SPN poll (for school) - second try

[castalie]

Me again, with the poll from hell. I don't know if yesterday's problem was due to a glitch or what but I decided to give this another go so I'm posting it again and hoping the second time will be the charm. It worked for me when it didn't yesterday, so I'm hoping it'll work for you too *fingers crossed* I'm not leaving the flat until I'm sure it does, anyway! :-p

[To those who posted comments in my last post? If you fill the poll again, no need to comment again, of course, I've saved your answers. Which, btw, gwyntastic? I added a 'fanart' option because it was too bad I'd forgotten that important fannish activity, so thanks for pointing it out :-)]

I'm here to (humbly) ask for your assistance, flist. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it but I’m attending a class on media sociology. As one of my assignments, I had to pick a show (well, I picked a tv show but I could have chosen a film or a video game etc.) and a topic for an essay. I went for Supernatural, and because I’m sort of immersed in the fan community on LJ, I chose to do my study on the show reception with a focus on fan culture, interests and activities. You know how many philistines think that people who watch tv are just passive viewers? My essay wouldn’t be about that.

Anyway, to help me with a part of my essay, I’d like to ask you to fill out this poll. I know you’re often sollicited for that kind of thing but I hope you won’t mind taking a little of your time to help me out.

Disclaimer: I’ve been in fandom long enough to know that things can get out of hands without the OP ever dreaming of meaning any offence so let me just say that I’m doing this poll in good faith and I do hope none of my questions will offend anyone. Also, even though I’m making the poll public, I won’t use your name/pseudo when I’ll be writing my essay, neither will I link to your LJ or anything of the like.
Chances are I’ve forgotten some important topics or asked some things clumsily, this is a blanket apology; I’ll do better next time, promise.

FYI: Whenever you feel the need to expand on your answers, don’t hesitate to do so in the comments. Also, I’ll probably phrase some of the questions differently when I’ll deal with that part of the essay so just ignore me if I appear a bit familiar.

[Poll #1733305]

[Poll #1733306]

Now that it works, I'd be grateful (yes, again) if you could pimp the poll to your own flist, maybe? And thank you for you time!

Comments

[sockich.livejournal.com]

Yay, it worked!

Oh and I don't really pay attention to how much CW promotes the show, so I really have no idea.

[castalie.livejournal.com]

YES! FINALLY!

It was just typical that when I needed to post a poll of importance for me and not just for fun (even though seeing the answers is fun but you know what I mean), it didn't work *kicks last poll*

Anyway, thank you for taking the time to try this again, mate *kisses*

[ghyste.livejournal.com]

Expanding on my answers:

I started watching the show late and the reason I finally started was that I had thought it looked interesting but never got round to watching it and then I tripped over the S1 DVDs going cheap when I was looking to spend some Christmas money.

I re-watch the first couple of seasons, plus a few from S3, but none after that.

I used to like the arc episodes the best but in S6 (and to a lesser extent S5) the arc has been unengaging/inconsistently developed so it’s the MoTW ones that I’ve enjoyed.

I used to watch SPN because it was different from the other shows that seemed trapped in the “high school” mindset of making the romantic or domestic elements of the story more important than the plot. I liked the relationship between the central characters and the way that the music and lighting created a really atmospheric background to the stories. All of that has been discarded along the way so I watch now in the hope that one day it’ll improve, but had another fandom come along I probably wouldn’t be watching at all by now.

[castalie.livejournal.com]

I used to watch SPN because it was different from the other shows that seemed trapped in the “high school” mindset of making the romantic or domestic elements of the story more important than the plot.

Yes, definitely. More often than not, it feels like shows tend to 'sacrifice' the plot to explore romance between characters and it sometimes feels like you're suddenly watching a whole new show than the one you meant to watch in the first place.

the way that the music and lighting created a really atmospheric background to the stories.

Yes to that too.

Thank you for taking the time to answer the poll and for this comment!

