Supernatural Archives - Page 8 of 9

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Supernatural” season 13 episode 16: “Scoobynatural”

Happy Friday TV fans! After watching the CW’s Supernatural season 13 episode 16 last night, I’m excited to have new episodes back. Even our favorite brothers, Sam and Dean, seemed ready to sit back and relax with their own brand new television. That is until it transports them right into an episode of “Scooby Doo.” Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. In last night’s episode, “Scoobynatural,” Sam and Dean are on a case that involves some type of cursed object and a giant plush dinosaur toy. Sounds ridiculous? Well it sort of is but that’s what makes the set up so believable for them being transported directly into a cartoon. While it seems like this is another one of Dean’s favorite episodes of “Scooby Doo,” things start to go horribly wrong and it’s clear that there is something supernatural at play here. My top 5 moments from Supernatural season 13 episode 16 are:

“Be like Elsa…let it go.”

After Dean made a joke a few episodes ago about Sam’s hair sharing a lot of the same lustrous qualities of a Disney princess, I found this comment absolutely hysterical. The episode in general does what Supernatural does best. It takes a quick pause from the chaos surrounding them as they desperately try to find a way to open the portal to another dimension to save Jack and their mother. Sounds like quite the burden, right? Well it is and that’s why it’s important for Supernatural to stay true to itself and balance out the overwhelmingly complicated task of saving the world with some good old fashioned mystery solving. Even Dean recognizes this when he tells Sam to take a break from his research and check out his “Dean Cave” or “Fortress of Deanitude.” I personally think the fortress has a nice ring to it, but it looks like Dean has put in a lot of effort to making this room the perfect distraction from the rest of the world…that is until him and Sam are sucked into the TV right into a cartoon.

“Dibs on Daphne!”

After Sam and Dean rationalize what is going on and rule out that they are dreaming, they need to figure out why they are stuck in a cartoon. They quickly realize that they are not just in any cartoon, but in an episode of “Scooby Doo,” which we learn is one of Dean’s absolute favorite shows. Dean says, “They’re our role models. We do the same thing. Cas is kinda like a talking dog.” While I’m not sure I would go that far, he does have a valid point. Dean practically sees stars when he comes face to face with his crush, Daphne and it seems like he is having a difficult time winning her over with his charm. Her indifferent rejection of Dean is hilarious as she is oblivious to the school-boy crush he has on her, as she tries to stay on course with the case at hand. Dean is also not a fan of Fred and vents to Sam about his issues with him, which include his choice of accessories, like an ascot tie. After getting over the shock that they are not getting out of this cartoon anytime soon, Dean starts to realize that the episode is going off course, especially when a victim is actually brutally killed. “Jeepers!” Dean takes his own turn at a catch phrase by saying, “son of a bitch.” Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to have the same impact on the Scoobies. It seems like something supernatural is at play here even though Velma rules this out saying there is no such thing. It’s up to Sam and Dean to solve the case, but perhaps they need some back-up.

“Sam…Dean…this dog is talking.”

It seems like the only thing missing from this cartoon is the last member of Sam and Dean’s own gang, Castiel. Castiel explains how he saw them on the TV screen and then saw a flash of purple lights, leading him right into the cartoon as well. Castiel is clearly not sure what to make of everything around him, including a talking cartoon dog, but he tries to help as much as he can so that they can return to the real world safe and sound.

“Should have known Velma was good to go.”

Sam and Dean let the Scoobies know that everything supernatural is real and they enlist their help setting traps and teaming up to get to the bottom of everything and solve the case. Sam pairs up with Velma who is enthralled by his large shoulders and blushes every time he glances her way. It looks like Sam has really won over Velma, fogging up her glasses, while poor Dean is left trying to desperately win over Daphne’s affection. At the end of the episode, Velma kisses Sam passionately, giving him something to remember her by for sure. I guess the Disney Princess hair has quite the effect on the ladies after all.

Dean wears an ascot.

Sam, Dean, and Castiel solve the case with the help of the Scoobies and realize that the pawn shop owner had been using a cursed item tied to the spirit of a dead boy to further his real estate scams. Before Sam and Dean leave, they set everything right and free the spirit so that the Scoobies aren’t scarred for life. Sam and Dean confront the culprit and Dean sports his own ascot. I guess Fred had a good impact on him after all. While Dean didn’t get the girl, he certainly got the chance to be a part of his favorite television show. I have to admit I am pretty jealous of that myself. They smash the television and welcome back their everyday routine of fighting the good fight against the forces of evil. “That’s all folks!”

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Supernatural below. Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Supernatural” season 13 episode 15: Film Noir

Happy Friday TV fans! After watching the CW’s Supernatural season 13 episode 15 last night, I feel like I just stepped out of a film noir from the 1940s. While not set in black and white, the moody music in the background featuring jazzy trumpets and saxophones was a nice touch, almost bringing us back in time to see how Sam and Dean Winchester would manage to escape the mob. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. In last night’s episode, “A Most Holy Man,” Sam and Dean begin their quest to find the first of the four needed ingredients to rescue their mom and Jack. This takes them all over the country and they cross paths with several threats, but none of them are actually supernatural, which was very refreshing. Either way, the mob ties and the numerous guns made the threat just as equally dangerous, as the two brothers seek the help of Father Lucca to obtain the skull of St. Peter. My top 5 moments from Supernatural season 13 episode 15 are:

“The internet…not just for porn anymore.”

As Sam and Dean begin their research on where to start with finding the blood from a most holy man, Sam comes to the conclusion that it must mean the blood of a saint. Not really knowing where to start, he turns to the internet for help and researches auctions of ancient religious relics, hoping to find somewhere to start. While Dean is clearly impressed by the knowledge one can obtain from the internet, they set off to San Francisco to meet with someone who can hopefully point them in the right direction.

Dean learns a new word.

