How a Show, and the Support of Its Fandom, Changed - and Saved - Lives
May 2017 marks the end of the twelfth season of the CW hit Supernatural, a television show about two demon-hunting brothers (and an angel) that is at the center of a fan community as tight-knit as family - a virtual support system that spans the globe. The three-time People's Choice Award winner for Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV show and Tumblr's 2015 Most Reblogged "Live Action TV" show has made a name for itself by supporting and encouraging its fans to "always keep fighting," a main theme echoed in the show, and demonstrating the inspiring truth to a memorable line from early in the show's run: "Family don't end with blood."
In twenty powerful chapters written by Supernatural's actors and fans, including series lead Jared Padalecki, Family Don't End with Blood: How Supernatural Has Changed Lives examines the far reach of the show's impact over the last eleven years. Supernatural has encouraged fans to change their lives, from getting "sober for Sam" to escaping a cult to pursuing lifelong dreams. But fans aren't the only ones who have been changed. The actors who bring the show to life have also found, in the show and its community, inspiration, courage, and the strength to keep going when life seemed too hard.
In keeping with the show's message to "always keep fighting," and to support the important work of combatting stigma and encouraging those who are struggling to speak out, a portion of the proceeds from the book will be donated to charity Attitudes in Reverse, whose mission is to educate young people about mental health and suicide prevention.
Contributors from Supernatural's cast include:
Jared Padelecki ("Sam Winchester")
Jim Beaver ("Bobby Singer")
Ruth Connell ("Rowena MacLeod")
Osric Chau ("Kevin Tran")
Rob Benedict ("Chuck Shurley aka God")
Kim Rhodes ("Sheriff Jody Mills")
Briana Buckmaster ("Sheriff Donna Hanscum")
Matt Cohen ("Young John Winchester")
Gil McKinney ("Henry Winchester")
Rachel Miner ("Meg Masters")
Edited by Lynn S. Zubernis, a clinical psychologist, professor, and passionate Supernatural fangirl, Family Don't End with Blood provides an insightful and often uplifting look into the way international fan communities become powerful, positive forces in the lives of so many.
My Review:
I've been a Supernatural fan for years. I didn't start watching right away. I believe I started watching when SuperWhoLock began trending. I was already a Doctor Who and Sherlock fan, so I thought I'd better give this Supernatural a try, too.
One of the best decisions in my life!
I can't say that this show changed my life in the early days of watching, but I definitely felt a kinship with it. A validation and connection that few other shows stirred within me. All the things I love about stories, fantasy, romance, mystery, suspense, and yes, the supernatural, all came together in this show.
I've been watching and reading anything and everything about the paranormal/supernatural world since I was a child. Anything with ghosts, witches, vampires, werewolves, basically all the things that go bump in the night were of immense interest to me. Because of my mother, I started watching the TV show Dark Shadows at a young age and was enthralled with the mystery, suspense and supernatural elements in that show. With cliffhanger endings, it easily left me eager for the next episode.
In many ways, Supernatural reminded me of Dark Shadows. It was the same connection I felt. The way the relationship with the characters captured my interest, the mystery and suspense of what happens next, and the intrigue of the gothic and paranormal elements, all of it felt familiar to me. It felt like this show was meant for me. It felt like home.
I have an avid interest in many shows. There are so many great ones out there, but Supernatural connected with me in a way few others had. I'll never forget the first time we see the boys and "Dad is on a hunting trip and he hasn't been home in a few days" line. The mystery of the Woman in White was right up my alley. As a kid in the 80's, I'd read so many Lady in White stories that one year I wanted to dress like one for Halloween.
With all honesty, it was the Wendigo episode that cemented my love for this show. Among my love for the paranormal, I'm also interested in many Native American cultures. I recognized this creature from my research. It was during that episode, that I knew for certain I had a huge interest in this show and would keep watching. And, of course, "Saving people, hunting things, the family business."
The characters drew me in, more and more, with each episode I had to keep watching. Some of the episodes were downright chilling! Scary and adventurous while learning about the relationships between the boys and their father. It just kept me glued. I binged the entire first season in a blur of episode after episode. I had to find out what happens next! And then I was left sitting straight up in my seat, gasping with surprise and horror at that last scene in the season finale. (No spoilers here, but you fans know which one I mean!) By then, I knew, there was no going back. Supernatural was now a part of me.
This was a long introduction about why I loved this book about Supernatural so much. Listening to the audiobook, I felt a new connection with other fans. There are other people who love this show just as much if not more than I do. And that thrills me!
I loved listening about the members of the cast and the fan's interactions. How this show has actually saved lives! Trust me, I've been in some dark places in my life, and I've called upon Sam and Dean to save me a time or two. They've always been there for me. I'm not alone. So, yeah, this show has saved me from some very dark days, helped me escape my life for a brief time, helped me grieve over loss, and simply helped me get by day to day. For months after my husband left me and my four kids, I watched this show every day at lunchtime, just so I didn't feel so alone. And you know what? It helped.
I will not lie, many of the chapters in this book made me sob. Not cry, but actually sob. The touching tales and the emotions those narratives stirred were nearly overwhelming. I wish I could meet these people in real life and hug them, tell them how much their stories of Supernatural impacted me, and again, made me feel like I was not alone in this world (a feeling that often comes upon me in trying times). These people don't know me, but I feel like I know a piece of them, and that is enough.
I enjoyed the chapter about the couple who met and married because of Supernatural. How awesome would it be to fall in love with another person because of a show!? That's almost like a fairytale romance story, isn't it?
Rob Benedict's chapter was especially emotional. How frightening and challenging to go through such an experience as a stroke, and knowing his friendship with his cast mates literally saved his life. I couldn't stop crying through that one.
The chapter about the fan who met Jared at a convention with the intention of ending her life afterward really got to me. I had to grab a box of tissues during that one. I'm so glad he was there to save her. Being that this book was written a few years ago, I hope this fan is with us still and living a good life.
Jared Padelecki's chapter at the end left me a sobbing mess, too. I suffer from anxiety and depression, so when he talked about his mental health issues, I understood exactly how he felt during those moments he described. I'll always keep fighting, too. Also, I gotta say, I loved Jared before but knowing he's a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan just makes me love him more! :)
I could probably say something about each chapter because there was something I found special in each one.
Not only did this book bring out my empathy for the cast and fans, but I enjoyed the humorous moments as well. Many, many times while listening, I had to laugh out loud. I wonder often what other people were thinking watching me as I walked alone through town in the early mornings, my earbuds tucked discreetly in my ears, laughing like crazy at some line or other. The experience of reading this book really made me feel like I have friends out there in the world that I have yet to meet.
I recommend anyone who loves and is a fan of Supernatural should read this book. It's a touching love letter to a show that has literally changed and saved lives.
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