My Latest Obsession...Makes Me Wish I Could Quit My Job to Start Hunting Demons

Of course, that might have more to do with who I want to be hunting with. :D Honestly, this post is just another excuse to go wild with some Supernatural GIFs. ;0)

I've seen Supernatural before -- an episode here and there -- but I never found the time to give it my complete attention. Until now. I was chatting with my older sister one day and she thought it was really weird that I wasn't watching it because it's totally my kind of show.

And she was right. It is. I haven't been watching Supernatural with the fervor that I have other shows, but I'm trying to pace myself since there are nine seasons. Whoops! Netflix just dropped season ten! Now I'm even more behind!

But that's not necessarily a bad thing. We're moving this weekend, and we haven't decided if we want cable in the new house. Honestly, we don't watch all that much TV. I have shows I love, but I usually end up DVRing them and watching much, much later. Netflix is a must, though. Especially now that I'm completely hooked on Supernatural. And by the time I get through all ten seasons on Netflix, the 11th may well be available. One can only hope. :P

I started watching season 1 by myself while the hubs watched his reality tv* in the living room, but he'd come back to bed and watch the rest of whatever episode I was on. And he doesn't love it like I do, but he laughs at the right times, asks the right questions, and gets how generally awesome and bad-ass those Winchester boys are. I guess I'll keep him. :)

I've only got two more episodes left in season two, but I know soooo much more is coming. Stuff I'm probably not ready for...will never be ready for. I thought I might meet Castiel in Houses of the Holy, what with the avenging angel, but no such luck. I'm patient, though. And I'll take my time because one can never have enough Sam and Dean banter.

I think what I like best about Supernatural is that I can go into every episode knowing I don't have to believe anything they're selling but I can enjoy myself all the same. Like, in Hell House, they're in a small Texas town called Richardson looking into a haunting. Only, I lived in Richardson several years back and it's a suburb of Dallas and not small at all. And I've never heard of a Hell House. But I guess most people probably think anywhere in Texas is rural and desolate, ergo, kinda creepy at night? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

Anyway, I can just appreciate the show for what it is: just two brothers, doing what they do best. So far, there's little romance and a whole lot of ass-kicking, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I love the brothers' uneasy alliance in the beginning, how they weren't exactly close, despite what they'd been through together. But now they're brothers, if that makes sense. You can sense the closeness. You can feel the love. And it's pure awesome. I will forever and always choose a great bromance over a good romance.

Obviously Dean is my favorite brother because he's got that whole tough-guy thing going for him, with all his feelings bottled up inside. But we get to see them from time to time, and it makes me love his character even more. Plus, his snark is off the charts, and if you know me at all, you know I live for that shit. He's self-assured -- a real cocky son-of-a-bitch -- but that's what I like about him.

Sam is just so...Sam. He's reliable and even-keeled and constant. Sammy is the guy you marry, while Dean is the one you have a good time with, knowing it's not going anywhere. I like Sam, I do. It's just...he's no Dean. Even if he did play Dean on Gilmore Girls. :) They are total opposites, but that's why they work so well together...even especially when they're getting themselves into trouble.





One of my soccer mom friend's phone rang at practice the other night, and it was playing "Carry On Wayward Son" and my first inclination was to ask her if she's a fan of Supernatural. I didn't, though, because we only just started chatting and I don't want to scare her away yet with my enthusiasm for the Winchester brothers. ;0)

I love all of the little Easter eggs, too. I'm always on the lookout for them, but some are more obvious than others. Like in Hollywood Babylon when they're with the movie studio tour and they get to Stars Hollow on the set of Gilmore Girls and Sam's all, "I'm out."

This show is just such a treat for my fangirl, demon-hating heart. I laugh. I cry. I say what the hell is even happening right now more than I'd care to admit. And, of course, I get my wits scared out of me time and again. I just can't get enough of it!