After Sam and Dean meet with a beautiful young woman who has a thing for Sam, she points them in the direction of a collector located in Seattle. Surrounded by wealth, the man is not about to let go of the blood of a saint for no less than a small fortune. After quickly judging Sam and Dean’s own worth by their suits and “cheap ties,” he decides to strike up a deal with them. He explains that if they procure a certain item for him, he will be willing to make a trade. He asks them if they are up for some “chicanery” and Dean carefully waits for Sam’s approval before moving forward with this, clearly not knowing what this word means. After getting the nod from Sam, Dean is down for the “chicanery” and is eager to get started. However, things get complicated and messy when Sam and Dean cross paths with the mob and are now working for them to obtain the skull for a finder’s fee. While not ideal, Sam and Dean are not about to say no to the mob boss, who explains that “failure is not an option.”

“Look at you like a boy scout…always prepared.”

Even though there are no demons or angels around to get in the way of the Winchester brothers, they are still not having the easiest time locating the needed ingredient. After tracking down their first lead to a hotel, Sam and Dean deal with a cop who clearly got his badge “out of a cereal box.” While he goes to call back-up, Sam puts his Boy Scout skills to use to get them out of handcuffs so they can continue on their journey. Sam has taken a lot of hits to the head recently too, which concerns Dean. However, that doesn’t stop him from making a joke about how Sam has a head of “Disney princess hair” to protect him.

“Oh look, it’s your girlfriend.”

After agreeing to work with Father Lucca, a priest who has traveled from Malta to help bring back the stolen skull of St. Peter, Sam and Dean come up with a plan to get it back. However, when Sam heads in to meet with the mob boss with a suitcase full of money, he is in for a surprise when the other buyers surface as well, including the man from Seattle and the young woman they first met with in San Francisco. While no longer on pleasant terms, she still insists on wishing Sam luck, but he doesn’t have nearly enough cash to come out on top. Luckily, Dean and Father Lucca are not far behind.

“1 down…3 to go.”

During the episode, it is clear that Sam and Dean understand the importance of obtaining the blood of a saint, however; they are blind to the “most holy man” right in front of them, Father Lucca. Father Lucca has faith and understands the importance of doing what is right. Dean initially doesn’t seem impressed when he discusses it with Sam: “Friar Tuck over there…we don’t owe him anything.” While this may be true, Sam realizes that they need to do what is right and help Father Lucca get the religious item back safe and sound. They can deal with the aftermath later and figure out another way to get the blood of the saint, but they can’t deny a calling like this. After they obtain the skull, the man from Seattle explains that there is no such thing as the blood of a saint to their disappointment. When they are seeing Father Lucca off, he tells them what the pope called him which literally translates to “most holy man.” It looks like doing the right thing paid off after all. While it is important that they have successfully procured the first ingredient, perhaps Dean’s newly found faith is what is even more important. New episodes of Supernatural return March 29^th. Stay tuned!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Supernatural below. Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

You can now follow me on Twitter as well! https://twitter.com/TV_Fanatic_Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Supernatural” season 13 episode 14: “Whatever it Takes”

Happy Friday TV fans! After watching the CW’s Supernatural season 13 episode 14 last night, I am left pondering the quote: “war does not determine who is right—only who is left.” It seems that Castiel is more than ready for war, but are the Winchester brothers prepared to make the sacrifices needed to bring about the greater good? Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. In last night’s episode, “Good Intentions,” Jack and Mary run into an old friend who helps save the day and Castiel explores his own purpose for returning to earth. Meanwhile, Sam and Dean try to make a decision based on their moral compasses, while Donatello goes completely mad from the raw energy of the demon tablet. My top 5 moments from Supernatural season 13 episode 14 are:

“Dude if bacon’s what kills me…then I win.”

Sam and Dean are not about to give up on getting Jack and Mary back safely while defeating Lucifer in the process. Sounds like a tall order for sure, but it looks like the prophet, Donatello may be able to help decipher the demon tablet. Unfortunately, Donatello goes completely mad in the process, hearing voices as he is overwhelmed by the text. It’s up to Sam and Dean to help pick up the pieces, but not before Dean enjoys his favorite breakfast food.

“They are equally pretty.”

When Dean tags along with Castiel to summon the ancient warriors they need the hearts of, it seems like an easy enough task. However, Dean is not convinced that Castiel got all the words in the summoning spell correct when no one initially appears to fight them to the death. Castiel comically reminds Dean that “I don’t get words wrong,” as the two warriors appear to fight Dean and Castiel. While Dean is distracted by their “loincloths,” Castiel tries to get him to take this seriously. After all, they are using weapons forged from God…or touched by God that is. The two warriors begin arguing in their native language over which one to kill first and have an interesting dilemma on their hands. One of them suggests killing the pretty one first, but they come to the conclusion that Dean and Castiel are “equally pretty.” While this distraction gets the two warriors killed off seamlessly by Dean, they do not have hearts, which doesn’t get Castiel and Dean any closer to finding an ingredient to open up the gate.

Bobby is back!

Well Bobby from another world is back…but still fans are always excited to see the return of one of our favorite hunters. When Jack and Mary are fleeing from the angels, Bobby pops up with perfect timing to lead them to safety. He reveals that he knew his own version of Mary Campbell and that she saved his life on more than one occasion. Mary realizes that this other Mary never made the deal with the demon that helped protect her sons, leaving her alone and heart-broken. It doesn’t seem like either choice was the right one, but a world without Sam and Dean Winchester is not a world we want to live in. Bobby becomes paranoid when he discovers that Jack is half-angel, looking out for the best interest of the people he is protecting, but Mary tries to get him to see reason, understanding that Jack is the key to returning to her world safely. While it’s unlikely Bobby will return to Sam and Dean’s world, it’s good to know that a familiar face is looking out for their family.

Jack’s powers are advancing.

