Saving People, Queering Things

Is youthfulness the same as childishness? Abigail and Hana talk about 1.17, their own experiences of sibling bonding, and explore how Sam and Dean tap into their inner child through play. Abigail also uses the term "muck about" multiple times for no apparent reason. They talk about Dean and his complicated performance of masculinity and sexuality, as well as all the horror and adolescence tropes t...

How and why do we resist peer pressure? Sam gets high, Jacob has a drink, and Abigail attempts to wrangle them both in for this discussion of 1.16. They talk about the weird flirting between Meg & Sam, the conflict between Sam and Dean about what happens after they kill the demon, and our impressions of the Winchester trio as a whole family unit.   This show contains content and disc...

When is imagination dangerous? Jacob & Abigail talk about 1.15, creativity (both good & bad), and question what makes a monster a monster. In an episode with no supernatural creature, how do we think about the actions characters take to confront evil? They also talk about horror tropes and gender and Abigail has a revelation about the significance of Hibbing, MN within the Supernatural uni...

Does what we're zealous about reveal what has hurt us? Abigail, Hana & Alesha explore 1:14, speculate in-depth about Sam's new abilities & talk about the connection between him & Max. They also talk about John Winchester's shitty parenting and the way that both Sam and Dean's particular zealous traits stem from their childhood experiences.   Content warning for discussions of...

If we understand reality, will that make us humble? This week, Abigail & Renny explore 1:13, the magnificent Cassie Robinson, and ask the question "what is humility?" They discuss the humbling of white characters in this episode as they are confronted with racist violence and explore the significance of Cassie & Dean's relationship in humbling them both.   Content warning: This e...

How do our connections with faith help us answer hard questions? Abigail is joined by Sam, Renny, & Hana for a discussion on 1:12. They talk about Dean's view of himself, his concepts of worthiness and salvation, and the contrast between Sam's internal faith and Dean's external faith. They also discuss Sam in a caretaker role and explore the imagery of hands, touch, and kneeling as visual symb...

What makes a hero? Abigail & Sam introduce their friend Jacob to the show with a discussion of 1:11. Jacob has some interesting theories about why Dean seems to be avoiding John (and who Meg really is). They also discuss how Sam and Dean's different reactions to John give us clues about their family dynamics.  Content warning for (brief) mention of real-life violence during the Going Meta...

What do we do when suffering makes us feel vengeful? Abigail & Sam discuss 1:10, the nature of suffering, whether or not Sam really is angry enough to pull the trigger on Dean, and how this episode brings to a head the conflicts that have been brewing all season. They also talk about Dean's love of horror films and continue to be disappointed in the lack of female characters talking to each ot...

What do you do when you're confronted with the spirits of your past? Abigail & Renny discuss 1:09, rant about John Winchester's lack of maturity and how it impacts his parenting, as well as discussing the (surprising) emotional maturity & vulnerability expressed by both Sam & Dean in this episode. There's also a great deal of love for Missouri Mosely! This show contains content and dis...

In this mini-update, Abigail talks through the decision to skip "Bugs" in our watch-through.  But this doesn't mean we're taking a week off...Episode 9, Home, will be available on Monday, our regularly scheduled release day! Find us on the internet: www.queeringthingspodcast.com

Do we own grief, or does it own us? Abigail & Hana discuss 1:07 and talk forced gratitude, religious guilt, emotional repression, and the show’s continual exploration of Sam’s ownership over his guilt and grief.  They also have their first sighting of bisexual Dean Winchester along with a discussion about queer reading, interpretation, & value-laden texts. CW for religious themes. Thi...

Is sacrifice inherently positive, or can it be manipulative? Abigail, Clair & Hana discuss 1:06, exploring how the show plays with making sympathetic monsters and how it uses those monsters to contrast with our main characters.  This show contains content and discussions that may be inappropriate for those under 18. Listen with discretion. Find us on the internet: www.queeringthingspodcas...

Do we really want to know the truth about ourselves? Abigail & Clair explore 1:05, the show's use of classic Americana mythology, and the quest for self-knowledge (or lack thereof) characterizing the characters in this episode. This show contains content and discussions that may be inappropriate for those under 18. Listen with discretion. Find us on the internet: www.queeringthingspodcast.com

How do we choose our priorities in life? Abigail & Clair talk 1:04 and explore how Sam and Dean choose what to prioritize on this hunt and what that reveals about them and the show as a whole. They also talk about the show's monster lore, specifically in relation to its introduction of demons in this episode. This show contains content and discussions that may be inappropriate for those under...

Why is it so important to us to belong? A bigail, Sam & Hana discuss 1.02: Wendigo, and how it develops the Winchester's relationship and their Season 1 growth trajectory. They also address the problem of cultural misappropriation within Supernatural and this episode in particular. This show contains content and discussions that may be inappropriate for those under 18. Listen with discretion....

Can fear make us courageous? Abigail & Renny discuss 1.03, exploring the ways that the show uses fear as a driver for courage and cowardice in its characters. They also discuss how great Dean is with kids and what we're excited to see in both Winchester's character arcs moving forward.  This show contains content and discussions that may be inappropriate for those under 18. Listen with di...

How do we honour the promises we make to each other? In this pilot episode, your host August and their sister Sam discuss the first episode of Supernatural. The explore the promises that Sam and Dean make to each other, to themselves, and to the hunting world and talk about how the show introduces us to these characters.  This show contains content and discussions that may be inappropriate for tho...