So where are my Supernatural fangirls at? And how could you let me go so long without this show?!? :P Just in the last month or two since I really started watching, I've already added so much Supernatural merch to my wishlists, including those adorable Funko Pop figures. I want them ALL. And I'm going to get this awesome shirt from TeeFury for my hubby. =)

So, cheers, my friends! Here's to what I'm sure will be an awesome season, even if I won't be getting to it anytime soon. :D

*Supposedly unscripted television programming that bores me to tears, like Pawn Stars, The Ultimate Fighter, etc. I'll take ghosts and demons over that any day. =)

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Labels: binge, fangirl, Netflix, obsessions, supernatural, tv

My Latest Obsession…Fell From the Sky

So, last month I mentioned that I was finally, finally watching The 100. It took longer than I expected, though, to get through both seasons because my husband sat down and watched an episode with me, and by the end, he was just as hooked as I was. Which meant I couldn't wasn't allowed to watch it without him. Oh, the unfairness!

But we finally watched the two-part finale of the second season last Tuesday. It's only been a week, and I'm already fiending for more. I don't know how the rest of you have managed the last few months without any more episodes. Especially knowing there won't be any more until 2016.

I've only just started bingeing shows on Netflix. I used to have Netflix years ago, back before streaming was an option, but we upped our cable package and got rid of it. I forget the reason we decided to subscribe to Netflix again, but I would never go back. And I'm now considering getting rid of that crazy expensive movie package. Seems like a fair trade, especially since I also have Amazon Prime and a smart TV that streams both. I don't mind paying for programming when it's actually being watched. Hell, I spent $30 on the 2nd season of The 100, and it was SOOO worth it not to have to wait until October or later to finish my binge. And it's not like this is the only time I'll watch it. I'm sure the hubs and I will re-watch both seasons before season three hits the airwaves.

Anyway, while we're waiting, I felt the need to discuss the show and its characters with others who are suffering through the torturous wait for new episodes, too. Fair warning, I'm not holding back, so there will definitely be spoilers below. But I'm the last person on the planet to watch the show, so that shouldn't be an issue, right? ;-P

Let's be honest. I caved to peer pressure when it comes to watching The 100. I had zero interest in reading the book it's adapted from, and even less interest in watching the series based on the initial promotion for it. But I couldn't go a day without someone singing it's praises, especially once the second season was under way. And now that I've experience it for myself, I can see why fans were so enamored with it. The premise isn't an altogether unrealistic possibility. The storyline, the characters arcs, the cinematography...all speak to my sci-fi loving heart. But I'm going to pick it apart so you can see exactly why I love it so.

The Intro

How much more awesome was the intro for the second season? A million times better! I mean, Clarke drawing and explaining the situation was all well and good in the beginning, but things have changed. We're on Earth now, baby!

The new opening sequence gives us a better sense of what the show's about and it just feels more reminiscent of a science fiction show to me. It's about survival and making use of what technology is left after the fall of man. It's not just Clarke's story anymore. Not even just the 100's story, but that of all of the survivors of the Ark, plus the Grounders and up until recently, the Mountain Men.



The Characters

Clarke

Obviously, she's kind of my fave. She's badass and makes the really hard decisions that no one else wants to have to live with. Clarke may have started out as a princess to the rest of the 100, but she's more of a Grounder than Octavia can ever hope to be.

Bellamy

I was so set on hating this guy because he was the douchiest douchebag to ever step off the Ark, but his character growth over two seasons was off the charts. Bellamy Blake went from gun-wielding manwhore asshat with something to prove to an all-around decent human being. And all it took to get him there was having to fight for his life and watching a few friends die. It is what it is, but I'm glad he got there eventually.

Octavia

This girl gets on my nerves. Like Bellamy, she's come a long way, but she's got even further to go. Octavia is too impulsive, can't follow directions, and is just generally the most immature of all of the 100. I know she's just trying to find her place in the world, but she annoys me all the same.