In the beginning of the episode, the angel, Zachariah is playing mind games with Jack, desperately trying to trick him onto their side. Jack proves to be stronger than they anticipated, however; as fear is unable to break him. When Zachariah tries to show him the flaw in humanity and how they are responsible for the destruction of the earth, Jack sees through this despite only being alive for 6 months. He recognizes that none of this is real and tells Mary that he will protect her no matter what. Even though Mary is willing to sacrifice her life for the cause, Jack proves to be more powerful than anyone thought possible. When Mary is attacked, Jack channels his powers and is able to destroy an angel. It seems like he is the key to stopping Michael’s army and getting Mary home safely, but will he be able to stop his father, Lucifer? Time will tell.

“Whatever it Takes.”

Castiel contemplates his purpose and why he returned to earth and realizes it is to stop the pending war that is coming. Castiel understands that he needs to do what’s necessary in times of war and tries to explain this to Sam and Dean who do not want him to put Donatello out of his misery. Castiel taps into his mind to get the spell he needs, leaving Donatello brain-dead to the disbelief of the Winchester brothers. He explains that he is doing what a soldier would in a time of war and tells them that “some people just can’t be saved.” While Castiel is taking extreme measures, his methods do lead to us finding out the 4 ingredients needed to stop Lucifer and to bring Jack and Mary back to their world. The four ingredients are: “Grace of an archangel, a fruit from the tree of life, the Seal of Solomon, and blood from a most holy man.” While we know that Gabriel is the archangel, how will they obtain the other three ingredients? What other sacrifices will need to be made for the greater good? While Castiel is clearly on board to do whatever it takes to win, will Sam and Dean be able to overcome their own doubts to do what’s necessary?

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Supernatural below. Happy viewing and happy belated 40th birthday to Jensen Ackles! We love you Dean Winchester! 🙂

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Supernatural” season 13 episode 13: “Devil’s Bargain”

Happy Friday TV fans! After watching the CW’s Supernatural season 13 episode 13 last night, I learned that it is possible to go from a homeless beggar to the king of heaven within 24 hours. Seems impossible, right? Well not for our favorite foe, Lucifer, who will stop at nothing until he gets what he wants. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. In last night’s episode, “Devil’s Bargain,” Sam and Dean are thrilled to have Castiel back, but they are still not any closer to finding their mother, Mary and Jack. An unlikely frenemy approaches them and is not to be trusted but it looks like they will all need to work together in order to hunt down Lucifer. Meanwhile, Lucifer finds a new “gal pal” in Sister Jo who is a better business woman than an angel, played by Dean’s wife in real life, Daneel Ackles. My top 5 moments from Supernatural season 13 episode 13 are:

Lucifer begs for money.

After his encounter with Castiel, Lucifer is still weakened and is seeking out a never-ending supply of grace wherever he goes. He even takes out Cupid without a hint of remorse, leaving his lifeless corpse for the Winchester brothers to find later on. In his weakened state, Lucifer realizes that he is hungry but doesn’t have any money on him. He takes a cue from a nearby homeless man and tries his turn at begging for money but learns that he doesn’t really have the right vibe for this. The homeless man explains that he comes across too forceful and aggressive and takes Lucifer for a snack out of a dumpster. Talk about hitting rock bottom. Perhaps Lucifer can learn a valuable lesson from the kindness of strangers.

The miracles of Sister Jo.

Daneel Ackles, Jensen Ackle’s wife in real life has joined the cast and is making quite the impression on Lucifer. As an angel, she was considered lower level and had a monotonous responsibility that had her aspiring for more. On earth, she puts her skills to work and finds out that she is an excellent business woman. She heals people for money, performing miracles on a daily basis, but perhaps her most impressive skill is her ability to manipulate Lucifer. Lucifer initially wants to drain Sister Jo of her grace, but she convinces him to keep her grace on tap, taking what he needs a little at a time so he can get to his full strength, which also keeps her alive. She double crosses Castiel and the Winchester brothers and stands by Lucifer’s side, proving to be a worthy opponent for sure.

Ketch is back…again.

It seems like Sam and Dean cannot get rid of Mr. Ketch no matter how hard they try. They cross paths with him again and learn that they have a common goal of taking out Lucifer. Ketch eagerly suggests a team effort but this is not to Castiel’s liking, who instantly knocks him out with the tap of his finger as the Winchester brothers throw him in the back of their trunk for safe-keeping. While they recognize that they need to find out what he knows, they all come to the consensus that he should be discarded afterwards. Ketch comes in handy later on, however; saving the Winchesters from Lucifer’s wrath, but they still don’t trust him just yet. While Mr. Ketch is resourceful, we know what he is capable of and the brothers are right to be cautious.

Lucifer reads the bible.

When Lucifer is hiding out in a motel with Sister Jo, he takes on some light reading of the bible. Lucifer comically asks “does anybody fact check this stuff?” While Lucifer doesn’t seem to think they got it all right in the bible, he is intrigued by it. He even then comments about how God stole some of his best lines, continuing to read through his life story for some entertainment.

“Hail to the king…baby.”

Lucifer gathers a group of angels and tries to make a deal with them, offering to run heaven for them. He even sweetens the deal by telling them he can get their wings back, which seems to be the right leverage. Lucifer recognizes that he cannot obtain all this power and be on his own, which hasn’t worked for him in the past. He needs committed soldiers who will follow his every whim. But what about an archangel? At the end of the episode, we learn that Gabriel is alive and being held captive. Could he be the key to finding Jack and Mary? Will he be able to stop Lucifer? What is his connection to the tablets? We will have to wait until March 1^st 2018 for new episodes to return, but it’s clear that the Winchester brothers are not out of the woods just yet with all these new threats coming into power. Stay tuned!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Supernatural below. Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Supernatural” season 13 episode 12: “Various & Sundry Villains”

Happy Friday TV fans! After watching the CW’s Supernatural season 13 episode 12 last night, you may want to think twice about this upcoming Valentine’s day. Be careful what or who you wish for or you may wind up under a love spell that leads to a pretty gruesome death. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. In last night’s episode, “Various & Sundry Villains,” we meet the magical Plum Sisters who will stop at nothing to return their mother to the living. Rowena is back and is claiming to have changed from wicked to good, looking to score some help from the Winchester brothers. Meanwhile, Castiel and Lucifer try out being cell-mates, as Lucifer attempts to tap into his inner rage to unleash his power. My top 5 moments from Supernatural season 13 episode 12 are:

Meet Jamie & Jenny Plum.