[greedy_dancer]

It worked! :)

I answered even though I'm not in the fandom anymore... Because I once was? And I guess I'll catch up on the show.

I watch SPN... : when my friends run marathons so I can catch up, or occasionally when I hear about a specific episode online and want to know what people are talking about.

As for fandom participation, I used to read fanfic, I wrote a ficlet once, and I listened to podfic & read/wrote reviews... But I don't do any of that anymore, so I ticked "I'm not active".

Good luck with the paper! :)

Oh, also: I started watching mostly to follow people who'd gone into the fandom and I wanted to know what it was about. But tbh the show's interest to me was always more as material for fannish activities ( = providing canon & pretty images that would then be used in the fic I'd read). Even though I loved the guys' interactions, and the actors themselves, being in the fandom was at least as important, if not more, than just watching the show. I'm sure I wouldn't have started/kept watching as long as I did if I'd been on my own in front of my tv.

[castalie.livejournal.com]

It was so annoying when it got all screwed up and I wasn't! home! to! fix! it! #Frustration

But it worked out in the end so yay!

I still love the show but when asked, I'll have to admit that I watched the season in two sessions, two marathons instead of a weekly session. Still, I just saw that it's been renewed and I must admit to be thrilled about the news.

Ah, yes, that's another way to get into a show, via the fandom instead of the other way around. I'll have to keep that in mind. Well, in my notes, I guess :-)

Thank you for commenting, mate!

[theoret.livejournal.com]

Expanding on some of the questions:

I used to watch SPN every week, but I've been behind for the past few months, so now I'm sort of catching up irregularly.

I started watching SPN because I'd read some fanfiction and watched some vids out of curiosity, and go hooked.

I have no idea how the CW promotes the show, TBQH.

I used to like arc episodes a lot more, when the plot was less about saving the world and more about the Winchester family. Now I basically just want episodes to focus on Sam and Dean, and get bored with the ones that get so caught up in angels and demons and the end of the world and whatever that Sam and Dean seem to be more of a backdrop than anything else. Which means I usually prefer MoTW episodes.

At this point I mostly think I'm still watching because watching the show acts as a sort of emotional link to all the friends I've made through it. It means I join in with conversations and keep up with things. The Sam-Dean relationship is also important to me, but overall it's been handled in a way that doesn't appeal to me for a couple of seasons. When I'm not feeling into it I keep watching for the fandom, and because I hope it will get back to what it was.

I fangirl online because most fangirls live inconveniently far away. However, lately my SPN fangirling has almost been happening more offline than online, because I avoided LJ for fear of spoilers when I was quite a way behind canon, but still met up with some of my fangirl friends occasionally and ended up discussing the show.

[castalie.livejournal.com]

I'm so incredibly behind it's ridiculous so I'm not judging.

You're the second on on this thread to mention starting to watch the show after being in the fandom, I'll definitely have to talk about that in my paper :-) And, you getting interested in vids before you even watched the actual show? Surely, you jest! lol

The part about you still watching because of the 'sort of emotional link to all the friends you've made through it' is interesting too, that's something I didn't really think about.

Thank you for taking the time to fill out the poll and to expand on your answers!

and to elaborate...

[briarwood.livejournal.com]

I started watching SPN...I saw the original UK trailers in the cinema and I meant to watch it. But it was airing on a Sunday night so I kept forgetting. Then at least half my flist kept talking about it and half the talk put me off watching. But when the S1 finale aired, one person on my flist said something about it which finally persuaded me I had to at least check it out. I downloaded the whole season and was hooked before I finished the pilot.

I have no idea whether CW promotes SPN. They don't in the UK, but they wouldn't, would they? I never watch TV (just catch-up) so I don't know if it gets promoted on TV. There was a good poster campaign a couple of years ago, though. Sam and Dean on phone booths and bus shelters. It made commuting fun :)

I'm sure you already know my favourite character is John Winchester :)

My fannish activities are mostly online...because it's not easy to find other fans nearby to be fannish with in RL. I know a few people who watch the show, but that doesn't mean I can *talk* about it with them. Not the way I'd like to, anyway.

