Day 6: 30 Days of Supernatural

[ratherastory]

Day 06 - Your least favourite episode

Erm. Well, there were a few episodes I wasn't thrilled with. On SPN, even the "bad" episodes are still better than what most TV has to offer these days.

All the "meh" episodes are just about on par for me. I'd say there's about half a dozen or so in all five seasons, and it's kind of hard to pick one out of those. Of those, there are two in Season 1, two in Season 3, maybe one in Season 4 and I'd say three in Season 5.

I think I'll have to go with "Bugs," because between the bad special effects, the disjointed narrative, the Indian burial ground cliché, the even more cliché wise-old-Indian, the Plot Devices of Fail™ and the Night That Lasted Only 40 Minutes™, it's pretty much a train wreck.



Pictured here: The Neverending Can of Raid™. Seriously, kids at school used to do that with hair spray, and it doesn't last that long.

30 Days of Supernatural!
Day 01 - Your favourite character
Day 02 - Your least favourite character
Day 03 - Your favourite season
Day 04 - Your least favourite season
Day 05 - Your favourite episode
Day 06 - Your least favourite episode
Day 07 - Your favourite Dean crying scene
Day 08 - Your favourite Sam crying scene
Day 09 - Your favourite Dean death scene
Day 10 - Your favourite Sam/other death scene
Day 11 - Your favourite quote
Day 12 - Your favourite funny scene
Day 13 - A scene that makes you sad/cry
Day 14 - A scene that makes you happy
Day 15 - A scene that makes you angry
Day 16 - An episode that scared you
Day 17 - Your favourite SPN friendship
Day 18 - Your favourite SPN romance
Day 19 - Your favourite SPN song
Day 20 - Your favourite recap
Day 21 - Your favourite character entrance
Day 22 - Your favourite minor character
Day 23 - The character that is most like you
Day 24 - An episode you wish never happened
Day 25 - Something that you wish happened but didn’t
Day 26 - Your favourite SPN fanvid
Day 27 - Your favourite season intro episode
Day 28 - Your favourite season finale
Day 29 - Your favourite SPN fanfic
Day 30 - Anything SPN related

Comments

[morganoconner.livejournal.com]

The absolute only reason this wasn't my choice was because the Sam 'n Dean banter in "Bugs" was at least enjoyable, and I liked the kid here far better than I liked the kid in Swap Meat. But...yeah. This one was pretty epically bad.

[ratherastory.livejournal.com]

I approve of your choice, too. Swap Meat could have been great, and the only thing that saved it was JP's acting. Other than that, the whole episode pretty much sucked.

callitosh65 saved it for me with her brilliant coda, which is the only reason I've forgiven that episode for even existing.

[lavinialavender.livejournal.com]

Link to said coda??

[de-nugis.livejournal.com]

Does that picture show them setting fire to bug spray? I mean, I haven't rewatched Bugs, because, you know, AWFUL, but if Dean gets to set bug spray on fire I might need to take a quick second look.

Also, I know Dean has his own reasons for being bent out of shape about Stanford, and while I don't really agree with him I totally get where he's coming from re: Sam, but having him say that the kid in Bugs should stick with his family rather than going to college is just silly. And not in a convincing, yes, Dean would feel that way though it's irrational way, but in a "we are underlining our Dean Is All About Family characterization here, and we figure you are so dumb we must exaggerate it to the point of parody" way.

But . . flaming bug spray?

[ratherastory.livejournal.com]

Flaming bug spray. A neverending supply of it.

And YES, what you said about Dean's characterization! God. Dean *wanted* Sam to go to college, even if it broke his heart. Gah.

It's early enough in the series, though, that I'm willing to forgive Bugs for being such an epic disaster.

[de-nugis.livejournal.com]

I would think that setting bug spray on fire would make it less likely to perform its function as toxic mist, but while I expect Dean to be moderately rational on the subject of higher education, I am willing to let him go wild with the pyromania.

[ratherastory.livejournal.com]

I can't even. There is no rational explanation to set the Raid on fire.

[lavinialavender.livejournal.com]

Dean *wanted* Sam to go to college, even if it broke his heart.
THIS. A HUNDRED TIMES OVER, THIS.

So, at my mindless temp job today, I figured out how to get work done while scribbling fic scenes and brainstorming on spare paper. Filled up a whole page with an outline of how Sam worked through high school to get to college, including details of when Dean knew about it. The way I figure it, he had to have known Sam was dead serious about it by sophomore year, and while I'm sure he always had issues and felt sad about it, he was also supportive because he knew how much Sam wanted it. And I think he hustled up money at least once to help pay for one of Sam's college app fees. And he also kept it secret from John until Sam told him himself (although maybe that wasn't such a great idea).

Then I might have gotten a bit carried away with the fluffiness, as I was considering how Sam debated among his top choices (i.e., those that offered full rides - and if Stanford did, that couldn't have been the only one, especially as I figure he divided his apps between Ivy-league schools and state universities, then maybe a couple of extreme back-ups), and I thought that he undoubtedly talked about it with Dean, and Dean half-jokingly suggested Stanford for the California babes and weed, and that's the one Sam ends up picking. IT COULD TOTALLY HAVE HAPPENED.