“Always look your best. Never get attached to a man. And always make the death look non-magical so you don’t attract hunters.” Seems like good advice until the witch sisters, Jamie and Jenny beat their poor victim, Dale to death with a sledge hammer. New witches are in town which is never a good sign and they have their sights set on Dean Winchester to obtain the Black Grimoire. While the sisters are dangerous, they bring the fun as well, reminding us of films like “The Craft.” Sure their powers come from evil, but one can’t help being slightly sympathetic that they just want to reunite their family.

Rowena is back.

After Lucifer killed Rowena, fans were hoping that this wouldn’t be the last of our favorite witch. Rowena reveals that she had cast a sort of get out of death free spell which had its fair share of consequences, but nevertheless she is back among the living once again. Rowena approaches the Winchester brothers and offers to help them in exchange for a spell in the Black Grimoire. She claims it is only for protection, but is clearly very invested in obtaining more power. While Sam and Dean know better than to openly trust Rowena, they don’t really have much of a choice when the Plum Sisters successfully steal the book.

“There is no I in team Castiel.”

Castiel and Lucifer are cell-mates and Cas is getting sick and tired of listening to Lucifer whine about how he is drained of power. Refusing to let him tap into his own soul, Castiel tries pushing Lucifer to the limits by talking about how good Jack is and how he loves movies where the hero saves the day. Lucifer is horrified by this revelation and he quickly realizes that his rage is a good motivator for power. After Lucifer and Castiel escape, Castiel confronts Lucifer and tells him “this is me learning from my mistakes.” Castiel is not messing around and not even Lucifer will be able to walk all over him. Go Cas!

The Plum Sisters cast a love spell on Dean.

Dean comically gets hit with the love spell and is now head over heels for Jamie. The lovey dovey music combined with his stars in the eyes like glow is hilarious. Dean practically skips back home and confides to Sam about his love for Jamie. He even begins making room for her to move in. Sam immediately sees the problem here and tries to get Dean to see reason. Dean says “Am I alright? I’m in love!” Sam tries to stop Dean but he is knocked out by his brother in the process. Dean gives Jamie the Black Grimoire and just when he is about to hit him with a hammer, Sam saves the day. Luckily for Dean, Sam didn’t hold a grudge and was able to get there in the nick of time.

Sam and Rowena talk about inner demons.

Rowena admits to Sam that she feels scared and helpless all the time because she saw Lucifer’s true face and what she saw has been burned into her memory, constantly scratching at the surface. Sam explains that he also saw Lucifer’s true face and knows exactly what she is going through. He lets Rowena know that the scared feeling never really goes away and that’s important to find other things to focus on. Sam tries to distract himself by trying to help save his mother and Jack, but now that they are out of reach in another dimension, he is feeling the darkness pulling him down further and further. After Rowena’s “triple-cross” ends in shooting a “Zombie Mom” in the head and turning the Plum Sisters on each other for a gruesome death, Sam agrees to give her a page from the book to Dean’s disappointment. Has Sam made the right call? Will Rowena tap into too much power and become a threat worse than Lucifer? Perhaps, but I’m certain that Sam and Dean will not be too far behind to put a stop to it.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Supernatural below. Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Supernatural” season 13 episode 11: “Breakdown.”

Happy Friday TV fans! The weekend is almost here, but my day would not be complete without discussing our favorite brothers: The Winchesters. After watching the CW’s Supernatural season 13 episode 11 last night, online auctions have a whole new meaning for me, as Sam and Dean dealt with something well beyond the routine bidding on eBay. You may want to think again about how badly you want to procure that collectible item. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. In last night’s episode, “Breakdown,” Sheriff Donna returns when her niece, Wendy has gone missing. Even though it doesn’t initially seem like anything supernatural is going on, she is still relying on the help of Sam and Dean. We are also re-introduced to Donna’s love interest, Doug, who is quickly thrown into a world of monsters and mayhem which may be too much for him to handle. My top 5 moments from Supernatural season 13 episode 11 are:

Dean explains the importance of pancakes.

Sam is clearly still in a rut after everything that happened with “The Bad Place,” learning that their mother, Mary is still trapped with Jack in another world. Sam tosses and turns in bed, refusing to wake up until after 10am, worrying Dean, who is typically the one you would imagine to sleep in on a rainy day. Dean refuses to let his brother stew in his own misery, however; as he tries to distract him and cheer him up, even making a breakfast complete with pancakes. When Sam tells him he isn’t hungry, Dean feels the need to go into a big brother lecture on the importance of pancakes, keeping the vibe light, but also reminding Sam that he is there for him and won’t give up. While it seems like a small gesture, Dean knows his brother better than anyone else in the world, proving to be a good friend and an even better brother.

Dean has a heart-to-heart chat with Doug.

When Sam and Dean show up to help Donna find her niece, they seamlessly embrace their familiar identities as FBI agents looking to do the right thing and help their…cousin. Dean senses that the FBI agent he is talking to my check up on him so he backs off and lets him take charge, explaining that he is there for moral support and to get to the bottom of what happened to his family member. Doug proves not to be the sharpest tool in the shed when he believes that Donna and Dean are actually related, comically inquiring about the recent family reunion. Doug innocently seeks out some advice from Dean about Donna and Dean even teaches him “that’s how we do things in the FBI,” bringing him along for the ride to track down the killer.

“It’s like eBay…kinda.”

Once the Winchesters stumble onto the Butterfly’s website, they are appalled by what they see. There is an online auction going on while a victim is strapped to a chair, as the bids climb higher and higher, competing over body parts. Sam realizes that they are chatting about the parts as if they were food…leading to the conclusion that it’s basically “take out for monsters.” They discover there is something supernatural at play here after all, re-thinking their strategy on how they will rescue Donna’s niece and stop the evil in the nick of time.