Re: and to elaborate...

[castalie.livejournal.com]

You have trailers for tv shows in cinema in the UK? Neat!

Then at least half my flist kept talking about it and half the talk put me off watching.

Really? Would you mind telling me what kind of talk put you off watching? Was it about the plot, specific topics?

And in the same vein, do you remember what was said about the season finale that made you change your mind and give the show a try?

I'm sure you already know my favourite character is John Winchester :)

Lol I kinda do, yes :-)

Thank you for taking the time to answer the poll and comment!

Re: and to elaborate...

[briarwood.livejournal.com]

You have trailers for tv shows in cinema in the UK? Neat!

Yep, occasionally, mostly for 'genre' shows. We usually get the Doctor Who trailers in the cinemas. I remember Robin Hood, too. And SPN.

Would you mind telling me what kind of talk put you off watching?

Actually, it was the wincest. I honestly don't know why it put me off - given my love of Heinlein, the notion of incest slash should have attracted me. But something about it made me think this was a show I wouldn't enjoy. How wrong I was!

Maybe, though this is me self-analysing long after the fact, it was because fen so often referred to Sam and Dean as 'the boys'. I have serious issues with fanfic porn involving characters who are under-age in canon, even if the fic ages them up. Although I knew the SPN brothers were adults in canon, 'the boys' might have pushed the wrong button for me.

do you remember what was said about the season finale that made you change your mind and give the show a try?

I don't remember the exact words, but it was in the comments of a post in cereta's LJ, discussing Devil's Trap right after it first aired. Someone said something to the effect that they'd basically thrown away the entire canon in the finale, but it worked. (I'm guessing it was a reference to holy water not working on the YED, but it was one of those discussions where everyone was trying not to post spoilers, while discusssing the spoilers, so I'm not certain.) Whatever, it intrigued me enough to make me give in and download the season.

[jedicathy.livejournal.com]

C'est ouvert jusque quand ?
je peux l'envoyer à toukie pour qu'elle le fasse aussi, mais elle aura p-e pas accès au net avant le we prochain

[castalie.livejournal.com]

Je pense le laisser ouvert jusqu'à lundi prochain.

[fresne.livejournal.com]

re: Are you critical towards the show" question, I wouldn't say critical, because that implies criticism, which happens occasionally. I do enjoy thinking about the show, either in discussions or in essays.

[castalie.livejournal.com]

Noted :-)

Thank you for taking the time to answer the poll and comment!

[janedavitt.livejournal.com]

I don't have Tivo :-) I watch it live the day it airs, download, ten buy the DVDs.

Promo; don't watch TV randomly so I miss promos. Haven't seen much for SPN but it's the only show I watch on the CW I think.

Heh, I never even knew there was a pre-pilot; bad fan.

[castalie.livejournal.com]

I watch it live the day it airs, download, ten buy the DVDs.

You go full circle, then :-)

You download and share with your fellow fans, thus making people watch, fall for the show and I'm sure buy DVDs too afterwards. That's pretty awesome as well :-)

Heh, I never even knew there was a pre-pilot; bad fan.

The episode 'leaked' in the summer before the show premieres officially in 2005, IIRC.

[janedavitt.livejournal.com]

I guess I do! When it ends (sobs) I plan to start at the beginning and have an orgy of rewatching in order.

Oh, so it wasn't anything different, just a sneak peek?

[babycakesin.livejournal.com]

About the promo: I don't watch it on TV, therefore I really can't say one way or another. Based only on my online activities, I sometimes tend to believe that SPN is huge in the real world (X-files huge), and it always makes me realize that on-line and off-line are indeed very different (which was why I was all giddy (as I always am when I see those two worlds colliding) when I saw an article about SPN in the New York Times: Heaven, Hell, Brothers and an Impala)

As for the arc episodes v. "monster of the week" episodes: I tend to prefer the Monster of the Week episodes because they are usually funnier. But unlike in the X-files in which the arc episodes made me give up on the show, I still enjoy the arc episodes in SPN because of their depiction of the evolution of the relationship between Sam and Dean.