[crayola-fics.livejournal.com]

Just had to come in here and comment that YES that is exactly how I feel about Dean's little rants in Bugs. I mean, the dynamic of Sam and Dean and Sam going to college and Dean wanting him to stay is great and understandable and whatever... but to tell some random kid that he shouldn't go to college? Seriously? Dean is not that... one-dimensional.

[de-nugis.livejournal.com]

There are just some writers out there who get a bit confused when they try to add a second dimension . . .

At least that was back in the day when they did bad, clunky characterization by giving the rants to the characters involved. In s5 an equally bad episode would involve some random character coming up to Dean and saying, "You do not approve of that kid going to college because you have Issues with People Leaving Their Families," and then Dean would be all like, "Yes, this is true, I feel the Issues in me."

[ratherastory.livejournal.com]

and then Dean would be all like, "Yes, this is true, I feel the Issues in me."

I giggled SO hard at this that I snorted coffee through my nose. I hope you're happy.

[de-nugis.livejournal.com]

As long as it didn't get on your keyboard and short your computer. I callously ignore the blow to your dignity, but I don't want anything to interfere with your writing fic for us.

[ratherastory.livejournal.com]

The computer appears unscathed, have no fear.

[claudiapriscus.livejournal.com]

"I feel the Issues"! Bwhah!

You know, I go sneaking on to LJ at work sometimes...sudden fits of laughter are going to give me away, thank you very much!;)

[de-nugis.livejournal.com]

What is the internet but a vast conspiracy to get respectable people in trouble at work?

[lavinialavender.livejournal.com]

*falls apart laughing*

Perhaps I've blocked it, but what S5 episodes are you thinking of that do this?

[de-nugis.livejournal.com]

They do it more to Sam than to Dean, though Sam, Interrupted kind of manages to do it to both of them, and then there was Famine letting Dean know that he felt all empty, in case he hadn't noticed, and Joshua, pointing out that he was losing trust in Sam, in case we hadn't quite followed the big, glowing "Dean is losing trust in Sam" signs. Don't get me wrong, I love a lot of what they do with s5 character development, but there is an awful lot of "Sam has Bad Qualities! But then again, he has Good Qualities!" s1 Sam was more convincingly angry than s5 Sam, but when they decided they needed Angry!Sam everyone from Lucifer to Dean to Bobby kept walking up to Sam and telling him how Angry he was. It was kind of hard on his acting; JP did so many things so subtly and well in s5, but his big hulk out rage scenes in Sam, Interrupted and The Devil You Know didn't work for me.

I even wrote a cracky fic on some of the early s5 characterization moments. *is disgusting self-pimper*

[lavinialavender.livejournal.com]

Ahhh, v. good examples.

Hey! I just told you how much I loved your fic and it made my birthday (seriously, I even spent part of my boring work hours today amusing myself by recalling what triggered each orgasm). Your fic is totally welcome.

[melanth0.livejournal.com]

Bugs is terrible. That said, I can watch it in my happy "OH LOL SO CLUNKY" mindspace, the same one I use for awful camp movies. Plus, it has s1 pretty. You can't go wrong with s1 pretty.

I am personally far more offended by the bland, nonsensical drivel that was Swap Meat.

[ratherastory.livejournal.com]

Swap Meat is definitely on that list, although "Sam, Interrupted" annoyed me far more because it made all sorts of grand promises and then never delivered.

And yeah: I can totally watch Bugs for the LOLz and the camp. I just need alcohol to do it. :D

[melanth0.livejournal.com]

Oh god, Sam, Interrupted. Agreed so hard. I feel like the authors totally forgot about coherence there. I liked the bit with Dean's imaginary doctor, and that was about it for the ep.

[spookysquall.livejournal.com]

I was just going to say that. My least favourite episode is probably Sam, Interrupted, for a variety of reasons; among other things, because it seemed to come out of left field (all of a sudden we have ANGRY!SAM), and because the plot just ground to a halt with about 15 minutes left. And hi, continuity issues. I was also primed for some great escape from the institution, yet they just. sort of. walked out. and. drove. away. *LOL*

Agree that Bugs is pretty crappy too, though it's been a while since I've watched it. I forgot that it was actually that bad. :)

[claudiapriscus.livejournal.com]

It wasn't so much ANGRYSAM as "ANGRYSAM's anger stems solely from the dark side! The myriad of things he is quite rightfully pissed about were merely excuses for the ANGER, not the cause!"

[ratherastory.livejournal.com]

Exactly!

Because everyone knows Sam is just an ungrateful brat. It's not like any of his anger was justified, ever.

