I'm seeing what you'd expect in the way of reactions from the craxy fanpeople: there are those making high-pitched dolphin noises of glee (and more than half of those are gleefully anticipating the lusty Dean/Cas or Jensen/Misha hijinks) and there are those firmly declaring that the show is leaping over the shark and this time really, really they won't be watching the show any longer. I find myself rather uninterested. It seems a waste of an episode to me, because these types of episodes (Ghostfacers, The Real Ghostbusters, even Changing Channels) leave me cold. From the episode description it sounds like pure fan service. I'm hoping that they manage to surprise me despite myself with an interesting and enjoyable episode.

Changing Channels is one of my favourite episodes of the series, not just the season, and I found The Real Ghostbusters quite entertaining.

Of the shit they've fucked up for me, it hasn't been the meta. They've done that well in my estimation. Fan service that failed? Paris Hilton.

Most of the fan reaction I've read has been very negative. But most of the fan reaction I read is negative. I'm not entirely sure why some of these people are still watching, because they seem to get pain from every episode. But, that's personal, I suppose.

Some of it seems to be rationally negative, the worry that there's no point. Eh, there's a point if they give it a point. It just has to be machinations of an adversary and a lesson learnt, and why not this over a werewolf or zombie? It's a potentially entertaining supernatural obstacle. I tune in every week to see if they will fuck that up or not.

And then there's the HOW DARE THEY MOCK US outrage which, I just...oh, get over yourself. If you seriously feel you're being mocked by the show, you probably deserve it. But I firmly believe the show's writers don't see themselves as the cool kids, and anyone who thinks they're being shoved into a locker by Gamble and Edlund is looking to be victimised.

Also, if you're mad that Genevieve is appearing for any reason other than you don't like her acting, I'm probably not listening to you either.

Yes, I have always felt very respected by the show. Even the craziest #1 fan, Becky, is really likable. I guess I don't mind them doing an episode like this because I enjoyed the others, plus I like them so much more than clip shows. I can't stand a show wasted on flashbacks. Thankfully Supernatural has never done that to me. They have handled things so well in the past that I'm really not even worried that much about the fourth wall. I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt on this one.

Changing Channels is one of my favourite episodes of the series, not just the season, and I found The Real Ghostbusters quite entertaining.

That's the point in conversation where I generally shrug at people and say "if we all agreed on every point there wouldn't be anything to talk about." Because really, how boring would it be if we all agreed on everything?

Also, if you're mad that Genevieve is appearing for any reason other than you don't like her acting, I'm probably not listening to you either.

I don't think I've seen anyone complaining about her presence as a person, although I have seen people who've stated that they didn't like her portrayal of Ruby 2.0.

plus I like them so much more than clip shows

It's never occurred to me before that SPN has never inflicted a clip show on us. Most genre shows do at some point or another, don't they? Maybe we should send them a fruit basket or something to thank them.

I don't think I've seen anyone complaining about her presence as a person, although I have seen people who've stated that they didn't like her portrayal of Ruby 2.0.

I wasn't that thrilled with her portrayal of Ruby, but I would assume that her above-and-beyond Method research for the role of Genevieve will result in a more convincing performance.

I don't think I've seen anyone complaining about her presence as a person

You're lucky. I've seen so much. It's all meta shenanigans and tinhat complaining.

I've fallen behind on SPN again and I don't follow the fannish parts that much (except reading fic) BUT What you are describing reminds me of some of the reactions I read about Angel.

In particular there was one woman I knew through an IRC group (same one I met Dan through btw) who hated Angel. She's get on chat and talk about how much she hated it and yet every week she watched it.

She said she had to complete anything she started -she started watching Buffy and Angel and she was going to finish watching the series even if she hated it.

Which is something I don't get at all but I guess there some people who feel they've invested so much time to something that even after they don't like it, they'd rather make themselves miserable than "give up".

I watch stuff I don't like, but I'd like to believe I'm quieter about it. I've stopped chasing people down to tell them how much Temperance Brennan annoys me, and I'll only mention my VD issues when someone else brings up the topic.

Watching a show where I was invested and the last two seasons have caused me emotional pain...I don't think it's going to get any better, guys. And the way these people complain, I do mean pain. VD doesn't bother me. I just don't think it's good. There's a difference.

I guess there some people who feel they've invested so much time to something that even after they don't like it, they'd rather make themselves miserable than "give up".

Oh hell no. I've given myself permission to abandon shows that frustrate me that much -- Lost, Heroes, and House to name a few. Why spend the time and equilibrium on something that gives me no enjoyment in return?

Except for Lost, I'm with you on the other two. It actually felt good to bail on Heroes and House and (whisper) Bones.