As for the frequency at which I watch it, it has evolved through the years: during the first seasons, I would watch it religiously every week (I remember one day sitting in front of the computer, begging for it to download faster because I had a plane to catch - barely made it), now I download the episodes regularly, but watch it only when I have a few of them.

Good luck with your essay! Awesome topic, I have to say *g*

[castalie.livejournal.com]

Tiens bah ce genre de lien, c'est exactement ce que je cherche, je l'ajoute à ma liste, merci :-)

Cette saison, je suis vraiment à la ramasse niveau visionnage de la série. Je me rachèterai avec la nouvelle saison l'année prochaine :-p

Thanks for answering and commenting! And I hope it'll bring me luck ;-)

[aghostofasmile]

Hi there! I got here through cygny. :)

I watch SPN every week when it airs on TV

I answered this question thinking what the situation was at home (in Belgium). I'm on a Working Holiday in Australia at the moment, so getting internet to download is hard. I do try whenever I have spare time and money at internet cafes or something. :P My sister also wrote the episodes that I've missed (since February) on dvd and will send that one to me. Haha.

Usually - at home - I download weekly and watch as soon as possible with my little sister.

One-time thing or more than once?

I interpreted 'all seasons' as 'all finished seasons' i.e. I've watched all 5 seasons more than once.

If you answered ‘yes’ to the previous question, do you find that your enjoyment of an episode depends on whether it focuses on your favourite-s character-s?

I like it when the focus is on my favourite character, but I really don't mind the focus not being on him. If the plot is good I'm good, because there's not a character I really dislike.

Do you prefer

I don't have a set preference for arc or monster of the week! I like both. As long as the story makes sense, the characters are doing something that interests me and the writing is good, I'm satisfied. I like episodes that have a lot of character development and that can happen in an arc episode as well as a monster of the week, imho.

I guess I could have just picked 'I don't have a preferencer'.

Are you critical towards the show?

Yes, to an extent. I can be very critical, but I can also just decide to be entertained and not think about things too much. It kind of depends on my mood.

Why I watch SPN

I think the thing that's most important for me is the brotherly relationship between Sam and Dean and in what kind of place they are. But I also like it for the plot, pure and simple. I like things that have to do with the supernatural. :)

As for the last question, I said 'mostly online'. I have RL friends that also watch SPN, sometimes we watch together. But most of my discussions or conversations with them happen online, simply because we live a while away from each other. Well, especially now I'm in Australia. :P

I hope I could help you out! Best of luck with everything! X

[castalie.livejournal.com]

Thanks for passing by :-)

My sister also wrote the episodes that I've missed (since February) on dvd and will send that one to me.

It's always nice when you can rely on your siblings to feed your addiction ;-)

I guess I could have just picked 'I don't have a preferencer'.

Guess you could have lol But you gave me a nice description of what you enjoy so I'm not complaining!

I hope I could help you out! Best of luck with everything! X

Most definitely! Thank you for taking the time to expand on your answers :-)

[starwatcher]

.
Expanding. You know me by now -- lots of quibbles and waffling about answers.

I originally started watching because I like buddy / action shows, so it was worth checking out.


One-time thing or more than once?

Some episodes more than once -- I have DVDs of first two seasons -- but that rewatching has fallen by the wayside as the show gets darker, and Sam & Dean have become warped from the characters we fell in love with.

Favorite character? -- I have difficulty choosing between a buddy-pair; they are a unit, one is incomplete without the other. (I want Jim&Blair together; ditto John&Rodney.) Same here; although I like Sam and I like Dean, I watch for Sam&Dean.