*snort*

[claudiapriscus.livejournal.com]

Of course not! What could he possibly be upset about? I mean, it's not like his mother did something desperate and stupid that indirectly lead to having his whole life manipulated by demons and angels, including the eventual murder of his entire family, loved ones, and himself, ending with him starting the apocalypse and getting stalked by Lucifer.

[spookysquall.livejournal.com]

ANGRYSAM as "ANGRYSAM's anger stems solely from the dark side!

Yes! That was exactly it (sorry was typing at work; not the best place to get thoughts down! *LOL*). That is what most irked me about the episode, the inexplicable reason provided for Sam's anger. So there you go, fanbase. Sam is actually EEEEEEEVIL. We were just pretending that he wasn't all along. Deal with it. WTF, writers. *LOL*

Oddly enough though, IGN has "Sam, Interrupted" rated as one of the better episodes of Season 5, and in fact one of the highest rated episodes of the series. IGN is so screwy sometimes. :)

[greeneyes-fan.livejournal.com]

OMG yes! That was why Sam, Interrupted was so bad! Because the first half was good and then it just gave up!

[lavinialavender.livejournal.com]

I second this - Bugs can make you lol, but Swap Meat is infuriating and unforgivable. The worst and most blatant character-rape they've ever done (with Dean not knowing it wasn't Sam), and the first time they committed the common offense of so many lesser shows by sacrificing characterization for the plot gimmick.

[kiltiebum.livejournal.com]

Probabaly Ghostfacers...chasers, don't even know the correct title - and don't care. What a crock of drek that was. Not enought Sam and Dean, stupid B characters I couldn't care less about and a stupid storyline. Close second would be that one with whatshername in it. Don't even know the correct title...see above for the rest.

[chibikameai.livejournal.com]

The first time my friend let me borrow season one with Bugs on it. I'm not going to lie. I actually fell asleep. It just made me doze off and I hate to say that about SPN but hey not even our favorite show is perfect. The only thing that jolted me awake was when I heard Jim Brynes' voice. He's one of my favorite actors/singers. He played the college professor in this eppy and he was only on there for no more than five minutes. The only thing good that I got out of this eppy was ideas for a Highlander/SPN xover.

[sothcweden.livejournal.com]

And Bugs had Kim Manners at the helm. Can you imagine the train wreck it would have been with a less capable director at the helm? *cackles*

You know, I think what I love about SPN is that even in eps that I don't really like, there is always something to connect with - humor, banter, emo, attractive boys, etc. Red Sky at Morning had the guys in tuxes, for example.

[lavinialavender.livejournal.com]

Haha, true. "Bugs" was the first definitely subpar episode, and maybe still the weakest plot-wise in the entire series. Honestly, though, I still re-watch it for all the dad-angst and when they talk about how Sam left for Stanford.

[primrose-1.livejournal.com]

Bugs was pretty awful. I think I have to list Wendigo as my least favorite because I stopped watching Superatural after that episode (I KNOW, what was I thinking???) I loved the pilot, but the Wendigo turned me off because I TELL stories about the Wendigo, and they pronounce it wrong. It also had the pattern I was afraid of- boys come to town, meet some monster, help some young girl who is attracted to them and will either kiss them or think about kissing them. They'll get some lame clue about their missing father and ride off into the sunset. Blah blah been there, done that, got old with the old Incredible Hulk tv shows. It wasn't until my sister started going on about how good Supernatural had gotten that I tuned in again. It was Faith, and I was hooked ever since. So yeah, I blame Wendigo for almost ending my love of the show before it ever began.

[harrigan.livejournal.com]

Late to the party! If I stopped to read everyone's comments first then I probably wouldn't bother to add my two cents but... what the heck.

And by the way - I'm enjoying this meme!

I totally agree with you that the worst SPN is better than a lot of alternatives in other shows, and I've always found something redeeming in pretty much any SPN episode. And I also agree that Bugs falls higher on the stupid meter (especially the resolution of the MOTW issue!) than most SPN. But it also has more things that I love than things that I hate. (I love the revelation that they Dean they would squat in a vacant new construction! And even if you didn't agree with some of Dean's lines being in character, I loved learning more about Sam's relationship with his father and how his perceptions growing up differed from Dean's.) This is an episode that made me want to read or write fanfic, and it gets points for that.

So all that being said, I can certainly see why you'd pick Bugs from your shortlist of episodes that dropped the ball. For me, my choice would end up being something that annoyed me less but also entertained me far less. There were a handful of eps (probably not in season 1 or 2) where I felt the boys were mostly kind of bystanders. I either didn't learn anything more about them (or had to work too hard to), or they didn't move forward on their arc, and the MOTW and the victim of the week weren't engaging. And the boys weren't even well-lit for me to enjoy the pretty! LOL. Sadly, I can't even remember the titles of such episodes.

I guess for me, my 'least favorite' will have the same meaning as 'least memorable'. Even though these might in fact be well-written stories by some of my favorite writers. (Like - the one with the creepy kids living in the walls of a house? Just - nothing about that ep made me in a hurry to rewatch it or get online to babble about it with friends.)