The last couple of weeks I was in a total fanart funk and I am really frustrated about that. I was working on three conceptual arts as well as a couple of episodics, but nothing worked out on canvas and I was ready to throw the towel. Yesterday I was finally able to finish one of the conceptual arts and a month or so back I made another wall that I didn't post here yet, so I can actually make an art update here. Enjoy!

( darkness and goodbyes )

Never in a million years did I see that one coming. No, I am not talking about Ruby’s agenda and I don’t mean the reveal of the angels’ game plan either. I am talking about fact that this finale ended on a moment of grace between the brothers and that the first spark of hope, forgiveness and salvation for their relationship, was bestowed upon us after an agonising year of watching them falling apart! Thank you, Eric Kripke, for giving us that moment and sending us off into the hiatus on a positive note. That said, I did have quibbles with this episode, mytharc-wise especially, but also character-wise, and I hope that S5 will be able to reconcile me with the plot points I am not completely comfortable with.

( You know what’s real? People. Families. That’s real! )

Sorry, this one is really late. I think I kind of exhausted myself with writing this year, and I actually look forward to the hiatus, so I can get a break. *g* The average length of my reviews increased considerably for this season. So, here is another monster, I think only my review for On The Head of A Pin exceeded this one in length, but only by a very small margin.

Man, this hurt like hell! In fact I think When The Levee Breaks by courtesy of Sera Gamble, was the most painful Supernatural episode ever, and I say that fully remembering the trauma of last season’s finale. But, oddly enough, this episode also managed to give me some hope, because despite the ideological abyss between the brothers, it showed very much how deeply they care for each other as well, even if they can’t communicate it. Still, the ending left me devastated and utterly heart-broken. It’s one of those occasions, where it feels really masochistic to be as much invested in these characters as I am.

( I just hope, when all this is over, we can fix things. )

This week’s episode The Rapture by Jeremy Carver was probably enjoyable for all the Castiel/Misha Collins fans out there, but for me it was one of the biggest let-downs of this season. I mean, seriously? It’s the third last episode in a season that featured the most complex and problematic turn in the relationship of the Winchester brothers and this is how they spend it? On the largely irrelevant backstory of a recurring character, cramming one of the most important reveals between the main characters somewhere in between? I think the only time I have been more disappointed with an episode this season was after Heaven and Hell, and that’s saying something.

( Remember when our job was helping people? )

I have been extremely nervous about this episode, ever since I read spoilers for it a while back and so it came as a complete surprise, how much I actually enjoyed it. After a mainly mytharc driven run of episodes, Jump The Shark by Andrew Dabb and Daniel Loflin was a welcomed shift back to the dysfunctional family dynamics of the Winchesters. It’s an intense brother-centric episode that harked way back to S1 and highlighted how Sam and Dean have changed in many ways, while in other ways they stayed the same they always were.

( There’s only one thing you can count on. Family. )

Here I am, having more time at my hands than usual, and my muse refuses any cooperation. I played with a couple of different scenes these last couple of days, but only one worked out so far. I really wanted to make something light-hearted, so naturally what came out was angst. Go figure!

( Have some angst! )

So, art and I are not on the best terms at the moment. I don't feel very motivated to open PS and even when I do, things don't really turn out the way I plan them. I have a couple of conceptual arts in mind, but I can't find the right images and some of the episodic wallpapers simply refuse to get pinned down. So I made icons, mainly from It's A Terrible Life. I am not all that happy with these, but I thought I'd post them nonetheless. Enjoy!

Teaser

( Smith & Wesson )

The Monster At The End Of This Book starts out as a crack-y self-referential meta-commentary, but luckily it soon turns into a solid character episode that manages to move Sam and Dean forward and finally offers new insights into what’s up at the Lilith front. Julie Siege’s character work, ever since she joined the writing staff this season, really convinced me as solid and insightful and always on the right note. A lot of my favourite brother scenes this season were written by her. I really hope she stays with the show in S5.

( What choice have I got? )

I am pretty sure that anybody who knows me even a little bit, can easily figure that I loved It’s A Terrible Life to bits, even if I had some quibbles with the ending. While episodes 11 to 16 were a long descent into darkness, this week’s episode strengthened my hopes that there will eventually be a light at the end of the tunnel for Sam and Dean. Maybe not tomorrow, but they will get there. Sera Gamble’s script was a delightful reminder of times past, but full of subtle references to where the brothers currently stand, as individuals as well as with each other. Awesome! ♥

( We were friends. More like brothers really. )

Sorry, this review comes out so very late, but I had my sister over this weekend and I didn’t really have much time to dedicate to writing. Also, On The Head Of A Pin tied my brain up in knots and gave me a headache with all the mytharc implications they tried to cram into this episode, and it took more time than usual to sort this one out for me. The immense complexity of this episode makes it nearly impossible to cover all facets of it equally thorough, so inevitably there will be passages that fall short in my analysis. I hope it’s still remotely insightful. Just be warned, this is the longest review I have ever written. ;) So, without further ado, onto the review.

( Everybody is dying these days! )

Yesterday the Academy of Fanart Artists awarded the best fanartists and wallpapers of the year 2008 and it was an amazing ceremony! ♥ To be honest, I had already decided to not take part in the AFA’s this year, since the time restraint I was under over the last couple of months was really eating away at me, and I didn’t think I would manage to get the time-consuming nomination and voting process done in time. It was slaycandy who in the end convinced me to give it a shot anyway, and I am profoundly glad that she did. Thank you, hon! *hugs*

So, this post contains a lot of internal ramblings about my art, mostly in order to just reflect on my last year, fanart-wise, so I can always go back and refresh my memory. Just feel free to skip this post entirely! ;)

( Madness! It’s all madness! )

And another great instalment in S4, provided by Jeremy Carver. While Carver might not always have the best grip on the plotting part of his episodes, he’s always a good bet when it comes to delving into the psychology of Sam and Dean, and this week’s episode is no exception to that. Death Takes A Holiday is an excellent follow-up to Sex and Violence in tone and atmosphere, as well as characterisation. I really wished all mytharc episodes this season were this character centric.

( You know what I see most? Lies! )

Damn, where did the time go? The last 2 weeks have been a real whirlwind, and I didn't really get any time to myself. But that phase is truly over now and I find myself with a bit more time on my hands than the last couple of months and I intend to spend at least some of it on art. Salt'n Burn could really do with a new layout and the state of my S4 art folder is really pitiful. I definitely need to rectify that! *g* Anyway, here's some light-hearted Sam and Dean art. Enjoy!

( Brotherly goodness )

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JO!!

I hope you have a fabulous day, hon, even if you're at work. Maybe your colleagues throw you a party or at least indulge your sweet tooth with a chocolate-y birthday cake! ;) Anyway, before I say a lot of mushy stuff, I just hand you over a present and shut up. *hugs*

( Unwrap Me! )

Damn, this week's episode Sex and Violence was intense and uncomfortable, a roller coaster of emotions that left destruction in its wake. Cathryn Humphris, who is usually assigned to writing the heavy Winchester vs. Winchester episodes like Dead Man’s Blood, Born Under A Bad Sign or Metamorphosis, did an excellent job in this one as well by laying both brothers bare in front of each other. A powerful episode, but also very painful.

( We used to be in this together. )