some general thoughts about fandoms, an inter-show comparison, and SPN 9x14 review
I am going to ask this even though I’m like 98% on the answer, because I really want this to be the problem: do people really, sincerely, not understand how/why a viewer might enjoy a narrative as a whole without highly and equally admiring all of the main characters?* I mean, I think the “I don’t UNDERSTAND???!?! why anyone anywhere is having a
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Deanstans now have the view that Dean is a hero (which he is) and so he cannot do any wrong (which is nonsense). In order to keep their view of Dean as the most loving brother in the world, they label Sam as the worst brother in the world. Many are quite honest. Some state that Sam became irredeemable in season four. Some say he could have redeemed himself if he hadn't been a whiny brat, but leaving Dean in Purgatory has pushed him to irredeemable. A few people who liked Sam are now all over his case for being mean to Dean in the aftermath of Gadreel. Sam can be mad, of course, they acknowledge that. He can only be mad in the way they want him to. He can't tell Dean they aren't brothers (because how can they not be brothers, it's biological). The fact that people can be biologically related and not consider themselves family is totally ignored. He can't tell Dean he wouldn't do the same thing because Sam should make the MSOL to prove to Dean he loves him. Then Dean will finally come around and feel secure enough to say sorry to Sam. The whole concept of the erotic, psychotic codependence that Zachariah described is being seen as good as opposed to really, really unhealthy.
I like Dean. He has done heroic things. He has also done horribly abusive things, not only to Sam but also to Lisa and Ben and Cas and Kevin. He just doesn't get called on them. And way too much of fandom refuses to get out of Dean's mindset and see Sam's.
The one good thing I have found is a few journals where people just watch Supernatural like it's any other show. They are all appalled by Dean's actions and are fine with Sam not listening to Kevin. So I suspect the real majority of viewers are closer to what we are seeing than we know.
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I'd actually go further with those two things and put Dean pretty firmly in the antihero category? The "antihero" label has been stretched and warped to include way too many characters that are actually villain protagonists. Dean has done very good things. He has also done very bad things.
The one good thing I have found is a few journals where people just watch Supernatural like it's any other show. They are all appalled by Dean's actions and are fine with Sam not listening to Kevin. So I suspect the real majority of viewers are closer to what we are seeing than we know.
Yeah, that's what I'm hearing from people who watch with casual viewers. I feel like the issue is largely around Supernatural fandom tunnel vision, which is a big part of why I found the Scandal comparison so relevant.
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