Jasper

Imagine my surprise after watching a few episodes and then watching Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules with the kiddo and discovering that dorky Jasper from The 100 is the same kid who plays the jerky older brother. Weirdly, it made me like him more. Also, I was not expecting the kid who got speared in the gut in the very first episode to become somewhat of a hero by the end of the second season. Jasper's character arc is one of my favorites, even if it's also one of the saddest. And that's saying something.

Finn

Uh oh. Here come the waterworks. Finn may not be with us any longer, but his memory lives on. I thought he was just a goof in the beginning, then a pacifist, then a player, then a man with nothing left to live for. Finn was all of those things and more. I'm glad we got to see what really happened to get him thrown behind bars before he bit the big one. Every sacrifice he made was out of love, and though he made mistakes of his own, he was a commendable character and the one whose death choked me up the most.

Honorable Mentions

No offense to his character, but I'm glad West was killed off early on. There was no future for him and Clarke and I found him vaguely annoying. Monty is awesome with all things that have wires or screens or circuitry, and I'm glad he's not dead yet, especially for the sake of the Ark survivors. And in an unexpected turn of events, I actually think I might be growing to like Murphy, especially after that escapade with Jaha. I really wanted to dislike Raven -- even thought it was actually Clarke who was "the other woman" -- but she's kind of badass herself. Lincoln, the Grounder with a heart, continues to surprise me, but I'm happy to have him on our side...I mean, the Ark's side. :) I liked the hate-hate thing that Clarke and Anya had going, and at least you knew Anya couldn't be completely trusted, unlike Lexa the betrayer. Also, you'll notice I don't mention the adults from the Ark or those from the Mountain Men's safe haven...I find their stories less interesting. *shrugs*

The Romance

Clarke & Finn

These two were kind of adorable in the beginning, but then all hell broke loose, what with Raven jumping ship to come save her boyfriend, only to find that he'd already found a new snuggle buddy. (Like I said earlier, though, it was nice to see what Finn and Raven were to each other before they came to Earth...melted my cold, bitter heart.) And then Clarke was missing and Finn went a little...insane while he set out in search of her. I mean, when John Murphy looks less crazy than you do, there's a problem. And what he did while looking for Clarke caused a major rift in their relationship. He'd been the one to pacify everyone, and then this. But, I believe that later on, Clarke probably understood how he felt in that moment, when he'd do anything to get her back, to save her. Because she felt that, too, later on for her people, and same as Finn did, she now has to live with that guilt. At least Finn's sacrifice absolved him of his. I don't know how Clarke's going to come back from this.

Octavia & Lincoln

Lincoln is obviously good for Octavia, but I don't think the same can be said of her for him, especially since Lincoln's own people have abandoned him because of his affiliation with the Sky People. However, Octavia has learned much from Lincoln and his people, and has even made a few friends among the Grounders, though that all changed with Lexa's betrayal at the end of season two. Now they're both living among the Ark survivors, and I'm interested to see how well that works out and what it means for their relationship in the coming season.

Raven & Wick

After what she's been through, Raven needed a real man to step up. And I love that Wick won't take her bullshit, won't settle for less than he deserves just because she's afraid of taking a risk. In the end, Raven had to suck it up and admit that she needed him, hard as it was for a badass like her to do. Raven may only be slightly older than the 100, but she always seemed more adult than the rest of them. It's about damn time she started acting like it.

Clarke & Lexa

When Lexa kisses Clarke before the big battle, my husband said, "What? No way...I did not see that coming!" I did, though. I mean, Lexa had mentioned Castia before and she'd hinted several times that she did care for Clarke, that she was being benevolent for her, even though it wasn't doing her any favors among her own people. Which is why it shouldn't have come as a shock when she betrayed Clarke, but that's life.

Bellarke

I'd seen quite a bit of shipping for Bellarke, but I really didn't get it until I started watching the second season. And then it made sense....one of those hate-to-love things I find so amusing. Except they don't hate each other anymore. And I don't even think they know what they mean to each other yet. But there's hope for them still. They both needed saving, and they'll be the ones to save each other.