My enjoyment of an episode is based on how well it meets my buttons: I want Sam&Dean hunting, supporting each other, caring about the victims -- IE, seasons 1 & 2. When it gets dark, and/or arcing, my enjoyment goes down.

I prefer Monster of the Week because it's more likely to meet the parameters above.

"Are you critical towards the show?" may have a different meaning in French than English. Critical as in "critique" -- 'x' means 'y', but could mean 'q' if 'z' happens -- no, I don't. (Although I enjoy reading others' critiques. But my brain doesn't work like that.)

But critical ABOUT -- why are so many victims female? Why must the female victim be wimpy dishrags before they're turned into victims? -- yes, I complain about that, sometimes even rant... but I still watch.

My fandom presence is slight. I read fic occasionally. I still watch, instead of walking away. But I have only a slight interest in SPN fandom now.


Depends on the fandom. SPN (and SGA, H50, WhiCol) - exclusively online. TS & HL - mostly online. (I've been to a few cons in the past, bought a few zines.)

Why, do you think?

Because traveling to cons takes time and money; I don't have a lot of either to spare. (There was more of each a few years ago, but money especially goes out faster than it comes in. <g>)
.

[castalie.livejournal.com]

Reading those expanded answers is both interesting and funny, I'm glad you participated too, thank you :-)

[starwatcher]

.
You're welcome. Re-reading, I realized I slid over something...

My RL fannish interaction has involved traveling to cons (or Moonridge) because I don't know anyone fannish who lives close enough that I can meet in person.

When you write your paper about fandom, you might consider that factor as regards internet connections. Many people who live in small towns (or, conversely, very large cities) might not have a large enough circle of friends that some of them intersect with fandom.

I remember falling for Highlander the Series hook, line, and sinker. Never missed an episode. My reception was crappy, so I bought an extra VCR and took it to my local independent bookstore, whose manager was also a fan. He taped them for me (he had a cable TV connection in the back), and I'd go in weekly, drop off the watched tape, and pick up the new recording. (So the episodes on tape went 3, 5, 7 and 4, 6, 8. Rewatching in order was tricky. <g>)

Anyway, I had no idea about fandom until I got online (after the series ended) and discovered the Rysher forum. (And I still mourn its demise.) From there I wandered over to the Sentinel, mostly via the fic, first, and then reruns on TV. (Learned about TS from an HL/TS crossover; wondered about these other characters.) And after I gave up and joined LJ (remember how I grumbled? <g>), my fandom activity exploded.

I know there was fandom before the internet -- mailed newsletters and zines -- but I didn't know about it. I've never figured out just how you would find out, unless you personally know another fan who knows. And so we're back to that "too-small circle of friends"...
.

[too-rational.livejournal.com]

Done, awesomesauce. ^_^ Comment in previous poll-attempt post, you know that.

<3!

[castalie.livejournal.com]

I do know, thanks again :-)

[enigel]

I used to "I tivo/download SPN every week and watch it that same week", but now I either "tivo/download every episode and watch whenever I have the time" or "tivo/download and usually wait to have a bunch of episodes to download".

I don't really know or care how CW promotes SPN.

I have a few favourite characters, one is a lead character and the others recurring. I'm far from liking all characters though, which is why I had to chose Other.

Most of my fan activities should be prefixed with "I used to", and the community I set up is abandoned.

"It’s easier for reasons I don’t mind telling you in the comments" - I never clicked with the online communities in my own country, so I don't know or care if they meet offline too. Too expensive / not invested enough to travel specifically for SPN meetups abroad. Hence, exclusively online.

[castalie.livejournal.com]

I've fallen behind this season and I can't say I follow the show like as I used to till last year but I'm hoping it'll get better next year.

Anyway.

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions, mate :-)

[harrigan.livejournal.com]

I wasn't sure there was an answer that =
"I have a favorite character and it's both of the two leads."

