What I Learned From "Meta Fiction" or Remembering The Thing I Sometimes Forget...

“What makes a story work? Is it the plot, the characters, the text? The subtext? And who gives a story meaning? Is it the writer? Or you? Tonight, I thought I would tell you a little story and let you decide.”

I wasn’t planning on writing anything around “Meta Fiction”. After my hour and a half podcast on the subject with my podcast cohort, Superwiki’s Sister Jules (listen here), I felt like I’d said all that I needed to say, but yesterday I realised that maybe there was just a little more.

There was a story swirling around after the story of “Meta Fiction” that would not leave me alone and it got me thinking…

I’m not one for talking Meta or canon or any of those deeper elements of Supernatural that light up other writer’s worlds. My primary dialogue is usually based on the emotional aspect of the story, or at least how the story affects me emotionally. I watch this show with my heart and my mind, but when it comes to Supernatural, my heart rules the roost. I make no apologies for that. It is, after all, why we’re all so passionate about this show. Because it touches our hearts.

I don’t look at the primary relationship in Supernatural as having ever been perfect, nor do I need it to be perfect. For me it’s the flaws and the constant struggles that make the brothers’ relationship so compelling. The fact that their relationship is deeply flawed and damaged and yet they stay united is the thing that keeps me coming back week in week out. Because I’m rooting for them ever step of the way. It’s their journey, their ups and downs, their sometimes seemingly impossible battle to love each other against everything that is thrown at them and that they throw at each other, that keeps me engrossed and in love. Passionately in love. It’s the flaws in their relationship that to me, make it perfect. They live in an extreme world and it makes sense to me that their problems should match that environment. There is a truth to their relationship that I find profoundly satisfying, even when it’s breaking my heart.

I’m happy simply to have my boys on my television fighting the good fight, whatever that may be and trying to find meaning in their lives as they battle evil and sometimes each other in their eternal quest to save the world and stay side by side whilst doing it! Yay! That’s all I need. That to me is my story of Supernatural and it’s all I need.

But other fans need different things.

And that’s it, that’s the point. Story is an individual experience and what you bring to story and what you need from story is personal. There is no right and there is no wrong because this story belongs to each of us individually and every single one of us is unique.

That is what I took out of “Meta Fiction”. I didn’t see Metatron’s narrative on story as chastising or disrespectful to fandom or excusing the writers for future canon erasures or continuity errors. That didn’t even enter my head! I just don’t watch the story like that. That’s not my Supernatural.

But what Metatron’s narrative on story did do was help me to remember exactly that. My Supernatural is not the same as everyone else’s. We each see this story and these characters through our own values, our mood on the day, our hopes and dreams, how we see ourselves, how we see others, how we see family. We each have a unique vision of our world and it affects every second we watch this show. What we bring to the story affects what we take out and our needs differ.

And though I actually believe that Metatron’s speech will be seen as something that reflects back on his megalomaniacal vision of his world, which he will find he doesn’t control because of exactly the thing he questions…“who gives a story meaning”, it was a good reminder to me to respect everyone’s view on the show. How we interpret it is up to us. How we all see it is different. Because story is personal and my feelings about it or your feelings about it are no less right or wrong than the next fans. 

I’m going to try to remember this next time I feel frustrated because my opinion seems to be flying in the face of what everyone else seems to be saying, or the next time I sit scratching my head at another writer’s take on an episode I love and they didn’t, or the next time I feel irrational rage about some tweet or another! Because none of that matters. This story is my story and just like the Winchesters do, I will write it for myself.

What makes a story work? Is it the plot, the characters, the text? The subtext? And who gives a story meaning? Is it the writer? Or you?

For me the answer is simple. It’s you!

Now…about that shower scene…

Come on... like I wasn't going to mention it! ;)

-sweetondean

The Light on Spoilers, Heavy on Squee Preview of Supernatural 9.18 "Meta Fiction"

Well that's it folks! We got through it! The last hellatus of the season and the toughest one, because this was SHOWERHELLATUS! Yes...we were made to wait and wait after a preview featuring Dean in the shower! I mean...how cruel! But before I get to THAT, let's look at where we've been.

