them, by people with first hand knowledge and expertise, they either ignore them, or go into conspiracy theory mode. So I'm a little sensitive to the subject. Sorry for the tangent. And now I've made myself depressed.

Where was I? Oh, right. Dean's surprised horror. Have I mentioned recently that I really love how expressive Jensen is? Because I do. I really do.

Geo and I couldn't help but laugh when all the room activities were revealed, the costumes, the merchandise, the contact lenses. Bwah!

I love Sam and Dean's reaction to how far off base that second discussion panel is. I don't know that we'd really want to see Dean's reaction to the panel that speculates about Dean as "frightened little boy." I'm afraid he's want to slug someone.

Why does faux!Sam look so freakin' familiar to me? Have I seen him somewhere before?

Pausing on the shot of the audience, I see that there is a girl dressed as Bobby (I like to think her boyfriend/husband is sitting next to her as Ash), a Woman in White, a black Sam and Dean, a girl with long blonde hair as Sam and her girlfriend (read that as you will) as Dean, a Bloody Mary in there somewhere (later on there's an Asian Winchester) . . . I'm guessing the audience is about 1/3 female. Which is better than the reverse ratio at a real con, where male attendees are outnumbered far more than that (1 guy to every 100 women? Just a guess). Jensen even commented on the odds at one con. Basically said that a guy would be smart to attend because of all the women that attend (my paraphrase).

Actually, one of the things I like about the con depicted here is that there are both men and women in attendance.

That Q&A is actually less awkward than some con clips I've seen.

I actually love almost everything about this ep. Chuck's speech regarding his source of income? He makes a point. As do Sam and Dean. "Our lives are not for public consumption." *points to above tangent*

Sam and Dean jump into hero mode, ready to take charge. Someone mentioned their reaction to a scream being hardwired into them. It's true, and I love it. ♥

You know? At this point, I feel like giving up on this review and just telling you to go watch the ep again. Because if I pick apart everything I like about this ep? I'm never going to get done in time for N3 tonight.

"Dad's Journal." *points to earlier rant.* Because how painful must it be for the boys to see their dad's journal--the last connection to their father--reduced to nothing more than instructions for a game played by people who have no idea what they're doing?

Okay, it just occurred to me. And maybe I'm nuts. But is Becky supposed to be dressed like . . . um . . . Lori? From "Hookman"? The plaid with the vest kinda gives me a "school girl" vibe.

You might read this refrain from time to time throughout the write-up, but Jensen and Jared look really good.

Old school SPN ghosts FTW!!! \o/ I really do like the case in this ep, as it harkens back to Classic SPN.

Also, it's interesting to watch Leticia's first appearance in retrospect. Because she doesn't go for the guy, she goes around him. Which I noticed the first time, but didn't think anything of.

I admit. I really like Dean chatting up ghost actress. I love her initial blow-off, until she actually looks at him. Just that whole exchange. *nods*

And then the Boys are back into hunting mode.

I also love the exchange between the guys and the hotel manager. It just . . . clicks. Exposition without being boring, and the Guys doing what they do.

"We've got a real ghost and a bunch of dudes pretending to be us poking at it." For some reason, I love this line. "Serves them right." Dean really, really does not like having his life co-opted. That, and he obviously doesn't see himself as anything special, to be emulated. (But then, we already knew that.)

Faux!Dean . . . "We'll lighter 'er up nice and toasty." While that does sound like a Dean line, Dean so wouldn't be chatting with a ghost about such things. *snerk*

Handprints on the wall & paper, map behind the picture is indeed cool. But . . . um . . . why is the map hidden in the picture? Whatever. The ep is fun. *handwave*

Okay, Becky licking her palm and the blowing it to Sam? That was just bizarre and weird and icky. But the gleam in her eye told me how much fun the actress was having with the role. And the wink and the shoulder, I think, convinced me to go along with her. (Personally, I think it'd be a trip if the actress was a guest at a real con sometime. Ha!)

I love that Dean takes crimes against children personally, and that a mother doing harm to her own child is particularly offensive to him.

Sam and Dean as Rufus and Bobby. Um . . . at least they're role playing the more experienced hunters. Seems apropos, no?

I also kinda loves Dean speech about their lives. Because Dean has only ever watched "normal." And he's been to Hell. So he's coming from a point of having way more information than these guys will ever need, and he sees no reason why anyone would want to live his life.

They don't care "because they're fictional characters." And sometimes I wonder if the people I referred to in my tangent up top don't see Jensen or Jared or whomever as more than a character in a story.

I also love the change in the Faux!chesters when Sam pulls the shovel out of his bag. The point at when they realize that these guys . . . aren't playing. That they're really going to dig up a real coffin. I guess I love the outsider POV/reaction that we're getting in this ep.

I also like--because I can relate to--wanting to all but slap these guys upside the head with the facts. Dean and Sam are deadly serious and this is real. This isn't theory or fiction or a game. It's real.

And then the turning point when the Faux!chesters realize that ghosts are real, and this is the real deal.

When Faux!Dean asked "How'd you guys know how to do all that?" I really wanted Dean to answer, "It's what we do." Though Sammy's response was more low-key.

I love the twist on the ghost story. Because it was totally creepy. I also kinda like the ghost Sam and Dean keep chatting with. Such an earnest child.