As you can see Clarke gets a lot of action. ;0) But I see a romance in her mother's future, as well. *wink, wink*

The Weird, the Beautiful & the Brutal...and the Oddly Familiar

The survivors on the Ark have no clue what to expect when they send the 100 back to Earth to see if it can sustain life. And I love how the show portrays every bit of what they find when they make it back to land. From the weird, like creatures who've been exposed to radiation and have become something other...

To the beautiful, undiscovered wonders...

...it's all so wonderfully depicted as other. Including the natives, who are savage and brutal.

Just ask Jasper. :P But I also love how some things are so familiar that I don't realize it until much later and then I feel like a doofus. For example, the Grounders are camped out at Ton DC, and even though I saw the remains of the Lincoln Memorial when Octavia passed it way back when, it still didn't occur to me until much later that they were actually in what was formerly Washington, D.C.

I'm kind of obsessed with this show. I could re-watch it right this second and think nothing of it. I want to collect anything and everything related to The 100. Like, when are they gonna make Funko figurines because I need Clarke and Bellamy dolls that I can force to love and kiss each other and how adorable would little Funko Grounders be?!? And I'm so bummed I missed the cast of The 100 at SDCC. I mean, not that I had been planning to attend, anyway, but it would have been amazing to meet the cast. *le sigh*

If you've made it through this whole post, I assume you've watched and love this show, as well. But if not, what's holding you back? You should go ahead and cave to the peer pressure, too, so we can discuss. =)

I miss The 100, obviously, but I know binge-ing another show would lessen the heartache a bit. Except, I don't know what to binge next. So, I'm up for suggestions. Something similar to this show would be great, but anything fantasy or sci-fi is good for me. I'm kinda in the middle of Daredevil, but that's another my hubby is making me wait to watch with him. :( The 100 kinda reminded me a little of Lost, so I'm thinking of re-watching that series if nothing else strikes my fancy.

In the meantime, I'm here to hold your hand if you need comfort while we wait for season three. :D

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Labels: binge, Netflix, obsessions, the 100, tv

My Latest Obsession...Resides at 221B Baker Street

Okay, so...technically this isn't a recent obsession...more of an evolved one. I've been a fan of Sherlock Holmes mysteries since I was in the fifth grade and read The Hound of the Baskervilles for the first time. (Coincidentally, that's probably my favorite episode of the BBC show Sherlock, too...so much fun!)

But in recent months, I've discovered a whole slew of young adult novels that are either directly related to Sherlock Holmes, are retellings of sorts, or have a very Sherlockian-vibe, a la Benedict Cumberbatch's character. In case you're also a fan and missed out on them by some chance, I thought I'd showcase the ones I've become a huge fangirl for.

First, though, I must confess that though I was late to the party, I have become the hugest fan of the BBC version of Sherlock. In mere months, I've already watched the whole series twice on Netflix. And I know that's not saying a lot, considering the seasons are only three episodes long and there have only been three glorious seasons so far. But I truly enjoy this series so much more than the recent movies, and that's considerable since I kind of love RDJ.

So, it kind of goes without saying that this is the version that I will now hold all other versions -- print, screen or otherwise -- up to. That might be a little unfair, but the heart wants what the heart wants, and my Sherlock-loving heart wants more Benedict Cumberbatch sociopath types and more surly Martin Freeman-like Watsons. :)

It seems as if Sherlock Holmes invades my life at every turn. My older sis and I even had a discussion on our trip because our shuttle was noticeably absent one evening when we were ready to leave Universal Studios, and we were just heading out in search of a cab, when some guy offered us a ride. Considering there were four of us, we thought it would be safe since we were technically only going about two miles up the road. And we were. But we got to talking about that episode with the killer cabby, and well, you know...we let our imaginations run a little wild after that. :P As one does...

The Ones That Dare to Re-Imagine

The Every Series

I am absolutely enamored with this series. It features a young Mycroft Holmes and a female Watson, by way of Mycroft's next door neighbor Rachel Watts. When the series starts off, they're best friends, trying to solve the murder of an acquaintance of Mycroft's. But as things progress, things really heat up between them, much to my delight.