When we last saw Sam and Dean, they were on the same page...well at least about Abaddon, everything else is anyone's guess! (It hurts, it hurts!)

It turns out, Abaddon is stealing souls to create her own demon army and take control of Hell and probably everything else in the bargain. So stopping Abaddon just became priority mission number 1 for the Winchesters.

Dean is feeling a lot of feels and some of them are because of the Mark of Cain and the First Blade. Having had his hands on the Blade, he's been jonesing for it ever since...and one person knows this for sure, Crowley. Of course, Dean is also just damn well down and out about everything. Having his brother distance himself like he has is never going to not make Dean hurt all over. Add to that guilt and fear and everything in between and Dean's back sneaky drinking the hard stuff and getting darker and darker and this is not going anywhere good! Gah! Thankfully, Sam is noticing and even if Dean trying to cover how he's really feeling, Sam is seeing that something is decidedly not right in Deanland.

Crowley most obviously knows a lot more about the Mark and the Blade than he's let on. He has a plan for Dean and he's playing Dean beautifully. He's appealing to all of Dean's insecurities, trying to bond over addiction and conveniently being the only person that will listen him. When Dean needs someone at the moment, he's reaching out to Crowley because he doesn't feel there's anyone else who would understand. He doesn't feel like he has anyone else full stop. For obvious reasons, he doesn't feel like he can reach out to Sam...even though I am quite sure Sam would be wide open to Dean in his time of need. Damn it, boys! Dean is sliding down a dark and slippery slope. This isn't going anywhere good at all!

As for the angel war. When last we saw Castiel, he was becoming the new leader of the angel revolution and Metatron was off doing whatever with his God complex and his lapdog, Gadreel (the dumbest angel in the garrison).

And that, ladies and germs, brings us to...

“Meta Fiction” 

METATRON OFFERS CASTIEL A DEAL — Metatron (Curtis Armstrong) attempts to get Castiel (Misha Collins) to join forces with him. Still furious with Metatron, Castiel (Misha Collins) refuses, which sets a surprising plan in motion.  Meanwhile, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) capture Gadreel (Tahmoh Penikett).  Thomas J. Wright directed the episode written by Robbie Thompson (#918).   

Oh boy howdy! It's a party! 

Robbie Thompson always delivers lovely episodes. He writes with equal amounts of humour and pathos and large dollops of perfectly positioned pop culture references. I love his stuff, so I'm wrapped that we have another episode from Robbie. The last episode Thomas J. Wright directed was "Holy Terror", which it really was!

So we finally get to see the brothers confront and beat the snot out of Gadreel. Weeee! I wonder how that's going to end. Does Metatron burst in and save Gadreel? Or will this be the end of him? What the hell is this surprising plan that Castiel sets in motion? 

It sounds like a lot is going on in this episode and all these characters are at some point together. Look!

So that's all exciting! 


Okay, shall we look at the promo?

It looks so goooooood, doesn't it? So much happening! I love that Metatron is writing the story here. How very meta of Metatron. It reminds me of Chuck! (Only in that he's writing about the characters in Supernatural....and maybe that he's little and a bit scruffy.)

Looking at the text on the page being typed, the Horn of Gabriel is mentioned, huh and Metatron has Cas saying "What if I fail again". Sooo interesting.

I also love seeing the bros work together to nab Gadreel in the Holy fire. That looks expertly played. I love me some smart Winchesters! Team Winchester activate!

I am wondering, with the showerhellatus and all, if this is just one episode in this promo. You know how sometimes they pop in stuff from a couple of eps after a haitus? But here's hoping it's all in this one, because it looks epic!