And just for the record? The make-up department really earned their paychecks with the job they did on the evil ghost children. Especially the short dark haired one. Because he was really creepy.

Um . . . you notice how the constant complainer was the only fan to get ganked? Cool costume, though.

And when Sam and Dean get all the people in the ballroom and start salting the doors? *glee* I also wonder why no one wonders why these dudes are salting the doors, and is it part of the show.

I guess the best way to describe my love for the conversation re-figuring their theory is that it's Sam and Dean. Classic Sam and Dean. Throughout this ep. Working together, backing each other up. In synch. And it's awesome.

"If all these people are seriously in trouble, we've got to help 'em. Because that's what Sam and Dean would do." Yes, Dean. That's why the readers love you.

I want to know how many of Chuck's answers were ad libbed. Heh.

"I'm right here, sweetheart. I got your back." And pardon me for saying that that line, delivered in that voice, made me just a wee bit weak in the knees. *thud*

Cell phone of doom, and Geo and I both cringe. Eeek!!!

"Run," and Dean standing with fire poker at the ready. Nice visual. Very.

Don't break the salt line!

Hero!Chuck, complete with bionic SFX! And Becky has found her hero.

I also love that we get the reality of a salt and burn. Hard work and temperamental lighters.

"Maybe we should put these things on a bungee." Just be sure to practice, Dean. Because it would not do to be taken out by your own weapon because it bungeed back too hard.

And the enthusiastic but ultimately sane fans save the day.

And when Dean introduces himself, it's just . . . okay, I'm still convinced that there's an affair going on between Jensen and Nikon or Minolta or whatever company makes the cameras used on the show. But aside from the fact that the guy is freakin' gorgeous . . .

Dean is just . . . he seems almost proud that he is who he is for that moment. He's giving these guys a bit of himself by admitting to being who the books are about. And I love the expression on Damian's face. He's totally gobsmacked and in awe. Until Barnes breaks and thinks it's a joke. And there goes Dean's 15 seconds of fame.

"To wake up every morning and save the world. To have a brother who would die for you. Well, who wouldn't want that?" Yes, Dean. That's what the readers love about your story.

I had a thinky thought at the beginning. Here's my thinky thought at the end. It is rather esoteric, but when I heard the above line, I couldn't help but think . . . "To wake up every morning and save the world. To have a brother who would die for you. . . . " That right there? Christianity. "To wake up every morning and save the world." "Saving the world" doesn't have to be big and grandiose. It can be something as simple as being the only smile or kind word someone hears. Which of course you'll never know. It can be volunteering an afternoon for a charity. Or donating blood. Or contributing a can or two to a food drive. It can be giving a decent tip to the server who deserves it. Or holding your tongue when you're angry. Little things matter.

"To have a brother who would die for you . . ." Christians have that. Jesus is called the firstborn of many brothers. He is our big brother, and He died for us, so that we wouldn't have to suffer in Hell. Pretty simple and straight forward. And yet pretty awesome to contemplate.

Becky's break-up speech? So cheesy and over the top that it pretty much cinched that in small doses, she cracks me up.

Sam's "No, not really. We have guns and we'll find you." Oh, Sam. ♥ I love the way Jared delivers that line.

A demon named Crowley? Ha! I was right! Alistair was named after Aleistir Crowley! Part of me kind of wishes they'd been able to play a little with Alistair actually being an historical personage turned demon, but the timing would have been wrong.

And Bela gave Alistair the Colt? Oookay then. And you know, if Alistair was Lilith's right hand man, and Bela gave the Colt to Alistair, it would make sense that from Bela's POV, she actually did give it to Lilith via Lilith's representative. But that's beside the point. And I've decided that I'm okay with Becky disclosing this info, because it gives the character an actual reason to be there. She reads Chucks books, knows them even better than he does. So . . . okay. I'll go along with that.

Dean, with the Impala, realizing his life isn't total misery, he's actually pretty good. Most importantly, there's a smile there.

And they have a lead on the Colt.

I wonder if those last clips actually were out-takes.

Best line of the ep? ". . . it's really not jumping the shark if you never come back down." Ha! Is that supposed to be a commentary on the season?

Wow. So. It's late, and I actually did not get done in time for N3, so I took an hour break (and the ep was awesome), and came back and finished up. Any typos will have to get corrected later. I'm going to bed.

But one for time for the record: Jensen? Smokin' hot. Jared? Not so bad his own self.

Comments

[scionofgrace.livejournal.com]

Hadn't thought that about the Christian parallel, but... yeah. Absolutely. The life of a true Christian is hard, but it is waking up every day to save the world, with a brother (and father) who loves us completely. What a great way to put it!

I really liked how the fans were handled, that Becky was the exception, and that most of them were sane and just there for the fun. Pair this up with Doctor Who's "Love and Monsters", where fandom is about making connections through a shared interest. I'm glad the writers get that. (Now if only the insane fans would!)

[feliciakw.livejournal.com]

It's kinda funny how often something in church will make me think of something in my TV shows. And yesterday during communion, I had the "save the world, a brother who'd die for you" line running through my head.

I know I'm in the minority, but the more ridiculous and melodramatic Becky got, the funnier I found her. She ceased to be fandom at large and became this silly character whom the actress seemed to be having a blast playing. If I can tell an actor is enjoying him/herself, if they look comfortable, I'm inclined to like the character (or love to hate, or hate to love them).