I like Dean-centric eps, Sam-centric eps, and both-centric-eps!

[electricalgwen.livejournal.com]

Heee, that's me too! I was so thankful it said "Yes and it's one of the two leads" in the same radio button, rather than listing them separately, because I could NOT have chosen between them. :D

[castalie.livejournal.com]

Lol It is true that trying to make people choose between the of them would be cruel!

[castalie.livejournal.com]

Let's say the 'I have no preference' includes the 'I have a favourite character and it's both of the two leads' option, then :-)

Thanks for taking the time to answer my poll!

[electricalgwen.livejournal.com]

I have no idea how CW promotes the show, so chose "other".

I started watching during the summer after season 4. Various people on my flist had drifted (or eagerly run) into SPN fandom and encouraged me to check it out, but then someone in RL lent me season one on DVD and I got hooked. :D

I found it very hard to choose between arc episodes and MotW episodes. I ended up choosing 'arc', because I think if it had been nothing but MotW eps it would not have lasted 6 seasons, and some of the primarily arc-focused episodes are fantastic - but I do love MoTW type episodes too.

[castalie.livejournal.com]

Thank god for people's influence sometime :-) It's a good thing you decided to give the show a try back then!

I know the show wouldn't have kept my interest if it'd been MofW episodes only, though I would miss them if they disappeared, of course. But I'll always have a preference for 'arc' episodes... no matter the show, come to think of it.

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions, it's been very interesting reading them all :-)

[timian.livejournal.com]

In a few words, can you tell me why you watch and enjoy SPN? (you can expand in the comments)

I started watching the show and kept watching through the end of season three based primarily on the shows own merits. (Though I absolutely inhaled fan-fiction during this time too.)

Since season four, however, I've watched the show with less and less enthusiasm, and at this point I'm sticking around almost exclusively because I still read fan-fic when I can (which is far less often than I'd like) and hold out a teensy tiny hope that the show will once again hook me by becoming really excellent again. (This hope is basically dead now, but Jensen's still pretty, so I tune in. I've learned that the lower my expectations, the happier I am.)

[szeretni.livejournal.com]

Do you have a favourite character?

I don't have ONE favourite character but rather three: Sam, Dean and Castiel.

[szeretni.livejournal.com]

Are you critical against the show?

I replied "not really", but I think the true answer is: I can't help but notice certain things that bug me but I still continue to watch as long as I think it's entertaining enough.
The show is great at portraying white, straight men but as for women, gays, black etc...Not good.
But I've lowered my expectations and watch it because it's still good, despite that though.

[bamf2me.livejournal.com]

I started watching season 1, then lost track due to school, work and other obligations. I re-found SPN during the summer after season 3 (Ghostfacers episode), I was working nights and trying to find something to watch on the computer. Somehow found SPN! I do not have cable (and it doesn't have CW in the package anyway) so I usually buy the episodes through Amazon or Itunes each week.

I have managed to get 3 co-workers hooked on SPN, so we worked out how to all be around to watch the new episodes. However, they just watch the show and are not interested in the fandom aspects - even more then just basic discussions on viewing night. I get weird looks for having the magazines. I don't really mention fanfiction or anything else, unless it comes up in discussion (meta episodes).

My anime club has also started watching SPN - they are up to season 3 and watch 2 to 3 episodes a week, unless it is exam weeks.

I am not really involved in fandom, more of a lurker. Really on the outside. I am usually slow to find where everyone else is gathering. This is more from lack of time (fulltime job plus fulltime grad student) and lack of experience in social networking and basic computers. Plus just lack of basic social skills, I guess.

Hope all this help. Let me know if I need to clarify anything!