“Bring it Twilight.”

Once the tables are turned on the Winchesters and they realize they are dealing with vampires, Sam is taken hostage and Doug is turned into a vampire to Donna’s horror. Dean is not afraid of the vampire cashier boy in the slightest, whipping out his blade and giving fans a catchy pun we can all appreciate, “bring it Twilight.” While there is hope for Doug to get a cure before he is permanently changed, our attention quickly shifts to Sam’s safety when we learn that the bids are hitting some new records. Vampire and monster bidders everywhere relish the idea of snacking on the hunter, Sam Winchester and are looking to win the auction no matter what the cost is. The FBI agent reveals that he was the Butterfly killer all along, spinning a horrifying story about how he actually thinks he is saving lives by keeping the vampires occupied so they are not roaming the streets. Sam’s heart gets auctioned for an impressive $500K but the show is over and Dean comes in to save the day, shutting down bids everywhere.

Doug can’t handle a life with monsters.

While I was relieved to see that Doug was alright, something in my gut told me that we wouldn’t be seeing him again. While he has a sweet and loving relationship with Donna, he could already feel the void as if she had been keeping something from him. When he gets tossed head first into the horrifying world of monsters, it’s too much for Doug to handle. He clearly cares for Donna, but he wants something normal and routine…something that Donna can’t give him because this is more than a job for her, it’s a calling. While this sets the path for Donna to embrace her new destiny with the “Wayward Sisters,” I can’t help feeling incredibly sad for her. Donna deserves love and happiness but understands his decision. Sam and Dean are all too familiar with a life on the road away from attachments, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be there for emotional support, helping each other along the way.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Supernatural below. Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Supernatural” season 13 episode 10 backdoor pilot: “Wayward Sisters”

Happy Friday TV fans! The weekend is almost here, but I find myself needing to discuss the backdoor pilot of “Wayward Sisters” via Supernatural before diving into any other shows. After watching the CW’s Supernatural season 13 episode 10 last night, I am pleasantly surprised by how seamlessly “Wayward Sisters” introduced itself to the world of Supernatural fans. These are some “amazing women” and they have somehow managed to create a real connection and believable family in just under an hour. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. In last night’s episode, we are introduced to the “Wayward Sisters” and learn how they have all come together to fight the good fight to save the world…or at least Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Meanwhile, Sam and Dean take a time out in the “Bad Place,” leaving the demon fighting to the very capable Claire Novak, Sheriff Jody Mills, and the hilarious, Sheriff Donna, to put their sisterhood to the test and save the day. My top 5 moments from Supernatural season 13 episode 10 are:

“D-Train” means business.

After the first twenty minutes or so of the backdoor pilot, I was getting a little antsy, waiting for that light and fluffy humor that Supernatural does so well to emerge. Well I got what I asked for when Jody calls in back-up and Sheriff Donna shows up with the license plate “D-Train.” While the girls are not really sure what to make of her, Donna does what she does best. She jumps right in as if she was part of the family the entire time and brings the basics: weapons galore and a wonderful sense of humor. When the monsters from the “bad place” are surrounding them, Donna takes them out one by one as if she is Super Sheriff with a gun. She quickly teaches Patience how to defend herself and adds a voice of reason when Jody is contemplating jumping through the open portal to protect her family. Something tells me that Donna will continue to bring on the laughs and is the perfect addition to the “Wayward Sister” family.

“I think it just rang the dinner bell.”

While Sam and Dean take a break in the “Bad Place,” they refuse to sit by quietly on the sidelines. After Dean enjoys some cooked lizard, they realize that they are about to become meals themselves for a very loud monster in the distance. When they are attacked by the cloaked shadowy figure, a bell sounds and Sam and Dean brace themselves for the worst. Even though the Winchesters play more of a supporting role here, the episode would not be complete without their commentary on being stranded. While they seem more bored than worried for their lives, they still recognize the fact that they can’t find the door back to their world. Maybe they had a plan…or maybe they knew they had left some great friends behind who would save the day. Either way, we are happy to have Sam and Dean back in one piece.

Claire comes through…with a flame thrower.

“Wayward Sisters” seems to be focusing on Claire Novak as the main protagonist. She is clearly bad-ass or “Biker Barbie,” but Claire needs to learn to think ahead. Her plan of attack typically involves her busting through a door to get the bad-guys without really thinking about the consequences. When Patience reveals her vision that Claire is going to die, she initially dismisses it. Jody is constantly trying to intervene and prove how much she cares about her and Alex, but Claire thinks she is just keeping her from following through on her destiny. Even though she needs to work on having a plan, she does certainly help out Jody and Donna when they are trapped in a car, surrounded by the monsters from the “bad place.” She makes quite the fiery entrance with a flame thrower, proving that she is very capable of fighting her own battles.

Claire and Kaia go through the door to save Sam and Dean.

Jody comes to the realization that she can’t always be there to protect Claire and the other girls. She learns to let go and allow Claire to prove that she can be the hero she so desperately wants to become. In the beginning of the episode, Claire and Kaia instantly have a bond, comparing scars and revealing secrets about how abandoned and alone they feel sometimes. Claire promises to protect Kaia who takes the jump with her, going through the open door to the “Bad Place.” They quickly rescue Sam and Dean, but Patience’s vision takes a detour when Kaia jumps in front of Claire to protect her. Kaia has made the ultimate sacrifice and Sam and Dean have to pry Claire away from her lifeless body to make it back safely. Claire confides to Jody that she understands why she is the way she is now. This teaches her a valuable lesson and gives her the motive to keep fighting the good fight…to protect the innocent and to avenge Kaia’s death.

“I saved Sam and Dean…WE saved Sam and Dean.”

