14 is my lucky number

[xparrot]

So, Supernatural 2x14 leaves me with nothing to say. (And anything I would say, astolat has already said, at eloquent length.) Just. Fanfic, people. I know I've said it before, but yes. I don't see how there can even be fic for this show that isn't Wincest or AU or something, because if what you've written is a decently spooky gen story, true to canon but with quadruple the normal expected levels of classic angst and brotherly smarm, then you're probably actually a writer on the show and have just forgotten. In case you were wondering why CW keeps sending you checks in the mail.

(I also have to note that I liked Jo in this ep. She handled herself well, considering what she was up against, and her last line to Dean, the "no, you won't," was sad and wry without being self-pitying. And when Dean untied her and didn't even ask if she was okay - damn, cold, even if he did have Sammy to consider. He does think of her as a little sister - a hunting sister; he's got enough respect not to coddle her. Though I wish she had knocked him out and driven him to Bobby's herself, because Dean behind the wheel, shot and rush-job taped up, with a probable concussion, a week without sleep, God knows what blood-alcohol level and he might have popped a few painkillers, too...I was worried for the Impala, man. (and then Sam lets him drive at the end. Um, Sammy...))

Also, Dean punches him. Oh, Winchesters! <3

Then there's my all-naye's-fault latest habit, Scrubs, which is just, gah. Good. So good. Not only is it clever and funny and touching and surreal and oh, yes, funny, but it joins the short list of TV shows that have actually made me cry, not just a little moisture in my eyes but genuine pull-the-blanket-over-my-head tears. It's the comedies. They always get me because they catch me off-guard. Dramas, I'm ready for--and Scrubs goes dramatic enough I should have been braced, should have seen it coming, but--the ep is 3x14, "My Screw Up," the return of Ben (Brendan Fraser's char. This show's guest stars rock.) I'm so impressed by the scripting, how they pull it off. And yes, it's an obvious movie homage, but all the same, they use the format of the show so well, the surreality and the odd time distortion and the multi-thread plotlines, keeping you off-balance enough that you don't realize the pathos that is actually occurring--they keep up the comedy, you're laughing right up until the moment JD says, "Where do you think we are?" and it all comes together, everything falls into place and breaks your heart. All the more because you were laughing that second before. Beautifully done. Damn comedies. *sniff*

And last but not least, special mention to Smallville 6x14, because ladies and gents, the HoYay has returned. In all honesty I can't tell you about most of the ep, as it was Lana-focused and thus, per our honor code, we didn't watch most of it. (Though I'm seriously starting to wonder if they actually are going to make her an obsession-inspiring krypto-freak, the number of guys she's turned dark-side for "love" of her is becoming alarming...) But that doesn't matter. All that matters is the final scene, because bitter snarky Clex - is still Clex. And that scene was Clex like first season Clex was Clex.

No, seriously. What was up with that? So supposedly in the show, Clark and Lex were best friends who aren't anymore. But guys who were once friends, and aren't now? Guys don't act like that. Even with the guys who sorta-kinda stole their girlfriends. Girls, maybe, girls will snipe like that, all bitter and vicious - in front of an audience, to make a point. Alone they're more likely just to snub each other. Grudge-carrying guys, on the other hand, tend to either ignore each other, or beat each other up. Clark and Lex are not acting like men who have called off a friendship. Hell, they're not acting like proto-nemeses; their jabs were way too petty ("A little honest work, Lex--you should try it sometime." Oh Clark, honey, please) for any kind of epic good-vs-evil light-vs-darkness dichotomy. Clark and Lex are acting like--since I've been watching Scrubs so eagerly--Jordan and Cox. Old lovers who are still carrying feelings despite their best efforts to purge them. Lashing out trying to hurt one another, to make sure they still have an impact on the other, to make sure the other is still hurting as much as they are.

And Lex's expression, when he says "Right before you tried to kill me" - that moment he can't quite believe it, even as he laughs it off.

But don't take my word for it--witness the ending song-fic (and yeah, I hate songfics. I'm not writing this. The show did. I'm just transcribing here.)

(both of them, incidentally, looking Pretty like Pretty things)

"I understand the allure of trying to unravel the mystery of Clark Kent. I suffered from it once, too. When I thought you mattered," Lex says, petty and vicious as a girl dumped on prom night (sorry, Chloe), as a guitar starts up in the background, Rise Against's "Roadside."

Clark takes a step forward, another, to loom over Lex, using his height as he almost never does, that strength he spends every hour every day trying to hide flexed for this one moment. "Are we done?"

Lex only sniffs, shakes his head. He's faced death before, he's faced killers, and monsters, and his father; and this posturing man-child can't intimidate him, for all he knows full well the true power he's confronting. His eyes search Clark's face. "Nothing left but the formalities."

He hands Clark the wedding invitation. Tell me what I'm supposed to do, With all these leftover feelings of you, croons the music. Clark reads the names, looks up, staring. Lex half-smiles, "Don't look so surprised, Clark. Lana still cares about you, I know that." 'Cause I don't know.You were my best man at both my weddings before; you stood beside me twice, when I thought I was in love. "And I know what it would mean--to her--having you there."

And tell me how I'm supposed to feel, When all these nightmares become real, the song continues. Clark looks at Lex, eyes narrowing, trying to see. Wishing x-ray vision could pierce not just the skull but the mind itself. But Lex's thoughts are, as always, opaque. Clark glances down, up again. Strong, now. He's not the immature kid Lex used to know. "Is that really what you want, Lex?"

"What I want?" And Lex's eyes don't leave Clark's face. He shifts, would take a step forward but there's no space left between them to close. "What I want is to make Lana happy for the rest of her life." She's the prize; I'll put her in a pretty glass case, keep her dusted and polished and show her off to all my visitors. "And I want you to be there on our wedding day." There's anger for an instant, not sniping but real anger, and if he were Kryptonian his eyes might bore a straight hole through Clark's. Staring at Clark, willing him to see. I stood here once in friendship. I spoke to you and smiled and it was real. And I don't think you see the places inside me that I find you, And I don't know how we separate the lies here from the truth. "To see what you lost."

He nods at Clark, gaze examining him, up, down, quick and complete. That same way he used to watch him, but dismissive now when once he was admiring. Longing. But that's gone now; that's over. Now he's just making sure. Lex smiles. "Make sure you RSVP," Lex says as he turns and walks away, hands in his pocket. Casual. This means nothing. "We need a head count for the reception."

Clark stands there and watches him go. And I don't know how we woke up one day and somehow thought we knew, exactly what we're supposed to do. Staring at nothing. Or something that was once there, and he might never have again.

And roll credits. And roll me squealing, because, yeah. Sure it's over. You just keep telling yourself that, Lex. Right up until the point Superman shows up and you can dedicate your life to the cause of eradicating the only thing that ever hurt you more than your own self could...

Comments

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Two (straight) guy best friends (one of whom is Brendan Frasier) have a scene where they play "gay chicken" - they go in for the kiss, slow and romantic, and the first guy to freak out and pull back loses the game. It's hysterical. My bro & one of his friends used to play it (they'd go pretty far, too. didn't hurt that most of the female friends in that group were raging slash fen and would cheer him on...)

(Scrubs is totally worth watching, btw, snappy writing, LOL humor, and loveable chars make it a total win!)

[jakrar.livejournal.com]

Wow. How far into the kiss did they go in the "Scrubs" scene? And why have I never before heard of this game?!? *grumbles about unfair universe*

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

To about one inch away. And isn't it the best game ever? bless all boys, gay & straight, who are comfortable with their sexuality ^^