And then there's Dean showering and shirtlessly looking in the mirror...flashing his tatt *sigh* I have a feeling this scene is going to happen at the top of the episode and give us a bit more of an insight into how the MoC is making him feel, possibly with quick cuts to flashbacks, all whilst he's having a private, wet and drippy moment. But then I could be totally wrong! Happens all the time!

By the way, this will be the 4th time we've seen Dean showering, the others being "Bugs", "Mystery Spot" and "Of Grave Importance." He also looked at himself in the mirror in the bathroom in a simiar way as in this promo in "Lazarus Rising" when he was remembering Hell...even though he'd just said he didn't. We saw Sam coming out of the shower in "Hell House". These things are important. 

Okay, so what about the preview clip.

It's a bit of a short one! Only 10 seconds longer than the promo! Geesh. 

What's going on with the Mark? Wouldn't it be cool if it was like Harry Potter's scar and started to twitch when Abaddon was nearby! Yeah, probably not, but I do wonder if it's causing Dean pain or if it's just that he's so aware of it because everything in him is now screaming out for the Blade.

I wonder how long it's going to be before Sammy calls bullshit on Dean's "Yeah, I'm fine" nonsense. The way he's looking at his brother, he knows craps going down. I just hope he decides to put their bad blood aside and try to reach out to Dean. Remember when Jared said it's going to take something big to bring Sam and Dean back together emotionally? Is that where we're heading towards with Dean? Is Sam going to have to stop him giving into the First Blade entirely. 

Be interesting if Dean's faced with killing Abaddon. but that it means he'll be lost forever. What will the brothers do? It'll be kind of like Sam and the trials and closing the gates of Hell, huh? Is that where we're going? A reverse of Sacrifice? Where they have to decide again whether their lives and love and the future lives they could save outweigh the greater good of this one act? Is it going to be Sam who tells Dean to step away from the plan this time? Gosh, do you think that's where we're going? Dean being the one taken over by something supernatural and Sam having to talk Dean out of dying for the cause? Would Sam talk him out of it do you think? Will Sam have to come face to face his words from earlier in the season and decide whether he can hold true to them? OMG! I hope this is where we're going, because it's so intriguing and smart.

Like I said in the latest Women of Letters podcast, where Jules and I discussed "Blade Runners" and "Mother's Little Helper" (sorry about the lack of written reviews btw), where we're going with the bros seems to me to be all about understanding and maybe, hopefully, acceptance. The brothers continually go through similar experiences in a mirroring of each other's paths. Whether trying for a 'normal' life, trips to Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, the brothers share these experiences and it really should help them to be more understanding and accepting of each other. It should. But Dean has never had something supernatural coursing through his veins and Sam has never been on the other side of that. This is very much a flip of season 4 in that regard. Hmmmm. Eeeee! I'm clapping my hands with glee at the possibilities!

Alos, I'M SO SCARED AND EXCITED!

We only have 6 episodes until the end of the season. I'm terrified, quite frankly and I can't wait to see what happens and where all of this has been going. I CAN'T WAIT (and then I'll be sad because the season will be over. THANK CHUCK FOR SEASON 10!)

Enjoy the episode everyone! *whispers* Enjoy Dean showering....

-sweetondean

HOLD THE PRESSES! Here's the CHCH promo!

 

Oh gosh, so it looks like the boys go to rescue Cas. Try to do a deal with Metatron. I guess they offer up Gadreel as a trade.  

"We can't trust Metatron" Too right Dean! Gahhhh!

"It's going to be a hell of a show" HELLZ YEAH IT IS!

Enjoy everyone!

-sweetondean(again)

Promotional photos and SNEAK PEEK Clip - Supernatural 9.18 "Meta Fiction"

Soooooo just under a week to go and we've got some promo pics and a sneak peek! Now before you go getting excited, there are not promo pics of Dean showering and the sneak peek is not of him suddsing up. DAMN IT. But there is still plenty of awesome!

It looks like Cas has been cornered by fangirls...AGAIN!

Then freeze frame. Then cut to black, act out.