Claire finally understands the importance of a team…or really more of a family. She recognizes these “amazing women” surrounding her at the dinner table and truly sees the importance of sticking by the ones you love. Claire says that her “family is her army,” and she is absolutely right. Sam and Dean came together after they lost their father and recognize that their bond as brothers is the most important thing in the world. They will always try to do good, supporting each other along the way. Claire now also sees that this is the key to her destiny and that she is not alone in the fight. She will stop the cloaked shadowy figure that ended Kaia’s life no matter what it takes. The end of the episode gives us a surprise twist, however; revealing that the shadowy figure is Kaia, but what does this mean? Does Kaia have a doppelganger? Is this the real Kaia? While we are not exactly sure just yet, it definitely leaves Supernatural fans wanting to see more of the “Wayward Sisters.” Overall, the backdoor pilot did a good job of introducing fans to a familiar premise, a great music soundtrack, and some truly remarkable women that we can learn to root for just like the Winchester Brothers. While we may not find out until May 2018 if we can expect a fall premiere of the spin-off series, I am hoping that we are able to give these ladies a chance to shine.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Supernatural and “Wayward Sisters” below. Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 TV witches: “The power of 3 will set us free!”

Happy Friday TV viewers! When you think of witches, what comes to mind? Society has embraced the idea of the witch as an old hag with a wart, hooked nose, and pointy hat flying off on her broomstick, cackling across the night sky. But to be honest, witches have so much more depth and character than this common stereotype. Sure it may be fun to embrace the costume for Halloween, but what’s so great about witches is that they are a source of female empowerment.

They may possess magical abilities and can whip up a spell in the blink of an eye…or the wiggle of a nose, but what makes these women so intriguing is their humanity. Some of my favorite witches on television desperately attempt to balance a “normal human life” with their calling and magical duties. They want something more out of life and sometimes feel stifled by their magical responsibilities, feeling that it gets in the way of having true and meaningful relationships.

While they sometimes reveal their secrets to mortals, it is clear that being a witch is very complicated and not all it’s cracked up to be. However, they sure do have some very cool magical powers that could come in handy now and again. Please note some spoilers are ahead.

My top 5 TV witches are:

Bonnie Bennett from The Vampire Diaries.

When you combine being a witch with being a teenage girl, things get beyond complicated. Bonnie and her best friend, Elena, live in Mystic Falls where it seems like supernatural beings are creeping up behind every corner. While the show focuses primarily on vampires, Bonnie’s witchcraft is a key component and an influential force. When Bonnie discovers her powers as a witch and realizes that she comes from a very powerful line of witches in history, she has to confide her secret to her best friend.

One of my favorite scenes occurs when Bonnie and Elena are sitting on the bed and Bonnie closes her eyes and makes the pillow feathers float all around them. Her powers are beautiful and mysterious, but as the series goes on, she becomes more and more powerful. While she sometimes drains on magic and needs strength from those around her, Bonnie is the essence of good magic and is a great asset to Elena and the Salvatore vampires.

Zelena aka The Wicked Witch of the West from Once Upon a Time.

There is clearly a lot of unlocked magic in the quiet town of Storybrooke, ranging from evil queens to saviors. However, when something wicked comes their way, Zelena proves to be the witch you don’t want to mess with. She embraces the green skin and looks absolutely fabulous. We later learn that Zelena is Regina’s half-sister, which explains their connection and Zelena’s constant quest for revenge against her. While Zelena does transform into a powerful ally later on, her snappy one-liners and her refusal to let others get in her way make her stand out in a crowd of fairy-tale villains and heroes, absolutely stealing the show.

Fans everywhere root for Zelena and desperately want her to get her own version of a happy ending. In the most recent season, Regina goes off to find Zelena in San Francisco, when a new memory curse has been cast on our favorite characters. In Zelena’s new life, she is actually a cycling instructor and even tells her class to “fly like monkeys,” keeping her humor and character alive.

Willow Rosenberg from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

While the show focuses primarily on Buffy and her strength and powers as a vampire slayer, Willow gives up on a being a quiet nerd in the background and tries out witchcraft to help her best friend fight evil. In the beginning, her powers seem harmless and involve floating pencils, which does come in handy when she actually uses it to stake a vampire. As the series goes on, Willow becomes more and more powerful and has an unquenchable need to consume magic.

This dangerous consequence leads to her tapping into dark magic. Willow even gives up using her witchcraft, recognizing that the addiction is hurting those around her. When her love, Tara dies in her arms, there is no stopping her, however. The dark magic pours into her, making her one of the most powerful and dangerous villains Buffy and the Scoobies have ever faced. Luckily, Xander is able to bring her back to goodness, refusing to lose his best friend to evil.

Samantha Stephens from Bewitched.

This list would not be complete without including one of the most famous television witches who paved the way for the rest to come. I grew up watching re-runs of the show in black and white and was mesmerized by Samantha’s powers. With the wiggle of her nose, she used her magic to even the score, proving to be very powerful. Samantha had trouble balancing her life as a loving housewife with being a powerful witch, introducing the very concept of a witch looking for something more meaningful in life beyond magic. While she loved her husband dearly, she didn’t want to just be labeled as a housewife, still holding on to her identity as a witch. Samantha was absolutely a source of female empowerment, refusing to merely comply in a man’s world.

Some honorable mentions before revealing my number one pick for TV witches are:

Sabrina Spellman from “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”
Davina Claire from “The Originals”
Melisandre from “Game of Thrones”
Endora from “Bewitched”
Rowena from “Supernatural”
The Coven from “American Horror Story”
The Beauchamp family from “Witches of East End”

The Halliwell sisters from Charmed.