[valoryhope.livejournal.com]

I started watching Supernatural in Season 2, but it didn't grab me, not sure why. (I'm manic-depressive, so it's entirely possible I was just going through a bad time, especially since this was right after a move to someplace I didn't want to be.) I was reading a lot of Stargate: Atlantis fanfic (John/Rodney), and I found that several of the people who wrote/commented on the fic were also raving about Supernatural, which inspired me to give it another try. (TNT runs the old episodes every morning, so I've now seen most of them, though not all, and I keep watching them over and over. I hope eventually to save enough money to buy all seasons on DVD.) This time, I fell in love with Dean. He's hot, funny, tough, a smart-aleck bad boy with a heart of gold (just my type; can you say "Spike"?). I also love Castiel (someone who's uncomfortable with their physical body and awkward in society--this is me in a trench coat! Except, of course, that I'm not a BAMF angel, alas.). And I adore Bobby. Sam...meh. But I do like the concept of "family don't stop at blood" (very Whedon), the relationships and banter between the characters, and the philosophical themes (e.g., free will and responsibility). Though I think the show is better at raising interesting questions or presenting creative scenarios than it is at exploring them, but oh well, it's at least thought-provoking. (When I'm critical, it's about things like continuity and characterization.) Finally, I love the supernatural genre, but only if it has all the elements mentioned above (like "Buffy" did, for intance). Oh, one other question you asked, that I didn't understand--tivo? download? Um, you're speaking a foreign language. (I'm in my mid-fifties--one reason I'm not more active in fandom, I just assume that everyone else is half my age.) I wait anxiously for the show to air each week and then sit glued to the TV (while my husband sits beside me with patient resignation); sometimes I tape it on my VCR. It's the only show I watch (we get movies from Netflix and watch TCM, but no other weekly shows), so I have no idea whether the CW is promoting it. Let's hope so, 'cause I want another season!

Thanks for giving me the chance to share my views!

[littlehollyleaf.livejournal.com]

To expand on various points :) -

My favourite character is Castiel, but my enjoyment of the show is in no way specific to plots involving him.

HOWEVER, I must confess that my interest was only passing until he showed up.

This is partly because I have a personal interest in portrayals of Heaven and Judeo-Christian themes having come from (and left) a Christian background, so I always find it fun seeing those ideas being played around with.

But it is also because, on the whole, I much prefer arc plots to MotW stuff and I feel that the angel plot line really took the show to a higher level in that regard, not only by starting a Heaven v. Hell arc but also by adding significance to past episodes and generally giving everything wider significance so the whole SPN universe felt very solid and well-formed. As a result of which, I went back and re-watched seasons 1-3 with a great deal more enjoyment.

I guess that covers why I watch the show pretty much, but something else of note is that I admire the way SPN, unlike other US shows I've watched in the past, doesn't shy away from the harsher aspects of life. In this show the world is NOT always a happy place and sometimes the things the characters are striving for DON'T work out in the end - Dean going to Hell for example, despite the whole of S03 being about trying to save him, or Lucifer being freed at the end of S04. Growing up with shows like Buffy and Smallville where, ultimately, the heroes always win, I found this a compelling change.

Hope that's not too rambley! Best of luck with your assignment :)

[risha]

Favorite character: a tie between Castiel and Bobby.

I do belong to two Supernatural fanfiction communities: deancastiel and sn_crossovers, but I probably read less than 10% of what shows up at the former. And I'll read reviews when they show up on my friends list and I have already watched the episode in question. With that limited amount of interaction, I consider myself to be a fan, but not part of the fandom.

[onigaminanashi.livejournal.com]

I accidentally started watching Supernatural. I was channel flipping one Thursday night and was intrigued by the show with the boyfriends driving around America in a sweet car. Little did I know then they were brothers, and that it was an X-Files type-ish show.

And most of my fannish stuff happens online because that's where most of my friends who watch Supernatural are. I did, however, convince my brother to watch the show (he was 19 or 20 when he started) and he binged the first three or so seasons in two weeks. I also convinced my college roommate to watch the show, and we had 5 or so people over every Thursday to watch (before I graduated and before the show moved to Fridays).

Hope this helps!