Freeze frame.

Um...Yeah. Freeze frame.

Serviceable.

Casually leaning on the Impala looking awesome.

I think keeping their distance from Metatron is a good idea. Also it doesn't make him look so wee in the frame next to the gigantic Moose and pretty big Squirrel!

Cas and his sexy angel girlfriends. Or maybe captors. Either/or they're sexy!

That's just your finger, Metatron...not a gun.

Did they have Gadreel stashed in the trunk? 

"Impala - with a trunk big enough for carrying demons or angels!" 

That should be the Impala's tag line.

The gangs all here (and their fists are balled, so they're either mad or it was freezing the day they shot this!)

Oh Dean and your frowny face. So purdy.

Um. Um. *sigh* Um.

Casual no tie Cas. I like. This is a lovely shot of him!

Action shot with Baby!

Wouldn't you just love to be driving down the road and see them hanging around the Impala like this? Or maybe not...because that would mean there was trouble about! Okay... I STILL WOULD!

DID CAS KEEP HIS PIMPMOBILE?

Popping by the gas-n-sip for a cold beverage and to kill an angel or two.

I should be looking at how awesome it is that Dean has Gadreel trapped...but I'm looking at Dean's legs. Because, legs.

It's like staring into the sun! Wait. That's probably not what Gadreel's thinking, I think it's:

"I must concentrate real hard so I don't stare at his sexy lips"

Yep, that'd be it.

Well really, he had it coming.

O.M.G.

I wanna kill him.

No, I do.

But Dean, he possessed me.

Yeah, well he tricked me and pretended to be this other nice angel.

Not quite the same Dean.

Okay, how about this...

I'm listening.

We both stab him in his smug angel face.

Like a team.

Yeah, but business team...because that's how you want it Sam, right? *drips with sarcasm*.

*rolls eyes* Whatever Dean, let's just do it.

Okie dokie! Here's the sneak peek clip!

Just call him on his bullshit, Sam because he's so not FINE. CRAAAAAAAAP. And is the Mark itching for action, like, literally? Or maybe it's like Harry Potter's scar and when he gets closer to Abaddon it twinges! That'd be cool. This made me think of ghost sickness itch! Except...I don't think this is going to end in an epic rendition of Eye of the Tiger.

I has so much worry for Dean. He's just.... ACK. I has worry *wibble*

-sweetondean

Spoliers Sweeties! Official Description - Supernatural 9.18 "Meta Fiction"

Okay!

Here's the synopsis for the next new episode of Supernatural, which is inconveniently not on until April 15! Boo!


SUPERNATURAL
“Meta Fiction” — (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET) (Content Rating TBD) (HDTV)

METATRON OFFERS CASTIEL A DEAL — Metatron (Curtis Armstrong) attempts to get Castiel (Misha Collins) to join forces with him. Still furious with Metatron, Castiel (Misha Collins) refuses, which sets a surprising plan in motion.  Meanwhile, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) capture Gadreel (Tahmoh Penikett).  Thomas J. Wright directed the episode written by Robbie Thompson (#918).   


So things are starting to HAPPPPENNNNNNNN!

I'm really glad the brothers get to capture Gadreel, because that was the original plan, before Dean got all MoC gunho on Abaddon...who, fair enough, is way more of a threat than Gadreel, Heaven's most gullible angel. We assume.

I hope nabbing Gadreel gives the boys a bit of a chance to expel some of their anger issues towards him. I feel like he's going to get the rough end of the MoC stick from Dean! That boy is a powder keg right now. A SUPER HOT ONE!

I love Robbie's episodes and I'm super excited for this and no, not just because of showering Dean...which by the way...SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE SYNOPSIS. In fact it should have started with DEAN TAKES A SHOWER! Sorry... but we don't get to see such things, like, ever!

And in case you have been under a rock! Here, enjoy the promo!

FRUIT BASKETS FOR ROBBIE!

-sweetondean