So my number one pick has to go to the Halliwell sisters. Prue, Piper, Phoebe, and Paige all possess amazing magical abilities and have a sisterly bond that cannot be broken by any evil that comes their way. Charmed is one of my favorite series of all time and each sister possesses their own strength, but as the “power of 3,” they are unstoppable. My favorite power belonged to Piper who could literally freeze time by putting her hands up. What makes the Halliwell sisters so great is that they didn’t always know they had powers. When their grandmother dies and they move back into their child-hood home, they release the power behind the “Book of Shadows,” reconstituting the power of 3. At

this point in their lives, they are already dealing with finding love, finding a career, and dealing with the daily pros and cons of being a sister. They are known as the most powerful witches of all time and many demons and evil beings try to defeat them. When Prue is tragically killed off at the end of season 3, Paige Matthews steps in as their long-lost half-sister and has just as much power as the rest of them. The sisterly bond continues and they deal with some really tough decisions. On more than one occasion, the sisters have the opportunity to relinquish their powers and lead normal lives, but the Halliwell sisters embrace their destiny and understand that protecting the innocent isn’t just a job…it’s who they are.

I hope you enjoyed the list and please feel free to post your thoughts and comments below on some of your favorite TV witches. Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

My top television shows of 2017 on Local Networks: Cheers to the CW!

Greetings TV Fans! For today, I am going to be listing my top favorite television shows that aired in 2017 on local networks. While some shows near the top of my list were no surprise for me, there were others that were a pleasant revelation, providing just the right amount of entertainment. There were also some shows that I used to enjoy a lot which fell short this past year and are in need of something earth-shattering to happen in 2018 to get them back to the top of the pack. While I haven’t gotten a chance to view all shows that aired new episodes in 2017, I did get to more than I initially anticipated. Please feel free to include some of your favorites below as well. Once again, I will be breaking the shows into 3 categories: the best of the best, honorable mentions, and shows that have lost some steam. Please note some spoilers are ahead.

The Best of the Best of television shows airing on local networks for 2017 in no particular order are:

Riverdale

Supernatural

The 100

The Mick

Prison Break Revival

The CW network had some real contenders for 2017 and proved that they are not just a network holding on to a few fan favorites to survive. It is no secret that Supernatural has been the longest running show on their network, but I was pleased to see so much content in the episodes airing in 2017. Sam and Dean continued to keep fans hooked with their charm and humor while dealing with the British Men of Letters and understanding why their mother is back from the dead. The boys encountered new enemies and dealt with their own inner demons along the way, reminding us that they can be just as vulnerable as we are deep down. The 100 proved to have another addicting season, which has been the perfect mid-season show in my opinion. Clark and the others left us with a cliff-hanger, where they end up going back into space because the world is no longer habitable. Will they survive? Seems likely since we should have another season premiering soon, but all bets are off. The most pleasant introduction for me on the CW was Riverdale, based on the Archie comic series. While the series has just the right amount of bubble gum pop providing fans with a nostalgic feel from the comic series, it takes on a life of its own. Riverdale gives fans the perfect blend of romance and mystery, providing more depth for some of our beloved characters. Fox also had some great shows airing in 2017, including The Mick and Prison Break Revival. Kaitlin Olson proved that she can be a starring lady for sure, stepping out from the shadow of her stars on It’s Always Sunny to provide fans with a raw and edgy new comedy balanced with some family values in-between. Since I am a big fan of Prison Break, I was excited to see the revival air this year, providing fans with a solution to the ending that left so many of us wondering what went wrong. Michael and Lincoln were back with a new prison to escape from, bringing some new and old friends along for the ride. The series still had that same amount of edge-of-your-seat action that hooked us initially, allowing us to root for the brothers once again.

Honorable mentions for television shows airing on local networks for 2017 in no particular order:

Grimm

Hawaii Five-0

Once Upon a Time

Modern Family

Grimm aired its last season in 2017 which was actually entertaining and brought everything full circle for fans. While the series had lost some of its edge from earlier seasons, this last one proved that it would not go out without a fight. While one fairy-tale show came to an end, Once Upon a Time started fresh introducing some new characters and story-lines along the way. While some of our favorite characters are no longer around, it made sense to give the show a fresh chance. Some of the newcomers have actually been quite entertaining, working nicely with fan-favorites, Regina and Hook. Will they be able to keep the momentum going? Time will tell. Hawaii Five-0 and Modern Family are shows that I consistently watch that gave us just the right amount of consistent entertainment to satisfy fans. While both shows have been on the air for a while now, they are still giving viewers what they are looking for, but may need to refresh every once in a while.

Television shows airing on local networks for 2017 that are running out of steam in no particular order are:

Arrow

Elementary

Lethal Weapon

I have watched all of the episodes from the three shows above and was somewhat disappointed overall in the seasons from 2017. While Lethal Weapon started out promising, it has not had the same punch it initially gave us when it premiered. Perhaps the show has run its course, but I am confident it still has a spark left to give us the action and laughs we enjoyed originally. Elementary had very low ratings in 2017 and fans are still waiting for a new season. While it looks like this may happen, it will have to be something so over-the-top and different to bring fans back. Arrow has been slipping with each new year which is very disappointing for me. While the CW has had some great success with its super-hero shows, Arrow keeps slipping and forcing story-lines. I am still rooting for Oliver Queen, but perhaps we need to shake things up and keep a character that has been killed off actually dead. I will keep watching, but Arrow is losing steam for sure. Let’s make it a great 2018 for shows everywhere and hope these shows ignite a spark that will keep viewers coming back for more and more.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post some of your favorite television shows from 2017 that aired on local networks below. Happy viewing and the countdown to 2018 is here!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 siblings from television: Family is where the heart is.

As we are in the midst of the holiday season, it’s a time to re-connect with family and remember what’s truly important in life. Many of us have an unspoken bond with our siblings, whether it is inside jokes or a similar laugh, which is natural when you have all grown up together and faced many of the same challenges and shared similar memories. This really got me thinking about siblings on television and how difficult it must be to create that connection instantly. The actors on these shows already have the complicated task of portraying their roles and diving deep into what makes that particular character tick. However, when you also need to add on a believable and real connection as siblings, this becomes even more difficult to capture. For today’s topic, I am going to be ranking my top 5 siblings from television. The siblings I chose are not just cast well. Rather, they become so believable as siblings that I have to bring up Wikipedia on my phone just to double check that the actors are not related. Please note spoilers are ahead. My top 5 siblings from television are:

Brandon and Brenda Walsh from Beverly Hills, 90210.