This series is written by Aussie author Ellie Marney and has recently been picked up by Tundra Books. The second book will release in the States later this year. I, however, am still waiting on my pre-ordered copy of Every Move to arrive direct from Australia. The series is that good that I had to spend a little extra dough to get it now instead of waiting for it to release here. Also, I'm very impatient. =)

The Jackaby Series

What first drew me to this series was the cover for Jackaby itself. It's vivid and stunning and just utterly gorgeous. And everyone and their mama was touting it as Sherlock meets Doctor Who, which it most certainly is. Jackaby is definitely drawing on Sherly's idiosyncratic behavior and the paranormal aspect is reminiscent of the creatures you might see on any episode of Doctor Who.

This series is set in turn-of-the-century New England, and the author and narrator -- I listened to the audio so I could get to it sooner rather than later -- did a fantastic job of immersing the reader/listener into the story. These books are more focused on the mystery and paranormal aspects and less on romance, which works well for the type of story being told. And also serves as a reminder that Jackaby is very much like Sherlock in that respect.

Those That are Sherlock-Approved

The Paper Magician Trilogy

I think Sherlock would very much approve of Magician Emery Thane and his eccentric ways in this series. Maybe not so much his evolving relationship with apprentice Ceony Twill, though. Still, I couldn't help but picture my dear Benedict as Emery while reading, and it only gets worse as the series unfolds.

This series forces you to suspend your disbelief (A LOT, considering this is a book that focuses on magic) and just go with the story, and for that reason, it's not for everyone. If your appreciation of Sherlock stems from the character in the show, though, I have no doubt you'll find Emery Thane's character quite intriguing.

There are elements of mystery and magic in this book that initially appealed to me, but it was the characters that kept me reading. The third book comes out later this year, and I'm very anxious to get my hands on it.

And the Sherlock Experiences I Can't Wait For

Lock & Mori

At first, I thought this was kind of a copycat of the Every series mentioned above, but once I read the synopsis, I was all in. Sherlock and Moriarty as allies?!? That's going to be so fun! I mean, they're still going to be über competitive, but how interesting could it be if they weren't?

It is going to be difficult to picture a female Moriarty, especially after Andrew Scott did such a fabulous job playing the role on Sherlock, but if we can have a female Watson in the Every series, why not a female Moriarty, right?

I actually already have a copy of this for review, and you know it's high on my priority list. I do think the cover leaves something to be desired, though. I am really enjoying the trend of Sherlockian young adults right now, whether they take place during the Victorian era or in a more contemporary setting. I hope this one lives up to my expectations!

The Sherlock-related item that I am most anticipating this year, though? That's right...The International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes at the Perot Museum right here in Dallas! It's open through Mother's Day weekend, so I still have another month or so to check it out. Luckily, my family is as interested in seeing this exhibit as I am, so we'll be making a day of it very soon. :D

The tagline for the exhibit is "See how Sherlock Holmes used science to solve mysteries -- then try it yourself!" How fun does that sound?!? The Perot Museum is very hands-on and interactive. Katie went with her class for their kindergarten field trip last year and they all had a blast.

Here's a video the local news station ran on it (and how I first heard about the exhibit):


Doesn't that just look like an amazing time?

As you can see, my Sherlock obsession runs deep. Even deeper now, after my re-watch. :) I'm always looking for new ways to let my inner-Sherlock out. :)

While we were on vacation, and after the taxi fiasco, my sis asked if I watched the "bastardized US version," too. I do not. I just know it won't be as good. Even if Lucy Liu is awesome. ;) So, I do have my limits, I suppose. =)

Whew, I am so happy to finally get that off my chest! ;0) What movie/show/book/character are you so obsessed with that it seems to invade all other areas of your life? Or is that just me, lol???

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Labels: benedict cumberbatch, favorites, mystery, obsessions, sherlock holmes, sir arthur conan doyle