The Minnesota Twins!

Who could forget when twins, Brandon and Brenda Walsh move from Minnesota all the way to glamorous Beverly Hills, California. While the twins quickly realize that West Beverly High is not like any other high school they have ever seen, they fast-track into a superficial bubble where they are faced with difficult decisions. Luckily, the twins have each other to support one another. Some of my favorite moments on the show are when Brandon or Brenda would make a huge mistake and they would end up meeting in their Jack and Jill bathroom, relieved to see their other half so they could confide in them. Brandon and Brenda share quite a bit of fights along the way and introduce new friends like Kelly and Dylan into the mix, but there is something about their bond as siblings that is wholesome and unbreakable. Fans were disappointed when Brenda left the show, wondering where that would leave Brandon now that his beloved sister was gone. While Brandon still kept viewers hooked with his charm and good sense of right and wrong, the earlier episodes with the Walsh twins had something truly special that could not be so easily replaced even with new cast members.

Fiona, Lip, Ian, Debbie, Carl, and Liam Gallagher from Shameless.

“Hey, sometimes life throws a couple swings at you. But we’re Gallaghers, okay? And there’s two things that we’re really good at: knowing how to get back up, and knowing how to party.” (Shameless)

This list would not be complete without the Gallagher siblings we have watched grow up over the years. Fiona has the difficult task of taking care of her five younger siblings since their parents are rarely present…and when they are it’s like they are children too. While this forced Fiona to grow up very quickly, she has always made it clear that family comes first. The Gallagher siblings may appear to be a group of untamed misfits, but at the end of the day they are truly there for one another. The family faces many problems over the seasons ranging from losing their house to Fiona winding up in jail. When Fiona was not around, Lip and the others recognized that they now needed to step up. Whether that meant collecting money in a jar for the electric bill or making sure that Liam was actually fed breakfast, the siblings are forced to grow up fast in a world that seems to be against them, but they are resilient and strong.

Michael Scofield and Lincoln Burrows from Prison Break.

“I’m breaking out, and you’re going to make sure my brother goes with me.” (Michael from Prison Break)

How many of us would tattoo our entire bodies with the blueprints of a prison and commit a crime so that you could help break your brother out of prison? Seems extreme, right? But Michael Scofield is a genius and will not stop until he frees his brother, recognizing that his brother was framed for a crime that he didn’t commit. While this show keeps viewers on the edge of their seats with each new challenge that gets in the way of the escape, what keeps you coming back for more is the undeniable connection between Michael and Lincoln. Lincoln is the older brother and used to take care of Michael when he was younger. Michael feels like he owes him and has guilt about turning his back on him previously when he asked for help. He sacrifices everything to help him escape, redefining what unconditional love means in the process. Michael and Lincoln always have each other’s backs and their physical resemblance is uncanny. Even though they are not related, I found myself repeatedly searching online to see if perhaps they were distant cousins to no avail.

The Halliwell Sisters from Charmed.

“The power of 3 will set us free!” (Charmed)

Charmed has always been a guilty pleasure of mine. I always enjoy watching shows that feature a supernatural premise, but this series goes beyond that. The sisterly bond between Prue, Piper, and Phoebe Halliwell is so heart-warming that you truly believe they are sisters. In moments where one of the sisters faces an unstoppable evil or comes close to death, their heart-breaking tears even get me crying. Through all of the evil monsters and demons they face as witches, they take the time to bond and fight over things normal sisters would, such as trying to stealing the other one’s boyfriend or remembering to ask before borrowing a favorite outfit. This light comedy combined with some intense drama and action along the way makes this show truly unique. Much like 90210, Shannen Doherty left the show, which had fans wondering how Prue could ever be replaced. You couldn’t just recast her because the sisterly bond is what captured so many viewers. Fans would have been put off if they just tried to pretend like another actress was the oldest sister. The producers and writers were smart enough to add in a new story-line where Piper and Phoebe discover that they have a half-sister they never knew about previously who could help re-establish the power of 3. Whether you were on board with this or not, Paige stepped in seamlessly to fill the void Prue left and the sisterly bond continued to stay strong.

Dean and Sam Winchester from Supernatural.

“You saved my life over and over. I mean, you sacrifice everything for me, don’t you think I’d do the same thing for you? You’re my big brother. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.” (Sam from Supernatural)

So my number one pick for best siblings on television has to go to my favorite brothers, Sam and Dean Winchester. The series has lasted for 13 seasons and is still going strong. Like Charmed, this show features a supernatural premise…hence the title. Sam and Dean are forced to grow up quickly when their mother dies when they are young and they follow in the shadow of their father’s footsteps to become hunters. The brothers travel from place to place to take on cases and help save innocent lives, but deal with some powerful obstacles along the way. Whether it is getting trapped in hell or purgatory or working with angels or demons, the brothers refuse to let death get in the way. They support each other no matter what. When one brother is going through a difficult time, the other recognizes that he needs to step up and help pick up the pieces. Out of every show I have ever watched, the bond between Sam and Dean is the most real and uplifting. You don’t doubt for a second they are brothers and you never give up on them. What’s so great about the brothers is that they also have quite a few hilarious moments together as well, ranging from running away from an adorable Yorkie to reluctantly facing a child-hood fear of clowns. This reminds viewers that the brothers are human and while their calling is to fight the good fight, they are not afraid to share some laughs too. Fans love when the brothers show up posing as FBI agents, wondering what new dynamic duo they will pretend to be. Like our own families, Sam and Dean portray the good, the bad, and everything in between, truly representing what it means to stick by one another through thick and thin.

I hope you enjoyed the list and please feel free to post your thoughts and comments below on some of your favorite siblings from television. Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl